Shiro Kawase

Quick Facts: Who was Shiro Kawase?

Subject:

Shiro Kawase

Known for:

Vice Admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy, known for torpedo expertise and Aleutians command.

Born:

1889-07-07

Died:

1946-07-20

Century / Era:

1889s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Shiro Kawase (河瀬 四郎, Kawase Shirō; 7 July 1889 – 20 July 1946) was a vice admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. He was a torpedo expert and his extensive experience as a commander of destroyers and destroyer formations made him more knowledgeable about the escort of convoys than most Japanese commanders of his time. He is best known for his command of the 5th Fleet during the latter stages of the Aleutians campaign in the spring and summer of 1943. Kawase was born in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, on 7 July 1889. He graduated from the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy on 18 July 1910, ranked 22nd in a class of 149 cadets.

Career & Major Achievements

As a midshipman, Kawase was assigned after graduation to the protected cruiser Kasagi, then transferred briefly to the armored cruiser Izumo on 23 March 1911 and then to the armored cruiser Iwate on 1 April 1911. Receiving his commission as an ensign on 1 December 1911, he attended the basic classes at the Gunnery School and Torpedo School in 1912 and 1913. Promoted to lieutenant, junior grade, on 1 December 1913, he served aboard the destroyer Kikutsuki before transferring to the protected cruiser Chikuma on 27 May 1914. Kawase was aboard Chikuma when Japan entered World War I on the side of the Allies on 23 August 1914. Chikuma was part of the Imperial Japanese Navy squadron which gave chase to the German East Asia Squadron in 1914, then joined the armored cruisers Ibuki and Nisshin in hunting for the Imperial German Navy light cruiser SMS Emden, which was raiding Allied shipping in the Indian Ocean.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

From December 1914 to February 1915, Chikuma and the protected cruiser Yahagi patrolled off the northern coast of Queensland, Australia. Kawase transferred to the new battleship Fusō, still fitting out, on 30 June 1915, and was aboard her for her commissioning on 8 November 1915. She entered service with the 1st Fleet in December 1915 and patrolled off the coast of China without seeing combat. On 1 December 1916, Kawase was promoted to lieutenant and reported aboard the destroyer Hatsuharu. On 2 July 1917, Kawase reported ashore for duty with the 2nd Naval District.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1889 (1889-07-07): Birth of Shiro Kawase — Vice Admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy, known for torpedo expertise and Aleutians command.
2. 1910: 1910 Milestone — He graduated from the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy on 18 July 1910, ranked 22nd in a class of 149 cadets.
3. 1911: 1911 Milestone — As a midshipman, Kawase was assigned after graduation to the protected cruiser Kasagi, then transferred briefly to the armored cruiser Izumo on 23 March 1911 and then to the armored cruiser Iwate on 1 April 1911.
4. 1913: 1913 Milestone — Promoted to lieutenant, junior grade, on 1 December 1913, he served aboard the destroyer Kikutsuki before transferring to the protected cruiser Chikuma on 27 May 1914.
5. 1914: 1914 Milestone — Kawase was aboard Chikuma when Japan entered World War I on the side of the Allies on 23 August 1914.
6. 1915: 1915 Milestone — Kawase transferred to the new battleship Fusō, still fitting out, on 30 June 1915, and was aboard her for her commissioning on 8 November 1915.
7. 1916: 1916 Milestone — On 1 December 1916, Kawase was promoted to lieutenant and reported aboard the destroyer Hatsuharu.
8. 1917: 1917 Milestone — On 2 July 1917, Kawase reported ashore for duty with the 2nd Naval District.
9. 1943: 1943 Milestone — He is best known for his command of the 5th Fleet during the latter stages of the Aleutians campaign in the spring and summer of 1943.
10. 1946 (1946-07-20): Passing & Historical Legacy — Shiro Kawase passed away on 1946-07-20, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Shiro Kawase

True or False: “Shiro Kawase was promoted to Vice Admiral immediately after Japan's entry into World War II.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He was promoted to vice admiral on 15 October 1941, prior to the main hostilities of December 1941.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Shiro Kawase