Takao was the lead vessel in the Takao-class heavy cruisers, active in World War II with the Imperial Japanese Navy. These were the largest cruisers in the Japanese fleet, and were intended to form th
Takao on trials in 1939
The bridge of Takao the year she was commissioned, 1932
Takao on a trial run at full speed off Tateyama, mouth of Tokyo Bay, 1 July 1932
Takao-class cruisers of Sentai-4 underway, during a training exercise in August 1933. From left to right: Takao, Atago and Chōkai.
Samidare was the fifth of ten Shiratsuyu-class destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle One Program.
Samidare photographed in 1937
Samidare off China in 1938
Sailors standing by Samidare's aft turrets in August 1938