The Japanese Heavy Cruiser Mogami was the lead ship of her class class, which were originally built as light cruisers under the London Naval Treaty restrictions. However, they were later converted to heavy cruisers by replacing their 15.5 cm guns with 20.3 cm guns.
At the start of the Pacific War, Mogami, was involved in the Battle of Sunda Strait, which resulted in the sinking of the US heavy cruiser USS Houston, the Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth and the Netherlands destroyer HNLMS Evertsen. Five Japanese transports were also sunk, three by friendly fire when struck by torpedoes fired by Mogami.
Later she participated in the Battle of Midway, where her bow was badly damaged in a collision with her sister ship Mikuma. While retiring from the area, she was attacked several times by carrier based dive bombers, receiving six bomb hits which caused additional severe damage. On here return to Japan, she underwent conversion to an aircraft carrying cruiser with a capacity of up to 11 seaplanes. Her damaged No. 5 turret as well as the No. 4 turret were removed and the magazines used for aviation fuel and munition storage.
Her final engagement was the Battle of Surigao Strait, part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, where she was part of the Southern Force that attempted to attack the Allied landing forces in the Philippines. She was crippled during the night action following clashes with US Navy cruisers and a collision with the light cruiser Nachi. In the morning she was attacked by Grumman Avenger torpedo-bombers and hit by two 500 pound bombs. After being abandoned she was scuttled by her escorting destroyer Akebono.
MogamiMogamiView from the bridge of Mogami over the damaged bow during refueling from the tanker Nichiei Maru after the Battle of Midway.The aircraft deck of the Mogami after conversion to an aircraft cruiser, August 1943.Forecastle and front gun turrets of the Mogami after conversion as an aircraft cruiser, August 1943The starboard side of the Mogami after conversion to an aircraft cruiser, August 1943.
Launched on 31 May 1930, Mutsu was the second of the two ship Nagato-class battleships built for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Commissioned on 24 October 1921, and was assigned to the 1st Battleship Division in December of that year.
During World War Two, Mutsu saw little action being in the main body of the fleet at Midway. During the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on 27 August, Mutsu, assigned to the support force,[39] fired four shells at enemy reconnaissance aircraft, the first and only time her guns were fired in anger during the war.
On 8 June 1943, Mutsu experienced a magazine explosion which cut the ship in two. of the 1,474 crew members and visitors aboard Mutsu; 1,121 men were killed in the explosion.
Mutsu photographed circa early 1920sMutsu seen in 1921Mutsu starboard broadside view taken between 1925 and 1934Mutsu starboard quarter view taken between 1925 and 1934Mutsu in 1927Mutsu leaving Hong Kong, 14 April 1928Mutsu starboard bow view leaving Hong Kong, 14 April 1928Mutsu in Hong Kong, 14 April 1928Mutsu starboard bow view, probably taken about 1930Mutsu Port bow view taken 1930-33. Clipper bow added 1930, searchlight platforms installed abreast funnels by 1933Mutsu starboard bow view taken 1930-34. Clipper bow added 1930, trunked forward funnel removed during 1934-36 refitMutsu in 1932Mutsu starboard quarter view taken 1932-34Mutsu starboard quarter view taken 1932-34Mutsu in 1934Mutsu during her reconstruction, 20 February 1936Mutsu seen during reconstruction in May 1936Mutsu undergoing her second refit. (June 20, 1936)Mutsu 30 January 1937Mutsu at Tsingtao, China, in the late 1930sMutsu off the Chinese Coast, circa 1937Mutsu in 1940MutsuMutsu in drydock, prior to World War IIMutsuMutsuMutsuMutsuMutsu and other IJN battleshipsMutsu
Yamashiro was a Fusō-class dreadnought battleships built for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Launched on 3 November 1915, she was completed on 31 March 1917.
Due to her age, Yamashiro played supporting roles in the early part of World War Two. At the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Yamashiro was part of Vice-Admiral Shōji Nishimura’s Southern Force. On the morning of 24 October1944, she was attacked by carrier aircraft and ship listed by almost 15 degrees after a bomb’s near miss damaged the hull and flooded the starboard bilge, until counter-flooding in the port bilge righted the ship.
Early the next morning, Yamashiro, accompanied by Fuso was attacked by a force of US destroyers. Fuso was hit and fell out of formation, sinking between 03:38 and 03:50. Yamashiro was also hit by one or two torpedoes but after counter flooding to counter a list was able to continue.
During the subsequent night action of the Battle of Surigao Strait, Yamashiro was intercepted by a force of ten cruisers and six battleships. The action started at 03:52 and concluded at 04:19 when she sank. An estimated 1,626 officers and crew were killed in her sinking.
Japanese battleship Yamashiro under constructionJapanese battleship Yamashiro undergoing sea trialsJapanese battleship Yamashiro deploying her torpedo netsA Gloster Sparrowhawk launched from the Japanese battleship YamashiroJapanese battleship YamashiroJapanese battleship Yamashiro in YokosukaJapanese battleship YamashiroThe main armament of Japanese battleship Yamashiro in 1921Japanese battleship Yamashiro undergoing reconstructionJapanese battleship YamashiroJapanese battleship YamashiroJapanese battleship Yamashiro undergoing trials following her reconstructionJapanese battleship Yamashiro following her reconstructionJapanese battleship Yamashiro and aircraft carrier KagaVice-Admiral Sankichi Takahashi (1882-1966) in front of the Rear 14-inch gun turrets of the Battleship Yamashiro.Japanese battleship YamashiroJapanese battleship YamashiroJapanese battleship YamashiroJapanese battleship Yamashiro under air attack during the Battle of Surigao Strait
