Osprey hits another home run with this 2nd volume on Japanese destroyers. Picking up where the 1st volume left off, this book covers several classes, principally the Asashio, Kagero, and Yugumo. It also details the history, weapons, and tactics of the Japanese destroyers. The author further weighs in on the design and construction, armament, service modifications, and wartime service of each class. The book also covers an interesting experimental destroyer, the Shimakaze, with a top speed of almost 40 knots and 15 torpedo tubes. I found the book’s contents to be well thought out, with a very coherent outline. And it’s written with easy to understand explanations. It has beautiful color paintings and artwork including cutaway illustrations. It offers a wide range of vintage b&w photographs that are pretty decent and would be helpful to the ship modeler. The book has a softcover with a corded gum binding and it’s printed very well.

Contents

• Introduction
• Japanese naval strategy and the role of the destroyer
• Japanese destroyer tactics
• Japanese destroyer design principles
• Japanese destroyer weapons
• Japanese destroyer radar
• Asashio class
• Kagero class
• Yugumo class
• Akitsuki class
• Shimakaze class
• Matsu class
• Analysis and conclusion
• Bibliography
• Index

I highly recommend this book to anyone. It’s packed with information and photos the ship modeler will love.

I would like to thank Osprey Publishing and IPMS USA for allowing me the opportunity to review and present this excellent book.