Shiratsuyu class Destroyer

IJN “special type” Destroyers built 1931-35: Shiratsuyu, Shigure, Murasame, Yūdachi, Harusame, Samidare, Umikaze, Yamakaze, Kawakaze, Suzukaze.

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

The conditions imposed by the London Treaty to Japan forced a move from the initial 1,800 tonnes “special type” (The Fubuki class) to a downgraded or “austere” design, the Hatsuharu class in 1930 based on a 1,500 tonnes hull. However they soon appeared top heavy, and once the double incident of the Tomozuru and 4th fleet imposed radical transformations, a decrease in firepower. An alternative was worked out in the “Circle-One” Naval Expansion Plan, first as the next six Hatsuharu class, then Shiratsuyu after extensive modifications. In the end, this new class, which will count no less than ten ships, would anyway exceed the treaty limitations under completion by 1937. None survived the Pacific War.

Development

When the Hatsuharu class was started at Sasebo on 14 May 1931, twelve ships were planned. The next batch of six was planned FY1933. However as soon as the issues of the first Hatsuharu class complete were known in 1933, all work stopped on this follow-up designs for re-evaluation. It was decided that the next six Shiratsuyu-class destroyers would be modified versions under the “Circle-One” Naval Expansion Plan. Later four more were voted FY1934 or part of the “Circle Two” plan.
The top heavy design of the Hatsuharu-class mostly came from optimistic ideas from Engineers to keep almost the same armament as the Fubuki on a smaller hull, but given the small displacement the ships proved dangerously unstable and needed reconstruction, soon compounded by the loss of Tomozuru in 1934. This
resulted in extensive modifications ported to the last batch, and eventually an order under a fully separate class.

Launch of Murasame

The ships laid down at the time were in early phase of construction and could be modified and launched, then completed under new guidelines, which included the 4th fleet incident in 1935. All these redesigns, which followed the same modifications made of the late Hatsuharu also in completion, were pushed even further, resulting the final design to completely outranged the new tonnage limitations imposed on Japan in the wake of the 1930 London Naval Treaty. All new vessels in construction were eventually completed by 1937 under alternative numbers Dai-65 to Dai-74. To deflect possible issues with western inspectors of th new design, it was just decided to simply falsify the tonnage, something Japan, and later Germany, would get away with without represcussions or serious investigation. Not long after in 1936 with the Yamato class battleship soon in top secret construction, Japan tore down treaties and denied inspections.

The Hatsuharu and Shiratsuyu-class were probably the last “treaty compliant” destroyers at least on paper. After their rebuild the Hatsuharu ended even larger and heavier and well above the limitations as well, so respect was short. The next classes, like the Asashio class marked a return to the late 1920s Fubuki designs, well above 2,000 tonnes. These two “treaty” classes nevertheless were planned to follow the main IJN striking force, conduct day and night torpedo attacks in the Pacific and specifically tailored to face US cruisers and destroyers in the new naval strategic projections. After their completion they saw service in China (the arrived just as the second Sino-Japanese war broke up) and were at the forefront of many operations in the Pacific, in the first line (see below “evaluation”).

The Shiratsuyu class were built at the following yards:
Uraga Dock Company (4)
Sasebo Naval Arsenal (2)
Maizuru Naval Arsenal (2)
Fujinagata Shipyards (2)

Differences with the Fubuki class

Design of the class

Hull and general design

The Shiratsuyu were not just a mere repeat of the Hatsuharu class. Not only all stability issues had been cured, and it was paid with a radical decrease in top speed, from an optimistic 36 knots to 34 in service and later with addition, down to 33 knots. Second, if they shared the same hull in size, it was considerably buffed up in strenght with a tonnage increase of 150 tonnes compared to the original design. Ballasts were added, modifications were made to ensure greater stability, a better metacentric height and some room for future upgrades, albeit they were limited.

The biggest change was in armament. If they retook the modified armament of the previous class with two twin and one single turret, two torpedo tubes banks, the latter were changed from triple to quadruple, adding a considerable increase in torpedo firepower in conformity to the latest wargames and emphasis on night combat with an agressive use of long range torpedoes to disrupt the enemy formation in the initial engagement. It should be stated that the last batch of four were slightly different from the first six in that they were given a a more rounded and smooth bridge used as a prototype for the succeeding Asashio class destroyers. The earlier batch had blocky and angular bridge.

IJN Umilkaze on sea trials in 1937, colorized by Irootoko JR

WoW’s depictions

Powerplant

Umikaze on sea trials

The Shiratsuyu class, like the Hatsuharu class had the same ensemble with two sets of Kampon geared turbines powering each shaft. They ended with bronze, three bladed, 3.05 m (10.0 ft) propellers and a pitch of 3.7 m (12 ft). These steam turbine sets were two stage, with a low-pressure and a high-pressure turbine, and a cruise turbine connected to the high-pressure (HP) turbine to allow for longer ranges. The “LP” and “HP” turbines were connected to the propeller shaft through a two-pinion reduction gear.

The turbines were also still powered by three Kampon Type Ro-Gō boilers, of the same model used in the Shiratsuyu-class destroyers, and engineers managed to thin then down forthe previous class, to 50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons) instead of 51 tonnes (50 long tons; 56 short tons) for those of the Fubuki class, whereas being capable at the same time of a greater output of 14,000 hp (10,000 kW) each versus 12,500 hp (9,300 kW), notably due to overheating. The ratio was 3.6 kg per shaft horsepower on the the Shiratsuyu class instead of 4.2 kgs on the Fubuki, so they seemed less efficient. These boilers worked initially at 20-bar (290 psi) lust like those of the Fubuki, but the change was the use of superheating to improve efficiency instead of just saturated steam.

Total output of the Shiratsuyu class thus was 42,000 hp (31,000 kW) versus 50,000 hp (37,000 kW) on the earlier “special types”. However thanks to a lighter machinery, also more powerful at 106 tonnes (104 long tons; 117 short tons) versus 144 tonnes (142 long tons; 159 short tons) this made up for 396 shaft horsepower per tonne versus 347 shp/tonne on the Fubuki. This, combined with a lighter hull in theory meant better performances, but the hull was much strenghtened compared to the Fubukis and even the previous Hatsuharu so the top speed was still inferior.

Harusame rebuilt in 1943

They had a single 100 kW turbo-generator as a backup, fitted behind the reduction gears, in a separate compartment for its own protection. To add to thise were two backup 40 kW diesel generators located between the propeller shafts. They could power all vital systems and arlament if the ship was at anchor. The Shiratsuyu class came with a range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h) while carrying 460 tonnes (450 long tons; 510 short tons) of fuel. To compared the Fubuki class had a greater range of 5,000 nmi (9,300 km), but at a lower speed of 14 knots (26 km/h). As a combat and escort speed, 18 knots was much more useful.

Armament

The Hatsuharu-class kept the same 12.7 cm/50 (50 caliber) gun main guns of the Hatsuharu class, but on new turrets offering a real dual purpose capability, with an elevation of 75°. They were not armoured due to weight issues but protected the users from the elements and possibly against light arms fire. For these were developed a solution to go arounf their limitations in traverse and elevation speed to deal with modern 400+kph aircraft: They could use the “beehive” rounds designed prior to WW2 converting them as giant shotguns at close range essentially. The other rounds used direct impact, but no precision fuse was developed, a curcial disadvantage facing similar calibers in the USN. Like the previous Hatsuharu they combined two twin and one single turret to spare dissplacement while still keeping the same standard artillery of a destroyer at the time. The single turret was eventually removed after 1942 to add more anti-aircraft guns.

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.
The Model A turrets of the Fubuki-class were just weather/splinter/gas proof 9–12 mm thick (0.35–0.47 in) and so fully enclosed. Later twin mounts had individual cradles to elevate separately and weighted c32 tonnes, traversing at 6° per second, elevated 6°-12° per second to +40°.
Model B mount elevated to 75° but shield reduced to 3.2 mm (0.13 in) thick and later reinforced again.
The Model C was adpted by the Shiratsuyu, Asashio, and Kagerō-class, with elevation down to 55°, depression to −7° and lighter
The Model D used by the Yūgumo-class/Shimakaze destroyers, retaining the same depression but elevation to 75°.

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 Hatsuharu had three triple torpedo tubes banks initially as designed, but this was quickly reduced to two as to reduce top weight. On the Shiratsuyu a different approach was chosen to compensate, as two banks were kept, but the new Type 92 mounts were quadruple, adding almost the lacking extra bank in capacity without compromising too much stability as these banks were in the axis and on deck. They were fired the famous “long lance”. However again, compromises later were made for reloads, initially one spare for each pre-loaded.

These Type 92 launchers were actually derived from the twin tube Type 89 launcher of the Takao-class heavy cruisers. Shields were fitted again on these and their lockers as weather protection and from strafing fire, albeit this was more efficient against small arms fire. The initial shields made from Duralumin were lighter but corroded eazsily and ended in great demand for the aircraft industry and were replaced by “NiCrMo” steel ones. The latter came from recycled air chambers of obsolete torpedoes. At 3 mm (0.12 in) in thickness to save weight, they were unable to protect against 0.3 inches 8 mm fire, less so against the 0.5 inches ot 12.7 mm of most US aircraft at the time.

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. Eight reloads were carried, with cranes and winches to help the process. The spare torpedoes were stoced externally. Each tube could be reloaded separately but it took 23 seconds through an endless wire and winch, all manual. Soon however having two reloads caused stability problems, and a single set of reloads was removed, even the minelaying/minesweeping gear. The Type 93 torpedo was however standard and remained so for their entire career. There were large stockpiles available.

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

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)

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 Shiratsuyu class carried eighteen depth charges in a single rack at the stern. This was increased to thirty-six after late 1942. No sonar or hydrophones were fitted also at first, but in early 1942 a Type 93 sonar and Type 93 hydrophones were integrated. They were inferior however to allied designs.
The single Type 81 depth charge launcher at the stern (18 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.

Mines

20 mines on rails, no precision given. Can be any of the models here.
The ships were also given an optional mechanical minesweeping gear initially, but it was removed to spare weight. It seems these ships were never used as minelayers.

Upgrades

During the war the “X” position single turret was removed on all survivors, replaced by a triple Type 96 AA gun mount and other were added until 1945, for a total between ships ranging from 13 and 21 of them, in single, double and triple mounts. They were powered mounts with famously slow traverse and elevation speeds and blinding muzzle flashes, poor sights, making them barely efficient. In many case, four 13 mm guns were also added to beef up that capacity. The latter were simpler to use and were manually traversed and elevated by the gunner himself at greater speeds.

In 1939-1940, all saw the addition of two twin 25mm/60 Type 96 to replace their single 13.2mm/76 Type 93 HMGs.
In 1942-1943 the single X tmain turret was removed, as were four spare torpedoes, and replaced by two triple 25mm/60 Type 96 cannons, plus four single 13.2mm/76 Type 93 AA guns, and two depht charge throwers (36 totally).
In 1944 survivors saw the removal of twin 25mm/60 AA guns, rerplaced by a triple and two single Type 96.
IJN Shigure differed by having eight single 25mm/60 Type 96 installed and the survivors were also given new sensors, 2-shiki 2-go, 3-shiki 1-go radars, and the E-27 ECM suite.

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.

Sensors (WW2)

They received a Type 22 radar in November 1943, the remaining seven as well from 1944. Survivors received the Type 13 radar.

Type 22 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.
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)

Where the Shiratsuyu bad destroyers ?

Battle of Blackett Strait (6 March 1943): IJN Murasame resisted for more than 20 minutes the combined fire of three Cleveland class cruisers (here US Denver), thus 36x 6-inches shells every 30 seconds. She was finished off by 5-in/35 DP shells at close range.

The Shiratsuyu class tried to improve on the treaty-compliant Hatsuharu class. The latter were grossly overarmed for their size and top-heavy, dangerously instable and had to be beefeed up and rebuilt in 1936-37. By contrast, the Shiratsuyu class tried to avoid these pitfalls as they were already modified and their armament was more reasonable, albeit having two more torpedo tubes, full reloads, and still five main guns. Even though, their weak AA meant they needed to sacrifice the single “X” turret and half of the torpedo reloads, but in their state they brought more fireepower compared to their predecessors, even if its was paid by some speed, and they broke the treaty limits anyway, the officials claiming they still were 1500t standards, which was grossly off the mark.
They were superior to the Hatsuharu, but inferior to the next Asashio which were designed and built after Japan tore off treaties. They had better speed, still two quad TTs but six main guns due to their longer and larger hull.

Now in combat, the causes of their demise (all lost) were multiple. Collision (Shiratsuyu), Air attacks (Harusame), and the remainder by surface actions (Murasame, Yudachi, Kawakaze) and by submarines (Shigure, Samidare, Umikaze, Yamakaze, Suzukaze). Shis shows again that the US Sumbarine fleet did an amazing share of the combat in the Pacific, inflicting more losses than air power. But these destroyers were strongly built still, as shown by the battle of Blackett Strait. Yudachi was sunk by a destroyer duel with a Fletcher class, USS Waller at Guadalcanal. Kawakaze at the Battle of Vella Gulf on August 1943 by three Fletchers (Dunlap, Crave, Maury). Of the three, the resistance showed by the Murasame against such a maelstrom, by night but guided by radar, was nothing short of impressive anyway. As for the sub kills, generally a single torpedo was enough to send them down, showing that the Mark 14 was completely up to the task, when it worked…

IJN Harusame “sank” by USS Wahoo, one of the best Gato class, near Wewak in new guinea on 24 Jan 1943. Her captain, Sqn. Cdr. Masashichi Shirahama managed to beach her so she could be locally repaired, then towed to Truck, repaired more and eventually at Yokusuka, taking part in more operations in 1944 until sunk by B-25 Mitchell bombers, possibly of the “gunship type”, armed with 50 mm guns.

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Career of the Hatsuharu class

Shiratsuyu (“white dew”) was laid down at Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 14 November 1933, launched on 5 April 1935, completed on 20 August 1936. In 1941 she was in DesDiv 27, DesRon 1, 1st Fleet, in home waters to protect the Japanese battleship force. From mid-January 1942 she escorted convoys between Japan and Taiwan and in mid-February the carriers IJN Zuihō to Davao and back to Hashirajima. In April she escorted Shōkaku and Zuikaku from Mako to Truk. She was part of Takagi’s Strike Force at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Later she escorted Myōkō and Haguroto Kure. Next she was assigned Admiral Shirō Takasu and the Aleutians Guard Force as a diversion in the Battle of Midway. On 14 July she was in the 2nd Fleet, Truk and from mid-August she made a troop run to reoccupy Makin after the USMC spec ops Makin Raid.
Until mid-September she was in Jaluit, Marshalls. From October she was part of several Tokyo express runs in the Solomon and Guadalcanal. On 25 October, she assisted sinking USS Seminole and damaged USS Zane (DMS-14). She was at the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, rescuing survivors from IJN Hiei. On 23 November she rescued suvivors from IJN Hayashio, scuttled with a torpedo.
She departed for Buna on 28 November when attacked by USAAF B-17s. She took a hit at her bow and needed emergency repairs at Rabaul, Saipan and Sasebo from 25 February to 20 July 1943. She returned to the 2nd Fleet escorting Unyō from Yokosuka to Truk and back in August. In Rabaul by mid-October she made troop transport runs to Qavuvu.
At the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay on 2 November 1943 she collided with Samidare to escape USN aicraft attacks, leaving 4 dead and 2 wounded. She was back for repairs at Sasebo, and modified. Back to Truk in December after escorting Myōkō, Haguro and Tone, she sailed to Kavieng in January. On the 31st she rescued survivors from IJN Yasukuni Maru at Truk. Until April she escorted IJN Musashi. By late April she was reassigned to Take Ichi in convoy duty and escorting troop convoys from China to the Philippines.
On 8 June off of Biak she was strafed and bombed by USN aircraft, had 4 killed and 5 injured but survived. On 14 June she collided with the Seiyo Maru 90 nm (170 km) southeast of Surigao Strait and sank, with Seiyo Maru dropping depht charges among survivors. 104 plus her Captain Cdr. Kuro Matsuda went down and she was stricken on 10 August 1944.

Shigure (“autumn shower”) was laid down at Uraga Dock Company on 9 December 1933, launched on 18 May 1935 and completed on 7 September 1936. In 1941 like her early sisters she was in DesDiv 27, DesRon 1, 1st Fleet in Japanese home waters. In early 1942 with shiratsuyu she escorted Zuihō, Shōkaku, Zuikaku for the Battle of the Coral Sea and Takasu Aleutian force at the Battle of Midway. She was versed to the 2nd Fleet on 14 July after Operation Mi class cancelled. In Truk she took part in the Makin Atoll reoccupation, was in Jaluit and secured Abemama, Gilberts, Ndeni, Santa Cruz and escorted ships from Palau to Rabaul in September. October-November saw her in eight “Tokyo Express” runs. At the 1st Battle of Guadalcanal she was in the distant screening force. Later she escorted Chūyō from Truk to Yokosuka and back.
In mid-January 1943 she escorted a convoy from Truk to Shortlands and took part in “Operation KE” (evacuations from Guadalcanal) before an overhaul in Sasebo. Back in Truk in mid-March 1943 she escorted Chūyō and Taiyō to Yokosuka in mid-April and back with them. She escorted Musashi from Truk to Yokosuka. In July this was Nagara in the Solomons and returned to the 2nd Fleet on 20 July for a “Tokyo Express” to Rekata Bay on 27 July, Kolombangara on 1 August.

She was the sold survivor of the Battle of Vella Gulf of 6–7 August. Later a dent on her hull proved she was hit by a Mark 14 which failed to detonate. At the Battle off Horaniu on 17–18 August she duelled with US destroyers while covering a troop transport to Vella Lavella, and escaped. She led two troop evacuation runs to Rekata Bay, and Tuluvu-Buka in Papua New Guinea by September. She covered two troop evacuations at Kolombangara in Sept. and October and covered troop evacuations at Vella Lavella (6–7 October Battle of Vella Lavella), co-sinking USS Selfridge. She made four more transport run in New Guinea. At the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay on 2 November she engaged US forces but remained undamaged. After a mission to Buka on 6 November she ecorted a convoy from Rabaul to Truk and rescued men from Tokyo Maru. She was overhauled in Sasebo but collided with a fishing boat and needed further repairs.
In January 1944, she escorted the food cargo Irako from Yokosuka to Truk. Next she escorted escorted tanker convoys from Truk to Tarakan, Balikpapan. In the air raid on Truk she took a direct bomb hit to her No.2 gun turret (21 KiA, 45 wounded). Withdrawn to Palau for repairs she sailed back to Sasebo on 22 March for repairs and overhaul until 11 May 1944. She escorted Musashi and Chitose, Chiyoda, Zuihō to Tawitawi and Davao. In June she was part of “Operation KON” to Biak. She rescued 110 from Harusame on 8 June. She clashed with Allied cruisers and destroyers and took two shell hits (7 Kia, 15 wounded). On 19–20 June, she took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in “Force B”, rescuing men from Hiyō.

In July she escorted a troop convoy to Okinawa. In August she escorted IJN Kinu from Singapore to Brunei, Manila and Palau via Cebu. In October she patrolled off Lingga, Brunei and took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 22–25 Octobe, taking minor damage (direct bomb hit, forward turret) on 24 October (5 KiA, 6 wounded) as well later at the Battle of Surigao Strait with a direct shell hita nd near misses took. She lost her radio, compass and steering but was the lone survivor of “Southern Force”, heading for Brunei on 27 October and then Sasebo for repairs in November. Un route she helped sinking USS Growler off Mindoro.

On 15 November she entered the 5th Fleet, then 2nd Fleet on 20 November, leaving Kure on 17 December with IJN Unryū for Manila, recusing her crew after she was sunk by USS Redfish. Back to Sasebo she escaped the fate of Momi and Henoki which went on their mission and were both sunk. On 24 January 1945 she escorted a convoy from Hong Kong to Singapore when she was spotted, torpedoed and sunk by SS Blackfin in the Gulf of Siam, 160 miles (260 km) east of Kota Bharu (Malaya) but he hull resisted enough for 270 survivors to escape, 37 lost, rescued by Kanju and Miyake. She was stricken on 10 March 1945.

Murasame (“scattered showers”) was laid down at Fujinagata Shipyards on 1 February 1934, launched on 20 June 1935, and commissioned on 7 January 1937. In Dec. 1941 she was the flagship of DesDiv (Murasame, Harusame, Yūdachi, Samidare) under Captain Tachibana Masao, 2nd Fleet, Mako Guard District, as dispatched for “Operation M” (invasion of the Philippines, Vigan, Lingayen Gulf). On 26 December, she collided with the minesweeper W-20 off of Kaohsiung.
From January 1942 she took part in the Netherlands East Indies campaign, Tarakan, Balikpapan, eastern Java. At the Battle of the Java Sea, she launched but missed. Later she captured the hospital ship SS Op Ten Noort, sent to Singapore and converted into a Japanese POW ship.
In March-April, she was in Subic Bay and took part in the attack on Cebu and blockade of Manila Ba, and later in overhaul at Yokosuka.
She wa slater part of the aborted Midway Occupation Force (Kondō) and by late July, attacjed and damaged the Dutch submarine O-21. She was sent to Mergui via Singapore, Indian Ocean raiding force, cancelled. She was at Truk on 21 Augus and took part in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on 24 August with the battleship Mutsu In September she escorted the seaplane tender Kunikawa Maru in the Solomon-Santa Cruz.
By October she made two “Tokyo Express” to Guadalcanal or Lae. On 5 October she was strafed and bombed near Shortland Island, repaired in Truk. In late October and November she made nine “Tokyo Express” runs and on 25 October escued the crew of IJN Yura, after aircraft attacks.

At the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands she escorted the aircraft carriers. Next she took part in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. On 9 November she was underway for a bombardment on Henderson Field with Hiei and Kirishima (Abe) and Nagara plus eleven destroyers under heavy rain squalls. Murasame ended in the back left of the formation with Asagumo and Samidare and on the night of 12-13th they were attacked by an US formation and she had to close range at full speed, to accurately engage the enemy. At 2:04 with Asagumo and Samidare they spoytyed and started firing at USS Helena to protect Amatsukaze, which sailed behind a smokescreen. Murasame the torpedo hit which sank Helena but she survived the battle. Murasame was hit by a 6-inch (152 mm) shell on her forward boiler. She illuminated USS Monssen and destroyed her with gunfire with Asagumo and Samidare, the US destroyer also took three 14-inch shells from Hiei.
Murasame was forced to withdraw at 21 knots to Truk, repairs completed by November 29, and she remained in patrol duty.

By February 1943 she escorted Chūyō to Truk and sailed to Rabaul for a Kolombangara attack, and took part in the Battle of the Blackett Strait: On 4 March with Minegumo she departed Rabaul to Kolombangara, spotting and fiting at a US Sub at night, claimed sunk (USS Grampus). But on the morning on the 5th she was at Buin for refueling, and resumed her trip to Kolombangara, landing their troops that night but when back, they met an American naval task force underway to Vila (USS Cleveland, Denver, Montpellier and Fletcher class DDs). They were detected soon by radar and fired upon at 11,000 yards by Denver and Montpelier. At the 6th salvo Murasame took a 6-inch shell, answered with gunfire but she was soon blasted over by many shells, an finished off by USS Waller at point blank range with ten torpedoes all passing underneath apart one which sank Minegumo. She sank by the stern with 46 men. Denver and Montpelier eventually blasted Murasame’s engines and boilers, dead in the water. She was even blasted at close range by 5-inch (127 mm) rounds and sank after 15 minutes with 128 men, including Commander Fukamura Zenzabruo. 53 survivors were later rescued.

Yūdachi (“evening thunder shower in summer”) laid down on Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 16 October 1934, launched on 21 June 1936 and commissioned on 7 January 1937. By Dec. 1941 she was at DesDiv 2, DesRon 2, 2nd Fleet with her sisters Murasame (flag), Harusame, and Samidare, Mako Guard District. She took part in the invasion of the Philippines, Netherlands East Indies and the Battle of the Java Sea, blockade of Manila Bay, invasion of Cebu, and refit at Yokosuka in May 1942. During the Battle of Midway she was part of the aborted Midway Occupation Force. Also cancelled was her planned raid in the Indian Ocean due to what happened in the Solomon Islands and she was in the Shortland Island on 30 August, sent for “Tokyo Express” runs to Guadalcanal.
In the night of September 4–5, Yūdachi, Hatsuyuki and Murakumo came back from such runs to Guadalcanal, were preparing a bombardment on Henderson Field when they met the USS Gregory and USS Little on patrol that night. Five flares were sent by an US aircraft, which landed too close to the US destroyers and they were reapidly fired upon notably Gregory, soon reduced to a floating wreck. Little was soon also finished off by Yūdachi, Hatsuyuki, and Murakumo, and later they started firing on men thrown at sea, killing many survivors and leaving the rest to sharks. Yūdachi claimed primary credit for Gregory and Little. She continued runs in November, and was at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. She met her fate in the night of 12–13 November 1942 at Guadalcanal, First Naval Battle. As part of Rear Admiral Abe Hiroaki formation and lead ship in formation she spotted the US ships, manoeuvere, then launched and torpedoed USS Portland. She mistook USS Sterett for a friendly ship, flashed recognition signals and Sterett fired back at their surprise. She lost her #1 boiler room, and was left dead in the water. 207 survivors rescued removed by Samidare but she failed to scuttle her with three torpedoes. She was later finished off by Portland southeast of Savo Island but historians debates as if she displayed a white flag beforehand, and this was ignored by Portland’s commander (understandably after being torpedoed).

Harusame (“spring shower”) was laid down at Maizuru Naval Arsenal on 3 February 1935, launched on 21 September 1935 and completed on 26 August 1937. She was in DesDiv 2, DesRon 4, 2nd Fleet, Mako Guard District, underway for the Philippine invasion force, Vigan and Lingayen Gulf. She was next in “Operation J” in the Netherlands East Indies, Tarakan, Balikpapan, eastern Java and at the Battle of the Java Sea, engaging but missing allied ships. In March-April she took part in the invasion of Cebu and blockade of Manila Bay and in May she was in refit at Yokosuka.
In the Battle of Midway she was part of Kondō force. She was also part of the aborted Indian Ocean raid. She was in Truk on 21 August and during the Battle of Eastern Solomons on 24 August she escorted Muts. Next she escorted the seaplane carrier Kunikawa Maru for potential base locations.
In October to mid-November she was part of nine “Tokyo Express” runs to Guadalcanal-Lae but was too far away to take part in the Battle of Santa Cruz. At the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal she claimed heavy damage on a cruiser by gunfire and was overhauled later to Yokosuka early December to January 1943, back to Truk escorting the troopship Asama Maru. Then she was at Wewak, Kavieng but underway in escort on 24 January, she was torpedoed by USS Wahoo, beached to avoid sinking. Later recovered by salvage teams, she was able to return to Truk for emergency repairs and then Yokosuka by late May until 11 January 1944, also modernized.
Until mid-February she escorted tanker convoys from Tarakan and Balikpapan to Truk, was strafed in an air raid on Truk (2 KiA). She was in Palau on 19 February until March. In April-May, she escorted ships between Davao, Lingga and Tawitawi. On 8 June, while from Biak she was attacked, and sunk, by USAAF B-25 bombers 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Manokwari (New Guinea), ssinking with 74 including squadron commander Captain Masashichi Shirahama. She was stricken on 10 August 1944.

Samidare (“early summer rain) was laid down at Uraga Dock Company on 19 December 1934, lauched on 6 July 1935 and completed on 29 January 1937. In 1941 she wa sin DesDiv 2, DesRon 4, 2nd Fleet with Murasame, Harusame and Yūdachi at Mako Guard District. She took part in “Operation M” (tPhilippines), and “J” to Netherlands East Indies. She took part in the Battle of the Java Sea from afarn was at the blockade of Manila Bay, invasion of Cebu and refitted like her sisters at Yokosuka. In May she was in the Midway Occupation Force. She was prt of the cancelled Indian Ocean raid. She escorted Mutsu at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons and the seaplane tender Kunikawa Maru. From Palau in October she escorted troop convoys to Guadalcanal, but was damaged in a air strike on 14 October (near-miss). She made a first “Tokyo Express” run to Guadalcanal. She was too far away for the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.
After repairs at Truk she followed the Henderson field bombardment group under Rear Admiral Abe Hiroaki and was at the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 12–13 November 1942, assisted in sinking USS Monssen, damaging USS Helena and rescued the 207 from Yūdachi.
At the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 14–15 Novembe she followed the flagship Nagara and assisted sinking USS Benham, Walke, Preston and damaging Gwin. She later rescued men from IJN Kirishima, and was in Truk on 18 November. After an overhaul at Yokosuka she was back in December 1942 in Truk escorting Takao.

By mid-January 1943 she escorted Jun’yō from Truk to Palau and Wewak. She covered troop evacuation runs from Guadalcanal in February. She then escorted transport operations to New Guinea, Kolombangara and Tuluvu until fall April. In May she was back at Yokosuka for maintenance, escorting IJN Yamato, and was assigned to northern waters with Myōkō and Haguro for the evacuation from Kiska in the Aleutians. Back in Yokosuka on 6 August she escorted Maya for repairs. In September she escorted IJN Taihō and Chūyō to Truk, covered troop evacuations from Kolombangara. On 2 October she briefly clashed with US DDs but escaped with minor damage. At the Battle of Vella Lavella on 6–7 October she torpedoed USS Selfridge. She took par tin the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay on 2 November, torpedoed USS Foote but was damaged from two hits and a collision with Shiratsuyu, having her bow muched and repaired later at Yokosuka by mid-December.

In April 1944 she escorted troop convoys to Saipan, Truk and Palau. On 27 April she rescue men from the torpedoed Yūbari. In May-June 1944 she covered troop evacuations from Biak and other garrisons in the Netherlands East Indies. She was present at the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19–20 June in Admiral Takatsugu Jōjima’s force, and survived. In July, she escorted a troop convoy to Okinawa and Lingga, back with IJN Kinu to Palau in August. But on the 18th she ran aground on the Velasco Reef, near Palau and stayed there until torpedoed by USS Batfish, breaking in two, stern sinking, bow later destroyed by the Japanese themselves.

Umikaze (“sea breeze”)was laid down at Maizuru Naval Arsenal on 4 May 1935, launched on 27 November 1936, completed on 31 May 1937. By December 1941 she was with DesDiv 24, DesRon 4, IJN 2nd Fleet with Yamakaze, Kawakaze and Suzukaze of the late batch. She took part in the Philippine invasion at Legaspi and Lamon Bay, the Netherlands East Indie (Tarakan, Balikpapan, Makassar), invasion of eastern Java, and was in convoy duty.
In April she took part in the invasion of Panay and Negros (Philippines) and from 10 April joined the 1st Fleet, having an overhaul at Sasebo by late May.
She missed the Battle of Midway, being part of the Aleutians Guard Force (Shirō Takasu), and assigned back to the 2nd Fleet on 14 July.
She escorted Chitose from Yokosuka to Truk (id-August) and went on to Guadalcanal, taking part in 11 “Tokyo Express” missions until the fall of September. On 24 September she was spotted and attacked, near missed by USN aircraft (8 killed), repaired in Truk. In October she bombarded Henderson Field twice. 26 October she took part in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

She escorted the cruisers Suzuya and Maya to Shortland and made another “Tokyo Express” run on 7 November also being present in the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. While udnerway to Buna she was near-missed by USAAF B-17 bombers, and shaken so much she ended dead in the water, being towed back to Rabaul by Asashio for repairs, withdrawn to Truk and sent to Sasebo for full repairs by 5 January 1943. She was back to Truk on February 1943, escorting a troop convoy, patrolling nearby by late April. In May she departed for Kolombangara with Musashi from Truk to Yokosuka, and escorted Chūyō and Unyō. In June she escorted troopships to Ponape and Nauru and was back to other missions from Truk and to the home islands until late November. She was overhauled and modernized in Sasebo and back to Truk in December with a troop convoy, patrolling off Saipan until mid-January 1944. On 1 February 1944 while in escort underway from Saipan to Truk she was spotted, torpedoed and sunk by USS Guardfish close to Truk (215 survivors, 50 lost), striken on 31 March 1944.

Yamakaze (“wind from the hills”) was laid down at Uraga Dock on 25 May 1935, launched on 21 February 1936 and completed on 30 June 1937. By the time the Pearl Harbor attack took place, IJN Yamakaze was in DesDiv 24, DesRon 4, 2nd Fleet with Umikaze, Kawakaze, and Suzukaze, all sailing to Palau as part of the Philippine invasion force, covering landings at Legaspi and Lamon Bay. Next she was in the Netherlands East Indies at Tarakan Island and co-claimed HNLMS Prins van Oranje. Also Balikpapan and Makassar, sinking USS Shark in the Makassar Strait by gunfire on 11 February. Next she covered landings on eastern Java and took part in the Battle of the Java Sea, engaging US destoryers, and assisted sinking USS Pope, the cruiser HMS Exeter and HMS Encounter. In April 1942 she covered the invasion of Panay and Negros and from 10 May joined the 1st Fleet and had a refit at Sasebo. She was later part of the Aleutians Guard Force under Admiral Shirō Takasu. She was the first in class to be sunk.

Photo of Yamakaze sinking after being torpedoed, as seen through the periscope of USS Nautilus.
On 25 June 1942, while underway alone from Ōminato the Inland Sea, she was ambushed and sunk with all hands by USS Nautilus, 60 nautical miles (110 km) southeast of Yokosuka.

Kawakaze (“wind on the river”) was laid down at Fujinagata Shipyards on 25 April 1935, launched on 1 November 1936 and completed 30 April 1937. Fortunately for use she had tbe best covered career of all. Upon commissioning under Lt. Cdr Wakabayashi Kazuo she joined DesDiv 24 like her late sisters Umikaze, Yamakaze, and Suzukaze. In August 1937 and until December she took part in the Second Sino-Japanese War and notably the Battle of Shanghai, sometimes in direct artillery support for the SNLF. She was deployed in convoy missions between shore bombardments. On October 11, 1941, she was in Tokyo Bay for a massive fleet inspection by Emperor Hirohito (98 ships) from IJN Hiei.

From November 26 to December 1, 1941 she was sent to Palau, and from December 6 escorted the Legaspi invasion convoy, completing her mission on the 12th. In January-February 1942 she was in escort duties at Lamon Bay, Tarakan, Balikpapan, Makassar. While off Balikpapan she was strafed and bombed by Dutch aircraft but managed to dodge attacks. She could not protect Nana Maru though (battle of Balikpapan).
On February 2 she sailed for Java when ordered instead to look for an allied cruiser group, and thus took part in the Battle Java Sea and the famous mass torpedo attack which failed to score. But they supported Haguro and Nachi which won the day.
On March 1, she escorted Haguro, Nachi, Myōkō, and Ashigara in the following night. Kawakaze and Yamakaze engaged and destroyed HMS Encounter, finished off by Myōkō and Ashigara,same later with Pope. Kawakaze rescued 35 survivors from Exeter.
In April, she took part in the invasion of Panay and Negros (Philippines) and she went back to Sasebo for maintenance, having a new commander. From 10 May she was assigned to the 1st Fleet. Later she was part of the Aleutians Guard Force. In july she was assigned to the 2nd Fleet, sent to Truk with IJN Chitose.
From August 21–23 she patrolled off Guadalcanal with Kagerō. On the 22nd she stumbled during the night on USS Henley, USS Helm and USS Blue which already had detected Kawakaze on radar but was not certain of her identity. Watchmen on Kawakaze spotted her in turn and opened fire at 2,925 meters (3,200 yards), launching all eight torpedoes. One severed Blue’s stern. But she also escaped, claiming the destroyer which was later scuttled.
Next she teamed with Kagerō, Isokaze, Mutsuki, and Yayoi to shell Henderson Field.
On 24 August she was part of the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. She also performed ten “Tokyo Express” runs and was in between detached as aircraft carrier escort for Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. In the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal she rescued 550 survivors from Brisbane Maru. She was seen off Shortland Island, Buna and Rabaul.

On November 29th, she left the shortlands as a supply transport mission loaded with supply drums to be dropped near the shores for garrisons ilolated near Lunga point, Guadalcanal. She had no spare torpedoe, only having her pre-loaded eight as were the five others. They sailed under command of Admiral Tanaka’s flagship, Naganami, and Takanami. US codebreakers knew this and enabled a force of four heavy cruisers, one light cruiser, six destroyers in interception. This became the Battle of Tassafaronga in the night of the 30th. Kawakaze, watched USS New Orleans, Minneapolis and USS Honolulu destroying Takanami, landing 50 hits, but after she launched torpedoes, hitting New Orleans and Minneapolis bows. After the remaining DDs dodged US destroyer own torpedoes, they replocated, Kawakaze being the third in line to fire them after Oyashio and Kuroshio, in front of Naganami. Oyashio claimed USS Pensacola, and nearly hit Honolulu, but she managed to disengage.
But IJN Kawakaze had her own page of glory too: 10 minutes after Pensacola was hit, she made two hits on USS Northampton. On hit the port back half and engine room, the other behind her turret 3. Soon there was a detonation and she was fllooded, dead in the water with a massive fire, soon uncontrollable, listing at 10 degrees, until it was ordered to abandon ship. She took two hours and sixteen minutes to sink by the stern with 50 dead. The rest managed to reach land or were captured.
Until January 1943, Kawakaze went on her runs to Guadalcanal and Kolombangara. On 12 December with Suzukaze she sank PT-44. Next she was in troop evacuation missions from Guadalcanal and on 1st February she sank PT-37 and PT-111.
But on 9 February, she collided with Toun Maru and was towed by Kuroshio to Rabaul, repaired to sail for Sasebo, repaired until late May 1943 and back to Truk. She carried troops to Nauru in June, Kwajalein, and Tuluvu on 1 August.
On 7 August 1943 she made a run to Kolombangara. She was caught in the Battle of Vella Gulf, sunk by gunfire and torpedoes from USS Dunlap, Craven and Maury, sinking with 169. She was stricken on 15 October 1943.

Suzukaze (“cool breeze of summer”) was laid down at Uraga Dock Company on 9 July 1935, launched on 11 March 1937, completed on 31 August 1937. In December 1941 she was in DesDiv 24, DesRon 4, 2nd Fleet and was part of the Philippine invasion force, Tarakan Island, Staring Bay (Sulawesi) and there she was torpedoed on 4 February 1942 by USS Sculpin. The explosion killed nine and her damage was considerable but she survived, towed to the latest port for repairs and then sailed to Sasebo by late March for full repairs, back with the 1st Fleet on 10 Apri, then 2nd Fleet on 14 June. By mid-August she escorted Chitose to Truk and later was in Guadalcanal, taking part in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, escorting Jintsu back to Truk. From August to early November, she made no less than twelve “Tokyo Express” runs to Guadalcanal and took part in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October. Next was the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sherescued 1100 survivors from Naka Maru. Next she patrolled between Shortland, Buna and Rabaul. She avoided destruction at the Battle of Tassafaronga on 30 November, dodging torpedoes from USS Drayton.
In December 1942, she was sitll in operations around Guadalcanal, strafed on and near-missed on 1 January 1943, repaired at Truk and Sasebo by February until mid-June 1943, escorting back to Truk IJN Kumano and Suzuya, then Rabaul by late June. At the Battle of Kula Gulf on 5–6 July, she co-claimed USS Helena, but also took many hits, loosing her forward guns. She was repaired at Yokosuka by late July, and returned to escort missions between home islands and Truk. By late November she had a full overhaul at Sasebo. From December 1943 to late January 1944, she escorted convoys to Truk and Ponape. On 25 January 1944, while underway from Truk to Eniwetok, she was torpedoed and sunk by USS Skipjack, some 127 nautical miles (235 km) NNW of Pohnpei (Ponape), stricken on 10 March 1944.

Read More/Src

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
en.wikipedia.org/ Shiratsuyu-class_destroyer
http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/S/h/Shiratsuyu_class.htm
http://www.combinedfleet.com/shirat_t.htm
on combinedfleet.com Shiratsuyu class
on globalsecurity.org shiratsuyu-dd.htm
web.archive.org navypedia.org/ Shiratsuyu

Model Kits

All kits on scalemates.com

Gallery (all colorized by Irootoko Jr.)