(the invasion of northern Sumatra) on 12 March and Operation D, (the invasion of the Andaman Islands) on 23 March. From 13–22 April, Murakumo returned via Singapore and Camranh Bay to Kure Naval Arsenal for maintenance. On 4–5 June 1942, Murakumo participated in the Battle of Midway as part of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s main fleet. In July 1942, Murakumo sailed from Amami-Oshima to Mako Guard District, Singapore, Sabang and Mergui for a projected second Indian Ocean raid. The operation was cancelled due to the Guadalcanal campaign, and Murakumo was ordered to Truk instead. From August onwards, Murakumo was used for "Tokyo Express" high-speed transport missions in the Solomon Islands. On one of this missions, on 4–5 September, Murakumo assisted in sinking the fast transports and . On another mission on 11–12 October 1942, as Murakumo was attempting to assist the cruiser in the aftermath of the Battle of Cape Esperance, she was attacked by Allied aircraft. Three near misses, a torpedo hit and then a bomb hit left the ship unmaneuverable and aflame, with 22 crewmen dead. The destroyer rescued survivors, including Murakumos skipper, Lieutenant Commander Higashi, then scuttled Murakumo with a torpedo west-northwest of Savo Island at position . On 15 November 1942, Murakumo was removed from the navy list. Notes References External links Muir, Dan Order of Battle - The Battle of the Sunda Strait 1942 Fubuki-class destroyers 1928 ships Second Sino-Japanese War naval ships of Japan World War II destroyers of Japan Destroyers sunk by aircraft Shipwrecks in the Solomon Sea World War II shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean Maritime incidents in October 1942 Ships sunk by US aircraft Ships built by Fujinagata Shipyards