Aoba (1940) CA Displacement: 9000 std In Class: 2 Size Class: B In Service: 1940 Propulsion: Steam Turbine Crew: 657 - 680 Weapons: Armor Rtng: 6/4 2F/A(2)3 Type II 8 in/50 C P/S(1)4 10th Year Type 120mm/45 C P/S(4)2 610mm TT w/8 Type 93 torp [4 reserve torp/mount available for quick reload] E 1 Midships catapult -2 E7K2 [Alf] B Area AA:(1)4 10th Year 4.7 in/45 (0.6) Light AA: (2)4 Type 96 25mm, (2)2 Type 93 13mm (1.2) Sensors: F/A 2 Type 94 LA fire control directors Remarks: Aoba, Kinugasa. Originally commissioned 1927; rebuilt 1937 - 40. Configuration listed above is after 1940 refit. Aoba modifications: Fall 42: E7K2 [Alf] floatplanes replaced by E13A1 [Jake] 12 Oct 42: Heavily damaged in Battle of Cape Esperance. 22 Oct 42 - 15 Feb 43: Damaged aft 8 in turret removed temporarily, barbette covered over, (3)1 Type 96 25mm added. 2 DC chutes with 6 - 12 Type 95 DCs added. (2)2 Type 93 13mm removed, replaced by (3)2 Type 96 25mm. Light AA: (2)4, (3)2 Type 96 25mm/60 (1.7) Sensors: Type 93 modification 2 hydrophone ? 3 Apr 43: Heavily damaged by bombs, beached to avoid sinking. 20 Apr - 1 Aug 43: Refloated, temporarily repaired, towed to Kure for full repairs. 1 Aug - 24 Nov 43: Repaired at Kure. Damaged engines reduced speed to 28 kts. After turret replaced, (1)3 Type 96 25mm removed, (2)2 Type 96 added. No. 21 Mod 2 AS radar added Light AA: (2)6, (3)1 Type 96 25mm/60 (1.9) 2 - 24 Jul 44: Light AA: (3)5, (2)6, (1)15 Type 96 25mm (5.2) Sensors: No. 22 AS radar 23 Oct 44: Torpedoed by USS Bream. Temporarily repaired at Manila, then Takao, arrived at Kure 12 Dec 44. 25 Feb 45: Damage not repaired, used as AA guard ship at Kure Jan 45: DC load increased to 24 - 30 DCs Mar 45: (2)4 Type 96 25mm added. Light AA: (3)5, (2)10, (1)15 Type 96 25mm/60 (5.6) 24, 28 Jul 45: Further damaged in air attacks. Constructive total loss. Kinugasa sunk with no modifications 14 Nov 42 at Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Damage and Speed Breakdown: Dam Pts: 0 64 128 192 230 256 Surf Speed: 33 25 16 8 0 Sinks Takao (1940) CA Displacement: 13000 std In Class: 4 Size Class: B In Service: 1939 Propulsion: Steam Turbine Crew: 900 - 970 Weapons: Armor Rtng: 8/5 2F/P&S/2A(2)5 Type II 8 in/50 C P/S(1)4 10th Year Type 120mm/45 C Maya, Chokai: P/S(4)2 610mm TT w/4 Type 93 torp [8 reserve torps for reload of P or S TT] E Takao, Atago: P/S(4)4 610mm TT w/4 Type 93 torp [8 reserve torps for reload of P or S TT] E 2 Midships catapult -2 E8N1 [Dave], then F1M2 [Pete]; 1 E13A1 [Jake]) B 4 DC chutes (w/6 - 12 DC total) D [ Takao and Atago only, fitted in Maya and Chokai later] Area AA: (1)4 10th Year Type 120mm/45 (0.6) Light AA: (2)2 Type 96 25mm, (2)2 Type 93 13mm (0.7) Sensors: F/A 2 Type 94 LA fire control directors Remarks: Takao, Atago, Maya, Chokai. Improved Myoko design. Originally commissioned 1929; rebuilt 1934 - 1936, Takao and Atago modernized 1939 -1940. Configuration as of 1940 refit. All fitted with Type 93 modification 2 hydrophone during first or second modification. Takao Autumn 41: (2)2 Type 93 13mm replaced by (2)2 Type 96 25mm Light AA: (2)6 Type 96 25mm (1.5) 18 Mar - 1 May 43: Fitted with P/S(2)4 Type 89 5 in/45 in place of single 10th Yr 120mm/45 mounts Area AA: (2)4 Type 89 5 in/45 (1.6) Aug 43: Lt AA changed, (2)2 25mm replaced by (3)2 25mm, No. 21 AS radar added. Light AA: (3)2, (2)6 Type 96 25mm (2.2) 5 Nov 43: Damaged in air attack on Rabaul 7 Nov 42 - 18 Jan 44: Repaired, refitted. (1)8 25mm added, No 22 radar added Light AA: (3)2, (2)6, (1)8 Type 96 25mm/60 (3.2) 26 Jun - 8 Jul 44: Refitted, light AA increased, (3)4, (1)22 25mm added. No 13 AS radar added. Light AA: (3)6, (2)6, (1)30 Type 96 25mm/60 (5.2) Sep 44: No. 22 radar modified to FC-S 23 Oct 44: Torpedoed by USS Darter, heavily damaged. Towed to Brunei, then used as AA battery at Seletar base, Singapore. 31 Jul 45: Further damaged by midget sub attacks. 21 Sep 45: Surrendered to British Forces. Atago Autumn 41: (2)2 Type 93 13mm replaced by (2)2 Type 96 25mm Light AA: (2)6 Type 96 25mm (1.5) 17 Apr - 21 May 42: Fitted with P/S(2)4 Type 89 5 in/45 in place of single 10th Yr 120mm/45 mounts. Area AA: (2)4 Type 89 5 in/45 (1.6) Aug 43: Light AA: (3)2, (2)6 Type 96 25mm/60 (2.2) Sensors: No. 21 AS radar 5 Nov 43: Damaged in air attack on Rabaul 7 Nov 42 - 26 Dec 43: Repaired, refitted. (1)8 25mm added, No 22 radar added Light AA: (3)2, (2)6, (1)8 Type 96 25mm/60 (3.2) 24 Jun - 8 Jul 44: Refitted, light AA increased, (3)4, (1)22 25mm added. No. 13 AS radar added. Light AA: (3)6, (2)6, (1)30 Type 96 25mm/60 (5.9) Sep 44: No. 22 radar modified to FC-S 23 Oct 44: Torpedoed by USS Darter, sunk. 18 Mar - 14 Apr 42: (2)2 Type 93 13mm replaced by (2)2 Type 96 25mm Light AA: (2)6 Type 96 25mm/60 (1.5) 14 Nov 42: Damaged by crashing aircraft during Naval Battle of Guadalcanal Arrived at Truk 8 Dec for repairs. 8 - 20 Dec 42: Emergency repairs at Truk. 5 Jan - 20 Feb 43: Repaired at Yokosuka. 5 Nov 43: Damaged in air attack on Rabaul 5 Dec 43 - : Damage repaired. 6 Aug -Sep 43: Refitted, (2)2 25mm added Light AA: (2)8 Type 96 25mm/60 (2.0) Sensors: No. 21 AS radar 5 Nov 43: Damaged in air attack on Rabaul 5 Dec 43 - 9 Apr 44: Damage repaired. Modified as antiaircraft cruiser. No 3 8 in turret, single 120mm mounts, twin 25mms, twin TT, seaplane hangar removed, replaced with heavy AA armament. Configuration after refit: Displacement: 13,350 std Complement: 996 F/A(2)4 Type II 8 in/50 P/S(2)6 Type 89 5 in/40 P/S(4)4 610mm TT w/4 Type 93 torp (no reserve torpedoes) 1 DC rail (? DCs) 2 E13A1 [Jake] aircraft Area AA: (2)6 Type 89 5 in/40 (2.4) Light AA: (3)13, (1)9 Type 96 25mm, (1)36 Type 93 13mm, (1)2 7.7mm (8.4) Sensors: No. 22 SS radar 25 Jun - 14 Jul 44: Refitted, light AA increased, (1)18 25mm added. Radar added. Light AA: (3)13, (1)27 Type 96 25mm/60 (8.1) Sensors: No. 13 AS radar Sep 44: Sensors: No. 22 radar modified to FC-S 23 Oct 44: 23 Oct 44: Torpedoed by USS Darter, sunk. Chokai 22 Apr - 22 May 42: (2)2 Type 93 13mm replaced by (2)2 Type 96 25mm Light AA: (2)6 Type 96 25mm/60 (1.5) 8 Aug 42: Damaged in Battle of Savo Island. Forward 8 in turret damaged, only one gun could be fired after repairs. 16 Aug - 15 Sep 43: Refitted, (2)2 25mm added Light AA: (2)8 Type 96 25mm/60 (2.0) Sensors: No. 21 AS radar Jan 44: Refitted at Truk. (1)10 25mm added. Light AA: (2)8, (1)10 Type 96 25mm/60 (3.2) 26 Jun - 10 Jul 44: Refitted, light AA increased, (1)12 25mm added. Radar added. Light AA: (2)8, (1)22 Type 96 25mm/60 (4.7) Sensors: No. 22 SS radar, No. 13 AS radar Sep 44: Sensors: No. 22 radar modified to FC-S 25 Oct 44: Bombed during Battle off Samar, sunk. Damage and Speed Breakdown: Dam Pts: 0 83 166 250 299 333 Surf Speed: 33 25 16 8 0 Sinks Furutaka (Dec 1941) CA Displacement: 8700 std In Class: 2 Size Class: B In Service: 1926 Propulsion: Steam Turbine Crew: 639 Weapons: Armor Rtng:6/4 2F/A(2)3 Type II 8 in/50 C P/S(1)4 10th Year Type 120mm/45 C P/S(4)2 610mm TT w/8 Type 93 torp [4 reserve torp/mount for quick reload] E 1 Midships Catapult -2 Floatplanes (E7K2 [Alf], then E13A1 [Jake]) B Area AA: (1)4 10th Year Type 120mm/45 (0.6) Light AA: (2)4 Type 96 25mm, (2)2 Type 93 13mm (1.2) Sensors: F/A Type 94 LA fire control directors Remarks: Extensively rebuilt 1936 - 1939 10 Aug 42: Kako torpedoed by S-44, sunk. 11 Oct 42: Furutaka sunk by gunfire in Battle of Cape Esperance. Damage and Speed Breakdown: Dam Pts: 0 62 125 188 225 250 Surf Speed: 33 25 16 8 0 Sinks Tone (Dec 1941) CA Displacement: 11231 std In Class: 2 Size Class: B In Service: 1938 Propulsion: Steam Turbine Crew: 874 Weapons: Armor Rtng: 8/6 2F/2P&S(2)4 Type II 8 in/50 C P/S(2)4 Type 89 5 in/40 C P/S(3)4 610mm TT w/3 Type 93 torp [3 torp/mount available for quick reload] E 2 Midships catapults -5 E13A1 [Jake] B Area AA: (2)4 Type 89 5 in/40 (1.6) Light AA: (2)6 Type 96 25mm/60 (1.5) Sensors: F/A 2 Type 94 LA fire control directors Remarks: Designed to carry up to 8 aircraft, 5 carried in service. Tone 21 Feb - 15 Mar 43: (2)2 Type 96 25mm added, No 21 AS radar added. Light AA: (2)8 Type 96 25mm/60 (2.0) Sensors: No. 21 AS radar 6 Nov - 14 Dec 43: Refitted. (2)4 25mm replaced by (3)4 25mm, (1)4 Type 93 13mm added. Light AA: (3)4, (2)4 Type 96 25mm, (1)4 Type 93 13mm (2.7) 26 Jun - 8 Jul 44: (3)4, (1)25 Type 96 25mm, No 13 AS and No 22 Mod 4 SS/FC-S radars added, (FC-S upgrade fitted Sep 44) Light AA: (3)8, (2)4, (1)25 Type 96 25mm, (1)4 Type 93 13mm (7.3). 17 Nov 44 - 17 Feb 45: Minor damage from Leyte Gulf battle repaired. (3)4 Type 96 25mm added, single 25mm reduced from 25 to 18. No 21 AS radar removed Light AA: (3)12, (2)4, (1)18 Type 96 25mm (7.7) 24 Jul 45: Severely damaged in TF 58 bombing attack at Etajima. Beached to prevent sinking. Chikuma 26 Oct 42: Damaged by dive bombers near the Solomons. Underwent emergency repairs in Truk, departed for Kure. 7 Nov 42 - 27 Feb 43: Bomb damage repaired at Kure. (2)2 Type 96 25mm added, No 21 AS radar added. Light AA: (2)8 Type 96 25mm/60 (2.0) Sensors: No. 21 AS radar 12 Dec 43 - 1 Feb 44: Refitted. (2)4 25mm replaced by (3)4 25mm, (1)4 Type 93 13mm added. Light AA: (3)4, (2)4 Type 96 25mm, (1)4 Type 93 13mm (2.7) 26 Jun - 8 Jul 44: (3)4, (1)23 Type 96 25mm, No 13 and No 22 radars added. Light AA: (3)8, (2)4, (1)23 Type 96 25mm, (1)4 Type 93 13mm (7.0). No. 13 AS radar, No. 22 SS radar Sep 44: FC-S upgrade fitted to No 22 radar 25 Oct 44: Sunk by aerial torpedo during Battle off Samar. Damage and Speed Breakdown: Dam Pts: 0 75 150 225 270 300 Surf Speed: 35 26 18 9 0 Sinks Mogami class (Dec 1941) CA Displacement: 13000 std In Class: 4 Size Class: B In Service: 1939 Propulsion: Steam Turbine Crew: 920 - 970 Weapons: Armor Rtng: 8/6 2F/P&S/2A(2)5 Type II 8 in/50 C P/S(2)4 Type 89 5 in/40 C P/S(3)4 610mm TT w/3 Type 93 torp [3 reserve torp/mt for quick reload] E 2 Midships Catapults -1 E13A1 [Jake], 2 E8N2 [Dave] B Area AA: (2)4 Type 89 5 in/40 (1.6) Light AA: (2)4 Type 96 25mm, (2)2 Type 93 13mm (1.2) Sensors: F/A 2 Type 94 LA fire control directors Remarks: Mogami, Mikuma, Suzuya, Kumano. Commissioned 1936, originally armed with 6 inch guns. Rebuilt 1937 - 1938 to improve stability and hull strength. Rearmed 1939 - 40 with 8 in guns, TT fitted with "quick-reload installation." Mogami 5 Jun 42: Damaged bow in collision with Mikuma, speed reduced to 12 (later 14 knots) 7 Jun 45: Damaged by dive bombers during Battle of Midway. Underwent temporary repairs at Truk, left for Sasebo. 11 Aug 42 - 30 Apr 43: Battle damage repaired, modified as aircraft cruiser. Aft turrets removed, aircraft handling facilities expanded. Planned load 11 E16A1 Zuiun [Paul] floatplanes. Lt AA increased, No 21 AS radar fitted. 2F/P&S(2)3 Type II 8 in/50 4 E13A1; 3 E8N2 Light AA: (3)10 Type 96 25mm (3.7) 5 Nov 43: Heavily damaged at Rabaul by dive bomber. After emergency repairs at Truk proceeded to Kure. 22 Dec 43 - 17 Feb 44: Repaired at Kure. Received (1)8 25mm. Light AA: (3)10 Type 96 25mm, (1)8 25mm (4.7) 25 Jun - 8 Jul 44: Refitted at Kure. (3)4, (1)10 25mm, 2 No 22 SS, one No. 13 radar added. Air group changed to Eight E16A1 Zuiun [Paul] floatplanes. Light AA: (3)14, (1)18 Type 96 25mm/60 (7.4) Aug 44: Two No. 22 radar modified to S/FC mode 25 Oct 44: Damaged by gunfire during Battle of Surigao Strait, withdrew, unable to control fires and control damage. Attacked by aircraft, suffered bomb hits, abandoned, then sunk by DD Akebono. Mikuma 5 Jun 42: Slightly damaged in collision with Mogami. 7 Jun 42: Sunk by dive bombers during Battle of Midway. Suzuya 27 Apr - 2 May 43: Refitted, (2)2 13mm replaced by (3)4 25mm Type 96, No. 21 radar added. Light AA: (3)4, (2)4 Type 96 25mm (2.5) Early 44: Aircraft complement 3 E13A1 [Jake] Apr 44: Refitted in Singapore. (1)8 Type 96 25mm added. Light AA: (3)4, (2)4, (1)8 Type 96 25mm (3.5) 25 Jun - 8 Jul 44: Refitted at Kure. (3)4, (1)10 25mm, 2 No 22 SS, one No. 13 radar added. Light AA: (3)8, (2)4, (1)18 Type 96 25mm (6.2) Aug 44: Two No. 22 radars modified to S/FC mode 25 Oct 44: Sunk by air attack during Battle of Leyte Gulf. Kumano 6 - 15 Apr 43: Refitted, (2)2 13mm replaced by (3)4 25mm Type 96, No. 21 radar added. Light AA: (3)4, (2)4 Type 96 25mm (2.5) 20 Jul 43: Damaged off Kolombara by dive bombers. After emergency repairs at Truk, left for Kure. 2 Sep - 8 Oct 43: Bomb damage repaired at Kure. Early 44: Aircraft complement 3 E13A1 [Jake] Apr 44: Refitted in Singapore. (1)8 Type 96 25mm added. Light AA: (3)4, (2)4, (1)8 Type 96 25mm (3.5) 25 Jun - 8 Jul 44: Refitted at Kure. (3)4, (1)16 25mm, 2 No 22 SS, one No. 13 radar added. Light AA: (3)8, (2)4, (1)24 Type 96 25mm (6.9) Aug 44: Two No. 22 radar modified to S/FC mode 25 Oct 44: Damaged by a combination of surface torpedo and aerial bombs during Battle of Leyte Gulf. Proceeded to Manila for emergency repairs, lasting until 4 Nov. Max speed 15 kts. 6 Nov 44: Enroute to Japan, torpedoed by USS Ray, emergency repairs carried out at Manila until 20 Nov, max speed 6 kts. 25 Nov: Attacked by dive bombers and torpedo planes, sunk. Damage and Speed Breakdown: Dam Pts: 0 83 166 250 299 333 Surf Speed: 33 25 16 8 0 Sinks Myoko (Dec 1941) CA Displacement: 13000 std In Class: 4 Size Class: B In Service: 1939 Propulsion: Steam Turbine Crew: 920 - 970 Weapons: Armor Rtng: 7/5 2F/P&S/2A(2)5 Type II 8 in/50 C P/S(2)4 Type 89 5 in/40 C P/S(4)2 610mm TT w/4 Type 93 torp [4 reserve torp/mt available for quick reload] E P/S(4)2 610mm TT w/4 Type 93 torp E 2 Midships Catapult -2 E8N1 [Dave], then F1M2 [Pete]; one E7K2 [Alf], then E13A1 [Jake]) B Area AA: (2)4 Type 89 5 in/40 (1.6) Light AA: (2)4 Type 96 25mm, (2)2 Type 93 13mm (1.2) Sensors: F/A 2 Type 94 LA fire control directors Remarks: Myoko, Nachi, Haguro, Ashigara. Originally commissioned 1929, rebuilt 1934 - 1936, and again 1939 -1940. Apr - Jun 42: Two DC chutes with 6 - 12 DCs added, all fitted with Type 93 modification 2 hydrophone during first or second modification Myoko 4 Jan 42: Damaged in B-17 bombing attack, repaired 9 Jan - 20 Feb at Sasebo. 16 Jun - 18 Jul 43: (2)4 25mm, No. 21 AS radar added. (2)2 13mm removed. Light AA: (2)8 Type 96 25mm (2.0) 17 Nov - 16 Dec 43: Minor damage repaired, (1)8 25mm added. Light AA: (2)8, (1)8 Type 96 25mm (3.0) 24 - 29 Jun 44: (3)4 and (1)16 25mm added, No 13 AS, No 22 SS radar added. Aft (non-reloadable) P/S (4)2 610mm TT removed. Light AA: (3)4, (2)8, (1)24 Type 96 25mm (6.4) Sep 44: Sensors: No. 22 SS/FC-S radar 24 Oct 44: Damaged by aerial torpedo. Speed reduced to 15 kts, left for Singapore. 3 - 12 Dec 44: Emergency repairs at Singapore. 13 Dec 44: Enroute to inland sea for repairs, heavily damaged by torpedo by USS Bergall. Towed to Singapore. 25 Dec 44: Arrived at Singapore. Impossible to repair damage, unsafe to two to home waters, so attached to Singapore as AA battery until War's end. Nachi 27 Mar 43: Damaged by gunfire in Battle of Komandorski islands. 3 Apr - 11 May 43: Damage repaired, (2)4 25mm, No. 21 AS radar added. (2)2 13mm removed. Light AA: (2)8 Type 96 25mm (2.0) 22 Nov - 22 Jan 44: No 22 SS radar fitted, (1)8 25mm added. Light AA: (2)8, (1)8 Type 96 25mm/60 (3.0) Sep 44: (2)2, (1)20 25mm, No 13 AS radar added. No 22 radar modified to FC-S capability. Aft (non-reloadable) P/S (4)2 610mm TT removed. Light AA: (2)10, (1)28 Type 96 25mm (7.2) 29 Oct 44: Sunk in Manila bay by aircraft attack. Haguro 16 Jun - 18 Jul 43: (2)4 25mm, No. 21 AS radar added. (2)2 13mm removed. Light AA: (2)8 Type 96 25mm (2.0) 17 Nov - 16 Dec 43: : Minor damage repaired, (1)8 25mm added. Light AA: (2)8, (1)8 Type 96 25mm (3.0) 24 - 30 Jun 44: (3)4 and (1)16 25mm added, No 13 AS, No 22 SS radar added. Aft (non-reloadable) P/S (4)2 610mm TT removed. Light AA: (3)4, (2)8, (1)24 Type 96 25mm/60 (5.4) Sep 44: Sensors: No. 22 SS/FC-S radar 25 Oct 44: Slightly damaged in Battle off Samar by 100 lb bomb. No 2 8 in turret disabled, not repaired. 16 May 45: Sunk by torpedoes in surface action with British forces. Ashigara 9 Apr - 9 May 43: (2)4 25mm, No. 21 AS radar added. (2)2 13mm removed. Light AA: (2)8 Type 96 25mm (2.0) 7 - 22 Mar 44: No 22 SS radar fitted, (1)8 25mm added. Light AA: (2)8, (1)8 Type 96 25mm (3.0) Sep 44: (2)2, (1)20 25mm, No 13 AS radar added. No 22 radar modified to FC-S capability. Aft (non-reloadable) P/S (4)2 610mm TT removed. Light AA: (2)10, (1)28 Type 96 25mm (5.9) 26 Dec 44: Slightly damaged by 500 lb bomb. 8 Jun 45: Torpedoed by HMS Trenchant, sunk. Damage and Speed Breakdown: Dam Pts: 0 83 166 250 299 333 Surf Speed: 33 25 16 8 0 Sinks Cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, Revisited Part 1 CAS Japanese Ship Stats: Aoba, Takao, Atago, Furutaka, Tone, Chikuma, Chokai, Mogami, Mikuma, Suzuya, Kumano, and Myoko Illustrations: Cruisers Aoba, Takao, Mogami, Tone BT Back to The Naval Sitrep #17 Table of Contents Back to Naval Sitrep List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1999 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com