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Japanese battleship Yamato 1 Japanese battleship Yamato The Yamato during sea trials off Japan near Bungo Strait, October 20, 1941. Career (Japanese Empire) Ordered: March 1937 [1] Builder: Kure DY [2] Laid down: 4 November 1937 [2] Launched: 8 August 1940 [2] Commissioned: 16 December 1941 [2] Struck: 31 August 1945 Fate: Sunk 7 April 1945 North of Okinawa [3] General characteristics Class and type: Yamato-class battleship Displacement: unknown operator: u',' tonnes (unknown operator: u'strong' long tons) [4] unknown operator: u',' tonnes (unknown operator: u'strong' long tons) (full load) [4] Length: 256 m () (waterline) 263 m () (overall) [4] Beam: 38.9 m () [4] Draft: 11 m () [4] Installed power: 150000 shp (unknown operator: u'strong' kW) [4] Propulsion: 12 Kampon boilers, driving 4 steam turbines [4] Four 3-bladed propellers. [4] Speed: 27 knots (unknown operator: u'strong' km/h; unknown operator: u'strong' mph) [4] Range: 7200 nmi (unknown operator: u'strong' km; unknown operator: u'strong' mi) at 16 knots (unknown operator: u'strong' km/h; unknown operator: u'strong' mph) [4] Complement: 2,5002,800 [4][5]

Japanese Battleship Yamato

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Page 1: Japanese Battleship Yamato

Japanese battleship Yamato 1

Japanese battleship Yamato

The Yamato during sea trials off Japan near Bungo Strait, October 20, 1941.Career (Japanese

Empire)Ordered: March 1937[1]

Builder: Kure DY[2]

Laid down: 4 November 1937[2]

Launched: 8 August 1940[2]

Commissioned: 16 December 1941[2]

Struck: 31 August 1945

Fate: Sunk 7 April 1945 North of Okinawa[3]

General characteristicsClass and type: Yamato-class battleship

Displacement: unknown operator: u',' tonnes (unknown operator: u'strong' long tons)[4]

unknown operator: u',' tonnes (unknown operator: u'strong' long tons) (full load)[4]

Length: 256 m () (waterline)263 m () (overall)[4]

Beam: 38.9 m ()[4]

Draft: 11 m ()[4]

Installed power: 150000 shp (unknown operator: u'strong' kW)[4]

Propulsion: • 12 Kampon boilers, driving 4 steam turbines[4]

• Four 3-bladed propellers.[4]

Speed: 27 knots (unknown operator: u'strong' km/h; unknown operator: u'strong' mph)[4]

Range: 7200 nmi (unknown operator: u'strong' km; unknown operator: u'strong' mi) at 16 knots (unknownoperator: u'strong' km/h; unknown operator: u'strong' mph)[4]

Complement: 2,500–2,800[4][5]

Page 2: Japanese Battleship Yamato

Japanese battleship Yamato 2

Armament:(1941)

9 × 46 cm (18.1 in) (3×3)[4]

12 x 155 mm (6.1 in) (4×3)[4]

12 × 127 mm (unknown operator: u'strong' in)[4]

24 × 25 millimetres (unknown operator: u'strong' in) (8×3)[4]

4 × 13.2 mm (unknown operator: u'strong' in) AA (2×2)[4]

Armament:(1945)

9 × 46 cm (18.1 in) (3×3)[6]

6 × 155 mm (6.1 in) (2×3)[6]

24 × 127 mm (unknown operator: u'strong' in)[6]

162 × 25 mm (unknown operator: u'strong' in) Anti-Aircraft (52×3, 6×1)[6]

4 × 13.2 mm (unknown operator: u'strong' in) AA (2×2)[6]

Armour: 650 mm (unknown operator: u'strong' in) on face of main turrets[7]

410 mm (unknown operator: u'strong' in) side armour[7]

200 mm (unknown operator: u'strong' in) central(75%) armoured deck[7]

226.5 mm (unknown operator: u'strong' in) outer(25%) armoured deck[7]

Aircraft carried: 7[7]

Aviation facilities: 2 aircraft catapults[7]

Yamato (大 和), named after the ancient Japanese Yamato Province, was the lead ship of the Yamato class ofbattleships that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She and her sister ship, Musashi, werethe heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed, displacing 72,800 tonnes at full load and armedwith nine 46 cm (18.1 inch) main guns. Neither ship survived the war.Laid down in 1937 and formally commissioned a week after the Pearl Harbor attack in late 1941, Yamato wasdesigned to counter the numerically superior battleship fleet of the United States, Japan's main rival in the Pacific.Throughout 1942 she served as the flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet, and in June 1942 Admiral IsorokuYamamoto directed the fleet from her bridge during the Battle of Midway, a disastrous defeat for Japan. Musashitook over as the Combined Fleet flagship in early 1943, and Yamato spent the rest of the year, and much of 1944,moving between the major Japanese naval bases of Truk and Kure in response to American threats. Although shewas present at the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, Yamato played no part in the battle. The only time shefired her main guns at enemy surface targets was in October 1944, when she was sent to engage American forcesinvading the Philippines during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On the verge of success, the Japanese force turned back,believing they were engaging an entire US carrier fleet rather than the light escort carrier group that was all thatstood between Yamato and the vulnerable troop transports.During 1944 the balance of naval power in the Pacific decisively turned against Japan and, by early 1945, theJapanese fleet was much depleted and critically short of fuel stocks in the home islands, limiting its usefulness. InApril 1945, in a desperate attempt to slow the Allied advance, Yamato was dispatched on a one way voyage toOkinawa, where it was intended that she should protect the island from invasion and fight until destroyed. The taskforce was spotted south of Kyushu by US submarines and aircraft, and on 7 April 1945 she was sunk by Americancarrier-based bombers and torpedo bombers with the loss of most of her crew.

Design and constructionDuring the 1930s the Japanese government adopted an ultranationalist militancy with a view to greatly expand the Japanese Empire.[8] Japan withdrew from the League of Nations in 1934, renouncing its treaty obligations.[9] After withdrawing from the Washington Naval Treaty, which limited the size and power of capital ships, the Imperial Japanese Navy began their design of the new Yamato class of heavy battleships. The class design was not finalized until 1937.[10] When the class was finally laid down, a great effort was made in Japan to ensure that the ships were built in extreme secrecy to prevent American intelligence officials from learning of their existence and specifications.[6][11] As part of the secrecy, the Japanese referred to their armament as 16 inch guns. It was not until

Page 3: Japanese Battleship Yamato

Japanese battleship Yamato 3

the end of the war that her true displacement and the caliber of her weaponry were known. Yamato was the lead shipof the class.[12] Planners recognized that Japan would be unable to compete with the output of naval shipyards of theUnited States should war break out, so the vessels of the Yamato class were designed to be capable of engagingmultiple enemy battleships at the same time.[13][14] They displaced over 70,000 tons each, and it was hoped that theirfirepower would offset American naval production capabilities.[4]

Yamato's keel was laid down at the Kure Naval Arsenal, Hiroshima, on 4 November 1937, in a dockyard that had tobe adapted to accommodate her enormous hull.[6][15] The dock was deepened by one metre, and gantry cranescapable of lifting up to 350 tonnes were installed.[6][16] Fearful that the United States would learn of the vessel'scharacteristics, the Japanese erected a canopy over part of the slipway to screen the ship from view.[17] Yamato waslaunched on 8 August 1940, with Captain (later Vice-Admiral) Miyazato Shutoku in command.[18]

Armament

Yamato near the end of her fitting out, 20September 1941[19]

Yamato's main battery consisted of nine 46 cm (18.1 in) 45 CaliberType 94 naval guns—the largest caliber of naval artillery ever fitted toa warship,[20] although the shells were lighter than the British 18 inchnaval guns of World War I. Each gun was 21.13 metres (unknownoperator: u'strong' ft) long, weighed 147.3 tonnes (unknownoperator: u'strong' short tons), and was capable of firing highexplosive or armor piercing shells 42 kilometres (unknown operator:u'strong' mi).[21] Her secondary battery comprised twelve155-millimetre (unknown operator: u'strong' in) guns mounted infour triple turrets (one forward, one aft, two midships), and twelve127-millimetre (unknown operator: u'strong' in) guns in six twinmounts (three on each side amidships). These turrets had been taken off the Mogami class cruisers when thosevessels were converted to a main armament of 8 inch guns. In addition, Yamato carried twenty-four 25-millimetre(unknown operator: u'strong' in) anti-aircraft guns, primarily mounted amidships.[20] When refitted in 1944 and1945 for naval engagements in the South Pacific,[5] the secondary battery configuration was changed to six 155 mmguns and twenty four 127 mm guns, and the number of 25 mm anti-aircraft guns was increased to 162.[22]

Service

Trials and initial operations

Yamato during sea trials, October 1941.

During October or November 1941 Yamatounderwent sea trials, reaching her maximum possiblespeed of 27.4 knots (unknown operator:u'strong' km/h; unknown operator:u'strong' mph).[][23] As war loomed, priority wasgiven to accelerating military construction. On 16December—months ahead of schedule—thebattleship was formally commissioned at Kure. Theceremony was more austere than usual; the Japanesewere still intent on concealing the ship'scharacteristics.[] The same day, under Captain (laterVice-Admiral) Gihachi Takayanagi, she joinedfellow battleships Nagato and Mutsu in the 1st Battleship Division.[24]

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Japanese battleship Yamato 4

On 12 February 1942, Yamato became the flagship of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's Combined Fleet.[][] TheJapanese admiral was planning a decisive engagement with the United States Navy at Midway Island, so afterparticipating in war games Yamato departed Hiroshima Bay on 27 May for duty with Yamamoto's main battleshipgroup.[][25] US codebreakers were aware of Yamamoto's intentions and the Battle of Midway proved disastrous forJapan's carrier force, with four fleet carriers and 332 aircraft destroyed.[] Yamamoto exercised overall commandfrom Yamato's bridge,[25] but his battleplan had widely dispersed his forces to lure the Americans into a trap, and thebattleship group was too far away to take part in the engagement.[] On 5 June, Yamamoto ordered the remainingships to return to Japan, so Yamato withdrew with the main battleship force to Hashirajima before making her wayback to Kure.[][24]

Yamato left Kure for Truk on 17 August 1942.[26][27] After 11 days at sea, she was sighted by the Americansubmarine USS Flying Fish, which fired four torpedoes. No hits were scored and Yamato arrived safely at Truk laterthat day.[][26][28] She remained here throughout the Guadalcanal Campaign because of a lack of 460 mm ammunitionsuitable for shore bombardment, uncharted seas around Guadalcanal, and her high fuel consumption.[5][] Before theyear's end, Captain (later Rear Admiral) Chiaki Matsuda was assigned to command Yamato.[26]

On 11 February 1943, Yamato was replaced by her sister ship Musashi as flagship of the Combined Fleet.[] Dubbed"Hotel Yamato" by the Japanese cruiser and destroyer crews stationed in the South Pacific,[26] the battleship spentonly a single day away from Truk between her arrival in August 1942 and her departure on 8 May 1943.[][29] On thatday, she set sail for Yokosuka and from there for Kure, arriving on 14 May.[][29] She spent nine days in drydock forinspection and general repairs,[26] and after sailing to Japan's western Inland Sea she was again drydocked in lateJuly for significant refitting and upgrades. These included improvements to her secondary turret armor and ruddercontrols,[26] and the removal of her 155 mm wing turrets in favor of greater anti-aircraft protection in the form of25 mm guns and two surface search radar systems.[] On 16 August, Yamato began her return to Truk where shejoined a large task force formed in response to American raids on the Tarawa and Makin atolls.[26] She sortied in lateSeptember with Nagato, three carriers, and smaller warships to intercept US Task Force 15 and again a month laterwith six battleships, three carriers, and eleven cruisers. Intelligence had reported that the United States Naval Base atPearl Harbor was nearly empty of ships,[] which the Japanese interpreted to mean that an American naval forcewould strike at Wake Island.[] But there were no radar contacts for six days, and the fleet returned to Truk, arrivingon 26 October.[]

Yamato and Musashi anchored in the waters offof the Truk Islands in 1943

Yamato escorted Transport Operation BO-1 from Truk to Yokosukaduring 12–17 December.[29] Subsequently, because of their extensivestorage capacity and thick armour protection, Yamato and Musashiwere pressed into service as transport vessels.[30] On 25 December,while ferrying troops and equipment—which were wanted asreinforcements for the garrisons at Kavieng and the AdmiraltyIslands—from Yokosuka to Truk, Yamato and her task group wereintercepted by the American submarine Skate about 180 miles(unknown operator: u'strong' km) out at sea.[][31] Skate fired aspread of four torpedoes at Yamato; one struck the battleship'sstarboard side towards the stern.[] A hole 5 metres (unknownoperator: u'strong' ft) below the top of her anti-torpedo bulge and

measuring some 25 metres (unknown operator: u'strong' ft) across was ripped open in the hull, and a jointbetween the upper and lower armoured belts failed, causing the rear turret's upper magazine to flood.[19] Yamato tookon about 3,000 tons of water,[19][31] but reached Truk later that day. Repair ship Akashi effected temporary repairs onthe battleship,[26] and Yamato departed on 10 January for Kure.[31]

On 16 January 1944, Yamato arrived at Kure for repairs and was drydocked until 3 February 1944.[26] During this time, armour plate sloped at 45° was fitted in the area of the torpedo damage; it had been proposed that 5000 long

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Japanese battleship Yamato 5

tons (unknown operator: u'strong' t) of steel be used to bolster the ship's defense against flooding from torpedohits outside the armoured citadel, but this was rejected out of hand because the additional weight would haveincreased Yamato's displacement and draft by too great a margin.[19] While Yamato was drydocked, Captain NobueiMorishita—former captain of the battleship Haruna—assumed command.[26] On 25 February, both Yamato andMusashi were reassigned from the 1st Battleship Division to the Second Fleet. Yamato was again drydocked forfurther upgrades to all her radar and anti-aircraft systems from 25 February to 18 March 1944.[26]

Line drawing of Yamato as she appeared in 1944–1945 (specific configurationfrom April 7, 1945)

An additional six 127 mm twin gun mountswere added, taking the place of the original155 mm wing turrets, and an additionalthirty six 25 mm guns in triple mountingswere installed, increasing the total numberof 127 mm and 25 mm anti-aircraft guns to24 and 162, respectively.[22] Her radar suitewas also upgraded to include infraredidentification systems and aircraft searchand gunnery control radars.[26] She left thedrydock on 18 March and went throughseveral trials beginning on 11 April.[31]

Yamato left Kure on 21 April and embarked soldiers and materiel the following day at Okinoshima for a mission toManila, reaching the Philippines on 28 April.[19] She then moved on to Malaysia to join Vice-Admiral JisaburoOzawa's Mobile Fleet at Lingga;[26] this force arrived at Tawi Tawi on 14 May.[26]

Battle of the Philippine SeaIn early June, Yamato and Musashi were again requisitioned as troop transports, this time to reinforce the garrisonand naval defenses of the island of Biak as part of Operation Kon.[30][32] The mission was cancelled when wordreached Ozawa's headquarters of American carrier attacks on the Mariana Islands.[30] Instead the Imperial JapaneseNavy reorganized, concentrating the majority of its remaining fighting strength in the hope of achieving a decisivesuccess against the Americans. By this time though, the entire Japanese navy was inferior in numbers and experienceto the U.S. Pacific Fleet.[32] From 19 June to 23 June 1944, Yamato escorted forces of Ozawa's Mobile Fleet duringthe Battle of the Philippine Sea, dubbed by American pilots "The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot".[32][33] TheJapanese lost three aircraft carriers and 426 aircraft;[32] Yamato's only significant contribution was mistakenlyopening fire on returning Japanese aircraft.[26]

Following the battle Yamato withdrew with the Mobile Fleet to the Hashirajima staging area near Kure to refuel andrearm. With Musashi she left the fleet on 24 June for the short journey to Kure, where she received five more triple25 mm anti-aircraft mounts.[32] The opportunity was taken to put in place "emergency buoyancy keepingprocedures." These resulted in the removal of almost every flammable item from the battleship, including linoleum,bedding, and mattresses. In place of the latter, men slept on planks which could be used to repair damage.Flammable paints received a new silicon based overcoat, and additional portable pumps and fire fighting apparatuswere installed.[32] Leaving Japan on 8 July, Yamato—accompanied by the battleships Musashi, Kongo, Nagato, andeleven cruisers and destroyers—sailed south. Yamato and Musashi headed for the Lingga Islands, arriving on 16–17July. By this stage of the war Japan's tanker fleet had been much reduced by marauding American submarines, somajor fleet units were stationed in the East Indies to be near the source of their fuel supply.[32] The battleshipsremained at the islands for the next three months.[32]

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Japanese battleship Yamato 6

Battle of Leyte Gulf

Yamato on 24 October 1944 during the Battle ofthe Sibuyan Sea; she has just been hit by a bomb.

Between 22 October and 25 October 1944, as part of Admiral TakeoKurita's Centre Force (also known as Force A or First Striking Force),Yamato took part in one of the largest naval engagements inhistory—the Battle of Leyte Gulf.[34] In response to the Americaninvasion of the Philippines, Operation Shō-Gō called for a number ofJapanese groups to converge on the island of Leyte, where Americantroops were landing. On 18 October, Yamato was given a coating ofblack camouflage in preparation for her nighttime transit of the SanBernardino Strait; the main ingredient was soot taken from hersmokestack.[26] While en route to Leyte the force was attacked inPalawan Passage on 23 October by the submarines USS Darter andDace, which sank two Takao class heavy cruisers including Kurita's

flagship, Atago, and damaged a third.[35] Kurita survived the loss of Atago and transferred his flag to Yamato.[26] Thefollowing day the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea hurt the Centre Force badly with the loss of three more heavy cruisers,eliminating a substantial part of the fleet's anti-aircraft defence. During the course of the day, American carrieraircraft sortied a total of 259 times. Aircraft from the USS Essex struck Yamato with two armour piercing bombs andscored one near miss; Yamato suffered moderate damage and took on about 3370 tonnes (unknown operator:u'strong' long tons) of water.[36] Musashi sank after being hit with 17 torpedoes and 19 bombs.[37]

Unknown to the Japanese admiral, the main American defensive force with Admiral William Halsey, Jr. departedLeyte on the evening of 24 October. Convinced that Kurita's Centre Force had been turned back, Halsey took hispowerful 3rd Fleet in pursuit of the Japanese Northern Force, a decoy group composed of one fleet aircraft carrier(Zuikaku), three light carriers, two Ise class hybrid battleship carriers, and their escorts.[35] The deception was asuccess, drawing away five fleet carriers and five light carriers with more than 600 aircraft among them, six fastbattleships, eight cruisers, and over 40 destroyers. During the hours of darkness Kurita's force navigated the SanBernardino Strait and shortly after dawn, in the Battle off Samar, attacked an American formation that had remainedin the area to provide close support for the invading troops. Known as "Taffy 3", this small group comprised sixescort carriers, three destroyers, and four destroyer escorts.[38] In the initial stages of this battle, Yamato engagedenemy surface targets for the only time in her career, hitting several American ships.[38][39][40] After Yamatoconfirmed primary battery hits on the escort carrier USS Gambier Bay, a spread of torpedoes heading for Yamatowere spotted; the battleship was forced to steer away from the fighting to avoid them and was unable to rejoin thebattle.[35] Although armed only with torpedoes and 5 inch guns and under attack by large calibre cannons, the lightAmerican surface combatants, supported by FM2 Wildcats and TBM Avengers from Taffy 3's escort carriers,[41]

attacked so ferociously that Kurita believed his ships were engaging a full American task force of fleet carriers.[35] Amistaken report that he was facing six fleet carriers, three cruisers, and two destroyers led Kurita to order his taskforce to turn and disengage. Yamato emerged from the battle without serious damage; only three near misses frombombs and seventeen casualties from strafing were suffered during the battle itself, while carrier strikes during theretreat caused light damage to the ship and injured or killed twenty one crewmen. Three more heavy cruisers and onelight cruiser were subsequently lost. The Centre Force sank one American escort carrier (CVE), two destroyers, anda destroyer escort.[35] A second CVE was lost by kamikaze attack after the surface engagement.Following the engagement Yamato and the remnants of Kurita's force returned to Brunei.[42] On 15 November 1944,the 1st Battleship Division was disbanded and Yamato became the flagship of the Second Fleet.[26] On 21 November,while transiting the East China Sea in a withdrawal to Kure Naval Base,[43] Yamato's battle group was attacked bythe submarine USS Sealion. The battleship Kongo and destroyer Urakaze were lost.[44] Yamato was immediatelydrydocked for repairs and anti-aircraft upgrades on reaching Kure, where several of the battleship's older anti-aircraftguns were replaced. On 25 November, Captain Aruga Kōsaku was named Yamato's commander.[26]

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Japanese battleship Yamato 7

Operation Ten-Go

Yamato under attack off Kure on 19 March 1945.

Yamato's senior officers just before Ten-Go

On 1 January 1945, Yamato, Haruna and Nagato were transferred tothe newly reactivated 1st Battleship Division. Yamato left drydock twodays later for Japan's Inland Sea.[26] This reassignment was brief; the1st Battleship Division was deactivated once again on 10 February andYamato was allotted to the 1st Carrier Division.[45] On 19 March,American carrier aircraft from Enterprise, Yorktown and Intrepidraided Kure.[45][46] Although 16 warships were hit, Yamato sustainedonly minor damage from a number of near misses and from one bombthat struck her bridge.[39] The intervention of a squadron of KawanishiN1K1 "Shiden" fighters (named "George" by the Allies) flown byveteran Japanese fighter instructors prevented the raid from doing toomuch damage to the base and assembled ships,[46][47] while Yamato'sability to maneuver—albeit slowly—in the Nasami Channel benefitedher.[39]

As the final step before their planned invasion of the Japanesemainland, Allied forces invaded Okinawa on 1 April.[48] The ImperialJapanese Navy's response was to organise a mission codenamedOperation Ten-Go that would see the commitment of much of Japan'sremaining surface strength. Yamato and nine escorts (the cruiserYahagi and eight destroyers) would sail to Okinawa and, in concertwith kamikaze and Okinawa based army units, attack the Allied forcesassembled on and around Okinawa. Yamato would then be beached to act as an unsinkable gun emplacement andcontinue to fight until destroyed.[49][50] In preparation for the mission, Yamato had taken on a full stock ofammunition on 29 March.[26] According to the Japanese plan, the ships were supposed to take aboard only enoughfuel for a one way voyage to Okinawa, but additional fuel amounting to 60 percent of capacity was issued on theauthority of local base commanders. Designated the "Surface Special Attack Force", the ships left Tokuyama at15:20 on 6 April.[49][50]

Unfortunately for the Japanese, the Allies had intercepted and decoded their radio transmissions, learning theparticulars of Operation Ten-Go. Further confirmation of Japanese intentions came around 20:00 when the SurfaceSpecial Attack Force, navigating the Bungo Strait, was spotted by the American submarines Threadfin andHackleback. Both reported Yamato's position to the main American carrier strike force,[5][50] but neither could attackbecause of the speed of the Japanese ships—22 knots (unknown operator: u'strong' mph; unknown operator:u'strong' km/h)—and their extreme zigzagging.[50]

The Allied forces around Okinawa began to brace for an assault. Admiral Raymond Spruance ordered six battleshipsalready engaged in shore bombardment in the sector to prepare for surface action against Yamato. These orders werecountermanded in favor of strikes from Admiral Marc Mitscher's aircraft carriers, but as a contingency thebattleships together with seven cruisers and twenty one destroyers were sent to interdict the Japanese force before itcould reach the vulnerable transports and landing craft.[50][51]

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Japanese battleship Yamato 8

Yamato steering to avoid bombs and aerialtorpedoes during Operation Ten-Go

Yamato's crew were at general quarters and ready for anti-aircraftaction by dawn on 7 April. The first Allied aircraft made contact withthe Surface Special Attack Force at 08:23; two flying boats arrivedsoon thereafter, and for the next five hours, Yamato fired CommonType 3 or Beehive (3 Shiki tsûjôdan) shells at the Allied seaplanes, butcould not prevent them from shadowing the force. Yamato obtained herfirst radar contact with aircraft at 10:00; an hour later American F6FHellcat fighters appeared overhead to deal with any Japanese aircraftthat might appear. None did.[52][53]

At about 12:30, 280 bomber and torpedo bomber aircraft arrived overthe Japanese force. Asashimo, which had earlier fallen out of formationdue to engine trouble, was caught and sunk by a detachment of aircraft

from the USS San Jacinto. The Surface Special Attack Force increased speed to 24 knots (unknown operator:u'strong' mph; unknown operator: u'strong' km/h), and following standard Japanese anti-aircraft defensivemeasures, the destroyers began circling Yamato. The first aircraft swooped in to attack at 12:37. Yahagi turned andraced away at 35 knots (unknown operator: u'strong' mph; unknown operator: u'strong' km/h) in an attempt todraw off some of the attackers; although the manoeuvre was successful, the numbers it drew away wereinsignificant. Yamato avoided being hit for four minutes until, at 12:41, two bombs obliterated two of her triple25 mm anti-aircraft mounts and blew a hole in the deck. A third bomb then destroyed her radar room and thestarboard aft 127 mm mount. At 12:46 another two bombs struck the battleship's port side, one slightly ahead of theaft 155 mm centreline turret and the other right on top of the gun. These caused a great amount of damage to theturret and its magazines; only one man climbed out alive.[52][54] At 12:45 a single torpedo struck Yamato far forwardon her port side, sending extreme shocks throughout the ship. Because many of the hit's survivors were later killedby strafing or were trapped when Yamato sank, the details are uncertain, but authors Garzke and Dulin record thatlittle damage was caused.[52] Shortly afterward up to three more torpedoes struck Yamato. Two impacts—on the portside near the engine room and on one of the boiler rooms—are confirmed; the third is disputed but is regarded byGarzke and Dulin as probable because it would explain the reported flooding in Yamato's auxiliary steering room.The attack ended around 12:47, leaving the battleship to list 5–6° to port; counterflooding—deliberately floodingcompartments on the other side of the ship—reduced the list to 1°. One boiler room had been disabled, slightlyreducing Yamato's top speed, and strafing had incapacitated many of the gun crews who manned Yamato'sunprotected 25 mm anti-aircraft weapons, sharply curtailing their effectiveness.[52]

Yamato photographed during the battle by anaircraft from USS Yorktown (CV-10). The

battleship is on fire and visibly listing to port.

The second attack started just before 13:00. In a coordinated strike,dive bombers flew high overhead to begin their runs while torpedoladen aircraft approached from all directions at just above sea level.Overwhelmed by the number of targets, the battleship's anti-aircraftguns were less than effective, and the Japanese tried desperatemeasures to break up the attack. Yamato's main guns were loaded withBeehive shells fused to explode one second after firing—a mere1000 m (unknown operator: u'strong' ft) from the ship—but this hadlittle effect. Four or five torpedoes struck the battleship, three or four toport and one to starboard. Three hits, close together on the port side,are confirmed: one struck a fireroom that had been hit earlier, oneimpacted a different fireroom, and the third hit the hull adjacent to apreviously damaged outboard engine room, increasing the water that

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Japanese battleship Yamato 9

had already been flowing into that space and possibly causing flooding in nearby locations. The fourth hit (thoughunconfirmed) may have struck aft of the third; Garzke and Dulin believe this would explain the rapid flooding thatreportedly occurred in that location.[55] This attack left Yamato in a perilous position, listing 15–18° to port.Counterflooding all of the remaining starboard void spaces lessened this to 10°, but further correction would haverequired either repairs or flooding the starboard engine and fire rooms. Although the battleship was in no danger ofsinking at this point, the list meant that the main battery was unable to fire and her maximum speed was limited to 18knots (unknown operator: u'strong' km/h; unknown operator: u'strong' mph).[56]

The third and most damaging attack developed at about 13:40. At least four bombs hit the ship's superstructure andcaused heavy casualties among her 25 mm anti-aircraft gun crews. Many near misses drove in her outer plating,partially compromising her defense against torpedoes. Most serious were four more torpedo impacts. Three explodedon the port side, increasing water intake into the port inner engine room and flooding yet another fireroom and thesteering gear room. With the auxiliary steering room already underwater, the ship lost all maneuverability andbecame stuck in a starboard turn. The fourth torpedo most likely hit the starboard outer engine room which, alongwith three other rooms on the starboard side, was in the process of being counterflooded to reduce the port list. Thetorpedo strike increased the rate of water intake by a large margin, trapping many crewmen before they couldescape.[57]

The explosion of Yamato'smagazines

At 14:02 the order was belatedly given to abandon ship. By this time Yamato'sspeed had dropped to 10 knots (unknown operator: u'strong' km/h; unknownoperator: u'strong' mph) and her list was steadily increasing. Fires were ragingout of control in some sections of the ship and alarms had begun to sound on thebridge warning of critical temperatures in the forward main batterymagazines.[58] Normal practice would have been to flood the magazines,preventing any explosion, but the pumping stations that should have performedthis task had been rendered unusable by previous flooding.[59]

At 14:05 Yahagi sank, the victim of twelve bombs and seven torpedoes. At thesame time a final flight of torpedo bombers attacked Yamato from her starboardside. Her list was now such that the torpedoes—set to a depth of 6.1 m(unknown operator: u'strong' ft)—impacted on the bottom of her hull. Thebattleship continued her inexorable roll to port.[26] By 14:20 the power went out

and her remaining 25 mm anti-aircraft guns began to drop into the sea. Three minutes later Yamato capsized. Hermain 46 cm turrets fell off, and as she rolled it created a suction that drew swimming crewmen back towards theship. When the roll reached approximately 120° one of the two bow magazines detonated in a tremendousexplosion.[59] The resulting mushroom cloud—over 6 kilometres (unknown operator: u'strong' mi) high, was seen160 kilometres (unknown operator: u'strong' mi) away on Kyūshū.[60] Yamato sank rapidly, losing an estimated2,055 of her 2,332 crew, including Vice-Admiral Seiichi Itō, the fleet commander.[26][61] The few survivors wererecovered by the four surviving destroyers, which withdrew to Japan.[26]

From the first attack at 12:37 to the explosion at 14:23, Yamato was hit by at least eleven torpedoes and six bombs.Two more torpedo and bomb hits are possible, but unconfirmed.[59][62]

Wreck discoveryBecause of the often confused circumstances and incomplete information regarding their sinkings, few wrecks of Japanese capital ships have been discovered and identified.[] Drawing on US wartime records, an expedition to the South China Sea in 1982 produced some results, but the wreckage discovered could not be clearly identified.[63] A second expedition returned to the site two years later, and the team's photographic and video records were later confirmed by one of the battleship's designers, Shigeru Makino to show the Yamato's last resting place. The wreck

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lies 290 kilometres (unknown operator: u'strong' mi) southeast of Kyushu under 340 metres (unknown operator:u'strong' ft) of water in two main pieces; a bow section comprising the front two thirds of the ship, and a separatestern section.[63]

Cultural significance

The very large model at the Yamato Museum,with museum visitors (2009)

From the time of their construction Yamato and her sister Musashicarried significant weight in Japanese culture. The battleshipsrepresented the epitome of Imperial Japanese naval engineering, andbecause of their size, speed, and power, visibly embodied Japan'sdetermination and readiness to defend its interests against the WesternPowers and the United States in particular. Shigeru Fukudome, chief ofthe Operations Section of the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff,described the ships as "symbols of naval power that provided toofficers and men alike a profound sense of confidence in theirnavy."[64] Yamato's symbolic might was such that some Japanesecitizens held the belief that their country could never fall as long as theship was able to fight.[65]

Decades after the war, Yamato was memorialised in various forms by the Japanese. Historically, the word "Yamato"was used as a poetic name for Japan; thus, her name became a metaphor for the end of the Japanese empire.[66][67] InApril 1968, a memorial tower was erected on Cape Inutabu in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture to commemorate thelives lost in Operation Ten-Go.[68] In October 1974, Leiji Matsumoto created a new television series, SpaceBattleship Yamato, about rebuilding the battleship as a starship and its interstellar quest to save Earth. The series wasa huge success, spawning five feature films and two more TV series; as post war Japanese tried to redefine thepurpose of their lives, Yamato became a symbol of heroism and of their desire to regain a sense of masculinity aftertheir country's defeat in the war.[69][70] Brought to the United States as Star Blazers, the animated series provedpopular and established a foundation for anime in the North American entertainment market.[71] The motif in SpaceBattleship Yamato was repeated in Silent Service, a popular manga and anime that explores issues of nuclearweapons and the Japan-US relationship. The crew of the main plot device, a nuclear powered super submarine,mutinied and renamed their vessel Yamato, in allusion to the World War II battleship and the ideals shesymbolises.[72]

In 2005, the Yamato Museum was opened near the site of the former Kure shipyards. Although intended to educateon the maritime history of post Meiji era Japan,[73] the museum gives special attention to its namesake; the battleshipis a common theme among several of its exhibits, which includes a section dedicated to Matsumoto's animatedseries.[74] The centrepiece of the museum, occupying a large section of the first floor, is a 26.3 metre long model ofYamato (1:10 scale).[75]

Later that year, Toei released a 143 minute movie, Yamato, based on a book by Jun Henmi, to commemorate the60th anniversary of the end of World War II; Tamiya released special editions of scale models of the battleship inconjunction with the film's release.[76] Based on a book of the same name, the film is a tale about the sailors aboardthe doomed battleship and the concepts of honour and duty. The film was shown on more than 290 screens across thecountry and was a commercial success, taking in a record 5.11 billion yen at the domestic box office.[77][78]

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Notes[1][1] Skulski (2004), p. 8.[2][2] Jentshura, Jung and Mickel (1977), p. 38.[3][3] Jentshura, Jung and Mickel (1977), p. 39.[4][4] Jackson (2000), p. 74; Jentshura, Jung and Mickel (1977), p. 38.[5][5] Jackson (2000), p. 128.[6][6] Johnston and McAuley, p. 123[7] Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, & Allyn Nevitt. "Combined Fleet – Yamato Class Battleship" (http:/ / combinedfleet. com/

ships/ yamato). . Retrieved 25 October 2008.[8][8] Willmott (2000), p. 32.[9][9] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 44.[10] Garzke and Dulin, pp. 45–51[11][11] Hough, p. 205[12] Skulski (2004), pp. 8–11.[13][13] Johnston and McAuley (2000), p. 122.[14][14] Willmott (2000), p. 35. The Japanese Empire produced 3.5% of the world's industrial output, while the United States produced 35%.[15] Garzke and Dulin (1985), pp. 52–54.[16][16] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 53.[17] Garzke and Dulin (1985), pp. 50–51.[18][18] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 54.[19][19] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 55.[20][20] Jackson (2000), p. 75.[21][21] Johnston and McAuley (2000), p. 123. Because of the size of the guns and thickness of armor, each of the three main turrets weighed more

than a good sized destroyer.[22][22] Johnston and McAuley (2000), p. 180.[23][23] Garzke/Dulin and Whitley's books do not give specific dates, and disagree on the month; the former gives October, and the latter gives

November.Whitley (1998), p. 211.[24][24] Skulski (2004), p. 10.[25][25] Ballard (1999), p. 36.[26] "Combined Fleet – tabular history of Yamato" (http:/ / combinedfleet. com/ yamato. htm). Parshall, Jon; Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, &

Allyn Nevitt. 2009. . Retrieved 1 April 2010.[27] Whitley says that Yamato left six days earlier (the 11th).[28] Garzke and Dulin report that Yamato entered Truk on the 29th.[29][29] Whitley (1998), p. 212.[30][30] Steinberg (1978), p. 147.[31][31] Whitley (1998), p. 213.[32][32] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 56.[33][33] Reynolds (1982), p. 139.[34][34] Reynolds (1982), p. 152.[35][35] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 57.[36][36] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 58.[37][37] Skulski (2004), p. 11.[38][38] Reynolds (1982), p. 156.[39][39] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 59.[40] "Yamato (Battleship, 1941–1945) — in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, 22–26 October 1944" (http:/ / www. history. navy. mil/ photos/ sh-fornv/

japan/ japsh-xz/ yamato-k. htm). Japanese Navy Ships. Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. 13 May 2000. . Retrieved 7 March2009.

[41][41] Steinberg (1980), p. 60[42][42] Steinberg (1980), p. 63.[43][43] Wheeler (1980), p. 183.[44][44] Jackson (2000), p. 129.[45][45] Reynolds (1982), p. 160.[46][46] Reynolds (1968), p. 338.[47] Led by the man who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor, Minoru Genda, the appearance of these fighters, which were equal or superior in

performance to the F6F Hellcat, surprised the attackers and several American planes were shot down.[48][48] Feifer (2001), p. 7.[49][49] Reynolds (1982), p. 166.[50][50] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 60.

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Japanese battleship Yamato 12

[51] Authors Garzke and Dulin speculate that the likely outcome of a battle between the two forces would have been a victory for the Allies, butat a serious cost due to the large margin of superiority Yamato held over the old battleships in firepower (460 mm vs. 356 mm), armour andspeed (27 knots (unknown operator: u'strong' km/h; unknown operator: u'strong' mph) vs. 21 knots (unknown operator:u'strong' km/h; unknown operator: u'strong' mph)).

[52] Garzke and Dulin (1985), pp. 60–61.[53][53] The poor quality of the Japanese naval radar during World War II meant that only large groups of planes could be detected. Smaller

detachments were usually picked up via line of sight[54] This account is based on Garzke and Dulin's Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II. Other works generally agree,

although the exact timings of events can vary between sources.[55] Garzke and Dulin (1985), pp. 62–63.[56][56] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 63.[57] Garzke and Dulin (1985), pp. 64–65.[58] Garzke and Dulin state in their 1985 account that the alarms were for the aft magazines. Yamato's wreck was discovered that same year and

more detailed surveys were completed in 1999; these conclude that it was the fore magazines that exploded. Corroborating evidence comesfrom Yamato's Executive Officer, Nomura Jiro, who testified that he saw warning lights for the forward magazines.Tully, Anthony (4September 2009). "Located/Surveyed Shipwrecks of the Imperial Japanese Navy" (http:/ / www. combinedfleet. com/ atully08. htm).Mysteries/Untold Sagas of the Imperial Japanese Navy. . Retrieved 23 January 2010.

[59][59] Garzke and Dulin (1985), p. 65.[60][60] Reynolds (1982), p. 169.[61][61] Garzke and Dulin give a slightly different number of 2,063 out of 2,332 lost. An exact number is unknown.[62][62] Whitley (1998), p. 216.[63] "Remains of sunken Japanese battleship Yamato discovered" (http:/ / news. google. com/ newspapers?id=FP0tAAAAIBAJ&

sjid=f6cFAAAAIBAJ& pg=6363,2384338). Reading Eagle. Associated Press. 4 August 1985. . Retrieved 31 March 2010.[64][64] Evans and Peattie (1997), pp. 298, 378.[65] "A bomb survivors leery of battleship hype". Yomiuri Shimbun. 6 August 2006.[66][66] Yoshida and Minear (1985), p. xvii; Evans and Peattie (1997), p. 378.[67][67] Skulski (2004), p. 7.[68] Bill Gordon (27 March 2010). "Battleship Yamato Memorial Tower" (http:/ / wgordon. web. wesleyan. edu/ kamikaze/ monuments/ yamato/

index. htm). . Retrieved 6 April 2010.[69] Mizuno (2007), pp. 106, 110–111, 121–122.[70][70] Levi (1998), p. 72.[71][71] Wright (2009), p. 99.[72] Mizuno (2007), pp. 114–115.[73] "Outline" (http:/ / www. yamato-museum. com/ en/ concept/ policy. html). Hiroshima, Japan: Yamato Museum. 2008. . Retrieved 29 March

2010.[74] "Yamato Museum Leaflet" (http:/ / yamato. kure-city. jp/ english/ eng. indd. pdf) (PDF). Hiroshima, Japan: Yamato Museum. 2005. .

Retrieved 2 April 2010.[75] "Yamato—Kure Maritime Museum Leaflet" (http:/ / www. yamato-museum. com/ concept/ pdf/ ref09_3_eng. pdf) (PDF). Hiroshima,

Japan: Yamato Museum. 2008. . Retrieved 2 April 2010.[76] "戦 艦 大 和 ・ 映 画 「 男 た ち の 大 和 /YAMATO」 特 別 仕 様 [Battleship Yamato—Special Edition for Yamato the

Movie]" (http:/ / www. tamiya. com/ japan/ products/ 8966x_yamato/ index. htm) (in Japanese). Tamiya Corporation. 14 December 2005. .Retrieved 28 March 2010.

[77] "「One piece」 が 爆 発 的 ヒ ッ ト 、 「 男 た ち の 大 和 」 「 相 棒 」 を 超 え た 背 景 と は… [One Piece is aRunaway Hit, Could It Surpass Yamato and Aibou...]" (http:/ / www. hollywood-ch. com/ news/ 09121302. html) (in Japanese). HollywoodChannel (Japan: Broadmedia). 13 December 2009. . Retrieved 27 March 2010.

[78] "「 相 棒 」50億 円 超 え ち ゃ う 大 ヒ ッ ト の 予 感 ? 水 谷 と 寺 脇 が 初 日 に ノ リ ノ リ で 登 場 !

[Seems Aibou Will be a 5 Billion Yen Big Hit? Mizutani and Terawaki Makes an Entrance on Opening Day in High Spirits!]" (http:/ / www.cinematoday. jp/ page/ N0013689) (in Japanese). CinemaToday (Japan: Welva). 1 May 2008. . Retrieved 27 March 2010.

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References

Bibliography• Ballard, Robert (1999). Return to Midway. London. Wellington House. ISBN 0-304-35252-7• Cox, Robert Jon (2010). The Battle Off Samar: Taffy III at Leyte Gulf (5th Edition). Agogeebic Press, LLC.

ISBN 0-9822390-4-1.• Evans, David C.; Peattie, Mark R. (1997). Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese

Navy, 1887–1941. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-192-7. OCLC 36621876.• Feifer, George (2001). "Operation Heaven Number One". The Battle of Okinawa: The Blood and the Bomb. The

Lyons Press. ISBN 1-58574-215-5.• Garzke, William H.; Dulin, Robert O. (1985). Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II.

Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-101-3. OCLC 12613723.• Jackson, Robert (2000). The World's Great Battleships. Brown Books. ISBN 1-897884-60-5• Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter; Mickel, Peter (1977). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945.

Annapolis: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 0-87021-893-X.• Johnston, Ian & McAuley, Rob (2000). The Battleships. MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7603-1018-1• Levi, Antonio (1998). "The New American hero: Made in Japan" (http:/ / books. google. com/

books?id=q-R_Zk5hFgkC& pg=PA68). In Kittelson, Mary Lynn. The Soul of Popular Culture: Looking atContemporary Heroes, Myths, and Monsters (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=q-R_Zk5hFgkC). Illinois,United States: Open Court Publishing Company. ISBN 0-8126-9363-9. Retrieved 29 March 2010.

• Mizuno, Hiromi (2007). Lunning, Frenchy. ed. "When Pacifist Japan Fights: Historicizing Desires in Anime"(http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=tSFnDppi-oMC& pg=PA104). Mechademia (Minnesota, United States:University of Minnesota Press) 2 (Networks of Desire). doi:10.1353/mec.0.0007. ISBN 978-0-8166-5266-2.ISSN 1934-2489. Retrieved 29 March 2010.

• Reynolds, Clark G. (1968). The Fast Carriers; The Forging of an Air Navy. New York, Toronto, London,Sydney: McGraw-Hill Book Company.

• Reynolds, Clark G (1982). The Carrier War. Time-Life Books. ISBN 0-8094-3304-4• Skulski, Janusz (2004) [1988]. The Battleship Yamato: Anatomy of a Ship Conway Maritime Press. ISBN

978-0-85177-940-9• Spurr, Russell (1981). A Glorious Way to Die: The Kamikaze Mission of the Battleship Yamato, April 1945.

Newmarket Press. ISBN 0-937858-00-5.• Steinberg, Rafael (1978). Island Fighting. Time-Life Books Inc. ISBN 0-8094-2488-6• Steinberg, Rafael (1980) Return to the Philippines. Time-Life Books Inc. ISBN 0-8094-2516-5• Wheeler, Keith (1980). War Under the Pacific. Time-Life Books. ISBN 0-8094-3376-1• Whitley, M. J. (1998). Battleships of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Naval Institute Press.

ISBN 1-55750-184-X• Willmott, H.P. (2000). The Second World War in the Far East. Wellington House. ISBN 2-00-404919-9.• Wright, Peter (2009). "Film and Television, 1960–1980" (http:/ / books. google. com/

books?id=n-20LVwKfTMC). In Bould, Mark; Butler, Andrew; Roberts, Adam et al.. The Routledge Companionto Science Fiction (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=n-20LVwKfTMC). Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.ISBN 0-415-45378-X. Retrieved 29 March 2010.

• Yoshida, Mitsuru; Minear, Richard H. (1999) [1985]. Requiem for Battleship Yamato. Annapolis, Maryland:Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-544-6. OCLC 40542935.

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Japanese battleship Yamato 14

External links• Yamato Museum (http:/ / www. yamato-museum. com/ en/ )• Joseph Czarnecki, "What did the USN know about Yamato and when?" (http:/ / www. navweaps. com/

index_tech/ tech-084. htm)• US Navy history page on the Yamato (http:/ / www. history. navy. mil/ photos/ sh-fornv/ japan/ japsh-xz/ yamato.

htm)• The Battle Off Samar – Taffy III at Leyte Gulf website (http:/ / www. bosamar. com/ ) by Robert Jon Cox

Page 15: Japanese Battleship Yamato

Article Sources and Contributors 15

Article Sources and ContributorsJapanese battleship Yamato  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=506420254  Contributors: -js-, 0607crp, 2T, 4wajzkd02, A. B., A. Exeunt, A.R., A2Kafir, Abalcar,Abhishek191288, Aeonimitz, Agentbla, Al Simmons, Alai, AlexiusHoratius, Alexpl, Alonso de Mendoza, Andre Engels, Andycjp, Anthony Appleyard, Ariah, Arima, Art LaPella, Attilios,Aurora sword, AussieLegend, Avenged Evanfold, Avihu, Bachcell, Barnej, Bdesham, Beetstra, Bellhalla, Bendono, Benea, Bertus, Bilsonius, Binksternet, BismarckTitanic, Blackpccase,Blackworm, BlaiseFEgan, Bobblewik, Bonewah, Bosamar, Brad101, Brandmeister, Brian Kendig, Bruce1ee, Bryan Derksen, Bucketfoot-al, Bukubku, Busaccsb, Captain Impulse, Carnildo,Catsmeat, Cdc, Chiba007, Chris the speller, Cla68, Clarityfiend, Clawed, Climie.ca, Clindberg, Closedmouth, Cnilep, Colonel Cow, Confuzion, Cuchullain, Danceswithzerglings, Dank,Darthbob100, Dave-ros, Davensuze, David Newton, Dawnseeker2000, Dbenbenn, DebtMan, Decafpenguin, Delta 51, Denniss, Deschreiber, Dick Kimball, DocWatson42, Donfbreed, Durin,Dweller, ERcheck, Eaglestorm, Elassint, Emperorbma, EoGuy, Erzengel, Espen, EurekaLott, EwokWarrior, EyeSerene, Falcorian, Fernvale, Flewellyn, Fosnez, Fred8615, Fredrik, Friedfish,Fuzzy901, GabrielF, Gaius Cornelius, Ganesha, Gavia immer, Gdr, Gene Nygaard, Gilliam, Glanthor Reviol, Gobeirne, Gogo Dodo, Golbez, GoldDragon, GraemeLeggett, Greenshed, Grm wnr,Gssq, Guanaco, Gulfstorm75, Gunbirddriver, H27kim, HarveyHenkelmann, Haus, Hdw, Hellcat fighter, Herr Gruber, Hohum, Hokeman, Hornfischer, Hydraton31, Iamiowa, Ian Rose, IanManka,Ida Shaw, Ingolfson, InnocuousPseudonym, Ionides2, J.delanoy, Jameslwoodward, Jappalang, Jeff G., JetLover, Jim1138, Jll, Joconnor, Joealtus, John, John Prattley, JonRichfield, Joseph Solisin Australia, Kaihsu, Kaitoh93, Kaiwhakahaere, Kate, Khutuck, Kowloonese, Kresadlo, Kusunose, La Pianista, Lacrimosus, Leandrod, Leif, Leonard G., Leslie Mateus, Lightmouse, Ling.Nut,Loopear, Loosmark, Lrenh, Lupinoid, Lyellin, MBK004, MChew, MadMax, Marauder09, Marcus Qwertyus, Mark Kim, MastCell, Mav, Megapixie, Mgiganteus1, Midori, Miserlou,Miwasatoshi, Mmuroya, MoRsE, Mohummy, Moroboshi, Mostergr, Movyn, Mr Grim Reaper, N Watson, N328KF, Naaman Brown, Nanshu, NativeForeigner, Nautical, Neier,NewEnglandYankee, Nick Number, Nick-D, NickBush24, Nigel Ish, Nobunaga24, Nova77, Oberiko, OldakQuill, Ontopofthewall, PRRfan, PaladinWhite, Palm dogg, Palnatoke, Parsecboy, PatBerry, Patiwat, Pavel Vozenilek, Per Honor et Gloria, Pibwl, Piet Delport, Piledhigheranddeeper, Pilot850, Pinball22, PoccilScript, Pol098, Poli, Portuguese Man o' War, Profoss, R-41, Rama,Ranger Steve, Raul654, Rave, Revth, Rich Farmbrough, Richard Keatinge, RjCan, Rje, Rjwilmsi, RobertG, Rsquire3, Ryan Roos, SDCHS, SSDPenguin, SYSS Mouse, Saaska, Sakhal, Sakkura,Scott Mingus, Scubakid87, Secondworldwar, Seeker alpha806, Seibun, Shibumi2, Signaleer, Snestank, SpookyMulder, Spot87, Spventi, Srajan01, Staygyro, Stephen Hui, Sturmvogel 66,Suguru@Musashi, Sus scrofa, TBDuval, Tabunoki, TalShiar, Tangotango, TarenCapel, Tec15, Tectar, TerraFrost, The ed17, Theanthrope, Thingg, Thomas Yeardly, Tiller54, TitaniumCarbide,TomTheHand, Tommy2010, Tony1, Toytoy, Trainik, Trekphiler, Tripbeetle, Truthanado, Tsteil, Ucucha, Unregistered.coward, V8Cougar, Vamsae, Varlaam, Vaughnstull, Velella, Vgy7ujm,Vina, Welsh, WereSpielChequers, Wikieditoroftoday, Wikiuser100, Wildsurmise, Wolcott, Woohookitty, Wwoods, Xdamr, Xyl 54, Yaki-gaijin, Yosy, Youandme, ZelconWillowmen,Zerobandwidth, ²¹², АлександрВв, Подпоручикъ, 459 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Yamato Trial 1941.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yamato_Trial_1941.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Felix Stember, Igiveup, Jappalang,Makthorpe, MegapixieFile:Naval Ensign of Japan.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Naval_Ensign_of_Japan.svg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: David Newton,uploader was Denelson83File:Yamato battleship under construction.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yamato_battleship_under_construction.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: KureNaval BaseFile:Yamato during Trial Service.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yamato_during_Trial_Service.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Yamatotrials.jpg:Unknown derivative work: 0607crp (talk)File:YamatoClassBattleships.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:YamatoClassBattleships.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: 神 田 武 夫

File:Yamato1945.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yamato1945.png  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: AlexplFile:Yamato hit by bomb.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yamato_hit_by_bomb.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Denniss, Igiveup, Ingolfson, Makthorpe,Rcbutcher, Schekinov Alexey Victorovich, SchimmelreiterFile:Yamato under air attack.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yamato_under_air_attack.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Unknown US Navy personnelFile:YamatoTenGoOfficers.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:YamatoTenGoOfficers.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: BrokenSphere, Cla68, PMG,Raul654, SceadugengaFile:Yamato maneuvering.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yamato_maneuvering.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Igiveup, PMG, SceadugengaFile:Yamato damaged 7 apr 1945.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yamato_damaged_7_apr_1945.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: BrokenSphere,Denniss, Ingolfson, Makthorpe, Rama, Yann78File:Yamato explosion.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yamato_explosion.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: BrokenSphere, Igiveup, Makthorpe, Man vyiFile:YAMATO Moder.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:YAMATO_Moder.JPG  License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported  Contributors:Carpkazu

LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/