JDS Wakaba (DE-261)

The JDS Wakaba was the former IJN "Nashi", a Tachibana-class destroyer. The "Nashi" was sunk in July 1945, but salvaged in 1954 as the "Wakaba", later being refitted as a radar trials ship. As such she was the only ship of the wartime navy to become part of the post-war Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and for some time was the biggest ship in the JMSDF.

'Nashi' is a type of pear. 'Wakaba' means "Fresh Verdure" in Japanese, suggesting the "green shoots" of recovery, a symbol of a new start after the war.

Commanding Officers (as HIJMS "Nashi")

Chief Equipping Officer - Lt. Cmdr. Toshio Takada - 20 February 1945 - 15 March 1945

Lt. Cmdr. Toshio Takada - 15 March 1945 - 28 July 1945

History

* 15th March 1945 - completed at Kobe and under Lieutenant Commander Takada Toshio was assigned to Desron 11,Combined Fleet for training.
* May 1945 - assigned to Desdiv 52, Escort Squadron 31
* 22nd June 1945 - escaped an attack on Kure harbour by B-29's
* 28th July 1945 - sunk at Mitajirizaki, Kure (34.14N, 132.30E) by aircraft from Halsey's Taskforce 38. Takada and most of the crew escape alive.
* 15th September 1945 - officially struck off
* 31st September 1954 - refloated and then repaired at Kure
* 31st May 1956 - joins the JMSDF as the "Wakaba"
* 1958 - Major refit for use as a radar trials ship
* 1960 - Sonar added
* 31st March 1971 - Deleted
* 1972-3 Scrapped

ee also

"Wakaba", a Hatsuharu-class destroyer sunk at the Battle of Leyte Gulf
* [http://www.ships-net.co.jp/detl/200704/045-049e.html Pictures] of the salvage and refit of the "Nashi"
* [http://pacific.valka.cz/forces/tf38.htm#4507-4508 Details of TF38 operations] including the sinking of the "Nashi"