Akizuki

Akizuki-class destroyers (秋月型駆逐艦) were built for the Imperial Japanese Navy during the years of 1940 to 1945, and were a classes of new destroyers designed to fight smaller ships, aircraft and submarines.

Akizuki-class destroyers served between the years of 1942 to 1945.

Subclasses:  ( design modifications during production)

Akizuki class (7 built)

Fuyutsuki class (4 built)

Michitsuki class (1 completed)

A notable Akizuki-class destroyer historic fact: Suzutsuki escorted the battleship Yamato from the Inland Sea on her final mission against the Allied forces fighting on Okinawa. Her bow was torn off by a torpedo from aircraft of Task Force 58, she survived and returned to Sasebo by steaming in reverse the whole way. She, her sister ships Fuyutsuki, Yukikaze, and Hatsushimo (later sink in July), survived the ordeal, despite suffering heavy damage, but Yamato, and five escorts, Yahagi, Asashimo, Kasumi, Hamakaze and Isokaze were all sunk with heavy losses of life. Some of the survivors were picked up by Suzutsuki.