1944, Wakaba was reassigned directly to Combined Fleet headquarters, and continued in escort missions between Yokosuka and Truk. She returned to northern waters from the end of February to the end of June, with additional 25 mm anti-aircraft guns added during maintenance refits at Ōminato at the end of May and Yokosuka at the end of June. In July, she made two troop transport runs to Iwo Jima as part of the Japanese preparations against the American landings. A Type 13 Radar was added at the end of July. In August through October, she escorted troop convoys from Kure to Taiwan and Luzon. On 24 October 1944, in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Wakaba was sunk by aircraft from , struck by one or two bombs off the west coast of Panay (). Hatsuharu rescued 78 survivors and Hatsushimo 74 survivors. On 10 December 1944, Wakaba was removed from the navy list. Notes References OCLC 77257764 External links Hatsuharu-class destroyers Ships built by Sasebo Naval Arsenal 1934 ships Second Sino-Japanese War naval ships of Japan World War II destroyers of Japan Shipwrecks in the Sulu Sea World War II shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean Ships of the Aleutian Islands campaign Maritime incidents in October 1944 Ships sunk by aircraft during the Battle of Leyte Gulf