Japanese battleship Nagato at Yokosuka in 1922

Only battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy to survive WWII. Unfortunately it was used for the atomic bomb tests and is at the bottom of Bikini atoll upside down. Atomic blast at Bikini Atoll, 1946.

Here are some key factors that make Nagato special:

1. Flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy:
Nagato was the flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the lead ship of her class. Commissioned in 1920, she was one of the most powerful battleships of her time and symbolized Japanese naval might.

2. Role in World War II:
Nagato played a crucial role in several significant naval operations during World War II, including being Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's flagship during the planning of the Pearl Harbor attack. She participated in numerous battles and campaigns, demonstrating her strategic importance to the Japanese war effort.

3. Survival of World War II:
Unlike many other Japanese battleships, Nagato survived World War II. By the war's end, she was the only surviving Japanese battleship, having endured multiple engagements and the devastating final months of the conflict.

4. Bikini Atoll Atomic Tests:
After Japan's surrender, Nagato was seized by the United States and selected as a target ship for Operation Crossroads, a series of atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946. This operation aimed to study the effects of nuclear explosions on warships.

5. Atomic Blast Survivor:
Nagato was subjected to two atomic bomb tests, Able and Baker. Despite the immense power of these blasts, she survived the initial detonations, which was a testament to her robust construction. Her endurance provided valuable data on the impact of nuclear weapons on naval vessels.

6. Final Sinking:
Eventually, Nagato capsized and sank on July 29, 1946, due to the cumulative damage from the tests. Her sinking marked the end of an era for battleships and underscored the devastating power of nuclear weapons.

7. Historical Legacy:
Nagato's involvement in the atomic tests at Bikini Atoll represents a significant moment in naval and military history. The tests highlighted the shifting nature of warfare and the dawning of the nuclear age. Nagato's presence as a target ship also symbolizes the transition from conventional naval power to the new era of atomic warfare.

8. Cultural and Historical Significance:
As a symbol of Japanese naval heritage and as a witness to the dawn of the nuclear age, Nagato holds a unique place in history. Her story is a poignant reminder of the devastating power of nuclear weapons and the transformative impact of World War II on global military strategy.

In summary, the Japanese battleship Nagato is special due to her prominent role in the Imperial Japanese Navy, her survival through World War II, and her participation in the pivotal atomic tests at Bikini Atoll. Her legacy continues to be a subject of interest and reflection in both naval and military history.