Destination's Journey

Tag: Military

  • Japanese Battlecruiser Kongo

    Japanese Battlecruiser Kongo

    Japanese Battlecruiser Kongō

    Laid down on the 17th of January 1911 and launched on the 18th of May 1912, Kongō was the first of the four-ship Kongō-class battlecruisers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her three sisters were Kirishima, Hiei and Haruna. Commissioned into the fleet on the 16th of August 1913, she saw no action during the First World War, although she undertook patrols off the Chinese coast.

    In 1929 Kongō underwent a reconstruction to transform her into a battleship. Additional armour was added and her speed increased. In 1935 a more extensive reconstruction was undertaken, with her superstructure completely rebuilt, aircraft facilities added and her machinery upgraded. She was redesignated a fast battleship and primarily used to escort Japan’s fast aircraft carriers.

    During the Second World War, she provided support for the invasion of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and in the Indian Ocean raid of April 1942. During the Battle of Midway, she provided escort to Nagumo’s four carriers, before redeploying to the Solomon Islands during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Kongō participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 (22–23 October), engaging and sinking American vessels in the latter. 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.

    Kongō Under Construction

    Kongo on the ways, showing two of the propellers and the port rudder
    Kongo on the ways, showing two of the propellers and the port rudder
    Kongo under construction
    Kongo under construction
    Kongo being launched
    Kongo being launched
    Kongo being launched
    Kongo being launched
    Kongo just after being launched
    Kongo just after being launched
    IJN Kongo alongside HMS Princess Royal under construction possibly at the Buccleuch Dock, Barrow
    IJN Kongo alongside HMS Princess Royal under construction possibly at the Buccleuch Dock, Barrow
    Kongo fitting out
    Kongo fitting out
    Kongo fitting out mid-January 1913
    Kongo fitting out mid-January 1913
    Kongo almost complete April 1913
    Kongo almost complete April 1913

    Kongō in Service

    Kongo seen on sea trials in 1913
    Kongo seen on sea trials in 1913
    Kongo undergoing builder's trials 19 April 1913
    Kongo undergoing builder’s trials 19 April 1913
    Kongo undergoing builder's trials 19 April 1913
    Kongo undergoing builder’s trials 19 April 1913
    Photograph of Kongo printed on a postal card. It was taken between 1925 and 1928
    Photograph of Kongo printed on a postal card. It was taken between 1925 and 1928
    Kongo in 1926
    Kongo in 1926
    Kongo in 1928
    Kongo in 1928
    Kongo seen in 1929 before reconstruction
    Kongo seen in 1929 before reconstruction
    Kongo seen after her reconstruction in 1931
    Kongo seen after her reconstruction in 1931
    Kongo immediately after reconstruction
    Kongo immediately after reconstruction
    Kongo seen after her reconstruction in 1931
    Kongo seen after her reconstruction in 1931
    Kongo Nov 14 1936 running trials after refit
    Kongo Nov 14 1936 running trials after refit
    Kongō on sea trials 14 November 1936 off the coast of Tateyama
    Kongō on sea trials 14 November 1936 off the coast of Tateyama
    Kongo in 1937
    Kongo in 1937
    Kongo in 1937
    Kongo in 1937
    Kongo off Amoy, China, in October 1938
    Kongo off Amoy, China, in October 1938
    Kongo
    Kongo
    Kongo
    Kongo

    First Reconstruction

    Kongo Oct 21 1929
    Kongo Oct 21 1929
    Kongo Nov 29 1930
    Kongo Nov 29 1930
    Kongo Jan 20 1931
    Kongo Jan 20 1931
    Kongo Feb 20 1931
    Kongo Feb 20 1931
    Kongo seen in drydock first major reconstruction
    Kongo seen in drydock first major reconstruction
    Kongo March 1931 with dry dock being flooded to commence trials
    Kongo March 1931 with dry dock being flooded to commence trials
    Kongo May 22 1933 in drydock to have bottom cleaned
    Kongo May 22 1933 in drydock to have bottom cleaned

    Kongō During World War Two

    Kongo early 1942. Soryu and Hiryu in the background
    Kongo early 1942. Soryu and Hiryu in the background
    Kongo Feb 25 1942
    Kongo Feb 25 1942
    Kongo Feb 25 1942
    Kongo Feb 25 1942
    Kongo May 1942
    Kongo May 1942
    Kongo back of bridge Oct 13 1942
    Kongo back of bridge Oct 13 1942
    Kongo or Haruna Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944
    Kongo or Haruna Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944
  • Japanese Battleship Hyuga

    Japanese Battleship Hyuga

    Japanese Battleship Hyuga

    Laid down on 6 May 1915 and launched on 27 January 1917, Hyuga was the second ship of the Ise-class of dreadnought battleships. Although commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy on 30 April 1918, she did not participate in the First World War. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Hyuga was modernised in two stages, which added aviation facilities, upgraded her anti-aircraft armament and her superstructure was enlarged to a pagoda mast.

    From 24 October 1934 until 7 September 1936, Ise underwent a major reconstruction to improve her machinery and armor. Despite this, she was considered obsolete at the start of the Second World War, and played no significant part in the early stages. However, with the loss of four fleet carriers at the Battle of Midway, Hyuga and her sister Ise were rebuilt as partial aircraft carriers. This entailed the removal of the rear two turrets and the installation of a flight deck. A complement of 22 to 24 aircraft could be carried, although due to a lack of trained pilots, she never operated aircraft in combat.

    She participated in the Battle off Cape Engaño in late 1944, where she was one of the ships that decoyed the American carrier fleet supporting the invasion of Leyte away from the landing beaches. Afterwards the ship was transferred to Southeast Asia. In early 1945 Hyuga participated in Operation Kita, where she transported petrol and other strategic materials to Japan. The ship was then reduced to reserve until American airstrikes in July sank her. After the war Hyuga was scrapped in 1946–1947.

    Under Construction

    Hyuga under construction
    Hyuga under construction
    Hyuga under construction
    Hyuga under construction
    Hyuga under construction
    Hyuga under construction
    Hyuga under construction
    Hyuga under construction
    Hyuga under construction
    Hyuga under construction
    Installation of 14-inch gun in Hyūga's No. 4 gun turret
    Installation of 14-inch gun in Hyūga’s No. 4 gun turret
    Hyuga fitting out 1917
    Hyuga fitting out 1917

    Hyuga in Service

    Hyuga shortly after completion
    Hyuga shortly after completion
    Hyuga with her original armament
    Hyuga with her original armament
    Hyuga on 11 Feb 1934
    Hyuga on 11 Feb 1934
    Hyuga in 1936
    Hyuga in 1936
    Hyuga in 1940
    Hyuga in 1940
    Hyuga on 4 December 1940
    Hyuga on 4 December 1940
    Hyūga burns after being attacked during the bombing of Kure on July 24, 1945
    Hyūga burns after being attacked during the bombing of Kure on July 24, 1945
    Hyuga
    Hyuga
    Hyuga
    Hyuga
    Hyuga
    Hyuga
    Hyuga 14" guns
    Hyuga 14″ guns
    The forward main battery on Hyuga
    The forward main battery on Hyuga
    Captain (later Rear Admiral) Machida Shinichiro with subordinates on the deck of Hyuga
    Captain (later Rear Admiral) Machida Shinichiro with subordinates on the deck of Hyuga

    The Wreck of Hyuga Post-War

    Hyuga Sunk off Kure, Japan, October 1945
    Hyuga Sunk off Kure, Japan, October 1945
    Hyūga sunk in the shallow waters of Hiroshima Bay, 1945, Kure
    Hyūga sunk in the shallow waters of Hiroshima Bay, 1945, Kure
    Hyūga sunk in the shallow waters of Hiroshima Bay, 1945, Kure
    Hyūga sunk in the shallow waters of Hiroshima Bay, 1945, Kure
    Hyūga sunk in the shallow waters of Hiroshima Bay, 1945, Kure
    Hyūga sunk in the shallow waters of Hiroshima Bay, 1945, Kure
    Hyūga sunk in the shallow waters of Hiroshima Bay, 1945, Kure
    Hyūga sunk in the shallow waters of Hiroshima Bay, 1945, Kure
    Damage to Hyuga's bridge
    Damage to Hyuga’s bridge
    Damage to Hyuga
    Damage to Hyuga
  • Japanese Battleship Ise

    Japanese Battleship Ise

    Japanese Battleship Ise

    Laid down on 10 May 1915 and launched on 12 November 1916, Ise was the lead ship of her two-ship class of dreadnoughts. Although commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy on 10 December 1917, she did not participate in the First World War. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Ise was modernised in two stages, which added aviation facilities, upgraded her anti-aircraft armament and her superstructure was enlarged to a pagoda mast.

    From 1 August 1935 until 23 March 1937, Ise underwent a major reconstruction to improve her machinery and armor. Despite this, she was considered obsolete at the start of the Second World War, and played no significant part in the early stages. However, with the loss of four fleet carriers at the Battle of Midway, Ise and her sister Hyuga were rebuilt as partial aircraft carriers. This entailed the removal of the rear two turrets and the installation of a flight deck. A complement of 22 to 24 aircraft could be carried, although due to a lack of trained pilots, she never operated aircraft in combat.

    She participated in the Battle off Cape Engaño in late 1944, where she was one of the ships that decoyed the American carrier fleet supporting the invasion of Leyte away from the landing beaches. Afterwards the ship was transferred to Southeast Asia. In early 1945 Ise participated in Operation Kita, where she transported petrol and other strategic materials to Japan. The ship was then reduced to reserve until American airstrikes in July sank her. After the war Ise was scrapped in 1946–1947.

    Under Construction

    Ise being launched
    Ise being launched
    Ise shortly after being launched
    Ise shortly after being launched

    Ise in Service

    Ise in 1917
    Ise in 1917
    Ise late 1920s
    Ise late 1920s
    Ise after 1921
    Ise after 1921
    Ise in 1931
    Ise in 1931
    Ise in 1933
    Ise in 1933
    Ise in 1933 with an aircraft catapult on turret 5
    Ise in 1933 with an aircraft catapult on turret 5
    Ise in 1936 after reconstruction with pagoda mast in place
    Ise in 1936 after reconstruction with pagoda mast in place
    Ise after modernisation in 1931
    Ise after modernisation in 1931
    Ise after conversion running full power trial on Aug 24, 1943
    Ise after conversion running full power trial on Aug 24, 1943
    Ise in 1943
    Ise in 1943
    Ise
    Ise
    Ise
    Ise
    Ise forward 14" turrets
    Ise forward 14″ turrets
    Ise
    Ise
    Mutsu (left), Ise (center), and Fuso (right) in Line-of-Battle, prior to World War II
    Mutsu (left), Ise (center), and Fuso (right) in Line-of-Battle, prior to World War II

    Battle off Cape Engano

    Ise firing her main guns during the Battle off Cape Engaño, 25 October 1944
    Ise firing her main guns during the Battle off Cape Engaño, 25 October 1944
    Ise underway during the Battle off Cape Engano 25 October 1944
    Ise underway during the Battle off Cape Engano 25 October 1944
    Ise underway during the Battle off Cape Engano 25 October 1944
    Ise underway during the Battle off Cape Engano 25 October 1944

    Under Attack at Kure

    Ise burning at Kure 28 July 1945
    Ise burning at Kure 28 July 1945
    Ise under attack by U.S. Navy aircraft at the Kure Naval Arsenal on 28 July 1945
    Ise under attack by U.S. Navy aircraft at the Kure Naval Arsenal on 28 July 1945
    Ise under attack by U.S. Navy aircraft at the Kure Naval Arsenal on 28 July 1945
    Ise under attack by U.S. Navy aircraft at the Kure Naval Arsenal on 28 July 1945

    The Wreck of Ise Post-War

    Wreck of Ise October1945
    Wreck of Ise October1945
    Ise sunk off Kure, 8 October 1945
    Ise sunk off Kure, 8 October 1945
    Wreck of Ise October1945
    Wreck of Ise October1945
    Ise sunk off Kure, 8 October 1945
    Ise sunk off Kure, 8 October 1945
    Ise sunk at Kure, 8 October 1945
    Ise sunk at Kure, 8 October 1945
    Wreck of Ise October1945
    Superstructure of the wreck of Ise October1945
    Ise sunk off Kure, 8 October 1945
    Ise sunk off Kure, 8 October 1945
    Ise, which settles on the coast of Tsuboi, Ondo Town. January 1948
    Ise, which settles on the coast of Tsuboi, Ondo Town. January 1948