IJN Oite

3D Model

15th February 1944, Oite departed Japanese stronghold Truk (Chuuk) in Micronesia, escorting damaged cruiser IJN Agano from the  back to Japan for repairs. 16th February Agano was attacked with torpedoes from submarine USS Skate. 2 torpedoes struck the side of Agano causing irreparable damage. Oite collected 523 from Agano and set sail back to Truk. Oite entered Truk Lagoon through the northern passage in the outer reef just as US Taskforce 58 was commencing Operation Hailstone - the US Navy attack on Truk. It is said that Oite saw the attack and turned about creating a huge white “U” in the water from the high speed turn, this made her presence blatant to the US aircraft. Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber aircraft attacked with torpedoes and sunk Oite. Oite split in 2 and sank quickly with a loss of all but 20 of her own crew and all of the Agano survivors - an immediate loss of 695 men. This scan was done as part of the Truk Wreck Baseline Project.