The Ha-101-class submarines were designed as small, cheap transport submarines to resupply isolated island garrisons. They displaced 436 metric tons (429 long tons) surfaced and 501 metric tons (493 long tons) submerged. The submarines were 44.5 meters (146 ft 0 in) long, had a beam of 6.1 meters (20 ft 0 in) and a draft of 4.04 meters (13 ft 3 in). They were designed to carry 60 metric tons (59 long tons) of cargo.[1]
For surface running, the boats were powered by a single 400-brake-horsepower (298 kW) diesel engine that drove one propeller shaft. When submerged the propeller was driven by a 140-horsepower (104 kW) electric motor. They could reach 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) on the surface and 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) underwater.[2] On the surface, the Ha-101s had a range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph); submerged, they had a range of 46 nmi (85 km; 53 mi) at 2.3 knots (4.3 km/h; 2.6 mph). The boats were armed a single mount for a 25 mm (1 in) Type 96anti-aircraft gun.[3]
Construction and commissioning
Ha-107 was laid down on 1 August 1944 by Mitsubishi at Kobe, Japan, as Small Supply Submarine No. 4607.[4] She was launched on 20 December 1944 and was named Ha-107 that day.[4] She was completed and commissioned on 7 February 1945.[4]
Service history
Upon commissioning, Ha-107 was assigned to Submarine Squadron 11 for workups.[4] She was reassigned to Submarine Division 33 in the Kure Submarine Squadron for training purposes on 20 March 1945.[4]
Hostilities between Japan and the Allies ended on 15 August 1945, and on 2 September 1945, Ha-107 surrendered to the Allies at Maizuru, Japan.[4] On 2 November 1945, she was reassigned to Japanese Submarine Division Two under United States Navy command along with her sister shipsHa-103, Ha-105, Ha-106, Ha-108, Ha-109, and Ha-111.[4] In November 1945, the U.S. Navy ordered Ha-107 to move to Sasebo, Japan.[4]
Bagnasco, Erminio (1977). Submarines of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN0-87021-962-6.
Carpenter, Dorr B. & Polmar, Norman (1986). Submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1904–1945. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN0-85177-396-6.
Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN0-85177-146-7.
Hackett, Bob; Kingsepp, Sander (2015). "IJN Submarine HA-107: Tabular Record of Movement". SENSUIKAN! Stories and Battle Histories of the IJN's Submarines. Combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
"Rekishi Gunzō"., History of Pacific War Extra, "Perfect guide, The submarines of the Imperial Japanese Forces", Gakken (Japan), March 2005, ISBN4-05-603890-2
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The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.132 Japanese Submarines I "Revised edition", Ushio Shobō (Japan), February 1988, Book code 68344-36
Senshi Sōsho Vol.88, Naval armaments and war preparation (2), "And after the outbreak of war", Asagumo Simbun (Japan), October 1975