Mikuma (Cruiser, 1934-1942)

Mikuma, a 11,169-ton light cruiser built at Nagasaki, Japan, was launched at the end of May 1934, completed in August 1935 and massively rebuilt a year later to correct serious design defects. Originally constructed as a light cruiser with fifteen six-inch guns, she was converted to a heavy cruiser with ten eight-inch guns in 1939. Mikuma played an active role in the early months of World War II in the Pacific, helping to sink USS Houston (CA-30) and the Australian light cruiser Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait on 1 March 1942. On 6 June 1942, during the Battle of Midway, Mikuma was sunk by air attacks from the U.S. aircraft carriers Enterprise (CV-6) and Hornet (CV-8).

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning the Japanese cruiser Mikuma.

Views of Mikuma's loss in the Battle of Midway:

Click image for a larger view

Photo #: NH 73032 Mikuma (Japanese Cruiser, 1934-1942) In Sukumo Bay, southern Shikoku, April 1939, with a small boat passing by in the foreground. Donation of Kazutoshi Hando, 1970. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 535 pixels
Photo #: NH 73031 Mikuma (Japanese Cruiser, 1934-1942) Photographed in April 1939, in either Ariake Bay, western Kyushu, or Shibushi Bay, southeastern Kyushu. Several destroyers are also present. Donation of Kazutoshi Hando, 1970. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 545 pixels
Photo #: NH 73033 Mikuma (Japanese Cruiser, 1934-1942) At sea in 1938, seen from a sister ship. Note that the foreground ship still has her original battery of triple 155mm guns. Donation of Kazutoshi Hando, 1970. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 87KB; 510 x 765 pixels
Photo #: NH 73037 Japanese Cruisers of the Seventh Squadron (Sentai) In Ise Bay, east-central Honshu, during the Summer of 1938. Ships are identified on the original print as (from front to back) Mogami, Mikuma and Kumano. However, at that time Sentai 7 consisted of Kumano (one funnel band, as on ship in foreground), Mikuma (2 funnel bands) and Suzuya (3 funnel bands). Accordingly, this photo may show those three ships, in the order listed. Donation of Kazutoshi Hando, 1970. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 120KB; 450 x 765 pixels
Photo #: NH 73030 Mikuma (Japanese Cruiser, 1934-1942) Closeup view of the port side of her smokestack, showing a man working near the middle, August 1938. The two white bands painted around the smokestack identify her as the second unit of the Seventh Squadron (Sentai 7). Donation of Kazutoshi Hando, 1970. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 575 pixels

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions

To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.