World War II Database

Named after a river, the heavy cruiser Tone participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor as escort to the six aircraft carriers, and launched her seaplanes to scout Wake Island immediately before its invasion. Upon returning to South Pacific, she participated in a series of attacks that expanded Japan's control of the sea into the Indian Ocean to the west and Java to the south. At Midway, Tone's reconnaisance planes discovered several American ships but failed to recognized them as part of a carrier group. After Midway, she was involved in many campaigns, including the Solomons and the daring counterattack on the American invasion of the Philippines (which failed despite of the tactical victory off Samar which Tone was a part of).

Tone was in Hiroshima Bay in Jul 1945 when American aircrafts attacked the remnants of the Japanese Navy there. She was hit by three bombs from planes from USS Monterey, and sank in the shallow bay. With its superstructure still showing on the surface, she continued to be a target of attack in the subsequent bombing run several days later.

Tone Operational Timeline

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. BILL says:
   21 Feb 2009 11:45:53 AM
   
   Would like to have seen a photo. Short history about the Tone. built by Mitsubishi 1934, Displ. 15,200 tons, Lenght 649ft,Speed 35.2kts., Range 9,000nm., Armament 8x203mm (8in),8x127mm (5in),12x25mm anti-aircraftguns,4x3 610mm (nominal rotating TT)5 aircraft, 2 catapults. Launched 21 Nov. 1937 completed 20 Nov. 1938. Sunk 24 July 1945 shallow water near Kure,Japan salvaged and broken up 1948. The Tone paricipated in the Peal Harbor attack and launched seaplanes on 8 Dec. to recon. damage to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, she particpated in many operations during the Pacific War.

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