Chokai

I.J.N. Chokai

1944

(Neptun 1232b)

Class: Takao - 4 cruisers of 1927-28
Displacement: 13,400 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), 4-4.7 in. A.A., 16-25 mm (8x2) A.A. guns; 8-24 in. T.T. (4x2); 3 aircraft
Complement: 773

Builder: Mitsubishi, Nagasaki
Laid Down: 26 Mar 1928
Launched: 5 Apr 1931
Completed: 30 Jun 1932

Service: Served as flagship of the China Expeditionary Force during 1940 before joining her sisters Takao, Atago, and Maya to form the 4th Cruiser Division. Served with the Southern Area Force covering landings in Malaya and Borneo from Dec 1941. Ran aground near Saigon in Feb 1942 and under repair for a month. Returned to support landings on Sumatra and Andaman Islands, then participated in strike into Indian Ocean in Apr, during which she sank the merchantmen Selma City, Bienville and Ganges in the Bay of Bengal. Returned to refit in Japan, then took part in Midway operation in Jun 1942 but did not see action. After American invasion of Guadalcanal, Chokai served as flagship of VAdm Gunichi Mikawa at the Battle of Savo Island, 9 Aug 1942, during which American cruisers Astoria, Quincy and Vincennes and Australian cruiser Canberra were all sunk with only minor damage to the Japanese forces. Bombarded Henderson Field night of 14-15 Oct and damaged by American aircraft on 14 Nov while escorting troop reinforements to Guadalcanal. Returned to Japan for repairs and then to Truk in early 1943. Her continuous employment precluded the upgrades her sisters received. Took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in Jun 1944, then sent to Singapore. Along with all her sisters she sailed for Leyte Gulf as part of Kurita's Center Force. Atago and Maya were both sunk by American submarines in Palawan passage on 23 Oct, while Takao was badly damaged forcing her withdrawal. Chokai carried on only to be sunk by aircraft in the action off Samar with US escort carriers and destroyers on 25 Oct 1944.