by Stefan Draminski.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 48 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: The Imperial Japanese Navy’s Super-Dreadnoughts
The IJN’s Nagato class consisted of the Nagato and the Mutsu and never the two had a more different fate in WWII. The Mutsu blew up in the harbor in 1943, possibly due to a suicidal crewman facing disciplinary action. The Nagato served throughout WWII and ended up as one of the ships used in the atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll in 1946.
The design and specs, including modernizations, are included, as well as participation in combat ops. Neither ship participated in surface action against other ships per se, although the Nagato was at Leyte Gulf and had to turn away from torpedoes launched by a US destroyer — so I guess that sorta counts.
The booklet contains two color photos, 38 black and white photos, 10 color camouflage illustrations, three color one-page action illustrations, and one color two-page cutaway illustration of the Nagato.
While the remains of the Nagato are still around Bikini Atoll, some older parts are in museums and displays. The Mutsu was salvaged in the 1970s and some parts are also in museums.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
