Kamishima-class minelayer

The Kamishima class minelayer (神島型敷設艇,) was a class of minelayers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during and after World War II. 9 vessels were planned under the Maru Sen Programme, however only 1 vessel was completed until the end of war.

Background

 * End of 1944, Japanese sea lanes were cut apart by United States Navy. The IJN wanted to secure only the security of the Sea of Japan.
 * Therefore, the IJN had to lay a naval mine in La Pérouse Strait, Tsugaru Strait and Tsushima Strait. However, the IJN already exhausted minelayers.
 * The IJN planned two kinds of minelayers. One was the large-sized Minoo class, the other the small-sized Kamishima class.

Design

 * The Navy Technical Department (Kampon) revised the Hirashima's drawings, and gave escort ship (Kaibōkan) armaments.
 * Their Type 5 40 mm AA was the latest anti-aircraft gun in the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. It was a Japanese version of the Bofors 40 mm.