By the beginning of the Pacific War the Kagerou-class formed the backbone of the Empire's first-line destroyer strength, comprising the 4th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and half of the 18th Destroyer Divisions. | By the beginning of the Pacific War the Kagerou-class formed the backbone of the Empire's first-line destroyer strength, comprising the 4th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and half of the 18th Destroyer Divisions. |