World War II Database

Nagato was the lead ship of her class of battleships. She was the first battleship to mount 16in (410mm guns). She underwent modernization in 1936, replacing her coal boilers with steam turbines, and adding anti-aircraft guns. At the onset of the Pacific War, she was the flagship of the Combined Fleet, aboard which Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto oversaw the Pearl Harbor attack. She sailed with the First Fleet for Midway; she did not see combat action, though she transported carrier Kaga's survivors back to Japan. After the Battle of Midway, she saw little action as she was based out of southern and central Pacific bases. Her next combat mission came in Jun 1944 as a member of Operation A-Go against the Allied assault on the Marianas; during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, she was targeted by American airmen but was not damaged. During Operation Sho-Go, she sailed for the Philippines in Combined Fleet's last ditch effort to achieve a decisive naval victory. On 24 Oct 1944, during the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, she was attacked by an overwhelming amount of American dive bombers, and was hit by two bombs, disabling her guns and killing 52 crewmen. On the next day, however, Nagato was among those ships that were given an opportunity to seek revenge at the Battle off Samar. Although dealing damage on the American task force, the Japanese fleet broke off before they could destroy the landing transports. During the withdrawal, she was attacked by dive bombers over the next two days; damage was not severe, but suffered 38 killed. She arrived at Yokosuka for repairs on 25 Nov 1944 where she would remain for the rest of the war due to lack of fuel. In Feb 1945, she was assigned a coastal defense ship. In Jun 1945, her anti-aircraft guns were removed for placement ashore. On 18 Jul 1945, she was attacked by bombers from American carriers and was hit by three bombs, killing her skipper Admiral Otsuka Miki; that was the last time she saw action. She was secured by American forces on 30 Aug 1945 after the Japanese surrender, and was destroyed during Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests in Jul 1946.

Nagato Operational Timeline

Photographs

Share this article with your friends:   Facebook   Reddit   Twitter   Digg   StumbleUpon   Delicious Stay updated with WW2DB:   RSS Feeds

Advertisement                    Close

Advertise on ww2db.com

Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
   16 Nov 2010 07:41:31 PM
   
   I have two photographs of the battleship Nagato taken by my father in Yokosuka Japan in 1945.
   If you are interested in them, please email me.
   Great website.
   
   Thanks
2. Anonymous says:
   22 May 2011 06:01:47 PM
   
   my father was one of 31 marines who boarded the Nagato on August 30 1945 for the official surrender of the ship...if the pics were taken that day i would love to see them..
3. Anonymous says:
   23 Jun 2011 05:08:25 PM
   
   I have been searching for reliable info about the initial boarding of Nagato - who was first aboard. So far, I'm findint vague or conflicting accounts.
   Any source suggestions?
4. Anonymous says:
   9 Dec 2011 02:20:41 PM
   
   I am Australian and my wife Japanese. Her grandfather was killed on the Nagato I am assuming from above 24 Oct 1944 or following days. We ar only just starting to collate info before it is lost (first hand accounts and photos etc) any email or websites for contact appreciated
5. Donna says:
   5 Jun 2012 10:42:46 AM
   
   my dad was a marine in wwII. among his papers is a document top reading Task Force 31...be it known, my father's name as a member of the tokyo occupation force (TF-31)participated in the initial landing and occupation of TOKYO BAY AREA AND THE CAPTURE OF HIJMS NAGATO, which act symbolizes the unconditional and complete surrender of the Japanese Navy and it is dated August 30, 1945. It is signed by: Brig Gen. Clement, commander of the Marines landing forces, the commanding officer, looks like Ossinoff and Rear Admiral Badger of the US Navy. I too would love to see a list of the Marines who boarded the Nagato that day. If you have any questions, email me.....
   
6. Anonymous says:
   24 Jun 2012 01:12:36 PM
   
   The initial (unofficial) boarding was by sailors from the USS Horace A. Bass. This ship was moored to the Nagato. My father was one of the sailors that boarded the Nagato. I have talked to several living members of this boarding party.
7. Anonymous says:
   6 Nov 2012 08:37:30 AM
   
   I have for sale rear admiral Otsuka Miki shoulder boards (epaulets) they are extremely rare and vaulable and are in minty condition,you can contact me at coyneman@gmail.com

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
	Your email will not be published
Your Comments
Security Code

Note: Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment.