IJN Katori Class Light Cruisers
The Katori class was originally ordered to serve as training cruisers in the 1937 and 1939 Supplementary Program, but with the onset of the Pacific War found themselves used in the capacity of administrative flagships for various fleets, such as submarines and escort squadrons. Initially, four ships were ordered, the Katori, the Kashima, the Kashii, and the Kashiwara. However, the Kashiwara was cancelled after being laid down and dismantled on her slipway.
The remaining three ships received boosts in their armaments as the war progressed in the form of light AA guns, as well as being outfitted for 100 death charges. In 1942, four more Katori class cruisers were proposed, but ultimately rejected. Katori was sunk near Truk, after being heavily damaged by American aircraft and the coup de grace received by nearby destroyers and cruisers. The Kashii was finished off in the East China Sea by American aircraft. The Kashima survived the war, served as a repatriation vessel, and finally scrapped in 1947.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
