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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Online Library of Selected Images:
-- JAPANESE NAVY SHIPS --

Musashi (Battleship, 1942-1944)

Musashi, "sister" of the 65,000-ton battleship Yamato, was built at Nagasaki, Japan. Commissioned in August 1942, she was stationed at Truk from January 1943 into 1944 as part of a heavy force covering the Central Pacific against the threat of an American offensive. When the latter materialized, with the invasion of the Marshalls and raids by aircraft carrier planes against Japanese positions further west, Musashi's base was moved to the Palaus. She was torpedoed by the submarine USS Tunny (SS-282) on 29 March 1944, necessitating repairs in Japan, during which her anti-aircraft firepower was enhanced.

In June 1944, with the torpedo damage repaired, Musashi took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Her next, and last, major operation was the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in which the Japanese surface navy made a final major effort to repulse the U.S. drive into the Western Pacific. On 24 October 1944, while en route to the prospective battle area off the Leyte landing beaches, Musashi and her consorts were attacked by hundreds of U.S. Navy carrier aircraft. In this Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, she was hit by some nineteen torpedoes and seventeen bombs. Though her heavy protection withstood this massive damage to a degree probably unsurpassed by any other contemporary warship, Musashi capsized and sank about four hours after she received her last hit.

This page features all our images of the Japanese battleship Musashi.

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 63473 Musashi (Japanese battleship, 1942-1944) Leaving Brunei, Borneo, in 1944, possibly on 22 October, when she departed to take part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Courtesy of Lieutenant Tobei Shiraishi. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 610 pixels
Photo #: NH 73091 Emperor Hirohito of Japan (front row, center) With officers of the Imperial Navy, on board the battleship Musashi off Yokosuka Naval Base on 24 June 1943. Sixth officer from the left in front row is Admiral Osami Nagano, Chief of the Naval General Staff. This view looks aft on the port side. Note the battleship's searchlights and extensive anti-aircraft armament, including enclosed triple 25mm machine gun mounts in upper left and 5"/40 caliber Type 89 twin high-angle guns at right. Courtesy of Mr. Kazutoshi Hando, 1970. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 545 pixels
Photo #: NH 73090 Japanese Battleships at Brunei, Borneo, October 1944 Photographed just prior to the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Ships are, from left to right: Musashi, Yamato, a cruiser and Nagato. Courtesy of Mr. Kazutoshi Hando, 1970. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 550 pixels
Photo #: NH 63435 Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944 The Japanese "Center Force" leaves Brunei Bay, Borneo, on 22 October 1944, en route to the Philippines. Ships are, from right to left: battleships Nagato, Musashi and Yamato; heavy cruisers Maya, Chokai, Takao, Atago, Haguro and Myoko. Courtesy of Lieutenant Tobei Shiraishi. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 173KB; 740 x 610 pixels
Photo #: 80-G-272550 Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, 24 October 1944 A Japanese battleship (at left--either Yamato or Musashi) and other warships maneuver while under attack by U.S. carrier planes in the Sibuyan Sea. Ship in lower left and the two at the extreme right are heavy cruisers. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 137KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.
Photo #: 80-G-281766 Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, 24 October 1944 Japanese battleship Musashi is hit, during attacks by Task Force 38 aircraft in the Sibuyan Sea. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 111KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.
Photo #: NH 63432 Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, 24 October 1944 Task Force 38 aircraft attack the Japanese battleship Musashi (foreground) and a destroyer in the Sibuyan Sea. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 138KB; 740 x 630 pixels
Photo #: 80-G-281764 Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, 24 October 1944 Japanese battleship Musashi under intense attack by Task Force 38 aircraft in the Sibuyan Sea. A destroyer is also receiving attacks beyond the battleship. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.
Photo #: NH 63434 Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, 24 October 1944 The Japanese battleship Musashi down at the bow after being hit by U.S. Navy carrier plane attacks in the Sibuyan Sea. Courtesy of Lieutenant Tobei Shiraishi. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 134KB; 740 x 555 pixels

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20 May 2000