Suzuya

I.J.N. Suzuya

(Neptun 1231a)

Class: Mogami - 4 ships of 1934-36
Displacement: 12,400 tons
Dimensions: 616 (pp) 669.25 (oa) x 66.3 x 19.3 ft.
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, S.H.P. 152,000 = 34.75 knots
Armor: Magazine 5 in., deck 1.5 in.
Armament: 10-8 in. (5x2), 8-5 in. D.P. (4x2), 8-25 mm. A.A. (4x2) guns, 12-24 in. (4x3) T.T.; 3 aircraft
Complement: 850

Service: Joined her sisterships Mogami, Mikuma, and Kumano as part of 7th Cruiser Squadron. Covered the Japanese landings in Malaya, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java Dec 1941-Mar 1942, then part of Indian Ocean Raiding force in Apr. Tasked with covering the Midway invasion convoy in May, then ordered to bombard Midway itself, 5 Jun 1942. Operation was then cancelled, but during the withdrawal, an attempted attack by US submarine Tambour led to a collision between Mogami and Mikuma. Suzuya and Kumano proceededed undamaged, but American aircraft caught up with the others, sinking Mikuma and badly damaging Mogami. The undamaged sisters joined the 3rd Fleet in Jul and raided into the Bay of Bengal. Sent to Solomons, they participated in the Battle of Santa Cruz in Oct. Participated in the defence of the Marianas and in the Battle of Leyte Gulf as part of Kurita's Center Force. Suzuya was badly damaged in action with the US escort carriers and destroyers off Samar, 25 Oct 1944, and then sunk by her own forces. Kumano was also damaged, but escaped to Luzon. She was caught and sunk by American aircraft on 25 Nov 1944. Mogami was part of Nishimura's Southern Force and was sunk at Surigao Strait, 25 Oct 1944.