Destination's Journey

Tag: Second World War

  • Japanese Battlecruiser Haruna

    Japanese Battlecruiser Haruna

    Japanese Battlecruiser Haruna

    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 Under Construction

    Haruna ready for launch
    Haruna ready for launch
    Haruna being launched
    Haruna being launched
    Haruna fitting out at Kawasaki in Kobe, Japan
    Haruna fitting out at Kawasaki in Kobe, Japan
    14 inch gun being installed (in the turret at left) on Haruna
    14 inch gun being installed (in the turret at left) on Haruna

    Haruna in Service

    Haruna at Kobe, Japan one week after commissioning
    Haruna at Kobe, Japan one week after commissioning
    Haruna undergoing sea trials in 1915
    Haruna undergoing sea trials in 1915
    Haruna 4 April 1916
    Haruna 4 April 1916
    Haruna coaling 21 Oct 1915
    Haruna coaling 21 Oct 1915
    Haruna at Yokosuka, Japan 1916
    Haruna at Yokosuka, Japan 1916
    Haruna undergoes trials after reconfiguration from a battlecruiser to a battleship 1928
    Haruna undergoes trials after reconfiguration from a battlecruiser to a battleship 1928
    Haruna 3 Nov 1931
    Haruna 3 Nov 1931
    Haruna underway, 1931
    Haruna underway, 1931
    Haruna Feb 1 1933
    Haruna Feb 1 1933
    Haruna 1933
    Haruna 1933
    Haruna Running trials 28 Aug 1934
    Haruna Running trials 28 Aug 1934
    Haruna Running trials 28 Aug 1934
    Haruna Running trials 28 Aug 1934
    Haruna seen in the mid 1930s
    Haruna seen in the mid 1930s
    Haruna undergoes trials after her second reconstruction
    Haruna undergoes trials after her second reconstruction
    Haruna off Yokosuka, Japan in 1935
    Haruna off Yokosuka, Japan in 1935
    Fuso, (background), and Yamashiro, (foreground), Haruna is in the distant background
    Fuso, (background), and Yamashiro, (foreground), Haruna is in the distant background
    Haruna
    Haruna
    Haruna looking aft at forward main armament late 1930s
    Haruna looking aft at forward main armament late 1930s

    Explosion in Turret No. 1

    Sep 20 1920 following explosion in No 1 turret
    Sep 20 1920 following explosion in No 1 turret
    Sep 20 1920 following explosion in No 1 turret
    Sep 20 1920 following explosion in No 1 turret
    Sep 20 1920 following explosion in No 1 turret

    Aircraft

    Nakajima E8N Dave on Haruna Fuso is in the background
    Launching Nakajima E8N
    Launching Nakajima E8N
    Nakajima E5N 1937
    Nakajima E5N 1937
    Nakajima E5N with a Kawanishi E7K1 in the background
    Nakajima E5N with a Kawanishi E7K1 in the background

    Under Attack in Kure

    July 28, 1945 Haruna under attack by U.S. Aircraft at Kure, Japan
    July 28, 1945 Haruna under attack by U.S. Aircraft at Kure, Japan
    July 28, 1945 Haruna under attack by U.S. aircraft at Kure, Japan
    July 28, 1945 Haruna under attack by U.S. aircraft at Kure, Japan

    Post-War Wreck

    Wreck of Haruna
    Wreck of Haruna
    Haruna wreck post war
    Haruna wreck post war
    Haruna Sunk at her moorings following the Kure raids on July 28th, 1945. Taken after the war, these late 1945
    Haruna Sunk at her moorings following the Kure raids on July 28th, 1945. Taken after the war, these late 1945
    Haruna Sunk at her moorings following the Kure raids on July 28th, 1945. Taken after the war, these late 1945
    Haruna Sunk at her moorings following the Kure raids on July 28th, 1945. Taken after the war, these late 1945
    October 1945 the sunken hulk of the Haruna at Kure, Japan
    October 1945 the sunken hulk of the Haruna at Kure, Japan
    Haruna wreck post war
    Haruna wreck post war
    Haruna wreck post war
    Haruna wreck post war
    Haruna Sunk at her moorings following the Kure raids on July 28th, 1945
    Haruna Sunk at her moorings following the Kure raids on July 28th, 1945
    Haruna wreck post war
    Haruna wreck post war
    Haruna wreck post war
    Haruna wreck post war
  • 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