ATTIVITA'
PII @2002
Initial Command Structure:
Captain Takayanagi, Gihachi (former CO of BB ISE) is appointed Commanding
Officer.
7 December 1941: Operation Z - The Attack on Pearl Harbor:
Fitting-out at Kure.
16 December 1941:
Completed. Commissioned in the IJN. Captain Takayanagi is in command. The YAMATO
is assigned to BatDiv 1 with the NAGATO and the MUTSU in Vice Admiral Takasu
Shiro's First Fleet at Hashirajima
21 December 1941:
Departs Kure. Arrives at Hiroshima Bay, Inland Sea. Anchors west of the NAGATO
at Hashirajima.
21 December 1941-10 February 1942:
In Inland Sea. Works up, deficiencies found are corrected at Kure.
12 February 1942:
Arrives at Hashirajima from Kure. The flag of the Combined Fleet's
Commander-in-Chief Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku is transferred from the NAGATO to
the YAMATO.
March-May 1942:
Training, gunnery practice in Inland Sea. Captain Arima Kaoru, officer-in-charge
of fitting out the YAMATO's sister ship, the MUSASHI pays an orientation visit.
29 May 1942:
Operation MI - Battle of Midway:
The YAMATO departs Hashirajima with the First Fleet, Main Body: BatDiv 1, escort
carrier HOSHO, seaplane/submarine tenders CHIYODA, NISSHIN, DesRon 3's light
cruiser SENDAI, nine destroyers, Supply Group No. 1. Main Body remains 300 miles
behind the Carrier Striking Force. Does not engage U.S. forces.
14 June 1942:
Returns to Hashirajima.
14 July 1942:
The NAGATO and the MUTSU are reassigned to BatDiv 2. The YAMATO remains in
BatDiv 1.
5 August 1942:
The MUSASHI assigned to First Fleet, BatDiv 1 with the YAMATO.
17 August 1942:
Admiral Yamamoto and his staff depart Kure for Truk with Main Body: YAMATO,
escort carrier KASUGA MARU (later renamed TAIYO), DesDiv 7: AKEBONO, USHIO,
SAZANAMI.
28 August 1942:
Near Truk, the YAMATO is attacked unsuccessfully by the USS FLYING FISH (SS-229)
which misses with four torpedoes.
28 August 1942:
The YAMATO safely makes port at Truk. Serves there as Headquarters and Flagship
of the Combined Fleet.
17 December 1942:
Captain Matsuda Chiaki (former CO, BB HYUGA) assumes command from Rear Admiral
Takayanagi.
12 February 1943:
At Truk. After one year's service, the duties of flagship of the Combined Fleet
are transferred from the YAMATO to the MUSASHI.
12 February- 8 May 1943 :
At Truk.
8 May 1943:
Departs Truk for Yokosuka.
13 May 1943:
Departs Yokosuka for Kure.
15 May -August 1943:
At Kure. Refit. Drydocked for inspection and repairs. A Type 21 air search radar
is installed.
7 August 1943: German Operation ("Marco Polo"):
At Kure. The YAMATO's crew and others welcome the arrival from Penang, occupied
Malaya, of Kapitanleutnant Fritz Schneewind's German submarine U-511, a type IXC
submarine, which is a gift from Hitler to the Emperor. The U-511 left Germany in
April for Penang, occupied Malaya, where it picked up a Japanese crew. Vice
Admiral Nomura Naokuni, Japan's representative to the Axis Tripartite Commission
in Berlin since 1941, also returns home aboard the U-boat to become the CINC of
the Kure Naval Station and later the Vice Minister of the Navy.
16 August 1943:
The YAMATO departs Kure with the FUSO, the NAGATO and DesDiv 16's AMATSUKAZE and
the HATSUKAZE. Stops at Yashima anchorage that night.
17 August 1943:
The YAMATO departs Yashima via Yokosuka for Truk. Carries army troops, supplies
in a task group: battleships FUSO, NAGATO, escort carrier TAIYO, cruisers ATAGO,
TAKAO, DesDiv 7's USHIO, DesDiv 10's AKIGUMO, YUGUMO, DesDiv 16's AMATSUKAZE and
the HATSUKAZE.
23 August 1943:
The task group arrives at Truk.
7 September 1943:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Ôno Takeji (former CO of CL KISO and CA SUZUYA)
assumes command from Captain Matsuda.
18-25 September 1943:
Sorties to Eniwetok with the fleet in response to raids on Tarawa, Makin,
Abemama atolls by Rear Admiral Charles A. Pownall's Task Force 15 carriers: USS
LEXINGTON (CV-16), PRINCETON (CVL-23) and the BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24).
25 September 1943:
Returns to Truk.
17 October 1943:
Sorties to Eniwetok with the fleet in response to carrier raids on Wake Island
by Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery's Task Force 14 carriers: USS ESSEX (CV-9),
YORKTOWN (CV-10), LEXINGTON (CV-16), INDEPEDENCE (CV-22), BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24)
and the COWPENS (CVL-25).
26 October 1943:
The fleet arrives back at Truk.
12 December 1943:
Departs Truk with CarDiv 1's SHOKAKU, ZUIKAKU and destroyers.
17 December 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
20 December 1943:
Departs Yokosuka loaded with troops, supplies with DesDiv 4's YAMAGUMO and
another unknown destroyer bound for Kavieng, New Ireland via Truk.
25 December 1943:
At 0320, torpedoed by the USS SKATE (SS-305) northeast of Truk at 10-5N,
150-32E. Hit by a Mk-14-3A torpedo on the starboard hull near turret No. 3.
Total failure of main armor belt system occurs due to flawed joint between
upper, lower side protection belts. The upper magazine for No. 3 turret floods.
The mission is aborted.
25 December 1943:
At Truk. Emergency repairs.
10 January 1944:
Departs Truk for Kure with DesDiv 4's MICHISHIO, ASAGUMO and DesDiv 32's
FUJINAMI.
11 January 1944:
At 1800, the YAMATO is spotted by the USS HALIBUT (SS-232), but the submarine is
unable to attack.
14 January 1944:
At 2330, the USS BATFISH (SS-310) picks up the YAMATO group on radar, then
visually, but the BATFISH is unable to close the range for an attack.
16 January 1944:
Arrives at Kure. Dry docked to correct deficiencies in armor belt. Two beam
triple 6.1 inch wing turrets are removed and replaced by six twin 5-inch
(127-mm.) AA mounts. 12 triple, 26 single 25mm. AA mounts are also added. Type
13, Type 22 radars are installed. The main mast is altered.
25 January 1944:
Captain Morishita Nobuei (former CO of BB HARUNA and CLs OOI, SENDAI) assumes
command from Captain Ôno.
25 February 1944:
BatDiv 1: YAMATO and MUSASHI is reassigned from the First Fleet to the Second
Fleet.
21 April-22 April 1944:
Departs Kure for Okinoshima. Loads troops and materials. Sorties with the
cruiser MAYA.
28 April 1944:
Arrives at Manila, unloads troops and supplies, then departs.
1 May 1944:
Arrives at Lingga (near Singapore).
3 May 1944:
At Lingga. Designated as the flagship of Vice Admiral Ugaki Matome's BatDiv 1.
11 May 1944:
Steams with Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo's Mobile Fleet from Lingga to Tawi Tawi.
14 May 1944:
Anchors at Tawi Tawi.
10 June 1944: Operation Kon - The Relief of Biak:
Departs Tawi Tawi for Batjan with the MUSASHI, CruDiv 5's HAGURO, MYOKO, DesRon
2's light cruiser NOSHIRO and destroyers. The USS HARDER (SS-257), on station
nearby, reports the Kon Force leaving Tawi Tawi. Shortly after departure, as a
result of a submarine alert and subsequent maneuvering, the YAMATO is nearly
rammed by the MUSASHI.
12 June 1944:
Arrives at Batjan. The U.S. Invasion of the Marianas begins; Operation Kon is
"postponed".
13 June 1944:
Departs Batjan.
15 June 1944:
The USS SEAHORSE (SS-304) sights the YAMATO group east of Mindanao.
17 June 1944:
Refuels from the 1st Supply Force oilers. Joins the Mobile Fleet. Later, the
Mobile Fleet is sighted by the USS CAVALLA (SS-244) in the Philippine Sea.
19-23 June 1944: Operation A-GO - The Battle of the Philippine Sea:
The Mobile Fleet's aircraft attack U.S. Task Force 58 off Saipan. The Mobile
Fleet suffers overwhelming aircraft losses in the "Great Mariana's Turkey
Shoot". The YAMATO remains undamaged. Retires with the Mobile Fleet.
22 June 1944:
The Mobile Fleet arrives at Okinawa. Refuels destroyers, departs.
24 June 1944:
The Mobile Fleet arrives at Hashirajima.
29 June-8 July 1944:
Departs Hashirajima for Kure with the MUSASHI. Five additional triple 25mm. AA
guns are installed. Loads an Army regiment and materials.
8-10 July 1944:
Departs Kure for Okinawa with Group A: BatDiv 1's YAMATO, MUSASHI, CruDiv 4:
ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA, CHOKAI, CruDiv 7: KUMANO, SUZUYA, TONE, CHIKUMA, DesRon 2:
light cruiser NOSHIRO, destroyers. Accompanied by Group B: the KONGO, NAGATO,
the cruiser MOGAMI, DesRon 10: light cruiser YAHAGI and destroyers.
10 July 1944:
Group A detaches from Group B. Departs Okinawa for Lingga (south of Singapore)
to join Mobile Fleet.
16 July 1944:
Cru Divs 4, 7, DesRon 2 detach from Group A for Singapore. BatDiv 1, escorts,
continue to Lingga Roads.
17 July 1944:
Arrives at Lingga. Remains in vicinity for three months conducting training with
the MUSASHI, other fleet units.
15 October 1944:
Captain Morishita is promoted to Rear Admiral.
18-20 October 1944:
The fleet departs Lingga for Brunei Bay, Borneo to refuel.
22 October 1944: Operation SHO-I-GO ("Victory") - The Battle of
Leyte Gulf:
Sorties from Brunei towards Philippines with Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo's First
Mobile Striking Force, First Section, Force "A" (Center Force): BatDiv
1: YAMATO, MUSASHI, NAGATO, CruDivs 4, 5, DesRon 2.
23 October 1944: The Battle of the Palawan Passage: Two American submarines attack Force "A"’s First Section. At 0534, LtCdr (later Captain) David H. McClintock’s USS DARTER (SS-227) sinks Kurita's flagship, the cruiser ATAGO. The destroyer KISHINAMI picks up Kurita. Ten hours later, he transfers to the YAMATO. The DARTER also damages the cruiser TAKAO. LtCdr (later Captain) Bladen D. Claggett’s USS DACE (SS-247) sinks the cruiser MAYA. The KONGO, in Force "A"’s Second Section, is not damaged.
24 October 1944: The Battle of the Sibuyan Sea:
Force "A" endures raids by over 250 U.S. carrier aircraft. The MUSASHI,
hit by numerous aircraft torpedoes, bombs, sinks in Visayan Sea. The YAMATO
sustains direct hits by armor-piercing bombs through anchor deck, two bombs on
No. 1 turret, one bomb through top deck to crews' quarters. Takes on 3, 000 tons
of water, counter-floods, but down by bow. Force "A" continues on
course through Sibuyan Sea. The battleship NAGATO takes two bomb hits, the
HARUNA is damaged by near-misses. At 1530 hours, Force"A" reverses
course back through Sibuyan Sea. At 1715 hours Force "A" again
reverses course and enters narrow San Bernadino Strait at 2330 hours in single
file.
25 October 1944: The Battle off Samar:
At 0330, Force "A" exits San Bernardino Strait and proceeds towards
Leyte Gulf. At 0558 Force "A" opens fire at escort carriers of "Taffy
3": USS ST. LO (CVE-63), WHITE PLAINS (CVE-66), KALININ BAY (CVE-68),
FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70) (F), KITKUN BAY (CVE-71) and GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73). Carriers
screened by the destroyers USS HOEL (DD-533), JOHNSTON, (DD-557), HEERMANN
(DD-532), destroyer escorts USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE-413), DENNIS (DE-405),
RAYMOND (DE-341) and the JOHN C. BUTLER (DE-339).
At 0654, the destroyer HEERMANN fires three torpedoes at the HARUNA. The torpedoes miss the HARUNA, but head toward the YAMATO whose crew spots their tracks to starboard. The YAMATO turns away to port, steams northward for 10 miles until the torpedoes run out of fuel. Although the maneuver avoids the torpedoes, it puts the YAMATO and Vice Admiral Kurita out of the battle.
Between 0755 and 0910, Force "A" sinks the GAMBIER BAY, HOEL, ROBERTS and the JOHNSTON. Kurita orders all ships to head north, but at 1020 he reverses course southward and again heads towards Leyte Gulf.
Between 1030 and 1320, the CHOKAI, CHIKUMA and the SUZUYA are disabled by battle damage, drop out of formation, and are subsequently lost. Force "A"reverses course northward and at 2100 retires through San Bernardino Strait.
26 October 1944:
Aircraft attack Force "A" in the Tablas Strait off Panay. Two bombs
hit the YAMATO in the forecastle. The light cruiser NOSHIRO sinks.
27 October 1944:
No attacks. Twenty-nine YAMATO crewmen killed in action buried at sea.
28 October 1944:
The remnants of Force "A" arrive at Brunei. Refuel.
8 November 1944:
The YAMATO sorties from Brunei to Pratas Islands to avoid air raids with the
NAGATO, HARUNA, KONGO and escorts. The carrier JUNYO, the cruisers TONE, HAGURO,
ASHIGARA and escorts follow.
11 November 1944:
The YAMATO group returns to Brunei. The JUNYO and the TONE detach to Manila.
15 November 1944:
BatDiv 1 is disbanded. The YAMATO is assigned as the flagship of the Second
Fleet.
16 November 1944:
Departs Brunei for Kure with the KONGO, NAGATO and escorts.
21 November 1944:
The YAMATO group is attacked by the USS SEALION II (SS-215). The KONGO and the
destroyer URAKAZE are sunk.
23 November 1944:
Arrives at Kure.
24 November 1944:
At Kure. Begins battle damage repairs, refit. Thirty-five additional 25-mm. AA
mounts are installed (23 single, 12 triple barrels). Final complement is 152
25mm. AA.
25 November 1944:
Rear Admiral Ariga Kosaku assumes command from Rear Admiral Morishita.
15 January 1945:
Refit, repairs complete. At Hashirajima.
19 March 1945:
Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's Task Force 58 carriers USS ESSEX
(CV-9), INTREPID (CV-11), HORNET (CV-12), WASP (CV-18), HANCOCK (CV-19),
BENNINGTON (CV-20) and the BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24) make the first carrier attack
on the Kure Naval Arsenal. The battleships YAMATO, HARUNA, ISE and HYUGA, the
carriers RYUHO, KAIYO, AMAGI, KATSURAGI and other anchored ships are defended
vigorously but unsuccessfully by 54 Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-Kai ("George")
fighters of Captain (later General and CINC, JSDF) Genda Minoru's (of AKAGI at
PH) 343rd NAG from Matsuyama airfield. The YAMATO sustains minor damage from a
hit on bridge by a dive-bomber from the INTREPID.
28 March 1945:
Departs Kure for Mitajiri anchorage.
29 March-6 April 1945:
Awaits sailing orders.
6 April 1945:Operation Ten-I-Go ("Heaven Number One") The Attack on
the U.S. Invasion Forces at Okinawa:
Departs Mitajiri anchorage for the Tokuyama Oil Depot. Takes on 3, 400 tons of
fuel oil.
At 1520 departs Tokuyama with DesDiv 43: HANAZUKI, KAYA, MAKI as far as Bungo Suido where they detach for port. Vice Admiral Ito Seiichi, Commander, Second Fleet, leads the Surface Special Attack Force: YAMATO, DesRon 2's light cruiser YAHAGI, DesDiv 17: ISOKAZE, HAMAKAZE, YUKIKAZE, DesDiv 21: KASUMI, HATSUSHIMO, ASASHIMO, DesDiv 41: FUYUZUKI and the SUZUTSUKI. Two Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe" floatplanes provide anti-submarine cover.
At 2144, the USS THREADFIN (SS-410) reports the Attack Force's presence in Bungo Suido. Later, the USS HACKLEBACK (SS-295) also sights the Attack Force and reports, but neither submarine is able to close the range for an attack.
7 April 1945:
At 1230, the destroyer ASASHIMO, lagging behind with engine trouble, is sunk by
aircraft from the escort carrier USS SAN JACINTO (CVL-30). At 1235, Vice Admiral
Ito's Attack Force encounters the first wave of 280 aircraft (132 fighters, 50
bombers, 98 torpedo planes) from Task Group 58. 1: USS HORNET (CV-12), HANCOCK
(CV-19), BENNINGTON (CV-20), BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), SAN JACINTO (CVL-30), and
Task Group 58. 3: USS ESSEX (CV-9), BUNKER HILL (CV-17), BATAAN (CVL-24), and
the CABOT (CVL-28). All ships open fire at aircraft including the YAMATO's
18.1-inch guns firing "San-shiki-dan" shells. Bombs hit the YAMATO
near her aft secondary gun turret. Several 25-mm. AA guns are disabled and the
after radar room is damaged. At 1243, a bomb and torpedo sink DesDiv 17's
HAMAKAZE. Two or three torpedoes hit the YAMATO on her port side.
At 1342, the Attack Force is engaged by another 110 aircraft from Task Group 58. 4: USS YORKTOWN (CV-10), INTREPID (CV-11) and the LANGLEY (CVL-27). Armor-piercing and other bombs hit the YAMATO. From five to seven torpedoes hit her port side, two hit her starboard side. The YAMATO's list to port increases. Damage control counter-floods both the starboard engine and the boiler rooms. A torpedo hit jams her rudder hard to port. More bombs make a shambles of her upper works. At 1405, the light cruiser YAHAGI, hit by 12 bombs and seven torpedoes, sinks. Listing heavily to port, the YAMATO's exposed hull is hit by one or two more torpedoes. She rolls on her beam ends. The Emperor's portrait is removed.
Sunk: At 1423, the YAMATO's No. 2 magazine explodes and sends up a cloud of smoke that is seen 100 miles away. Sinks at 30-43 N, 128-04 E. 3, 063 men are lost including Vice Admiral Ito, skipper Rear Admiral Ariga Kosaku. 269 survivors are rescued including Rear Admiral Moroshita Nobuei, Chief of Staff, Second Fleet (and former YAMATO skipper). Later that day, the battered destroyers ISOKAZE and the KASUMI are scuttled and sink. 1, 187 crewmen of DesRon 2's light cruiser YAHAGI and the four destroyers are also lost. The Americans lose 10 aircraft and 12 crewmen.
1945:
Removed from Navy List. Skipper Ariga is promoted to Vice Admiral posthumously
on the special request of Commander-in-Chief Admiral Toyoda.
| Sinking of Yamato | Japan | Allied |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Forces |  x1 x1 x8 |
 x386 |
| Losses | x1 sunk (Yamato) x1 sunk (Yahagi) x4 sunk (Asashimo, Hamakaze, Kasumi, Isokaze) x4 damaged (Fuyuzuki, Suzutsuki, Yukikaze, Hatsushimo) |
x12
(approx.)
destroyed |
PII @2002
Initial Command Structure:
Commanding Officer: Captain Arima Kaoru. Assigned to First Fleet, BatDiv 1.
10 September 1941:
Captain Arima Kaoru assigned as equipping officer for final fitting out at
Mitsubishi.
5 August 1942:
Completed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Commissioned in IJN, and Captain Arima
Kaoru assigned as commanding officer. In Kure-Hashirajima area.
October-November 1942:
Training, gunnery practice in western Inland Sea.
December 1942:
Air training exercises with carrier ZUIKAKU in western Inland Sea.
18-23 January 1943:
Depart Iwakuni for Truk.
23 January 1943:
Arrive Truk.
11 February 1943:
At Truk. Flagship of Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku's Combined Fleet.
18 April 1943:
Admiral Yamamoto killed by USAAF P-38s at Bougainville while visiting bases.
25 April 1943:
At Truk. Flagship of Admiral Koga Mineichi, new CINC, Combined Fleet.
17 May 1943:
Depart Truk for Yokosuka. Carried Admiral Yamamoto's ashes to Tokyo for state
funeral.
22 May 1943:
Arrive at Yokosuka.
9 June 1943:
Captain Arima relieved by Captain Komura Keizo. Battle group puts to sea
immediately thereafter.
9-23 June 1943:
At sea. Return to Yokosuka.
24 June 1943:
Visited by Emperor Hirohito, Price Takamatsu, other officials.
July 1943:
Depart Yokosuka for Kure. Dry-docked 1-8 July.
31 July:
Depart Yokosuka.
5 August 1943:
Arrive at Truk.
17-26 October 1943:
Sorties from Truk to Eniwetok in response to U.S. carrier raid on Wake Island.
Returned to Truk.
November 1943:
Captain Komura promoted to Rear Admiral.
7 December 1943:
Captain Asakura Toyoji assumes command from Rear Admiral Komura.
4 February 1944:
MUSASHI opens fire unsuccessfully on two B-24 photo-reconnaissance planes that
overfly Truk.
10-15 February 1944:
Depart Truk for Yokosuka.
15-24 February 1944:
At Yokosuka. 25-mm. AA increased.
24-28 February 1944:
Depart Yokosuka for Palau.
28 March 1944:
Combined Fleet flag moves ashore. Admiral Koga departs Palau by seaplane for
Davao but lost in typhoon.
29 March 1944:
Depart Palau to avoid anticipated air raid. Just outside harbor, at 1744 hit in
port bow by one torpedo of six fired by USS TUNNY (SS-282). Minor damage, with
18 casualties. ISOKAZE and URAKAZE depth-charged, results unsuccessful. Return
to Palau tempoarily. Depart later that night screened by MICHSIHIO, SHIRATSUYU
and FUJINAMI for Kure.
3 April-10 May 1944:
Arrive Kure. Two beam triple 6.1 inch wing turrets removed, each replaced by
three triple 25mm AA guns. Also 21 other triple 25mm guns and 26 single 25mm
guns added. In dry-dock. Repairs to hull. Type 13 radar and radar-directed
fire-control installed.
May 1944:
Captain Asakura Toyoji promoted to Rear Admiral.
10 May 1944:
Depart Saeki for Okinawa.
12 May 1944:
Arrive Okinawa. Depart for Mobile Fleet operating base at Tawi Tawi.
15 May 1944:
Arrive Tawi Tawi anchorage, Sulu Sea.
15 May-10 June 1944:
At Tawi Tawi. In Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo's Mobile Fleet with Vice Admiral
Ugaki Matome's BatDiv 1: YAMATO, MUSASHI.
10-12 June 1944:
Depart Tawi Tawi for Batjan, Halmahera with Bat Div 1 for "Operation Kon"
to relieve Japanese garrison on Biak.
13 June 1944:
U.S. Invasion of Marianas begins. Operation Kon "postponed". Depart
Batjan to rendezvous with Mobile Fleet.
15 June 1944:
Ugaki's force reported east of Mindanao by USS SEAHORSE (SS-304).
16 June 1944:
Joins Mobile Fleet. At 2000 hours, USS CAVALLA (SS-244) sights Mobile Fleet in
Philippine Sea.
19-24 June 1944: Operation A-GO - Battle of Philippine Sea:
Mobile Fleet's aircraft attack U.S. carrier Task Force 58 but suffer
overwhelming aircraft losses in "Mariana's Turkey Shoot". MUSASHI
retires to Okinawa for refueling, then to Japan.
8-10 July 1944:
Depart Kure for Okinawa with Group A: YAMATO, MUSASHI, CruDivs 4, 7, DesRon 2
and Group B: KONGO, NAGATO, cruiser MOGAMI, DesRon 10.
10 July 1944:
Group A detaches from Group B. Depart Okinawa.
17 July 1944:
Arrive Lingga (near Singapore) to join Mobile Fleet.
13 August 1944:
Captain Inoguchi Toshihira assumes command from Rear Admiral Asakura Toyoji.
15 October 1944:
Captain Inoguchi promoted to Rear Admiral.
18-20 October 1944:
Depart Lingga for Brunei Bay, Borneo.
22 October 1944: Operation SHO-I-GO ("Victory") - Battle of Leyte
Gulf:
Sorties from Brunei towards Philippines with Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo's First
Mobile Striking Force, Force "A" (Center Force): BatDiv 1: YAMATO,
MUSASHI, NAGATO, CruDivs 4, 5, DesRon 2.
23 October 1944: Battle of Palawan Passage:
Force "A" attacked by two American submarines. Kurita's flagship ATAGO
sunk by USS DARTER (SS-227). Kurita is picked up by destroyer KISHINAMI. Cruiser
TAKAO damaged by DARTER, cruiser MAYA sunk by USS DACE (SS-247). Kurita
transfers to YAMATO. MUSASHI undamaged.
24 October 1944: Battle of Sibuyan Sea:
Force "A" endures raids by over 250 U.S. carrier aircraft. MUSASHI hit
by between 11-19 aerial torpedoes, at least 17 bombs. Takes on list to port.
Fires start in engine rooms. Crew counterfloods, but MUSASHI continues to take
on water. Settles by bows till forecastle awash, putting heavy strain on hull.
Destroyer SHIMAKAZE removes 635 of 769 MAYA survivors taken aboard MUSASHI
earlier. Attempt to beach unsuccessful when engines stop.
Sunk: At 1936 MUSASHI sank by bow in Visayan Sea at 12-50N, 122-35E. Destroyers KIYOSHIMO, HAMAKAZE rescue 1, 376 survivors including Executive Officer, Captain Kato Kenkichi, but 1, 023 of 2, 399 crew lost including skipper Rear Admiral Inoguchi.
31 August 1945:
Removed from Navy List.
Battle of the Sibuyan Sea
Japan
Allied
Starting Forces
x2
x2
x7
x2
x15
x260 (approx.)
Losses
x1 sunk (Musashi)
x1 damaged (Yamato)
x1 damaged (Nagato)
x1 damaged (Tone)
x3 damaged (Fujinami, Kiyoshimo, Uranami)
Essentially zero.
PII @2002