Atago

I.J.N. Atago

(Neptun 1232)

Class: Takao - 4 cruisers of 1927-28
Displacement: 13,160 tons
Dimensions: 632 (pp) 662 (oa) x 68 x 21 ft.
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, S.H.P. 133,100 = 34.25 knots
Armor: Belt 4-5 in., deck 2 in., turrets 6 in., barbettes 3 in.
Armament: 10-8 in. (5x2), 8-5 in. A.A. (4x2), 60-25 mm. A.A. (6x3+6x2+30x1) guns; 16-24 in. T.T. (4x4); 3 aircraft
Complement: 773

Service: With her sisters Takao, Maya, and Chokai formed the 4th Cruiser Division, serving with the Southern Area Force covering landings in Malaya and Dutch East Indies. Struck at Allied shipping south of Java, Atago and Takao sinking the American destroyer USS Pillsbury and other ships, 3 Mar 1942. After refit in Japan, took part in Midway operation but did not see action. Sent to Solomons, Atago and Takao badly damaged American battleship USS South Dakota on night of 14/15 Nov 1942. Withdrawn to Japan for refit, then stationed at Truk in 1943. Atago, Takao, and Maya all damaged at Rabaul 5 Nov 1943 during the raid by aircraft from USS Saratoga and USS Princeton. All three returned home for repairs into early 1944. Took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in Jun, then sent to Singapore as part of Kurita's Center Force. Atago was hit by four torpedoes from submarine USS Darter and sank in Palawan Passage, 23 Oct 1944, at beginning of Battle of Leyte Gulf. Maya was hit by four torpedoes from USS Dace just twenty minutes later, also sinking rapidly, while two additional torpedoes from Darter hit Takao, forcing her withdrawal to Singapore, and Chokai was sunk two days later off Samar.