A BACKGROUND OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 258, 28 July 1941, Page 6

A BACKGROUND OF THE WAR

Japan’s Modern Navy POWERFUL FLEET The crisis that has developed in the Far East in connexion with French Indo-China inevitably directs attention to the strength of the naval forces of Japan. In recent years, particularly since she denounced the Washington Treaty, the development and organization of the Japanese Navjhas been shrouded in great, secrecy. Actually Japan’s naval strength ranks third in ' the world to that of Great Britain and the United States. It includes at least eight capital ships, all of which have been modernized in recent years, a considerable number of cruisers and aircraft-carriers, numerous destroyers and submarines of modern types, and a host of minelayers, gunboats, oilers and other auxiliary craft. Secret Battleships

The utmost secrecy has been preserved in regard to new construction during the last four years. It is reliably stated that four new battleships were laid down in the principal * dockyards in 1938-39. No official details of these ships has been made public, but they are believed to be designed for a displacement of more than 40,000 tons, a main armament of eight or nine 16-inch guns and a speed of 30 knots. If this is correct, the new ships will correspond closely to the four battleships of the Lion class at present building in Britain for / the Royal Navy. Of the existing capital ships in the Japanese Navy, the largest and most powerful are the Nagato and the Mutu, which were launched'in 1919-20 and were completed under the provisions of the Washington Treaty. On a length of 700 feet and a breadth of 95 feet their standard displacement is 32,720 tons. Each is armed with eight 16-inch and 20 5.5-inch guns, eight 5-inch anti-aircraft guns, numerous machine-guns and six submerged 21-inch torpedo-tubes, and carries three aircraft. Their speed is 23 knots. Both ships were largely reconstructed in 1934-36,' when they were given new propelling machinery, increased deck protection against aircraft and bulges and triple bottoms as defence against torpedo attack. The Ise and Hyuga, launched in 1916-17, have a displacement of 29,990 tons on a length 0f'683 feet and a breadth of 94 feet. Their armament comprises 12 14-inch, 18 5.5-inch and eight 5-inch anti-aircraft guns, numerous machine-guns, four torpedo-tubes and three aircraft apiece. The Fuso and Yamasiro, built in 1914-17, are slightly smaller, having a displacement of 29,330 tons, but their armament is virtually the same as in the Ise and Hyuga. All four ships have been modernized and given much additional armour and under-water protection. Japan’s oldest capital ships are the Hiei, Haruna, Kirisima and Kongo, which were originally completed before the last war. Aircraft-Carriers

Japan possesses at least 12 aircraftcarriers, most of which are of moderate size. The latest are the Soryu, Hiryu, Koryu and Syokaku completed during the last three years. They have a displacement of 10,050 tons and a speed of 30 knots and can accommodate from 30 to 40 aircraft. A somewhat earlier ship is the Ryuzyo, of 7100 tons, carrying 24 aircraft. Much larger ships are the Kaga and Akagi, which were originally laid down as battleships, but in terms of the Washington Treaty were converted to their present purpose. They displace 26,900 tons on a length of 715 feet and a breadth of 103 feet, and have a speed of 23 knots. They can accommodate a maximum of 60 aircraft. The Hosyo, of 7470 tons, carries 26 aircraft. There are also five seaplane carriers, mostly converted tankers. Numerous Cruisers The exact number of cruisers in the Japanese fleet is not known. Provision is believed to have been made for five new ships since 1938. Of those in service, the largest are eight of from 9550 to 10,000 tons displacement, mounting ten S-inch guns, four .4.7-inch anti-aircraft guns, 12 machine-guns and eight deck torpedo-tubes. They are powered for a speed of 33 knots and have a reputed range of 14,000 miles at 15 knots. Each carries four aircraft. Four other cruisers of 7100 tons mount six 8-inch, four 4.7-inch antiaircraft guns, ten machine-guns and from eight to twelve torpedo-tubes, besides carrying two aircraft. Their speed is 33 knots. Six or eight cruisers of the Mogamt class are remarkable for their armament of 15 6.1-inch and eight 5-inch anti-aircraft guns on a displacement of 8500 tons. They also carry twelve torpedo-tubes and four aircraft and are credited with a speed of 33 knots. Apart from several old armoured cruisers dating from the RussoJapanese war of 1905-06, the fleet includes some 20 light cruisers, mostly between 4500 tons and 5100 tons displacement, mounting varying numbers of 5.5-inch guns and from six to eight torpedo-tubes, with speeds ranging from 30 to 33 knots. Destroyers And Submarines The latest type of destroyer is another example of the heavy armaments Japan mounts in her lighter ships ou ostensibly small tonuage. The Oshio class on a reputed displacement of 1500 tons, carries six sin. guus—one more than the earlier ships of 136 S tons —and eight 21-inch torpedo-tubes. They measure 365 feet in length, 37 feet in breadth, and on a draught of 9 feet the designed full speed is 34 knots. The Kagero class of 12 ships of -000 tons displacement carry six 5-inch guns and eight torpedo-tubes and have a speed of 36 knots. There are eight classes of modern fast destroyers numbering in all 97 ships, of which the earlier vessels are armed with 4.7-inch guns. In addition, there are some 50 older destroyers and torpedo-boats. Japan’s submarine flotillas are classified officially iu four categories. There is the ocean-cruiser class which includes units of 1950 tons carrying t" o 5.5-inch guns and six torpedo-tubes. This class numbers at least 20 vessels. The high seas class of submarine displace 1400-1500 tons, and have one 4ineh gun and six torpedo-tubes. The mine-laying class of 1400 tons have one 5 5-inch gun and six torpedo-tubes besides mines, while the coastal class of under 1000 tons have one 3-inch gun and four tubes. According to an American report Japan had 15 ocean-cruiser and four high-seas submarines and one coastal class building iu 1937. When these were completed she would have a total of 21 cruiser, 25 high-scas. four mine-layer and 23. coastal submarines. Tliere also reported to be in existence a fifth class, known as the “pocket” submarine. —(S.D.W.)