Following the 1914-1918 war, naval forces world-wide vied with each other in constructing larger and more powerful warships. It was thought that during future naval conflicts the “Big Gun” principle of battleships with large calibre guns would be the main force in these engagements. The Japanese Naby decided to modernize their aging fleet with an entire new line of powerful warships. Under a program known as the “Eight-Eight” squadron, they planned to produce eight new battleships and eight new battle cruisers. The squadron would also require light cruisers to escort the new mainline vessels, so 5,500 ton light cruisers were planned for production. The Isuzu was constructed at the Uraga dockyard and launched on 15 August, 1923, as a Nagara-class light cruiser. The Isuzu was one of the fourteen light cruisers produced during this era. It has a straight narrow hull with a sppon-shaped bow, three funnels and tripod masts. she was designed to be capable of cruising at 36 knots, a performance required to be capable of cruising at 36 knots, a performance required to keep pace with the new high speed Japanese Naval Fleet. Main armament was seven 14cm guns in single turrets. She also carried two 8cm high-angle guns, and four dual-tube 61cm torpedo launchers. From August to December 1928, Isoruku Yamamoto, was later Admiral of the Japanese Fleet, served as Captain aboard this vessel. The Isuszu was assigned as the flagship to numerous submarine Flotilla until the outbreak of the Pacific War. During repairs of mine damage sustained at Kavieng, which was being done at Yokosuka and Nagasaki shipyards, the Isuzu was modified to counter air attack. All seven 14cm guns were removed and replaced with 12.7cm anti-aircraft weapons mounted at three locations. In addition, eleven 25mm triple machine guns and five single machine guns were added. The old double-tube torpedo launchers were replaced with quadruple-tube launchers for the newer type torpedoes. These modifications, coupled with new air and sea radars, greatly enhanced the capabilities of the Isuzu and she was assigned as the flagship for the 31st Squadron of the Combined Japanese Naval Fleet. She was sunk on April 7, 1945, while participating in the battle of Leyte Gulf.
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