During World War II, the Royal Navy faced off against the Imperial Japanese Navy in some of the most intense naval confrontations of the conflict. One notable victory was the sinking of the Japanese heavy cruiser Haguro on May 16, 1945, a pivotal moment that demonstrated the Royal Navy’s resolve and tactical ingenuity.
Haguro’s Role in the War
Haguro was a member of the Myōkō-class heavy cruisers, a formidable class of ships armed with ten 8-inch guns, numerous torpedoes, and robust anti-aircraft defenses. The cruiser participated in many key naval operations, including battles in the Philippines and the Indian Ocean. By 1945, as Japan’s naval strength was waning, Haguro was often used for critical supply runs to isolated Japanese forces.
Operation Dukedom: The Trap is Set
In May 1945, Haguro embarked on a mission to deliver supplies and evacuate troops from the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. British intelligence, however, intercepted communications about this operation. A task force from the Royal Navy’s 26th Destroyer Flotilla, consisting of five destroyers—HMS Saumarez, Venus, Verulam, Vigilant, and Virago—was dispatched to intercept the Japanese cruiser.
Under the command of Captain Manley Power, the British flotilla planned a night ambush in the Malacca Strait, a narrow and treacherous waterway that forced Haguro into a predictable course. The Royal Navy destroyers executed a classic "torpedo ambush" strategy, utilizing radar to maintain an advantage in the cover of darkness.
The Battle in the Malacca Strait
In the early hours of May 16, 1945, the British destroyers engaged Haguro and her escort, the destroyer Kamikaze. Despite her formidable weaponry, Haguro was caught off guard by the precise and coordinated attack. The British destroyers launched torpedoes in multiple waves while keeping a safe distance to avoid Haguro’s counterfire.
Haguro was struck by several torpedoes and sustained heavy damage. Her hull was breached, flooding her compartments and crippling her ability to maneuver. As fires raged onboard, the once-mighty heavy cruiser began to list and ultimately sank beneath the waves. Over 900 of Haguro’s crew perished, while her escort, Kamikaze, managed to escape.
A Decisive Victory
The sinking of Haguro marked one of the last major surface engagements of the war and was a significant victory for the Royal Navy in the Pacific theater. It demonstrated the effectiveness of destroyer flotilla tactics and underscored the Royal Navy’s ability to challenge and defeat Japanese warships even late in the war.