The Imperial Japanese Navy in particular placed great emphasis on the development of destroyers and torpedoes, being acutely aware of Japan's numerical and industrial inferiority compared to western nations. Destroyer development post-World War I was heavily influenced by the very successful V and W classes of the Royal Navy, although the various nations would eventually branch out into very different design philosophies brought about by the unique circumstances they found themselves in. Over time, improvements in engine design allowed them to overcome this deficiency, and naval commanders began to utilize them more often than any other type of ship due to their new-found flexibility, lower operational costs, and ease of quick deployment. Destroyers are often called upon to scout out enemy positions, provide support - either with a smoke screen or as a distraction - and/or perform precise strikes on individual targets.ĭeveloped in the late 19th century to combat torpedo boats (hence their original name "torpedo-boat destroyer"), they gradually took over the role of the torpedo boats themselves, but lacked speed and operating range.
Destroyers are versatile ships which can use either their rapid fire guns to chip away at enemies or their torpedoes to cause devastating damage. Small, light, and unassuming, destroyers may not be the most durable of ships, but all of them are well capable of punching many times above their weight through a deadly mix of speed, maneuverability, stealth and astounding firepower.
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