By: HISTORY.com Editors

1945

Japanese battleship Yamato is sunk by Allied forces

HISTORY.com Editors

Published: November 16, 2009

Last Updated: January 31, 2025

On April 7, 1945, the Japanese battleship Yamato, one of the greatest battleships of its time, is sunk in Japan’s first major counteroffensive in the struggle for Okinawa.

Weighing 72,800 tons and outfitted with nine 18.1-inch guns, the battleship Yamato was Japan’s only hope of destroying the Allied fleet off the coast of Okinawa. But insufficient air cover and fuel cursed the endeavor as a suicide mission. Struck by 19 American aerial torpedoes, it was sunk, drowning 2,498 of its crew.

Battle of Okinawa

On April 1, 1945, Allied forces invade the island of Okinawa and engage the Japanese in the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War.

Timeline

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1862

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1949

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1950

President Truman receives NSC-68 report, calling for “containing” Soviet expansion

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1953

Sweden’s Dag Hammarskjöld elected U.N. head

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1954

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1961

JFK lobbies Congress to help save historic sites in Egypt

On April 7, 1961, President John F. Kennedy sends a letter to Congress in which he recommends the U.S. participate in an international campaign to preserve ancient temples and historic monuments in the Nile Valley of Egypt. The campaign, initiated by UNESCO, was designed to save sites threatened by the construction of the Aswan High […]

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1963

Tito is made president of Yugoslavia for life

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1970

John Wayne wins Best Actor Oscar

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1979

Astros’ Ken Forsch pitches no-hitter, matching feat by his brother

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Citation Information

Article title: Japanese battleship Yamato is sunk by Allied forces
Author: HISTORY.com Editors
Website Name: History
URL: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/april-7/japanese-battleship-yamato-is-sunk-by-allied-forces

Date Accessed: August 01, 2025
Publisher: A&E Television Networks
Last Updated: January 31, 2025
Original Published Date: November 16, 2009

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