Kongo-class battleship, Haruna (1945): The last Kongo-class battleship!

[_Lord_Vader_ 177]

Kongo-class battleship, Haruna (1945)

Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Haruna undergoes trials following her second reconstruction, August 28th 1934.

 

Histori:
"Haruna"

The battle cruiser Haruna was laid down on March 16, 1912 at the Kawasaki shipyard in Kobe, launched on December 14, 1913, and commissioned on April 19, 1915. After passing the tests, he was enlisted in the 1st battleship division, in 1916-17 he was in the 3rd division. During the First World War, he patrolled the Pacific Ocean looking for German raiders.
 

In 1917, a battle cruiser was blown up by a mine placed by the German auxiliary cruiser Wolf (Captain 2nd Rank Nerger) in the Southwest Pacific. "Haruna" safely reached the nearest port, then crossed over to Japan. After the completion of the restoration work, he returned to the fleet. After the First World War, the ship began a period of routine service. Its crew underwent combat training.
 

In September 1920, during a regular shooting practice, a detonator prematurely detonated in one of the guns of tower No. 1. The gun exploded, the explosion opened the roof of the tower, 7 people were killed, including the tower commander, 8 were seriously wounded. After refurbishment "Haruna" returned to service. In the future, the interwar service passed without incident. Like other ships of this type, the battleship has undergone several upgrades.

Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Haruna undergoing post-conversion trials, May 25th 1928. J
 

1941 saw "Haruna" in the 3rd battleship division of Vice Admiral Mikawa. In November 1941, the ship entered the 2nd Fleet of Vice Admiral Kondo. November 29 - December 1, the transition from the Metropolis to Mako (Pescador Islands) took place. On December 2, the ship received a radiogram about the beginning of hostilities. December 8 "Haruna" as part of the formation leaves Mako and goes to the South China Sea to cover amphibious operations.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the threat from the American fleet disappeared, but the British "Z" force remained. On December 9-10, the battleship, together with the Congo and other ships of the Japanese fleet, pursued enemy formations. But the Prince of Wales and Reepals were sunk by aircraft.
 

On December 11, the ships of the Imperial Navy arrived in Kam Ranh Bay (Indochina). From 14 to 17 December "Haruna" was at sea, providing long-range cover for the second Malay convoy. After completing the task, the compound returned to Cam Ranh, staying in this base from December 17 to 20. Then the ship, as part of the formation, covered the landing in Langaen Bay (Philippines), patrolled off the coast of Luzon from December 21 to 24 and returned to Cam Ranh again to meet the new 1942.
 

On January 8, 1942, an inter-base transition from Cam Ranh to Mako took place, where they arrived on January 11, and three days later the ships left for the island of Palau (Caroline Islands). From January 21 to 25, "Haruna" covered the air raid on Ambon, then, after completing several combat missions, arrived in Palau on February 16 to cover the raid of an aircraft carrier formation on Port Darwin (Australia).

In late February and early March, "Haruna" covered the landing operations in Indonesia, on March 7, together with the "Kongo" and 2 destroyers, fired at Christmas Island and on March 14 arrived in Starig Bay (Celebes Island). The operation in the Dutch colonies was successfully completed. After three months of continuous voyages, the crews received a short rest.
 

From March 26 to April 11, Haruna took part in the famous Indian Ocean raid. After a stand-up in Singapore, the compound left for Japan, arriving on April 23 for the Hasirazama raid. In late April - early May, the ship underwent maintenance, modernization and docking. On May 1, the battleship commander, Captain 1st Rank Takama, was promoted to Rear Admiral. After the completion of the work, "Haruna" took part in the maneuvers of the United Fleet, returning on May 23 to the Hasirajima raid. During Operation MI (the invasion of Midway), the battleship became part of the aircraft carrier Strike Force of Vice Admiral T. Nagumo. It also included the aircraft carriers Akagi, Kara, Hiryu, Soryu, the battleship Kirishima, the cruisers Tone, Tikuma, the light cruiser Nagara and 11 destroyers. On May 27 this unit went to sea. The crossing took place in harsh storm conditions and poor visibility.

On June 4, 1942, "Haruna" took part in the battle.

Haruna after the second modernization

At 4:30 in the morning, a reconnaissance aircraft launched from the catapult of the battleship, which was given the extremely important task of finding an enemy aircraft carrier formation.

At 0817 hours, the Haruna and Kirishima were attacked by 10 outdated Vandikeitor dive bombers. The young Marines managed to achieve only two close explosions at the side of the Haruna. He received minor damage to the hull in the aft part, the rangefinder of the main caliber was jammed by a concussion. After the attack by the American carrier-based dive bombers, Haruna assisted the burning aircraft carrier Kaga.
 

At 16 h 9 min, the ship was attacked by B-17 heavy bombers, and received no losses or damage.

At 17 hours 7 minutes, the battleship was selected to attack two Dontles dive bombers from the aircraft carrier Yorktown (CV-5). There were no hits or injuries.
 

At 1826 hours, when the Haruna was providing assistance to the damaged aircraft carrier Hiryu, it was attacked by B-17 bombers. On June 5, the remnants of the air force joined the main force. The Haruna led all 11 destroyers. In the afternoon, the surviving sailors from the sunken aircraft carriers were transferred from them. On June 14, the ships arrived in Japan.
 

On June 20, Captain 1st Rank Ishii took command of the battleship, Rear Admiral Tacoma went up for promotion, he received a destroyer division.
 

July 14, 1942 "Harupa" was transferred to the 2nd Fleet, along with the same type "Kongo". So the 3rd battleship division of Rear Admiral T. Kurita was formed. In early August, the battleship arrived in Kure, where combat damage was repaired, modernization work and docking were carried out. The work was completed on September 5, and on September 6, both battleships of the 3rd division and 2 destroyers leave Kure. On September 10, they arrived at Truk and on the same day set out to sea - ships of the Second and Third Fleets patrol the Solomon Islands. There was no meeting with the enemy, and on September 23 they returned to Truk. In the first week of October, the workers of the local shipyard installed a Type-22 radar station on the ship.
 

On October 11-14, Haruna took part in an operation against Gunderson airfield on Guadalcanal. The ammunition consumption was 438 rounds of the main caliber and 21 anti-mine caliber. Then they patrolled the waters of the Solomon Islands. On October 26, the ship took part in the Battle of Santa Cruz. "Haruna" repelled air attacks, received no damage and returned to Truk on October 30. In November, "Haruna" and "Kongo" patrolled, providing cover for the next operation to shell the Gunderson airfield. In the two-day battle that broke out, "Hiei" and "Kirishima" were killed. On November 17 "Haruna" returned to Truk. Until the end of 1942, the battleship did not go out to sea. Before the new year, the imperial headquarters decided to evacuate troops from the island of Guadalcanal. and in January, the battleship as part of the formation covered the evacuation.
 

With such intense use of the ships "Haruna" and "Kongo", repairs were required. On 15 February, both battleships, the seaplane transport Nissia and the destroyer Sigure, left Truka Lagoon, and on 20 February they arrived in Kure. "Haruna" stands against the wall of the local plant, and it carried out current repairs of the hull and mechanisms and a number of modernization works: dismantled 6 152-mm guns, strengthened armoring in the areas of the steering compartment, strengthened air defense with 25-mm anti-aircraft guns, installed a radar station " Type-21 "(detection of air and sea targets). The work was completed on March 31, and on April 1 "Haruna" and "Kongo" leave for Truk, where they arrived on April 6. Throughout April, the battleship stood in the lagoon. On May 1, the ship's commanding officer was promoted to rear admiral.

In the second half of May, the position of the Japanese in the Aleutian Islands deteriorated sharply. Therefore, some of the ships from Truk were transferred to the Metropolis, a powerful formation was formed there. After the fall of the garrison on Attu Island, the counterstrike was canceled.

Battleship Haruna
 

In May, "Haruna" is undergoing minor maintenance. In the first half of the nyun, naval exercises were held, and after their completion, another change of commanders took place. Counteradmiral Ishii was appointed Chief of Staff of the Sasebo Naval Base. On June 16, a formation of the Imperial Navy leaves Yokosuka (battleships Haruna, Kongo, aircraft carriers Ryudze, Unye, Chiyo, heavy cruisers Kumano, Suzuya), and despite attacks by American submarines boats, ships on June 21 safely arrived at Truk. The Haruna remained in the lagoon until mid-September.
 

On September 18-25, an exit took place as part of the formation to intercept American aircraft carriers that attacked the islands of Tarawa, Maki and Abemama. The next trip to the sea took place from 17 to 26 October. This time to intercept American aircraft carriers attacking Wake Atoll. In November and part of December, the battleship stood in Truka Lagoon. On December 11, the battleships "Kongo" and "Haruna" go to sea, guarded by two destroyers. On December 16, the ships arrived at Sasebo. There, the ship underwent repairs with docking, and then a course of combat training in the Inland Sea of Japan. On January 25, 1944, another change of commanders took place - Captain 1st Rank Morishita was appointed commander of the battleship Yamato. His place was taken by Captain 1st Rank Shigenaga.

On March 8-14, the battleship moved to Lipta Roads and was assigned to the second strike formation of the mobile fleet. The spring of 1944 passed calmly for "Harun", only inter-base crossings and rare trips to the sea for exercises took place. In June 1944, the Imperial Navy launched Operation A, leading to the first battle in the Philippine Sea.
 

On June 20, the battleships Congo, Haruna and the aircraft carrier Tiyoda were attacked by deck-based dive bombers "Helldiver" and torpedo bombers "Avenger".

Four Haldivers from the aircraft carrier Cabot (CV-28) attacked the Haruna. Several bombs went off near tower 4 and on the deck of the poop. Some of the bombs exploded near the side. From the concussion, the seams in the side plating parted, water began to flow into the ship's hull, flooding the charging cellar. The speed dropped to 27 knots. The loss of the crew was 15 killed, but there were many wounded. During this battle, the Japanese fleet lost three aircraft carriers.
 

After the battle, "Haruna" entered Okinawa, transferred part of the fuel to the destroyers and then left for the Metropolis. In the period from June 24 to August 16, the battleship was in Sasebo. The forces of the local shipyard repaired combat damage, carried out docking, installed 25-mm assault rifles and a Type 13 radar. After the completion of the work, boxes and containers were loaded on board, in which there was a Type 13 radar station for one of the ships of the 2nd Fleet. On August 15, the Haruna left Sasebo escorted by three destroyers.
 

On August 18, at 0024 hours, the compound was discovered by the American submarine Sailfish (SS-192). Using a radar station, the submarine took up a convenient position for an attack and, at 14:35, fired a four-torpedo salvo at the Haruna. But the torpedoes did not hit the target, and on August 21 the battleship arrived in Singapore with the most valuable cargo. The next day "Haruna" left for Lipta Roads to meet with "Kongo", having stood there for 2 months. On October 15, the battleship commander was promoted to rear admiral. On October 18-20, the passage to Brunei Bay (Borneo Island) took place.
 

When the Americans landed in the Philippines, the entire Imperial Navy was involved in the antiamphibious operation. "Haruna" became part of the most powerful central unit of Vice Admiral T. Kurita. Between 22 and 27 October, the JAPANESE fleet was defeated. But "Haruna" was lucky again, it got off with only minor injuries. On October 24, 2 bombs hit the battleship. On 28 October he returned to Brunei. On November 6, the light cruiser Kiso arrived in the bay, accompanied by two destroyers, and delivered ammunition for the Harun.
 

On November 8-11 "Haruna" went to sea together with all the surviving ships to cover the breakthrough of a small formation to Manila. On November 15, the battleship Nagato was added to the 3rd Division. On November 16, ships in Brunei Bay were attacked by American aircraft. After the raid, some of the ships left for the Metropolis, but the Haruna and the cruisers Ashigara, Haguro, Oyodo remained in the roadstead. On November 17-18 they left for Spratly Island. The aircraft carrier battleships Ise and Hyuuga and the experimental destroyer Samotsuki were already there. These ships were used to unload cargo and troops withdrawn from Manila. Soon destroyers arrived in this bay, and on one of them was the commander of the 5th fleet, Vice Admiral Sima. He transferred his flag to the cruiser Ashigara.

Battleship Haruna 1946

Protection:

• Belt/side  - 203-76mm;
• Traverses - bow 203mm, stern 203mm
• Deck - 80-152mm
• Towers - 230mm
• Barbets - 229mm
• Casemates - 152mm

Kongo-class battleship armor schematic 

Technical component:

• Crew - 1442
• Standard displacement:  32156 t
• Full-load displacement: 38900 t
• Max length: 221,1
• Max width: 29,3
• Average draft at trial state: 9,7
• Main engine: 4 × Brown-Curtis turbines
• Power: 136000
• Speed: 30,3 knots
• Aircraft: 3 seaplanes.

Weapon:

• 4х2 - 356mm 45 caliber 41st Year Type 36 cm Gun
• 8x1 - 152mm 15 cm/50 (6") 41st Year Type
• 6x2 -  127mm 12.7 cm/40 (5") Type 88
• 30x3 -  25mm 25 mm/60 (1") Type 96 Model 1
• 2x2 -  25mm 25 mm/60 (1") Type 96 Model 1
• 23x1 - 25mm 25 mm/60 (1") Type 96 Model 1

Weapon layout of the battleship Haruna 1945


Weapon layout of the battleship Haruna 1944


All resources:

 

IJN Kongo Class Battleships by Steve Wiper (z-lib.org).pdf
http://navgunschl2.sakura.ne.jp/tenji/19-IJN_EndOfWar.html
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNJAP_6-50_t41.php
Japanese Battleships 1897-1945.epub  - Japanese Battleships 1897-1945: A Photograpic Archive R A Burt
Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II.pdf   "Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II" by McCurtie, Francis
 

 

Edited September 23, 2020 by _Lord_Vader_

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[Milocat 4,857]

+1 if/when we get other battleships.

[WayOfTheWolk 1,573]

I would suggest splitting up the armament refits into at least two different options. The first being the 1933 refit and the second its 1945 refit with enhanced AA capabilities. The reason for this is to provide a wider variety of ship configurations for players.  

http://www.navypedia.org/ships/japan/jap_bb_kongo.htm

[Fireraid233 4,274]

+1

[aizenns 3,591]

+1

 

Perhaps this drawing is helpful to know about armor scheme.

This is not known well, but during WW2 she added concrete to protect steering machine room. (Fuso-class, Ise-class and Kongo-class)

This concrete armor was designed for provide protection for steering machine room against 20 cm shell.

Spoiler

福井静雄, 牧野茂, 「海軍造船技術概要」今日の話題社

Fukui Shizuo, Makino Shigeru, "Navy Shipbuilding Overview", published by Konnnichinowadaisha

 

[Z3r0_ 4,128]

To call the Kongos "battleships" is being generous.  Even post-refit into "fast battleships" their protection was lacking - I still consider them battlecruisers, as they were when laid down.

Edited September 19, 2020 by Z3r0_

[aizenns 3,591]

7 hours ago, Z3r0_ said:

To call the Kongos "battleships" is being generous.  Even post-refit into "fast battleships" their protection was lacking - I still consider them battlecruisers, as they were when laid down.

Yes but official classification of Kongo-class was battleship since 1931. (Hiei was training battleship during 1933-1942.)

[Draco_Argentum 1,504]

Is there a refit before the pagoda mast with halfway decent AA weapons? The Kongos are so much prettier without it.

[WayOfTheWolk 1,573]

9 hours ago, Draco_Argentum said:

Is there a refit before the pagoda mast with halfway decent AA weapons? The Kongos are so much prettier without it.

There is a First World War version they could implement without the pagoda mast but it would only have seven 3-inch AA guns. The other refit they could add is the 1933 refit which would replace the 3-inch guns with eight 5.7-inch guns in four dual turrets,  four 40mm Vickers auto-cannons and at least eight 13.2mm machine guns. I believe there should be an option for at least the latter two refits.

[OKAZAQI 166]

+1

[Udzumaki_Naruto 2]

+1

[Fireraid233 4,274]

Now that we have the Hyuga i see no reason why Kongo class can't come in.

[_Lord_Vader_ 177]

a more detailed blueprint of the armor of a Kongo-class battleship
resource: 図解 日本帝国海军全舰船1868-1945 戦舰・巡洋戦舰  

Edited January 7, 2021 by _Lord_Vader_

[Magiaconatus 1,679]

12 hours ago, _Lord_Vader_ said:

a more detailed blueprint of the armor of a Kongo-class battleship

Have you found the book online, or is this just the page that you found?

[コタリ 2,733]

I really want a Kongo class already. I think that Dreadnought/pre-refit WW1 ship designs look like hot garbage with their beanpole masts and gun layouts and just want some nice pagodas to look at already.

Edited January 5, 2021 by AnimeThighs

[_Lord_Vader_ 177]

16 hours ago, Magiaconatus said:

Have you found the book online, or is this just the page that you found?

I now have this book. Yes it was found on the Internet and was sent to me as I requested 
This book is very good

Edited January 5, 2021 by _Lord_Vader_

[コタリ 2,733]

If you have the time could you also do a suggestion for the Hiei? Her superstructure is probably the best looking of the bunch being a Yamato testbed, but sacrifices 2 of the secondary turrets and some AA. Perhaps a premium down the line if we ever see ships like the Yamato.

[aizenns 3,591]

On 1/5/2021 at 9:48 PM, _Lord_Vader_ said:

I now have this book. Yes it was found on the Internet and was sent to me as I requested 
This book is very good

When quote book, you should shows book information. Without proper citation, copyright issues will arise.

To be honesty, sharing book on internet is not a good...

[de Radio Demon@live 266]

+1 

I think in all fairness the whole Kongo class itself is worthy of being represented in the game since they were the most active Japanese capital ships in the Second World War as in all honesty I think the class itself has a very rich history.

[CokeSpray 7,274]

Suggestion passed to the developers for consideration.

[leroyonly 4,311]

As the Haruna in 1945 refit has been implemented with the Summer Quest event,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.