Japanese cruiser Yahagi (1942)

The Yahagi was a Japanese Agano-class light cruiser built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II. She was the second ship completed in the class, which was designed to serve as a flagship for destroyer flotillas and submarine squadrons.

Laid down in November 1941 and commissioned in December 1942, the Yahagi participated in numerous major naval engagements of the Pacific War. She served extensively throughout 1943 and 1944, seeing action in the Solomon Islands campaign, including the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay. She played a significant role in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, where she served in Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa's Mobile Fleet.

In April 1945, as part of Operation Ten-Go, the Yahagi was assigned to escort the battleship Yamato on a suicide mission towards Okinawa. The Yahagi, along with the Yamato and a number of destroyers, was intercepted by American carrier-based aircraft. Critically damaged by multiple torpedo and bomb hits, the Yahagi sank on April 7, 1945, taking a large portion of her crew with her. Her sinking contributed to the disastrous outcome of Operation Ten-Go and marked the end of major surface fleet actions for the IJN.

The Yahagi was armed with six 15 cm/50 41st Year Type guns in three twin turrets, four twin 25 mm AA guns, and two quadruple 610 mm torpedo tubes. She displaced approximately 6,652 tons standard and was capable of speeds in excess of 35 knots.