Ikazuchi23rd ship of Fubuki-class (special class) destroyer. 3rd ship of Akatsuki-class destroyerIkazuchi is the built by Uraga Dock Company from March 7th 1930. She's launched on October 22nd 1931 and is commisioned by August 15th 1932. Along the Pacific War, she's assigned in the 6th Destroyer Division and is part of the 1st Torpedo Squadron. During this time, she's already in long history of service and when the war breaks out, she participated in the Netherland East Indies campaign together with Inazuma.Huge temporary toiletSir Samuel Falle's FavourRescued 422 peoples!Original crew is 150 men (219 crew max). They stuffed three times as much as her maximum capacity.A sketch of Ikazuchi who turns into something like hospital ship by the communication officer Sasaki Kouji.Ship bowCaptain Kudou's grave is located in Kawaguchi town in SaitamaEarly in 1998, former British POW during World War 2 held a protest. But on April 29th 1998, Sir Samuel Falle who's rescued by the crews of Ikazuchi write a letter in The Times telling how even as the Imperial Navy's POW, they get better treatment than from allied force. This letter helps tone down the protest.
This rescue is told in Hashimoto Mamoru's Kiseki no Umi kara (From the miraculous sea) and Megumi Ryuunosuke's Tekihei wo Kyuujo seyo! (Rescue the enemy troops). "Kiseki no Umi kara" is especially clear in describing life of destroyer crew, please read it if you have the time.
The soup in the illustration is a treat in destroyer's dinner menu, so those men of the sea always get hiked up when they get their rare treat of sweets. When I tried drawing this with the ship girl, it turns out really cute.
Another article in 2003 where Sam Falle told story about his reunion with ex crew of the Ikazuchi. Fortified behind paywall, unfortunately.
