IJN Akigumo

IJN Autumn Cloud Story

The Imperial Japanese Navy redeployed approximately 22 ships of the Kage-class destroyer group ("Type A destroyers") prior to World War II (1939-1945). 18 stemmed from a 1937 commitment, with 4 added in 1939.

The ships were part of the destroyer expansion program that led to the Great Conflict, although only 19 of the planned class were realized, one of which became the IJN Akigumo.

Qiuyun was ordered on March 4, 1939 and placed on July 2, 1940. She was launched on April 11, 1941, and officially commissioned on September 27, 1941.

Akigumo was built with a displacement of 2,530 tons, a length of 388.8 feet, a width of 35.5 feet, and a draft of 12.5 feet. Installation power comes from 3 Kampon water tube boilers feeding 2 Kampon pulse turbines producing 52,000 hp and driving 2 shafts under the stern. Primary armament consists of 6 x 127mm Dual Purpose (DP) main guns in three twin turrets.

The main battery was placed above the forecastle, and the other two were placed above the stern. These guns are arranged to provide the best possible arc of fire. In addition, there is a range of 25mm automatic cannons for anti-aircraft (AA) missions. In addition, 4 x 13mm machine guns were installed for point defense against aircraft.

The warship is also equipped with 8 x 610 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes and carries 36 depth charges for anti-submarine warfare exercises.

The section of the ship includes two coaxial chimneys near midship and a bridge superstructure in front of the foremost chimney. In front of the bridge is the first tower. The main mast is located behind the bridge superstructure. The second mast is mounted behind the second tower facing the stern.

IJN Akigumo was an active participant in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and escorted the fleet. After the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (October 25-27, 1942), the American carrier USS Hornet was shot down by Akiun and other Japanese warships - a tactical victory for the Japanese.

By 1944, Qiuyun was equipped with radar (Type 22 and E-27 series) and upgraded anti-aircraft (AA) weapons to improve its service capabilities.

Her career ended on April 11, 1944, when she was torpedoed by the US Navy submarine USS Redfin. She was on board with full crew and sank off the coast of the Philippines. Only one Shadow-class destroyer saw the end of the war - and that was the IJN Yukikaze.

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