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Kongō: The Battlecruiser that Defined the Asiatic Fleet

As an Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Kongō-class battlecruiser the Kongō emerged as one of World War II’s most formidable and combat-tested warships. As a fast battleship upgraded from a battlecruiser, Kongō became a central force in the Asiatic Fleet by directing key operations and supporting Japan's Pacific War naval tactics.

Kongō excelled in amphibious assaults and fleet battles because of its unique blend of speed and firepower which made it indispensable for convoy operations. The article explores Kongō's distinguishing characteristics while analyzing its key role within the Asiatic Fleet and its impact on Japan's initial naval victories and eventual collapse during World War II.

Background of the Kongō-Class Battlecruisers

Japan developed the Kongō-class battlecruisers in 1911 to establish a modern naval fleet that could match the strength of powerful international navies. The lead ship of its class Kongō was constructed in Britain by Vickers while Japan built the next three vessels of its type domestically. The class was originally built to serve as fast long-range battlecruisers that would protect fleet movements while fighting enemy capital ships from a distance.

The 1930s saw Japan leave the Washington Naval Treaty which prompted extensive modernization of the Kongō converting it into a fast battleship with better armor and firepower and an enhanced propulsion system. Following its modernization, Kongō’s displacement reached 36,600 tons at full load which allowed it to serve during the Pacific War.

Kongō maintained its status as one of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s swiftest battleships with its 222-meter length (728 feet), 31-meter beam (101 feet), and 9.7-meter draft (32 feet) while achieving maximum speeds of 30 knots (56 km/h). The combination of its high speed and powerful 356mm (14-inch) main guns established Kongō as one of the Pacific's most powerful warships.

Role in the Asiatic Fleet

Early Operations and Expansion (1941-1942)

When World War II began, Japan sent Kongō to join the Asiatic Fleet where it led naval operations into Southeast Asia. The battlecruiser played an essential part in the invasions of Malaya, the Philippines, and the Dutch East Indies through its provision of long-range gunfire support and fleet coordination.

Kongō worked in coordination with Japan’s carrier strike forces during the Battle of the South China Sea to enable successful amphibious landings in the Philippines through the destruction of U.S. coastal defenses and air bases. The vessel attained high importance through its capability of performing powerful long-distance bombardments which proved essential for controlling strategic areas.

Battle of Midway (June 1942)

During the Battle of Midway, Kongō served as an escort for Japan’s aircraft carriers while also providing anti-aircraft protection. Kongō survived the Battle of Midway without damage while providing essential support for the Japanese fleet's withdrawal.

Guadalcanal Campaign (1942-1943)

With the escalation of the war Kongō received orders to assist military operations in the Solomon Islands. The ship functioned as an essential component during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal by attacking American battleships and bombarding shore positions on Henderson Field.

The night battle brought together Kongō with its sister ship Kirishima as they fought against USS Washington and USS South Dakota in intense combat. While Kongō delivered substantial damage to American vessels its sister ship Kirishima met its end in battle. The battle represented one of the final significant surface encounters for Kongō before Japan transitioned to carrier-based combat.

The Philippines and Leyte Gulf (1944)

The Battle of Leyte Gulf became history's biggest naval battle through the essential participation of Kongō. Kongō fought against U.S. naval forces during the Battle of Samar as a member of Admiral Kurita’s Center Force while attempting to penetrate and destroy the American escort carriers and destroyers.

Despite causing significant destruction to the Taffy 3 task force with its gunfire during the battle, Kongō failed to reverse the battle's outcome. The battle showcased the impressive offensive capabilities of Kongō yet revealed Japan's critical failure to arrange effective air support which resulted in another strategic setback.

Why Kongō Was Special

The combination of Kongō’s high speed with its powerful armament distinguished it from other vessels of its class in Japan's navy. This fast battleship merged battleship firepower with battlecruiser speed and maneuverability to become Japan’s navy’s most adaptable vessel.

With its 356mm (14-inch) guns the ship could deliver powerful strikes against both enemy battleships and coastal targets. Its dual-purpose guns along with anti-aircraft weaponry enabled the ship to perform dual functions as both a fleet escort and bombardment vessel.

The modernization process in the 1930s turned Kongō from an old battlecruiser into a powerful fast battleship which allowed it to serve effectively during World War II. Its ability to adapt made it a relevant force throughout the transition of naval battles to air-centered conflicts.

The Asiatic Fleet depended on Kongō to direct fleet operations while it led attacks and protected Japanese supply routes. The ship showcased its durability and tactical importance by functioning across several battle zones from Southeast Asia to the Central Pacific.

Kongō's extended combat lifespan distinguished it as a unique battleship amidst its peers. Since its commissioning in 1913 the ship became one of the oldest capital ships in active service throughout 1944. Kongō's continuous involvement in Japan's crucial naval battles demonstrated how well its modernization had prepared it to remain effective despite its old age.

The Sinking of Kongō

Japan’s powerful navy experienced a decline by late 1944 through multiple defeats inflicted by the dominant U.S. Navy in the Pacific. The Imperial Japanese Navy's last fast battleship Kongō remained operational by escorting convoys and safeguarding the fleet. The enhanced performance of American submarines and naval aviation became an escalating danger to Japan's remaining capital ships.

As part of Convoy HI-81 Kongō advanced through the Formosa Strait on November 20, 1944 accompanied by aircraft carrier Shinyo and multiple destroyers alongside troop transport ships. The convoy set its course for Japan as it transported troops and supplies along with wounded personnel who were evacuated from the Philippines. The protection of this crucial transport group was assigned to Kongō with its escort ships. USS Sealion (SS-315) detected the convoy’s movements as it lay in ambush.

USS Sealion entered its perfect firing position during the early hours of November 21, 1944. At 3: Six torpedoes were launched from the submarine at 3:00 AM and two of them hit Shinyo resulting in catastrophic damage which caused the carrier to sink within minutes. After attacking Shinyo, Sealion redirected its attack toward Kongō and launched another salvo of torpedoes at the battleship. Kongō’s port side was struck by two torpedoes from Sealion with one hitting near the aft engine room and another near No. 3 turret. 3 turret. The ship’s hull ruptured under the force of explosions which led to heavy flooding and drastically decreased Kongō’s speed.

For almost sixty minutes the crew battled to manage the flooding while the damaged ship struggled to reach Keelung, Taiwan in search of a secure harbor. Damage control efforts seemed to be making progress, but at 5: At 5:00 AM Kongō faced a severe worsening of its condition. As seawater flowed into the lower decks a massive explosion erupted within minutes because the water reached the battleship's boiler rooms causing a series of boiler detonations. The explosion ripped the ship into pieces while flames and debris shot into the sky.

The structural integrity of Kongō was destroyed which caused it to tilt excessively. The crew received instructions to abandon ship yet many of them had no time to escape. At 5: At 5:18 AM the battleship Kongō lost stability and submerged into the waters of the Formosa Strait. The battleship suffered tremendous losses as over 1,200 of its 1,400 crew members died during the sinking, marking it as one of Japanese naval history's greatest single personnel catastrophes. Accompanying destroyers rescued only a few survivors from the disaster.

Kongō’s sinking was significant for several reasons. The sinking of Kongō represented the sole occasion when a Japanese battleship met its fate at the hands of a submarine during World War II. The operation demonstrated American submarine warfare maturing into a powerful force by effectively disrupting Japan’s naval logistics and fleet activities. The sinking of Kongō left Japan without its final fast battleship forcing the IJN to rely on outdated and slower vessels which proved more susceptible to American naval and air power.

The destruction of Kongō represented a turning point that demonstrated how naval warfare tactics were evolving. During Japan's naval expansions, Kongō served as the flagship battlecruiser and engaged in critical battles across the South China Sea and Leyte Gulf. The sinking of Kongō provided further evidence that battleships were becoming obsolete because air power and submarine warfare now controlled naval battle outcomes.

The battle-hardened warship Kongō continues to preserve its legacy despite its tragic demise. The conversion of the 1913 battlecruiser into a 1940s fast battleship showed how Japan adapted its naval forces through modernization. Kongō’s service history illustrates how Japanese capital ships showed adaptability and strategic value throughout World War II despite not changing the war's outcome.

Final Thoughts

Japan’s naval power and adaptive capabilities were represented by the battleship Kongō. The Asiatic Fleet member ship contributed significantly to Japan's initial military successes by backing invasions and fleet battles while executing amphibious attacks.

The development of Kongō from a 1910s battlecruiser into a 1940s fast battleship demonstrated Japan's dedication to naval technological advancement. While Kongō met its demise during World War II its reputation lives on as one of the era’s most famous warships demonstrating the development of battleship combat and Japan's strategic difficulties in the Pacific theater.

Naval historians continue to examine Kongō as an essential model of early 20th-century battleship design which demonstrates Japan’s battleship doctrine strengths and weaknesses. The ship Kongō stands as a legendary warship because of its significant contributions to the Asiatic Fleet operations during World War II.