Small escort destroyer designs offered Japan a way to build useful ships in greater numbers. A speed of roughly 27 knots suited escort work, while three 5-inch guns supplied the main battery described here. Torpedoes retained considerable emphasis, and some ships were to be modified to carry Kaiten human-guided torpedoes. The designs are judged serviceable for their intended work. The central criticism is their late ordering, when Japan lacked the industrial volume to complete enough ships.
Chapter · 32:42-34:10
Smaller escort destroyers and the late search for quantity
Smaller escort destroyers offered a route toward quantity, while late orders and continuing torpedo priorities limited the response.