− | * Sunk by air attack in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bismarck_Sea Battle of the Bismarck Sea], 3 March 1943. | + | * Sunk by an air attack in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bismarck_Sea Battle of the Bismarck Sea], on the 3rd of March 1943. |
| **Prior to the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Yasuo Sato, the commander of DesDiv8, made a promise with his friend, the captain of fleet collier Nojima. They agreed that if one gets in trouble, the other will rush to his aid. When Nojima was struck, Sato disobeyed the order to cease rescue efforts and retreat. He telegraphed his superior, explaining: "I have a promise with the captain of Nojima, we will rescue her survivors before retreating.". After rescuing survivors of the collier and Arashio, Asashio headed north but was caught by Allied aircraft and sunk. Captain of Nojima survived and was picked up 3 days later. Sato, however, went down with Asashio, saying "I'm too tired. Just let me rest peacefully here. Go, you guys should hurry up and evacuate now.". | | **Prior to the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Yasuo Sato, the commander of DesDiv8, made a promise with his friend, the captain of fleet collier Nojima. They agreed that if one gets in trouble, the other will rush to his aid. When Nojima was struck, Sato disobeyed the order to cease rescue efforts and retreat. He telegraphed his superior, explaining: "I have a promise with the captain of Nojima, we will rescue her survivors before retreating.". After rescuing survivors of the collier and Arashio, Asashio headed north but was caught by Allied aircraft and sunk. Captain of Nojima survived and was picked up 3 days later. Sato, however, went down with Asashio, saying "I'm too tired. Just let me rest peacefully here. Go, you guys should hurry up and evacuate now.". |