Japanese destroyers in World War II enjoyed well-deserved reputations for excellence in combat, particularly in night fighting and torpedo actions. Yet the fate of Japan's 'tin cans' was a grim one. Japan began the war with 113 destroyers, and built 63 more during the course of the conflict. Of these, a total of 134 were sunk, and many of the survivors were badly damaged by the end of the war. Allied aircraft and submarines, in particular, exacted a very heavy toll.
The following series of operational histories and tabular movement records (TROMs), drawn from both Japanese and Allied sources, has been compiled by Allyn Nevitt. Allyn's in-depth comments regarding specific classes of destroyers will be appended to my original comments on the Destroyers Page periodically.
SPECIAL 2002 NOTE: The list of contributors to these TROMs' updates is long and growing, but I wish to particularly recognize and thank Jean-François Masson (Canada), Ian Mcleod (England), Andrew Obluski (Poland), Bill Somerville (England), Tony Tully (Texas), and Jan Visser (The Netherlands) -- talk about your international cooperation! My highest regards and deepest appreciation go out to all of you. (AN)
Introduction: The Niizuki posted 8/25/96.
Destruction of DesDiv 15 posted 9/15/96.
The Battle of Vella Lavella posted 10/27/96.
DesDiv 1: War in the Backwaters revised 7/22/02.
Battle of the Bismarck Sea posted 1/12/97.
The TA Operations to Leyte, Part I revised 7/15/02.
The TA Operations to Leyte, Part II revised 7/15/02.
The TA Operations to Leyte, Part III revised 7/15/02.
Submarines vs. Urakaze posted 5/31//97.
They Also Served: The Second-Class Destroyers posted 10/24/97.
Who Sank the Triton? posted 3/1/98.
Fleeting Glory: The Fubukis of DesDiv 12 revised 8/21/02.
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Minekaze (updated 1/1/12) |
Kamikaze (updated 2/28/24) |
Mutsuki (updated 7/29/09) |
Fubuki Class
Fubuki (updated 3/17/12)
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Akatsuki Class
Akatsuki (updated 5/28/13) |
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Hatsuharu Class
Hatsuharu (updated 7/13/09) |
Shiratsuyu (updated 2/27/12) |
Asashio (updated 1/26/12) |
Kagero (updated 2/16/19) |
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Shimakaze (updated 4/11/12)
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Yugumo (updated 6/19/23) |
Akizuki (updated 9/27/14) |
Matsu (updated 9/16/14) |
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Chidori (posted 3/8/98) |
Otori (posted 4/14/98) |
Until his untimely death in October 2020, Allyn D. Nevitt was a highly regarded naval historian and researcher. His background was primarily as a public servant, first with Los Angeles County, and then the City of San Diego, the last eight years as Circulation Supervisor for San Diego Public Library. After retirement he worked on a number of projects, including being 'chief of staff' and a researcher for Gary Grigsby, author of Pacific War, Steel Panthers, and many other wargames. He was a member of the International Naval Research Organization, the U.S. Naval Institute, the Grand Canyon Trust, and the National Parks and Conservation Society. His other hobbies included military history, camping & hiking, James Dean, and Disney villians. With his passing responsibility for updating Long Lancers falls to Anthony (Tony) Tully, who will update as time permits. Tony can be contacted at:
