Laid down on 12 December 1942 as HMS Warrior, a Colossus-class light-aircraft carrier for the Royal Navy, the ship was loaned to the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Warrior. Commissioned on 24 January 1946, she lacked heating for some of the onboard equipment, as the Royal Navy had intended her to be used in the tropics where heating was unnecessary. Unfortunately, the Royal Canadian Navy operated in a much colder climate, which made her unsuitable for service in the north. Combined with defense cuts, it was decided to only operate one aircraft carrier (the other being HMCS Magnificent which would shortly be available) and Warrior was returned to the Royal Navy on 23 March 1948.
While operated by the RCN, Warrior embarked 803 (Supermarine Seafires and 825 Squadrons (Fairey Fireflies). In August 1947, the squadrons were re-equipped with Firefly Mark IV and Hawker Sea Fury aircraft.
After a period of service with the Royal Navy, she was sold to Argentina as ARA Independencia.
HMCS Warrior going under the Lions Gate Bridge 10 February 1947HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31) with HMS Savage G20 in the backgroundHMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31) run aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway due to a steering gear problem in 1947HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31) Sunday divisions 1947HMCS Warrior (R31) fueling HMCS Nootka R96 during deployment to the Pacific Ocean in 1947HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31) in dry dockHMCS Warrior (R31) in dry dock
Aircraft Operations
Fairey Firefly
Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly with folded wings on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly with wings folded on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorSupermarine Seafire and Fairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly landing on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly landing on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS Warrior
Supermarine Seafire Mk XV
Supermarine Seafire on HMCS WarriorSupermarine Seafire and Fairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorSupermarine Seafire taking off from HMCS Warrior
Laid down on the 15th of March 1912 and launched on the 14th of December 1914, Haruna was the forth of the four-ship Kongō-class battlecruisers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her three sisters were Kirishima, Hiei and Kongō. Commissioned into the fleet on the 19th of April 1915, she saw no action during the First World War, although she undertook patrols off the Chinese coast.
During gunnery drills in 1920, an explosion destroyed one of her guns, damaged the gun turret, and killed seven men.
In 1926 Haruna underwent a reconstruction to transform her into a battleship. Additional armour was added and her speed increased. In 1933 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. Haruna participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 (22–23 October).
In 1945, Haruna was transferred to Kure Naval Base, where she was sunk by aircraft of Task Force 38 on 28 July 1945.
Haruna ready for launchHaruna being launchedHaruna fitting out at Kawasaki in Kobe, Japan14 inch gun being installed (in the turret at left) on Haruna
Haruna in Service
Haruna at Kobe, Japan one week after commissioningHaruna undergoing sea trials in 1915Haruna 4 April 1916Haruna coaling 21 Oct 1915Haruna at Yokosuka, Japan 1916Haruna undergoes trials after reconfiguration from a battlecruiser to a battleship 1928Haruna 3 Nov 1931Haruna underway, 1931Haruna Feb 1 1933Haruna 1933Haruna Running trials 28 Aug 1934Haruna Running trials 28 Aug 1934Haruna seen in the mid 1930sHaruna undergoes trials after her second reconstructionHaruna off Yokosuka, Japan in 1935Fuso, (background), and Yamashiro, (foreground), Haruna is in the distant backgroundHarunaHaruna looking aft at forward main armament late 1930s
Explosion in Turret No. 1
Sep 20 1920 following explosion in No 1 turretSep 20 1920 following explosion in No 1 turret
Aircraft
Launching Nakajima E8NNakajima E5N 1937Nakajima E5N with a Kawanishi E7K1 in the background
Under Attack in Kure
July 28, 1945 Haruna under attack by U.S. Aircraft at Kure, JapanJuly 28, 1945 Haruna under attack by U.S. aircraft at Kure, Japan
Post-War Wreck
Wreck of HarunaHaruna wreck post warHaruna Sunk at her moorings following the Kure raids on July 28th, 1945. Taken after the war, these late 1945Haruna Sunk at her moorings following the Kure raids on July 28th, 1945. Taken after the war, these late 1945October 1945 the sunken hulk of the Haruna at Kure, JapanHaruna wreck post warHaruna wreck post warHaruna Sunk at her moorings following the Kure raids on July 28th, 1945Haruna wreck post warHaruna wreck post war
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.
Kongo on the ways, showing two of the propellers and the port rudderKongo under constructionKongo being launchedKongo being launchedKongo just after being launchedIJN Kongo alongside HMS Princess Royal under construction possibly at the Buccleuch Dock, BarrowKongo fitting outKongo fitting out mid-January 1913Kongo almost complete April 1913
Kongō in Service
Kongo seen on sea trials in 1913Kongo undergoing builder’s trials 19 April 1913Kongo undergoing builder’s trials 19 April 1913Photograph of Kongo printed on a postal card. It was taken between 1925 and 1928Kongo in 1926Kongo in 1928Kongo seen in 1929 before reconstructionKongo seen after her reconstruction in 1931Kongo immediately after reconstructionKongo seen after her reconstruction in 1931Kongo Nov 14 1936 running trials after refitKongō on sea trials 14 November 1936 off the coast of TateyamaKongo in 1937Kongo in 1937Kongo off Amoy, China, in October 1938KongoKongo
First Reconstruction
Kongo Oct 21 1929Kongo Nov 29 1930Kongo Jan 20 1931Kongo Feb 20 1931Kongo seen in drydock first major reconstructionKongo March 1931 with dry dock being flooded to commence trialsKongo May 22 1933 in drydock to have bottom cleaned
Kongō During World War Two
Kongo early 1942. Soryu and Hiryu in the backgroundKongo Feb 25 1942Kongo Feb 25 1942Kongo May 1942Kongo back of bridge Oct 13 1942Kongo or Haruna Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944
