Japanese battleship Musashi

Japanese battleship Musashi
Musashi leaving Brunei in October 1944 for
the Battle of Leyte Gulf
Career Japanese Navy Ensign
Ordered: June 1937
Builder: Mitsubishi Nagasaki Shipyard
Laid down: 29 March 1938
Launched: 1 November 1940
Commissioned: 5 August 1942
Fate: Sunk 24 October 1944, Sibuyan Sea ([1] or [2])
Struck: 31 August 1945
General characteristics
Class and type: Yamato class battleship
Displacement: 68,200 tons
72,800(max) tons
Length: 256 metres (839 ft 11 in) (waterline)
263 metres (862 ft 10 in) (overall)
Beam: 38.9 metres (127 ft 7 in)
Draft: 11 metres (36 ft 1 in) at full load
Propulsion: 12 Kanpon boilers,
driving 4 steam turbines
150,000 shp (110 MW)
four 3-bladed 6.0 m propellers
Speed: 27.46 knots (50.86 km/h)
Range: 7,200 nautical miles (13,334 km) at 16 kt
  (13,000 km at 30 km/h)
Complement: 2,399
Armament
  August 1942
:		   9 × 460 mm (18.1 in) (3×3)[3]
12 × 155 mm (6.1 in) (4×3)
12 × 127 mm (5 in) (6×2)[3]
24 × 25 mm (0.98 in) Type 96 AA guns(8×3)[3]
  4 × 13 mm (2×2)[3]
Armament
  October 1944
:		     9 × 460 mm (18.1 in) (3×3)[4]
    6 × 155 mm (6.1 in) (2×3)[4]
  12 × 127 mm (5 in) (6×2)[4]
130 × 25 mm (0.98 in) Type 96 AA guns(32×3, 34×1)[2]
    4 × 13 mm (2×2)[4]
Armor: 650 mm on front of turrets[4]
410 mm (16.1 in) side armor[4]
200 mm (8 in) central deck armor[4]
226.5 mm (9.06 in) outer deck armor[4]
Aircraft carried: 7, 2 catapults

Musashi (武蔵?), named after the ancient Japanese Musashi Province, was a battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II and flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet. She was the second ship of the Yamato-class. She and her sister ship, Yamato, were the heaviest and most heavily-armed battleships ever constructed, displacing 72,800 tonnes at full load, and armed with nine 46-cm (18.1-inch) main guns.

Constructed from 1938–1941 and formally commissioned in the summer of 1942, Musashi served as the flagship of Admirals Isoroku Yamamoto and Mineichi Koga in 1943. Throughout 1943, Musashi remained within the naval bases at Truk Lagoon, Kure, and Brunei, transferring between them several times in response to American airstrikes on Japanese island bases. Musashi was sunk on 24 October 1944 by American carrier aircraft during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Contents

Design and construction

Musashi was the second ship of the Yamato class heavy-battleships designed by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1937.[5][2] Musashi and her sister ships were built to be capable of engaging several opposing capital ships simultaneously, as a method of compensating for Japan's inability to industrially match the United States Navy.[N 1] With each vessel of the Yamato class displacing well over 70,000 tons, it was hoped that the firepower of Musashi and her sister-ships could offset American industrial power.[5]

In consideration of Musashi's projected mass, the construction slipway was fortified, nearby workshops were expanded, and two floating cranes were constructed from scratch.[7][4] The keel of Musashi was laid down 29 March 1938 at Mitsubishi's Nagasaki shipyard, and was designated "Battleship No. 2".[2][8] Throughout construction, strategically placed warehouses and a large hanging blind made of hemp rope weighing 408 tonnes (450 short tons) prevented outsiders from viewing construction.[4][9][N 2][9] The deceptions were so successful that the American Consulate, located across the bay from Musashi's construction site, was unaware of her existence during the construction.[4] Musashi was launched 1 November 1940, with Captain (later Vice Admiral) Kaoru Arima assigned as her Chief Equipping Officer.[2][8] Musashi was fitted out at Sasebo.[8]

Armament

Musashi's main battery consisted of nine 18.1-inch 40 cm/45 Type 94 naval guns—the largest caliber of naval rifle artillery ever fitted to a warship.[10] Each gun was 21.13 metres (69.3 ft) long, 147.3 metric tons (162.4 short tons) in weight, and was capable of firing high-explosive or armor-piercing shells 42.0 kilometres (26.1 mi).[N 3] The guns and their turrets were built at the Kure Naval Arsenal and were transported to Nagasaki by the cargo ship Kashino, which had been specifically built for this purpose.[12]

Musashi's secondary battery comprised 12 6.1-inch (15 cm) guns mounted in four triple turrets (one forward, one aft, two midships),[10] and 12 5-inch (13 cm) guns in six double-turrets (three on each side amidships).[10] In addition, Musashi carried 24 1-inch (2.5 cm) anti-aircraft guns, primarily mounted amidships.[10] When refitted in 1944, the secondary battery configuration was changed to six 6.1-inch (15 cm) guns,[13] 24 5-inch (13 cm) guns,[13] and 130 25 mm (0.98 in) Type 96 AA guns,[13] in preparation for naval engagements in the South Pacific.[2]

Deployment and combat

1942: Commissioning and sea trials

On 5 August 1942, Musashi was commissioned at Nagasaki with Arima Kaoru assigned as Captain; she joined Yamato, Nagato, and Mutsu in the 1st Battleship Division the same day.[2][8] From 3–28 September 1942, Musashi was fitted with her secondary armament, consisting of twelve 127-mm guns, thirty-six 25-mm guns, and four 13.2-mm light machine guns, as well as additional radar equipment.[2]

Throughout October and November, Musashi carried out trials and gunnery-drills near Kure.[14] In December 1942, following aircraft drills with Zuikaku, Musashi was declared operational.[2]

1943: Flagship of the Combined Fleet

On 18 January 1943, Musashi departed Kure for Truk Lagoon, arriving four days later. On 11 February 1943, Musashi replaced her sister-ship Yamato as flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet under Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.[2] On 1 April 1943, Yamamoto departed Musashi and flew to Rabaul, New Britain to personally direct "Operation I-Go", a Japanese air offensive in the Solomon Islands.[15] Fifteen days later, acting on codes deciphered by Ultra, Yamamoto was killed when his aircraft was shot down by American fighter aircraft while he was en-route from New Britain to Ballale, Bougainville.[15] On 23 April 1943, Yamamoto's cremated remains were taken to Truk and placed in his cabin on-board Musashi where other Combined Fleet officers visited and paid their respects.[15]

Emperor Hirohito and his Command Staff on board Musashi on 24 June 1943

On 17 May 1943, in response to American attacks on Attu Island, Musashi, along with two light carriers, nine destroyers, and two cruisers, was deployed to the northern Pacific.[2] When no contact was made with American forces, Musashi traveled to Japan and delivered Yamamoto's ashes to Kure on May 23, where they were taken from the vessel in preparation for a formal state funeral.[16] Immediately afterwards, Musashi joined a significantly larger force to counterattack American naval forces off Attu. However, Attu fell before the force could be fully deployed so the counterattack was abandoned and Musashi returned to Japan.[2]

On 24 June, while undergoing overhauling and repairs at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Musashi was visited by Emperor Hirohito and other high-ranking naval officials.[2] Transferring to Kure on 1 July 1943, Musashi drydocked the same day. From 1–8 July, Musashi was upgraded with improved firing control and radar. Following several transfers between the Home Islands bases, Musashi deployed to Truk on 31 July, arriving six days later.[2]

On 18 September 1943, Musashi sortied from Truk alongside three other battleships in response to American raids on Eniwetok and Brown Island.[17] Seven days later, the fleet returned to Truk after failing to come in contact with American forces. In October, in response to suspicions of planned American raids on Wake Island, Musashi led a large fleet under Admiral Mineichi Koga—three fast carriers, six battleships, and eleven cruisers—to intercept American carrier forces. When no contact was made, the fleet returned to Truk on 26 October 1943.[2] She spent the remainder of 1943 in Truk Lagoon; as her previous captain was promoted, Captain Asakura Bunji assumed command of Musashi on 7 December 1943.[2]

1944: Combat and loss

Musashi remained in Truk Lagoon until 10 February 1944, when she returned to Yokosuka alongside three smaller vessels. On 24 February, Musashi departed Yokosuka with two specialized army battalions and their munitions for Palau.[2] On the same day she departed Japan, Musashi's battlegroup encountered a typhoon, during which the majority of the battleship's deck cargo was lost.[2] Musashi arrived at Palau on 29 February 1944 and remained at the base for the next month. On 29 March 1944, in anticipation of American air-raids on the island, Musashi departed Palau under the cover of darkness.[2] Almost immediately after leaving Palau, Musashi and her escorts were attacked by the American submarine Tunny, which fired six torpedoes at the battleship.[18] However, Musashi's escorts spotted the torpedo-wakes, and the battleship was able to evade five of the six torpedoes. One struck near the bow, flooding the hydrophone compartment and causing 18 casualties.[18]

Musashi as she appeared in 1944

On 3 April, Musashi arrived at Kure Naval Arsenal for repairs. From 10–22 April 1944, Musashi underwent repairs and upgrades, receiving new radar, depth-charge rails, and increased antiaircraft capabilities.[2] When she undocked on 22 April, Musashi's secondary battery was composed of six 6.1-inch guns, 24 5-inch guns, 130 25-mm guns, and four 13-mm machine-guns.[2]

In May 1944, Musashi departed Kure for Okinawa, then Tawitawi alongside the Japanese Second Fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral Jisaburō Ozawa. On 10 June 1944, Musashi departed Tawitawi for Biak, with the intention of counter-attacking the American invasion of the island.[19] Two days later, when word reached Ozawa of American attacks on Saipan, the Second Fleet diverted from Biak to the Mariana Islands.[19] During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Musashi escorted fast carriers of the Japanese Second Fleet.[20] Following Japan's disastrous defeat in the battle—during which some 450 aircraft and two fast carriers were lost—the Second Fleet returned to Japan. On 10 July 1944, Musashi departed Okinawa for Singapore, alongside her sister-ship Yamato.[2]

Musashi under attack by American carrier aircraft during the Battle of Leyte Gulf

On 18 October 1944, Musashi joined the main Japanese fleet in Brunei in preparation for Operation Sho-1, the counterattack planned against the American landings at Leyte.[21] The Japanese plan called for Ozawa's carrier forces to lure the American carrier fleets north of Leyte so that the Central Force, under the command of Vice-Admiral Takeo Kurita, could enter Leyte Gulf and destroy American forces landing on the island.[21] With this objective, five battleships, including Musashi, and ten heavy cruisers departed Brunei for the Philippines on 20 October.[2]

Soon after departing Brunei, two American submarines torpedoed and sank two of Kurita's heavy-cruisers, including Kurita's flagship Atago, forcing Kurita to transfer his flag to Yamato.[22] On 24 October 1944, Kurita's centre force came under heavy air-attack while transiting the Sibuyan Sea by five separate strikes of American carrier task forces.[23] Early in the assaults, American carrier pilots—primarily from the USS Essex (CV-9), USS Franklin (CV-13) and USS Intrepid (CV-11)—learned to capitalize on Musashi's armour deficiencies near the bow, heavily damaging the battleship in the first three raids, and forcing her to slow to 10 knots.[23] When it became apparent that the ship could not sustain further damage, her captain, Rear Admiral Inoguchi, attempted to run her aground on a nearby island.[24] Despite his intent, Musashi sank at 19:36,[2] overwhelmed by seventeen bombs and nineteen torpedoes.[24] Out of a crew of 2,399, 1,023 men died; the remainder rescued by Japanese destroyers several hours later.[24] Eighteen American aircraft were lost in the attack.

Notes

Footnotes
  1. ↑ in 1937, the Japanese Empire produced 3.5% of the world's industrial output, while the United States produced 35%[6]
  2. ↑ The amount of sisal rope necessary to complete the curtain was so great that many fishermen, its customary consumers, were unable to acquire it.
  3. ↑ Each of the three main turrets weighed more than a good-sized destroyer.[11]
Citations
  1. ↑ Jentshura (1977), p. 39.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 "Combined Fleet - tabular history of Musashi". Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt. http://combinedfleet.com/musashi.htm. Retrieved 8 January 2009. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Jackson (2000), p. 74
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Johnston and McAuley (2000), p. 123
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Schom (2004), p. 43
  6. ↑ Willmott (2000), p. 35
  7. ↑ Garzke and Dulin, p. 53
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Garzke and Dulin, p. 66
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Garzke and Dulin, p. 51
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Jackson (2000), p. 75
  11. ↑ Johnston and McAuley (2000), p. 123
  12. ↑ Hackett, Bob; Kingsepp, Sander and Cundall, Peter (2009). "Kyuheikan! Stories of the IJN's Ammunition Ships". Combinedfleet.com. http://www.combinedfleet.com/Kyuheikan_c.htm. Retrieved 1 July 2009. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Johnston and McAuley (2000), p. 180
  14. ↑ Wheeler (1980), p. 59
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Thompson (2001), p. 237
  16. ↑ Thompson (2001), p. 238
  17. ↑ Reynolds (1982), p. 136
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wheeler (1980), p. 137
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Steinberg (1978), p. 147
  20. ↑ Steinberg (1978), p. 167
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Steinberg (1980), p. 50
  22. ↑ Steinberg (1980), p. 51
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Steinberg (1980), p. 54
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Steinberg (1980), p. 55

References

External links

Yamato · Musashi · Shinano · Warship Number 111 · Warship Number 797

Preceded by: Number 13 class - Followed by: Design A-150 battleship
List of ships of the Japanese Navy