南西方面艦隊
From 10 March 1942 through the end of March 1943, "Matsukaze" and Destroyer Division 5 were assigned to the Southwest Area Fleet and escorted troop convoy from Singapore to Penang, Rangoon, French Indochina, and Makassar. On 31 March "Matsukaze" returned to Yokosuka Naval Arsenal for refit.