Destroyers - Slingshot

Nihon Teikoku Kaigun
Destroyers & Escorts
Class Period HPs Size Speed Guns Torpedoes Points
Akitsuki ML 35 3 6 8 x 4” 4 x 24” 90
Asashio ML 25 2 6 6 x 5” 8 x 24” 85
Fubuki ML 20 2 6 6 x 5” 9 x 24” 80
Hatsuhara ML 20 2 6 5 x 5” 6 x 24” 75
Mutsuki ML 15 2 6 4 x 5” 6 x 24” 70
Minekaze ML 15 2 6 4 x 5” 6 x 21” 65
Matsu L 15 2 5 3 x 5” 4 x 24” 65
Momi ML 10 2 6 3 x 5” 4 x 21” 55
Chidori ML 10 2 5 3 x 5” 2 x 21” 50
Mikura L 10 2 4 3 x 5” - 30
Kaibokan L 10 2 3 2 x 5” - 20
Type CH ML 5 1 3 1 x 3” - 15
Daihatsu ML 1 0 2 - - 5

Akitsuki class Destroyer (ML)
90 points
HPs: 35 Size: 3 Speed: 6 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
2 x twin 4” turrets (bow) HA
2 x twin 4” turrets (stern) HA
Torpedo Tubes: 1 x quadruple 24” mount (centreline)
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Passive Sonar
Features: Excellent Optics
Long Lance Torpedoes
Options:
● Add Limited Radar (L) + 25 points
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
● Add Torpedo Reloads + 5 points
● Add Depth Charge Throwers + 5 points
● Add Extra Depth Charges + 5 points
Conceived as an anti-aircraft escort, 12 of these large destroyers were produced during the war.
The adoption of a 4” gun permitted a higher rate of fire than the standard 5” armament of other
destroyers. They were some of the few Japanese destroyers to be fitted with radar and also had
useful anti-submarine capabilities.
Asashio, Kagero & Yugumo class Destroyer (ML)
85 points
HPs: 25 Size: 2 Speed: 6 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x twin 5” turret (bow) HA*
2 x twin 5” turrets (stern) HA*
Torpedo Tubes: 2 x quadruple 24” mounts (centreline)
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Passive Sonar
Features: Excellent Optics
Long Lance Torpedoes
Options:
● Replace 1 x twin 5” turret (stern) with Depth Charge Throwers for free
● Add Limited Radar (L) + 20 points
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
● Add Torpedo Reloads + 10 points
Overlooking treaty limitations the Japanese begun to build large destroyers of similar design based
on the success of the ground-breaking Fubukis. The 10 Asashios were followed by 18 Kageros and
the 20 near identical Yugumos. All saw heavy action, often performing double duties as fast
transports as part of the “Tokyo Express” in the night battles around the aptly named Ironbottom
Sound near Guadalcanal.

Fubuki class Destroyer (ML)
80 points
HPs: 20 Size: 2 Speed: 6 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x twin 5” turret (bow) HA*
2 x twin 5” turrets (stern) HA*
Torpedo Tubes: 3 x triple 24” mounts (centreline)
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Passive Sonar
Features: Excellent Optics
Long Lance Torpedoes
Options:
● Replace 1 x twin 5” turret (stern) with Depth Charge Throwers for free
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
● Add Limited Torpedo Reloads + 10 points
Departing from overseas influences, the Fubukis were an advanced design, sometimes referred to
as the “Special Type”. The first of this 20 strong class were made in the late 1920s and
incorporated many features that would be replicated in later destroyers. The use of fully enclosed
twin gun turrets capable of anti-ship and anti-aircraft dual purpose fire was unique at the time.
They carried a very impressive armament for their size. The torpedo reloads and a turret was
often removed for an increased number of anti-aircraft weaponry as the war progressed.

Hatsuhara & Shiratsuyu class Destroyer (ML)
75 points
HPs: 20 Size: 2 Speed: 6 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x twin 5” turret (bow) HA* or MA*
1 x single 5” turret (centreline) HA* or MA*
1 x twin 5” turret (stern) HA* or MA*
Torpedo Tubes: 2 x triple 24” mounts (centreline) for Hatsuhara
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Passive Sonar
Features: Excellent Optics Hatsuhara has HA guns
Long Lance Torpedoes Shiratsuyu has MA guns
Options:
● Upgrade to 2 x quadruple 24” mounts (centreline) for Shiratsuyu + 5 points
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
● Add Torpedo Reloads (Hatsuhara) + 5 points
● Add Torpedo Reloads (Shiratsuyu) + 10 points
Due to treaty restrictions an attempt to fit the same sort of weapons layout of the larger Fubuki
class onto a smaller displacement was attempted. Despite their overloading the Hatsuhara (6) and
Shiratsuyu (10) classes were still very capable vessels.
Mutsuki class Destroyer (ML)
70 points
HPs: 15 Size: 2 Speed: 6 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x single 5” turret (bow) LA*
2 x single 5” turrets (centreline) LA*
1 x single 5” turret (stern) LA*
Torpedo Tubes: 2 x triple 24” mounts (centreline)
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Features:
Passive Sonar
Excellent Optics
Long Lance Torpedoes
Options:
● Replace 2 x single 5” turrets (centreline) with Depth Charge Throwers for free
● Replace 1 x triple 24” mount (centreline) with Extra Depth Charges for free
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
Built as an improved Kamikaze class, the 12 Mutsuki class were the first Japanese destroyers to
introduce the formidable 24” Long Lance torpedo. They were subject to modifications to increase
their effectiveness as escorts.

Minekaze & Kamikaze class Destroyer (ML)
65 points
HPs: 15 Size: 2 Speed: 6 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x single 5” turret (bow) LA*
2 x single 5” turrets (centreline) LA*
1 x single 5” turret (stern) LA*
Torpedo Tubes: 3 x twin 21” mounts (centreline)
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Features:
Passive Sonar
Excellent Optics
Extended Range Torpedoes
Options:
● Replace 2 x single 5” turrets (centreline) with Depth Charge Throwers for free
● Replace 2 x twin 21” mounts (centreline) with Extra Depth Charges for free
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
Strongly influenced by Anglo-German designs these destroyers were largely used in a secondary
role during the war. A total of 15 Minekaze and 9 Kamikaze destroyers were produced. They were
often modified to act as minesweepers, fast transports and convoy escorts.
Matsu class Destroyer Escort (L)
65 points
HPs: 15 Size: 2 Speed: 5 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x single 5” turret (bow) MA*
1 x twin 5” turret (stern) MA*
Torpedo Tubes: 1 x quadruple 24” mount (centreline)
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Passive Sonar
Features: Excellent Optics
Long Lance Torpedoes
Unit Machinery
Options:
● Add Limited Radar + 20 points
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
● Add Depth Charge Throwers + 5 points
Japanese shipyards were soon unable to replace the high losses in fleet destroyers after the hard
fought early campaigns. The need for simplified and fast construction resulted in the 18 Matsu
class, many more were planned and unfinished before the war ended.

Momi & Wakatake 2nd class Destroyer (ML)
55 points
HPs: 10 Size: 2 Speed: 6 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x single 5” turret (bow) LA*
1 x single 5” turret (centreline) LA*
1 x single 5” turret (stern) LA*
Torpedo Tubes: 2 x twin 21” mounts (centreline)
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Features:
Passive Sonar
Excellent Optics
Extended Range Torpedoes
Options:
● Convert to Patrol Boat configuration: – 20 points
Speed: 4
Guns:
1 x single 5” turret (bow) MA*
1 x single 5” turret (stern) MA*
Torpedo Tubes: None
Depth Charges: 20
Depth Charge Throwers
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
These 20 Momi and 8 Wakatake ships were rated as 2nd class destroyers and were mostly used in
coastal waters. They were eventually pressed into convoy protection duties by shedding a lot of
their turrets and torpedo tubes.
Chidori & Otori class Torpedo Boat (ML)
50 points
HPs: 10 Size: 2 Speed: 5 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x single 5” turret (bow) MA*
1 x single 5” turret (centreline) MA*
1 x single 5” turret (stern) MA*
Torpedo Tubes: 1 x twin 21” mount (centreline)
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Features:
Passive Sonar
Excellent Optics
Extended Range Torpedoes
Options:
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
● Add Depth Charge Throwers + 5 points
These small ships mounted an impressive armament for their size. Despite the capsizing of a vessel
in a storm highlighting their instability these 12 ships were often used as convoy escorts.

Mikura & Ukuru class Frigate (L)
30 points
HPs: 10 Size: 2 Speed: 4 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x single 5” turret (bow) HA*
1 x twin 5” turret (stern) LA*
Torpedo Tubes: None
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Passive Sonar
Features: Excellent Optics
Options:
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
● Add Extra Depth Charges + 5 points
● Add Depth Charge Throwers + 5 points
These vessels were large enough to undertake limited voyages on the open sea. The 8 Mikura and
29 Ukuru ships were heavily armed escorts that could also carry an impressive load of depth
charges.
Type C & D “Kaibokan” class Frigate (L)
20 points
HPs: 10 Size: 2 Speed: 3 Lookouts: 3
Guns:
1 x single 5” turret (bow) HA*
1 x single 5” turret (stern) HA*
Torpedo Tubes: None
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Passive Sonar
Features: Excellent Optics
Options:
● Convert to Type D “Kaibokan” class + 5 points
Speed: 4
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
● Add Extra Depth Charges + 5 points
● Add Depth Charge Throwers + 5 points
The pressing need for escorts was late in being implemented along with the formation of organised
convoys. Over 50 diesel-driven Type C and over 60 steam turbine powered Type D utility vessels
were constructed but never reached the numbers required to reverse the fortunes of the maritime
war of attrition.

Type CH-13 & CH-28 class Submarine Chaser (ML)
15 points
HPs: 5 Size: 1 Speed: 3 Lookouts: 2
Guns:
1 x single 3” turret (bow) HA
Torpedo Tubes: None
Depth Charges: 10
Sensors:
Passive Sonar
Features: Excellent Optics
Options:
● Add Limited Active Sonar + 15 points
● Add Depth Charge Throwers + 5 points
Around 50 of these diminutive steel and wooden-hulled vessels were tasked with defending the
Imperial life-lines near coastal waters that were being ravaged by US submarines. Their Captains
displayed formidable persistence in their role of “submarine chasing”. Submarines occasionally
were forced into gunnery duels with these types of ships and often emerged as the victor.
Daihatsu class Landing Barge (ML)
5 points
HPs: 1 Size: 0 Speed: 2 Lookouts: 1
Guns:
Torpedo Tubes:
Depth Charges:
Sensors:
Features:
None
None
None
None
Motor Torpedo Boat, Light
Excellent Optics
Options:
● Convert to Medium Landing Barge configuration: + 5 points
Features: Motor Torpedo Boat, Medium
● Convert to Heavy Landing Barge configuration: + 10 points
Features: Motor Torpedo Boat, Heavy
Several hundred of these small landing craft were used by the Japanese in their occupation of the
numerous islands that formed the perimeter of their Pacific empire. They routinely were employed
to ferry troops and supplies to their island garrisons and became choice targets for marauding
American PT boats.