March 1(?), 1937 - Two new 72,800-ton battleships are ordered
November 4, 1937 - Kure, Hiroshima - Laid down at the Kure Naval Arsenal, Hiroshima
August 8, 1940 - Kure - Launched with Captain Miyazato Shutoku in command
January 18, 1941 - Seto Inland Sea - Two-day gunnery trials in Seto Inland Sea with battleship "Mutsu"
August 12, 1941 - Kure, Hiroshima - Departs Kure for more sea trials
September 5, 1941 - Kure - Fitting out. Captain Miyazato Shutoku is appointed her Chief Equipping officer
October 15, 1941 - Kure - Captain Miyazato Shutoku is promoted to Rear Admiral
October 20, 1941 - Bungo Channel (between Kyushu and Shikoku Islands) - Sea trials near Bungo Channel
October 30, 1941 - Off Sukumo, Japan - Sea trials off Sukumo
November 1, 1941 - Kure, Hiroshima - Rear Admiral Miyazato is reassigned as Chief of Personnel for Kure Naval district. Captain Takayanagi Gihachi is appointed Yamato's Chief Equipping Officer
December 7, 1941 - Seto Inland Sea - Departs Kure for gunnery tests in the Seto Inland Sea
December 16, 1941 - Kure, Hiroshima - The "Yamato" is commissioned and joins battleships "Nagato" and "Mutsu" in the 1st Battleship Division. Captain Takayanagi becomes the commanding officer =(START)
December 21, 1941 - Hashirajima - Departs Kure for Hiroshima Bay. Anchors W. of Nagato, at Hashirajima
February 12, 1942 - Hashirajima - Departs Kure and arrives at Hashirajima. "Yamato" becomes the flagship of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's Combined Fleet
February 19, 1942 - Hashirajima - Battleship division 1 departs Hashirajima for a day's training in the Iyo Nada. The next 4 days are spent in war games
March 9, 1942 - Admiral Yamamoto issues orders to the fleet to prepare for Operation "C", a raid into the Indian Ocean
March 30, 1942 - Seto Inland Sea - Gunnery trials
April 11, 1942 - Seto Inland Sea - The ship is visited by Fleet Admiral Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu
May 1, 1942 - While in the Inland Sea - Captain Takayanagi is promoted to Rear Admiral
May 19, 1942 - Kure, Hiroshima - Departs Kure for battle training
May 23, 1942 - Hashirajima - Returns to Hashirajima
May 29, 1942 - Hashirajima - Admiral Yamamoto departs Hiroshima Bay aboard the "operational" Yamato
June 4, 1942 - Off Midway Atoll - Battle of Midway - Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto directs the fleet from Yamato's bridge during the Battle - Decisive American Victory
June 5, 1942 - Off Midway Atoll - Yamamoto cancels Operation Midway and orders the remaining ships to return to Japan
June 10, 1942 - 100 miles NNE of Minami-Torishima (1200 miles SE of Tokyo) - An american submarine fires two torpedoes at "Yamato" but misses
June 14, 1942 - Hashirajima - The japanese fleet returns to Hashirajima
June 20, 1942 - Hashirajima - Two-day Staff Conference aboard "Yamato" to discuss changes in IJN shipbuilding policy
August 5, 1942 - Hashirajima - Sister-ship "Musashi" is assigned to the Battleship Division 1, with "Yamato"
August 10, 1942 - Hashirajima - Meeting aboard the "Yamato" with Admiral Yamamoto, Kondo and Nagumo
August 17, 1942 - Kure, Hiroshima - "Yamato" departs for Truk Atoll
August 28, 1942 - Truk Atoll (Chuuk Lagoon), 1,100 miles (1,800km) NE of New Guinea - "Yamato" is sighted by the American submarine USS Flying Fish, which fires four torpedoes, all of which miss; "Yamato" arrives safely at Truk Atoll later that day
September 9, 1942 - Summer (Dublon) Island - The combined fleet's main units are transfered to a new anchorage south of Summer (Dublon) Island, Truk Atoll
October 17, 1942 - Truk Atoll - "Yamato" and "Mutsu" transfer 4,500-tons of fuel oil to Oiler "Kenyo Maru" for her to refuel IJN warships involved in Guadalcanal operations
November 1, 1942 - Truk Atoll - Celebration dinner aboard "Yamato" for all captains at Truk to celebrate IJN's victory at the Battle of Santa Cruz
December 17, 1942 - Truk Atoll - Rear Admiral Takayanagi is reassigned. Captain Matsuda Chiaki assumes command of "Yamato"
February 11, 1943 - Truk Atoll - "Yamato" is replaced by her sister-ship "Musashi" as flagship of the Combined Fleet
April 18, 1943 - While in Truk - Admiral Yamamoto is killed when his Mitsubishi GM4 "Betty" is shot down over Buin, New Guinea, by US P-38s
April 23, 1943 - Truk Atoll - The ashes of Yamamoto and six of his staff officers aretransfered to the Admiral's sea cabin
April 25, 1943 - Truk Atoll - Admiral Koga Mineichi arrives from Yokosuka for an inspection tour
 |
| Yamato and Musashi moored in Truk Atoll |
May 8, 1943 - Truk Atoll - Departs Truk for Yokosuka
May 13, 1943 - Yokosuka, Japan - Arrives in Yokosuka
May 14, 1943 - Kure, Hiroshima - Arrives in Kure
May 21, 1943 - Kure - Drydocked for inspection and general repairs
May 30, 1943 - Seto Inland Sea - Undocked. Sails to Japan's Seto Inland Sea
July 12, 1943 - Kure, Hiroshima - Drydocked for refitting and upgrades, including the redution of the fuel storage, the installation of an air and surface search radar, twelve new 25-mm AA guns and additional armor.
July 16, 1943 - Kure - Visit by the german Attaché to Tokyo, Konteradmiral Paul Wenneker
July 17, 1943 - Kure - Undocked
August 16, 1943 - Kure | Yashima, Japan - Sets sail to Truk in a Task Group, loaded with troops and supplies. Reaches Yashima at the end of the day
August 17, 1943 - Yashima - Continues to Truk Atoll, via Yokosuka
August 23, 1943 - Truk Atoll - Arrives at Truk Atoll
September 7, 1943 - Truk Atoll - Rear Admiral Matsuda is reassigned. Captain Ono Takeji assumes command of the ship
September 18, 1943 - Truk Atoll - The fleet departs Truk to Brown Island, Eniwetok in response to raids of Tarawa, Makin and Abemama Atolls launched by the US Task Force 15 carriers (Lexington, Princeton and Belleau Wood)
September 25, 1943 - Truk Atoll - The fleet returns to Truk after no contact is made with Task Force 15
October 17, 1943 - Truk Atoll - Admiral Koga departs Truk to intercept the american carriers of Task Force 14 attacking Wake Island, with battleships "Yamato" and "Musashi" together in the fleet
October 19, 1943 - Brown Atoll, Eniwetok - Arrives at Brown Atoll, Eniwetok
October 23, 1943 - 250 miles S. of Wake Island - The fleet moves to a position 250 miles south of Wake Island, but returns to Brown Atoll after no contact is made with american forces
October 26, 1943 - Truk Atoll - The fleet returns to Truk
December 12, 1943 - Truk Atoll - "Yamato" departs Truk to Yokosuka, covering troop transport operation "BO-1"
December 13, 1943 - On the way to Japan - US code-breakers discover that "Yamato" is scheduled to return to Truk on December 25th
December 17, 1943 - Yokosuka, Japan - Arrives in Yokosuka to load supplies and the 2nd battalion of the IJA's 1st independent Mixed Regiment
December 20, 1943 - Yokosuka - Departs Yokosuka for Truk
December 25, 1943 - 180 miles NE of Truk | Truk Atoll - "Yamato" is his by at least one Mark 14-3A torpedo on the starboard, fired by submarine "USS Skate". The detonation rips a hole and the ship takes about 3,000-tons of water. The transport mission is aborted and Yamato reached Truk later that day
January 10, 1944 - Truk Atoll - Departs Truk for Kure when repairs are completed
January 16, 1944 - Kure, Hiroshima - Arrives in Kure and is drydocked. During her voyage from Truk to Kure, no less than 3 US submarines intercept her but are unable to attack her due to Yamato's speed of 24knots
January 25, 1944 - Kure - Captain Morishita Nobuei replaces Rear Admiral Ono in command
February 3, 1944 - Kure - Undocked
February 25, 1944 - Kure - "Yamato" and "Musashi" are reassigned from the 1st Fleet to the 2nd Fleet. Drydocked for installation of new AA turrets and new air search radar
March 18, 1944 - Kure - Undocked
April 11, 1944 - Kure | Hashirajima, Japan - Departs for trials in the Seto Inland Sea. Returns to Hashirajima in the evening
April 17, 1944 - Kure - Returns to Kure to load supplies
April 21, 1944 - Kure - Departs Kure for Okinoshima
April 22, 1944 - Okinoshima Island, SW of Kochi - Loads troops and departs Okinoshima
April 28, 1944 - Manila, Philippines - Arrives in Manila and unloads troops and supplies before departing in the same day
May 1, 1944 - Lingga Island, S. of Singapore - Arrives at Lingga Island, south of Singapore
May 3, 1944 - Lingga Island - Becomes the flagship of Vice Admiral Ugaki Matome
May 11, 1944 - Lingga Island - Departs Lingga for Tawi Tawi Island
May 14, 1944 - Tawi Tawi Island, SW Philippines - Anchors at Tawi Tawi Island
June(?) 1(?), 1944 - Tawi Tawi - "Yamato" and "Musashi" in Joint gunnery exercises during May-June
June 7, 1944 - Tawi Tawi - Supply ship "Kitakami Maru" arrives with supplies for "Yamato"
June 10, 1944 - Tawi Tawi - "Yamato" and "Musashi" depart Tawi Tawi for Batjan, Halmahera Island. They are spotted by submarine "USS Harder" which is also detected by the battleships. "Yamato" and "Musashi" almost collide during evasive manoeuvers
June 12, 1944 - Batjan, Halmahera Island - Ugaki's force arrives at Batjan
June 13, 1944 - Batjan - Ugaki's force departs Batjan to rendezvous with the Mobile Fleet
June 15, 1944 - E. of Mindanao, Philippines - Ugaki's group is sighted by submarine "USS Seahorse"
June 17, 1944 - Philippine Sea - "Yamato" is refuelled and joins the Mobile Fleet. Later, the fleet is sighted by submarine "USS Cavalla"
June 19, 1944 - Philippine Sea - Battle of the Philippine Sea - American victory
June 22, 1944 - Nakagusuku, Okinawa - The mobile fleet reaches Nakagusuku, Okinawa
June 24, 1944 - Hashirajima - The mobile fleet arrives at Hashirajima
June 29, 1944 - Kure, Hiroshima - Departs Hashirajima for Kure, together with "Musashi" and arrives on the same day
July 2, 1944 - Kure - "Yamato" is refuelled. Five triple-mount 25mm AA guns are installed and the entire hinoki deck is replaced (until July 8th)
July 8, 1944 - Kure - "Yamato" and "Musashi" load 3,522 men and supplies of the IJA's 106th Infantry regiment and depart Kure for Okinawa
July 10, 1944 - Okinawa - "Yamato" and "Musashi" depart Okinawa for Lingga to join the Mobile Fleet
July 17, 1944 - Lingga Island, S. of Singapore - "Yamato" and "Musashi" arrive at Lingga
September 1, 1944 - Lingga Island - "Yamato" is replenished by the supply ship "Kitakami Maru"
September 15, 1944 - Lingga Island - "Yamato" receives fresh provisions from the supply ship "Kitakami Maru"
October 1, 1944 - Galang Island, S. of Singapore - "Yamato" and "Musashi" move north to Galang Island, closer to Singapore
October 6, 1944 - Galang Island - "Yamato" receives fresh provisions from the supply ship "Kitakami Maru"
October 15, 1944 - Galang Island - Captain Morishita is promoted to Rear Admiral
October 18, 1944 - Lingga Island, S. of Singapore - Black deck camouflage is applied on "Yamato" and "Musashi" to attempt a night breakthrough in the San Bernardino Strait. "Yamato" and "Musashi" return to Lingga Island
October 19, 1944 - Lingga Island - The fleet departs Lingga for Brunei Bay, Borneo to refuel
October 22, 1944 - Brunei Bay, Borneo - Admiral Kurita Takeo's First Mobile Striking Force departs Brunei for the Philippines (Battle of Leyte Gulf)
October 23, 1944 - Palawan Passage, Philippines - Battle of the Palawan Passage
October 24, 1944 - Sibuyan Sea, Philippines - Battle of the Sibuyan Sea - "Yamato" is attacked by US Curtiss SB2C Helldivers and Grumman F6F Hellcats. A first attack hits the ship with two bombs. A while later, a second attack hits "Yamato" with 5 bombs. The ship is flooded with 3,000 tons of seawater and takes on a five-degree list to port. Damage Control counterfloods reduces the list to one degree.
October 25, 1944 - San Bernardino Strait, Philippines - Battle of Samar - American victory
October 26, 1944 - Tablas Strait, off Panay - The force is attacked by about 50 Curtiss SB2C Helldivers and Avenger Torpedo Planes from "USS Hornet". "Yamato" is hit by another 2 bombs. Later, the gun crews claim several B-24 Liberator shot down
October 28, 1944 - Brunei Bay, Borneo - Force "A" arrives in Brunei and refuels from oilers
November 8, 1944 - Brunei Bay - "Yamato" departs Brunei to Pratas Island to avoid air raids
November 15, 1944 - Bruney Bay - Returns to Brunei
November 16, 1944 - Bruney Bay - Departs Brunei for Kure
November 21, 1944 - SE of Japan - The "Yamato" group is attacked by US submarine USS Sealion
November 23, 1944 - Kure, Hiroshima - Arrives in Kure
November 25, 1944 - Kure - Drydocked for battle damage repairs and refitting. Captain Aruga Kosaku assumes command from Rear Admiral Morishita
January 3, 1945 - Kure - Undocked
January 15, 1945 - Hashirajima - Moves to Hashirajima
March 13, 1945 - Hashirajima - "Yamato" fires by mistake on N1K2-J Shiden Kai "George" fighters on patrol
March 19, 1945 - Underway in the Seto Inland Sea - First american carrier attack on the Kure Naval Arsenal. More than 240 aircraft attack the japanese ships. Yamato, underway in the Inland Sea sustains minor damage from a hit on its bridge by a Helldiver dive-bomber from USS Intrepid
March 28, 1945 - Tokuyama, Japan - "Yamato" is replenished by the tanker "Mitsushima Maru" at Tokuyama Navy Fuel Depot, Yamaguchi Prefecture
March 29, 1945 - Kure, Hiroshima - "Yamato" awaits orders in Kure and is supplied with ammunition and more fuel
April 2, 1945 - Kure - Departs Kure for an anchorage at Mitajiri, with 67 naval cadets of Etajima class No.74
April 5, 1945 - Mitajiri, Hofu, Yamaguchi - New orders are received: "The Surface Special Attack Unit is ordered to proceed via Bungo Suido Channel at dawn on Y-1 day to reach the prescribed holding position for a high-speed run-in to the area west of Okinawa at dawn on Y-day. Your mission is to attack the enemy fleet and supply train and destroy them. Y-day is April 8th". The Naval cadets are sent ashore after a farewell party is held aboard
April 7, 1945 - 180 miles (290km) SW of Kyushu - Battleship "Yamato" is attacked and sunk en-route by 386 American carrier aircraft. After receiving 10 torpedo and 7 bomb hits she capsized, taking 2,498 of the 2,700 crew-members with her, including Vice-Admiral Seiichi Itō =(END)
Good idea! It's a beautiful tribute to a historic ship.
ReplyDeleteWinner or loser? That is not important in this evocation.