Nagato-Class Battleships 1920-46: The Imperial Japanese Navy’s Super-Dreadnoughts

48 pages

Dr James Bosbotinis

Part of Osprey’s ‘New Vanguard’ series, Nagato-Class Battleships 1920-46 sets out to provide a history of the design, development, and service lives of the Nagato-class battleships, the pair of which – Nagato and Mutsu – served in the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1920 till the end of the Second World War. The author and illustrator, Stefan Draminski, is a naval researcher, historian and creator of highly detailed digital models. His volumes in the ‘Anatomy of the Ship’ series, also published by Osprey, on the Bismarck, Hiryu, Iowa, Kidd and Scharnhorst respectively, have been reviewed in The Naval Review.

At 48 pages, this is a necessarily concise book, but also one that is most informative. Following the standard Osprey format for books on this subject, Nagato-Class Battleships features a brief, context-setting introduction, an overview of the construction of the ships, their design (encompassing machinery, armour, armament, fire control, embarked aircraft, etc.) and in-service modifications. This is followed by accounts of the service histories of the Nagato and Mutsu, with the book completed by a brief conclusion and a useful bibliography, which includes Japanese language sources. An appendix listing the commanding officers of the Nagato and Mutsu is also included. Alongside the text are the excellent illustrations and diagrams by Draminski as well as a selection of photographs. As Draminski highlights, the Nagato-class were the first battleships “designed using solely Japanese resources and personnel”, and when it was commissioned in November 1920, the Nagato was the first battleship in the world “armed with guns larger than 15in in caliber.” Nagato was also the sole remaining Japanese battleship afloat at the end of the Second World War; it was finally sunk in July 1946 during nuclear tests in Bikini Atoll (Operation CROSSROADS).

The author has produced a well-written, highly engaging and readable history of the Nagato-class, which will certainly appeal to those with an interest in Japanese naval history, the Pacific War, or battleships more generally. Moreover, at £12.99, the book provides good value. Nagato-Class Battleships 1920-46 is recommended.