Yes, the IJN Yamato sank or significantly contributed to the sinking of American warships during World War II.
Yamato's Engagement at the Battle off Samar
While the formidable IJN Yamato, one of the largest battleships ever constructed, did not sink any British ships during its operational history, it played a pivotal role in the Battle off Samar on October 25, 1944. This engagement was a crucial part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, where a vastly superior Japanese force encountered a much smaller American escort carrier task group, "Taffy 3," consisting primarily of escort carriers, destroyers, and destroyer escorts.
During this intense naval battle, Yamato, unleashing its massive 18.1-inch guns, engaged the American ships. Its heavy shelling and sustained fire were instrumental in overwhelming the American defenses, directly contributing to the loss of several vessels.
American Warships Engaged by Yamato
The Yamato was involved in actions that led to the sinking of three American warships at the Battle off Samar. These ships, though vastly outgunned, fought with remarkable courage against the Japanese Center Force.
| Ship Name | Type | Fate at Samar | Yamato's Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| USS Gambier Bay | Escort Carrier | Sunk | Contributed significantly to its sinking |
| USS Hoel | Destroyer | Sunk | Contributed significantly to its sinking |
| USS Roberts | Destroyer Escort | Sunk | Contributed significantly to its sinking |
While it's difficult to definitively attribute the sole sinking of a ship to a single battleship's guns in a chaotic battle involving multiple vessels and concentrated fire, the Yamato's powerful armament undeniably inflicted immense damage and hastened the demise of these brave American ships. Its main guns were among the most powerful ever mounted on a warship, capable of firing shells weighing over 3,000 pounds.
Yamato's Final Fate
Despite its formidable size and armament, the IJN Yamato was ultimately sunk on April 7, 1945, during Operation Ten-Go, by a massive air attack from American carrier aircraft. It succumbed to numerous bombs and torpedoes, highlighting the changing nature of naval warfare where air power increasingly dominated surface vessels.
