Destroyers: Mutsuki Class

[Brian James]

Mutsuki Class Destroyer Makazuki pictured in Saiki Bay on March 8th 1933. One of twelve of the Class of Destroyers, built at Sasebo Naval Arsenal in 1926. At the beginning of the Pacific War, she served in home waters as the plane guard for those Aircraft Carriers that were training or working up. In mid-1942, the ship played a minor role in the Battle of Midway and was then assigned to convoy escort duties between Formosa and Japan for the next year. Mikazuki was then transferred to the Solomon Islands in mid-1943 and was destroyed by American bombers after running aground on July 28th 1943.

[designeraccd]

A camo scheme on MUTSUKI (1941); also a photo of maybe the most photographed IJN destroyer in WW2, sister KITUTSUKI......? DFO

[Brian James]

The launch of Lead Ship, Destroyer Mutsuki at Sasebo Naval Arsenal on July 23rd 1925...One of her Class of twelve Destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy during the 1920s. During the Pacific War, she participated in the Battle of Wake Island in December 1941 and the occupations of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands in early 1942. Mutsuki was one of the escorts for the invasion force during the Battle of the Coral Sea in May and then participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign later that year. She was sunk by USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress bombers during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in August.

[designeraccd]

The hulk of KIKUTSUKI in 1943..........

Here is a interesting link about her:

https://www.archaehistoria.org/solomon- ... 7-kikuzuki

DFO