Japanese destroyers of World War II

After the Japanese landings on Bali on February 19, 1942, two destroyers (Asashio and Ōshio) were left to escort a transport to safety. In separate night actions, they engaged two superior ABDA flotillas, inflicted damage to one Allied cruiser (HNLMS Tromp) and sank a destroyer (HNLMS Piet Hein). Both Allied flotillas withdrew.[17]

USS New Orleans, showing loss of bow section, including "A" turret, inflicted by a Japanese Type 93 torpedo at Tassafaronga

During the Solomon Islands Campaign, eight Japanese destroyers running supplies were surprised by five American cruisers and four destroyers. Despite the loss of one of the flotilla (Takanami), the Japanese launched a torpedo salvo to cover their withdrawal. Of the five U.S. cruisers, one was sunk (USS Northampton) and three (USS Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Pensacola) severely damaged.[18]

At this stage in the war, the Allies were unaware of the range of the Type 93 torpedo (up to 40 km {25 sm}).[19] The damage inflicted on the cruisers at Tassafaronga was, therefore, initially attributed to undetected submarines.

On 25/26 November 1943, six Japanese destroyers successfully delivered reinforcements to Buka Island at the northern end of the Solomon Islands. On their return to Rabaul, however, they were intercepted by five U.S. destroyers. Exploiting their superior radar, the Americans were able to make a torpedo attack before being detected. Three Japanese warships were lost (Ōnami, Makinami and Yūgiri, without loss to the Americans. This was the last "Tokyo Express" supply operation.)[20]

Four Momo-class (桃, "Peach Tree") were built by Japan and commissioned during 1916-17. They displaced 835 tons standard and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns and six 21 in (53 cm) torpedo tubes.

By the outbreak of war with the United States in 1941, all had either been scrapped, reduced to non-combatant roles or were used for secondary escort work. One survived the war and was scrapped soon after.

Twenty-one vessels of the Momi-class (樅, "Fir Tree") were built by Japan and commissioned in the early 1920s as second-class destroyers. They displaced 770 tons standard and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns and four 21 in (53 cm) torpedo tubes.[16]

By the outbreak of war with the United States in 1941, all had either been scrapped, reduced to non-combatant roles or were used for secondary escort work. Five survived the war and were scrapped soon after.[16]

Fifteen Minekaze-class (峯風, "Summit Wind") ships were commissioned between March 1920 and July 1922, although two of these were converted into destroyer transports in 1940. They were developments of earlier classes, displaced 1,650 tons (full load)[21] and carried four 4.7 in (120 mm) guns and six 21 in (53 cm) torpedo tubes. The siting of some of the weaponry was poor. Two of the four guns were placed amidships, one forward and one abaft the after funnel; in this position they had limited arcs of fire, being restricted by the ships' superstructure. One torpedo tube mounting was ahead of the bridge and liable to be washed over by heavy seas.[22]

By the start of the war, these ships were no longer suitable for fleet duties, being used instead as escorts. Four survived the war.[22]

Eight Wakatake-class (若竹, "Young Bamboo") ships were commissioned between September 1922 and November 1923, seven (one lost in a storm in 1932) served in World War II, one re-rated as a patrol boat. They were small (1,100 tons[21]) second-class destroyers, developed from the Momi class. Armament consisted of three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns (one replaced by two triple 25mm weapons in 1941–1942) and four 21 in (53 cm) torpedo tubes. Minesweeping and minelaying capabilities were replaced by depth charge launchers.[23]

As with other destroyers of their age, they were unsuitable for fleet operations by the start of the war with the United States and served as escorts. Their shallow draft allowed their inshore use in China and the Philippines. One ship survived the war.[23]

Nine Kamikaze-class (神風, "Divine Wind") ships were commissioned between December 1922 and December 1924. They were similar to the Minekaze class, with an enlarged bridge and broader beam to compensate. The construction of this class was cut short by Japan's participation in the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922.[22]

Ships of the class were active in several Japanese sea-borne landings in Malaya, the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies. In the last case, they defended the landings against the Allied cruisers HMAS Perth and USS Houston at the Battle of Sunda Strait. Two survived the war and were scrapped soon after.[23]

Twelve Mutsuki-class (睦月, "First Moon") ships were commissioned between November 1925 and July 1927. They were developed from the Kamikaze class and introduced the new 24 in (61 cm) Type 93 torpedo. These were in triple mounts, allowing the reduction of torpedo placements from three to two. Half of the class were rebuilt in 1935–36, receiving shields to the torpedo tubes, strengthened hulls and modifications to funnels. Further changes occurred in 1941–1942 when many were converted to fast transports, with reduced gunnery.[24]

All Mutsuki-class ships were lost during the war.[24]

The twenty Fubuki-class (吹雪, "Snowstorm"), or "Special Type", destroyers were commissioned between May 1928 and May 1932. They were a completely new design and a radical change from their predecessors.[25]

The 1922 Washington Naval Treaty had limited the tonnage of Japanese warships and, to counteract this, the IJN sought to build a high quality, technologically advanced navy. The Fubukis resulted from this. Treaty provisions pointed to an individual ship displacement of 1,400 tons, but this was disregarded: the proposals of 1924 resulted in nearly 1,800 tons.[25]

The design changes included 5-inch guns, twin mounted in weatherproof, splinter-proof turrets, the transfer aft of torpedo tubes from forward of the bridge, a high, covered bridge and an improved power plant. The new positioning of the torpedo tubes enabled the extension aft of the forecastle and thus greatly improved the ships' seakeeping. Two types of turret were fitted. Type A, with 40° elevation were superseded by Type B with 75° elevation, but neither were satisfactory as anti-aircraft mountings. Anti-aircraft weaponry was otherwise inadequate and it was progressively strengthened during refits, with a final count of 22 25 mm (1 in) guns in some vessels. The Type 93 torpedo had proved itself and was installed in this and all subsequent classes.[25]

Although an impressive and powerful specification, the Fubukis suffered from design flaws. In order to squeeze the required performance into the required displacement, weight had been saved by the use of light alloys, lighter machinery and the use of welded construction. The reduction of weight within the hulls, and the mass of superstructure, produced potentially unstable vessels, but this was not appreciated until March 1934, when the torpedo boat Tomozuru capsized and the IJN reviewed all of its ships' designs. In addition, five ships were severely damaged (in two instances, the bows were lost) in a typhoon and another five had lesser damage to their hulls.[25]

As a result, in 1937 and 1938, all Fubukis had their bridges and other superstructure reduced and magazines converted to oil storage (this would act as ballast). The last members of the class to be built were equipped with lighter Type C turrets with reduced elevation. Despite the increased weight (to 2,090 tons) leading to a loss of speed (by 1 knot {1.8 km/h, 1.2 mph}), these destroyers remained amongst the best warships of their type.[25]

One ship survived the war.

The four Akatsuki-class (暁, "Daybreak") ships were commissioned between August 1932 and March 1933. They were derived from the preceding Fubuki design. They were lighter than the Fubukis, with less powerful machinery. Improved design meant they produced comparable power with just three boilers, rather than four.[26] The bridge was enlarged, and new firecontrol systems were fitted.[26] Torpedo tubes were fitted with shields, and reloads were carried.[26]

They also had the same design issues of stability and hull strength which were similarly corrected.[27] The resulting increase in displacement reduced their maximum speed to 34 kt (63 km/h, 39 mph).[26]

Hibiki had the distinction of being IJN's first all-welded ship.[26]

Three were lost during the war, and the lone survivor was transferred to the Soviet Union postwar.[27]

The six Hatsuharu-class (初春, "Early Spring") ships were commissioned between September 1933 and March 1935. They were reduced versions of the preceding Akatsuki design, resulting from the restrictions of the 1930 London Naval Treaty. A further six incomplete vessels were redesigned in the light of stability problems and eventually commissioned as Shiratsuyus.[28]

With much ingenuity, the Treaty limitations were (nearly) adhered to and displacement was a little over 1500 tons.[21] Despite this, the Hatsuharus retained all but one of the Special Types' 5 inch guns and introduced the oxygen-powered version of the 24 inch torpedo. They introduced a forward, superfiring single 5 inch gun and retained the tall bridge structure. The impact of the Tomozuru incident, which exposed the instability of contemporary Japanese warship designs, affected the Hatsuharus and the two that had been completed and four more under construction were significantly redesigned. The forward single gun was moved aft to a lower position, the bridge and other structures were reduced or removed and ballast was added. Displacement increased to 2,090 tons and speed was consequently reduced.[28]

These ships saw service throughout the Pacific, from the Aleutians to the Solomon Islands. All were lost before the Japanese surrender.[28]

The ten Shiratsuyu-class (白露, "White Dew") ships were commissioned between August 1936 and August 1937. They were redesigned Hatsuharas (six, later increased to ten), in the light of the Tomozuru incident.[29]

These were very similar to the Hatsuharus but with a narrower and deeper hull and greater displacement (1,710 tons[21]). The gun layout of the Hatsuharus was retained but Type C gun houses were used and the torpedo mountings were quadruples, for the first time. The four added ships were further developed, showing an evolution into the succeeding Asashios.[29]

All ten were lost during the war.[29]

The ten Asashio-class (朝潮, "Morning Tide") ships were commissioned between August 1937 and June 1938. They were developments of preceding designs with the intention of combining the firepower of the Fubukis with the designed stability of the Shiratsuyus. The outcome was a displacement in excess of Japan's commitments under the London Naval Treaty, from which Japan had already decided to withdraw.[30]

Six 5 inch guns were mounted in three Type C turrets, with the two aft turrets super-firing (i.e., one turret mounted higher than and firing over the other). Stability was sustained by an increase in the beam. Engine power was increased. Despite preceding experience, there were two significant defects in the design, however. Rudder design did not give the required turning circle and the stern was redesigned as transom. The new engines suffered damage to the turbine blades, a problem not solved until 1943.[30]

The class was active in the landings in the Dutch East Indies, Battle of Midway and the Solomon Islands. All were lost during the war.[30]

The eighteen-ship Kagerō class (陽炎, "Heat Haze") was commissioned between November 1939 and July 1941. In 1937, Japan withdrew from the London Naval Treaty and the Kagerōs were designed free of these restrictions, utilising experience drawn from previous classes.[31]

The outcome was a class of ships exceeding 2,500 tons.[21] Solutions to the stability problems of earlier classes were incorporated in the design, with a lower bridge and a slightly wider and deeper hull. Weaponry was restored to the six 5 inch guns of the Fubukis, in Type C mountings, and eight 24 inch torpedoes, in two quadruple mountings with improved reloading facilities, were also fitted. New engines and machinery layouts were used to improve performance and weight. As completed, there was no improvement to anti-submarine and anti-aircraft (AA) weaponry, somewhat surprisingly in view of Japan's commitment to naval aviation and the anti-aircraft capability of the subsequent Akizuki class. During 1943 and 1944, however, the AA outfit was improved on the surviving ships and radar was fitted.[31]

Ships of the class screened the force that attacked at Pearl Harbor. They were also present in the Philippines, Midway and the Dutch East Indies. One ship survived the war: it was ceded to China.[31]

Shimakaze (島風, "Island Wind"), the sole member of its class, was commissioned in May 1943. It was an experimental design for high speed.[8]

Within a significantly larger hull that displaced 2,600 tons,[21] a new turbine design gave 50% more power than earlier designs and enabled trials speeds of over 40 knots (74 km/h, 46 mph). The standard six five-inch guns were retained but in Type D turrets with greater elevation. The larger hulls allowed 15 torpedo tubes in three quintuple mounts. During 1943/44, the AA gunnery was improved and radar was fitted.[8]

The class, of which Shimakaze was the prototype, was not ordered. She was sunk in the Philippines in November 1944.[8]

The twenty Yūgumo-class (夕雲, "Evening Clouds") ships were commissioned between September 1941 and May 1944. They were continuation of the earlier Kagerō class, with some changes.[32]

The hull was marginally longer and broader and the main guns were mounted in Type D turrets. The anti-aircraft weaponry was improved during 1943–44, completed ships had one 5 inch turret removed to allow room for additional 25 millimetre weapons, but incomplete ones had extra space built in and retained all six 5 inch guns.[32] Ships of this class commissioned in March 1942 and later were the first Japanese destroyers to be completed with radar (Types 13 and 22).[32] [33]

All of the class were lost during the war.[32]

The sixteen Akizuki-class (秋月, "Autumn Moon") ships were commissioned between June 1942 and January 1945. They were originally intended as anti-aircraft ships, but were instead completed as general purpose destroyers. This class was the first to be equipped with radar.[34]

The design diverged from the IJN destroyer standard of six 5 in (127 mm) guns, instead mounting eight 3.9 in (100 mm) high-velocity guns in four twin high angle mountings. Their rapid fire, 90° elevation and excellent AA fire control system provided an effective dual purpose weapon to the Imperial Japanese Navy for the first time. In fact, the 100 mm's range and rate of fire both exceeded the U.S. Navy's standard 5 in (127 mm)/38 calibre.[35] Four 24 in (61 cm) torpedo tubes, plus depth charge throwers, were added as the requirements changed to a general-purpose warship. The heavier gun mountings and the extra super-firing mounting required a significantly larger hull than the Yūgumos to ensure stability. The class displaced 2,740 tons.[14][21]

The class was incomplete at the end of the war, three were cancelled and one was scrapped before its launch. A further 32 planned ships to improved designs (Arashikaru and Yamatsuki groups) were cancelled due to raw material shortages. Six Akizukis survived the war of which two were scrapped and four were ceded to Allied navies (China, UK, USA, USSR).[14]

The eighteen Matsu-class (松, "Pine Tree") destroyers were commissioned between April 1944 and January 1945. This class were a simplified destroyer design introduced to speed construction times and intended to be used for escort and supply missions. The urgent need for replacements arose from the severe losses around the Solomon Islands in 1942.[36]

The design criteria were speed of build, improved damage-control and anti-aircraft and torpedo capabilities. The hull design was simplified and shorter than the Fubukis, partly due to a reduction in the number of boilers, which itself resulted in a significant reduction in speed. The heretofore standard six 5 inch/50 calibre weapons were replaced by three Type 89 5 inch/40 calibre guns which performed better than its predecessor in an AA role. The enclosed turrets were also replaced by a forward single open shield and an aft twin open mounting. This major redesign delivered a significantly smaller ship (1,280 tons).[21] A number of the class were modified to transport kaiten.[36]

Eleven additional ships were cancelled and replaced by a greater number of Tachibanas. Seven Matsus were sunk during the war, three were scrapped and eight were ceded to Allied navies.[36]

Fourteen Tachibana-class (橘, "Tachibana orange") ships were commissioned between January and June 1945. Another four were launched but not completed and five were not launched before the Japanese surrender. They were a development of the Matsu class, with further simplifications to the design.[37]

Four were lost in ports or home waters in the final weeks of the war and the remainder were scrapped or given to Allied navies.[37]

Four Chidori-class (千鳥) ships were ordered under the 1931 Building Programme (as Nos. 1 to 4) and commissioned between November 1933 and July 1934. They were displaced 738 tons (full load) and originally carried three 5.0 in (127 mm) guns, one 12.7mm(0.5 in) AA machine gun, four 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes (two twin mounts) and up to nine depth charge.

On 12 March 1934, shortly after completion, Tomozuru (友鶴) sailed in company with her sister Chidori (千鳥) and the light cruiser Tatsuta for night torpedo training. The weather worsened during the exercise and it was called off at 0325; the ships returned to port. Tomozuru never arrived and a search was launched. She was spotted at 1405 that same day, capsized, but still afloat. Thirteen of her 113 man crew were rescued. She was towed to Sasebo and docked where she was rebuilt and returned to service.

After the Tomozuru Incident, the Chidoris exchanged their 127 mm (5.0 in) Type 3 guns for hand-worked 4.7 in (120 mm) 11th Year Type M guns, landed the rear twin torpedo tube mount and the bridge structure was cut down by one level. The bulges were removed, but displacement increased to 815 long tons (828 t) with the addition of 60–90 tonnes (59–89 long tons; 66–99 short tons) ballast. Their speed dropped to 28 knots (32 mph; 52 km/h) and range to 1,600 nmi (3,000 km) at 14 kn (16 mph; 26 km/h). Their successors, the Ōtori-class torpedo boats, were redesigned to reduce the top-heaviness that caused Tomozuru to capsize.

Sixteen Ōtori-class (鴻) large torpedo boats were ordered (as Nos. 5 to 20) under the 1934 Building Programme to incorporate modifications made to the Chidori class. The last eight of these were cancelled in favour of additional submarine chasers, but the remaining eight were commissioned between October 1936 and September 1937. They displaced 960 tons (full load) and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns, one Vickers 40 mm AA gun, one 12.7mm(0.5 in) AA machine guns, six 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedoes, and two paravanes, later up to 48 depth charge were add.

Four Shimushu-class (占守) or Type A ocean defence ships were ordered under the 1937 Programme and commissioned between June 1940 and March 1941. They displaced 1,020 tons (full load) and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns (taken from WW1 era destroyers) and six depth charge throwers, up to 60 depth charge and one 81 mm (3.2 in) A/S trench mortar.

Fourteen Etorofu-class (択捉) or Modified Type A ocean defence ships were commissioned between May 1943 and 1945. They displaced 1,020 tons (full load) and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns and six depth charge throwers, up to 60 depth charge and one 81 mm (3.2 in) mortar.

The Etorofu class was an improved version of the preceding Shimushu class with a greater emphasis on anti-submarine warfare.

Eight Mikura-class (御蔵) or Type B ocean defence ships were commissioned between October 1943 and 1945. They displaced 1,020 tons (full load) and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns and six depth charge throwers, up to 120 depth charge and one 81 mm (3.2 in) mortar.

The eight ships of the Mikura class served as convoy escorts during World War II. They were denoted "Type B" and were the third class of Kaibokan. The Mikuras, unlike the preceding Etorofu and Shimushu classes, were dedicated to the anti-aircraft (AA) and anti-submarine role.

Nine Hiburi-class (日振) or Modified Type B ocean defence ships were commissioned between June 1944 and April 1945. Two further vessels were never completed. They displaced 940 tons (full load) and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns, two depth charge projectors, six depth charge throwers and up to 120 depth charge.

The nine ships of the Hiburi class served as convoy escorts during World War II.

Twenty-two Ukuru-class (鵜来) or Modified Type B ocean defence ships were built but the last two were never completed. The other twenty commissioned between July 1944 and April 1945. These numbers exclude nine completed and two uncompleted ships which were built to the Hiburi sub-class design. They displaced 1,020 tons (full load) and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns, 4 (later 16) 25mm (0.98 in) AA machine guns, 16 depth charge throwers, two depth charge projectors, two depth charge chutes, up to 120 depth charge and one 81 mm (3.2 in) mortar.

The Ukurus, like Mikuras, were dedicated to the anti-aircraft (AA) and anti-submarine role. The Ukuru class was a further simplification of Mikura. Ukurus were constructed using prefabricated sections that enabled them to be built in as little as four months. Despite being easy to build, they proved quite durable, with 11 occurrences of the class striking mines and only 3 sinking, one of which was after the war. Ikuna survived being torpedoed by Crevalle and striking a mine as well.

A hundred and thirty-two Type C (丙型) ships were ordered but only fifty-six were commissioned between February 1944 and 1945. A further 168 ships were planned under the 1944-45 Programme but were never ordered. They displaced 1,020 tons (full load) and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns, six 25mm (0.98 in) AA machine guns, 13 depth charge throwers, one depth charge chutes, up to 120 depth charges, and one 81 mm (3.2 in) mortar.

The Type C Kaibōkan was a further simplification of the Ukuru design. Due to the simplifications of the design, a significant saving was made in construction time. The Type C escorts required approximately 20,000 man-hours each, compared to the 35,000 man-hours of the Ukurus and the 57,000 man-hours of the Mikuras.

A hundred and forty-three Type D (丁型) ships were ordered but only sixty-seven were completed and commissioned between February 1944 and July 1945. A further 57 ships were planned under the 1944-45 Programme but were never ordered. They displaced 1,020 tons (full load) and carried three 4.7 in (120 mm) guns, six 25mm (0.98 in) AA machine guns, 13 depth charge throwers, one depth charge chutes, up to 120 depth charge, and one 81 mm (3.2 in) mortar.

The Type D version was a further simplification of the Ukuru design and were built to the same design as the Type C escort ship. Due to a shortage of diesel engines to power both groups of vessels, the Type Ds were powered by turbine engines, the only Kaibōkan type to use turbines.

• 4.7in/45 calibre (classes: Momi, Minekaze, Kamikaze, Wakatake & Mutsuki)
• 127mm 1914 type (Fubuki and all subsequent classes except Akizuki)
• 5 inch/40 calibre Type 89 (Matsu)
• 3.9in/65 calibre[39] Type 98 (Akizuki)
• 7.7mm
• 13mm (classes: Akatsuki, Hatsuhara, Shiratsuyu)
• Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun (classes: Asashio and all subsequent classes)

• 3rd year type 1914 hand-worked
• Type "A" (40° maximum elevation) (Fubuki)
• Type "B" (75° maximum elevation) (classes: Fubuki, Akatsuki, Hatsuharu)
• Type "C" (55° maximum elevation) (classes: Shiratsuyu, Asashio, Kagerō)
• Type "D" (75° maximum elevation) (classes: Shimakaze, Yūgumo)
• 90° maximum elevation enclosed (Akizuki)
• 90° maximum elevation open (Matsu)

• Type 94 Kosha Sochi anti-aircraft (Akizuki)

• 45 cm (in Momo and earlier classes)
• 53 cm 6th year Type torpedo (Momi, Minekaze, Kamikaze & Wakatake)
• 61 cm Type 93 torpedo (Mutsuki, Fubuki, Akatsuki; oxygen fuelled in Hatsuhara and all subsequent classes)

The first radar sets were installed in Japanese destroyers in March 1942, initially in newly commissioned ships of the Yūgumo class. This continued at an increasing rate through 1943 and 1944, with retro-fitting of existing and even older, pre-1922, vessels.

Aircraft detection radar experimentally introduced in 1941, widely fitted from March 1943. Effective up to 100 kilometres (62 mi).

Used for aircraft and ship detection; introduced in August 1943. Effective against aircraft up to 100 kilometres and against ships up to 20 kilometres (12 mi). It was the first Japanese set capable of deriving height estimates for aircraft.

Used for aircraft and ship detection up to 35 km and 34.5 km, respectively. Introduced in August 1943. It was also capable of gunnery control and became the most widely installed Japanese naval set.