Battleships

Nagato

Back to Menu

Back

History of Service: October 1940 Participated in the Imperial review. Nagato was the flagship leding the fleet in the Yokohama Bay. 6 December 1941 A experimental anti-torpedo net was fitted on the starboard side. February 1942 The Combined Fleet flag was transferred to the YAMATO from the NAGATO. March 1942 New anemometers were installed. 4 June 1942 "Operation MI"- the Battle of Midway. NAGATO was part of the BatDiv 1 with YAMATO, MUTSU & light carrier HOSHO. They didn't engage any enemy. The following day the NAGATO took aboard survivors from the carrier KAGA rescued earlier from some destroyers. July 1942 Both NAGATO & MUTSU was transferred to BatDiv 2 with YAMASHIRO, FUSO, ISE & HYUGA. July 1942 - August 1943 NAGATO conducted exercise & mostly  travelled between Hashirajima & Kure during this period. May 1943 New radar & more anti-air guns was installed. June 1943 NAGATO conducted a towing exercise with destroyers TAMANAMI & WAKASUKI. September 1943 Sorties to Brown Island to intercept Task Force 15, but no contact was made. October 1943 Sorties to intercept the enemy carriers after the Japanese intercept radio communiction that Americans were going to raid on Wake Island for the second time. But no contact was made. The NAGATO carried ground personnel & a seaplane unit in this sortie. February - May 1944 NAGATO conducted exercises and transported supplies between Lingga and other areas. March 1944 Lignum vitae changed in Singapore. 19 June 1944 "Operation A-GO"- the Battle of Phillipine Sea. NAGATO provided close escort for carriers JUNYO, HIYO & RYUHO. NAGATO shot down two Advenger torpedo planes & forced other plane to retreat. It later picked up survivors from the HIYO. 27 June 1944 New radar set & more anti-air guns were installed. All portholes below the upper deck were covered over. 22 October 1944 "Operation SHO-I-GO" - The Battle of Leyte Gulf. NAGATO's conning tower, compass bridge, casemate guns etc. were protected by hammock mantles. Her engine tanks were covered with judo mats. 23 October 1944 The Batttle of Palanwan Passage- the NAGATO was not damaged. 24 October 1944 The Battle of Sibuyan Sea, the NAGATOwas hit by 2 bombs & 4 torpedos & 9 near miss during the early attack waves from US carriers. The boiler was temporary out of action until it was put back on 23 minutes later. The radio room, coding room & canteen were destroyed. 25 October 1944 The Battle off Samar - the first time the NAGATO fired on enemy ships. It was with YAMATO all the time in this battle. Believed to have achieved some near misses on the USS Saint Lo. After few hours later, it was attacked by Task Force 38 aircrafts. It was hit by 4 bombs. November 1944 Assigned to BatDiv 3. New anti-air guns were installed, but she served as floating AA batteries. Her funnel & main cast were removed. She was also camouflaged & protected by anti- torpedo nets. February 1945 She was reassigned as a coastal defense vessel in Yokosuka. She was only remained to be partically activiated since she didn't have enough power because there was not enough fuel. April 1945 Reassigned as reserve ship. June 1945 Most of the anti-air guns were moved to ashore and installed on the nearby Urayama mountain. Her turrets were camouflaged by scaffolding. July 1945 Attacked by Task Force 58. NAGATO was hit by 3 bombs. Her remaining anti-air guns were removed after the attack. 2 September 1945 Surrendered at Yokosuka. 30 December 1945 USS New Jersey anhors next to the NAGATO. March 1946 NAGATO was sent to Bikini Atoll with ligth cruiser SAKAWA. 1 July 1946 NAGATO was used as a target ship in the atomic bomb test "Able's". She survived with slight damage. 24 July 1946 NAGATO was sunk two days after the second atomic bomb test "Baker".