The logical ending to the conversation about the heavy cruisers of the Japanese Imperial Navy will be the story of the Tone-class cruisers. In the material about the "Mogami", the moment was touched upon when Japan used all the unused displacement under the treaties to create 6 class "B" cruisers. Four cruisers are just "Mogami", and two … And two are our today's heroes: "Tone" and "Tikuma".
The cruiser "Mogami" was taken as the basis for the design, but over time, the project was radically redesigned.
Initially, the mission consisted of the same fifteen 155-mm guns with an elevation angle of 75 ° (which could be changed to 203-mm "if something happened"), eight 127-mm guns in twin mounts, twelve anti-aircraft machine guns, six 610- mm torpedo tubes on board, four seaplanes.
The armor protection is the same as that of the Mogami, that is, it must hold 203-mm shells in the area of the cellars and 155-mm in the area of the power plant. The maximum speed is 36 knots (1 less than that of the Mogami), the cruising range is 10,000 nautical miles at an 18-knot speed.
However, by the time they were ready, the ships were completely different. All the alterations happened exactly when the first person of the project was not Fujimoto, but Fukuda, which I also already mentioned. It was easier to put pressure on Fukuda for the admirals from the naval General Staff, and the captain of the first rank tried to do everything that the gentlemen of the naval commanders wanted.
As a result, a completely different ship appeared outwardly. And not only outwardly, however, judge for yourself.
The main innovation: the number of main battery towers was reduced by one, removing one tower from the stern altogether, and transferring the second to the bow. This landmark decision made it possible to solve several old problems at once and give rise to a couple of new ones at the same time.
The main thing was that the aft part of the cruiser was completely freed, where an airfield for 6 seaplanes was equipped (with catapults, of course), all aviation equipment from the middle part was moved to the stern.
At the same time, the air defense was reinforced with another pair of 127-mm guns.
Naturally, this still made the ship heavier, and therefore the cruising range was reduced to 8,000 miles.
The result was a class “B” cruiser, that is, a light cruiser with twelve 155-mm guns and an air group of 6 seaplanes. A sort of scout scout. Naturally, with the prospect of replacing 155 mm main guns with 203 mm.
As I said above, the project had both pros and cons.
Advantages can be considered that the concentration of all the main guns in the nose should definitely increase the accuracy of the salvo, reduce the spread of shells at long distances, in general, as an artillery platform, the ship became much more stable.
The pluses include the transfer of torpedo tubes to the stern, where they could quite easily cripple the ship in case of enemy shells hitting them. In general, these torpedoes, which the Japanese admirals elevated to the rank of ideal, sometimes caused more damage to their own than to other people's ships.
In addition, the spread of aircraft and artillery to different ends of the ship excluded damage to one another. That is, obviously the planes would not have to suffer from the firing of main-caliber guns, as it was when the planes were between the bow and stern turrets.
On the downside, I would attribute the appearance of a dead zone when firing with the main caliber, especially when retiring, and in general, the angle of fire as a whole turned out to be very limited. Well, if a projectile from 380 mm and higher flew into the bow, this was clearly fraught with the loss of all artillery.
In general, it really turned out to be an interesting ship, a reconnaissance cruiser of a very decent range, not so much due to its range, but due to its air wing, which could conduct reconnaissance for almost 24 hours, replacing one aircraft with another as the crew refueled and rest.
So "Tone" in 1937, and "Tikuma" in 1938 became part of the Japanese Imperial Navy.
And, of course, as soon as Japan said "Goodbye America!" and on January 1, 1937, withdrew from all naval agreements, a plan was put in place to re-equip the Tone cruisers, as well as the Mogami, from 155-mm guns to 203-mm.
The ships were still heavier, the fifth pair of 127-mm station wagons was removed, but as compensation, the 13.2-mm machine guns were replaced with 25-mm coaxial assault rifles.
They did not have time to make towers at all, so the alteration of the ships was delayed. But in the end, by 1940, both cruisers were ready and became part of the 8th division of heavy cruisers. The division consisted, in fact, of themselves. Tone was appointed the flagship.
What were the cruisers.
The displacement of the project was 11,230 tons, the full, naturally, jumped over 15,200 tons.
The length at the waterline is 198 m. The width at the waterline is 18.5 m. Draft is 6.88 m at full load.
Reservation:
Armor belt: 18-100 mm (in the area of the power plant), 55-145 in the area of the cellars.
Deck: 31-65 mm.
Towers: 25 mm.
Deck-house: 40-130 mm.
Engines: 4 TZA "Kampon", 8 boilers "Kampon Ro-Go", 152,000 hp. with., 4 propellers. Travel speed 35.5 knots. Cruising range 12,000 nautical miles at 14 knots or 8,000 miles at 18 knots.
Armament:
Main caliber: 4 × 2 x 203 mm / 50, 120 rounds of ammunition per gun.
Anti-aircraft artillery: 4 × 2 x 127 mm, 6 × 2 x 25 mm.
Mine-torpedo armament: 12 (4 × 3) 610-mm torpedo tubes, 24 torpedo ammunition. Aviation group: 2 catapults type No. 2 model 5, 6-8 seaplanes.
The crew for the project was 874 people, but as the air defense systems increased, it increased to 1000 people.
The main caliber was a masterpiece of creativity of Japanese designers! Three towers were customarily placed according to the "pyramid" scheme, but the fourth had to be literally shoved where there was a place. As a result, the tower turned out to be turned back and, according to the plans, was intended for firing backward on the side. But the dead zone still turned out to be hefty, and in the worst case scenario, the reconnaissance cruiser could only fight back with her torpedo tubes at the stern.
The guns were the same as on the Takao, the maximum firing range with the barrel raised by 45 degrees was 29.4 km, the accuracy was very decent. It was believed that these guns could operate in a defensive fire mode against flying targets, but in reality this was not practiced. Two rangefinder posts on 2 and 4 towers with 8-meter rangefinders were responsible for aiming the guns. Later, a radar was connected to the control.
The anti-aircraft armament was completely standard. Eight 127-mm Type 89 guns in twin mounts with shields. They were located on the sides of the chimney very close to each other. With a maximum elevation angle of 90 °, their effective height reach reached 7400 meters. To control their fire, two SUAZO type 94 were used (on the sides of the superstructure), each with a 4.5-meter rangefinder. The ammunition capacity consisted of 200 unitary rounds per gun.
Six coaxial 25-mm Type 96 assault rifles were intended for firing at a distance of up to 3000 meters. Their ammunition load consisted of 24,000 rounds (2,000 per barrel).
In general, the air defense system of cruisers was constantly being strengthened, and by mid-1944, the cruisers were armed with up to 60 25-mm units in various (from 1 to 3 barrels in the installation) configurations. Plus, each ship received three radars, one "Type 13" and two "Type 22", one of the "Type 22" was used in the fire control system.
Torpedo armament was located at the stern. It is difficult to say how profitable this was, since torpedoes were a constant source of problems for Japanese ships. Together with airplanes, that is, aviation fuel, ammunition and bombs, that still explosive mixture was obtained in the truest sense of the word.
But 4 three-tube torpedo tubes were placed under the shelterdeck (hinged deck where the planes were in the stowed position), two per side. Between the vehicles there were special ports for reloading torpedoes with cranes.
The oxygen torpedoes used type 93 model 1 with a launch weight of 2, 7 tons carried 490 kg of explosive type 97 and could travel 40 km at a speed of 36 knots, 32 km at 40 knots and 20 km at 48. Of the total ammunition of 24 pieces, twelve torpedoes were immediately in the torpedo tubes, and twelve more were in the quick reloading system. The torpedo warheads were protected from an armored casing.
Aircraft. All feed was given for the undivided use of seaplanes, on which the Japanese naval command had high hopes. The planes were supposed to conduct reconnaissance, detecting enemy ships, primarily aircraft carriers. If possible, strike at them, illuminate targets at night with the help of glowing aerial bombs.
According to the project, 6-8 seaplanes were to be based on the "Ton": two three-seater "Type 94" on the arrows of the catapults and four two-seater "Type 95" on the rail system on the upper deck.
It was planned to equip "Tikumu" with eight machines at once (four "Type 94" and four "Type 95").
Each cruiser was equipped with two powder catapults, located on the side above the torpedo compartments and cranes for installing aircraft. There was a choice of the type of aircraft that could be quickly lifted under the crane arrow and installed on the catapult.
In reality, in the first year of the war, 5 seaplanes were used on both cruisers, and then 4 seaplanes were used at all.
At different times the cruisers were armed with Aichi E13A type 0, Nakajima E8N type 95, Kawanishi E7K and Mitsubishi F1M. Air bombs (60 kg and 250 kg) were stored in an armored warehouse behind the 4th turret of the main battery, gasoline tanks (with a carbon dioxide filling system) were on the hold deck.
In principle, the unusual layout has yielded results. The Japanese designers managed not only to preserve the seaworthiness of the Mogami, but it turned out that the Tone was more stable than its predecessor.
On official trials in September 1938, "Tone" with a power of 152,189 hp. and a displacement of 14 097 tons showed a speed of 35, 55 knots, and "Tikuma" in January 1939 at 152 915 hp. and 14,080 tons - 35, 44 knots.
The successful shape of the hull and the unusual layout of the ship allowed the Japanese to obtain a high-speed, maneuverable, stable ship with powerful, although not without drawbacks, weapons.
According to the project, the crew of the cruisers consisted of 874 people, but as the small-caliber anti-aircraft artillery was strengthened during the war, the number of the entire team exceeded 1000 people. Nevertheless, even in this situation, the "Tone" were considered the most comfortable ships in terms of crew accommodation.
The sailor had 4, 4 cubic meters of living quarters, the officer - 31, 7 cubic meters. The cabins and even the sailors' quarters were equipped with bunks instead of the outdated outboard ones. Ventilation has been improved by installing centrifugal fans in the living quarters. The ships had pantries for rice and pickled products (in the bow) and a freezer (in the stern), on the middle deck there were an infirmary, a sailor's bath and sanitary and hygienic rooms for command personnel. Galleys for officers and sailors were located on the upper deck on the starboard side, near the front torpedo compartment.
According to the memoirs of former officers of the Imperial Navy, "Tone" and "Chikuma" enjoyed a reputation as the best Japanese cruisers in terms of habitability.
The construction of both cruisers was carried out in an atmosphere of increased secrecy, which is why very few photographs of these ships have survived, despite the general love of the Japanese for their fleet.
Combat service cruisers
After entering service, the cruisers "Tone" and "Chikuma" were assigned to the Yokosuka naval base and became part of the 6th division of the 2nd fleet, but soon the ships were transferred to the 8th division of the same 2nd fleet. Before Japan entered World War II, both cruisers took part in exercises on several occasions, mainly in Chinese waters.
Both cruisers took part in the campaign to Pearl Harbor; on December 8, seaplanes from the Tone and Chikuma performed flights to assess the damage caused by carrier-based aircraft raids to the American fleet.
Then the cruisers supported the landing on Wake Island. Having undergone scheduled repairs in Kure, both cruisers operated in the area of Rabaul, Palau atoll, Banda Sea, their aircraft took part in the raid on the Australian port of Darwin.
As part of the Mobile Strike Fleet, consisting of cruisers, battleships and destroyers, Tone and Tikuma sank the American destroyer Idsall and the Dutch minelayer Modekerto on March 1, 1942.
On the morning of April 5, 1942, the seaplane of the cruiser "Tone" discovered the British heavy cruisers "Cornwell" and "Devonshire" in the waters of the Indian Ocean, both cruisers were then sunk by carrier-based aircraft of Japanese aircraft carriers.
The 8th Division, with both of its cruisers, took part in the invasion of Midway Atoll. On June 5, 1942, the seaplanes of the cruisers were looking for ships of the American fleet. Then the seaplane from the cruiser "Tone" discovered enemy aircraft carriers. In that memorable battle, the cruisers were not damaged, although they were not marked with victories.
Following the Battle of Midway Atoll, the Tone and Tikuma took part in the campaign to the Aleutian Islands, and then returned to take part in the maneuvers of the 3rd Fleet in the Inland Sea.
From August 1942 to January 1943, Tone and Tikuma took part in the campaign in the Solomon Islands. During the second battle in the Solomon Sea on August 24, 1942, Tone coped with the task of rescuing the crew of the sunken aircraft carrier Ryuidze. Seaplanes from the Chikuma have located the location of the American fleet.
During the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 26, 1942, the Chikumu was hit by a bomb dropped by an aircraft from the aircraft carrier Hornet. A bomb explosion seriously damaged the cruiser superstructure, and a fire began. An experienced ship commander gave the order to immediately send the torpedoes overboard to prevent them from exploding. The order was issued exclusively on time and executed extremely promptly: three minutes after the last torpedo was dropped overboard, a 225-kg bomb dropped from another American carrier-based aircraft hit the torpedo tube.
After repairs, both cruisers took part in the "Tokyo Express", delivered cargo from Rabaul to Eniwetok, sometimes carrying out shelling of coastal targets.
On November 5, 1943, while in Rabaul, they came under attack by American bombers. Both ships were damaged.
The 8th cruiser division was disbanded on January 1, 1944, the Tone and Tikuma became part of the 7th division of the Mogami-class cruisers.
On March 9, 1944, Tone and Chikuma operated together in the Indian Ocean. On that day, the cruiser Tone sank the British transport Biher off the coast of Cocos Island.
Both cruisers took part in the battle in the Philippine Sea on June 19-20, 1944.
Battle of Leyte Gulf. At Sama Island, Tikuma fired at the American light aircraft carrier Gambier Bay, but soon received a torpedo itself, dropped from the Avenger torpedo bomber, which was based on the light aircraft carrier Natoma Bay. The torpedo made a hole in the side in the area of the boiler room, into which water began to flow. The cruiser lost speed. The Tikuma team boarded the Novaki destroyer, after which the Novaki finished off the cruiser with its native Japanese torpedoes. "Chikuma" sank on October 25, 1944. Soon the American aircraft sank the destroyer "Novaki" too; none of the destroyer crew and the sailors "Chikuma" on board the "Chikuma" escaped.
The cruiser "Tone" was attacked by torpedo bombers, which were also used by dive bombers. The raid took place on October 24, 1944, when the cruiser was sailing the Sibuyan Sea and had not yet reached the San Bernardino Strait.
Three bombs hit the "Ton", which, however, did not cause serious damage to the ship. After that attack, "Tone" was next to the battleship "Musashi".
The moment, to put it mildly, was not the best; a large group of American planes just flew into the battleship.
When the battleship was sunk, "Tone" fought off the aircraft, but was soon hit by a 127-mm projectile fired from the cannon of an American destroyer. Not God knows what, especially compared to Musashi.
At the end of the battle, a 250-kg bomb hit the Tone. The damaged cruiser went to Brunei, and from there went to Maizuri's home base, where she was put into dry dock for repairs and modernization.
During the repairs on the ship, the anti-aircraft armament was strengthened to 62 automatic anti-aircraft guns of 25-mm caliber, and instead of the radar for the airspace survey No. 21, the artillery fire control radar No. 22 was installed.
The repairs continued until February 1945, and after the completion of it, "Tone" no longer left Japan. The war at sea for Japan actually ended, and the last place of service of the cruiser "Tone" was the role of a training ship at the naval academy in Itayama.
On July 24, 1945 in Etajima, during a raid by American carrier-based aircraft, the Tone received three direct hits of 250-kg and 500-kg bombs and seven close explosions, as a result of which it lay down on the ground and was abandoned by the crew. On July 28, he received additional damage in a new raid.
Finally, in 1947-48 "Tone" was raised and cut into metal.
What can be said as a result?
"Tone", like "Mogami", became the crown of the design ideas of Japanese shipbuilders. These were very remarkable ships in all their characteristics, with good seaworthiness, powerful, albeit original weapons, and, as practice showed, quite tenacious.
But the most important "highlight" was the ability to very quickly convert cruisers from light to heavy by replacing the 155 mm three-gun turrets with 203-mm two-gun turrets.
After withdrawing from the limiting naval agreements, the Japanese quickly carried out this operation on ships built and under construction. As a result, Japan had 18 heavy cruisers by the beginning of the war, just like the Americans.
In fact, it is not as easy as it seems: take and simply rearrange the towers. It was really just an incomparable mixture of engineering and oriental cunning. So the Tone-class cruisers, together with the Mogs, are truly outstanding ships.
True, this did not help Japan at all in that war.
