Operators Imperial Japanese Navy Cost 10,064,000 JPY Construction started 2 October 1943 | Preceded by Hakachi Built 1943–1945 Launched 29 March 1944 | |
Name Ōhama-class target ship Builders Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Builder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | ||
The Ōhama-class target ship (大濱型標的艦, Ōhama-gata hyōtekikan) was a bombing target ship class of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II. 5 vessels were planned under the Kai-Maru 5 Programme (Ship #5411–5415), however, only lead ship Ōhama was completed.
Contents
Design and Construction
Project number J36. In 1941, the IJN decided to build bombing target ship Hakachi. However, her speed was less than 20 knots. The IJN wanted the high-speed target ship which could emulate Essex-class aircraft carriers and Iowa-class battleships. The IJN gave 33 knots speed to new target ship class. She had the destroyer hull to get 33 knots speed, therefore she mounted same as Akizuki-class machinery, and she was able to bear 10 kilogram bomb dropped from 4,000 m (13,000 ft) meters sky.
Her armaments only four anti-aircraft machine guns at first, however, the IJN lost a lot of destroyers between 1942–1944. Furthermore, a mass production of the Kaibokan were too late. Ōhama was converted to escort ship, and she mounted many anti-aircraft arms and anti-submarine weapons. On 10 January 1945, lead ship Ōhama was completed.
Service
Ōhama was assigned to the Combined Fleet on 10 January 1945. However, she was not given a target ship duties, because Japan was defeated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and Battle of Leyte Gulf. She spent her time on convoy escort operations in the Yokosuka area. In August 1945, she was dispatched to Onagawa Local Defense Squadron, she was sunk by aircraft on 9 August 1945. Second ship Ōsashi was discontinued in 1945. Other three vessels were canceled in 1944.