The Japanese battleship Yamashiro, the second vessel of the Fusō-class, is often regarded as a flawed ship when compared to its contemporaries. This perception stems from several design limitations, operational challenges, and its ultimate fate during World War II. While Yamashiro had some notable features, its overall effectiveness in combat and suitability for modern naval warfare were limited, earning it a mixed reputation among naval historians.
Design Flaws
Yamashiro’s design was rooted in pre-World War I naval theories, which became outdated by the 1930s and 1940s. As a Fusō-class battleship, Yamashiro suffered from several inherent design shortcomings:
Long and Vulnerable Profile: Yamashiro featured an elongated hull, which, while aiding speed, created structural weaknesses. The ship’s length made it more difficult to maneuver and exposed it to torpedo attacks, as a hit anywhere along its length could cause significant damage.
Weak Protection: Despite being heavily armed, Yamashiro lacked adequate armor protection compared to later battleships. Its belt armor was insufficient to withstand modern naval artillery and air attacks. Additionally, the arrangement of its armor left critical areas, such as magazines and machinery spaces, vulnerable.
Obsolete Turret Layout: Yamashiro’s six main gun turrets were arranged in a linear fashion, with two placed aft and four forward. This “stepped” arrangement caused issues with weight distribution and limited the effectiveness of the aft turrets in combat scenarios where forward firepower was crucial. The design was inefficient compared to the newer "all-or-nothing" armor schemes and turret placements of later battleships.
Limited Speed: While initially designed to be relatively fast, Yamashiro’s speed of 24.7 knots was insufficient by World War II standards. This made it vulnerable to faster ships and aircraft, which could dictate the terms of engagement.
Operational Limitations
Yamashiro’s modernization in the 1930s attempted to address some of these issues, including improved anti-aircraft defenses and enhanced fire control systems. However, these upgrades were not enough to make it competitive with newer battleships or to address its fundamental design flaws.
In addition, Yamashiro was part of a class that suffered from limited operational use during much of World War II. By the time Japan’s battleships were deployed in significant combat roles, the dominance of aircraft carriers had shifted naval strategy away from battleship engagements.
The Battle of Surigao Strait
Yamashiro’s most infamous moment came during the Battle of Surigao Strait on October 25, 1944. As part of the Japanese Southern Force, Yamashiro faced an overwhelming Allied fleet consisting of battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and torpedo boats. In this engagement—the last battleship-versus-battleship battle in history—Yamashiro’s flaws became glaringly apparent:
Poor Anti-Aircraft Defense: Despite modernization efforts, Yamashiro’s anti-aircraft capabilities were inadequate against the waves of American aircraft it faced leading up to the battle.
Vulnerability to Torpedoes: Yamashiro succumbed to torpedo attacks from American destroyers before its firepower could be effectively brought to bear. Its long hull and limited maneuverability made it an easy target.
Ineffective Firepower: Yamashiro’s guns were unable to inflict significant damage on the Allied fleet. The outdated fire control systems and turret arrangement limited its combat effectiveness.