Ōhama class target ship
Encyclopedia
The was a bombing target ship class of the Imperial Japanese Navy
(IJN), serving during World War II
. 5 vessels were planned under the Kai-Maru 5 Programme
(Ship #5411–5415), however, only lead ship Ōhama was completed.
. However, her speed was less than 20 knots. The IJN wanted the high-speed target ship which could support Essex-class aircraft carrier
and Iowa-class battleship
. The IJN gave 33 knots speed to new target ship class. She had the destroyer hull to get 33 knots speed, therefore she mounted same as Akizuki-class destroyer
machinery, and she was able to bear 10 kilogram bomb dropped from 4000 m (13,123.4 ft) meters sky.
Her armaments only four anti-aircraft machine guns at first, however, the IJN lost a lot of destroyers between 1942–1944. Furthermore, a mass production of the Kaibokan
were too late. Ōhama was converted to escort ship, and she mounted many anti-aircraft arms and anti-submarine weapons. On 10 January 1945, lead ship Ōhama was completed.
on 10 January 1945. However, she was not given a target ship duties, because Japan was defeated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea
and Battle of Leyte Gulf
. She spent her time on convoy escort operations in the Yokosuka Area. In August 1945, she was dispatched to Onagawa Local Defense Squadron
, she was sunk by aircraft on 9 August 1945. Second ship Ōsashi was discontinued in 1945. Other three vessels were canceled in 1944.
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
(IJN), serving during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. 5 vessels were planned under the Kai-Maru 5 Programme
Modified 5th Naval Armaments Supplement Programme (Japan, 1942)
The was one of the wartime armaments expansion plans of the Imperial Japanese Navy .-Background:In September 1942, after being defeated in the Battle of Midway, the IJN drew up a new armaments expansion plan. This plan was combined by the 5th Naval Armaments Supplement Programme and the 6th Naval...
(Ship #5411–5415), however, only lead ship Ōhama was completed.
Design and Construction
Project number J36. In 1941, the IJN decided to build bombing target ship HakachiJapanese target ship Hakachi
The was a bomb target ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy serving during the Second World War, the only ship of her class.-Background:Project number J32. In before the pacific war, the IJN wanted to raise the training efficiency of bomber for the outbreak of war...
. However, her speed was less than 20 knots. The IJN wanted the high-speed target ship which could support Essex-class aircraft carrier
Essex class aircraft carrier
The Essex class was a class of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy, which constituted the 20th century's most numerous class of capital ships with 24 vessels built in both "short-hull" and "long-hull" versions. Thirty-two were originally ordered; however as World War II wound down, six were...
and Iowa-class battleship
Iowa class battleship
The Iowa-class battleships were a class of fast battleships ordered by the United States Navy in 1939 and 1940 to escort the Fast Carrier Task Forces which would operate in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Six were ordered during the course of World War II, but only four were completed in...
. The IJN gave 33 knots speed to new target ship class. She had the destroyer hull to get 33 knots speed, therefore she mounted same as Akizuki-class destroyer
Akizuki class destroyer (1942)
The was one of the primary classes of new destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy after 1942. The IJN called them from their plan name. They were designed to fight larger ships, aircraft and submarines....
machinery, and she was able to bear 10 kilogram bomb dropped from 4000 m (13,123.4 ft) meters sky.
Her armaments only four anti-aircraft machine guns at first, however, the IJN lost a lot of destroyers between 1942–1944. Furthermore, a mass production of the Kaibokan
Kaibokan
An escort ship, or kaibokan, , is the term used by the United States Navy for a type of naval ship used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II for escort duty....
were too late. Ōhama was converted to escort ship, and she mounted many anti-aircraft arms and anti-submarine weapons. On 10 January 1945, lead ship Ōhama was completed.
Service
Ōhama was assigned to the Combined FleetCombined Fleet
The was the main ocean-going component of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Combined Fleet was not a standing force, but a temporary force formed for the duration of a conflict or major naval maneuvers from various units normally under separate commands in peacetime....
on 10 January 1945. However, she was not given a target ship duties, because Japan was defeated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea
Battle of the Philippine Sea
The Battle of the Philippine Sea was a decisive naval battle of World War II which effectively eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy's ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions. It took place during the United States' amphibious invasion of the Mariana Islands during the Pacific War...
and Battle of Leyte Gulf
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
. She spent her time on convoy escort operations in the Yokosuka Area. In August 1945, she was dispatched to Onagawa Local Defense Squadron
Yokosuka Naval District
was the first of four main administrative districts of the pre-war Imperial Japanese Navy. Its territory included Tokyo Bay and the Pacific coasts of central and northern Honshū from the Kii Peninsula to Shimokita Peninsula.-History:...
, she was sunk by aircraft on 9 August 1945. Second ship Ōsashi was discontinued in 1945. Other three vessels were canceled in 1944.
Ships in class
| Ship # | Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| 5411 | Mitsubishi, Yokohama shipyard | 2 October 1943 | 29 March 1944 | 10 January 1945 | Sunk by air raid at Onagawa Onagawa, Miyagi is a town located in Oshika District, Miyagi, Japan. The town was formed in 1926. The town takes pride in the fact that it still has beaches with "squeaking sand", which has apparently become rare in Japan due to human induced environmental changes. Onagawa is a port town, and right at the... on 9 August 1945; struck on 15 September 1945; salvaged and scrapped in postwar. |
|
| 5412 | Mitsubishi, Yokohama shipyard | 7 January 1944 | 16 February 1945 | 95 % complete; construction stopped on 23 June 1945. Clashed with army Imperial Japanese Army -Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū... oiler Yamashio Maru Japanese aircraft carrier Yamashio Maru was a Japanese Escort carrier of the Second World War converted from a Merchant Tanker for use by the Imperial Japanese Army. It was sunk by American aircraft before it could be operationally used as a carrier.-Construction:... and sunk in shallow water on 6 March 1946; later salvaged and scrapped. |
||
| 5413 5414 5415 |
|
Canceled on 5 May 1944. | ||||