Yamato

The Yamato, the emblematic battleship of the Japanese Navy during the Second World War, remains the most imposing ever built. Launched in December 1941 shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, she met her end in April 1945, sunk by American forces. Its counterpart, the Musashi, followed a similar fate in October 1944.

Prior to 1936, Japan adhered to the naval limits established by the Washington Naval Treaty, restricting the size of its warships. However, the country withdrew from these agreements to secretly develop a "super-battleship" capable of competing with several adversaries simultaneously.

The Yamato, stretching 263 meters and weighing 65,000 tons empty (over 70,000 in service), sported nine 460 mm diameter guns in three triple turrets. Although theoretically capable of firing over 40 km, their effective range was rather limited to 25 km. In addition, lighter armaments, such as cannons and machine guns, provided anti-aircraft defence.

Engaged in May 1942, the Yamato remained far from the Battle of Midway, an event where the Japanese fleet suffered the loss of four aircraft carriers. In November 1943, an American submarine attack damaged her, requiring repairs in Japan. Taking part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, it survived the engagement, unlike the Musashi.

Her end came on April 7, 1945, when she was sent on a suicide mission with nine other ships to counter the American invasion of Okinawa. Passing the island of Kyushu, the Yamato was targeted by the American air force. Devoid of air protection, it was methodically bombarded and torpedoed, culminating in an explosion at 2:20 p.m., costing the lives of 2,400 sailors.