TOKU-109 IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY LIGHT CRUISER SAKAWA

Sakawa was a Japanese light cruiser whose keel was laid in 1942, launched in April 1944, and commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy in November 1944. The ship was 162 meters long, 15.2 meters wide, and had a full displacement of 7,600 tons. The cruiser's maximum speed was probably around 35 knots. The main armament at the time of the launch was 6 152 mm guns in three turrets, two guns each, and the additional armament included: 4 80 mm guns and two quadruple 610 mm torpedo tubes. Sakawa was the fourth and final Agano-class cruiser. This type of cruiser was created in connection with the need to expand the Japanese light forces, which occurred in the late 1930s. Agano type units were to serve as the so-called "Leaders" or units that lead the destroyer flotillas. This type of task led the Japanese designers to put emphasis on powerful torpedo armament and high top speed in these cruisers, including Noshiro. As a result, very successful ships were created, but less armored than their British or American counterparts. Sakawa light cruiser did not take an active part in the fighting in the Pacific. It is true that in April 1945, together with his twin Yahagi, he was to take part in the suicide operation Ten-Go, which was to help the Japanese garrison in Okinawa, but due to lack of fuel, Sakawa had to remain in the port. After the Japanese surrender, the cruiser was taken over by the Americans and served as a target ship during the nuclear tests in Bikini Atoll. Sakawa sank on June 2, 1946.