Changes

==History==

==History==

*16 March 1923:

'''16 March 1923:'''

Launched and named ABUKUMA.

Launched and named ABUKUMA.

*20 October 1930: IJN Special Great Maneuvers:

'''20 October 1930: IJN Special Great Maneuvers:'''

S of Daio Zali. During the night, ABUKUMA collides with the portside of light cruiser KITAKAMI between her No 2. and No. 3 funnels. ABUKUMA loses her bow up to No. 1 140-mm turret. KITAKAMI sustains only limited damage above the waterline. Battleship MUTSU tows ABUKUMA to Tateyama and from there she is towed by tugs to Yokosuka.

S of Daio Zali. During the night, ABUKUMA collides with the portside of light cruiser KITAKAMI between her No 2. and No. 3 funnels. ABUKUMA loses her bow up to No. 1 140-mm turret. KITAKAMI sustains only limited damage above the waterline. Battleship MUTSU tows ABUKUMA to Tateyama and from there she is towed by tugs to Yokosuka.

6 November 1930:

'''6 November 1930:'''

Yokosuka. Enters dock. A temporary bow is fitted.

Yokosuka. Enters dock. A temporary bow is fitted.

1 April-20 December 1931:

'''1 April-20 December 1931:'''

Kure Navy Yard. Undergoes permanent repairs. Fitted with a new "yacht" bow similar to those fitted on JINTSU and NAKA after their collisions with destroyers during the 1927 IJN Special Great Maneuvers.

Kure Navy Yard. Undergoes permanent repairs. Fitted with a new "yacht" bow similar to those fitted on JINTSU and NAKA after their collisions with destroyers during the 1927 IJN Special Great Maneuvers.

26 November 1941:

'''26 November 1941:'''

ABUKUMA is in Vice Admiral (Admiral, posthumously) Nagumo Chuichi's (36)(former CO of YAMASHIRO) First Air Fleet. She is the flagship of Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Omori Sentaro's (41)(former CO of ISE) DesRon 1 that includes DesDiv 17's ISOKAZE, URAKAZE, TANIKAZE, HAMAKAZE, DesDiv 18's ARARE, KASUMI, KAGERO and SHIRANUHI.

ABUKUMA is in Vice Admiral (Admiral, posthumously) Nagumo Chuichi's (36)(former CO of YAMASHIRO) First Air Fleet. She is the flagship of Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Omori Sentaro's (41)(former CO of ISE) DesRon 1 that includes DesDiv 17's ISOKAZE, URAKAZE, TANIKAZE, HAMAKAZE, DesDiv 18's ARARE, KASUMI, KAGERO and SHIRANUHI.

7 December 1941: Operation "Z" - The Attack on Pearl Harbor:

'''7 December 1941:''' Operation "Z" - The Attack on Pearl Harbor:

The Carrier Striking Force launches attacks that sink battleships USS ARIZONA (BB-39), OKLAHOMA (BB-37) and CALIFORNIA (BB-44) and damage NEVADA (BB-36), PENNSLYVANIA (BB-38), TENNESSEE (BB-43), MARYLAND (BB-46), WEST VIRGINIA (BB-49) and other smaller ships. 2,335 American servicemen die in the attack, most on ARIZONA. After recovering all but 29 of its aircraft lost in the attack, the Striking Force departs Hawaiian waters towards Japan.

The Carrier Striking Force launches attacks that sink battleships USS ARIZONA (BB-39), OKLAHOMA (BB-37) and CALIFORNIA (BB-44) and damage NEVADA (BB-36), PENNSLYVANIA (BB-38), TENNESSEE (BB-43), MARYLAND (BB-46), WEST VIRGINIA (BB-49) and other smaller ships. 2,335 American servicemen die in the attack, most on ARIZONA. After recovering all but 29 of its aircraft lost in the attack, the Striking Force departs Hawaiian waters towards Japan.

14 December 1942:

'''14 December 1942:'''

Drydocked. During refit two triple-mount Type 96 25-mm AA guns are installed. The No. 5 140-mm gun is removed and the quad 13-mm mg mount in front of the bridge is replaced by a twin 13-mm mg mount.

Drydocked. During refit two triple-mount Type 96 25-mm AA guns are installed. The No. 5 140-mm gun is removed and the quad 13-mm mg mount in front of the bridge is replaced by a twin 13-mm mg mount.

3 May 1943:

'''3 May 1943:'''

Drydocked. A Type 21 air-search radar installed.

Drydocked. A Type 21 air-search radar installed.

20 October 1943:

'''20 October 1943:'''

Drydocked. During refit the No. 7 gun mount is removed, a twin mount of 40-cal Type 89 127-mm HA guns (unshielded) is fitted, as are a triple-mount Type 96 25-mm AA gun and four single-mount 25-mm AA guns that bring the total number of 25-mm AA guns to 20 barrels.

Drydocked. During refit the No. 7 gun mount is removed, a twin mount of 40-cal Type 89 127-mm HA guns (unshielded) is fitted, as are a triple-mount Type 96 25-mm AA gun and four single-mount 25-mm AA guns that bring the total number of 25-mm AA guns to 20 barrels.

21 June 1944:

'''21 June 1944:'''

Arrives at Yokosuka. Refit, modification. A Type 22 surface-search radar is fitted. Ten single-mount Type 96 25-mm AA guns are also fitted that bring ABUKUMA's total 25-mm AA gun suite to thirty barrels. Five single-mount Type 93 13-mm machine guns are added that bring ABUKUMA's total to ten 13-mm machine guns.

Arrives at Yokosuka. Refit, modification. A Type 22 surface-search radar is fitted. Ten single-mount Type 96 25-mm AA guns are also fitted that bring ABUKUMA's total 25-mm AA gun suite to thirty barrels. Five single-mount Type 93 13-mm machine guns are added that bring ABUKUMA's total to ten 13-mm machine guns.

25 October 1944: The Battle of the Surigao Strait:

'''25 October 1944: '''The Battle of the Surigao Strait:

In the early hours, when entering the Surigao Strait, the force is attacked by American PT-boats. ASHIGARA, NACHI, ABUKUMA and DesDivs 7 and 18 maneuver for a single-column attack formation.

In the early hours, when entering the Surigao Strait, the force is attacked by American PT-boats. ASHIGARA, NACHI, ABUKUMA and DesDivs 7 and 18 maneuver for a single-column attack formation.

At 0830, Rear Admiral Kimura's flag is transferred to the destroyer KASUMI. Destroyer USHIO is ordered to escort ABUKUMA to Cagayan. Because of the American air threat, the force proceeds to Dapitan arriving at 2230. Repairs are made throughout night.

At 0830, Rear Admiral Kimura's flag is transferred to the destroyer KASUMI. Destroyer USHIO is ordered to escort ABUKUMA to Cagayan. Because of the American air threat, the force proceeds to Dapitan arriving at 2230. Repairs are made throughout night.

26 October 1944:

'''26 October 1944: '''

Departs for Coron with USHIO.

Departs for Coron with USHIO.