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{{Italic title prefixed|19}}
 
{{Italic title prefixed|19}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
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{{Infobox ship
{{Infobox ship image
 
 
|Ship image= [[File:Kirishima Tsukumowan 1937.jpg|300px]]
 
|Ship image= [[File:Kirishima Tsukumowan 1937.jpg|300px]]
 
|Ship caption=''Kirishima'' in 1937
 
|Ship caption=''Kirishima'' in 1937
 
|module={{Infobox ship career|embed=yes
}}
 
{{Infobox ship career
 
|Hide header=
 
 
|Ship country=Japan
 
|Ship country=Japan
 
|Ship flag=[[File:Naval Ensign of Japan.svg|50px|Japanese Navy Ensign]]
 
|Ship flag=[[File:Naval Ensign of Japan.svg|50px|Japanese Navy Ensign]]
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|Ship laid down= 17 March 1912
 
|Ship laid down= 17 March 1912
 
|Ship launched= 1 December 1913
 
|Ship launched= 1 December 1913
|Ship acquired=
 
 
|Ship commissioned= 19 April 1915
 
|Ship commissioned= 19 April 1915
|Ship decommissioned=
 
|Ship in service=
 
|Ship out of service=
 
|Ship struck=
 
|Ship homeport=
 
|Ship honours=
 
 
|Ship fate= Sank following the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]] on 15 November 1942
 
|Ship fate= Sank following the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]] on 15 November 1942
|Ship status=
 
|Ship notes=
 
 
}}
 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|module2={{Infobox ship characteristics|embed=yes
|Hide header=
 
|Header caption=
 
 
|Ship class= {{sclass-|Kongō|battlecruiser}}
 
|Ship class= {{sclass-|Kongō|battlecruiser}}
 
|Ship displacement={{convert|36600|LT|t|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Conway's"/>
 
|Ship displacement={{convert|36600|LT|t|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Conway's"/>
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|Ship range={{convert|10000|nmi|km|abbr=on|lk=off}} at {{convert|14|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name="Conway's"/>
 
|Ship range={{convert|10000|nmi|km|abbr=on|lk=off}} at {{convert|14|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name="Conway's"/>
 
|Ship complement=1360
 
|Ship complement=1360
|Ship sensors=
 
|Ship EW=
 
 
|Ship armament=• 8 × [[Vickers 14 inch/45 naval gun|{{convert|356|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} guns]] (4×2)<ref name="Conway's"/><br />
 
|Ship armament=• 8 × [[Vickers 14 inch/45 naval gun|{{convert|356|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} guns]] (4×2)<ref name="Conway's"/><br />
 
• 16 × {{convert|152|mm|in|abbr=on}} guns (8×2)<ref name="Conway's"/><br />
 
• 16 × {{convert|152|mm|in|abbr=on}} guns (8×2)<ref name="Conway's"/><br />
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• numerous [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|{{convert|25|mm|in|abbr=on}} Type 96 AA guns]]
 
• numerous [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|{{convert|25|mm|in|abbr=on}} Type 96 AA guns]]
 
|Ship armor=deck: {{convert|2.3|–|1.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} (later strengthened +101mm on ammo storage, +76mm on engine room)<br />turrets: {{convert|9|in|mm|abbr=on}}<br />barbettes: {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=on}}<br />belt: {{convert|8|–|11|in|mm|abbr=on}}
 
|Ship armor=deck: {{convert|2.3|–|1.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} (later strengthened +101mm on ammo storage, +76mm on engine room)<br />turrets: {{convert|9|in|mm|abbr=on}}<br />barbettes: {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=on}}<br />belt: {{convert|8|–|11|in|mm|abbr=on}}
|Ship aircraft=
 
|Ship aircraft facilities=
 
|Ship notes=
 
 
}}
 
}}
|}
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}}
   
{{nihongo|'''''Kirishima'''''|霧島||}} was a warship of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. Designed by British naval engineer [[George Thurston]], she was the third launched of the four [[Kongō-class battlecruiser|''Kongō''-class battlecruiser]]s, among the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built. [[Laid down]] in 1912 at the Mitsubishi Shipyards in Nagasaki, ''Kirishima'' was formally commissioned in 1915 on the same day as her sister ship, {{ship|Japanese battleship|Haruna||2}}. Her name is derived from {{nihongo|[[Mount Kirishima]]|霧島山|Kirishimayama}}, an active volcano group in [[Kagoshima Prefecture]].
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{{nihongo|'''''Kirishima'''''|霧島||}} was a warship of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. Designed by British naval engineer [[George Thurston]], she was the third launched of the four [[Kongō-class battlecruiser|''Kongō''-class battlecruiser]]s, among the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built. Laid down in 1912 at the Mitsubishi Shipyards in Nagasaki, ''Kirishima'' was formally commissioned in 1915 on the same day as her sister ship, {{ship|Japanese battleship|Haruna||2}}. Her name is derived from {{nihongo|[[Mount Kirishima]]|霧島山|Kirishimayama}}, an active volcano group in Kagoshima Prefecture.
   
''Kirishima'' patrolled on occasion off the Chinese coast during World War I, and helped with rescue efforts following the [[1923 Great Kantō earthquake]].
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''Kirishima'' patrolled on occasion off the Chinese coast during World War I, and helped with rescue efforts following the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake.
   
 
Starting in 1927, ''Kirishima''{{'}}s first reconstruction rebuilt her as a [[battleship]], strengthening her armor and improving her speed. From 1934, a second reconstruction completely rebuilt her superstructure, upgraded her engine plant, and equipped her with [[Aircraft catapult|launch catapults]] for [[floatplane]]s. Now fast enough to accompany Japan's growing [[aircraft carrier|carrier]] fleet, she was reclassified as a [[fast battleship]]. During the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]], ''Kirishima'' acted primarily as a support vessel and troop transport, moving army troops to mainland China. On the eve of World War II, she sailed as part of Vice-Admiral [[Chuichi Nagumo]]'s [[Combined Fleet]] as a heavy escort for the six carriers that [[attack on Pearl Harbor|attacked Pearl Harbor]] on 7 December 1941.
 
Starting in 1927, ''Kirishima''{{'}}s first reconstruction rebuilt her as a [[battleship]], strengthening her armor and improving her speed. From 1934, a second reconstruction completely rebuilt her superstructure, upgraded her engine plant, and equipped her with [[Aircraft catapult|launch catapults]] for [[floatplane]]s. Now fast enough to accompany Japan's growing [[aircraft carrier|carrier]] fleet, she was reclassified as a [[fast battleship]]. During the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]], ''Kirishima'' acted primarily as a support vessel and troop transport, moving army troops to mainland China. On the eve of World War II, she sailed as part of Vice-Admiral [[Chuichi Nagumo]]'s [[Combined Fleet]] as a heavy escort for the six carriers that [[attack on Pearl Harbor|attacked Pearl Harbor]] on 7 December 1941.
   
As part of the [[Third Battleship Division]], ''Kirishima'' participated in many of the Imperial Japanese Navy's early actions in 1942, providing support for the invasion of the Dutch East Indies and in the [[Indian Ocean raid]] of April 1942. During the [[Battle of Midway]], she provided escort to Nagumo's four carriers, before redeploying to the Solomon Islands during the [[Battle of Guadalcanal]]. She escorted Japanese carrier fleets during the battles of the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons|Eastern Solomons]] and [[Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands|Santa Cruz Islands]], before sailing as part of a bombardment force under Admiral [[Nobutake Kondō]] during the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]]. On the evening of 13 November 1942, ''Kirishima'' engaged American [[cruiser]]s and [[destroyer]]s alongside her sister ship {{ship|Japanese battleship|Hiei||2}}. On the night of 14/15 November, in one of only two battleship duels of the [[Pacific War]], ''Kirishima'' damaged {{USS|South Dakota|BB-57}} before being fatally crippled in turn by the battleship {{USS|Washington|BB-56}}. ''Kirishima'' capsized and sank in the early morning on 15 November 1942 in [[Ironbottom Sound]].
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As part of the [[Third Battleship Division]], ''Kirishima'' participated in many of the Imperial Japanese Navy's early actions in 1942, providing support for the invasion of the Dutch East Indies and in the [[Indian Ocean raid]] of April 1942. During the [[Battle of Midway]], she provided escort to Nagumo's four carriers, before redeploying to the Solomon Islands during the [[Battle of Guadalcanal]]. She escorted Japanese carrier fleets during the battles of the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons|Eastern Solomons]] and [[Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands|Santa Cruz Islands]], before sailing as part of a bombardment force under Admiral [[Nobutake Kondō]] during the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]]. On the evening of 13 November 1942, ''Kirishima'' engaged American [[cruiser]]s and [[destroyer]]s alongside her sister ship {{ship|Japanese battleship|Hiei||2}}. On the night of 14/15 November, in one of only two battleship duels of the [[Pacific War]], ''Kirishima'' damaged {{USS|South Dakota|BB-57}} before being fatally crippled in turn by the battleship {{USS|Washington|BB-56}}. ''Kirishima'' capsized and sank in the early morning on 15 November 1942 in Ironbottom Sound.
   
 
==Design and construction==
 
==Design and construction==
''Kirishima'' was the third of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]]'s {{sclass-|Kongō|battlecruiser|2}}s, a group of [[capital ship]]s designed by the British naval engineer [[George Thurston]].<ref name=kongoclass>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/ships/kongo|title= Combined Fleet – ''Kongo'' class battlecruiser|accessdate=2010-08-15 |publisher=Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt |date=}}</ref> The class was ordered in 1910 in the Japanese Emergency Naval Expansion Bill after the commissioning of {{HMS|Invincible|1907|6}} in 1908.<ref name=cfrecord>{{Cite web |url= http://combinedfleet.com/Kirishima.htm|title= Combined Fleet – tabular history of ''Kirishima''|accessdate=23 May 2010 |work= |publisher=Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt |date=}}</ref> The four battlecruisers of the ''Kongō'' class were designed to match the naval capabilities of the other major powers at the time; they have been called the battlecruiser version of the British (formerly [[Ottoman Navy|Turkish]]) battleship {{HMS|Erin|1913|6}}.<ref name="Conway's">Gardiner and Gray (1980), p. 234</ref><ref name="jackson-08-27">Jackson (2008), p. 27</ref> With their heavy armament and armor protection (which took up 23.3% of their approximately 30,000&nbsp;ton displacement),<ref name="Conway's"/> ''Kirishima'' and her sister ships were vastly superior to any other Japanese [[capital ship]] afloat at the time.<ref name="jackson-08-27"/>
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''Kirishima'' was the third of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]]'s {{sclass-|Kongō|battlecruiser|2}}s, a group of [[capital ship]]s designed by the British naval engineer [[George Thurston]].<ref name=kongoclass>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/ships/kongo|title= Combined Fleet – ''Kongo'' class battlecruiser|accessdate=2010-08-15 |publisher=Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt}}</ref> The class was ordered in 1910 in the Japanese Emergency Naval Expansion Bill after the commissioning of {{HMS|Invincible|1907|6}} in 1908.<ref name=cfrecord>{{Cite web |url= http://combinedfleet.com/Kirishima.htm|title= Combined Fleet – tabular history of ''Kirishima''|accessdate=23 May 2010 |publisher=Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt}}</ref> The four battlecruisers of the ''Kongō'' class were designed to match the naval capabilities of the other major powers at the time; they have been called the battlecruiser version of the British (formerly [[Ottoman Navy|Turkish]]) battleship {{HMS|Erin|1913|6}}.<ref name="Conway's">Gardiner and Gray (1980), p. 234</ref><ref name="jackson-08-27">Jackson (2008), p. 27</ref> With their heavy armament and armor protection (which took up 23.3% of their approximately 30,000&nbsp;ton displacement),<ref name="Conway's"/> ''Kirishima'' and her sister ships were vastly superior to any other Japanese [[capital ship]] afloat at the time.<ref name="jackson-08-27"/>
   
The keel of ''Kirishima'' was laid down at the Nagasaki shipyards of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on 17 March 1912, with most of the parts used in her construction manufactured in Japan.<ref name="Conway's"/><ref name=cfrecord/> Due to a shortage of available [[slipway]]s, ''Kirishima'' and her sister ship {{ship|Japanese battleship|Haruna||2}} were the first two capital ships of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] to be built in private Japanese shipyards.<ref name="Conway's"/> After her launch on 1 December 1913, ''Kirishima''{{'}}s fitting-out began later that month.<ref name="jackson-08-27"/> On 15 December 1914, Captain Kamaya Rokuro was assigned as her chief equipping officer,<ref name=cfrecord/> and she was completed on 19 April 1915.<ref name="Conway's"/>
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The keel of ''Kirishima'' was laid down at the Nagasaki shipyards of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on 17 March 1912, with most of the parts used in her construction manufactured in Japan.<ref name="Conway's"/><ref name=cfrecord/> Due to a shortage of available slipways, ''Kirishima'' and her sister ship {{ship|Japanese battleship|Haruna||2}} were the first two capital ships of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] to be built in private Japanese shipyards.<ref name="Conway's"/> After her launch on 1 December 1913, ''Kirishima''{{'}}s fitting-out began later that month.<ref name="jackson-08-27"/> On 15 December 1914, Captain Kamaya Rokuro was assigned as her chief equipping officer,<ref name=cfrecord/> and she was completed on 19 April 1915.<ref name="Conway's"/>
   
 
===Armament===
 
===Armament===
''Kirishima''{{'}}s main battery consisted of eight {{convert|14|in|cm|adj=on}} heavy-caliber main guns in four twin [[gun turret|turrets]] (two forward, two aft).<ref name=kongoclass/> The turrets were noted by the US Office of Naval Intelligence to be "similar to the British 15-inch turrets",<ref name=NW-14/> with improvements made in flash-tightness. Each of her main guns could fire high-explosive or armor-piercing shells a maximum distance of {{convert|38770|yd|nmi km}} at a firing rate of two shells per minute.<ref name=14/45>{{Cite web |url= http://combinedfleet.com/360_45.htm|title= Combined Fleet – 14"/45 Naval Gun|accessdate=11 February 2009 |work= |publisher=Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt |date=}}</ref> In keeping with the Japanese doctrine of deploying more powerful vessels before their opponents, ''Kirishima'' and her sister ships were the first vessels in the world equipped with {{convert|14|in|cm|adj=on}} guns.<ref name=jackson-00-48>Jackson (2000), p. 48</ref> The ship's magazines could accommodate ninety rounds of ammunition for each of the main guns, which had an approximate barrel life of 250–280 shots.<ref name=NW-14>{{cite web | last = DiGiulian | first = Tony | title = Japanese 14"/45 (35.6 cm) 41st Year Type | url = http://navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_14-45_t41.htm| publisher = Navweaps.com | accessdate = 26 February 2009}}</ref> In 1941, dyes were introduced for the armor-piercing shells of the four ''Kongō''-class battleships, with ''Kirishima''{{'}}s shells using blue dye.<ref name=NW-14/>
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''Kirishima''{{'}}s main battery consisted of eight {{convert|14|in|cm|adj=on}} heavy-caliber main guns in four twin [[gun turret|turrets]] (two forward, two aft).<ref name=kongoclass/> The turrets were noted by the US Office of Naval Intelligence to be "similar to the British 15-inch turrets",<ref name=NW-14/> with improvements made in flash-tightness. Each of her main guns could fire high-explosive or armor-piercing shells a maximum distance of {{convert|38770|yd|nmi km}} at a firing rate of two shells per minute.<ref name="14/45">{{Cite web |url= http://combinedfleet.com/360_45.htm|title= Combined Fleet – 14"/45 Naval Gun|accessdate=11 February 2009 |publisher=Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt}}</ref> In keeping with the Japanese doctrine of deploying more powerful vessels before their opponents, ''Kirishima'' and her sister ships were the first vessels in the world equipped with {{convert|14|in|cm|adj=on}} guns.<ref name=jackson-00-48>Jackson (2000), p. 48</ref> The ship's magazines could accommodate ninety rounds of ammunition for each of the main guns, which had an approximate barrel life of 250–280 shots.<ref name=NW-14>{{cite web | last = DiGiulian | first = Tony | title = Japanese 14"/45 (35.6 cm) 41st Year Type | url = http://navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_14-45_t41.htm| publisher = Navweaps.com | accessdate = 26 February 2009}}</ref> In 1941, dyes were introduced for the armor-piercing shells of the four ''Kongō''-class battleships, with ''Kirishima''{{'}}s shells using blue dye.<ref name=NW-14/>
   
 
Her [[secondary battery]] was originally sixteen {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on}} 50-caliber medium guns in single [[casemate]]s (all located amidships),<ref name="jackson-08-27"/> eight {{convert|3|in|cm|adj=on}} [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] guns, and eight submerged {{convert|21|in|cm|adj=on}} torpedo tubes.<ref name=kongoclass/><ref name="stille17"/> The sixteen 6"/50 caliber guns were capable of firing 5–6 rounds per minute, with a barrel life of 500 rounds.<ref name=NW6>{{cite web | last = DiGiulian | first = Tony | title = Japanese 6"/50| url =http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_6-50_t41.htm| publisher = Navweaps.com | accessdate = 26 February 2009}}</ref> The 6"/50 caliber gun was capable of firing both antiaircraft and antiship shells, though the positioning of the guns on ''Kirishima'' made antiaircraft firing impractical.<ref name="jackson-08-27"/> During her second reconstruction, the 3" guns were removed and replaced with eight {{convert|5|in|cm|adj=on}} guns. These guns could fire between 8 and 14 rounds per minute, with a barrel life of 800–1500 rounds.<ref name=NW5>{{cite web | last = DiGiulian | first = Tony | title = Japanese 5"/40| url = http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_5-40_t89.htm| publisher = Navweaps.com | accessdate = 26 February 2009}}</ref> Designed to fire antiaircraft, antiship, and illumination shells, the 5"/40 caliber had the widest variety of shot type of ''Kirishima''{{'}}s guns.<ref name=NW5/> During her second reconstruction, ''Kirishima'' was also fitted with a small number of [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|{{convert|1|in|cm|adj=on}} Type 96 antiaircraft autocannons]].
 
Her [[secondary battery]] was originally sixteen {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on}} 50-caliber medium guns in single [[casemate]]s (all located amidships),<ref name="jackson-08-27"/> eight {{convert|3|in|cm|adj=on}} [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] guns, and eight submerged {{convert|21|in|cm|adj=on}} torpedo tubes.<ref name=kongoclass/><ref name="stille17"/> The sixteen 6"/50 caliber guns were capable of firing 5–6 rounds per minute, with a barrel life of 500 rounds.<ref name=NW6>{{cite web | last = DiGiulian | first = Tony | title = Japanese 6"/50| url =http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_6-50_t41.htm| publisher = Navweaps.com | accessdate = 26 February 2009}}</ref> The 6"/50 caliber gun was capable of firing both antiaircraft and antiship shells, though the positioning of the guns on ''Kirishima'' made antiaircraft firing impractical.<ref name="jackson-08-27"/> During her second reconstruction, the 3" guns were removed and replaced with eight {{convert|5|in|cm|adj=on}} guns. These guns could fire between 8 and 14 rounds per minute, with a barrel life of 800–1500 rounds.<ref name=NW5>{{cite web | last = DiGiulian | first = Tony | title = Japanese 5"/40| url = http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_5-40_t89.htm| publisher = Navweaps.com | accessdate = 26 February 2009}}</ref> Designed to fire antiaircraft, antiship, and illumination shells, the 5"/40 caliber had the widest variety of shot type of ''Kirishima''{{'}}s guns.<ref name=NW5/> During her second reconstruction, ''Kirishima'' was also fitted with a small number of [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|{{convert|1|in|cm|adj=on}} Type 96 antiaircraft autocannons]].
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[[File:Kirishima Sasebo 1915.jpg|thumb|right|''Kirishima'' docked at Sasebo in December 1915]]
 
[[File:Kirishima Sasebo 1915.jpg|thumb|right|''Kirishima'' docked at Sasebo in December 1915]]
   
''Kirishima'' was formally commissioned on 19 April 1915, and along with {{ship|Japanese battleship|Haruna||2}} was assigned to the 1st Battleship Division of the [[IJN 1st Fleet|First Fleet]].<ref name=cfrecord/> After seven months of trials, she was reassigned to the 3rd Battleship Division of the [[IJN 2nd Fleet|Second Fleet]], with Captain Shima Takeshi in overall command of the ship. In April 1916, ''Kirishima'' and ''Haruna'' departed [[Sasebo Naval District|Sasebo Naval Base]] to patrol the East China Sea for ten days. She remained in Sasebo until April 1917, when she again deployed to the Chinese coast with her sister ships ''Haruna'' and {{ship|Japanese battleship|Kongō||2}}. Her last patrol operation of World War I was off the Chinese and Korean coast in April 1918. In July 1918, ''Kirishima'' acted as the transport of [[Prince Arthur of Connaught]] for his extended cruise to [[Canada]], before returning to Japan.<ref name=cfrecord/>
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''Kirishima'' was formally commissioned on 19 April 1915, and along with {{ship|Japanese battleship|Haruna||2}} was assigned to the 1st Battleship Division of the [[IJN 1st Fleet|First Fleet]].<ref name=cfrecord/> After seven months of trials, she was reassigned to the 3rd Battleship Division of the [[IJN 2nd Fleet|Second Fleet]], with Captain Shima Takeshi in overall command of the ship. In April 1916, ''Kirishima'' and ''Haruna'' departed [[Sasebo Naval District|Sasebo Naval Base]] to patrol the East China Sea for ten days. She remained in Sasebo until April 1917, when she again deployed to the Chinese coast with her sister ships ''Haruna'' and {{ship|Japanese battleship|Kongō||2}}. Her last patrol operation of World War I was off the Chinese and Korean coast in April 1918. In July 1918, ''Kirishima'' acted as the transport of [[Prince Arthur of Connaught]] for his extended cruise to Canada, before returning to Japan.<ref name=cfrecord/>
   
Following the end of World War I, the Japanese Empire gained control of former German possessions in the central Pacific per the terms of the [[Treaty of Versailles]].<ref>Willmott, p. 22</ref> Due to Japan's warm relations with the British Empire and the United States at the time, ''Kirishima'' and other Japanese warships became significantly less active than during the war. On 1 December 1920, she was reassigned to the Third Division of the Second Fleet. Other than a patrol alongside ''Kongō'' and {{ship|Japanese battleship|Nagato||2}} off the Chinese coast in August 1921, ''Kirishima'' remained in Sasebo.<ref name=cfrecord/> On 10 September 1922, she collided with the destroyer {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Fuji||2}} during fleet maneuvers, with both ships sustaining minor damage. Following the [[1923 Great Kantō earthquake|Great Kantō Earthquake]] of September 1923, the capital ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy assisted in rescue work until the end of the month. She was placed in reserve in December 1923.<ref name=cfrecord/>
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Following the end of World War I, the Japanese Empire gained control of former German possessions in the central Pacific per the terms of the [[Treaty of Versailles]].<ref>Willmott, p. 22</ref> Due to Japan's warm relations with the British Empire and the United States at the time, ''Kirishima'' and other Japanese warships became significantly less active than during the war. On 1 December 1920, she was reassigned to the Third Division of the Second Fleet. Other than a patrol alongside ''Kongō'' and {{ship|Japanese battleship|Nagato||2}} off the Chinese coast in August 1921, ''Kirishima'' remained in Sasebo.<ref name=cfrecord/> On 10 September 1922, she collided with the destroyer {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Fuji||2}} during fleet maneuvers, with both ships sustaining minor damage. Following the Great Kantō Earthquake of September 1923, the capital ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy assisted in rescue work until the end of the month. She was placed in reserve in December 1923.<ref name=cfrecord/>
   
 
With the conclusion of World War I and the signing of the [[Washington Naval Treaty]], the size of the Imperial Japanese Navy was significantly lessened, with a ratio of 5:5:3 required between the capital ships of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan.<ref name=jackson-00-67>Jackson (2000), p. 67</ref> The treaty also banned Japan from building any new capital ships until 1931, with no capital ship permitted to exceed 35,000&nbsp;tons.<ref name=jackson-00-68>Jackson (2000), p. 68</ref> Provided that new additions did not exceed 3,000&nbsp;tons, existing capital ships were allowed to be upgraded with improved torpedo bulges and deck armor.<ref name=jackson-00-68/> By the time the Washington Treaty had been fully implemented in Japan, only three classes of World War I-era capital ships—the [[Japanese battleship Yamashiro|''Yamashiro'']] and {{sclass-|Ise|battleship|2}}s, and the ''Kongō''-class battlecruisers—remained active.<ref>Jackson (2000), p. 69</ref>
 
With the conclusion of World War I and the signing of the [[Washington Naval Treaty]], the size of the Imperial Japanese Navy was significantly lessened, with a ratio of 5:5:3 required between the capital ships of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan.<ref name=jackson-00-67>Jackson (2000), p. 67</ref> The treaty also banned Japan from building any new capital ships until 1931, with no capital ship permitted to exceed 35,000&nbsp;tons.<ref name=jackson-00-68>Jackson (2000), p. 68</ref> Provided that new additions did not exceed 3,000&nbsp;tons, existing capital ships were allowed to be upgraded with improved torpedo bulges and deck armor.<ref name=jackson-00-68/> By the time the Washington Treaty had been fully implemented in Japan, only three classes of World War I-era capital ships—the [[Japanese battleship Yamashiro|''Yamashiro'']] and {{sclass-|Ise|battleship|2}}s, and the ''Kongō''-class battlecruisers—remained active.<ref>Jackson (2000), p. 69</ref>
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Stripped of the ability to construct new capital ships, the Imperial Japanese Navy instead opted to significantly upgrade and reconfigure their existing battleships and battlecruisers.<ref>Willmott, p. 45</ref> ''Kirishima'' was placed in Third Reserve in December 1926, before beginning her first reconstruction in early 1927. Horizontal armor over the ammunition magazines was strengthened, and she was also fitted with anti-torpedo bulges, as permitted by the Washington Treaty.<ref name=cfrecord/> To upgrade ''Kirishima''{{'}}s speed, the 36 coal-fired Yarrow boilers were removed and replaced with ten new mixed-firing Kampon boilers.<ref>Whitley, pp. 178, 180</ref> To allow for more equipment to be installed on board, her forward superstructure was reconstructed in the [[Pagoda mast]] style, facilitating the removal of one of her three funnels.<ref name=cfrecord/> The reconstruction of the ''Kongō''-class battlecruisers added an additional 4,000 tons of armor to the ships, directly violating the terms of the Washington Treaty.<ref name="jackson-08-27" /> On 16 April 1930, the reconstruction was declared complete.{{#tag:ref|Sources disagree on the exact dates of the reconstruction. While ''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships'' gives a beginning date of March 1927 and an end date of 31 March 1930, ''Kirishima''{{'}}s ''Combined Fleet'' Tabular Record of Movement states that it was from May 1927 to 16 April 1930.<ref name="Conway's"/><ref name=cfrecord/>|group=N}}
 
Stripped of the ability to construct new capital ships, the Imperial Japanese Navy instead opted to significantly upgrade and reconfigure their existing battleships and battlecruisers.<ref>Willmott, p. 45</ref> ''Kirishima'' was placed in Third Reserve in December 1926, before beginning her first reconstruction in early 1927. Horizontal armor over the ammunition magazines was strengthened, and she was also fitted with anti-torpedo bulges, as permitted by the Washington Treaty.<ref name=cfrecord/> To upgrade ''Kirishima''{{'}}s speed, the 36 coal-fired Yarrow boilers were removed and replaced with ten new mixed-firing Kampon boilers.<ref>Whitley, pp. 178, 180</ref> To allow for more equipment to be installed on board, her forward superstructure was reconstructed in the [[Pagoda mast]] style, facilitating the removal of one of her three funnels.<ref name=cfrecord/> The reconstruction of the ''Kongō''-class battlecruisers added an additional 4,000 tons of armor to the ships, directly violating the terms of the Washington Treaty.<ref name="jackson-08-27" /> On 16 April 1930, the reconstruction was declared complete.{{#tag:ref|Sources disagree on the exact dates of the reconstruction. While ''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships'' gives a beginning date of March 1927 and an end date of 31 March 1930, ''Kirishima''{{'}}s ''Combined Fleet'' Tabular Record of Movement states that it was from May 1927 to 16 April 1930.<ref name="Conway's"/><ref name=cfrecord/>|group=N}}
   
Six days after ''Kirishima''{{'}}s reconstruction was completed, Japan pledged to scrap several battleships and signed the [[London Naval Treaty]], which placed further bans on capital ship construction until 1937.<ref name=jackson-00-72/> From August to October 1930, she was outfitted with the equipment necessary to equip reconnaissance seaplanes. ''Kirishima'' patrolled the coast of China near [[Shanghai]] in April 1932, before she was again placed in the Third Reserve.<ref name=cfrecord/>
+
Six days after ''Kirishima''{{'}}s reconstruction was completed, Japan pledged to scrap several battleships and signed the [[London Naval Treaty]], which placed further bans on capital ship construction until 1937.<ref name=jackson-00-72/> From August to October 1930, she was outfitted with the equipment necessary to equip reconnaissance seaplanes. ''Kirishima'' patrolled the coast of China near Shanghai in April 1932, before she was again placed in the Third Reserve.<ref name=cfrecord/>
   
 
In September 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria. On 25 February 1933, based on a report by the [[Lytton Commission]], the League of Nations agreed that Japan had violated Chinese sovereignty in its invasion of Manchuria.<ref name=jackson-00-72>Jackson (2000), p. 72</ref> Refusing to accept the organization's judgment, Japan withdrew from the League of Nations the same day.<ref name=jackson-00-72/> Immediately following, Japan also withdrew from the Washington and [[London Naval Treaty|London Naval Treaties]], thus removing all restrictions on the number and size of her capital ships.<ref name="willmott35"/>
 
In September 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria. On 25 February 1933, based on a report by the [[Lytton Commission]], the League of Nations agreed that Japan had violated Chinese sovereignty in its invasion of Manchuria.<ref name=jackson-00-72>Jackson (2000), p. 72</ref> Refusing to accept the organization's judgment, Japan withdrew from the League of Nations the same day.<ref name=jackson-00-72/> Immediately following, Japan also withdrew from the Washington and [[London Naval Treaty|London Naval Treaties]], thus removing all restrictions on the number and size of her capital ships.<ref name="willmott35"/>
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''Kirishima''{{'}}s armor was also extensively upgraded. Her main belt was strengthened to a uniform thickness of 8&nbsp;inches (as opposed to varying thicknesses of 6–8&nbsp;inches before the upgrades), while diagonal bulkheads of a depth ranging from {{convert|5|to|8|in|mm|0}} reinforced the main armored belt.<ref name=mccurtie185>McCurtie, p. 185</ref> The turret armor was strengthened to {{convert|10|in|mm|0}}, while {{convert|4|in|mm|0}} were added to portions of the deck armor.<ref name=mccurtie185/> The armor around her ammunition magazines was also strengthened over the course of the refit. The reconstruction was declared complete on 8 June 1936. Capable of speeds of up to {{convert|30.5|kn}}, ''Kirishima'' was reclassified as a fast battleship.<ref name=willmott35>Willmott, p. 35</ref>
 
''Kirishima''{{'}}s armor was also extensively upgraded. Her main belt was strengthened to a uniform thickness of 8&nbsp;inches (as opposed to varying thicknesses of 6–8&nbsp;inches before the upgrades), while diagonal bulkheads of a depth ranging from {{convert|5|to|8|in|mm|0}} reinforced the main armored belt.<ref name=mccurtie185>McCurtie, p. 185</ref> The turret armor was strengthened to {{convert|10|in|mm|0}}, while {{convert|4|in|mm|0}} were added to portions of the deck armor.<ref name=mccurtie185/> The armor around her ammunition magazines was also strengthened over the course of the refit. The reconstruction was declared complete on 8 June 1936. Capable of speeds of up to {{convert|30.5|kn}}, ''Kirishima'' was reclassified as a fast battleship.<ref name=willmott35>Willmott, p. 35</ref>
   
In August 1936, ''Kirishima'' departed Sasebo alongside {{ship|Japanese battleship|Fusō||2}} to patrol the Chinese coast off [[Amoy]]. From March 1937 to April 1939, she was frequently deployed as a support vessel and troop transport during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]]. In November 1938, ''Kirishima'' was designated the command vessel of the Third Battleship Division, and was under the command of Rear Admiral [[Chuichi Nagumo]]. In November 1939, she was placed in reserve and fitted with additional armor on the front faces of her turrets and barbettes.<ref name=cfrecord/>
+
In August 1936, ''Kirishima'' departed Sasebo alongside {{ship|Japanese battleship|Fusō||2}} to patrol the Chinese coast off Amoy. From March 1937 to April 1939, she was frequently deployed as a support vessel and troop transport during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]]. In November 1938, ''Kirishima'' was designated the command vessel of the Third Battleship Division, and was under the command of Rear Admiral [[Chuichi Nagumo]]. In November 1939, she was placed in reserve and fitted with additional armor on the front faces of her turrets and barbettes.<ref name=cfrecord/>
   
 
===1941-1942: Carrier Escort===
 
===1941-1942: Carrier Escort===
[[File:Akagi Hiei Kirishima Pearl Harbor.jpg|thumb|left|''Kirishima'' (right), with ''Hiei'' (center) and aircraft carrier ''Akagi'' (left) approaching Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 6 December 1941]]On 11 November 1941, after a series of transfers between Japanese naval bases, ''Kirishima'' was outfitted in preparation for coming hostilities and assigned—alongside her sister ships—to the Third Battleship Division. On 26 November, ''Kirishima'' departed [[Iturup|Hitokappu Bay]], [[Kurile Islands]] in the company of ''Hiei'' and six Japanese fast carriers of the [[1st Air Fleet (Japan)|First Air Fleet Striking Force]] ({{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Akagi||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Kaga||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Sōryū||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Hiryū||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Shōkaku||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Zuikaku||2}}).<ref>Willmott, p. 50</ref> On 7 December 1941, aircraft from these six carriers attacked the United States Pacific Fleet at their home base of [[Pearl Harbor]], sinking four U.S. Navy battleships and numerous other vessels. Following the attack and the declaration of war by the United States, ''Kirishima'' returned to Japan.<ref>Willmott, p. 51</ref>
+
[[File:Akagi Hiei Kirishima Pearl Harbor.jpg|thumb|left|''Kirishima'' (right), with ''Hiei'' (center) and aircraft carrier ''Akagi'' (left) approaching Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 6 December 1941]]On 11 November 1941, after a series of transfers between Japanese naval bases, ''Kirishima'' was outfitted in preparation for coming hostilities and assigned—alongside her sister ships—to the Third Battleship Division. On 26 November, ''Kirishima'' departed [[Iturup|Hitokappu Bay]], Kurile Islands in the company of ''Hiei'' and six Japanese fast carriers of the [[1st Air Fleet (Japan)|First Air Fleet Striking Force]] ({{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Akagi||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Kaga||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Sōryū||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Hiryū||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Shōkaku||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Zuikaku||2}}).<ref>Willmott, p. 50</ref> On 7 December 1941, aircraft from these six carriers attacked the United States Pacific Fleet at their home base of [[Pearl Harbor]], sinking four U.S. Navy battleships and numerous other vessels. Following the attack and the declaration of war by the United States, ''Kirishima'' returned to Japan.<ref>Willmott, p. 51</ref>
   
On 8 January 1942, ''Kirishima'' departed Japan for [[Chuuk State|Truk Naval Base]] in the Caroline Islands alongside the Carrier Strike Force. She provided escort during the invasion of New Britain on 17 January before returning to Truk. She sortied again in response to [[Marshalls-Gilberts raids|American carrier raids]] in the [[Marshall Islands|Marshall]] and Gilbert Islands.<ref name=cfrecord/> In March 1942, while supporting fleet operations off of [[Java]] in the Dutch East Indies, one of ''Kirishima''{{'}}s floatplanes bombed an enemy merchant vessel. South of Java, the Japanese fleet was surprised by the appearance of the destroyer {{USS|Edsall|DD-219}}. ''Hiei'' and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Chikuma||2}} initially opened fire on the ship but failed to score any hits. After [[dive-bomber]]s from three of Admiral Nagumo's carriers immobilized the destroyer, ''Kirishima'' and the other two ships resumed firing on the ''Edsall'' until she sank.<ref name=cfrecord/>
+
On 8 January 1942, ''Kirishima'' departed Japan for Truk Naval Base in the Caroline Islands alongside the Carrier Strike Force. She provided escort during the invasion of New Britain on 17 January before returning to Truk. She sortied again in response to [[Marshalls-Gilberts raids|American carrier raids]] in the [[Marshall Islands|Marshall]] and Gilbert Islands.<ref name=cfrecord/> In March 1942, while supporting fleet operations off of Java in the Dutch East Indies, one of ''Kirishima''{{'}}s floatplanes bombed an enemy merchant vessel. South of Java, the Japanese fleet was surprised by the appearance of the destroyer {{USS|Edsall|DD-219}}. ''Hiei'' and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Chikuma||2}} initially opened fire on the ship but failed to score any hits. After [[dive-bomber]]s from three of Admiral Nagumo's carriers immobilized the destroyer, ''Kirishima'' and the other two ships resumed firing on the ''Edsall'' until she sank.<ref name=cfrecord/>
   
In April 1942, ''Kirishima'' and the Third Battleship division joined five fleet carriers and two cruisers in an [[Indian Ocean Raid|attack against British naval bases in the Indian Ocean]]. On 5 April—Easter Sunday—the Japanese fleet attacked the harbor at [[Colombo]] in Ceylon, while seaplanes from the {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Tone||2}} spotted two fleeing British cruisers, both of which were later sunk by aerial attack.<ref>Jackson (2000), p. 119</ref> A floatplane from ''Kirishima'' also strafed a withdrawing oil tanker.<ref name=cfrecord/> On 8 April, Japanese carrier aircraft attacked the [[Royal Navy]] base at Trincomalee in Ceylon, only to find that all of Admiral [[James Somerville]]'s remaining warships had withdrawn the previous night. Returning from the attack, a floatplane from ''Kirishima''{{'}}s sister ship ''Haruna'' spotted the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Hermes|95|6}}, which was quickly sunk by a massive aerial attack.<ref>Jackson (2000), p. 120</ref> Upon returning to Japan, ''Kirishima'' was drydocked and her secondary armament configuration modified with the addition of 25&nbsp;mm antiaircraft guns in twin mounts.<ref name=cfrecord/><ref>Stille, p. 18</ref>
+
In April 1942, ''Kirishima'' and the Third Battleship division joined five fleet carriers and two cruisers in an [[Indian Ocean Raid|attack against British naval bases in the Indian Ocean]]. On 5 April—Easter Sunday—the Japanese fleet attacked the harbor at Colombo in Ceylon, while seaplanes from the {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Tone||2}} spotted two fleeing British cruisers, both of which were later sunk by aerial attack.<ref>Jackson (2000), p. 119</ref> A floatplane from ''Kirishima'' also strafed a withdrawing oil tanker.<ref name=cfrecord/> On 8 April, Japanese carrier aircraft attacked the [[Royal Navy]] base at Trincomalee in Ceylon, only to find that all of Admiral [[James Somerville]]'s remaining warships had withdrawn the previous night. Returning from the attack, a floatplane from ''Kirishima''{{'}}s sister ship ''Haruna'' spotted the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Hermes|95|6}}, which was quickly sunk by a massive aerial attack.<ref>Jackson (2000), p. 120</ref> Upon returning to Japan, ''Kirishima'' was drydocked and her secondary armament configuration modified with the addition of 25&nbsp;mm antiaircraft guns in twin mounts.<ref name=cfrecord/><ref>Stille, p. 18</ref>
   
 
===1942: Guadalcanal===
 
===1942: Guadalcanal===
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In June 1942, ''Kirishima'' sailed as part of the Carrier Strike Force during the [[Battle of Midway]], providing escort for Admiral Nagumo's four fast carriers alongside ''Haruna''.<ref name=stille19>Stille, p. 19</ref> Following the disastrous battle, during which all four Japanese carriers were sunk or scuttled, she took on survivors from the four flattops before returning to Japan.<ref name=cfrecord/> In August 1942, she departed Japan for the Solomon Islands in the company of ''Hiei'', three carriers, three cruisers and eleven destroyers, in response to the [[Battle of Guadalcanal|American invasion of Guadalcanal]]. She escorted Japanese carriers during the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons]], during which the light carrier {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Ryūjō||2}} was sunk.<ref name=stille19/> Following the battle, the fleet returned to Truk Naval Base. During the [[Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands]], ''Kirishima'' was part of Rear Admiral [[Hiroaki Abe]]'s Vanguard Force, which provided distant cover to Nagumo's carrier groups.<ref name=stille19/> She was attacked by American dive-bombers on 26 October, yet remained undamaged.
 
In June 1942, ''Kirishima'' sailed as part of the Carrier Strike Force during the [[Battle of Midway]], providing escort for Admiral Nagumo's four fast carriers alongside ''Haruna''.<ref name=stille19>Stille, p. 19</ref> Following the disastrous battle, during which all four Japanese carriers were sunk or scuttled, she took on survivors from the four flattops before returning to Japan.<ref name=cfrecord/> In August 1942, she departed Japan for the Solomon Islands in the company of ''Hiei'', three carriers, three cruisers and eleven destroyers, in response to the [[Battle of Guadalcanal|American invasion of Guadalcanal]]. She escorted Japanese carriers during the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons]], during which the light carrier {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Ryūjō||2}} was sunk.<ref name=stille19/> Following the battle, the fleet returned to Truk Naval Base. During the [[Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands]], ''Kirishima'' was part of Rear Admiral [[Hiroaki Abe]]'s Vanguard Force, which provided distant cover to Nagumo's carrier groups.<ref name=stille19/> She was attacked by American dive-bombers on 26 October, yet remained undamaged.
   
On 10 November 1942, ''Kirishima'' departed Truk alongside ''Hiei'' and eleven destroyers in preparation to shell American positions on [[Guadalcanal]] in advance of a major transport convoy of Japanese troops. U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft spotted the Japanese fleet several days in advance, and deployed a force of two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers and eight destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral [[Daniel J. Callaghan]] in [[Ironbottom Sound]] to meet them.<ref>Hammel, pp. 99–107</ref> At 01:24 on 13 November, the Japanese force was detected {{convert|28000|yd|km}} out by the light cruiser {{USS|Helena|CL-50}}. In the ensuing [[First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]], the American task force concentrated the majority of their firepower on the battleship ''Hiei''.<ref name=stille19/> This enabled ''Kirishima'' to score multiple hits on the heavy cruiser {{USS|San Francisco|CA-38}} and ''Helena'', while ''Hiei'' crippled the light cruiser {{USS|Atlanta|CL-51}}, killing Rear Admiral [[Norman Scott (Medal of Honor)|Norman Scott]].<ref>Stille, pp. 19–20</ref> Both ''Hiei'' and ''Kirishima'' then raked ''San Francisco'' with shellfire, killing Rear Admiral Callaghan.<ref>Morison, p. 247</ref> However, ''Hiei'' was in turn crippled by ''San Francisco'' and several American destroyers. With ''Hiei'' effectively out of the battle, ''Kirishima'' and the surviving destroyers withdrew to the north. On the morning of 13 November, she was ordered to tow ''Hiei'' to safety.<ref name=cfrecord/> However, the heavily damaged battleship came under air attack, and was eventually abandoned and scuttled.<ref name=stille20>Stille, p. 20</ref><ref>Schom, p. 417</ref>
+
On 10 November 1942, ''Kirishima'' departed Truk alongside ''Hiei'' and eleven destroyers in preparation to shell American positions on [[Guadalcanal]] in advance of a major transport convoy of Japanese troops. U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft spotted the Japanese fleet several days in advance, and deployed a force of two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers and eight destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral [[Daniel J. Callaghan]] in Ironbottom Sound to meet them.<ref>Hammel, pp. 99–107</ref> At 01:24 on 13 November, the Japanese force was detected {{convert|28000|yd|km}} out by the light cruiser {{USS|Helena|CL-50}}. In the ensuing [[First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]], the American task force concentrated the majority of their firepower on the battleship ''Hiei''.<ref name=stille19/> This enabled ''Kirishima'' to score multiple hits on the heavy cruiser {{USS|San Francisco|CA-38}} and ''Helena'', while ''Hiei'' crippled the light cruiser {{USS|Atlanta|CL-51}}, killing Rear Admiral [[Norman Scott (Medal of Honor)|Norman Scott]].<ref>Stille, pp. 19–20</ref> Both ''Hiei'' and ''Kirishima'' then raked ''San Francisco'' with shellfire, killing Rear Admiral Callaghan.<ref>Morison, p. 247</ref> However, ''Hiei'' was in turn crippled by ''San Francisco'' and several American destroyers. With ''Hiei'' effectively out of the battle, ''Kirishima'' and the surviving destroyers withdrew to the north. On the morning of 13 November, she was ordered to tow ''Hiei'' to safety.<ref name=cfrecord/> However, the heavily damaged battleship came under air attack, and was eventually abandoned and scuttled.<ref name=stille20>Stille, p. 20</ref><ref>Schom, p. 417</ref>
   
 
====Loss====
 
====Loss====
 
[[File:NavalGuadalcanalWashington.jpg|thumb|left|''Washington'' fires on ''Kirishima'' during the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 15 November 1942]]
 
[[File:NavalGuadalcanalWashington.jpg|thumb|left|''Washington'' fires on ''Kirishima'' during the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 15 November 1942]]
On the evening of 13 November, ''Kirishima'' and her escorting destroyers were joined by the Fourth Cruiser Division, of {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Atago||2}} and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Takao||2}}, and prepared to reenter Ironbottom Sound under the command of Admiral [[Nobutake Kondō]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Klemen |last=L |url= http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/kondo.html |title= Vice-Admiral Nobutake Kondo |date=1999-2000 |work=Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941-1942}}</ref> In the early morning of 14 November, the Japanese bombarded Guadalcanal before withdrawing. Aware of the damage suffered by his ships the previous night, Admiral [[William Halsey]] reinforced the American naval units with the new battleships {{USS|South Dakota|BB-57}} and {{USS|Washington|BB-56}}.<ref name=stille20/>
+
On the evening of 13 November, ''Kirishima'' and her escorting destroyers were joined by the Fourth Cruiser Division, of {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Atago||2}} and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Takao||2}}, and prepared to reenter Ironbottom Sound under the command of Admiral [[Nobutake Kondō]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Klemen |last=L |url= http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/kondo.html |title= Vice-Admiral Nobutake Kondo |date=1999-2000 |work=Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941-1942}}</ref> In the early morning of 14 November, the Japanese bombarded Guadalcanal before withdrawing. Aware of the damage suffered by his ships the previous night, Admiral [[William Halsey]] reinforced the American naval units with the new battleships {{USS|South Dakota|BB-57}} and {{USS|Washington|BB-56}}.<ref name=stille20/>
 
The two fleets made contact on 14 November at 23:01. They exchanged gunfire and torpedoes, with four American destroyers disabled (three would later sink), while the {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Ayanami|1929|2}} was crippled by ''Washington'' and ''South Dakota''.<ref>Frank, p. 478</ref> At 23:40, ''South Dakota'' suffered a series of electrical failures, crippling her radar, radios and gun batteries.<ref name="schom424">Schom, p. 424</ref> ''Kirishima'' and the heavy cruiser {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Atago||2}} illuminated the battleship with searchlights, and almost all of Kondō's force opened fire.<ref name="schom424"/> ''Kirishima'' managed to hit ''South Dakota'' with one salvo of 14-inch shells and numerous salvos from her secondary battery, which knocked out the battleship's fire control systems and communications. ''Washington'', undetected, managed to evade the Japanese fleet, and at midnight fired on ''Kirishima'' from {{convert|5800|yd|m}}.<ref name="schom424"/><ref>Garzke and Dulin, p. 44</ref>
 
 
''Kirishima'' was hit by nine primary and forty secondary battery salvos, jamming her rear 14-inch turrets and steering, and causing the battleship to list 18 degrees to starboard. Initially, the light cruiser ''Nagara'' attempted to tow her out of Ironbottom Sound. When it became clear she could not be salvaged, the surviving Japanese destroyers evacuated CO Captain [[Iwabuchi Sanji]] and 1,098 survivors.<ref name=cfrecord/> ''Kirishima'' capsized at 03:25 on the morning of 15 November 1942, with 212 crewmen lost.<ref name=stille20/><ref>[http://www.combinedfleet.com/Kirishima.htm]</ref>
The two fleets made contact on 14 November at 23:01. They exchanged gunfire and torpedoes, with four American destroyers disabled (three would later sink), while the {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Ayanami|1929|2}} was crippled by ''Washington'' and ''South Dakota''.<ref>Frank, p. 478</ref> At 23:40, ''South Dakota'' suffered a series of electrical failures, crippling her radar, radios and gun batteries.<ref name="schom424">Schom, p. 424</ref> ''Kirishima'' and the heavy cruiser {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Atago||2}} illuminated the battleship with searchlights, and almost all of Kondō's force opened fire.<ref name="schom424"/> ''Kirishima'' managed to hit ''South Dakota'' with one salvo of 14-inch shells and numerous salvos from her secondary battery, which knocked out the battleship's fire control systems and communications. ''Washington'', undetected, managed to evade the Japanese fleet, and at midnight fired on ''Kirishima'' from {{convert|5800|yd|m}}.<ref name="schom424"/><ref>Garzke and Dulin, p. 44</ref>
 
 
''Kirishima'' was hit by nine primary and forty secondary battery salvos, jamming her rear 14-inch turrets and steering, and causing the battleship to list 18 degrees to starboard. Initially, the light cruiser ''Nagara'' attempted to tow her out of Ironbottom Sound. When it became clear she could not be salvaged, the surviving Japanese destroyers evacuated CO [[Captain (nautical)|Captain]] [[Iwabuchi Sanji]] and 1,098 survivors.<ref name=cfrecord/> ''Kirishima'' capsized at 03:25 on the morning of 15 November 1942, with 212 crewmen lost.<ref name=stille20/><ref>[http://www.combinedfleet.com/Kirishima.htm]</ref>
 
 
The official U.S. Navy history of the engagement, based on an interview with a single surviving crewmember, states that the ''Kirishima'' was scuttled.<ref>[http://usswashington.com/1stbatt.htm]</ref>
 
   
 
The official U.S. Navy history of the engagement, based on an interview with a single surviving crewmember, states that the ''Kirishima'' was scuttled.<ref>[http://usswashington.com/1stbatt.htm]</ref>
 
However, more recent analysis based on an underwater survey of the wreck and the accounts of other survivors including ''Kirishima''{{'}}s damage control officer has led at least one author to conclude that ''Kirishima'' was struck by up to 22 heavy shells, and capsized as a result of progressive flooding exacerbated by poor damage control. The analysis stated that ''Kirishima''{{'}}s protective scheme was designed in mind with 1914-era AP shells with a non-delay fuse that would have detonated on her exterior armor. This would have been inadequate against the deep penetration AP shells that went through her armor (considered "incredible thin by World War II standards") before exploding, compromising her watertight integrity, as well as sending shell fragments to the boilers, and causing further damage by detonating the ready ammunition lockers for the [[casemate]] batteries. The author opined that the damage control team followed a "script" to counter flood every time that the ship listed, however this was rendered ineffective as it made the ship lower in the water and allowed the progressive flooding of the middle deck and cause her to list again.<ref>http://www.navweaps.com/index_lundgren/Kirishima_Damage_Analysis.pdf</ref>
 
However, more recent analysis based on an underwater survey of the wreck and the accounts of other survivors including ''Kirishima''{{'}}s damage control officer has led at least one author to conclude that ''Kirishima'' was struck by up to 22 heavy shells, and capsized as a result of progressive flooding exacerbated by poor damage control. The analysis stated that ''Kirishima''{{'}}s protective scheme was designed in mind with 1914-era AP shells with a non-delay fuse that would have detonated on her exterior armor. This would have been inadequate against the deep penetration AP shells that went through her armor (considered "incredible thin by World War II standards") before exploding, compromising her watertight integrity, as well as sending shell fragments to the boilers, and causing further damage by detonating the ready ammunition lockers for the [[casemate]] batteries. The author opined that the damage control team followed a "script" to counter flood every time that the ship listed, however this was rendered ineffective as it made the ship lower in the water and allowed the progressive flooding of the middle deck and cause her to list again.<ref>http://www.navweaps.com/index_lundgren/Kirishima_Damage_Analysis.pdf</ref>
   
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* Jackson, Robert (editor) (2008). ''101 Great Warships''. London. Amber Books. ISBN 978-1-905704-72-9
 
* Jackson, Robert (editor) (2008). ''101 Great Warships''. London. Amber Books. ISBN 978-1-905704-72-9
 
* McCurtie, Francis (1989) [1945]. ''Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II''. London: Bracken Books. ISBN 1-85170-194-X
 
* McCurtie, Francis (1989) [1945]. ''Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II''. London: Bracken Books. ISBN 1-85170-194-X
* {{cite book | last = Morison | first = Samuel Eliot | authorlink = Samuel Eliot Morison | year = 1958 | chapter = The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12–15 November 1942 | title = The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942 – February 1943'', vol.&nbsp;5 of ''[[History of United States Naval Operations in World War II]] | publisher = Little, Brown and Company | location = Boston | isbn = 0-316-58305-7}}
+
* {{cite book | last = Morison | first = Samuel Eliot | authorlink = Samuel Eliot Morison | year = 1958 | chapter = The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12–15 November 1942 | title = The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942 – February 1943'', vol.&nbsp;5 of ''History of United States Naval Operations in World War II | publisher = Little, Brown and Company | location = Boston | isbn = 0-316-58305-7}}
 
* {{citation|last1=Parshall|first1=Jon|last2=Hackett|first2=Bob|last3=Kingsepp|first3=Sander|last4=Nevitt|first4=Allyn|url= http://combinedfleet.com/ |title= Imperial Japanese Navy Page |date=1997-2009}}
 
* {{citation|last1=Parshall|first1=Jon|last2=Hackett|first2=Bob|last3=Kingsepp|first3=Sander|last4=Nevitt|first4=Allyn|url= http://combinedfleet.com/ |title= Imperial Japanese Navy Page |date=1997-2009}}
 
* Schom, Alan (2004). ''The Eagle and the Rising Sun; The Japanese-American War, 1941–1943''. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-32628-4
 
* Schom, Alan (2004). ''The Eagle and the Rising Sun; The Japanese-American War, 1941–1943''. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-32628-4
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{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
   
== External links ==
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==External links==
 
* [http://navgunschl2.sakura.ne.jp/photo/kirishima/kirishima.html Construction of ''Kirishima'']
 
* [http://navgunschl2.sakura.ne.jp/photo/kirishima/kirishima.html Construction of ''Kirishima'']
   

Latest revision as of 19:20, 23 December 2018

Japanese battleship Kirishima
Kirishima Tsukumowan 1937
Kirishima in 1937
Career (Japan) Japanese Navy Ensign
Name: Kirishima
Namesake: Mount Kirishima
Ordered: 1911
Builder: Mitsubishi
Laid down: 17 March 1912
Launched: 1 December 1913
Commissioned: 19 April 1915
Fate: Sank following the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 15 November 1942
General characteristics
Class & type: Kongō-class battlecruiser
Displacement: 36,600 long tons (37,187 t)[1]
Length: 222 m (728 ft 4 in)[1]
Beam: 31 m (101 ft 8 in)[1]
Draught: 9.7 m (31 ft 10 in)[1]
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h)[1]
Range: 10,000 nmi (19,000 km) at 14 kn (26 km/h)[1]
Complement: 1360
Armament:

• 8 × 356 mm (14 in) guns (4×2)[1]
• 16 × 152 mm (6.0 in) guns (8×2)[1]
• 8 × 127 mm (5 in) DP (8×1)[1]

• numerous 25 mm (0.98 in) Type 96 AA guns
Armor: deck: 2.3–1.5 in (58–38 mm) (later strengthened +101mm on ammo storage, +76mm on engine room)
turrets: 9 in (230 mm)
barbettes: 10 in (250 mm)
belt: 8–11 in (200–280 mm)

Kirishima (霧島?) was a warship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War I and World War II. Designed by British naval engineer George Thurston, she was the third launched of the four Kongō-class battlecruisers, among the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built. Laid down in 1912 at the Mitsubishi Shipyards in Nagasaki, Kirishima was formally commissioned in 1915 on the same day as her sister ship, Haruna. Her name is derived from Mount Kirishima (霧島山 Kirishimayama?), an active volcano group in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Kirishima patrolled on occasion off the Chinese coast during World War I, and helped with rescue efforts following the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake.

Starting in 1927, Kirishima's first reconstruction rebuilt her as a battleship, strengthening her armor and improving her speed. From 1934, a second reconstruction completely rebuilt her superstructure, upgraded her engine plant, and equipped her with launch catapults for floatplanes. Now fast enough to accompany Japan's growing carrier fleet, she was reclassified as a fast battleship. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Kirishima acted primarily as a support vessel and troop transport, moving army troops to mainland China. On the eve of World War II, she sailed as part of Vice-Admiral Chuichi Nagumo's Combined Fleet as a heavy escort for the six carriers that attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.

As part of the Third Battleship Division, Kirishima participated in many of the Imperial Japanese Navy's early actions in 1942, providing support for the invasion of the Dutch East Indies and in the Indian Ocean raid of April 1942. During the Battle of Midway, she provided escort to Nagumo's four carriers, before redeploying to the Solomon Islands during the Battle of Guadalcanal. She escorted Japanese carrier fleets during the battles of the Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz Islands, before sailing as part of a bombardment force under Admiral Nobutake Kondō during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. On the evening of 13 November 1942, Kirishima engaged American cruisers and destroyers alongside her sister ship Hiei. On the night of 14/15 November, in one of only two battleship duels of the Pacific War, Kirishima damaged USS South Dakota (BB-57) before being fatally crippled in turn by the battleship USS Washington (BB-56). Kirishima capsized and sank in the early morning on 15 November 1942 in Ironbottom Sound.

Design and construction

Kirishima was the third of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Kongō-class battlecruisers, a group of capital ships designed by the British naval engineer George Thurston.[2] The class was ordered in 1910 in the Japanese Emergency Naval Expansion Bill after the commissioning of HMS Invincible in 1908.[3] The four battlecruisers of the Kongō class were designed to match the naval capabilities of the other major powers at the time; they have been called the battlecruiser version of the British (formerly Turkish) battleship HMS Erin.[1][4] With their heavy armament and armor protection (which took up 23.3% of their approximately 30,000 ton displacement),[1] Kirishima and her sister ships were vastly superior to any other Japanese capital ship afloat at the time.[4]

The keel of Kirishima was laid down at the Nagasaki shipyards of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on 17 March 1912, with most of the parts used in her construction manufactured in Japan.[1][3] Due to a shortage of available slipways, Kirishima and her sister ship Haruna were the first two capital ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy to be built in private Japanese shipyards.[1] After her launch on 1 December 1913, Kirishima's fitting-out began later that month.[4] On 15 December 1914, Captain Kamaya Rokuro was assigned as her chief equipping officer,[3] and she was completed on 19 April 1915.[1]

Armament

Kirishima's main battery consisted of eight 14-inch (36 cm) heavy-caliber main guns in four twin turrets (two forward, two aft).[2] The turrets were noted by the US Office of Naval Intelligence to be "similar to the British 15-inch turrets",[5] with improvements made in flash-tightness. Each of her main guns could fire high-explosive or armor-piercing shells a maximum distance of 38,770 yards (19.14 nmi; 35.45 km) at a firing rate of two shells per minute.[6] In keeping with the Japanese doctrine of deploying more powerful vessels before their opponents, Kirishima and her sister ships were the first vessels in the world equipped with 14-inch (36 cm) guns.[7] The ship's magazines could accommodate ninety rounds of ammunition for each of the main guns, which had an approximate barrel life of 250–280 shots.[5] In 1941, dyes were introduced for the armor-piercing shells of the four Kongō-class battleships, with Kirishima's shells using blue dye.[5]

Her secondary battery was originally sixteen 6-inch (15 cm) 50-caliber medium guns in single casemates (all located amidships),[4] eight 3-inch (7.6 cm) anti-aircraft guns, and eight submerged 21-inch (53 cm) torpedo tubes.[2][8] The sixteen 6"/50 caliber guns were capable of firing 5–6 rounds per minute, with a barrel life of 500 rounds.[9] The 6"/50 caliber gun was capable of firing both antiaircraft and antiship shells, though the positioning of the guns on Kirishima made antiaircraft firing impractical.[4] During her second reconstruction, the 3" guns were removed and replaced with eight 5-inch (13 cm) guns. These guns could fire between 8 and 14 rounds per minute, with a barrel life of 800–1500 rounds.[10] Designed to fire antiaircraft, antiship, and illumination shells, the 5"/40 caliber had the widest variety of shot type of Kirishima's guns.[10] During her second reconstruction, Kirishima was also fitted with a small number of 1-inch (2.5 cm) Type 96 antiaircraft autocannons.

Service

1914–1927: Battlecruiser

Kirishima Sasebo 1915

Kirishima docked at Sasebo in December 1915

Kirishima was formally commissioned on 19 April 1915, and along with Haruna was assigned to the 1st Battleship Division of the First Fleet.[3] After seven months of trials, she was reassigned to the 3rd Battleship Division of the Second Fleet, with Captain Shima Takeshi in overall command of the ship. In April 1916, Kirishima and Haruna departed Sasebo Naval Base to patrol the East China Sea for ten days. She remained in Sasebo until April 1917, when she again deployed to the Chinese coast with her sister ships Haruna and Kongō. Her last patrol operation of World War I was off the Chinese and Korean coast in April 1918. In July 1918, Kirishima acted as the transport of Prince Arthur of Connaught for his extended cruise to Canada, before returning to Japan.[3]

Following the end of World War I, the Japanese Empire gained control of former German possessions in the central Pacific per the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.[11] Due to Japan's warm relations with the British Empire and the United States at the time, Kirishima and other Japanese warships became significantly less active than during the war. On 1 December 1920, she was reassigned to the Third Division of the Second Fleet. Other than a patrol alongside Kongō and Nagato off the Chinese coast in August 1921, Kirishima remained in Sasebo.[3] On 10 September 1922, she collided with the destroyer Fuji during fleet maneuvers, with both ships sustaining minor damage. Following the Great Kantō Earthquake of September 1923, the capital ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy assisted in rescue work until the end of the month. She was placed in reserve in December 1923.[3]

With the conclusion of World War I and the signing of the Washington Naval Treaty, the size of the Imperial Japanese Navy was significantly lessened, with a ratio of 5:5:3 required between the capital ships of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan.[12] The treaty also banned Japan from building any new capital ships until 1931, with no capital ship permitted to exceed 35,000 tons.[13] Provided that new additions did not exceed 3,000 tons, existing capital ships were allowed to be upgraded with improved torpedo bulges and deck armor.[13] By the time the Washington Treaty had been fully implemented in Japan, only three classes of World War I-era capital ships—the Yamashiro and Ise-class battleships, and the Kongō-class battlecruisers—remained active.[14]

1927–1934: Battleship

Kirishima Beppu 1932

Kirishima in 1932, following her first reconstruction

Stripped of the ability to construct new capital ships, the Imperial Japanese Navy instead opted to significantly upgrade and reconfigure their existing battleships and battlecruisers.[15] Kirishima was placed in Third Reserve in December 1926, before beginning her first reconstruction in early 1927. Horizontal armor over the ammunition magazines was strengthened, and she was also fitted with anti-torpedo bulges, as permitted by the Washington Treaty.[3] To upgrade Kirishima's speed, the 36 coal-fired Yarrow boilers were removed and replaced with ten new mixed-firing Kampon boilers.[16] To allow for more equipment to be installed on board, her forward superstructure was reconstructed in the Pagoda mast style, facilitating the removal of one of her three funnels.[3] The reconstruction of the Kongō-class battlecruisers added an additional 4,000 tons of armor to the ships, directly violating the terms of the Washington Treaty.[4] On 16 April 1930, the reconstruction was declared complete.[N 1]

Six days after Kirishima's reconstruction was completed, Japan pledged to scrap several battleships and signed the London Naval Treaty, which placed further bans on capital ship construction until 1937.[17] From August to October 1930, she was outfitted with the equipment necessary to equip reconnaissance seaplanes. Kirishima patrolled the coast of China near Shanghai in April 1932, before she was again placed in the Third Reserve.[3]

In September 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria. On 25 February 1933, based on a report by the Lytton Commission, the League of Nations agreed that Japan had violated Chinese sovereignty in its invasion of Manchuria.[17] Refusing to accept the organization's judgment, Japan withdrew from the League of Nations the same day.[17] Immediately following, Japan also withdrew from the Washington and London Naval Treaties, thus removing all restrictions on the number and size of her capital ships.[18]

1934–1941: Fast Battleship

Kirishima and Akagi at Tsukumowan 1939

Kirishima and the fast carrier Akagi off Tsukumo, April 1939

On 18 November 1934, Kirishima was drydocked in Sasebo Naval Arsenal in preparation for her second reconstruction, which would enable her to function alongside Japan's growing fleet of fast carriers. Her stern was lengthened by 26 feet (7.9 m), while her superstructure was rebuilt to allow for new fire-control mechanisms.[3] Her boilers were removed and replaced with eight new oil-fired Kampon Boilers, and she received newer geared turbines.[4] The elevation of her main and secondary battery was increased, and she was equipped with two Nakajima E8N "Dave" and Kawanishi E7K "Alf" reconnaissance floatplanes. To this end, aircraft catapults and launch-rails were also refitted.[3] Her older 3-inch guns were removed and replaced with eight 5-inch dual-purpose guns. She was also outfitted with twenty Type 96 25 mm antiaircraft guns in twin turrets, while two of her 6 inch guns and her remaining torpedo tubes were removed.[8]

Kirishima's armor was also extensively upgraded. Her main belt was strengthened to a uniform thickness of 8 inches (as opposed to varying thicknesses of 6–8 inches before the upgrades), while diagonal bulkheads of a depth ranging from 5 to 8 inches (127 to 203 mm) reinforced the main armored belt.[19] The turret armor was strengthened to 10 inches (254 mm), while 4 inches (102 mm) were added to portions of the deck armor.[19] The armor around her ammunition magazines was also strengthened over the course of the refit. The reconstruction was declared complete on 8 June 1936. Capable of speeds of up to 30.5 knots (56.5 km/h; 35.1 mph), Kirishima was reclassified as a fast battleship.[18]

In August 1936, Kirishima departed Sasebo alongside Fusō to patrol the Chinese coast off Amoy. From March 1937 to April 1939, she was frequently deployed as a support vessel and troop transport during the Second Sino-Japanese War. In November 1938, Kirishima was designated the command vessel of the Third Battleship Division, and was under the command of Rear Admiral Chuichi Nagumo. In November 1939, she was placed in reserve and fitted with additional armor on the front faces of her turrets and barbettes.[3]

1941-1942: Carrier Escort

Akagi Hiei Kirishima Pearl Harbor

Kirishima (right), with Hiei (center) and aircraft carrier Akagi (left) approaching Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 6 December 1941

On 11 November 1941, after a series of transfers between Japanese naval bases, Kirishima was outfitted in preparation for coming hostilities and assigned—alongside her sister ships—to the Third Battleship Division. On 26 November, Kirishima departed Hitokappu Bay, Kurile Islands in the company of Hiei and six Japanese fast carriers of the First Air Fleet Striking Force (Akagi, Kaga, Sōryū, Hiryū, Shōkaku, and Zuikaku).[20] On 7 December 1941, aircraft from these six carriers attacked the United States Pacific Fleet at their home base of Pearl Harbor, sinking four U.S. Navy battleships and numerous other vessels. Following the attack and the declaration of war by the United States, Kirishima returned to Japan.[21]

On 8 January 1942, Kirishima departed Japan for Truk Naval Base in the Caroline Islands alongside the Carrier Strike Force. She provided escort during the invasion of New Britain on 17 January before returning to Truk. She sortied again in response to American carrier raids in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands.[3] In March 1942, while supporting fleet operations off of Java in the Dutch East Indies, one of Kirishima's floatplanes bombed an enemy merchant vessel. South of Java, the Japanese fleet was surprised by the appearance of the destroyer USS Edsall (DD-219). Hiei and Chikuma initially opened fire on the ship but failed to score any hits. After dive-bombers from three of Admiral Nagumo's carriers immobilized the destroyer, Kirishima and the other two ships resumed firing on the Edsall until she sank.[3]

In April 1942, Kirishima and the Third Battleship division joined five fleet carriers and two cruisers in an attack against British naval bases in the Indian Ocean. On 5 April—Easter Sunday—the Japanese fleet attacked the harbor at Colombo in Ceylon, while seaplanes from the Tone spotted two fleeing British cruisers, both of which were later sunk by aerial attack.[22] A floatplane from Kirishima also strafed a withdrawing oil tanker.[3] On 8 April, Japanese carrier aircraft attacked the Royal Navy base at Trincomalee in Ceylon, only to find that all of Admiral James Somerville's remaining warships had withdrawn the previous night. Returning from the attack, a floatplane from Kirishima's sister ship Haruna spotted the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes, which was quickly sunk by a massive aerial attack.[23] Upon returning to Japan, Kirishima was drydocked and her secondary armament configuration modified with the addition of 25 mm antiaircraft guns in twin mounts.[3][24]

1942: Guadalcanal

KondoKirishimaNov14

Takao (center) and the Kirishima steaming for Guadalcanal, 14 November 1942

In June 1942, Kirishima sailed as part of the Carrier Strike Force during the Battle of Midway, providing escort for Admiral Nagumo's four fast carriers alongside Haruna.[25] Following the disastrous battle, during which all four Japanese carriers were sunk or scuttled, she took on survivors from the four flattops before returning to Japan.[3] In August 1942, she departed Japan for the Solomon Islands in the company of Hiei, three carriers, three cruisers and eleven destroyers, in response to the American invasion of Guadalcanal. She escorted Japanese carriers during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, during which the light carrier Ryūjō was sunk.[25] Following the battle, the fleet returned to Truk Naval Base. During the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, Kirishima was part of Rear Admiral Hiroaki Abe's Vanguard Force, which provided distant cover to Nagumo's carrier groups.[25] She was attacked by American dive-bombers on 26 October, yet remained undamaged.

On 10 November 1942, Kirishima departed Truk alongside Hiei and eleven destroyers in preparation to shell American positions on Guadalcanal in advance of a major transport convoy of Japanese troops. U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft spotted the Japanese fleet several days in advance, and deployed a force of two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers and eight destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan in Ironbottom Sound to meet them.[26] At 01:24 on 13 November, the Japanese force was detected 28,000 yards (26 km) out by the light cruiser USS Helena (CL-50). In the ensuing First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, the American task force concentrated the majority of their firepower on the battleship Hiei.[25] This enabled Kirishima to score multiple hits on the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38) and Helena, while Hiei crippled the light cruiser USS Atlanta (CL-51), killing Rear Admiral Norman Scott.[27] Both Hiei and Kirishima then raked San Francisco with shellfire, killing Rear Admiral Callaghan.[28] However, Hiei was in turn crippled by San Francisco and several American destroyers. With Hiei effectively out of the battle, Kirishima and the surviving destroyers withdrew to the north. On the morning of 13 November, she was ordered to tow Hiei to safety.[3] However, the heavily damaged battleship came under air attack, and was eventually abandoned and scuttled.[29][30]

Loss

NavalGuadalcanalWashington

Washington fires on Kirishima during the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 15 November 1942

On the evening of 13 November, Kirishima and her escorting destroyers were joined by the Fourth Cruiser Division, of Atago and Takao, and prepared to reenter Ironbottom Sound under the command of Admiral Nobutake Kondō.[31] In the early morning of 14 November, the Japanese bombarded Guadalcanal before withdrawing. Aware of the damage suffered by his ships the previous night, Admiral William Halsey reinforced the American naval units with the new battleships USS South Dakota (BB-57) and USS Washington (BB-56).[29] The two fleets made contact on 14 November at 23:01. They exchanged gunfire and torpedoes, with four American destroyers disabled (three would later sink), while the Ayanami was crippled by Washington and South Dakota.[32] At 23:40, South Dakota suffered a series of electrical failures, crippling her radar, radios and gun batteries.[33] Kirishima and the heavy cruiser Atago illuminated the battleship with searchlights, and almost all of Kondō's force opened fire.[33] Kirishima managed to hit South Dakota with one salvo of 14-inch shells and numerous salvos from her secondary battery, which knocked out the battleship's fire control systems and communications. Washington, undetected, managed to evade the Japanese fleet, and at midnight fired on Kirishima from 5,800 yards (5,300 m).[33][34] Kirishima was hit by nine primary and forty secondary battery salvos, jamming her rear 14-inch turrets and steering, and causing the battleship to list 18 degrees to starboard. Initially, the light cruiser Nagara attempted to tow her out of Ironbottom Sound. When it became clear she could not be salvaged, the surviving Japanese destroyers evacuated CO Captain Iwabuchi Sanji and 1,098 survivors.[3] Kirishima capsized at 03:25 on the morning of 15 November 1942, with 212 crewmen lost.[29][35]

The official U.S. Navy history of the engagement, based on an interview with a single surviving crewmember, states that the Kirishima was scuttled.[36] However, more recent analysis based on an underwater survey of the wreck and the accounts of other survivors including Kirishima's damage control officer has led at least one author to conclude that Kirishima was struck by up to 22 heavy shells, and capsized as a result of progressive flooding exacerbated by poor damage control. The analysis stated that Kirishima's protective scheme was designed in mind with 1914-era AP shells with a non-delay fuse that would have detonated on her exterior armor. This would have been inadequate against the deep penetration AP shells that went through her armor (considered "incredible thin by World War II standards") before exploding, compromising her watertight integrity, as well as sending shell fragments to the boilers, and causing further damage by detonating the ready ammunition lockers for the casemate batteries. The author opined that the damage control team followed a "script" to counter flood every time that the ship listed, however this was rendered ineffective as it made the ship lower in the water and allowed the progressive flooding of the middle deck and cause her to list again.[37]

In August 1992, Robert Ballard found and photographed the wreck of a Kongō-class battleship that is almost certainly the Kirishima in about 4000 feet of water laying completely upside down with her bow blown off ahead of the approximate location of her superstructure, suggesting an explosion of her forward 14-inch magazines.[38]

Notes

Footnotes

  1. Sources disagree on the exact dates of the reconstruction. While Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships gives a beginning date of March 1927 and an end date of 31 March 1930, Kirishima's Combined Fleet Tabular Record of Movement states that it was from May 1927 to 16 April 1930.[1][3]

Citations

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Gardiner and Gray (1980), p. 234
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Combined Fleet – Kongo class battlecruiser". Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt. http://www.combinedfleet.com/ships/kongo. Retrieved 2010-08-15. 
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 "Combined Fleet – tabular history of Kirishima". Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt. http://combinedfleet.com/Kirishima.htm. Retrieved 23 May 2010. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Jackson (2008), p. 27
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 DiGiulian, Tony. "Japanese 14"/45 (35.6 cm) 41st Year Type". Navweaps.com. http://navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_14-45_t41.htm. Retrieved 26 February 2009. 
  6. "Combined Fleet – 14"/45 Naval Gun". Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt. http://combinedfleet.com/360_45.htm. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  7. Jackson (2000), p. 48
  8. 8.0 8.1 Stille, p. 17
  9. DiGiulian, Tony. "Japanese 6"/50". Navweaps.com. http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_6-50_t41.htm. Retrieved 26 February 2009. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 DiGiulian, Tony. "Japanese 5"/40". Navweaps.com. http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_5-40_t89.htm. Retrieved 26 February 2009. 
  11. Willmott, p. 22
  12. Jackson (2000), p. 67
  13. 13.0 13.1 Jackson (2000), p. 68
  14. Jackson (2000), p. 69
  15. Willmott, p. 45
  16. Whitley, pp. 178, 180
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Jackson (2000), p. 72
  18. 18.0 18.1 Willmott, p. 35
  19. 19.0 19.1 McCurtie, p. 185
  20. Willmott, p. 50
  21. Willmott, p. 51
  22. Jackson (2000), p. 119
  23. Jackson (2000), p. 120
  24. Stille, p. 18
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Stille, p. 19
  26. Hammel, pp. 99–107
  27. Stille, pp. 19–20
  28. Morison, p. 247
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 Stille, p. 20
  30. Schom, p. 417
  31. L, Klemen (1999-2000). "Vice-Admiral Nobutake Kondo". Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941-1942. http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/kondo.html. 
  32. Frank, p. 478
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 Schom, p. 424
  34. Garzke and Dulin, p. 44
  35. [1]
  36. [2]
  37. http://www.navweaps.com/index_lundgren/Kirishima_Damage_Analysis.pdf
  38. http://www.combinedfleet.com/atully08.htm

References

  • Breyer, Siegfried (1973). Battleships and battle cruisers, 1905–1970. Garden City, New York: Doubleday. OCLC 702840. 
  • Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal, eds (1984). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships: 1906–1921. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-907-3. 
  • Garzke, William H.; Dulin, Robert O. (1980). Battleships: Allied Battleships in World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-100-5. OCLC 6355577. 
  • Hammel, Eric (1988). Guadalcanal: Decision at Sea: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, November 13–15, 1942. (CA): Pacifica Press. ISBN 0-517-56952-3. 
  • Jackson, Robert (2000). The World's Great Battleships. Brown Books. ISBN 1-897884-60-5
  • Jackson, Robert (editor) (2008). 101 Great Warships. London. Amber Books. ISBN 978-1-905704-72-9
  • McCurtie, Francis (1989) [1945]. Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II. London: Bracken Books. ISBN 1-85170-194-X
  • Morison, Samuel Eliot (1958). "The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12–15 November 1942". 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. ISBN 0-316-58305-7. 
  • Parshall, Jon; Hackett, Bob; Kingsepp, Sander; Nevitt, Allyn (1997-2009). "Imperial Japanese Navy Page". http://combinedfleet.com/. 
  • Schom, Alan (2004). The Eagle and the Rising Sun; The Japanese-American War, 1941–1943. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-32628-4
  • Stille, Cdr Mark (2008). Imperial Japanese Navy Battleship 1941–1945. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-280-6
  • Whitley, M. J. (1998). Battleships of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-184-X. 
  • Willmott, H.P. & Keegan, John [1999] (2002). The Second World War in the Far East. Smithsonian Books. ISBN 1-58834-192-5

External links


Coordinates: 9°05′S 159°42′E / 9.083°S 159.7°E / -9.083; 159.7

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