| Battleships |
| Yamato |
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| History of Service: 1935 Japan was already working on the design of the super-battleship Yamato when Japan withdrew from the 2nd London Naval conference. 4 November 1937 Laid down 8 August 1940 Launched and fitting out at Kure 16 December 1941 Commissioned and assigned to BatDiv 1 with NAGATO & MUTSU. Final fitting out & deficiencies corrected. February 1942 Flag of Admiral Yamamoto was transferred from the NAGATO to YAMATO. March - May 1942 Underwent trials and crew training. 29 May 1942 "Operation MI" - the Battle of Midway. 1st Fleet Main Body comprised of YAMATO, HOSHO, CHIYODA & NISSHIN departed Hashirajima. But the operation was cancelled after all the carriers were destroyed on the 4 June. There were no engagement for the YAMATO in this battle. August 1942 Sister-ship MUSASHI joined YAMATO. 28 August 1942 Attacked by 4 torpedos fired from submarine USS Flying Fish. Torpedos failed and YAMATO escaped damages. 11 Februaury 1943 Admiral Yamamoto's Flag transferred to the MUSASHI. April 1943 Admiral Yamamoto's ashes (Killed on the 18 April 1943, his plane was shot down by 18 P-38 Lighting over Bougainville) were transferred to the YAMATO. July 1943 Refitting- air & surface radar & anti-air guns were installed. September 1943 Sorties to Brown Island, trying to intercept American Task Force 15 carriers. But no contact made. 25 December 1943 Damaged by 1 torpedos fired from submarine USS Skate during the transport mission to New Ireland. February 1944 Both YAMATO & MUSASHI were assigned to the 2nd Fleet. Refitting- new radar and anti-air guns were installed. June 1944 "Operation Kon" - the relief of Biak. MUSASHI nearly collided with YAMATO as the group was suddenly ordered to turned hard-left-rudder when the submarine alert was given. 19- 23 June 1944 "Operation A-GO" - The Battle of Phillippine Sea. YAMATO's guns fired for the first time, but mistakenly fired at friendly aircraft. The YAMATO received on damage in this battle. July 1944 Conducted training with MUSASHI. October 1944 The deck was camouflaged black for the night breakthrough in the San Bernardino Strait. 22 October 1944 "Operation SHO-I-GO" - The Battle of Leyte Gulf. YAMATO, MUSASHI, NAGATO, HARUNA & KONGO formed part of the Kurita's Center Force. 24 October 1944 The Battle of Sibuyan Sea, the YAMATO was first hit by several AP bombs from fighters and bombers from USS Essex. The bow was damaged and the ship took 3000 tons of water. MUSASHI was attacked by 250 aircrafts and sunk. The Battle off Samar, the force exit the San Bernardino Striait and engaged the Sprague's Task Force 3 off Samar Island. However, the YAMATO fired 108 salvos during this battle but didn't hit any targets at all. She received two bombs hits. November 1944 Attacked by submarine USS Sealion II. YAMATO received no damage but the accompanying ship KONGO was sunk. Battle damage repaired at Kure & additional anti-air guns were installed. March 1945 Task Force 58 made the first attack on Kure Naval Arsenal. The YAMATO received a minor damage on the bridge. March - April 1945 Crew training & took aboard supplies for the next operation. 6 April 1945 "Operation TEN-I-GO"- one-way suicide mission to Okinawa, YAMATO, cruiser YAHAGI & 8 destroyers were ordered to to attack the U.S. invasion force stationed outside Okinawa. When the force sailed through the western channel of the Bungo Suido, They were sighted & reported by submarine USS HACKLEBACK. The Task Force 58 engaged the force with aircrafts. 7 April 1945 The YAMATO was attacked by 280 planes in the first wave attack. She was hit by 4 AP bombs and 1 torpedo, and she took in 2350 tons of water. However, she remained flank speed, whereas the YAHAGI drifts behind the force after being damaged by the attack. YAMATO was hit by 4 AP bombs & 11 torpedos during the second attack. She rolled to port side and began to sink, half an hour later the No.2 magazine exploded and sent a hugh cloud of smoke. 3063 men were lost in the YAMATO. August 1945 Scrapped from Navy list. |
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