The 10th Torpedo Division was organized on April 10, 1942, commanded by Rear Admiral Kimura Susumu. DesRon 10 composed of destroyers Nowaki, Arashi, Hagikaze and Maikaze from DesDiv 7, Makigumo and Kazagumo from DesRon 10, and Urakaze, Isokaze, Tanikaze and Hamakaze from DesDiv 17, light cruiser Nagara was appointed as the squadron's flagship. The DesRon 10 was attached to the IJN 1st Fleet and was tasked to escort the carriers from the Kido Butai.
DesRon 10 was action in the Battle of Midway, they were ordered to screen the carriers against any possible submarine attacks. The most notable battle the DesRon 10 fought during Midway was the fight between USS Nautilus SS-168 and Arashi which would have caused the fateful five minutes of the battle. After the carrier engagement, the flag of the Kido Butai was transferred to Nagara, the destroyers were ordered to scuttle the carriers. Another engagement is were Tanikaze was attacked by aircraft from USN Task Force 16. There is also some reports that Nagara and Makigumo captured American pilots after the battle and committed atrocious acts.
On July 14, 1942, the DesRon 10 was transferred to the IJN 3rd Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Nagumo, former commander of the disbanded Kido Butai. Destroyers Hatsukaze, Yukikaze, Amatsukaze and Tokitsukaze from DesDiv 16, and Akigumo were attached to the DesRon 10. The DesRon 10 continued to escort carriers on several operations within the Solomons. They participated in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, Ryuujou was sunk while Shoukaku received was damaged during the engagement while USS Enterprise CV-6 was also damaged. On October 7, 1942, destroyers Akizuki and Teruzuki from DesDiv 61 were attached to the DesRon 10. The DesRon 10 participated in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Island where Akigumo and Makigumo scuttled the abandoned USS Hornet CV-8.
The DesRon 10 participated on a major role during first naval engagement in Guadalcanal. Nagara together with Amatsukaze, Yukikaze and Teruzuki and Akatsuki, Ikazuchi and Inazuma from DesDiv 6 were assigned to provide cover for the Bombardment Force commanded by Rear Admiral Abe which composed of Hiei and Kirishima. They engaged USN force composed of 2 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers and 8 destroyers. Akatsuki, Yuudachi and Hiei were lost while several destroyers were damaged from the engagement. DesRon 10 was also present in second naval engagement in Guadalcanal, Nagara was with Hatsuyuki, Asagumo, Teruzuki, Shirayuki, Inazuma, Samidare, Shikinami, Uranami and Ayanami, again they were ordered to provide cover for the Tokyo Express and the bombardment mission in Guadalcanal. They engaged USN force composed of 2 battleships escorted by 4 destroyers. They lost Ayanami and Kirishima in the engagement.
On November 20, 1942, Nagara was appointed flagship of the DesRon 4, replacing Yura who was sunk in action, Agano took Nagara's position as the new flagsip of the DesRon 10. The DesRon 10 continued to provide cover for several transport runs within the Southern Pacific Area. DesRon 10 participated on Operation KE; they were ordered to evacuate troops in Guadalcanal, Makigumo sunk during the operation. The DesRon 10 participated in the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay on November 2, 1943, Agano together with destroyers Naganami, Wakatsuki and Hatsukaze escorted destroyers Amagiri, Yuunagi, Uzuki and Yuuzuki which were carrying troops for Cape Torokina. They engaged USN force composed of 4 light cruisers and 9 destroyers. Sendai and Hatsukaze were lost in the engagement. On November 11, 1943, Agano was struck by a torpedo, she withdraws towed to Truk and undergone through repairs by Akashi.
On December 29, 1943, Yahagi replaced Agano for being the flagship of DesRon 10. Yahagi together with Asagumo, Urakaze, Isokaze, Tanikaze, Minazuki, Hatsuzuki, Wakatsuki, Akizuki and Shotsuki escorted Vice Admiral Ozawa's Force A during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. They engaged the USN Task Force 58, the IJN lost Shoukaku, Taihou and Hiyou while Zuikaku, Jun'you, Chiyoda, Haruna, Maya and Shigure were damaged in the engagement. DesRon 10 participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, they escorted the Center Force which commanded by Vice Admiral Kurita, the battle resulted to a tremendous lost for the Japanese.
On November 16, 1944, Yahagi was reassigned as flagship of the DesRon 2, DesRon 10 was deactivated.
* Dragonfly fishing: rescuing pilots from airplanes who failed to land on the aircraft carrierDespite the name, this division consist of destroyers under a light cruiser as their flagship. In this respect, they’re much like a destroyer squadronDragonfly fishingBring me the net!Another group of newest ships comparable to the 2nd Destroyer Squadron formed during the warAs escorts of aircraft carriers, they carry a very important taskBut there’s also one other strongest torpedo squad10th Cruiser DivisionThat’s their very important taskImperial Japanese Navy’s strongest torpedo squad formed by the gathering of the newest and strongest shipsThe Glorious 2nd Destroyer SquadronBut despite how important it is, we should be letting the torpedo specialists doing torpedo attacks
