Kitakami

I.J.N. Kitakami

(Neptun 1246a)

Notes: Kitakami began conversion to torpedo cruiser 25 Aug 1941. Along with sister Oi, she was rebuilt with a widened deck for ten quadruple 24in torpedo mountings, while surrendering three 5.5in guns. The two sisters were assigned to CruDiv 9 and mainly performed training duties during the first months of WW2. They were part of the Aleutian Screening Force in May-Jun 1942. From Aug-Sep 1942, they were both converted to fast transports, reducing to six torpedo mounts (24 tubes), while making space for carrying Daihatsu landing craft. CruDiv 9 was disbanded in Nov 1942 and Kitakami made numerous passages carrying troops in the Pacific through early 1944. On 27 Jan 1944 she was hit by two torpedoes from British submarine HMS Templar and had to be towed to Malaya for emergency repairs, and then to Singapore for more extensive repairs lasting until Jun 1944. From Aug 1944 to Jan 1945 she received further repairs and modifications at Sasebo, trading in her torpedo tubes for the ability to carry eight Kaiten midget submarines. Her main gun armament was changed to four 5in DP, many light AA guns were added, and one engine room was converted to storage and maintenance space for the Kaitens, reducing her speed to 23 knots. She was slightly damaged by American aircraft at Kure on 24 Jul 1945. Surrendered Aug 1945 and stationed at Kagoshima as a repair ship for units of the repatriation service. Stricken 10 Aug 1946 and broken up 1947.