Warships of Japan: Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruisers of the Second World War

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruisers of the Second World War

(IJN Photo)

Imperial Japanese Navy Cruiser Division 5, the Ashigara, Haguro, and Nachi (R to L), taken from the Myoko, 1936.

Battlecruisers (jun'yōsenkan), Kongō-class

Four Kongo-class battlecruisers were built for the IJN just before the First World War.  Designed in the UK, the lead ship of the class, Kongo, was the last Japanese capital ship constructed outside Japan, by Vickers at Barrow-in-Furnsess.  Her sister ships, Haruna, Kirishima and Hiei, were all completed in Japan.  During the late 1920s, all but Hiei were reconstructed and reclassified as battleships.  After the signing of the London Naval Treaty in 1930, Hiei was reconfigured as a training ship to avoid being scrapped.  Following Japan's withdrawal from the treaty, all four underwent a massive second reconstruction in the late 1930s.  Following the completion of these modifications, which increased top speeds to over 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), all four were reclassified as fast battleships.

The Kongo-class battleships were the most active capital ships of the Japanese Navy during the Second World War, participating in most of the major engagements of the war.  Hiei and Kirishima acted as escorts during the attack on Pearl Harbor, while Kongo and Haruna supported the invasion of Singapore.  All four participated in the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal.  Hiei and Kirishima were both lost during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942, while Haruna and Kongo jointly bombarded the American Henderson Field airbase on Guadalcanal.  The two remaining Kongo-class battleships spent most of 1943 shuttling between Japanese naval bases before participating in the major naval campaigns of 1944 . Haruna and Kongo engaged American surface vessels during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in late October 1944.  Kongo was torpedoed and sunk by the submarine USS Sealion in November 1944, while Haruna was sunk at her moorings by an air attack in Kure Naval Base in late July 1945, but later raised and scrapped in 1946.

Imperial Japanese Navy battlecruiser Kongō

(IJN Photo)

Imperial Japanese Navy battlecruiser Kongō on sea trials off the coast of Tateyama 14 November 1936.

Kongō (Japanese: 金剛; named after Mount Kongō) was a warship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during the First and Second World Wars. She was the first battlecruiser of the Kongō class, among the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built. Her designer was the British naval engineer George Thurston, and she was laid down in 1911 at Barrow-in-Furness in Britain by Vickers Shipbuilding Company. Kongō was the last Japanese capital ship constructed outside Japan. She was formally commissioned in 1913 and patrolled off the Chinese coast during the First World War.

Kongō underwent two major reconstructions. Beginning in 1929, the ImperialJapanese Navy rebuilt her as a battleship, strengthening her armour and improving her speed and power capabilities. In 1935, her superstructure was completely rebuilt, her speed was increased, and she was equipped with launch catapults for floatplanes. Now fast enough to accompany Japan's growing carrier fleet, Kongō was reclassified as a fast battleship. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Kongō operated off the coast of mainland China before being redeployed to the Third Battleship Division in 1941. In 1942, she sailed as part of the Southern Force in preparation for the Battle of Singapore.

Kongō fought in many major naval actions of the Pacific War during the Second World War. She covered the Japanese Army's amphibious landings in British Malaya (part of present-day Malaysia) and the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) in 1942, before engaging American forces at the Battle of Midway and during the Guadalcanal Campaign. Throughout 1943, Kongō primarily remained at Truk Lagoon in the Caroline Islands, Kure Naval Base (near Hiroshima), Sasebo Naval Base (near Nagasaki), and Lingga Roads, and deployed several times in response to American aircraft carrier air raids on Japanese island bases scattered across the Pacific. Kongō participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20June) and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 (22–23 October), sinking the destroyer escort USS Samuel B Roberts and helping to cripple the destroyer USS Heermann in the latter engagement. Kongō was torpedoed and sunk by the submarine USS Sealion while transiting the Formosa Strait on 21 November 1944. She was the only Japanese battleship sunk by a submarine in the Second World War. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

Kongo after 1931 reconstruction.

Kongō. Vickers Shipbuilding, Barrow-in-FurnessKongō-class battlecruiser 26,230 16 August 1913 21 November 1944; sunk by USS Sealion in the Formosa Strait.

(IJN Photo)

Kongo after 1931 reconstruction.

Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Hiei

(IJN Photo)

Hiei, undergoing a full-power trial off Tsukugewan, 1939.

‍Hiei. Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan Kongō-class battlecruiser 26,230 4August 1914 13 November 1942; sunk by USN ships and aircraft in the NavalBattle of Guadalcanal. Hiei (Japanese: 比叡; named after Mount Hiei) was a warship of the Imperial JapaneseNavy during the First and Second World War. Designed by British naval architectGeorge Thurston, she was the second launched of four Kongō-classbattlecruisers, among the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built. Laiddown in 1911 at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Hiei was formally commissioned in1914. She patrolled off the Chinese coast on several occasions during the FirstWorld War, and helped with rescue efforts following the 1923 Great Kantōearthquake.

Starting in 1929, Hiei was converted to a gunnery training ship to avoid beingscrapped under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty. She served as EmperorHirohito's transport in the mid-1930s. After the treaty fell apart in 1937, sheunderwent a full-scale reconstruction that completely rebuilt hersuperstructure, upgraded her powerplant, and equipped her with launch catapultsfor floatplanes. Now fast enough to accompany Japan's growing fleet of aircraftcarriers, she was reclassified as a fast battleship. On the eve of the US entryinto the Second World War, she sailed as part of Vice-Admiral Chuichi Nagumo'sCombined Fleet, escorting the six carriers that attacked Pearl Harbor on 7December 1941.

As part of the Third Battleship Division, Hiei participated in many of theImperial Japanese Navy's early actions in 1942, providing support for theinvasion of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) as well as the Indian Oceanraid of April 1942. During the Battle of Midway, she sailed in the InvasionForce under Admiral Nobutake Kondō, before being redeployed to the SolomonIslands during the Battle of Guadalcanal. She escorted Japanese carrier forcesduring the battles of the Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz Islands, beforesailing as part of a bombardment force under Admiral Kondō during the NavalBattle of Guadalcanal. In the early hours of 13 November 1942, Hiei engagedAmerican cruisers and destroyers alongside her sister ship Kirishima. Afterhelping to sink the light cruiser USS Atlanta and the destroyer USS Monssen,damage numerous other warships, and help to kill two Admirals, Hiei wascrippled by shell hits from the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco that jammed herrudder. Subjected to a daylight air attack from Henderson Field and theaircraft carrier USS Enterprise, she was scuttled on the evening of 13 November1942. (Wikipedia)

(Kure Naval Arsenal Photo)

Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Hiei undergoes a full-power trial off Tsukugewan, 5 Dec 1939.

(IJN Photo)

Hiei in Sasebo after first reconstruction, 1926.

Imperial Japanese Navy battlecruiser Haruna

(IJN Photo)

Haruna in 1934, following her second reconstruction.

‍Haruna. Kawasaki, Kobe Kongō-class battlecruiser 26,230 19 April 1915 28July 1945; sunk by USN aircraft at Kure. Haruna (Japanese: 榛名; named after Mount Haruna) was a warship of the Imperial JapaneseNavy during the First and Second World Wars. Designed by the British navalengineer George Thurston, she was the fourth and last battlecruiser of theKongō class, amongst the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built. Laiddown in 1912 at the Kawasaki Shipyards in Kobe, Haruna was formally commissionedin 1915 on the same day as her sister ship, Kirishima. Haruna patrolled off theChinese coast during the First World War. During gunnery drills in 1920, anexplosion destroyed one of her guns, damaged the gun turret, and killed sevenmen.

During her career, Haruna underwent two major reconstructions. Beginning in1926, the Imperial Japanese Navy rebuilt her as a battleship, strengthening herarmor and improving her speed and power capabilities. In 1933, hersuperstructure was completely rebuilt, her speed was increased, and she wasequipped with launch catapults for floatplanes. Now fast enough to accompanyJapan's growing carrier fleet, Haruna was reclassified as a fast battleship.During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Haruna transported Imperial Japanese Armytroops to mainland China before being redeployed to the 3rd Battleship Divisionin 1941. On the eve of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, she sailed as partof the Southern Force in preparation for the Battle of Singapore.

Haruna fought in almost every major naval action of the Pacific Theater during the Second World War. She covered the Japanese landings in Malaya (in present-dayMalaysia) and the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) in 1942 before engagingAmerican forces at the Battle of Midway and during the Guadalcanal Campaign.Throughout 1943, Haruna primarily remained at Truk Lagoon (Micronesia), KureNaval Base (near Hiroshima), Sasebo Naval Base (near Nagasaki), and the LinggaIslands (in present-day Indonesia), and deployed on several occasions inresponse to American carrier airstrikes on Japanese island bases. Harunaparticipated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulfin 1944, engaging American vessels in the latter. In 1945, Haruna wastransferred to Kure Naval Base, where she was sunk by aircraft of Task Force 38 on 28 July 1945. (Wikipedia)

(Kure Maritime Museum Photo)

Haruna at Yokosuka in 1935.

(IJN Photo)

Haruna undergoing trials after her reconstruction in 1928.

(IJN Photo)

Japanese battleship Haruna underway, 1931.

(USN Photo)

Haruna sunken at her moorings, 8 October 1945.

(USN Photo)

Haruna sunken at her moorings, cOctober 1945.

Imperial Japanese Navy battlecruiser Kirishima

(IJN Photo)

Kirishima near Beppu, Kyushu, Japan in mid-October 1932.

‍Kirishima. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Kongō-class battlecruiser 26,230 19April 1915 15 November 1942; sunk by USS Washington in the Naval Battleof Guadalcanal. Kirishima (Japanese: 霧島; named after Mount Kirishima) was a warship of the ImperialJapanese Navy which saw service during the First and Second World War. Designedby British naval engineer George Thurston, she was the third launched of thefour Kongō-class battlecruisers. Laid down in 1912 at the Mitsubishi Shipyardsin Nagasaki, Kirishima was formally commissioned in 1915 on the same day as her sister ship, Haruna. Kirishima patrolled on occasion off the Chinese coastduring the First World War, and helped with rescue efforts following the 1923Great Kantō earthquake.

Starting in 1927, Kirishima's first reconstruction rebuilt her as a battleship,strengthening her armor and improving her speed. From 1934, a secondreconstruction completely rebuilt her superstructure, upgraded her engineplant, and equipped her with launch catapults for floatplanes. Now fast enoughto accompany Japan's growing carrier fleet, she was reclassified as a fastbattleship. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Kirishima acted primarily as asupport vessel and troop transport, moving army troops to mainland China. Onthe eve of World War II, she sailed as part of Vice-Admiral Chuichi Nagumo'sKido Butai as an escort for the six carriers that attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December1941.

As part of the Third Battleship Division, Kirishima participated in many of theImperial Japanese Navy's early actions in 1942, providing support for theinvasion of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and in the Indian Ocean raidof April 1942. During the Battle of Midway, she provided escort to Nagumo'sfour carriers, before redeploying to the Solomon Islands during the Battle ofGuadalcanal. She escorted Japanese carrier fleets during the battles of theEastern Solomons and Santa Cruz Islands, before sailing as part of abombardment force under Admiral Nobutake Kondō during the Naval Battle ofGuadalcanal.

On the evening of 13 November 1942, Kirishima engaged American cruisers anddestroyers alongside her sister ship Hiei. On the night of 14/15 November, inone of only two battleship duels of the Pacific War, Kirishima attacked anddamaged the American battleship USS South Dakota before being fatally crippledin turn by the battleship USS Washington under the command of Rear AdmiralWillis Augustus Lee Jr and then Captain Glenn B. Davis. Kirishima capsized andsank in the early morning on 15 November 1942 in Ironbottom Sound. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

Kirishima, 1940.

(Kure Maritime Museum Photo)

Kirishima and the fast carrier Akagi off Sukumo, April 1939.

(Kure Maritime Museum Photo)

Kirishima in 1932, following her first reconstruction.

(IJN Photo)

Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Kirishima at Tsukumowan, Japan, 10 May 1937.

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Four Tsukuba and Ibuki class armoured cruisers were re-classed as "battlecruisers" by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1912.

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‍Armoured cruisers (Sōkō jun'yōkan)

‍Ship. Builder. Class and type. Displacement (tons). Commissioned into IJN. Fate.

Asama.Armstrong Whitworth, UK Asama-class armoured cruiser 9,700 18 March 1899 30 November 1945; Scrapped.

‍Tokiwa. Armstrong Whitworth, UK Asama-class armoured cruiser 9,700 18 May 1899 9 August 1945; destroyed by USN aircraft at Ominato.

‍Yakumo. Stettiner Vulcan AG, Germany Armoured cruiser 9,646 20 June 1900 20 July 1946; scrapped.

‍Azuma. Saint-Nazaire shipyards, France Armoured cruiser 9,307 28 July 1900 15 February 1944; Scrapped.

‍Izumo. Armstrong Whitworth, UK Izumo-class armoured cruiser 9,750 25 September 1900 24 July 1945; destroyed at mooring by USN aircraft at Kure.

‍Iwate. Armstrong Whitworth, UK Izumo-class armoured cruiser 9,750 18 March 1901 26 July 1945; destroyed at mooring by USN aircraft at Kure.

‍Kasuga. Gio. Ansaldo & C., Italy Kasuga-class armoured cruiser 7,680 4 January 1904 18 July 1945; destroyed at mooring by USN aircraft at Yokosuka.

‍Nisshin. Gio. Ansaldo & C., Italy Kasuga-class armoured cruiser7,689 7 January 1904 18 January 1942; scuttled 1946.

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Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy cruisers (jū jun'yōkan)

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Furutaka

(IJN Photo)

Furutaka on speed trials, June 1939.

Furutaka. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Furutaka-class heavy cruiser 9,150 31March 1926 12 October 1942; Sunk by USN cruisers, Battle of Cape Esperance. Furutaka (古鷹, Furutaka) was the lead ship in the two-vessel Furutaka-class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. The ship was named after Mount Furutaka, located on Etajima, Hiroshima, immediately behind the Imperial Japanese Navy Academy. She was commissioned in 1926 and was sunk 12 October 1942 by USS Salt Lake City and USS Buchanan at the Battle of Cape Esperance. (Wikipedia)

(IJN/U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Furutaka, at anchor off Shinagawa, Japan, on 4-10 October 1935. The three bands painted on her after smokestack signify that she is the third ship of the 6th Sentai (squadron). The cruisers Aoba and Kinugasa, also members of Sentai 6, are in the left distance.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Kako‍

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Kako at Kure, 1928.

‍Kako. Kawasaki, Kobe Furutaka-class heavy cruiser 9,150 30 July 1926 10August 1942; Sunk by USS S-44 off New Ireland (island). Kako (加古) was the second vessel in the two-vessel Furutaka class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. The ship was named after the Kako River in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Kako, 1926.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Kako, 1928.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Aoba

(Kure Naval Museum Photo)

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Aoba undergoing sea trials on 23 July 1927. Aoba (青葉) was the lead ship in the two-vessel Aoba class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. Launched in 1926 and heavily modernized in 1938-40, Aoba initially served as a patrol craft, largely along the China coast, and saw extensive service during the Second World War. Repeatedly heavily damaged and repaired, she was finally crippled by bombing and settled on the bottom of shallow Kure harbor in April 1945; two raids in late July reduced her to an unsalvageable hulk. During the attack on 24 July 1945, future Vice Admiral Di Dick H. Guinn dropped the 2,000 lb (910 kg) bomb which contributed to her sinking.  Named after Mount Aoba, a volcano located behind Maizuru, Kyoto, she was formally removed from the Navy List on 20 November 1945, and her wreck scrapped in 1946–47. (Wikipedia)

(U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photo)

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Aoba, 1930.

(Kure Naval Museum Photo)

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Aoba undergoes testing after installation of the aircraft catapult (visible behind and above the aft main gun turret), 25 December 1928.

(USN Photo)

Aoba settled on the bottom of shallow Kure harbor at end of the Second World War.

‍Aoba. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Aoba-class heavy cruiser 10,822 20 September1927 28 July 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft, Kure, raised and scrapped post war.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Kinugasa

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Kinugasa commissioning at Kobe, 30 September 1927.

‍Kinugasa. Kawasaki, Kobe Aoba-class heavy cruiser 10,822 30 September1927 14 November 1942; Sunk by USN aircraft at Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Kinugasa (衣笠) was the second vessel in the two-vessel Aoba class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. The ship was named after Mount Kinugasa, located in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Myōkō

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Myōkō, 25 September 1945.

‍Myōkō. Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan Myōkō-class heavy cruiser 13,300 31July 1929 8 June 1946 ; Scuttled in the Strait of Malacca after surrender to the Royal Navy. Myōkō (妙高) was the lead ship of the four-member Myōkō class of heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), which were active in the Second World War. She was named after Mount Myōkō in Niigata Prefecture. The other ships of the class were Nachi, Ashigara, and Haguro.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Myōkō at the Kure naval port, 1931.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Myōkō on sea trials after refit, 31 March 1941, 1931.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Myōkō.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Nachi

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Nachi.

‍Nachi. Kure Naval Arsenal, Japan Myōkō-class heavy cruiser 13,300 28November 1928 5 November 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft at Manila Bay. Nachi (那智) was the second vessel completed of the four-member Myōkō class of heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), which were active in the World War. The other ships of the class were Myōkō, Ashigara, and Haguro. She was named after a mountain in Wakayama Prefecture.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Nachi anchored off Kendari shortly after her intense contributions to the battle of the Java Sea, 27 February to 1 March 1942. During the action, Nachi torpedoed and sank the Dutch light cruiser Java, then assisted in finishing off the crippled heavy cruiser HMS Exeter. By the end of the battle, Nachi was almost entirely out of ammunition, left with enough shells for 7 salvos and 4 torpedoes.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Nachi photographed soon after her full-power trials, 1 October 1928.

(USN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Nachi under air attack from task group 38.3, in Manila Bay, 5 November 1944. Photographed by an aircraft from USS Essex (CV-9). Nachi was sunk in this attack.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Ashigara

(IJN Photo)

Visit of the IJN Heavy Cruiser Ashigara to Germany, 1 May 1937.

‍Ashigara. Kawasaki, Kobe Myōkō-class heavy cruiser 13,300 8 February1929 8 June 1945; Sunk by HMS Trenchant in Bangka Strait. Ashigara (足柄) was the final vessel of the four-member Myōkō class of heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, which were active in the Second World War. The other ships of the class were Nachi, Myōkō, and Haguro. Ashigara was named after Mount Ashigara on the border of Kanagawa and Shizuoka Prefectures.

(IJN Photo)

Visit of the IJN Heavy Cruiser Ashigara to Germany, 1 May 1937.

(IJN Photo)

A Type 0 three-seat reconnaissance seaplane (Aichi E13A) was being launched from the port catapult (Type № 2 Model 5) IJN Heavy Cruiser Ashigara. Java Sea, May 1943.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Ashigara, May 1937.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Haguro

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Haguro.

‍Haguro. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Myōkō-class heavy cruiser 13,300 25 April1929 16 May 1945; Sunk by Royal Navy at Battle of the Malacca Strait. Haguro (羽黒) was a Myōkō-class heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy,named after Mount Haguro in Yamagata Prefecture. Commissioned in 1929, Hagurosaw significant service during the Second World War, participating in ninenaval engagements between 1942 and 1945. As a heavy cruiser, she was betterarmed and armored than most surface vessels, and had multiple battles duringher combat career. In the early part of the war, she engaged in vigorous shorebombardment duties to support the Japanese invasions of the Philippines andDutch East Indies, and took part in the destruction of the Allied cruiser forcedefending the Dutch East Indies at the Battle of the Java Sea from 27 Februaryto 1 March 1942. With torpedo hits, Haguro sank the Allied flagship, thelight cruiser HNLMS De Ruyter, and the destroyer HNLMS Kortenaer,and with gunfire scored primary credit for sinking the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter,and was not damaged during the entire battle.

After patrol duty, from 7–8 May, Haguro escorted aircraft carriersduring the Battle of the Coral Sea, escorted the invasion force at the Battleof Midway, and escorted carriers during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on24 August. After a long series of patrol and escorting duties, Haguro fought anAmerican cruiser-destroyer force at the battle of Empress Augusta Bay, whereshe helped to damage the light cruiser USS Denver. She was hit by ten6-inch (152 mm) shells from enemy cruisers, but most were duds as she got offwith light damage. After more patrol duties and surviving the occasional airraid, Haguro escorted carriers at the Battle of the Philippine Sea,where she aided the sinking aircraft carrier Taihō, and fought in theBattle of Leyte Gulf, surviving the submarine and air attacks that sank severalJapanese ships, and in turn damaging several US warships and helping to sinkthe destroyer USS Hoel while taking minor damage from shell and bombhits.

After escaping back to mainland Japan, Haguro spent most of 1945transiting between bases for cargo transport mission. In May, she wastransporting troops when she was ambushed by Royal Navy destroyers in theMalacca Strait, the last surface battle between enemy warships. Hagurowas sunk by at least nine torpedo hits and nearly an hour of gunfire. The wreckwas discovered in 2010 and illegally salvaged in 2014. (Wikipedia)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Haguro, underway in 1936.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Haguro on sea trials in 1941 following refits to the superstructure.

(USAAF Photo)

Aircraft of the USAAF 3rd Bomb Group attack Japanese ships in Simpson Harbor, 2 November 1943. The heavy cruiser Haguro is in the foreground. She had been somewhat damaged during the battle of Empress Augusta Bay the previous night. The burning transport at right appears to be one of the Hakone Maru class, of which Hakone Maru, Hakozaki Maru and Hakusan Maru were still afloat at the time. The ship in the left distance, partially hidden by smoke, appears to be the submarine tender Chogei or Jingei.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Takao‍

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Takao on a trial run off Tateyama, mouth of Tokyo Bay.

‍Takao. Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan Takao-class heavy cruiser 15,490 31May 1932 29 October 1946; Sunk as a target ship in the Strait of Malacca after surrender to the Royal Navy. Takao (高雄) was the lead vessel in the Takao-class heavy cruisers, active in the Second World War with the Imperial Japanese Navy. These were the largest cruisers in the Japanese fleet, and were intended to form the backbone of a multipurpose long-range strike force. Her sister ships were Atago, Maya and Chōkai. Takao was the only ship of her class to survive the war. She was surrendered to British forces at Singapore in September 1945, then sunk as a target ship in 1946. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

The bridge of IJN Heavy Cruiser Takao the year she was commissioned, 1932.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Takao on a trial run off Tateyama, mouth of Tokyo Bay, 1 July 1932.

(RN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Takao, surrendered to British forces at Seletar, Singapore. September 1945.

(IJN Photo)

A forward view of turrent 1 and 2 and the bridge of the IJN Heavy Cruiser Takao.

(IJN Photo, 1939.

IJN Heavy Cruiser Takao after modernisation.

(IJN Photo)

Aft view of Takao, anchored in Sukumo Bay, 11 May 1937.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Atago

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Atago on full-power trials. Sukumo Bay, 13 February 1932.

‍Atago. Kure Naval Arsenal, Japan Takao-class heavy cruiser 15,490 30March 1932 23 October 1944; Sunk by USS Darter at in Palawan Passageduring the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Atago (愛宕) was the second vessel in the Takao-class heavy cruisers, active in the Second World War with the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). These were among the largest and most modern cruisers in the Japanese fleet, designed with the intention to form the backbone of a multipurpose long-range strike force. Her sister ships were Takao, Maya, and Chōkai. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

Takao-class Heavy Cruiser Atago at anchor, 1930s. Torpedoed and sunk by USS Darter, 23 October 1944.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Chokai

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Chokai in 1933, shortly after she was commissioned.‍

Chōkai. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Takao-class heavy cruiser 15,490 30 June 1932 25 October 1944; Sunk by USN during Battle off Samar. Chōkai participated in numerous actions during the Pacific War including the Battle of Savo Island off Guadalcanal, in which she, along with other Japanese cruisers, sank the heavy cruisers USS Astoria, USS Vincennes and USS Quincy. She was sunk in the Battle off Samar in October 1944. Chōkai (鳥海) was aTakao-class heavy cruiser, armed with ten 20 cm (8 in) guns, four 12 cm (5 in)guns, eight tubes for the Type 93 torpedo, and assorted anti-aircraft guns.Named for Mount Chōkai, Chōkai was designed with the Imperial Japanese Navy strategy of the great "Decisive Battle" in mind, and built in 1932 by Mitsubishi's shipyard in Nagasaki. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

The bridge of Chōkai, 1930.

(IJN Photo)

Chokai, Takao class heavy cuiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, at anchor at Chuuk Islands, and BB Yamato (behind left), 20 Nov 1942.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Maya

(IJN Photo)

Maya off Tawi-Tawi, the Philippines, May 1944.

‍Maya. Kawasaki, Kobe Takao-class heavy cruiser 15,490 30 June 1932 23October 1944; Sunk by USS Dace at in the Palawan Passage during theBattle of Leyte Gulf. Maya (摩耶) was one of four Takao-class heavy cruisers, active in the Second World War with the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). These were the largest and most modern cruisers in the Japanese fleet, and were intended to form the backbone of a multipurpose long-range strike force. These ships were fast, powerful and heavily armed, with enough firepower to hold their own against any cruiser in any other navy in the world. Her sister ships were Takao, Atago and Chōkai. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

Maya underway, shortly after she was commissioned, billowing smoke from her funnels. 1933.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Mogami

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Mogami, July 1935.

‍Mogami. Kure Naval Arsenal, Japan Mogami-class heavy cruiser 13,440 28July 1935 25 October 1944; Scuttled after Battle of the Surigao Strait. Mogami (最上) was the lead ship in the four-vessel Mogami class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was named after the Mogami River in Tōhoku region of Japan. The Mogami-class ships were constructed as "light cruisers" (per the London Naval Treaty) with five triple 155-millimetre (6.1 in) dual purpose guns. They were exceptionally large for light cruisers, and the barbettes for the main battery were designed for quick refitting with twin 8-inch (203 mm) guns. In 1937 all four ships were "converted" to heavy cruisers in this fashion. Mogami served in numerous combat engagements in the Second World War, until she was sunk at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

Japanese aircraft onboard Mogami's newly installed flight deck, 1 August 1943.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Mogami as completed, running trials off Sukumo Bay at 36 kts. full speed, 20 March 1935. Her welded hull suffered serious damage during these trials. Catapult is not installed yet.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Mikuma

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Mikuma anchored in Kagoshima Harbor and photographed from the submarine tender Tsurugizaki, 12 April 1939.

‍Mikuma. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Mogami-class heavy cruiser 13,440 29 August1935 6 June 1942; Sunk by USN aircraft, Battle of Midway. Mikuma (三隈, Mikuma) was a heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The second vessel in the four-ship Mogami class, she was laid down in 1931 and commissioned in 1935. During World War II she participated in the Battle of Sunda Strait in February 1942 and the Battle of Midway in June 1942, and was sunk the last day of the latter engagement, on 6 June. The ship was named after the Mikuma river in Oita prefecture, Japan. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Mikuma burning and listing to port two hours before sinking. Note her completely destroyed midsection.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Suzuya

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Suzuya during trials of Tateyama after the Second Efficiency Improvement Works, 18 August 1937. Suzuya (鈴谷) was the third of four vessels in the Mogami class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was named after the Suzuya River on Karafuto (present day Sakhalin, Russia).

‍Suzuya. Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan Mogami-class heavy cruiser 13,44031 October 1937 25 October 1944; Scuttled after Battle off Samar.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Suzuya during trials of Tateyama, in the first half november 1935.

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Suzuya moored in Kure Naval harbour, photographed fron the battleship Fuso, 5 January 1939.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Kumano

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Kumano.

‍Kumano. Kawasaki, Kobe Mogami-class heavy cruiser 13,440 31 October 193725 November 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft at Santa Cruz, Philippines. Kumano (熊野) was one of four Mogami class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy, serving in the Second World War. She was named after the Kumano River Kii Peninsula on the island of Honshu in central Japan. The Mogami-class ships were constructed as "light cruisers" (per the Washington Naval Treaty) with five triple 6.1-inch dual purpose guns. They were exceptionally large for light cruisers, and the barbettes for the main battery were designed for quick refitting with twin 8-inch guns. In 1937 all four ships were "converted" to heavy cruisers in this fashion. Kumano served in numerous combat engagements in the Pacific War, until she was eventually sunk by carrier aircraft from Task Force 38 while she was undergoing repairs at Santa Cruz, Zambales, Philippines, in November 1944. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Kumano, 1937.

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Tone

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Tone anchored in Hashirajima shortly before the battle of Midway, taken from the battleship Hiei, 1 May 1942.

‍Tone. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Tone-class heavy cruiser 15,200 20 November 1938 24 July 1945; Sunk at Etajima, Hiroshima, raised and scrapped post war. Tone (利根) was the lead ship in the two-vessel Tone class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. The ship was named after the Tone River, in the Kantō region of Japan and was completed on 20 November 1938 at Mitsubishi's Nagasaki shipyards. Tone was designed for long-range scouting missions and had a large seaplane capacity. She was extensively employed during World War II usually providing scouting services to their aircraft carrier task forces. She almost always operated in this capacity in conjunction with her sister ship Chikuma. She was involved in sinking the destroyer USS Edsall in the Java Sea, before escorting aircraft carriers at the Indian Ocean Raid and battles of Midway, Eastern Solomons, and Santa Cruz throughout 1942. In 1944, Tone sank the British steamship Behar, and committed a war crime when anywhere between 60 and 80 civilians were murdered aboard the ship. At the battle of Leyte Gulf, Tone survived several bomb hits from US aircraft and in turn fought Taffy 3 where she mostly operated alongside the heavy cruiser Haguro, together crippling the escort carrier USS Kalinin Bay and damaging the escort carrier USS Fanshaw Bay. Near the end of the war, Tone was sunk in port by US carrier aircraft and scrapped post war. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Tone sinking under carrier-based air attacks, 24 July 1945.

(USN Photo)

On 24 July 1945, Task Force 38 launched a large air raid against Kure aimed at the final destruction of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Nine aircraft from the light carrier Monterey hit the Imperial Japanese Navy heavy cruiser Tone with three bombs, causing her to settle to the bottom of the bay. The hulk was attacked again on 28 July by rockets and armour-piercing bombs dropped by planes from the carriers Wasp, Bataan and Ticonderoga. Tone was removed from the Navy List on 20 November 1945 and scrapped after the war from 1947–1948. (Wikipedia)

Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Chikuma

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Chikuma.

‍Chikuma. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Tone-class heavy cruiser 15,200 20 May 1939 25 October 1944; Sunk at Battle off Samar. Chikuma (筑摩) was the second and last vessel in the Tone class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. The ship was named after the Chikuma River in Nagano Prefecture. Entering service in 1939, Chikuma saw battle during the Second World War in the Pacific, hunting small allied ships in the Indian Ocean and serving in many escorting missions throughout many large-scale aircraft carrier battles between Japan and the United States. On the 25 of October 1944, she served in the Battle off Samar where she possibly sank the escort carrier USS Gambier Bay (though most modern sources attribute the carrier's sinking to the IJN Battleship Yamato) and damaged the destroyer USS Heermann, before being crippled by gunfire from the destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts and sunk by air attacks. (Wikipedia)

(IJN Photo)

IJN Heavy Cruiser Chikuma.

Protected cruisers (Bōgo jun'yōkan) & unprotected cruisers (Mubōbina jun'yōkan)

Chihaya. Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Unprotected cruiser 1,238 9 September1901 1 September 1929; training hulk to the end of the Second World War.

‍Tsushima. Kure Naval Arsenal Niitaka-class protected cruiser 3,366 14February 1904 1 April 1939; Sunk off Miura 1944.

‍Yodo. Kawasaki Yards, Kobe Yodo-class protected cruiser 1,250 8 April1908 1 April 1940; Decommissioned; scrapped 1945.

‍Hirado. Kawasaki Yards, Kobe Chikuma-class protected cruiser 5,040 17June 1912 1 April 1940; Decommissioned; scrapped 1947.

‍Yahagi. Mitsubishi Yards, Nagasaki Chikuma-class protected cruiser 5,04027 June 1912 1 April 1940; Decommissioned; scrapped 1947.

Light cruisers (Kei jun'yōkan)

Tatsuta. Sasebo Navy Yard Tenryū-class light cruiser 3,948 31 May 191913 March 1944; Sunk by USS Sand Lance east of Hachijojima.

‍Tenryū. Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Tenryū-class light cruiser 3,948 20November 1919 18 December 1942; Sunk by USS Albacore E of Madang.

‍Kuma. Sasebo Navy Yard Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 31 August 1920 10March 1944; Sunk by HMS Tally-Ho west of Penang.

‍Tama. Sasebo Navy Yard Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 29 January 1921 25October 1944; Sunk by USS Jallao northeast of Luzon.

‍Kiso. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 29 January1921 20 March 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft west of Cavite.

‍Kitakami. Sasebo Navy Yard Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 15 April 192130 November 1945; scrapped 10 August 1946 – 31 March 1947.

‍Ōi. Kawasaki, Kobe Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 10 October 1921 19July 1944; Sunk by USS Flasher south of Hong Kong.

‍Nagara. Sasebo Navy Yard Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 21 April 19227 August 1944; Sunk by USS Croaker off Amakusa.

‍Natori. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 15September 1922 18 August 1944; Sunk by USS Hardhead east of Samar.

‍Kinu. Kawasaki, Kobe Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 10 November 192226 October 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft in Sibuyan Sea.

‍Yura. Sasebo Navy Yard Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 20 March 1923 25October 1942; Scuttled off Savo Island after bombing by USAAF.

‍Isuzu. Uraga Dock Company Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 15 August1923 7 April 1945; Sunk by USN submarines off Sumbawa.

‍Abukuma. Uraga Dock Company Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 26 May 192526 October 1944; Sunk by USAAF aircraft off Negros Island.

‍Sendai. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Sendai-class light cruiser 5,195 29 April1924 3 November 1943; Sunk by USN cruisers at Empress Augusta Bay.

‍Jintsu. Kawasaki, Kobe Sendai-class light cruiser 5,195 31 July 1925 13July 1943; Sunk by USN cruisers off Kolombangara.

‍Naka. Sasebo Navy Yard Sendai-class light cruiser 5,195 30 November 192518 February 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft off Truk.

‍Yūbari. Sasebo Navy Yard Yūbari-class light cruiser 2,840 23 July 192328 April 1944; Sunk by USS Bluegill off Palau.

‍Katori. Mitsubishi, Yokohama Katori-class training cruiser 5,890 20April 1940 18 February 1944; Sunk by USS Iowa off Truk.

‍Kashima. Mitsubishi, Yokohama Katori-class training cruiser 5,890 31 May1940 5 October 1945; Scrapped.

‍Kashii. Mitsubishi, Yokohama Katori-class training cruiser 5,890 15 July1941 20 March 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft, South China Sea.

‍Agano. Sasebo Navy Yard Agano-class light cruiser 6,650 31 October 194215 February 1944; Sunk by USS Skate north of Truk.

‍Noshiro. Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Agano-class light cruiser 6,652 30 June1943 26 October 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft south of Mindoro.

‍Yahagi. Sasebo Navy Yard Agano-class light cruiser 6,650 29 December1943 7 April 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft south of Kagoshima.

‍Sakawa. Sasebo Navy Yard Agano-class light cruiser 6,652 30 November1944 10 October 1945; war prize to USA, expended at atomic bomb test at BikiniAtoll on 2 July 1946.

‍Ōyodo. Kure Naval Arsenal Ōyodo-class light cruiser 8,164 28 February1943 25 July 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft at Kure

‍Ioshima. Harima Shipyards Ioshima-class light cruiser 2,526 28 June 194419 September 1944; Sunk by USS Shad south of Cape Omaezaki.

‍Yasoshima. Kiangnan Dockyard, China Ioshima-class light cruiser 2,448 25September 1944 25 November 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft west of Luzon.