The topic Yamato is discussed in the following articles:


  • TITLE: naval ship
    SECTION: The last capital ships
    ...knots, this was the first of the new generation of “fast battleships” presaged by HMS Hood. In 1937, after the Washington and London treaties had expired, Japan laid down the Yamato and Musashi. These two 72,800-ton ships, armed with 18.1-inch guns, were the largest battleships in history.

history of World War II

  • TITLE: World War II (1939–45)
    SECTION: Okinawa
    The first major counterattack on Okinawa by the Japanese, begun on April 6, involved not only 355 kamikaze air raids but also the Yamato, the greatest battleship in the world (72,000 tons, with nine 18.1-inch [460-millimetre] guns), which was sent out on a suicidal mission with only enough fuel for the single outward voyage and without sufficient air cover. The Japanese hoped the...