Operational History
Japan had fifty destroyers operational at the start of World War I. Although intended for coastal operation, with the Umikaze-class destroyers too short in range to operate overseas and with all previous classes of destroyers too small and/or obsolete for front-line service, the two Sakura-class destroyers were Japan’s most advanced front-line destroyers during the opening stages of the war. Both were deployed extensively overseas as part of Japan’s contribution to the war effort under the terms of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
The Sakura-class ships were re-rated as second-class destroyers on August 28, 1912, and served to April 1, 1932 when both were retired.
Read more about this topic: Sakura Class Destroyers
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