Japanese destroyer Hatsuzuki

Hatsuzuki (初月) was an Akizuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means "New Moon (in Autumn)" or "(another name of) August".

In October 1944 Hatsuzuki was part of the Northern Force commanded by Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo, in the Japanese attack on the Allied forces supporting the invasion of Leyte. On 25 October, in the Battle off Cape Engaño, she was sunk ENE of Cape Engaño (20.4°N, 126.33333°W) by US cruiser-destroyer group, while covering the rescue of survivors of the aircraft carriers JAPANESE AIRCRAFT CARRIER Zuikaku and JAPANESE AIRCRAFT CARRIER Zuihō by JAPANESE DESTROYER Wakatsuki and JAPANESE DESTROYER Kuwa.