Hasegawa 1/350 IJN Yukikaze Destroyer Type KOH 'Operation TEN-GO' # Z022

IJN Yukikaze (雪風, "Snowy Wind") was a Kagerō-class Type Kō destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy, renowned for her durability and combat record.

Among the few Japanese warships to survive the entire Pacific War, Yukikaze gained legendary status for her luck and performance in major naval engagements.

Her most dramatic and heroic role came during Operation Ten-Go in April 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy’s final major surface sortie of World War II.

Background – Type Kō Destroyer
Class: Kagerō-class (Type Kō – “A-type” destroyer)
Displacement: ~2,500 tons (standard)
Speed: 35 knots

Main Armament:

6 × 127 mm guns
8 × 610 mm torpedo tubes (Type 93 "Long Lance")
Numerous 25 mm anti-aircraft guns (increased throughout war)

Role:
Fleet escort, anti-air, and torpedo attacks — designed to operate with Japan’s carrier and battleship forces.

Operation Ten-Go: The Final Mission

Date:
April 6–7, 1945

Mission:
Escort the battleship Yamato in a suicidal attack on the U.S. invasion fleet off Okinawa.

Yukikaze was assigned as part of the destroyer escort screen in Vice Admiral Seiichi Itō’s task force, consisting of:

Yamato (flagship)
Light cruiser Yahagi
8 destroyers, including Yukikaze

This operation was essentially a kamikaze naval mission, with only enough fuel for a one-way trip.

The goal was to beach Yamato on Okinawa’s shores, serve as a stationary gun platform, and fight to the last shell.

Combat and Heroic Performance

On April 7, 1945, the task force came under overwhelming attack by U.S. carrier-based aircraft.

Waves of torpedo bombers, dive-bombers, and fighters struck the formation.

Yukikaze’s actions during the battle:

Skillfully evaded multiple air attacks
Shot down several American aircraft
Provided anti-aircraft fire support and maneuvered aggressively to avoid torpedoes
Rescued survivors from the sinking Yamato and Yahagi
Despite the carnage, Yukikaze survived virtually unscathed, living up to her reputation as the “unsinkable” destroyer

By the end of the operation:

Yamato, Yahagi, and 6 of the 8 destroyers were sunk
Only Yukikaze and Hatsushimo returned to Japan

Legacy of Yukikaze
Yukikaze’s survival in Operation Ten-Go added to her legendary status. Known as “The Lucky Destroyer”, she had participated in nearly every major naval battle of the Pacific War — from Midway and Guadalcanal to Leyte Gulf — and emerged intact.

After the war, she was turned over to the Republic of China Navy and served as Dan Yang until 1966.