Agree. When this story occurred (before the battle of the Philipine Sea -The Mariana Turkey Shoot-), the US was already winning the war. But it shows what would have happened if Japan had tried to fight a surface battle.
Ever heard of the BISMARCK?
During the battle for Okinawa, the Japanese sent the super battleship Yamato to bombard the American fleet. Fortunately, they sent her out without adequate air cover, and she was blown out of the water by American carrier based aircraft.
Had she gotten close to the American fleet and invasion force, she would’ve caused absolute carnage.
Musashi, Yamato’s sistership, was sunk during the battle for Leyte Gulf… was hit by an estimated 19 torpedoes and 17 bombs.
I think there was a third ship in that class, I believe it was called the Shinano, but I don’t think it was ever completed; I believe they converted it to a carrier.
Yes.. here it is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_aircraft_carrier_Shinano