WL416 IJN DESTROYER MUTSUKI

Mutsuki (Japanese: January) was a Japanese destroyer, the keel of which was laid in 1924, launched in July 1925, and commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy in March 1926. The length of the ship at the time of launching was 102.4 m, width 9.2 m, and the actual full displacement - 1,800 tons. Destroyer Mutsuki's top speed was 37.3 knots. At the time of launching, the main armament was 4 120 mm guns in single mounts, and the additional armament were depth charges and six 610 mm torpedo tubes. Mutsuki was the first destroyer of the type with the same name - ie Mutsuki. Ships of this type were developed as a development of the Kamikaze type units. The changes mainly involved a slight enlargement of the hull, increased displacement and - most importantly - the addition of new torpedo armament in the form of two 610 mm three-tube launchers. The result was a class of destroyers with good torpedo armament, mediocre artillery, and good sea prowess. Destroyer Mutsuki's combat career began with participation in operations in Chinese waters in 1932, and later in regular hostilities against China after 1937. The war in the Pacific (from December 1941) began with participation in supporting the unsuccessful landing on Wake Island. In early 1942, it served as a convoy unit at the Truk and Guam bases, and later Mutsuki took part in Japanese landings in the Solomon Islands. He also managed to take a very indirect part in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. In August that year, he was transferred to the fighting in the Guadalcanal area, during which he was sunk on August 25, 1942 as a result of an air attack.