Japanese pocket battleship Hachijo mentioned in 1941

Imaginary Japanese pocket battleship Kadekuru or Kazekuru. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that 4 armoured ships with a displacement varying between 12,000-14,000 tons seemed to be nearing completition if one not already delivered. With the German pocket battleship look alike design but faster, slightly better armour and heavier armed with 6-12” and 12-5” guns. One was the Hachijo launched on 10 April 1940 at the Mitsubishi shipyard or at Sasebo.(1)

Note

1. Not existing. Possible misunderstanding for the Shimushu-class escort or ocean defence ship Hachijo laid down by Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 3 August 1939, launched on 10 April 1940, commissioned on 31 March 1941, stricken on 30 November 1945 and broken up by 30 April 1948. 1.The German panzerschiffe were reclassified as heavy cruisers in February 1940, they were called abroad pocket battleships. Deutschland-class built between 1929-1936 succeeded by Admiral Hipper-class and planned D-class cruisers,consisting of the Deutschland (renamed Lützow in 1940, Admiral Graf Spee and Admiral Scheer. Displacement of the Admiral Graf Spee 12,540 (standard)-16,280 (full load) tons and 2x3-28cm/11” guns.

Source

Brassey’s Naval Annual 1941