Japan entered World War II with the third-largest navy in the world, after those of Great Britain and the United States. The 18 heavy cruisers of the Imperial J

At the beginning of World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy operated a light cruiser force of 20 ships, and added another five during the course of the war. Th

Cruisers that fought in WWII descended from sail-powered frigates of the 18th and 19th century. These vessels were designed for long-range independent operation

During World War II, the United States built 72 light cruisers of various classes. In response to the severe air threat that surface ships faced, new cruisers w