Japanese destroyer Yamakaze (1936)

Yamakaze (山風) was the eighth of ten Shiratsuyu-class destroyers, and the second to be built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle Two Program (Maru Ni Keikaku).

History
The Shiratsuyu class destroyers were modified versions of the Hatsuharu-class destroyer, and were designed to accompany the Japanese main striking force and to conduct both day and night torpedo attacks against the United States Navy as it advanced across the Pacific Ocean, according to Japanese naval strategic projections. Despite being one of the most powerful classes of destroyers in the world at the time of their completion, none survived the Pacific War.

Yamakaze, built at the Uraga Dock Company was laid down on May 25, 1935, launched on February 21, 1936 and commissioned on June 30, 1937.

Operational history
At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Yamakaze was assigned to Destroyer Division 24 of Destroyer Squadron 4 of the IJN 2nd Fleet together with her sister ships JAPANESE DESTROYER Umikaze, JAPANESE DESTROYER Kawakaze, and JAPANESE DESTROYER Suzukaze, and had sortied from Palau as part of the Philippine invasion force, covering landings at Legaspi and Lamon Bay. From January 1942, Yamakaze participated in operations in the Netherlands East Indies, including the invasion of Tarakan Island, where she assisted in sinking the Royal Dutch Navy minesweeper Prins van Oranje. She later covered landings at Balikpapan and Makassar, sinking the USS Shark (SS-174) in the Makassar Strait with her guns on 11 February. After participating in the invasion of eastern Java, Yamakaze engaged a group of Allied destroyers during the Battle of the Java Sea, and was credited with assisting in the sinking of USS Pope (DD-225), HMS Exeter (68) and HMS Encounter (H10).

In April, Yamakaze assisted in the invasion of Panay and Negros in the Philippines. From 10 May, Yamakaze was reassigned to the IJN 1st Fleet and returned to Sasebo Naval Arsenal for repairs at the end of the month.

During the Battle of Midway on 4–6 June, Yamakaze was part of the Aleutians Guard Force under Admiral Shirō Takasu.

On 25 June 1942, while steaming independently from Ōminato towards the Inland Sea, Yamakaze was torpedoed and sunk with all hands by USS Nautilus (SS-168) approximately 60 nmi southeast of Yokosuka at position 34.56667°N, 140.43333°W.