Operation Ten-Go

Operation Ten-Go was a Japanese naval operation near the end of the Second World War, in which the superbattleship Yamato, the largest battleship ever built, sailed from Japan toward Okinawa with a small escort of a cruiser and destroyers. Its mission was to attack the American invasion fleet and fight until destroyed, beaching itself if necessary, as there was too little fuel for a return journey, and no air cover was available. American carrier aircraft spotted the force and attacked it in waves, sinking Yamato, the cruiser Yahagi and several destroyers, with the loss of thousands of Japanese lives. The operation had little military effect and is often regarded as a symbol of the desperation of Japan's leadership at the end of the war.

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