Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

IJN Shimakaze

1943 WORLD WAR 2

IJN Shimakaze Story

The

Destroyer battleship is modeled after the Fleet Defender, and is used in the escort role of smaller ships (i.e. merchant ships) when needed. They are designed to be nimble, fast boats for deep water/blue water operations and demonstrate a good range for their size.

Weapons and armor are generally balanced, with the former becoming a collection of guns combined with torpedo launchers, allowing it to adequately deal with any potential target.

The naval powers of World War II (1939-1945) recognized the value of such compact warships, even though aircraft carriers, battleships and submarines were still the norm at the time. Known for its commitment to large carrier fleets and super-powerful warship types, the Imperial Japanese Navy also focused on the destroyer type, ordering a new experimental "super destroyer" called the IJN Shimakaze in 1939.

The class was originally planned to build 17 ships, but due to the lack of resources and capabilities of Japanese industry (especially during the war) to push the plan, only the Shimakaze was completed. Maizuru Naval Arsenal began construction on August 8, 1941, and was launched on July 18, 1942.

Shimakaze was commissioned on May 10, 1943.

Shimakaze is unique in several aspects of its design. Her main guns (as is) consisted of 6 x 5" (127 mm)/50 caliber Type 3 Dual Purpose (DP) guns, giving her considerable base firepower. 6 x 25 mm Type 96 guns for anti-aircraft (AA) role, further supported by 2 x 13.2 mm AA heavy machine guns 15 x 24 in (610 mm) torpedo tubes added to this, arranged in five triple launchers - the ship can use surface guns or spread fire torpedoes To counter possible targets within reach.

Also carries 18 depth charges to neutralize enemy submarines.

In addition to his impressive weapons, Shimakaze was also equipped with an experimental HPHT steam engine. This includes 2 Kampon pulse geared steam turbines powered by 3 Kampon water tube boiler units up to 75,000 hp while driving 2 shafts under the stern. Under ideal conditions, the boat can propel itself at a speed of just over 40 knots and maintain a range of up to 6,000 nautical miles.

With speed and range, Shimakaze has the qualities of a powerful warship.

Her profile includes a typical configuration with a raised bridge structure amidships forward. The smoke funnel is installed amidships. The main turrets are designed to provide the best advantage in full lateral attack, but also retain some value when attacking a target frontally or from any other direction relative to the ship's position. The ability to provide significant torpedo dispersion is important because the enemy ship has little time to respond to torpedo waves coming towards it.

Her final dimensions include a barrel length of 424.9 feet, a beam of 36.8 feet, and a draft of 13.6 feet. The crew number is 267 employees.

IJN Shimakaze's boat number is 125, while the rest of the boat numbers in her proposed class will be between 733 and 748. The Navy's intention is ultimately to deploy as many as 32 of these ships in four destroyer squadrons. Shimakaze was first deployed in June 1943, where she participated in the Japanese evacuation from Kiska Island (as part of the Aleutian Islands Campaign - Alaska).

In early 1944, she underwent an overhaul and her main guns were reduced to 4 x 5" guns. The 16 x 25 mm anti-aircraft guns now constituted her local anti-aircraft capability, and her depth charge stockpile was numbered 36.

From there she became part of the Japanese fleet in Philippine waters during the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 1944). The battle was a key victory for the United States and once again shocked the Japanese (three fleet aircraft carriers were shot down and more than 600 aircraft were destroyed).

During the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 1944) - another decisive Allied victory - Shimakaze did not use her weapons in anger, but was used as a rescue ship for the survivors of IJN Musashi (two The second of the completed Yamato battleships) ) was put into service.

In November 1944, Shimakaze served as flagship of the 2nd Destroyer Squadron, a position she held until she was attacked and sunk by American fighter jets at the Battle of Ormoc Bay (Battle of the Philippines) on 11 November 1944 . The battle lasted from November 11 to December 21, 1944, and ended with another war victory for the U.S. Navy.

So far, Shimakaze's dominance on the high seas is over, and she has never surpassed the lead ship. This design proved too complex and expensive to achieve the required numbers -- especially as Japan's infrastructure was stretched beyond its limits during the war.