IJN KAGERO-CLASS DESTROYER YUKIKAZE

Kagero was a Japanese destroyer whose keel was laid in 1937, launched in September 1938, and commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy in November 1939. The length of the ship at the time of launching was 118.5 m, width 10.8 m, and the actual full displacement - 2,600 tons. Destroyer Kagero's top speed was up to 35 knots. The main armament at the time of the launch was 6 127 mm guns in three twin turrets, and the secondary armament was 4 25 mm cannons, depth charge launchers and eight 610 mm torpedo tubes with eight spare torpedoes. Kagero was the first destroyer of the type with the same name - ie Kagero. Units of this type were created as part of the Japanese fleet expansion program of 1937 and 1939. They returned to the use of strong artillery (6 127 mm guns), which had already appeared on the Fubuki-class destroyers. The provisions of the disarmament treaties were also not respected, thanks to the czum the Japanese designers had complete freedom in designing. As a result, they were built with strong artillery and torpedo armaments, good seagoing performance, and especially - unlike the previous Japanese destroyers - had no problems with the stability and overall durability of the structure. The only drawback was the weak anti-aircraft armament, which, however, was systematically strengthened during the war in the Pacific. Destroyer Kagero began her participation in World War II by escorting Japanese aircraft carriers attacking Pearl Harbor in December 1941. In January 1942, he supported attacks on Rabaul and ports in New Guinea. In April this year, it once again covered Japanese carriers during the famous raid on the Indian Ocean. In June, however, it took part in the Battle of Midway, serving as a cover for the transport team. From August 1942, he served in the area of the Solomon Islands archipelago, fighting in the struggle for Guadalcanal. He took part in them, among others, in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (October 1942) and in the Battle of Tassafaronga (November 1942). Destroyer Kagero sank on May 8, 1943 as a result of hitting a mine.