Takao

Takao-Class Cruiser (高雄型) were built for the Imperial Japanese Navy during the years of 1927 to 1931. These were the largest and most modern cruisers in the Japanese fleet, and built to form the foundation of a multipurpose long-range strike force. There were 4 of this class built.

Takao-Class Cruiser  served between the years of 1932 to 1944.

Preceded by: Myōkō class

Succeeded by: Mogami class

Takao-Class Cruisers Takao, Atago, Maya & Chōkai had active wear careers. Takao, Atago, Maya escorting carriers, while Chōkai led the Japanese to victory at the Battle of Savo Island. They took heavy damage and dished out heavy damage and every battle of they were in. That is until  23 October 1944.  while passing through the Palawan Passage, they were attacked by the submarines USS Darter and USS Dace. Darter attacked both Takao and Atago, hitting Takao with three and the Atago with four torpedoes. Atago was blown apart and sank quickly. Takao was critically damaged and made way for Singapore for repairs, but after her arrival would never sail again. As the Atago sank, Dace blasted apart Maya with four torpedoes. Chōkai, as the last surviving ship in the Fourth Cruiser Division, continued with the main force, pulling through the battle of the Sibuyan Sea unscathed. She instead was sink in the action off Samar, being hit by 5in gunfire from the American escort carrier USS White Plains, which struck the decks at a great angle, penetrating down and detonating Chōkai's torpedo flask. . Chōkai sank with around 700 survivors on boarding the destroyer Fujinami. But luck was not on their side, Fujinami was hit by aircraft from the carrier Essex in the Sibuyan Sea. Fujinami's magazines detonated sinking the ship with all hands on board - including every last survivor of Chōkai.