IJN Yamato: Tabular Record of Movement
© 2000-2001 Bob Hackett
Revision 2
16 December 1941: Initial Command Structure:
Completed. Commissioned in the IJN as the YAMATO. Captain (later Vice Admiral) Takayanagi, Gihachi (former CO of ISE) is the Commanding Officer. The YAMATO is assigned to the Combined Fleet's BatDiv 1 with the NAGATO and the MUTSU at Hashirajima. The YAMATO is home-ported in the Kure Naval District.
21 December 1941:
Departs Kure. Arrives at Hiroshima Bay, Inland Sea. Anchors west of the NAGATO at Hashirajima.
21 December 1941-10 February 1942:
In Inland Sea. Final fitting-out, deficiencies found are corrected at Kure. The YAMATO's initial AA suite is twelve 127-mm guns (6 twin mounts), twenty-four 25-mm guns (8 triple enclosed mounts) and four 13.2-mm machine guns (2 twin mounts).
12 February 1942:
Arrives at Hashirajima from Kure. The flag of the Combined Fleet's Commander-in-Chief Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku is transferred from the NAGATO to the YAMATO.
30 March 1942:
In the Inland Sea. Admiral Yamamoto observes while Captain Takayanagi conducts more armament trials at a range of 23 miles. They are judged a failure. Both Takayanagi and his gunnery officer are upbraided because the YAMATO's gun aimers manning the main rangefinder misread the horizontal settings.
March-May 1942:
Training and more gunnery practice in Inland Sea. Captain Arima Kaoru, the Equipping Officer of the YAMATO's sister ship, the MUSASHI, pays an orientation visit with members of his new crew.
1 May 1942:
Captain Takayanagi is promoted to Rear Admiral.
27 May 1942:
The YAMATO is deemed operational.
29 May 1942:
Operation MI - The Battle of Midway:
At 0600, the YAMATO departs Hashirajima with the First Fleet, Main Body: BatDiv 1, light carrier HOSHO, seaplane/submarine tenders CHIYODA, NISSHIN, DesRon 3's light cruiser SENDAI, nine destroyers, Supply Group No. 1. The Main Body remains 300 miles behind the Carrier Striking Force.
30 May 1942:
The Japanese intercept, but cannot decode, a report by the USS CUTTLEFISH (SS-171) returning from patrol near Saipan. Around midnight, the IJN's 6th (Submarine) Fleet at Kwajalein also reports monitoring messages exchanged by two American task groups located 170 miles NNE of Midway, moving westwards.
Aboard the YAMATO, Admiral Yamamoto suggests that the information be relayed to the First Air Fleet's flagship, the carrier AKAGI, but senior staff officer Captain Kuroshima cautions not to break radio silence.
5 June 1942:
0015: Admiral Yamamoto orders the night engagement cancelled.
0255: Yamamoto orders Operation MI cancelled.
9 June 1942:
The Chief of Staff of the First Air Fleet, Rear Admiral Kusaka Ryunosuke and staff officers Captain Oishi Tamotsu and Cdr Genda Minoru arrive aboard the YAMATO from the light cruiser NAGARA.
14 June 1942:
Returns to Hashirajima.
14 July 1942:
The NAGATO and the MUTSU are reassigned to BatDiv 2. The YAMATO remains in BatDiv 1.
5 August 1942:
The MUSASHI assigned to First Fleet, BatDiv 1 with the YAMATO.
17 August 1942:
Admiral Yamamoto and his staff depart Kure for Truk with Main Body: YAMATO, escort carrier KASUGA MARU (later renamed TAIYO), DesDiv 7: AKEBONO, USHIO, SAZANAMI.
28 August 1942:
Near Truk. The YAMATO is attacked by LtCdr (later Vice Admiral) Glynn R. Donaho's USS FLYING FISH (SS-229). Since Donaho's ONI 41-42 Recognition Manual does not include the unknown YAMATO-class, he identifies her as a "KONGO-class" battleship. Donaho fires four Mark 14 steam torpedoes and thinks that he sees two hits, but they are premature explosions. An aircraft bombs the FLYING FISH and she is depth-charged by four escorts, but makes good her escape.
28 August 1942:
The YAMATO makes port safely at Truk. She serves there as Headquarters and Flagship of the Combined Fleet.
9 September 1942:
The Combined Fleet's main units on Truk are transferred to a new anchorage south of Summer (Dublon) Island.
17 October 1942:
At Truk. The oiler KENYO MARU arrives empty. The YAMATO and the MUTSU each transfer 4,500-tons of fuel oil to her to refuel IJN warships that are involved in the Guadalcanal operations.
1 November 1942:
Aboard the YAMATO, a festive dinner is held for all skippers stationed at Truk to celebrate the IJN's victory at the Battle of Santa Cruz.
17 December 1942:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Matsuda Chiaki (former CO, BB HYUGA) assumes command from Rear Admiral Takayanagi who is transferred to the First Fleet staff.
11 February 1943:
At Truk. After one year's service, Admiral Yamamoto's Combined Fleet flag is transferred to the YAMATO's new sister-ship, the MUSASHI.
3 April 1943:
Admiral Yamamoto and his staff depart Truk for Rabaul on two Kawanishi H8K "Emily" flying boats to supervise Operation "I-Go" from 7 to 14 April. They are expected to return to the MUSASHI on 19 April.
18 April 1943:
Acting on codebreaker's "Ultra" deciphers and as authorized by President Roosevelt, 18 Army Air Force P-38s of the 70th and 339th Fighter Squadrons of the 347th FG takeoff from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal and intercept and kill Admiral Yamamoto over Bougainville while his Type 1 Mitsubishi GM4 "Betty" bomber is enroute from Lakunai airfield, Rabaul to Ballale Island. A second "Betty" carrying Yamamoto's Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Ugaki Matome is also shot down. Ugaki, although hurt in the crash, survives.
23 April 1943:
At Truk. In the evening, a flying boat arrives carrying the ashes of Yamamoto and six of his staff officers. Yamamoto's ashes are transferred secretly to the Admiral's sea cabin under the supervision of senior staff officer Captain Kuroshima Kameto.
25 April 1943:
At Truk. At 1500, Admiral Koga Mineichi (former CO of ISE) arrives on an "Emily" from Yokosuka, ostensibly for an inspection tour. It is not made public that he is the new CINC of the Combined Fleet until Yamamoto's state funeral in Tokyo the next month.
1 May 1943:
Captain Matsuda is promoted to Rear Admiral.
8 May 1943:
Departs Truk for Yokosuka.
13 May 1943:
Departs Yokosuka for Kure.
21 May 1943:
Drydocked for inspection and repairs.
30 May 1943:
Undocked.
12 July 1943:
At Kure. Drydocked. A Type 21, Mod 3, air and surface search radar is installed. Twelve new (four triple mount) 25-mm AA guns are fitted on the weather deck. The YAMATO's total 25-mm. AA suite is now 36 guns. Her 155-mm. wing mount guns are provided with coaming armor and their barbettes with 28-mm of additional armor. The YAMATO's fuel storage is reduced and her main and auxiliary rudder controls are improved.
17 July 1943:
Undocked.
7 August 1943: German Operation "Marco Polo":
At Kure. The YAMATO's crew and others welcome the arrival from Penang, occupied Malaya, of Kapitanleutnant Fritz Schneewind's German submarine U-511, a type IXC submarine, which is a gift from Hitler to the Emperor. The U-511 left Germany in April for Penang, occupied Malaya, where it picked up a Japanese crew. Vice Admiral Nomura Naokuni, (former CO of CA HAGURO) Japan's representative to the Axis Tripartite Commission since 1941, also returns from Berlin aboard the U-boat to become the CINC of the Kure Naval Station and, as Admiral in 1944, the Vice Minister of the Navy.
16 August 1943:
The YAMATO, loaded with troops and supplies, departs Kure with the FUSO, the NAGATO and DesDiv 16's AMATSUKAZE and the HATSUKAZE. Stops at Yashima anchorage that night.
17 August 1943:
The YAMATO departs Yashima via Yokosuka for Truk in a task group: battleships FUSO, NAGATO, escort carrier TAIYO, cruisers ATAGO, TAKAO, DesDiv 7's USHIO, DesDiv 10's AKIGUMO, YUGUMO, DesDiv 16's AMATSUKAZE and the HATSUKAZE.
23 August 1943:
The task group arrives at Truk.
7 September 1943:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Ono Takeji (former CO of CA SUZUYA) assumes command from from Rear Admiral Matsuda who is reassigned to the Imperial General Staff.
18 September 1943:
At Truk. The fleet sorties to Brown Island, Eniwetok in response to raids on Tarawa, Makin and Abemama Atolls launched by Rear Admiral Charles A. Pownall's Task Force 15 carriers: USS LEXINGTON (CV-16), PRINCETON (CVL-23) and the BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24).
Vice Admiral Ozawa Jizaburo, in tactical command, leads the fleet's first section: BatDiv 1: YAMATO, NAGATO, CarDiv 1: SHOKAKU, ZUIKAKU, (followed by ZUIHO on 19 September), CruDiv 5: MYOKO, HAGURO, CruDiv 8: CHIKUMA, TONE, light cruisers AGANO, NOSHIRO and destroyers. Vice Admiral Kurita Takao leads the second section with his Advance Force: CruDiv 4: ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA and CHOKAI.
Admiral Koga, CINC, Combined Fleet, remains at Truk in the fleet's flagship, the MUSASHI with BatDiv 2's FUSO and BatDiv 3: KONGO and the HARUNA.
25 September 1943:
No contact is made with Task Force 15. The fleet returns to Truk.
5-6 November 1943:
Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Alfred E. Montgomery's Task Force 14 carriers: USS ESSEX (CV-9), YORKTOWN (CV-10), LEXINGTON (CV-16), INDEPENDENCE (CV-22), BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24) and the COWPENS (CVL-25) launch raids on Wake and the Marshall Islands.
17 October 1943:
The Japanese intercept radio traffic that suggests the Americans are planning another raid on Wake Island. Admiral Koga sorties from Truk to intercept the enemy carriers with the fleet: BatDiv 1: YAMATO, MUSASHI, NAGATO, BatDiv 2's FUSO, Bat Div 3: KONGO, HARUNA, CarDiv 1: SHOKAKU, ZUIKAKU, ZUIHO, CruDiv 4: ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA, CHOKAI, CruDiv 7: SUZUYA, MOGAMI, CruDiv 8: CHIKUMA, TONE and the light cruisers AGANO, NOSHIRO, OYODO and destroyers.
19-23 October 1943:
Arrives at Brown Atoll, Eniwetok.
23 October 1943:
Departs Brown and sorties to a position 250 n. miles south of Wake. Returns after no contact is made with enemy forces.
26 October 1943:
The fleet arrives back at Truk.
12 December 1943:
Departs Truk with CarDiv 1's SHOKAKU, ZUIKAKU, DesDiv 4's TANIKAZE and DesDiv 10's AKIGUMO and the KAZAGUMO covering transport operation "BO-1".
17 December 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Loads a mixed independent infantry regiment and supplies.
20 December 1943:
Departs Yokosuka loaded with troops, supplies with DesDiv 4's YAMAGUMO and the TANIKAZE bound via Truk for Kavieng, New Ireland and Manus in the Admiralty Islands.
25 December 1943:
Northeast of Truk at 10-5N, 150-32E. Just before dawn, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Eugene B. McKinney, acting on an "Ultra", is running on the surface in the USS SKATE (SS-305). McKinney picks up the YAMATO at 27,000 yards. He dives and tries to close, but is unsuccessful until the YAMATO turns towards him. He passes down her starboard beam, turns and fires his four stern tubes at her. One or two Mk-14-3A torpedoes hit the YAMATO on the starboard hull near turret No. 3. A total failure of the main armor belt system occurs due to a flawed joint between the upper and lower side protection belts. The upper magazine for No. 3 turret floods. The YAMATO takes on about 3,000-tons of water. The transport mission is aborted.
25 December 1943:
At Truk. Emergency repairs.
10 January 1944:
Departs Truk for Kure with DesDiv 4's MICHISHIO, ASAGUMO and DesDiv 32's FUJINAMI.
11 January 1944:
At 1800, the YAMATO is spotted by the USS HALIBUT (SS-232), but the submarine is unable to attack.
14 January 1944:
At 2330, the USS BATFISH (SS-310) picks up the YAMATO group on radar, then visually, but the BATFISH is unable to close the range for an attack.
16 January 1944:
Arrives at Kure. Docked in No. 4 drydock to repair the torpedo damage to her hull and correct deficiencies in her armor belt.
25 January 1944:
Captain Morishita Nobuei (former CO of BB HARUNA) assumes command from Captain Ono.
3 February 1944:
Undocked.
25 February 1944:
At Kure. BatDiv 1: YAMATO and MUSASHI is reassigned from the First Fleet to the Second Fleet.
Drydocked. Two beam triple 6.1 inch (155-mm.) turrets are removed and replaced by six twin 5-inch (127-mm.) HA AA mounts. Twenty-four triple-mount and 26 single 25mm. AA mounts are added. Shelters are also added on the upper deck for the increased AA crews. Type 13 air search and Type 22, Mod 4, surface search/gunnery control radars are installed and the main mast is altered. Two 150-mm searchlights are removed and later installed ashore at Kure.
The YAMATO is fitted with Type 2 infrared (IR) Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF)/signaling devices mounted midway up on each side of the bridge. The system may have been based on the German "Seehund" IR device. It is built around a telescopic sensor that receives light-waves in the IR range and registers a readout in the radio shack. The system also includes a pair of 20-mm. binoculars coaxially mounted with the transmitting IR lamp on the bridge so that another ship can use the IR detector for elementary signaling or as a formation light for station keeping.
About this time, the YAMATO is also fitted with multiple E27 radar detectors copied from the German FuMB 1 Metox R.600.
18 March 1944:
Undocked.
11 April 1944:
Departs Kure for trials in the Iyo Nada; returns to Hashirajima that evening.
17 April 1944:
Returns to Kure to load supplies.
21 April 1944:
Departs Kure for Okinoshima. Loads troops.
22 April 1944:
Departs Okinoshima with cruiser MAYA, destroyers SHIMAKAZE, YUKIKAZE and two other destroyers.
28 April 1944:
Arrives at Manila, unloads troops and supplies, then departs.
1 May 1944:
Arrives at Lingga (near Singapore).
3 May 1944:
At Lingga. Designated the flagship of Vice Admiral Ugaki Matome's (former CO of HYUGA) BatDiv 1.
11 May 1944:
Steams with Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo's (former CO of HARUNA) Mobile Fleet from Lingga to Tawi Tawi.
14 May 1944:
Anchors at Tawi Tawi.
May-June 1944:
At Tawi Tawi, the YAMATO and the MUSASHI participate in joint gunnery drills at ranges of almost 22 miles.
10 June 1944: Operation Kon - The Relief of Biak:
1600: Departs Tawi Tawi for Batjan with the MUSASHI, CruDiv 5's HAGURO, MYOKO, DesRon 2's light cruiser NOSHIRO and destroyers. Cdr Sam Dealey in the USS HARDER (SS-257), on station nearby, reports the Kon Force leaving Tawi Tawi.
Shortly after departure, a periscope (perhaps the HARDER's) is sighted and a submarine alert is given. All ships quickly execute "hard left-rudder"but the MUSASHI turns too late. She closes on the YAMATO just ahead. On the YAMATO's bridge, near panic reigns! Captain Morishita takes over the helm himself and carries out an evasive turn, but the situation remains critical. Then a lookout reports that the "ship behind us has stopped." All aboard both super-battleships are relieved that a collision between them has been avoided on the eve of battle.
12 June 1944:
Arrives at Batjan. The U.S. Invasion of the Marianas begins; Operation Kon is "postponed".
13 June 1944:
At 2200, departs Batjan.
15 June 1944:
The YAMATO group is sighted and reported by the USS SEAHORSE (SS-304) east of Mindanao.
17 June 1944:
Refuels from the 1st Supply Force's oilers, then joins the Mobile Fleet. Later, the Mobile Fleet is sighted by the USS CAVALLA (SS-244) in the Philippine Sea.
19-23 June 1944: Operation A-GO - The Battle of the Philippine Sea:
Vice Admiral Kurita's Second Fleet steams about 100 miles ahead of Vice Admiral Ozawa's carriers.
At 0920, the YAMATO's lookouts spot aircraft approaching at 13,125 feet. This is the fighter unit of Air Group 601's second strike. Admiral Kurita has received no information about a friendly overflight. The cruiser TAKAO fires four starshells meaning "identify yourself", but no reply is received. The planes keep approaching.
At 16,400 yards, the YAMATO and the other ships execute a turn to port and open fire. The YAMATO's main guns, loaded with "Sanshiki-dan" shells, are fired in anger for the first time - but at friendly forces! Four ZEKEs are damaged. Another ditches. The YAMATO may have damaged some of the planes. The MUSASHI's lookouts correctly identify the planes and she is the only ship that does not open fire.
The Mobile Fleet's aircraft attack U.S. Task Force 58 off Saipan but suffer overwhelming losses in the "Great Mariana's Turkey Shoot". The YAMATO remains undamaged and retires northward with the Mobile Fleet.
22 June 1944:
The Mobile Fleet arrives at Nakagusuku, Okinawa. Refuels destroyers, then departs.
24 June 1944:
The Mobile Fleet arrives at Hashirajima.
29 June-8 July 1944:
Departs Hashirajima for Kure with the MUSASHI. Fifteen new (five triple-mount) 25mm. AA guns are installed. The entire hinoki deck is also replaced. The YAMATO loads an Army regiment and materials aboard.
8-10 July 1944:
Departs Kure for Okinawa with Group A: BatDiv 1's YAMATO, MUSASHI, CruDiv 4: ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA, CHOKAI, CruDiv 7: KUMANO, SUZUYA, TONE, CHIKUMA, DesRon 2: light cruiser NOSHIRO, destroyers. Accompanied by Group B: the KONGO, NAGATO, the cruiser MOGAMI, DesRon 10: light cruiser YAHAGI and destroyers.
10 July 1944:
Group A detaches from Group B. Departs Okinawa for Lingga (south of Singapore) to join Mobile Fleet.
16 July 1944:
Cru Divs 4, 7, DesRon 2 detach from Group A for Singapore. BatDiv 1, escorts, continue to Lingga Roads.
17 July 1944:
Arrives at Lingga. Remains in the vicinity for three months conducting training with the MUSASHI and other fleet units.
15 October 1944:
Captain Morishita is promoted to Rear Admiral.
18 October 1944:
Black deck camouflage, intended for the night breakthrough in the San Bernardino Strait, is hastily applied to both the YAMATO and the MUSASHI. The main component is soot from the YAMATO's stack.
18-20 October 1944:
The fleet departs Lingga for Brunei Bay, Borneo to refuel.
22 October 1944: Operation SHO-I-GO ("Victory") - The Battle of Leyte Gulf:
The YAMATO receives Mitsubishi F1M2 (Pete) aircraft from the NAGATO. Sorties from Brunei towards Philippines with Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo's First Mobile Striking Force, First Section, Force "A" (Center Force): BatDiv 1: YAMATO, MUSASHI, NAGATO, CruDivs 4, 5, DesRon 2.
23 October 1944: The Battle of the Palawan Passage: Two American submarines attack Force "A". LtCdr (later Captain) David H. McClintock's USS DARTER (SS-227) sinks Kurita's flagship, the cruiser ATAGO. Kurita abandons ship and is picked from the water by the destroyer KISHINAMI. Ten hours later, he transfers to the YAMATO and resumes command of the First Diversion Attack Force. LtCdr (later Captain) Bladen D. Claggett's USS DACE (SS-247) sinks the cruiser MAYA. The DARTER also damages the cruiser TAKAO.
24 October 1944: The Battle of the Sibuyan Sea:
0810: Three enemy scout planes are sighted, bearing 10, range 31 miles. Speed is increased to 18 knots.
1026: The YAMATO opens fire on enemy aircraft, using her main guns and Type 3 "sanshikidan" rounds.
1032: Attacked by two Grumman TBF "Avengers" from the USS CABOT (CVL-28). No hits are scored.
1047: From this time on, lookouts on the YAMATO, MUSASHI, CHOKAI, NOSHIRO and the KISHINAMI report periscope and torpedo wake sightings. Several false sightings delay the fleet reforming.
1331: The YAMATO opens fire on aircraft from TG 38.3.
1350: A Curtiss SB2C "Helldiver" from the USS ESSEX (CV-9) drops two AP bombs that damage the port bow abreast of main gun turret No. 1.
1413: Lookouts sight aircraft from the ESSEX approaching. Vice Admiral Kurita's fleet orders the Force to increase speed to 22 knots.
1430: Attacked by four Grumman F6F "Hellcat" fighters and 12 SB2C "Helldiver" dive-bombers. They drop five 1000-lb AP and seven AP bombs. The first bomb penetrates the anchor deck, demolishes the port chain locker, explodes below the waterline, blows out a side plate and holes the bow. The mess deck is wrecked. Two bombs hit turret No. 1. One blows a hole above the waterline. Another bomb penetrates through the top deck to the crews' quarters.
The YAMATO ships 3, 000 tons of seawater and takes on a five-degree list to port. Damage Control counterfloods and reduces the list to one degree. The YAMATO is down by the bow and maintains a 2-ft, 8-in. bow trim. A "Helldiver" crashes on her fantail.
Force "A" continues on course through the Sibuyan Sea. During the day, the Force endures raids by over 250 U.S. carrier aircraft. The MUSASHI is hit by numerous aircraft torpedoes, bombs and sinks in the Visayan Sea. The NAGATO takes two bomb hits. The HARUNA is damaged by near-misses.
1530: Admiral Kurita orders the Force to reverse course back through the Sibuyan Sea.
1715: Force "A" again reverses course.
2330: Force"A" enters the narrow San Bernardino Strait hours in single file.
25 October 1944: The Battle off Samar:
0335: San Bernardino Strait. Force "A" exits the strait and proceeds eastward.
0400: Off Samar Island. Force "A" changes course due south towards Leyte Gulf.
0523: The YAMATO's Type 13 radar picks up enemy aircraft.
0544: Enemy carriers sighted on the horizon, hull down, bearing 60 to port, range 23 miles. They are identified as six carriers, escorted by three cruisers and two destroyers.
0545: The YAMATO opens fire on enemy planes.
0558: Force "A" opens fire at escort carriers of "Taffy 3": USS ST. LO (CVE-63), WHITE PLAINS (CVE-66), KALININ BAY (CVE-68), FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70) (F), KITKUN BAY (CVE-71) and GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73). Carriers screened by the destroyers USS HOEL (DD-533), JOHNSTON, (DD-557), HEERMANN (DD-532), destroyer escorts USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE-413), DENNIS (DE-405), RAYMOND (DE-341) and the JOHN C. BUTLER (DE-339).
Both of the YAMATO's forward turrets open fire at a distance of 20 miles. Of her six forward rifles only two are initially loaded with AP shells, the remainder with Type 3s. The YAMATO's F1M2 "Pete" spotter plane confirms that the first salvo is a hit. The carrier starts to smoke. Three six-gun salvos are fired on the same target, then the fire is shifted to the next carrier. It is concealed immediately by a smoke screen made by the American destroyers.
0606: The YAMATO continues on an easterly course, firing her 155-mm (6.1-inch) secondary guns.
0651: A charging "cruiser" emerges from behind the smoke. The YAMATO engages her from a distance of more than 10 miles and scores a hit with the first salvo. The target is seen burning before it is lost sight of.
At 0654, the destroyer HEERMANN fires three torpedoes at the HARUNA. The torpedoes miss the HARUNA, but head toward the YAMATO whose crew spots their tracks to starboard. The YAMATO turns away to port, steams northward for 10 miles until the torpedoes run out of fuel. Although the maneuver avoids the torpedoes, it puts the YAMATO and the Force's commander, Vice Admiral Kurita out of the battle.
0755-0910: Force "A" sinks the GAMBIER BAY, HOEL, ROBERTS and the JOHNSTON. Kurita orders all ships to head north, but at 1020 he reverses course southward and again heads towards Leyte Gulf.
0910: Nine Mitsubishi A6M "Zeke" fighters led by Lt. Seki Yukio of the 201st Naval Air Group's "Shikishima-tai" kamikaze squadron group fly over Kurita's fleet in search of the U.S. carriers.
1020: Kurita orders the course reversed to southward. The Force again heads towards Leyte Gulf.
1030-1320: The CHOKAI, CHIKUMA and the SUZUYA are disabled by battle damage, drop out of formation, and are subsequently lost. Force "A"reverses course northward and at 2100 retires through San Bernardino Strait.
26 October 1944:
0800. Tablas Strait off Panay. Force "A" is attacked by about 30 Grumman TBM "Avengers" from the USS WASP (CV-19) and the USS COWPENS (CVL-25).
0834: The Force is attacked by about 50 Curtiss SB2C "Helldivers" and "Avenger" torpedo planes from the USS HORNET (CV-12). Two bombs hit the YAMATO. The first penetrates the forecastle forward and to the right of the main breakwater, demolishing nearby crew's spaces. The second bomb causes slight damage to the side of main gun turret No. 1.
1040: About 30 Army Far Eastern Air Force B-24 "Liberators" based at Morotai attack the Force. Bomb fragments wound Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Koyanagi Tomiji (former CO of KONGO), Chief of Staff, Second Fleet and about 60 others. The YAMATO and the NAGATO open fire with their main armament using Type 3 "sanshikidan" shells. Their gun crews claim several bombers shot down.
1100: Sixty aircraft from Task Groups 38.2 and 38.4 attack the Force. The light cruiser NOSHIRO is sunk.
27 October 1944:
No attacks. Twenty-nine YAMATO crewmen killed in action buried at sea.
28 October 1944:
Force "A" arrives at Brunei and refuels from oilers.
6 November 1944:
The carrier JUNYO and the light cruiser KISO, escorted by DesDiv 30's YUZUKI and UZUKI arrive at Brunei from Sasebo with ammunition resupply for Kurita's force.
8 November 1944:
The YAMATO sorties from Brunei to Pratas Islands to avoid air raids with the NAGATO, HARUNA, KONGO and escorts. The JUNYO, the cruisers TONE and ASHIGARA, the light cruiser KISO and DesDiv 30 follow. JUNYO, TONE, KISO and DesDiv 30 detach to Manila. The remainder of the task group makes a feint through the Balabac Strait, then returns to Brunei.
11 November 1944:
The YAMATO group arrives at Brunei.
15 November 1944:
BatDiv 1 is disbanded. The YAMATO is assigned as the flagship of the Second Fleet.
16 November 1944:
Departs Brunei for Kure with the KONGO, NAGATO and escorts.
21 November 1944:
The YAMATO group is attacked by the USS SEALION II (SS-215). The KONGO and the destroyer URAKAZE are sunk.
23 November 1944:
Arrives at Kure.
24 November 1944:
Arrives at Kure.
25 November 1944:
At Kure. Drydocked. Begins battle damage repairs and refit. Twenty-four older 25-mm AA single mounts are removed. Twenty-seven 25-mm AA guns (9 triple mounts) are fitted in their place. The YAMATO's final AA complement is 152 25-mm AA guns (50 triple mounts, 2 single mounts).
Rear Admiral Aruga Kosaku (former CO of DesDiv 4) assumes command from Rear Admiral Morishita.
23 December 1944:
At Kure. The former Vice Chief of the Naval General Staff, Vice Admiral Ito Seiichi (former CO of HARUNA) assumes command of the now diminutive Second Fleet. Vice Admiral Kurita is reassigned as President of the Etajima Naval Academy.
1 January 1945:
The YAMATO, HARUNA and the NAGATO are assigned to the reactivated BatDiv 1, Second Fleet.
3 January 1945:
Undocked.
15 January 1945:
Moves from Kure to Hashirajima.
10 February 1945:
BatDiv 1, Second Fleet is deactivated for the last time. The YAMATO is reassigned to CarDiv 1.
13 March 1945:
At Hashirajima. Mistakenly, the YAMATO fires on 343rd NAG Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai ("George") fighters on patrol from their base at nearby Matsuyama airfield.
March 1945:
Returns to Kure.
19 March 1945:
Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's Task Force 58 carriers USS ESSEX (CV-9), INTREPID (CV-11), HORNET (CV-12), WASP (CV-18), HANCOCK (CV-19), BENNINGTON (CV-20) and the BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24) make the first carrier attack on the Kure Naval Arsenal.
More than 240 aircraft (SB2C "Helldivers", F4U "Corsairs" and F6F "Hellcats") attack the battleships HYUGA, ISE, YAMATO, HARUNA, the carriers AMAGI, KATSURAGI, RYUHO, KAIYO and other ships.
The YAMATO, underway in the Inland Sea, sustains minor damage from a hit on bridge by a "Helldiver" dive-bomber from the INTREPID.
The fleet is defended vigorously but unsuccessfully by 54 "George" fighters of Captain (later General and CINC, JSDF*) Genda Minoru's (of AKAGI at Pearl Harbor) 343rd NAG. The pilots, led by Lt Oshibuchi Takashi, claim 52 aircraft shot down against 14 fighters lost and one Nakajima C6N1 Saiun ("Myrt") that collided with a "Hellcat". Japanese flak claims five more planes.
28 March 1945:
1730: The Second Fleet departs Hashirajima for Sasebo.
1800: Vice Admiral Ito's fleet is recalled after Headquarters, Combined Fleet receives a report about a TF 58 raid on airfields in southern Kyushu.
29 March-6 April 1945:
At Kure. Awaits sailing orders. The YAMATO takes aboard a full supply of ammunition: 1,170 rounds for her 18.1-inch guns, 1,620 rounds for her secondary guns, 13,500 anti-aircraft rounds and 11.5 million for smaller caliber guns. The YAMATO receives fuel from the destroyers HANAZUKI and the ASASHIMO. The light cruiser YAHAGI receives fuel from the destroyer HATSUSHIMO.
2 April 1945:
1000: The YAMATO departs Kure for anchorage at the Mitajiri Bight.
3 April 1945:
0918: The Second Fleet receives an order from the Commander-in-Chief Combined Fleet Admiral Toyoda Soemu (former CO of HYUGA) alerting it about a sortie to Okinawa.
4 April 1945:
Three Mitsubishi A6M "Zeke" fighters of the 332nd Kokutai from the nearby Iwakuni Air Base fly very low over the YAMATO to act as targets for gunnery training for the ship's new and untrained AA crews.
5 April 1945: Operation Ten-Ichi-Go - ("Heaven Number One"):
1359: A detailed order is received: "The Surface Special Attack Unit is ordered to proceed via Bungo Suido Channel at dawn on Y-1 day to reach the prescribed holding position for a high-speed run-in to the area west of Okinawa at dawn on Y-day. Your mission is to attack the enemy fleet and supply train and destroy them. Y-day is April 8th."
1500: Skipper Aruga informs his assembled crew about the sortie.
1730: Sixty-seven naval cadets of Etajima class No. 74, who arrived three days before, are sent ashore. Then a farewell party is held aboard the YAMATO.
6 April 1945:Operation Ten-I-Go ("Heaven Number One") The Attack on the U.S. Invasion Forces at Okinawa:
At the Mitajiri anchorage. In the early morning, Vice Admiral Kusaka Ryunosuke (former CO of CV AKAGI), Chief of Staff of the Combined Fleet, accompanied by Cdr Mikami Sakuo of the Combined Fleet Staff arrive by a float biplane from Kanoya to confer about the mission with Vice Admiral Ito, Commander, Second Fleet and staff.
The sick and some older sailors disembark. The YAMATO departs Mitajiri for the Tokuyama Oil Depot. The YAMATO takes on 3, 400 tons of fuel oil. The destroyers also refuel.
1520: Departs Tokuyama escorted by DesDiv 43: HANAZUKI, KAYA, MAKI as far as the Bungo Suido where the destroyers detach for port. Vice Admiral Ito, leads the Surface Special Attack Force: YAMATO, DesRon 2's light cruiser YAHAGI, DesDiv 17: ISOKAZE, HAMAKAZE, YUKIKAZE, DesDiv 21: KASUMI, HATSUSHIMO, ASASHIMO, DesDiv 41: FUYUZUKI and SUZUTSUKI. Earlier, two Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe" float planes and six submarine chasers are dispatched to search the area.
1830: The Attack Force negotiaties the western channel of Bungo Suido at 22 knots when a patrol plane radios the YAMATO that it has sighted an enemy submarine ten miles from Tsukudajima. The Attack Force changes course to 140 degrees and assumes an anti-submarine formation. To avoid a submarine in the Hyuga-nada, the force changes to a westerly course. The escorting destroyers move ahead and the whole group begins zigzagging. A lookout on the ISOKAZE spots the submarine USS THREADFIN (SS-410) on the surface.
2100: The Attack Force swings to the south to avoid a possible torpedo attack.
2144: The THREADFIN radios a detailed sighting report of the Attack Force's presence in the Bungo Suido to COMSUBPAC at Guam. The report is intercepted by the YAMATO. Later, the USS HACKLEBACK (SS-295) also sights the Attack Force and reports, but neither submarine is able to close the range for an attack.
7 April 1945:
0200: The Attack Force, zigzagging at 22 knots on a southerly course, passes the Miyazaki coast and reaches the entrance to Osumi Kaikyo Channel. Speed is slowed to 16 knots.
0600: The YAMATO launches her Aichi E13A1 Type 0 "Jake" reconnaissance floatplane.
0630: Six Mitsubishi A6M "Zeke" fighters of Vice Admiral Ugaki's 5th Air Fleet's 203rd Naval Air Group arrive to provide air cover. For the next three and one-half hours, a total of 14 "Zekes" from the Kasanbara air base on Kyushu, provide cover in small groups. The YAMATO's "Jake" returns to Kyushu.
0657: The ASASHIMO begins lagging behind the force with engine trouble.
0832: The Attack Force is sighted by a searching Grumman F6F "Hellcat" from the USS ESSEX (CV-9).
0840: The Attack Force briefly sights seven "Hellcat" fighters, but they are not seen by the escorting "Zekes".
1014: The Attack Force sights two large Martin "Mariner" PBM flying boats. The Japanese also spot the HACKLEBACK trailing the Attack Force.
1017: The YAMATO turns towards the planes and opens fire unsuccessfully as does the cruiser YAHAGI. While the YAHAGI jams their sighting messages, the YAMATO receives a report from a Japanese scout plane that Task Force 58 has been located east of Okinawa, 250 nautical miles from the Attack Force.
1018: The aircraft are lost behind the clouds. Both ships cease firing.
1022: The Attack Force turns towards Sasebo.
1107: The YAMATO's Type 13 air search radar operator reports contact with a large aircraft formation at his set's maximum range of 63 miles. He reports the formation at bearing 180, heading north, and splitting into two groups. All ships increase speed to 25 knots and commence a simultaneous turn.
1115: A report that had been delayed for 25 minutes by transmission and decoding, is received finally. It says that the Kikaigashima Island lookout station saw 150 carrier planes heading northwest. Just then, eight F6F "Hellcats" appear and begin circling over the force to maintain contact until the main formation arrives. The YAMATO and the YAHAGI open fire, increase speed to 24 knots and commence a series of sharp evasive maneuvers.
Air search reports two groups of aircraft, range 44 miles, closing at high speed. The sky is still overcast and visibility is poor. Then radar reports the closing aircraft have turned towards the force. The Attack Force resumes zigzagging.
1129: The Attack Force turns to course 205, towards Okinawa.
1222: A lookout spots three Japanese troopships on bearing 0250 heading for Amami-Oshima.
1232: A lookout spots American planes 25 degrees to port, elevation 8, range 4,375 yards, moving to port. This is the first wave of 280 aircraft (132 fighters, 50 bombers, 98 torpedo planes) from Task Group 58. 1: USS HORNET (CV-12), HANCOCK (CV-19), BENNINGTON (CV-20), BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24) and the SAN JACINTO (CVL-30) and from Task Group 58. 3: USS ESSEX (CV-9), BUNKER HILL (CV-17), BATAAN (CVL-24) and the CABOT (CVL-28).
Lagging behind the main force, the destroyer ASASHIMO is attacked and sunk by aircraft from the SAN JACINTO.
1234: The YAMATO opens fire with her two forward main turrets and AA guns.
1235: The YAMATO stops zigzagging and increases speed to 24 knots. Her nine 18.1-inch guns firing "Sanshikidan" beehive shells, twenty-four 127-mm. AA guns and one hundred fifty-two 25-mm AA guns all open fire. The American planes release their bombs and torpedoes and strafe the bridge with machine-gun fire.
1240: The YAMATO is hit by two AP bombs. Smoke rises from the vicinity of the mainmast and a bomb explodes in the same area. The aft secondary battery fire control, secondary gun turret and the air search radar are knocked out.
The Attack Force changes course to 100 degrees. "Helldivers" from the BENNINGTON and the HORNET attack from port. At flank speed, the YAMATO commences a right turn but two 1000-lb AP bombs hit her. The first explodes in the crew's quarters abaft the Type 13 radar shack. The second penetrates the port side of the aft Command station and explodes between the 155-mm gun magazine and main gun turret No. 3's upper powder magazine. It starts a fire that cannot be extinguished and rips a 60-foot hole in the weather deck. One "Helldiver" is shot down, another is damaged badly.
1243: A section of five low flying "Avengers" from the HORNET start a torpedo run from the port, bearing 70 degrees. The YAMATO, at 27 knots flank speed, heels to starboard in evasive action. The "Avengers" drop three torpedoes. One strikes her port side near the forward windlass room. One "Avenger" is shot down.
The YAMATO ships 2,350-tons of water. Damage Control counterfloods with 604-tons of water. Fourteen F4U Chance-Vought "Corsairs" from the BUNKER HILL strafe and rocket the YAMATO but cause only minor damage.
1245: Thirty-four "Hellcats", 22 "Helldivers" and one "Corsair" attack the YAMATO's escorts. DesDiv 17's HAMAKAZE takes a near miss on her starboard quarter that disables her starboard shaft.
1247: A torpedo strikes the HAMAKAZE starboard, aft of amidships and she jackknifes. The SUZUTSUKI takes a 500-lb GP bomb hit to starboard, abreast her No. 2 gun mount. Two dud rockets hit the FUYUTSUKI.
1250: The first attack wave retires. The destroyer SUZUTSUKI wreathed in black smoke, burns furiously. The light cruiser YAHAGI, without headway, drifts helplessly behind the main force. The YAMATO, despite hits by two bombs and one torpedo, maintains flank speed.
1300: The YAMATO changes course to 180 degrees, due South.
1302: Her remaining air search radar reports the approach of a second attack wave. The Attack Force changes course due south to 180 degrees.
1302: Fifty aircraft from the ESSEX and the BATAAN are sighted approaching from the SSW, range 18.5 miles.
1322: The YAMATO increases speed to 22 knots. A "Corsair" from the ESSEX drops a 1000-lb GP bomb that hits the superstructure in the port bow area. Twelve "Helldivers" claim several hits near the bridge and main gun turret No. 3. Five "Helldivers" are damaged by AA fire.
1333: Another 110 aircraft from Task Group 58. 4: USS YORKTOWN (CV-10), INTREPID (CV-11), LANGLEY (CVL-27) engage the Attack Force. This time all the attacks are concentrated against the battleship. Twenty "Avengers" make a new torpedo run from 60 degrees to port. The YAMATO starts a sharp turn to port but three torpedoes rip into her port side amidships. Her auxiliary rudder is jammed in position hard port.
The YAMATO has taken a total of four torpedo hits. She ships about 3,000-tons of seawater. She lists about seven degrees to port. Damage Control counter-floods both starboard engine and boiler rooms and almost entirely corrects the list.
The YAMATO starts a turn starboard to course 230 degrees. One of her lookouts spots the tracks of four torpedoes approaching. The first torpedoes pass by harmlessly, but the remaining two strike her port amidships. She takes on a heavy list to port and her speed drops to 18 knots. Armor-piercing and other bombs make a shambles of her upper works.
1342: The YAMATO turns hard to port. She continues to throw up a screen of desperate flak fire. One "Avenger" is shot down but her barrage is largely ineffective because each AA battery fires independently without coordination. The escorts cannot defend the flagship either.
1402: Three bombs explode port amidships, five minutes later a torpedo hits her starboard side amidships. Ten minutes later, two more torpedoes strike her port side. The YAMATO's list increases to about 15 degrees and her speed slows to 12 knots.
Executive Officer Nomura Jiro reports to Admiral Aruga that his damage control officers are all dead and that the counter-flooding system can no longer correct the list. He suggests that the order to abandon ship be given. The Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Ito, orders the mission cancelled and directs the remaining ships to pick up as many survivors as possible. The Emperor's portrait is removed.
1405: The light cruiser YAHAGI, hit by 12 bombs and seven torpedoes sinks exactly one minute after the last bomb hits. LtCdr (later Captain) Herbert Houck, the leader of 43 TBM Avengers of VT-9 from the YORKTOWN, detaches Lt Thomas Stetson's six Avengers in a final torpedo attack from the ship's starboard side. Stetson's crewmen reset their Mark 13 torpedoes' running depth to 20 feet. Listing heavily to port, the YAMATO's exposed hull is hit by several more torpedoes. She rolls slowly over her port side on her beam ends.
1423: Sunk: The YAMATO's No. 1 magazine explodes and sends up a cloud of smoke seen 100 miles away. She slips under followed by an underwater explosion. The YAMATO sinks at 30-22 N, 128-04 E.
269 survivors are rescued including Rear Admiral Morishita Nobuei, Chief of Staff, Second Fleet (and former YAMATO skipper).
Vice Admiral Ito and the YAMATO's skipper Rear Admiral Aruga and 3,063 men are lost. Aruga is promoted posthumously to Vice Admiral on the special request of Admiral Toyoda. Later that day, the battered destroyers ISOKAZE and the KASUMI are scuttled and sink. 1, 187 crewmen of DesRon 2's light cruiser the YAHAGI and the four destroyers are also lost.
The Imperial Japanese Navy ceases to exist as a fighting force. The Americans lose 10 aircraft and 12 crewmen.
31 August 1945:
Removed from Navy List.
1 August 1985:
A Japanese team in the deep research submersible PISCES II locates the YAMATO 1,410 feet deep in the East China Sea. The wreck is in two pieces. Its forward section is on its starboard side, while the aft section is bottom up. Researcher Anthony Tully notes that until the wreck was found, it was assumed that the explosion that came as she capsized was No. 3 turret magazine being touched off by the severe fire. However, he points out that the condition of the wreck makes clear that it was No. 2 turret magazine that exploded, shattering the fore-section. No. 3 may also have exploded, but the magazine of No. 1 appears intact.
Author's Note: Special thanks for assistance in creating this TROM go to Mr. Sander Kingsepp of Estonia for his invaluable assistance in researching materials for this TROM. Thanks for assistance in researching the IJN officers mentioned in this TROM also go to Mr. Yutaka Iwasaki and Mr. Higuchi Tatsuhiro of Japan and Mr. Jean-François Masson of Canada - Bob Hackett.
