Japanese Aoba heavy cruiser sunk by American aircraft at Kure. View from the stern. The catapult for launching the seaplane is clearly visible.
The Aoba cruiser was built at the Mitsubishi plant in Nagasaki. construction began on February 4, 1924, launched on September 25, 1926, and commissioned on September 20, 1927.
In 1938 – 1940, the Aoba cruiser, together with the same type cruiser Kinugasa, underwent modernization.
On October 11, 1942, the Aoba cruiser was heavily damaged in the battle at Cape Esperance by artillery fire from American cruisers (received 24 hits by 152-mm and 203-mm shells). The renovation lasted until February 1943.
On April 3, 1943, the Aoba cruiser was again severely damaged by bombs from American base bombers. Two torpedoes exploded on the ship, causing a massive fire; to avoid death it was run aground. Repairs – until November 1943.
On October 23, 1944, the Aoba cruiser was damaged by a torpedo from the American submarine Bream. After a temporary repair, it was used in Kure as an anti-aircraft battery. Here, on July 24, 1945, he was seriously damaged by American carrier-based aircraft and landed on the ground. During a second raid on July 28, 1945, it was finally destroyed.
Aoba cruiser photo source: tsushima.su.
Location: Kure, Japan
Photo Time: 1945