Abukuma is the last of the six Nagara-class light cruisers. She was constructed under the budget of the 1918 Fiscal Year, she was laid down at Uraga Dock Company on December 8, 1921, and she was launched on March 16, 1923, and was commissioned on May 26, 1925, her commissioning was delayed by the Great Kanto Earthquake on 1923. Her displacement is 5,570 tons, she's equipped with 4 shaft Gihon geared turbines and 12 Kampon boilers capable of producing 90,000 horsepower, she carries 350 tons of coal and 1,260 tons of fuel, and her speed could range up to 36 knots. Her initial armaments were seven single mounted 14cm (5.5 inch) 50 cal. 3rd Year Type naval guns, two single 8cm (3 inch) 40 cal. 3rd Year Type secondary turrets and four twin 53.3cm (21 inch) torpedo tubes, she also carried a 48 naval mines. She carries 1 E4N1 floatplane which she can launch on her aircraft catapult.
On June of 1925, Abukuma assigned to the 3rd Squadron of the IJN 1st Fleet. On October 30, 1930, she collided from the port-side (left side) of Kitakami, the collision lose her bow to her 14cm No. 1 turret, Kitakami sustained limited damage, Abukuma was towed by Mutsu to Tateyama, and was towed by tugboats from Tateyama to Yokosuka. On November 9, 1930, she arrived at Yokosuka; they fitted her with a temporary bow for the meantime. She was undocked on November 22, 1930. On April 1, 1931, she was docked at Kure Navy Yard to fix her bow permanently, she was fitted with a new bow which similar with the Jintsuu and Naka, the two light cruisers also suffered from their respective collisions during the IJN Special Great Maneuvers on 1927. Her repairs were completed on December 10, 1931. On February of 1932, she was assigned to the IJN 3rd Fleet and patrolled off the coast Northern China after the Mukden Accident which started the initial skirmishes between China and Japan then she escorted Japanese transport ships to China during the Battle of Shanghai and patrolled the Yangtze River. On May of 1933, she was assigned to the 7th Squadron and on November of 1933, she was assigned as the flagship of the squadron.
Through the duration of 1933, she was refitted through several times. Two 8cm dual-purpose guns were replaced by two twin 13mm Type-93 machine guns then her two twin 13mm Type-93 machine guns were replaced by two twin 25mm Type-96 auto-cannons. On 1935, her floatplane was replaced by E7K2 floatplane. On February 25, 1938, she becomes the flagship of SubRon 2 until February 8, 1939. Then Abukuma was docked for another modification, her four twin 53.3cm torpedo tubes were replaced by two quadruple 61cm (24 inch) torpedo tubes making her the first of the Nagara-class cruisers to be able to fire Type-93 “Long Lance” torpedoes.
On November 1, 1941, she was assigned as the flagship of DesRon 1, part of IJN 1st Fleet; DesRon 1 is commanded by Rear Admiral Omori Sentaro. On November 26, 1941, DesRon 1 departed from Hitokappu Bay together with Hiei and Kirishima from BatDiv 3 escorting the Kido Butai for the Operation Z (Attack on Pearl Harbor). On December 2, 1941, the Japanese vessels received coded message from Mt. Niitaka that tells the day of the attacks will commence, DesRon 1 was making anti-submarine surveillance for the Kido Butai. On December 7, 1941, Operation Z commenced, the Kido Butai attacked Pearl Harbor and caused havoc, the Americans losses were big on both men and materials. On December 23, 1941, she arrived at Hashirajima and received a hero’s welcome. On the next day, she moved to Kure and was docked for maintenance afterwards.
On January 8, 1942, she escorted the Kido Butai and departed from Iwakuni to Truk, she arrived on Truk on January 14, 1942. On January 17, 1942, she departed Truk for the invasion of Rabaul and Kavieng. On January 20 to 22, 1942, the Kido Butai launched several airstrikes on Rabaul. On January 27, 1942, the Japanese occupied Kavieng, she arrived at Truk. On February 1, 1942, USS Enterprise CV-6 from USN Task Force 8 commanded by Vice Admiral Halsey attacked Kwajalein while USS Yorktown CV-5 from USN Task Force 17 commanded by Rear Admiral Fletcher was reported attacking several areas in the Marshalls and Gilbert Islands. At the same day, DesRon 1 escorted the Kido Butai and departed from Truk in responds to attacks, but they weren’t successful on their pursuit. On February 8, 1942, she arrived at Palau. On February 15, 1942, DesRon 1 departed from Palau and escorted Souryuu and Hiryuu from 2nd CarDiv with Tone and Chikuma from CruDiv 8, the carriers raided Port Darwin on February 19, 1942. On February 21, 1942, DesRon 1 arrived at Staring Bay and refuels. On February 25, 1942, DesRon 1 escorted the Kido Butai; the carriers launched an attack on Java. On March 9, 1942, the Japanese occupied the Dutch East Indies, she returned to Staring Bay afterwards.
On March 26, 1942, DesRon 1 sortied from Staring Bay, she escorted the Kido Butai together with Kongou, Hiei, Kirishima and Haruna from BatDiv 3 and Tone and Chikuma from CruDiv 8. The Kido Butai raided several British Naval Bases within the Indian Ocean on April 5, 1942. The initial attack sunk British destroyer HMS Tenedos and armed merchant ship HMS Dorsetshire. On April 9, 1942, the Kido Butai launched an attack at the British Naval Base in Ceylon; they sank 1 merchant ship and damaged 1 monitor ship. Then aircraft from the Kido Butai sank British carrier HMS Hermes and Australian destroyers HMAS Vampire, they also sank 1 corvette, 2 oil tankers and 1 merchant ship. The Kido Butai departs for Singapore afterwards. On April 11, 1942, she arrived at Singapore then she proceeds for Mako afterwards. On April 18, 1942, Tokyo and several places were bombed by 16 B-25 medium-bombers, the Kido Butai departs from Mako, they were ordered to pursue USS Hornet CV-8 from Task Force 18 but the pursuit was not successful. On April 22, 1942, she arrived at Sasebo. She was docked for refit and maintenance on May 10, 1942; additional one twin 13mm Type-93 machine guns was installed and another quadruple 13mm Type-93 machine guns was installed in front of the bridge. Her modification was completed on May 18, 1942.
On May 20, 1942, she was assigned to the IJN 5th Fleet commanded by Vice Admiral Hosogaya Boshiro; she was together with the DesDiv 6 and DesDiv 21. She arrived on Ominato on May 22, 1942. On May 26, 1942, Abukuma departed from Ominato for the invasion of Aleutian Islands, she escorted the Aleutian Invasion Force. On June 3, 1942, the Dutch Harbor was attacked by Ryuujou and Jun’you. On June 6, 1942, the Japanese occupied Kiska Island, and on the next day, the invasion force landed troops on Attu Island and meet little resistance. On the same day, Abukuma and Wakaba patrolled the area off Shemya Island. On June 13, 1942, she scouted Amchitka, together with Wakaba and Nenohi for possible airfield sites. Then on June 18, 1942, she departed Attu Island for Kawauchi. She arrived at Kawauchi on June 24, 1942. On June 28, 1942, she departed from Kawauchi together with Kiso and Tama from CruDiv 21, Myoukou and Haguro from CruDiv 5, and 14 destroyers; they provide cover for the second reinforcement convoy to Kiska, then she patrolled the area southwest of Kiska for any possible American counterattacks. On July 7, 1942, she departed on her patrol area to assist Shiranui and Kasumi which were torpedoed by USS Growler SS-215. On July 10, 1942, she arrived at Kiska; she departed for Yokosuka on the same day and on July 15, 1942, she arrived at Yokosuka for a refit.
She departed Yokosuka on August 4, 1942 and arrived at Ominato on August 6, 1942. On August 8, 1942, she departed from Ominato to join the 5th Fleet; she arrived at Paramoshiro on August 11, 1942. On August 13, 1942, she conducted training. On August 16, 1942, she arrived at Ominato, and then she departed on August 29, 1942 together with Nachi and Kiso to transfer garrisoned troops from Attu Island to Kiska Island. On September 18, 1942, she returned to Ominato. On September 30, 1942, she departed from Ominato together with Nachi to search for an American Force, the mission was aborted, she returned to Ominato on October 2, 1942. From October 15, 1942, she departed Ominato and proceeds to Paramushiro then Kataoka then returned to Paramushiro on October 25, 1942. On October 27, 1942, she embarked troops together with Kiso and Tama to reinforce Attu Island; she was escorted by Hatsushimo and Wakaba. On October 29, 1942, she arrived at Attu Island and disembarks troops then she joins Nachi to provide cover for the transport mission, she departed from Attu Island on October 30, 1942 and returned to Ominato on November 4, 1942. On November 9, 1942, she departed Ominato for Otaru; she arrived at Otaru on November 23, 1942. On November 20, 1942, she embarked an army detachment from Otaru; she departed for Paramushiro with Kiso afterwards. On November 23, 1942, she arrived at Paramushiro and rendezvous with Wakaba; she departed for Attu Island afterwards. On November 25, 1942, she arrived at Attu Islands and disembarked troops, she leaves afterwards. On November 28, she arrived at Kakumabetsu with Kiso; the two refuel and embark reinforcements and supplies. They departed from Kakumabetsu on November 30, 1942; they arrived on December 3, 1942 and disembark troops and cargo, they departed afterwards. On December 7, 1942, she arrived at Paramushiro and refueled with oil tanker Teiyo Maru, she departed for Ominato then proceeds to Sasebo. She arrived at Sasebo on December 12, 1942.
On December 14, 1942, she was docked for modification, two triple 25mm Type 96 auto-cannons were installed, her No. 5 14cm turret was removed and her forward quadruple 13mm Type-93 machine guns in front of her bridge was replaced by a twin 13mm Type-93 machine guns. Her modification was completed on January 12, 1943. On January 16, 1942, she departed from Sasebo to Ominato then she proceeds to Paramushiro. On January 25, 1943, she departed from Paramushiro after being refueled by oil tanker Teiyo Maru; she escorted cargo ship Tako Maru to Kataoka Bay. On January 26, 1943, she arrived at Kataoka Bay. On February 18, 1943, she departed from Kataoka Bay and escorted converted cruiser Awata Maru which carrying reinforcement to Kiska Island. On February 20, 1943, Abukuma detached, Awata Maru proceeds to Kiska while she proceeds to Paramushiro, she arrived at Paramushiro on February 25, 1943. On March 7, 1943, she departed from Paramushiro together with rest of the IJN 5th Fleet. On March 10, 1943, she arrived at Attu Island and disembarked supplies for the garrisoned troops in the island; she departed afterwards and arrived at Paramushiro on March 13, 1943.
On March 23, 1943, she departed from Paramushiro; she leaded a supply convoy composed of Ikazuchi and Inazuma from DesDiv 6 and Usugumo from DesDiv 9, the destroyers escorted 3 transport ships carrying supplies for the troops in Attu Island. On Mach 26, 1943, she participated in the Battle of Komandorski Islands. She detached from the convoy to assist Vice Admiral Hosogaya’s force and engaged the American Task Group 16.6 commanded by Rear Admiral McMorris, which composed of 1 heavy cruiser, 1 light cruiser and 4 destroyers. During the engagement, Abukuma managed to score several hits on USS Salt Lake City CA-25, she expended a total of 95 5.5 inch ammunition and 4 torpedoes throughout the engagement which lasted for three and a half hours. The Japanese force managed to cause heavy damaged to the American force but the resupply mission failed. As a result, Vice Admiral Hosogaya was relief from his position. Abukuma returned to Paramushiro on March 28, 1943.
On April 13, 1943, she departed from Kataoka Bay with Inazuma to Maizuru; she transferred the flag of DesRon 1 to Kiso temporarily. Inazuma detached for Yokosuka while she arrived on Maizuru on April 17, 1943. On May 3, 1943, she was docked for modification; Type-21 anti-aircraft radar was installed. She was undocked on May 17, 1943 and departed Maizuru afterwards. On May 21, 1943, the IJN ordered the evacuation of troops in the Aleutian Islands (Operation KE); she was reassigned as the flagship of DesRon 1. On May 25, 1943, she departed from Kataoka Bay with Kiso and 4 destroyers. On May 29, 1943, the operation to evacuate troops in Attu Island was canceled, she returned to Kataoka Bay on May 31, 1943. On June 7, 1943, she departed Kataoka Bay for Ominato then she departs from Ominato to Paramushiro, she arrived at Paramushiro on June 14, 1943. On July 7, 1943, Operation KE commenced, she departed from Paramushiro with the Evacuation Task Force commanded by Rear Admiral Kimura Masatomi which consisted of 2 light cruisers, 11 destroyers, 1 converted cruiser, 1 oil tanker and 1 coastal patrol vessel. The operation was temporarily aborted due to bad weather, she returned to Paramushiro on July 18, 1943.
On July 22, 1943, the operation resumed. On July 26, 1943, while on the way to Kiska Island, several ships in the evacuation force collided with each other due to the heavy fog. Coast patrol ship Kunashiro collided on Abukuma’s starboard-side quartet, Abukuma sustained little damage from the collision, Kunashiro together with Wakaba and Naganami steamed back to Paramushiro afterwards. On July 29, 1943, before reaching Kiska Island, Abukuma issued a report that an enemy was sighted from the dense fog; Abukuma and Shimakaze fires their guns and torpedoes at the sighted enemy ship. The “enemy ship” they have sighted was actually the Little Kiska Island which located east off Kiska Island. Upon arrival she embarks 1,212 troops from Kiska Island escorted by Kiso and DesDiv 10, she returned to Paramushiro on August 1, 1943.
From the following days of the month of August, 1943, she departed Paramushiro to Otaru then proceeds to Ominato until she returned to Paramushiro on August 24, 1943. On September 12, 1943, she was attacked by B-24 and B-25 bombers from USAAF 28th Composite Air Force; she suffered slight damage from several near-misses. On September 24, 1943, she departs from Paramushiro and proceeds to Nemuru then returned to Paramushiro until she proceeds to Yokosuka. She arrived at Yokosuka on October 8, 1943. On October 20, 1943, she was docked for modification, her No. 7 14cm turret was removed and replaced with an unshielded twin 12.7cm 40cal. Type-89 high-angle guns, a triple 25mm Type-96 auto-cannons and another four single 25mm Type-96 auto-cannons were installed, modification was completed on November 5, 1943, then she steamed to Ominato on November 23, 1943. On December 3, 1943 onwards, she steamed between Ominato and Paramushiro for three times till January 1, 1944, she conducted anti-submarine patrols at Paramushiro. On January 15, 1944, she departs from Paramushiro for Muroran, and then proceeds to Ominato on January 28, 1944; she participated on local training afterwards. By March of 1944, her aircraft catapult was removed. On March 19, 1944, she departed Ominato for Akeshi Bay then returned to Ominato on April 3, 1944, and participated another local training. On May 1, 1944, she undergoes towing replenishment training with oil tanker Teiyo Maru, she was refueled by the tanker afterwards. On June 6, 1944, she leaves Ominato for Otaru then return to Ominato on June 18, 1944.
On June 19, 1944, she departs Ominato for Yokosuka; she arrived at Yokosuka on June 21, 1944 and was docked for medication afterwards. A Type-22 surface-radar was installed and additional ten single mount 25mm Type-96 auto-cannons and five singe mount 13mm Type-93 machine guns. After her modification, on July 13, 1944, she departed Yokosuka for Ominato. From the following days of the month of July, 1944, she steamed between Ominato and Otaru for two times. On July 31, 1944, she departs from Ominato to Kure; she arrived at Kure on August 2, 1944 and was docked afterwards. She was undocked on August 20, 1944 and the next day, she undergone to training within western inland waters for the next seven weeks.
On October 14, 1944, she departed Hiroshima Bay for Iwakuni. On October 15, 1944, Abukuma was assign to Vice Admiral Shima Kiyohide for Operation Sho-Go; she escorted Ashigara and Nachi with destroyers Akebono and Ushio from DesDiv 7, Shiranui and Kasumi from DesDiv 18, and Hatsuharu, Hatsushimo and Wakaba from DesDiv 21. Their order was to follow the Southern Force commanded by Vice Admiral Nishimura as they penetrate through the Surigao Strait. The Second Striking Force arrived at Amami-O-Shima, and then they proceed to Mako Guard District then to Coron. On October 22, 1944, the force was detected by several USN submarines patroling the areas, USS Seadragon SS-194 fires four torpedoes at them but failed to hit anyone. USS Shark SS-314, USS Blackfin SS-221 and USS Icefish SS-367 detected them but failed to gain any attacking position, the submarines failed to intercept the force so they reported the composition of the incoming Japanese fore. On October 23, 1944, they arrived at Coron, then leaves on the next day to carry out the operation.
During the Battle of Surigao Strait on October 25, 1944, the force was attacked by PT-boats, the cruisers and the destroyers make a single line formation except for DesDiv 21. 1 PT-boat approached the force within 900 yards and fired a torpedo; the PT-boat was detected by the destroyers and open fires. The torpedo fired by the PT-boat eventually hit Abukuma on her No. 1 Boiler Room, 30 of her men were killed. Emergency repairs immediately commenced, after her repairs, she resumes course at slow speed. Kasumi approached the damaged Abukuma, at 08:30, she transfer the flag of the DesRon 1 to Kasumi. Ushio was ordered to escort Abukuma to Cagayan, but since there might some possibility of an airstrike from the American carriers, they proceed to Dapitan instead. Emergency repairs resumed through the night.
On October 26, 1944, she departs from Dapitan to Coron with Ushio. While en route to Coron, she was attacked by B-24 bombers from USAAF 13th Air Force within the Sulu Sea. At 10:06, the first bomb landed on her No. 3 14cm turret. At 10:20, B-24 bombers from USAAF 5th Air Force bombed her; the bombers scored two direct hits which break her steering gear, her speed drops and fire started spreading to her engine and torpedo rooms. At 10:37, four of her Type-93 torpedoes exploded. At 12:00, she was declared to be abandon; her crew abandoned her till 12:30, she sunk at 12:42 with 250 of her crew lost, Ushio managed to rescue 283 crewmen including her captain, CO. Hanada.
Abukuma sunk October 26, 1944, off Negros Island.
In 1938, she is equipped with torpedo launcher tubes and became the first among the Nagara class to be able to shoot oxygen torpedoes.In present day, the second "Abukuma" served as escort ship in the JMSDF.
Her sisters in the Abukuma-class escort ship are Jintsuu, Sendai, Chikuma and Tone.At first, she's positioned as the flagship of the 1st Destroyer Squadron.
The 1st Destroyer Squadron is mostly consisted of older model destroyers. This is because the 1st Destroyer Squadron is tasked to escort the battleships in the back. This contrasted with the 2nd Destroyer Squadron's newer model destroyers who escort the cruisers fighting in the front line.March 27th 1943, Attu Island Campaign.October 25th 1944, she joined Vice Admiral Shima's fleet in the Battle of Surigao Strait who will enter the battle from behind Nishimura's fleet. But she's hit by torpedo and have emergency repair in Mindanao islands.
After the repair, accompanied by Ushio, she headed to Coron. On the way they're attacked by 30 B-24 bombers. After receiving 3 hits and 4 near misses, Abukuma is stopped. Her torpedo tubes explode and an order to abandon ship is issued.
With her bow standing, Abukuma sank into the Phillipine's Negros Islands' water.
Ushio rescued her survivors and sent them to Manila.Abukuma is built as the 6th ship of the 5'500 tons Nagara-class light cruisers. Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 caused many damages in Uraga ship dock, so compared to her sisters, Abukuma's construction took two years longer. Finally on May 26th 1925, she's completed and entered service. Her construction period overlapped with the next generation Sendai-class light cruisers.July 29th 1943, she became the flagship of the Kiska Islands evacuation operation. Abukuma collided with coast guard's ship Kunashiro, but she still managed to finish the mission.
By the way, during this mission Abukuma mistakenly identify an island as enemy ship and proceeded to launch torpedo together with destroyer Shimakaze and scored perfect hit on their target.
In total they wasted around 200'000 Yen worth of torpedoes. In today's currency, that's about 1 Billion Yen.During a large scale training in 1930, Kitakami who moved ahead collided with Abukuma from port side, causing massive damage to Abukuma's bow.
During repair, the damaged spoon bow is changed into the superior double curved bow design. Among the 5,500 tons class ships, only Abukuma, Jintsuu and Naka is equipped with this kind of ship bow.