Asashio class Destroyer

IJN “special type” Destroyers built 1937-39: Asashio, Ōshio, Michishio, Arashio, Asagumo, Yamagumo, Natsugumo, Minegumo, Arare, Kasumi.

WW2 IJN Destroyers:

Momi | Minekaze | Wakatake | Kamikaze | Mutsuki

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Fubuki | Akatsuki | Hatsuharu | Shiratsuyu | Asashio | Kagero | Yugumo | Shimakaze | Akizuki

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Matsu | Tachibana | Simushu | Erotofu | Ukuru | Type C | Type D

After a time of “austere” designs trying to adhere to the new London Treaty tonnage limitations with the Hatsuharu and Shiratsuyu classes, Japan decided to just ignore the treaties altogether and flat out lie or not declare the next classes tonnage altogether. This led t a “free for all” and retuned to a much larger design closer to the original Fubuku or “special type”, making no compromise whatoever. These new ships approved 1936 in were much larger, returned to a battery of three triple mounts, but swapped three triple torpedo tube banks for two quadruple, leaving more usable space for additional AA. They were also more powerful, one knot faster and with more range than the previous classes. With these, the IJN admiralty was fully satisfied. 10 ships were built in 1937-1939 and they led to the pinnacle of prewar Japanese destroyer development with the superlative Kagero class.

Development

The Imperial Japanese Navy was not satisfied with the performance of the Shiratsuyu-class, especially in range and speed. The issue was obviously the limitations of the 1930 London Naval Treaty, that curtailed all possibilities of hull extension. Especially after the Tmozuru and 4th fleet incident it was clear that no engineering solution can realistically met the IJN staff expectations. More so, the “treaty hull” were already declared under their real tonnage, and too small and overloaded already to expect any future upgrades. What changed was not another diplomatic breakthrough or renegociations, but just a change of attitude in the government.

1936 was a turbulent year for Japan, at least on the internal political sphere:
On February 26–29 there was the February 26 Incident: The Kōdōha (“Imperial Way Faction”) engineered a failed coup against the Japanese government and still, some politicians are killed while Tokyo was placed under martial law, maintained until July 16. Two years prior already, the same faction in November 1934, plotted to murder a number of important politicians, but it was discovered before implementation. Some 3,000 officers were demoted as Jinzaburō Masaki from his position as Inspector General of Military Education. The latter was a protégé of General Sadao Araki, founder of the Kōdōha.
On the 29th of February 1936 PM Keisuke Okada, a target in the incident, emerged from hiding when ordere is restored. Emperor Hirohito orders to arrest 123 Army conspirators in the Tokyo government offices. Later in July, 19 are executed. Overwhelming opposition, including from the Navy and even Army top brass forced the last rebels to surrender. On March 4, The Emperor signed an ordinance on establishing a Special Court Martial for those involved in the uprising and a few days later, Pro-democratic militarist Keisuke Okada steps down as Prime Minister, replaced by radical militarist Kōki Hirota.

The most immediate consequence was a far more nationalistic stance, which after negociations with the Army, the Navy was granted the decision to not renew the Washington Treaty as it expired. This allowed the Navy decided to scrap the final four Shiratsuyu class, out of a projected 14 destroyers and instead pressed forward with the much larger, new Asashio-class destroyers, that were worked out already since 1934 as a precautionary measure. They had been indeed already planned under reserve by the Maru-2 Supplementary Naval Expansion Budget in 1934. Now with full greenlight, they could be planned for construction in 1937-1939, waiting for the treaty to expire until December 31, 1936.

The Asashio-class were in essence a return to the initial “special type” that was condemned by the London treaty by fixing drastic tonnage limitations. In between, new specifications in AA armament, range and armament pressed for an even larger design than the Fubukis, and these became the first Japanese destroyer class to exceed 2,000 tons in standard displacement, and first equipped with a sonar from the start. The hull was much larger, 30 feet longer than the Shiratsuyu-class, with 300 more tons. They were a bit slower than the Fubukis (a single knot) but compensated by extra range, conceded a single torpedo tube for extra AA armament and the full load of sixteen torpedoes. In short, they were all the admiralty hoped for, and being fully satisfactory, they led to the next two wartime designs with few changes, the Kagero and Yugumo.

The Shiratsuyu class were built at the following yards:
Fujinagata Shipyards (3)
Sasebo Naval Arsenal (2)
Maizuru Naval Arsenal (2)
Kawasaki Dockyard Co. (2)
Uraga Dock Company (1)

Design of the class

Hull and general design

The Asashio class displaced 1961t standard (in most sources), 2,370 long tons (2,408 t) fully loaded, but in 1942 this was 2100-2500t on average. So they were truly the first IJN destroyer to passe the symbolic 2000t mark. This was comparable to the 1942 Fletcher class (2050/2500t). The hull measured 111 m (364 ft) between perpendicular, 115 m (377 ft 4 in) at the waterline and 118.3 m (388 ft 1 in) overall, so very comparable, a tad shorter than the Fubuki (118.41 meters overall or 388 feet 5 inches). The class was less beamy also at 10.3 m (33 ft 10 in) versus 10.4 meters or 34 ft 1 inch but draftir at 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) versus 3.2 m or 10ft 6 inches.
Their silhouette diverged as well. The game change was the adoption of quadruple torpedo tube banks.
They had a slightly longer forecastle, but still the same arrangement with two unequal sized raked funnels, tripod mast and narrow bridge, then an elevated ‘A’ TT bank, the amisdhip structure supporting a light projector aft of the second funnel and AA mounts, ‘B’ deck TT bank, also armoured, and a larger structure aft supporting the aft tripod mast, “X” and “Y” superfiring aft turret and a slightly longer aft deck. In fact, there was more distance from the poop to “Y” mount than from the bow tip and “A” mount. They looked more harmonious and gracious overall, better balanced.
As previous ships, they only carried to salvage and laision boats under davits close to the bridge, and packed inflatable rafts. They had two paravane mounted on swinging arms at the poop, ant-collision bars, “mine rails” amidships which in reality were used with chariots to carry the torpedoes for reloads. The deck was also not entirely covered with wood. Only on the forecastle rear, past the metal support for the anchors, casptans etc. and at the rear from “B” TT banks up to the poop, which was also decked in steel aft. The whole amidship section where the torpedo rload network was installed, was all in steel with serrated anti-slip floor.

Powerplant

The Asashio-class were powered by two steam turbine engines, two stage (HP-LP Kampon) on two shafts and 3-blmaded bronze propellers, single rudder. These turbines were powered by three boilers, operating at higher temperatures than the previous Shiratsuyu-class. The rated output thus jumped from 42,000 hp (31,000 kW) to 50,000 hp (37,000 kW), back to Fubuki’s figures but with smaller and light boilers that freed extra space for more oil bunkerage.

This gave them class a top speed of 35 knots (65 km/h), range of 5,700 nautical miles (10,600 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h), or 960 nautical miles (1,780 km) at 34 knots (63 km/h). To compare, the Fubukis were capable of 38 knots (44 mph; 70 km/h) on paper, but that was as designed. When beefed up after the 1936 incidents, they were much heavier and dropped to 36 knots. But they lacked the range of the Asashios, with “only” 5000 nm at 14 knots. The Asashio also had a longer range also compared to the Shiratsuyus, 4,000 nm/18 kts.

The Asashio-class was a knot faster than the Shiratsuyu despite a larger size and displacement but on sea trials, critical issues with the boilers and new steam turbines were discovered, which forced to cap down the speed to 34 knots. Another issue was the rudder design, which was close to the ones before but with a new driving system, too slow to be effective in combination with a slihtly revised poop, which led to a large turning radius. In late 1941 or early 1942 when practicable they were all refitted with a modified stern and rudder.

Armament

The armament of the Asashio class reverted to the Fubuki main battery layout: Three twin mount with the standard 12.7 cm/50 Type 3 naval guns. The previous compromise with 5-guns in twon and single mounts of the previous treaty-bound Shiratsuyu and Hatsuharu classes was dropped. For stability reasons, the superfiring pair was aft. These revised mounts were “semi-dual purpose” with a 55-degree elevation. But their slow elevation, turning rate and reload system made them poor AA by 1941 standards. “X” turret on the shelter deck and quarterdeck “Y” turret were placed slightly differently also compared to the Fubukis.

12.7 cm/45 3rd Year Type naval gun

The 12.7 cm/50 Type 3 naval gun was a medium-caliber dual purpose naval gun of the Imperial Japanese Navy, standard weapon for Japanese destroyers rom 1928 and until 1944 (The Akizuki and Matsu classes were exceptions). These were taunted as true dual-purpose but this remains a nominal capability due to their bag propellant and hand ramming requiring a fixed elevation between 5–10° also translated into a rate of fire of 5–10 rounds per minute, training speed of only 6° per second. Somewhat useful in 1930 it was hoepeless against 1942 aircraft.

Shigure and Samidare operating off the coast of Bougainville in the Solomon Islands hours prior to the Naval Battle of Vella Lavella on 7 October 1943.

The Type 3 gun was of built-up construction with 3, then 2 layers, breech ring and breech bush (Welin interrupted screw breech) and still used powder bags, whereas the shell was fuzed manually on the loading tray before ramming by hand with the pusher-type shell hoist and manually insterted powder bags.

Model C:

Adopted by the Shiratsuyu, Asashio, and Kagerō-class, elevation down to 55°, depression to −7° and lighter.
Mount weight: Type A/B 18.5 tonnes (18.2 long tons; 20.4 short tons)
Round: 23 kg (51 lb) HE, illumination, incendiary shrapnel (sankaidan) for AA use, flat-nosed ASW (1943). 1945: HE developed with added charge for 23,025 metres (25,180 yd).
Propellant: 7.7 kg (17 lb) 30 DC.
Muzzle velocity:
-Common Type 0 HE 23 kg (51 lb)/1.88 kg (4.1 lb): 910–915 m/s (2,986–3,002 ft/s)
-Common Type 1 HE 23 kg (51 lb)/1.88 kg (4.1 lb): 910–915 m/s (2,986–3,002 ft/s)
-Illumination 23 kg (51 lb): 750 m/s (2,500 ft/s)
-ASW 20.9 kg (46 lb)/4 kg (8.8 lb): 250 m/s (820 ft/s)
-HE 1945 LG type 27.9 kg (62 lb)/2.2 kg (4.9 lb): 910–915 m/s (2,986–3,002 ft/s)

Torpedoes

The torpedo armament was now eight Type 93 torpedoes in two quadruple launchers like on the Shiratsuyu-class as revised. They also kept all eight reloads stored in separate deckhouses on the centerline of the ship for “B” mounts and two separate abaft the funnel for “A” mount forward. 16 depth charges was the stabdard, versus 18 on previous classes, and it was decided to increase this to 36, but to compensate for this extra weight, a set of four torpedo reloads was removed, leaving 12 total (4 spares only).
The Asashio dropped the Hatsuharu’s three triple torpedo tubes banks initially as designed, but kept the same arrangement of two quadruple mounts to reduce top weight in the final draft. These were of the new Type 92 mounts keeping the Fubuki original capacity without compromising too much stability. They had one spare for each pre-loaded, so sixteen in all.

The eight 24 in (610 mm) torpedo tubes in two quadruple centerline mounts were all equipped with the Type 93 “Long Lance” torpedoes. The containers with eight spare torpedoes behind the mounts made possible a reloading underway at speed within a minute, using winches and rails. So this made the Asashio’s torpedo battery surpassing U.S. destroyers at the time.
These Type 92 launchers, derived initially from the twin tube Type 89 launcher of the Takao-class heavy cruisers had been fitted with shields as weather and splinter protection, notably from strafing fire, but not shrapnel of large size. They were for example not immunte to 0.5 in cal. heavy amchien gun fire, that most US aircraft carried. This was a compromise in weight. The initial shields in Duralumin were lighter but corroded, while in demand for the aircraft industry. On the Asashio they were in “NiCrMo” steel, heavier but easier to produce, from recycled air chambers of obsolete torpedoes. They only measured 3 mm (0.12 in) in thickness to save weight, and thus even unable to protect against 0.3 inches or 8 mm fire.

Murasame and Samidare showing their rear deck details, prewar

These Type 92 launchers were traversed by electro-hydraulic gears to 360° in 25 seconds. There was a backup manual system using handwhels and a reduction, but this took up to two minutes for the same revolution. The eight reloads as seen above used systems of cranes and winches, rails and chariots to help the reloading process. Intensive drills ensure the best reloading times. The spare torpedoes were stored externally in canisters. Each tube could be reloaded separately in 23 seconds through an endless wire and winch, all manual. The Type 93 torpedo benefited of large stockpiles available and they remained extremely potent until 1945.

Type 93 (1933)

The Type 93 entered service in 1933 (model 1) and the ships were possibly rearmed in 1935-36 or never, it’s not strictly confirmed. The Type 90 could have been installed instead when available.
61 cm Type 93 torpedo found on the Mutsuki, Fubuki, Akatsuki classes, and all oxygen fuelled from the Hatsuhara and beyond. The Designer was Rear Admiral Kaneji Kishimoto, and Captain Toshihide Asakuma, and this started in 1928 (just as the last Mutsuki class ships were completed), then went on until 1932. The Type 93 became the nororious “secret weapon” unleashed by IJN destroyers and cruisers in WW2, which caused extebsive damage during the Solomons campaign expecially. The defective US Type 14 torpedo was in stark contrast with this. The Type 93 torpedo was dangerous to its user however but its effectiveness outweighed the risks anyway, claiming 23 Allied warships, 11 cruisers, 11 destroyers, and a fleet aircraft carrier and among these, 13 hits were fatal.

AA Defence

The Asashio’s anti-aircraft capability was considerably beefed-up. Initially they had two twin-mount Type 96 AA guns placed forward of the second smokestack, and these were the first destroyers to inaugurate these. As the war progressed, Type 96 were added wherever possible, notably by 1942-1943, twin-mounts were replaced by triple-mounts. An extra twin-mount was added forward of the bridge on a raised platform as well. From 1943-1944, surviving ships saw even the landing of their superfiring “X” turret in exchange of two more triple-mounts. After 1944, the ships all had between eight and twelve additional single 25 mm mounts. IJN Kasumi also received two extra Type 93 13mm machine guns.

As designed, the Shiratsuyu class were fitted with two water-cooled and license-built Vickers 40-millimeter “pom pom”, of WWI vintage. They were heavy and slow-firing, short-ranged for 1930s standards. This on completion they were given instead two single Type 93 13mm machine guns. However as war approached, and from 1942 when possible, they were replaced by new 25 mm (0.98 in) Type 96 anti-aircraft guns. Many more were added in wartime (see later)

25 mm Type 96

The type 96 25 mm AT/AA gun became the standard of the IJA and IJN, automatic cannon developed as variant of the French Hotchkiss 25 mm, dual-purpose and developed as AA on single, twin and triple mounts. Development worked on 1935. 25 mm Hotchkiss design evaluated and order placed for several mounts types for evaluation at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal. Led to the Type 94 and Type 95 and then the main model produced at Yokosuka Arsenal, the Type 96.
Elements made with castings and not forging for larger production, Rheinmetall supressor, new mounts designed.
Air-cooled gas operated with multiple rings (Hotchkiss patent).
Twin-mount in 1939, followed by triple mount in 1941 and single mount in 1943.
Issues of the designed revealed in combat:
Slow elevation and traverse, ineffective sights, excessive vibration, limited magazine cap., blinding Flashes.
The 1944 single mount needed a single operator and a loader but had a better spiderweb sight.

13.2 mm Type 93 heavy machine gun

The Type 93 13 mm (0.55 inches) heavy machine gun (九三式十三粍機銃), Type Ho 13 mm AA machine cannon was a license-built version of the French Hotchkiss M1930 machine gun. It was widely used for heavy ground support and organic for AA defence, until gradually replaced when possible by the 25 mm Type 96. They were still in use, on twin mounts, on many IJN cruisers and destroyers before WW2 but gradually replaced when possible, notably by single 25 mm mounts due to unsufficient range and firepower.

The common twin mount in 1941

Depth Charges

The Asashio carried sixteen depth charges in a single rack at the stern. This was increased to thirty-six after late 1942.
The single Type 81 depth charge launcher at the stern (16 depth charges) could allow dropping the standard Type 95, 30.5″ by 17.7″ (77.5cm by 45cm). 220 lb (100 kg) charge, Type 88 explosive (ammonium perchlorate and ferrosilicate). Fuse using a water inlet. 100 feet (30m) and 200 feet (60m) settings (after the revelations of a US Congressman).
Later increased to 324 lb (147kg), Type 97 explosive (70% TNA/30% HNDA), 300 foot (90m) setting.
-1944 Type 2: 230 lbs (105kg) Type 97 explosive settings 98, 197, 292, 390, 480 feet (30m, 60m, 89m, 120m, and 145m).
-1945 Type 2: 357 lbs (162kg) explosives.

Upgrades

In 1943-1944, survivors saw the removal of their superfiging “X” 5-in/50 turretn replaced by three triple 25mm/60 Type 96 and a twin 25mm/60 Type 96 AA mounts plus 2 DCT for a total of 36 depht charges. By mid-1944, the two twin original 25mm/60 type 96 AA were removed as well as the 8 spare torpedoes to free weight, and a supplementary triple 25mm/60 96-shiki was installed forward of the bridge, plus fourteen single 25mm/60 and four single 13.2mm/76 Type 93, displacement rusing to 2000t standard and 2635tfully loaded, top speed down to 29kts. A far cry to the 36 knots of the Fubukis. Later in 1944 A 2-shiki 2-go and 3-shiki 1-go radars were installed on all ships still in service.

Sensors

Type 3 Sonar

The Asashio class ships were the first to be equipped with sonar. This was the Type 93 sonar coupled with the Type 93 hydrophones as integrated. They were inferior however to allied designs.
The Type 93 model 3 sonar was a derivative of Model 1, used on destroyers since 1933. It used a retractable quartz projector for transmission and reception and had a nonretractable sound dome measuring 1.9m by 0.65m (6’3″ by 2’2″).

Specs

Frequency: 17.5 kHz
Receiver gain: 120 decibels
Pulse repetition interval: 2, 4, or 8 seconds
Power: 2 kW
Ranges: 1640-3300-6600 yards (1500m-3000m-6000m)
Accuracy: 3 degrees
Resolution: 10 degrees
Weight: 4400 lbs (2000 kg)

Type 22 radar

The Asashio class received by late 1944 (Kasumi, Michishio, Asagumo, and Yamagumo) a Type 22 and a Type 13 radar. The Type 22 radar wasa availble from November 1943, and by late 1944, it started to be replaced by the Type 13 radar.
The early Type 22 General Purpose Radar looks like characteristically like a 2910 lb (1320 kg) drum topped with a twin cornet amplificators, mounted mid-way top the mast.

Type 22 radar Specs:

Wavelength 10 cm, pwd 10 microsecond, PRF 2500 Hz, scan rate 5 rpm, PP 2 kW
Range: 20 nautical miles (35 km) aircraft group, 10 nm (17 km) single, 13 nm(24 km) battleship.
Subject to land clutter. Horn and A scope display, accuracy 220 yards (200m)/3 degrees res. 1600 yards (1500 m)/40 degrees
300 sets produced installed on destroyers from the summer 1942. Generalized in 1944.

Type 13 radar

Vertical 240 lb(110 kg) bedframe antenna, developed 1941, introduced mi-1943, with vertical dipole transmitter and Yagi mattress receiver. 1000 sets produced. Air defense, range 100 km (group), and single aircraft 50km.
Specs:
Wavelength 200 cm, pw 10 ms, PRF 500 Hz PP 10 kW
Range: 30-60 nautical miles (50-100 km)

Assessment on the Asashio class

Ten ships built were operational before WW2 broke out. The last ship, Kasumi was indeed commissioned in June 1938. So in December 1941, they had seen penty of training and manoeuvers already and thei crews were well experienced and well drilled. A powerful combination with the best destroyers in the IJN inventory, and as the Japanese people believed, the best destroyers in the world at the time. So they were always front and center in 1939-41 fleet manoeuvers, attached to the best front line units of the IJN.

IJN Arare and Kasumi for example escorted the Kido Butai attacking Pearl Harbor. They remained with the carriers for months but the rest of the class alternated between convoy and carrier escort missions. They took part the invasion of the Philippines, Dutch East Indies campaign. There was a highlight on 19 February 1942 at the battle of the Badung Strait: Asashio, Ōshio, Michishio, and Arashio chased off a larger allied cruiser task force friom their own, precious invasion troop convoy. Asashio torpedoed and sank the Dutch destroyer Piet Hein, the first WW2 kill with a type 93 torpedo. She also engaged and win a gunfight with the light cruiser Tromp, landing eleven 5-inch (127 mm) shells that put her on fire, forcing her to retire. Asashio and Ōshio concentrated on USS Stewart which survived by was written off, scuttled in Surabaya. Michishio however suffered from US destroyers and while under tow, she took a 5.9-inch (15 cm) shell from Tromp which proved to be a dud, while in her magazines.

On February 27th, Asagumo and Minegumo took part in the battle of the Java Sea repelling three British destroyers, Asagumo winning a gunnery duel with HMS Electra which latter was sunk but was hit by a 4.7-inch (12 cm) shell and had some repairs afterwards. These destroyers later took part in raids on former ABDA fleet ships escaping to Australia, Kasumi claiming the Dutch cargo ship SS Modjokerto, Arashio the Dutch minesweeper Jan Van Amstel.
They took part in the battle of Midway, June 4th, when both Asashio and Arashio were damaged by bomb hits, and a month later USS Growler sank Arare and crippled Kasumi.
Their most serious test was at Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands campaign. They notably were forced to carry troop and supply in the famous “tokyo express” runs, ands escorting aircraft carriers at the battle of the Eastern Solomons and battle of Santa Cruz. In October, Natsugumo fought and survived the battle of Cape Esperance only to be sunk by aircraft from Henderson Field. Asagumo took part in all two naval battles of Guadalcanal. In the first battle with Murasame and Samidare, charging the light cruiser USS Helena, saving Amatsukaze, and destroying USS Monssen at point blank range (39 hits, she sank). In the second, Asagumo torpedoed but damaged little USS South Dakota and rescued survivors from the battleship Kirishima after her duel with USS Washington.

In 1943, the class started to met aways: On February 20th, Ōshio was torpedoed and sunk by USS Albacore. On March 4th, Asashio and Arashio were sunk by US air force bombers at the battle of the Bismarck Sea and the follwong day Minegumo assisted in sinking USS Grampus, but was destroyed as the battle of Blackett Strait and sunk by combined gunfire of USS Denver and USS Montpelier. The remaining four were saved from further losses by being relegated to uneventful transport missions and patrol duty. On November 19 1943, Yamagumo sank USS Sculpin with mixed depth charge and surface gunfire attacks however in such protection missions.

On June 19-20 1944, Michishio and Yamagumo escorted aircraft carriers at the battle of the Philippine Sea as their only late war mission profile. In October, the remaining four however met their fate at the battle of Leyte Gulf. On the 25th, they were at the battle of the Surigao Strait. USS McDermut with its “lucky hand” torpedoed in one spray every ship of the class besides Kasumi. Yamagumo, sank, Michishio and Asagumo were dead in the water and finished off by gunfire. Michishio by USS Hutchins, Asagumo by Denver and Columbia. Kasumi survived until April 7, 1945 when escorting Yamato in her famous suicide mission Operation Ten-Go. She was caught in a storm of 386 carrier aircraft, and it was estimated she sank after two bomb hits and several near misses.

So all in all, what we could conclude about this ? Albeit they were excellent destoyers by 1941 and even 1942 standards, the combo with their Type 93 torpedo rarely showed its promises. They had a few occasions, but statistically most of her kills came from gunnery duels in short encounters in theur six main gun artillery was superior to the 5-guns standards of the Bensons, Gleaves and Fletcher class, early successes were mostly due to a lack of opposition. The British E class for example, tailored for Europe, were hardly a match for them.
But as was progressed, the overwhelming industrial capacity started to talk and in some situations, they had to duel with light cruisers, something that was due to events, but left them little chance. The “feat” by McDermut was a unique even in WW2 and certainly told nothing about their performances in general. Their AA armament, reinforced towards the end of the war was not sufficient for two of them, but even in the case of Kasumi, fittingly the last completed in her class, the air opposition was just overwhelming. In their 1943-44 escorts they did relatively well, trading 1/1 in ASW kills. But the Kagero and Yugumo were tasked at the time of fleet protection, not them.

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Career of the Hasashio class

Asashio (朝潮) was laid down at Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 7 September 1935, launched on 16 December 1936 and completed on 31 August 1937. In Dec. 1941 she was was flagship of DesDiv 8, Desron 2, Southern Force, Mako Guard District (Admiral Nobutake Kondō) as distant cover to the Malaya and Philippines invasion forces. She later escorted a Malaya troop convoy to Singora, and was in Hong Kong by 5 January 1942, then escorted a troop convoy to Davao, and was with the Ambon invasion force, Makassar invasion force, Bali/Lombok invasion force.
On the night of 19 February 1942 she took part in the Battle of Badoeng Strait, guarding the transport Sasago Maru off Bali. She sank HNLMS Piet Hein with a torpedo and badly damaged HNLMS Tromp and USS Stewart while being hit by a 76 mm (3 in) shell from Tromp (4 killed, 11 wounded), later towing Michishio to Makassar for repairs.
In March 1942, Desdiv 8 was at Yokosuka and in April, was attached to Desron 4 sent in Manila Bay to assist for the shelling of Corregidor until May 1942 and back to to Kure, then deployed to Guam. In the Midway on 4–6 June 1942, Desron 4 escorted Kurita’s Support Group for the Midway troop convoy. 6 June air attack had her hit by a 500 lb (230 kg) bomb, killing 22. She rescued 240 survivors from Mikuma and escorted Mogami to Truk on 14 June. She was repaired by the Akashi, sailed to Sasebo on 29 June for the complement and later ended in the Yokosuka Naval District.
She escorted troop transport runs to Guadalcanal in September-October 1942 and escorted Mikawa’s Support Force in November. On 14 November, she assisted the crippled cruiser Isuzu. She also made three “Tokyo Express” runs from Rabaul to Buna until December 1942. She towed the damaged Umikaze to Rabaul on 21 November and later was damaged by near-misses at her stern. She made a troop transport run to Finschhafen (18 December). On 7 January, while escorting Zuikaku, Mutsu and Suzuya on Truk-Kure-Truk with Chūyō, then a convoy from Truk to Rabaul, Rabaul to Madang and back. She was next in DesRon3, 8th Fleet on from 25 February 1943 and on 3 March 1943, escorted a troop convoy from Rabaul towards Lae which developed into the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. In the air attack, Asashio was bombed and strafed later that day picking up survivors from Arashio and Nojima Maru. She sank with 200 men, 45 nm (83 km) SW of Finschhafen in New Guinea with DesDiv 8 Commander, Captain Yasuo Sato. Stricken 1 April 1943.

Ōshio (大潮) was laid down at Maizuru Naval Arsenal on 5 August 1936, launched on 19 April 1937 and completed on 31 October 1937. In Dec. 1941 she was assigned to Desdiv 8, Desron 2, 2nd Fleet, escorting Admiral Kondō’s Southern from Mako Guard District, as distant cover for the Malaya and Philippines invasions. She escorted a Malaya troop convoy to Singora, was in Hong Kong on 5 January 1942, then another troop convoy to Davao, and the Ambon invasion force on 31 January, Makassar invasion force on 8 February, Bali/Lombok invasion force on 18 February. She took par on 19 February 1942 to the Battle of Badoeng Strait, guarding the transport Sasago Maru off Bali, credited with assisting sinking HNLMS Piet Hein with and hitting HNLMS Tromp, USS Stewart. She receive splinters and a hit loosing 7. In March, after repairs at Makassr she was fully repaired at Yokosuka until the end of 1942. By January 1943 she left Maizuru for the Shortland Island, and then three troops evacuations from Guadalcanal in February. On the 20th February while with IJN Arashio, she ambushed by USS Albacore off Wewak in New Guinea, a single torpedo hit flooded her engine room, killed 8. Arashio attempted to tow her but she was practicvally broken in half ad sank 70 nm (130 km) northeast of Manus Island, stricken on 1 April 1943.

IJN Michishio (満潮) was laid down at Fujinagata Shipyards on 5 November 1935, launched on 15 March 1937, completed on 31 October 1937. Upon completion she supported combat operations in the Second Sino-Japanese War in November-December 1937. However given the engine issue of her sister Asashio, she was sent to Sasebo for full replacement of her engines. In Dec. 1941 she was in Desdiv 8, Desron 2, 2nd Fleet and followed the same opration path as her sisters (see above). She took part also in the Battle of Badoeng Strait, guarding the transport Sagami Maru off Bali and was caught in crossfire by four destroyers, severely damaged (13 killed, 83 injured), towed by Asashio to Makassar for provisional repairs, completed at Yokosuka until late October 1942. She would make three “Tokyo Express” runs by November and took part in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 14 November, damaged by aircraft, repaired in Shortland Island, Rabaul, Truk, and Yokosuka from 17 March to 14 November 1943, back to Truk escorting Kumano and Suzuya to Kavieng in December.
By January 1944, Michishio was escorting Yamato back to Kure, then escorted a troop convoy back to Truk and for two months, escorted Musashi. She took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, as mart of Takatsugu Jōjima’s “Force B” but saw no action. Next she assisted the tanker Itsukushima Maru at Negros Island, escorted Fusō from Davao to Kure and accompanied Haruna in August from Sasebo to Singapore, then escorted supply convoys to Brunei. She met her end in the Battle of Surigao Strait as part of adm. Nishimura’s Southern Force on 25 October, torpedoed by USS McDermut, finished off by USS Hutchins. She was stricken on 10 January 1945 and her wreck was rediscovered by Paul Allen in 2017.

Arashio (荒潮) was laid down at Kawasaki-Kobe on 1 October 1935, launched on 26 May 1937 and commissioned on 30 December 1937. By Dec. 1941 under command LtCdr. Hideo Kuboki, she was assigned Desdiv 8, Desron 2, 2nd Fleet, taking part in the same operations (Malaya-Philippines invasion, Singora, Hong Kong, Davao, Ambon, Makassar, Bali/Lombok) and the Battle of Badoeng Strait escorting the transport Sagami Maru, seeing no combat. On 8 March she sank the Dutch minesweeper Jan van Amstel fleeing the fall of Java and surviving crew POW. She was refitted at Yokosuka in March before being reassigned to the 2nd Fleet on 10 April, taking part in the siege of Corregidor on 4 April-18 May, then back to Kure. She escorted a convoy to Guam in May and joined the Kurita’s Midway Invasion Force, and assisted Asashio after the Battle of Midway, rescuing men from Mikuma but was badly damaged by air attacks on 6 June, taking a direct bomb hit, killing 37, inc. survivors from Mikuma and DesDiv 8 commander Commander Nobuki Ogawa. She still managed to escort Mogami to Truk, had repairs by Akashi, completd at Sasebo from 23 July to 20 October. Then she was assigned to Rabaul, and took part in no less than 13 “Tokyo Express” transport runs (Buna, Shortland, Kolombangara, Guadalcanal, Wewak) until mid-February 1943. On 20 February, she rescued survivors from Ōshio off Wewak and returned to the 8th Fleet on 25 February. She took part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, but met her end there, damaged by three bombs from USAAF B-25C Mitchell “Chatter Box” on 3 March. Her rudder was also damaged and she collided with the troopship Nojima Maru. Yukikaze rescued her 176 survivors but captain Cdr Hideo Kuboki went down with her. Her drifting hulk was fnished off by USN aircraft 55 nm (102 km; 63 mi) SW of Finschhafen in New Guinea, stricken on 1 April 1943.

Asagumo (朝雲) was laid down on 23 December 1936, launched on 5 November 1937 and commissioned on 31 March 1938. Asagumo joined Desdiv 9, Desron 4, 2nd Fleet and took part in Kondō’s Southern Force from Mako Guard District (see above) escorting convoys to Lingayen, Tarakan, Balikpapan and Makassar but she also was present at the Battle of the Java Sea when on February 26, a Japanese floatplane reported ABDA’s two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers, nine destroyers coming to intercept troop convoys. Asagumo escorted two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, 13 other destroyers and in the evening they made contact. Asagumo launched 8 torpedoes at 6,000 meters but missed. But with Asagumo later she spotted the crippled HMS Exeter and she engaged HMS Electra in the gunnery duel, taking 4.7-inch (12 cm) hits, temporarily halt for repairs (4 KiA, 19 injured) but in retuen she blasted Electra’s engine room, knocked off A and X turrets, communications, electrical power and left her dead in the water. She still managed to launched torpedoes and missed, to be finished off later by Minegumo and Asagumo. Asagumo returned to Balikpapan for emergency repairs until March 18, then with Yamabiko Maru to Makassar and completed at Yokosuka. By late May, she escorted the Midway Invasion Force but was recalled to join the Aleutians afterwards. In July she was assigned to Ōminato Guard District, patrolling the Kurile Islands. She sailed to Truk with IJN Chōkai, to Kwajalein, and back to Yokosuka in August 1942. Back to Truk she was in escort of carriers in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. From September, she patrolled bteween Truk and the Shortland, and in October-November took part in nine “Tokyo Express” runs in the Solomons as flagship of the 4th Torpedo Squadron. She escorted aircraft carriers at the Battle of Santa Cruz.
On November 9, she left Truk to shell Henderson Field alongside Hiei and Kirishima, Nagara and 11 destroyers. Asagumo operated with Murasame and Samidare but on the 13th, they spotted US ships aproaching, two US heavy cruisers, three light cruisers, eight destroyers in what became the first naval battle of Guadalcanal, Asagumo’s group being too far north to seee action, joining the battle after 2:00, adn tried to save Amatsukaze under murderous fire from USS Helena, and engaged her with Murasame and Samidare, claimed to have torpedoed the cruiser. Murasame and Samidare were hit but not Asagumo but they saved saved Amatsukaze. They spotted USS Monssen, finished off by Hiei and Asagumo’s torpedoes. She assisted the crippled Yūdachi, eventually finished off by USS Portland. Next she proceeded to the bombardment and on 15th,met another US task force (second naval battle of Guadalcanal). During the duel between Washington and Kirishima she launched four torpedoes against Washington, missed but assisted evacuating Kirishima later. She had a well deserved overhaul at Yokosuka, returning with IJN Chūyō and then sailed to Truk by mid-January 1943 with Jun’yō, and a convoy to Wewak, New Guinea. In February, she assisted evacuating Guadalcanal and the Solomons.
She was present at the Battle of the Bismarck Sea of 1–4 March and survived air attacks, followed by transport runs to Kolombangara and a new refit at Yokosuka on April-May.
She was sent to the Kurile Islands, covered the retreat from Kiska and escorted IJN Maya. By late October she was assigned to the 3rd Fleet and modernized. She was in Truk by early January 1944 in escort of Yamato back to Kure, then Singapore with Shōkaku and Zuikaku in February, Kure in March and back to Singapore. She escorted a convoy to Tawitawi in May and IJN Fusō to Davao. In the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June) she was in Admiral Ozawa’s force, Okinawa, Manila, Brunei in mid-October. By October, she joined Nishimura at the Battle of Surigao Strait being torpedoed by USS McDermut, finished off by cruisers and destroyers. There were 39 survivors, including Commander Shibayama, made POWs. She was stricken on 10 January 1945.

Yamagumo (山雲) was laid down at Fujinagata Shipyards on 4 November 1936, launched on 24 July 1937 and commissioned on 15 January 1938 under LtCdr. Yasuji Koga, as flagship, 3rd Special Attack Force in December 1941 for the invasion of the Philippines. She covered landings at Camiguin Island and Lingayen but on 31 December, she hit a Japanese naval mine ahd was towed to Hong Kong for repairs in February, proceeded to complete these at Yokosuka on 7 April until 15 May 1942, then traned until August 1942. She escorted a convoy to Saipan by December 1942, and in February 1943 escorted Tatsuta Maru to Truk, torpedoed by USS Tarpon SW off Mikurajima. By 15 September 1943 assigned to the 3rd Fleet she escorted a convoy Shanghai-Rabaul-Shanghai, October, November, then escorted the sub tender IJN Chōgei, cruiser Kashima from Truk to Kure. On 19 November she sank USS Sculpin. 42 survivors were rescued as POWs, transferred to Chūyō, sunk later by USS Sailfish (21 survivors). She escorted the tanker Nippon Maru in the Marshalls and by December, ezscorted to japan Kongō and Chōgei, back to Truk with Yamato.
On 1st January 1944 she was air attacked in a Tokyo Express run to Kavieng. She escorted Kokuyo Maru in January, then troop transport runs in the Solomons and on 23 February, was back to Yokosuka with Asaka Maru, overhauled, modernized, back in April with Zuihō to Guam, and back to Kure. In May, she escorted Jun’yō, Hiyō and Ryūhō to Tawitawi, Yamato and Musashi to Biak. In the Battle of the Philippine Sea of 10–20 June 1944 she was in “Force B”.
In the Battle of Leyte Gulf of 22–25 October she was in “Southern Force”, sunk in the Battle of Surigao Strait by USS McDermut, and exploded, 2 survivors, stricken 10 January 1945, rediscovered on 27 November 2017 by Paul Allen on RV Petrel.

Natsugumo (夏雲) was laid down at Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 1 July 1936, launched on 26 May 1937 and commissioned on 10 February 1938 under command of LtCdr Moritaro Tsukamoto, assigned to Desdiv 9, Desron 4, 2nd Fleet in December 1941. She escorted the Philippines invasion forces to Vigan and Lingayen, assisted in the landings of Japanese forces at Tarakan, Balikpapan, Makassar and Java in the Netherlands East Indies. She did not took part in the Battle of the Java Sea but damaged USS Perch with depth charges. She was at the Battle of Christmas Island from 31 March–10 April whle escorting IJN Naka back to Singapore, and Yokosuka for refit in April. She was part of Kondō’s Midway Invasion Force in June 1942, was assigned to the Ominato Naval District, patrolled the Kurile Islands and north Pacific until mid-July. On 19 July she escorted Chokai from Kure to Truk. From Truk, she sailed to Kwajalein and back to Yokosuka in August, then back to Truk, escorting Chitose at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on 24 August, assigned to patrols out of Truk in September, Shortland Island in October. She made four Tokyo Express runs to Guadalcanal but on the fourth with IJN Nisshin and Chitose, she tried t assist Murakumo, badly damaged by an air raid, herself assisting Furutaka’s survivors, sunk the previous at the Battle of Cape Esperance. Dive bombers near misses ruptured her hull, she sank after 39 minutes 90 nm WNW of Savo Island (16 killed and captain Tsukamoto, 176 survivors, stricken 15 November 1942.

Minegumo was laid down at Fujinagata Shipyards on 22 March 1937, launched on 4 November 1937 and completed 30 April 1938. On 23 June 1941 while in manoeuvers she collided with Kuroshio and Natsushio in Bungo Channel and neeed repairs. In December 1941 under command of LtCdr Suzuki Yasuatsu she was assigned to Desdiv 8, Desron 4, 2nd Fleet with Kondō’s Southern Force, Mako Guard District for the Malaya-Philippines invasion. By early 1942, she escorted troop convoys to Lingayen, Tarakan, Balikpapan and Makassar, eschanged fire with HMS Encounter at the Battle of the Java Sea, suffered light damage, 4 crewmen wounded. On 1 March with Natsugumo, Minegumo she depht charged USS Perch. At the Battle of Christmas Island she escorted the damaged Naka to Singapore and was refitted at Yokosuka. By late May 1942 she was part of the Midway Invasion Force under Kondo. In July she was assigned to patrol northern waters, Ominato Guard District, Kurile Islands. She was ordered to Truk, ran aground on a coral reef on 20 August, provided support at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, August 1942, escorted Chitose back to Truk. In September she patrolled from Truk to Shortland. From October she made several Tokyo Express runs in the Solomons and on 5 October, was air attacked (serious flooding) 150 miles (240 km) off Guadalcanal but managed to get back to Yokosuka for repairs until 22 February 1943. She escorted a convoy to Truk, Rabaul (2 March), then Kolombangara (5 March) with Murasame and co-claimed USS Grampus. But she was also detected the same night by TF 68 off Vila after landing supplies and was lost in the Battle of Blackett Strait with 46 crewmen lost, 122 survivors, later POWs. She was stricken on 1 April 1943.

IJN Arare was laid down at Maizuru Naval Arsenal on 5 March 1937, launched on 16 November 1937 and commissioned on 15 April 1939. assigned to the IJN 2nd Fleet as part of Desdiv 18, Desron 2 under command of LtCdr Tomoe Ogata. On 22 November she was in the Kurile Islands with Nagumo’s Carrier Strike Force and its fleet tankers for the 7 Decembe Pearl Harbor attack and escorted them back to to Kure on the 24th. By January 1942 she escorted IJN Akagi and Kaga to Truk. To Rabaul she covered landings, as at Kavieng and back home with with Zuikaku from Palau (13 February). On 17 March she departed Yokosuka with Shōkaku and Zuikaku to Staring-baai, Sulawesi. She left on 27 March with the carrier force for the Indian Ocean raid on 27 March hitting Colombo and Trincomalee and back to Kure for refit from 23 April. She sailed to Saipan and in June escorted a troop convoy to Midway, then Kumano and Suzuya to Kure. On 28 June she escorted Chiyoda to Kiska, Aleutians on a supply mission but 7 nm (13 km; 8.1 mi) east of Kiska she was caught in the action of 5 July 1942, hit amidships USS Growler, exploded and sank (104 down). Commander Ogata and 42 survivors were rescued by Shiranui. Stricken 31 July 1942.

Kasumi under air attack at Ten Go, 7 April 1945

Kasumi (霞) was laid down at Uraga Dock on 1 December 1936, launched on 18 November 1937 and commissioned on 24 June 1939. she was assigned to Desdiv 18, Desron 2, 2nd Fleet under Kiyoshi Tomura. By Dec. 1941 she was based at Etorofu, Kuriles, sailing with Nagumo’s Carrier Strike Force and its tankers for the Pearl Harbor attack and back on 24 December. By January 1942 she escorted aircraft carriers Shōkaku and Zuikaku to Truk, present at Rabaul, Kavieng, Lae and Salamaua. In February she covered the air strike on Darwin, and from Staring-baai, Sulawesi in February. She patrolled south of Java. On March 1 she spotted and engaged the Dutch freighter Modjokerto with Shiranui and Isokaze by gunfire in 3 minutes. She left Staring-baai on 27 March for the Indian Ocean raid on 27 March and was refitted back to Kure. She sailed to Saipan in June, escoritng the troop convoy to Midway and Kumano and Suzuya back to Kure. On 28 June she escorted Chiyoda to Kiska and while east of Kiska on 5 July, she was hit amidships USS Growler. Unlike her sister Arare she did not sank but her bow was lost (10 killed) and her bulkhead hold up.

She remained under repairs until 30 June 1943. On 1 September in Desdiv 9, Desron 1, 5th Fleet, she was back in northern waters, notably from Paramushiro and Shumushu in November and by December, made a transport run to with replacement aircrews to Kwajalein and Wotje and back with Mogami to Maizuru. While at Maizuru for refit until 18 January 1944 she was modernized. She remained in northern waters in February, escorting a convoy to Uruppu in March 1944, returning with Nachi and Ashigara to Kure in August. She took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf fas part of Admiral Shima’s force, Battle of Surigao Strait. On 5 November, she rescued survivors of Nachi in Manila Bay, escorted a troop convoy to Ormoc on 5 November, was damaged in an air raid. By late November, she escorted Haruna from Singapore to Mako, and a convoy from Mako to Cam Ranh Bay in December, then led bombardment of San Jose, Philippines. In February 1945 she escorted Ise and Hyūga from Singapore to Kure and was reassigned to the 2nd Fleet on 10 March. On 6 April 1945 she escorted Yamato in her suicide mission. On 7 April she was trying to fend off an enormous air attack from TF 58 and resisted one hour but was crippled at 13:30 (2 bomb hits, several near misses), dead in the water, on fire, with 17 dead and 47 injured. Fuyutsuki took up her survivors, scuttled her with torpedoes some 150 miles (240 km) SW of Nagasaki and she was stricken on 10 May 1945.

Operation Ten-Go, another view of Yamato (top), probably Fuyutsuki laying smoke below-left, then Kasumi bottom, sinking by the bow.

Read More/Src

Launch of IJN Yamagumo at Fujinagata Shipyards on July, 24, 1937.

Books

Evans, David (1979). Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941.
Brown, David (1990). Warship Losses of World War Two. Naval Institute Press.
Howarth, Stephen (1983). The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun: The Drama of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1895–1945. Atheneum.
Jentsura, Hansgeorg (1976). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. US Naval Institute Press.
Morison, Samuel Eliot (1958). The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942 – February 1943, vol. 5 of History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Boston: Little, Brown and Company.
Nelson, Andrew N. (1967). Japanese–English Character Dictionary. Tuttle.
Watts, Anthony J (1967). Japanese Warships of World War II. Doubleday.
Whitley, M J (2000). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. London: Arms and Armour Press.
Evans, David (1979). Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887–1941.
Brown, David (1990). Warship Losses of World War Two. Naval Institute Press.
Howarth, Stephen (1983). The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun: The Drama of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1895–1945.
Jentsura, Hansgeorg (1976). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. US Naval Institute Press.
Morison, Samuel Eliot (1958). The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942 – February 1943, vol. 5 of History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Boston: Little, Brown and Company.
Nelson, Andrew N. (1967). Japanese–English Character Dictionary. Tuttle.
Watts, Anthony J (1967). Japanese Warships of World War II. Doubleday.
Whitley, M J (2000). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. London: Arms and Armour Press.

Links

on blog.livedoor.jp irootoko_jr
on pwencycl.kgbudge.com (Pacific war encyclo)
on navypedia.org/
on combinedfleet.com/asashi_n.htm
combinedfleet.com/asashi_c.htm
on combinedfleet.com Asashio class
en.wikipedia.org/ Asashio-class_destroyer
archive.org/ midway1942.com/ asashio.shtml
on globalsecurity.org Asashio-dd.htm
web.archive.org navypedia.org/ Asashio
Imperial_Way_Faction
commons.wikimedia.org/ Category:Asashio class
on globalsecurity.org/
on archive.ph/ homepage2.nifty.com nishidah

Model Kits

All kits on scalemates ex. Hasegawa/Pit-road 1:700, ASK (JP) 1:1000, XP Forge 1:1200.
Not a popular subject.

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