View source for Japanese submarine I-122

{{Short description|Imperial Japanese Navy I-121-class submarine}}
{{about|the submarine launched in 1926 and originally numbered ''I-22''|the submarine ''I-22'' launched in 1938|Japanese submarine I-22 (1938)}}
{{Redirect|I-122|the isotope of iodine (I-122 or <sup>122</sup>I)|Iodine-122}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
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{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= File:Japanese submarine I-22 later I-122.PNG
|Ship caption=''I-22'' sometime prior to her renumbering as {{nowrap|''I-122''}} on 1&nbsp;June&nbsp;1938.
}}
{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=Imperial Japanese Navy
|Ship flag={{Shipboxflag|Japan|naval}}
|Ship name=''Submarine No. 49''
|Ship ordered=
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation|Kawasaki Corporation]], [[Kobe]], [[Japan]]
|Ship original cost=
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|Ship laid down=28 February 1925
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship launched=8 November 1926
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship christened=
|Ship renamed=''I-22'' on 8&nbsp;November&nbsp;1926
}}
{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship completed=28 October 1928
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=28 October 1928
|Ship decommissioned=16 March 1933
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship recommissioned=15 November 1933
|Ship decommissioned=15 February 1936
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship recommissioned=30 June 1936
|Ship renamed = ''I-122'' on 1&nbsp;June&nbsp;1938
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship decommissioned=20 June 1938
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship recommissioned=1 May 1940
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|Ship fate=Sunk by {{USS|Skate|SS-305|6}}, 10 June 1945
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship struck=15 September 1945
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass|I-121|submarine}}
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|1142|LT|t|0}} surfaced
*{{convert|1768|LT|t|0}} submerged
|Ship length={{convert|85.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}} overall
|Ship beam={{convert|7.52|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|4.42|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*2 × [[MAN SE|Rauschenbach]] Mk.1 diesels
*2,400 bhp surfaced
*1,100 shp submerged
*2 shafts
|Ship speed=*{{convert|14.9|kn|lk=in}} surfaced
*{{convert|6.5|kn}} submerged
|Ship range=*{{convert|10500|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|8|kn}} surfaced
*{{convert|40|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4.5|kn}} submerged
|Ship test depth=*{{convert|75|m|ft|abbr=on}} (as&nbsp;built)
*{{convert|55|m|ft|abbr=on}} (from&nbsp;1936)
|Ship capacity=
|Ship complement=80
|Ship armament=*2 × {{convert|533|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s
*12 × [[Imperial Japanese Navy Technical Department#6th Year Type Torpedo (1917)|6th Year Type]] torpedoes
*1 × [[14 cm/40 11th Year Type naval gun]]<ref name="campbell">Campbell, John ''Naval Weapons of World War Two'' {{ISBN|0-87021-459-4}} p.191</ref>
*42 × naval [[Naval mine|mine]]s
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''''I-122''''', laid down in 1925 as '''''Submarine No. 49''''' and known as '''''I-22''''' from her construction period until June 1938, was an {{sclass|I-121|submarine}} of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] that served during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] and [[World War II]]. During the latter conflict, she conducted operations in support of the [[Japanese invasion of Malaya]], the [[Philippines campaign (1941–1942)|Japanese invasion of the Philippines]], the [[bombing of Darwin]], the [[Battle of Midway]], the [[Guadalcanal campaign]], the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons]], and the [[New Guinea campaign]]. From mid-1943 she served as a [[training ship]] in Japanese waters until she was sunk during a training voyage in 1945.

After she was renumbered ''I-122'' in 1938, the number ''I-22'' was assigned to [[Japanese submarine I-22 (1938)|a later submarine]] which also served during World War II.

==Design==

''I-122'' and her three [[sister ship]]s — ''I-21'' (later renumbered {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-121||2}}), ''I-23'' (later renumbered {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-123||2}}), and ''I-24'' (later renumbered {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-124||2}}) — were the Imperial Japanese Navy's only submarine [[minelayer]]s.<ref name=boydyoshidap18>Boyd and Yoshida, p. 18.</ref> They were known in Japan by the type name {{nihongo|''Kirai Fusetsu Sensuikan''|機雷敷設潜水艦|minelaying submarine}}, commonly shortened to {{nihongo|"''Kiraisen''"-type submarine|機雷潜型潜水艦|Kiraisen-gata sensuikan}}.<ref name=boydyoshidap18/>

The ''Kiraisen''-type design was based on that of the [[Imperial German Navy]] [[minelaying]] submarine {{SMU|UB-125}}, a [[Type UB III submarine]] which was the largest of seven German submarines transferred to [[Japan]] as a [[war reparation]] after [[World War I]] and served in the Imperial Japanese Navy as ''O-6'' from 1920 to 1921.<ref name=boydyoshidap18/> Like ''UB-125'', the ''Kiraisen''-type submarines had two [[diesel engine]]s producing a combined {{convert|2,400|hp||0}}, could carry 42 [[Naval mine|mines]], and had four [[torpedo tube]]s and a single deck gun — a {{convert|5.5|in|mm|adj=on|0}} gun on the Japanese submarines in contrast to a {{convert|5.9|in|mm|adj=on|0}} gun on ''UB-125''.<ref name=boydyoshidap18/> Compared to the German submarine, they were larger — {{convert|10|ft|m|0}} longer, and displacing 220 more tons on the surface and 300 more tons submerged — and had a longer range both on the surface — {{convert|970|nmi}} farther at {{convert|8|kn}} — and submerged — {{convert|5|nmi}} farther at {{convert|4.5|kn}}.<ref name=boydyoshidap18/> They were {{convert|0.2|kn}} slower than ''UB-125'' both surfaced and submerged, carried two fewer [[torpedo]]es, and had could dive to only {{convert|200|ft|m|0}} compared to {{convert|250|ft|m}} for ''UB-125''.<ref name=boydyoshidap18/>

==Construction and commissioning==
Built by [[Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation|Kawasaki]] at [[Kobe]], [[Japan]], ''I-122'' was [[Keel-laying|laid down]] on 28 February 1925 with the name '''''Submarine No. 49''''',<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-122.htm I-122 ijnsubsite.com 19 September 2018 Accessed 5 February 2022]</ref><ref name=combinedfleetI122>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-122.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-122: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |year=2015|accessdate=5 August 2020}}</ref> She was both [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] and renumbered '''''I-22''''' on 8 November 1926,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and was completed and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 28 October 1928.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

==Service history==
===1928–1937===
Upon commissioning, ''I-22'' was assigned to either the [[Kure Naval District]]<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> or the [[Yokosuka Naval District]],<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> according to different sources. On 1 November 1927, she was assigned to Submarine [[Division (naval)|Division]] 9 in the Yokosuka Defense Division in the Yokosuka Naval District.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> She was reassigned directly to the Kure Naval District on 1 December 1930,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> and then to Submarine Division 13 in the district on 15 October 1931.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> The division was assigned to the Kure Defense Division in the Kure Naval District on 1 October 1932.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> On 16 March 1933, ''I-22'' was [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] and placed in [[Reserve fleet|reserve]] at [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]].<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

Submarine Division 13 was reassigned directly to the Kure Naval District on 15 November 1933,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> and that day ''I-22'' was recommissioned and returned to active service in the division.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> The division began duty in the Kure Defense Squadron in the Kure Naval District on 15 November 1935,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> and ''I-22'' was decommissioned and again placed in reserve,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> either on that day or on 16 February 1936,<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> according to different sources.

''I-22'' again was recommissioned on 30 June 1936, rejoining Submarine Division 13 in the Kure <ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> Her [[sister ship]] ''[[Japanese submarine I-124|I-24]]'' had suffered damage to her main [[ballast tank]]s while ''[[Japanese submarine I-123|I-23]]'' and ''I-24'' were conducting deep diving trials on 25 May 1935,<ref name=combinedfleetI124>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-124.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-124: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |year=2017|accessdate=15 August 2020}}</ref> so all four submarines of her [[Ship class|class]] had their designed diving depth limited to {{convert|180|ft|m|0}} in 1936.<ref name=combinedfleetI124/>

===Second Sino-Japanese War===
On 7 July 1937 the first day of the [[Marco Polo Bridge Incident]] took place, beginning the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> In September 1937, Submarine Division 13, consisting of ''I-22'' and her [[sister ship]] ''[[Japanese submarine I-121|I-21]]'', moved to a base at [[Qingdao]], [[China]], and began operations in northern Chinese waters as part of a Japanese [[blockade]] of China.<ref name=combinedfleetI121/><ref name=boydyoshidap54>Boyd and Yoshida, p. 54.</ref> On 1 December 1937, Submarine Division 13 was assigned to Submarine Squadron 3 in the [[4th Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|4th Fleet]], a component of the [[Combined Fleet]],<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> and in December 1937, the [[light cruiser]] {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Kuma||2}} arrived at Qingdao to serve as [[flagship]] of Submarine [[Squadron (naval)|Squadron]] 3, which consisted of ''I-21'', ''I-22'', ''I-23'', and ''I-24''.<ref name=boydyoshidap54/>

''I-21'' and ''I-22'' received orders to provide distant cover for ''Kuma'' while she put a [[Special Naval Landing Force]] (SNLF) unit ashore off [[Yantai|Chefoo]], China, on 3 February 1938, but both submarines experienced engine trouble that prevented them from getting underway to support ''Kuma''.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> The two submarines had greater success on 22 March 1938, when they departed [[Lüshun Port|Port Arthur]], [[Manchukuo]], and each of them landed 15 [[Shanghai]]-based SNLF troops on [[Liukung Island]] in [[Weihai]] Bay before they returned to Port Arthur.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

''I-22'' was renumbered '''''I-122''''' on 1 June 1938,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> freeing up her previous number for the new submarine {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-22|1938|2}}, which was launched later that year.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-22.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-22: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |date=20 July 2017|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref> On 20 June 1938, ''I-122'' was placed in the Second Reserve in the Kure Naval District.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> In an effort to reduce international tensions over the conflict in China, Japan withdrew its submarines from Chinese waters in December 1938.<ref name=boydyoshidap54/>

===1939–1941===
While in reserve, ''I-122'' and all three of her sister ships — which, like her, had been renumbered on 1 June 1938, ''I-21'' becoming ''I-121'', ''I-23'' becoming ''I-123'', and ''I-24'' becoming ''I-124'' — underwent conversion into submarine [[Tanker (ship)|tankers]].<ref name=boydyoshidap18/> Retaining their minelaying and torpedo capabilities, they were modified so that each of them could carry 15 tons of [[aviation gasoline]] with which to refuel [[flying boat]]s,<ref name=combinedfleetI122/><ref name=boydyoshidap18/> allowing the flying boats to extend their range during reconnaissance and bombing missions by meeting the submarines in harbors and [[lagoon]]s for more fuel.<ref name=boydyoshidap18/>

On 1 May 1940, ''I-122'' returned to active service in Submarine Division 13,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> which was assigned that day to Submarine Squadron 5 in the 4th Fleet.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> She soon began a lengthy training cruise in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] in company with ''I-121'', ''I-123'', and ''I-124'':<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI121>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-121.htm I-121 ijnsubsite.com 19 September 2018 Accessed 1 February 2022]</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI123>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-123.htm I-123 ijnsubsite.com 19 September 2018 Accessed 6 February 2022]</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI124>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-124.htm I-124 ijnsubsite.com 19 September 2018 Accessed 6 February 2022]</ref> The four submarines departed [[Sasebo]], Japan, on 16 May 1940 and visited the waters of the [[Caroline Islands]], [[Marshall Islands]], and [[Mariana Islands]] before concluding their cruise with their arrival at [[Yokosuka]], Japan, on 22 September 1940.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI121/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI123/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI124/>

From 30 January to 4 February 1941, ''I-121'' temporarily substituted for ''I-122'' as flagship of Submarine Division 13 while ''I-122'' was in reserve at Kure.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 1 May 1941, Submarine Division 13 was resubordinated to the [[6th Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|6th Fleet]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> By 15 October 1941, the division was a part of Submarine Squadron 3 in the [[3rd Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|3rd Fleet]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

As the Imperial Japanese Navy began to deploy in November 1941 in preparation for the impending [[Pacific War|conflict]] in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]], ''I-122'' arrived at [[Sanya|Samah]] on [[Hainan Island]] in China in company with the [[submarine tender]] {{ship|Japanese submarine tender|Chōgei||2}} on 27 November 1941.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 1 December 1941, ''I-122'' departed Samah along with ''I-121'' to begin what would become her first war patrol.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She received the message "Climb [[Yu Shan|Mount Niitaka]] 1208" ({{langx|ja|Niitakayama nobore 1208}}) from the [[Combined Fleet]] on 2 December 1941, indicating that the [[Pacific War|Pacific campaign]] against the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] would commence on 8 December 1941 [[Japan Standard Time|Japan time]] (7 December 1941 on the other side of the [[International Date Line]] in [[Hawaii]], where the war would begin with Japan's [[attack on Pearl Harbor]]).<ref name=combinedfleetI121/> On 7 December 1941, the last day in [[East Asia]] before the attack, ''I-122'' laid forty-two Type 88 Mark 1 [[Naval mine|mines]] northeast of [[Singapore]], then took up her patrol station off the eastern entrance of [[Johore Strait]] along with ''I-121''.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

===World War II===
====First war patrol====

In East Asia, the Pacific campaign began on 8 December 1941, and Japanese forces [[Japanese invasion of Malaya|invaded]] [[British Malaya]] to the north of Singapore that day. Reassigned to the Southern Submarine Force on 12 December 1941,<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> ''I-122'' called at [[Cam Ranh Bay]] in Japanese-occupied [[French Indochina]] on 14 December 1941.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 18 December 1941, she got back underway to support the [[Philippines campaign (1941–1942)|Japanese invasion]] of the [[Philippines]], bound for the vicinity of [[Davao City|Davao]] on [[Mindanao]] in company with ''I-124''.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> Reassigned to Submarine Group "A" along with ''I-121'', ''I-123'', and ''I-124'' on 26 December 1941,<ref name=combinedfleetI121/> she concluded her patrol on 31 December 1941 when she and ''I-124'' arrival at newly captured Davao<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> where ''Chōgei'' serviced ''I-121'', ''I-122'', and ''I-124''.<ref name=combinedfleetI121>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-121.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-121: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |year=2018|accessdate=5 August 2020}}</ref>

====Second war patrol====
On 5 January 1942, ''I-122'' set out from Davao to begin her second war patrol, bound for the waters off northern [[Australia]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 15 January 1942, she laid 30 mines in the western approaches to the [[Torres Strait]]. On 20 January 1942, she began patrolling in the northern approaches to the [[Dundas Strait]] between [[Melville Island (Northern Territory)|Melville Island]] and the [[Cobourg Peninsula]] in the [[Northern Territory]] on the mainland of Australia.<ref name=combinedfleetI121/> She concluded her patrol by arriving at Davao with ''I-121'' on 30 January 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

====Third war patrol====
In company with ''I-121'', ''I-122'' departed Davao on 9 February 1942 to begin her third war patrol, with a primary mission of supporting an impending air attack on Port Darwin by planes from the [[aircraft carrier]]s of [[Vice Admiral]] [[Chuichi Nagumo]]′s [[Kido Butai|Mobile Force]] and land-based aircraft from both [[Ambon Island|Ambon]] and [[Kendari]], [[Celebes]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She parted company with ''I-121'' on 13 February 1942;<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> while ''I-121'' headed south, ''I-122'' proceeded southeast to patrol west of the Torres Strait, where she had orders to attack [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] shipping as well as serve as a picket to watch for Allied ship movements.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 19 February 1942 at 09:57, 188 aircraft from Nagumo's carriers began [[Bombing of Darwin|an attack]] on Darwin's harbor, airfields, and urban center, followed by a raid by 55 Japanese land-based bombers.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> The attack sank eight ships, damaged nine ships, destroyed 15 aircraft, and damaged structures in the city itself.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

On 24 February 1942, ''I-122'' sighted an Allied [[patrol vessel]] at 06:00, then departed her patrol station at 12:00.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She proceeded to [[Staring Bay]] on the [[Southeast Peninsula, Sulawesi|Southeast Peninsula]] of Celebes just southeast of Kendari, where she and ''I-121'' concluded their patrols on 28 February 1942 with a rendezvous with ''Chōgei'', which had moved there from Davao.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI121/>

===March–May 1942===

After replenishing and refueling, ''I-122'' departed Staring Bay in company with ''I-121'' on 10 March 1942 — the same day they were subordinated directly to the [[Headquarters unit|headquarters]] of the [[Combined Fleet]] — and headed for Japan.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> They arrived at Kure on 21 March 1942, and ''I-122'' began a refit there.<ref name=combinedfleetI121/> While they were there, Submarine Squadron 6 was disbanded on 10 April 1942, and their division — Submarine Division 13 — was subordinated directly to the [[6th Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|6th Fleet]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

====Midway operation====
With her refit complete, ''I-122'' departed Kure bound for [[Kwajalein]] on 13 May 1942, deploying to participate in Operation MI, the planned Japanese invasion of [[Midway Atoll]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She reached Kwajalein on 23 May 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> After a brief stay, she got back underway to support a preliminary phase of the Midway operation, Operation K-2, which called for ''I-121'' and ''I-123'' to refuel two [[Kawanishi H8K]] ([[World War II Allied names for Japanese aircraft|Allied reporting name]] "Emily") flying boats at the [[French Frigate Shoals]] in the [[Northwest Hawaiian Islands]] so that the two aircraft could conduct a reconnaissance flight over Pearl Harbor.<ref name=combinedfleetI121/> {{nowrap|''I-122''}} was to patrol south of Pearl Harbor to rescue the crews of the aircraft if they were shot down, and the submarine {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-171||2}} was to operate east of the French Frigate Shoals to provide a radio beacon for the planes.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-171.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-171: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |year=2014|accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref> When ''I-123'' arrived off the French Frigate Shoals in late May 1942, however, she found the U.S. Navy [[seaplane tender]]s {{USS|Ballard|AVD-10}} and {{USS|Thornton|AVD-11}} already operating flying boats there, and Operation K-2 was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-123.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-123: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |year=2014|accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://pacificeagles.net/midway-the-approach/ | title=Midway: The Approach | publisher=pacificeagles.com | date=26 November 2017 | accessdate=8 November 2020}}</ref>

The [[Battle of Midway]] began on 4 June 1942, and on 5 June 1942 ''I-122'' reached a new patrol area to support the other Japanese forces involved in it.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> The battle ended on 7 June 1942 in a decisive Japanese defeat, and the Japanese cancelled the invasion of Midway. ''I-122'' concluded her patrol with her arrival at Kwajalein in company with ''I-121'' and ''I-123'' on 25 June 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She got back underway before the end of June<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> to return to Japan, arriving at Yokosuka probably in July 1942.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

====Guadalcanal campaign====

Toward the end of ''I-122''′s stay at Yokosuka, Submarine Division 13 was resubordinated to Submarine Squadron 7 in the [[8th Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|8th Fleet]] on 14 July 1942.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 16 July 1942, she departed Yokosuka to take up her new duties, calling at [[Chuuk Lagoon|Truk]] from 24 to 31 July 1942 and arriving at [[Rabaul]] on [[New Britain]] on 4 August 1942.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

While ''I-122'' was at Rabaul, the [[Guadalcanal campaign]] began on 7 August 1942 with U.S. amphibious landings on [[Guadalcanal]], [[Tulagi]], [[Florida Island]], [[Gavutu]], and [[Tanambogo]] in the southeastern [[Solomon Islands (archipelago)|Solomon Islands]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> ''I-122'' and ''I-121'' put to sea that day from Rabaul to conduct a reconnaissance in the waters off Guadalcanal and Tulagi.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 9 August 1942, she began a [[periscope]] reconnaissance of [[Lungga Point]] on the northern coast of Guadalcanal and of the [[Lungga Roads]] anchorage offshore.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> At 17:30 on 13 August 1942 she surfaced in daylight {{convert|1.6|nmi}} southwest of Tulagi and displayed her [[Rising Sun Flag|battle flag]] in an attempt to encourage [[Imperial Japanese Army]] soldiers fighting on shore.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> While surfaced, she attempted a reconnaissance of Tulagi, but came under fire from the island and immediately submerged.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 15 August 1942, ''I-122'' conducted a reconnaissance of [[Vanikoro]] in the [[Santa Cruz Islands]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She continued to operate in the southeastern Solomon Islands until after the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons]] on 24–25 August 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She returned to Rabaul on 7 September 1942.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

An [[Aichi E13A]] ([[World War II Allied names for Japanese aircraft|Allied reporting name]] "Jake") [[reconnaissance seaplane]] from the [[seaplane tender]] {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Chitose||2}} had delivered equipment for refueling [[floatplane]]s at sea to Rabaul, and ''I-122'' embarked this equipment.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 9 September 1942 she departed Rabaul to refuel [[seaplane]]s in [[Indispensable Strait]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She operated off the [[Indispensable Reefs]] from 14 to 20 September 1942<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> — claiming a U.S. aircraft shot down in Indispensable Strait on 15 September 1942<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> — then was recalled to Rabaul.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> Her engines developed a [[clutch]] problem en route, but she arrived at Rabaul on 25 September 1942.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She underwent repairs tbere.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/>

With her repairs complete, ''I-122'' again put to sea from Rabaul on 21 October 1942 to refuel reconnaissance floatplanes at the Indispensable Reefs.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She operated off the reefs from 26 to 27 October 1942, then moved to a patrol area west of Guadalcanal.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> At 06:15 on 6 November 1942 she sighted an Allied [[convoy]] of three [[Transport (ship)|transports]]  escorted by a [[cruiser]] and five [[destroyer]]s southwest of [[Malaita]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She attempted an attack, but the convoy's escorts detected her and drove her off.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She moved back to the Indispensable Reefs on 8 November 1942 and operated off them from 10 to 12 November 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She returned to Rabaul on 16 November 1942, but left the same day for Truk, where she stopped from 20 to 27 November.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She then headed for Japan, where she arrived at Kure on 5 December 1942 to undergo an overhaul.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

====New Guinea campaign====
With her overhaul complete, ''I-122'' moved from Kure to [[Saeki District, Hiroshima|Saeki]].<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> She departed Saeki on 14 March 1943 bound for Rabaul, where she arrived on 25 March 1943<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and was assigned the mission of supporting Japanese forces fighting in the [[New Guinea campaign]] by delivering supplies to [[Lae]] on the coast of [[New Guinea]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She began her first supply run on 27 March 1943, when she put to sea from Rabaul.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She arrived at Lae on 30 March, unloaded her cargo, and got back underway the same day, arriving at Rabaul on either 31 March<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> or 2 April 1943,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> according to different sources. Her second run began on 15 April 1943<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> — the same day that her squadron, Submarine Squadron 7, was reassigned to the [[Southeast Area Fleet]]<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> —  and she arrived on 18 April at Lae, where she unloaded either 23<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> or 23.5<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> (according to different sources) tons of food and ammunition, embarked 15 sick or wounded soldiers, and departed the same day, reaching Rabaul on 20 April 1943.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On her next runs, she departed Rabaul on 24 April,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> called at Lae on 26 April, unloaded 23.5 tons of food and ammunition,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and returned to Rabaul 28 April 1943;<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> departed Rabaul on 2 May, called at Lae on 4 May, again unloading 23.5 tons of food and ammunition and taking aboard 15 soldiers, and returned to Rabaul on 8 May 1943;<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> put to sea from Rabaul on 10 May, visited Lae on 12 May, and reached Rabaul on 14 May 1943;<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and left Rabaul on 23 May,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> unloaded supplies at Lae on 25 May,<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and returned to Rabaul on 27 May 1943.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> On 31 May 1943, Submarine Division 13 was disbanded, and ''I-122'' and ''I-121'' were attached directly to Submarine Squadron 7 headquarters.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

''I-122'' continued making supply runs from Rabaul to Lae throughout June and into early July 1943.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> Departing Rabaul on 3 June,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> she called at Lae on 5 June,<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and departed the same day for Rabaul, which she reached on 7 June;<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> left Rabaul on 10 June,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> unloaded at Lae on 12 June,<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and returned to Rabaul on 14 June;<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> departed Rabaul on 21 June,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> visited Lae on 23 June,<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and made port at Rabaul on 25 June 1943;<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> and got underway from Rabaul on 30 June,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> stopped at Lae on 2 July,<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and arrived at Rabaul on 4 July 1943.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> In her tenth and final run, she departed Rabaul on 7 July<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> and visited Lae on 9 July<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> before heading back to Rabaul, which she reached on 11 July 1943.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/>
On 15 August 1943, ''I-122'' and ''I-121'' were transferred to the Kure Guard Unit in the Kure Naval District in Japan.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> ''I-122'' left Rabaul for the last time on 19 August 1943, bound for her new duties in Japan.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> She reached Kure on 1 September 1943<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> and underwent repairs there.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/>

====Home waters====

After arriving in Japan, the aging ''I-122'' and ''I-121'', by then considered obsolescent, were withdrawn from combat and assigned duty as [[training ship]]s at [[Kure Naval Base]].<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 1 December 1943, Submarine Division 18, consisting of ''I-122'' and ''I-121'', was reassigned to the Kure Submarine Squadron in the Kure Naval District<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> along with the submarines {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-153||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-154||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-155||2}},<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> which also had been relegated to a training role. On 5 January 1944, ''I-122'' took part in submarine [[camouflage]] pattern experiments conducted by the Naval Submarine School in the [[Seto Inland Sea]] to determine a particular camouflage pattern's horizontal visibility and visibility from aircraft, the effectiveness of its color against the sea background, and its ability to confuse an observer as to a submarine's speed and course, as well as to test the durability of the paint used.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

On 31 January 1944, ''I-122'' and ''I-121'' were reassigned to Submarine Division 19 in the Kure Guard Squadron<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> or Kure Submarine Squadron<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> (according to different sources) in the Kure Naval District,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/> in which they continued their training duties.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> By 1 January 1945, the submarines ''I-155'', {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-156||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-157||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-158||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-159||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-162||2}} and {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-165||2}} also were in the division.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 20 April 1945, ''I-122'' and ''I-121'' were resubordinated to Submarine Division 33 in the Kure Submarine Squadron in the Kure Naval District.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI122/><ref name=combinedfleetI122/> ''I-122'' was [[drydock]]ed at [[Maizuru]], Japan, on 28 May 1945.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

====Loss====
At 11:45 on 9 June 1945, ''I-122'' got underway from Maizuru for a training cruise in [[Nanao Bay]] in the [[Sea of Japan]], under the command of Lieutenant Mihara Sosaku.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> On 10 June 1945, as ''I-122'' zigzagged on the surface in Nanao Bay at {{convert|15|kn|0}} while returning to her base at [[Nanao, Ishikawa|Nanao]], the American submarine {{USS|Skate|SS-305}} sighted her at 11:20.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> At 11:44, ''Skate'' fired four torpedoes at a range of {{convert|800|yd|m|sigfig=2}}.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> Two of them hit ''I-122'' amidships, and she sank quickly {{convert|6|nmi}} southeast of [[Rokugo Misaki]] [[Lighthouse]] at {{coord|37|29|N|137|25|E|name=''I-122''}}. Five minutes later, ''Skate''′s crew heard the sounds of ''I-122'' breaking up and saw a large air bubble reach the surface, followed by a great deal of oil.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

Observers at the lighthouse witnessed the sinking of ''I-122'', but the Japanese did not realize that American submarines had penetrated the defenses of the Sea of Japan and attributed her loss to the on-board explosion of her own torpedoes.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> After they reported the sinking, an Imperial Japanese Navy [[Aichi M6A|Aichi M6A1 ''Seiran'' ("Clear Sky Storm")]] floatplane arrived on the scene to search for survivors but found none;<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> ''I-122'' was lost with all hands.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/> ''Skate'' sighted the floatplane, but it did not detect her.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

''I-122'' was stricken from the Navy list on 15 September 1945.<ref name=combinedfleetI122/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*Boyd, Carl, and Akihiko Yoshida. ''The Japanese Submarine Force and World War II''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1995. {{ISBN|1-55750-015-0}}.

{{I-121 class submarine}}
{{June 1945 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:I-122}}
[[Category:I-121-class submarines]]
[[Category:Ships built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries]]
[[Category:1926 ships]]
[[Category:Second Sino-Japanese War naval ships of Japan]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of Japan]]
[[Category:Mine warfare vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy]]
[[Category:World War II minelayers of Japan]]
[[Category:Ships of the Battle of Midway]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in June 1945]]
[[Category:Japanese submarines lost during World War II]]
[[Category:Warships lost in combat with all hands]]
[[Category:Submarines lost with all hands]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by American submarines]]
[[Category:Submarines sunk by submarines]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Sea of Japan]]