was the third of twenty-four s built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world. They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War. History Construction of the advanced Fubuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion program from fiscal 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships. The Fubuki class had performance that was a quantum leap over previous destroyer designs, so much so that they were designated . The large size, powerful engines, high speed, large radius of action and unprecedented armament gave these destroyers the firepower similar to many light cruisers in other navies. Hatsuyuki, built at the Maizuru Naval Arsenal was laid down on 12 April 1926, launched on 29 September 1928 and commissioned on 30 March 1929. Originally assigned hull designation "Destroyer No. 37", she was completed as Hatsuyuki. Operational history On completion, Hatsuyuki was assigned to Destroyer Division 11 under the IJN 2nd Fleet. In 1935, the destroyer was damaged in a typhoon as part of the Fourth Fleet incident. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Hatsuyuki helped cover landings of Japanese forces during the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, and subsequent landings of Japanese forces at Hangzhou in northern China. In 1940, she also participated in the Invasion of French Indochina. World War II history At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hatsuyuki was assigned to Destroyer Division 11 of Desron 3 of the IJN 1st Fleet, and had deployed from Kure Naval District to the port of Samah on Hainan Island. From 4 December 1941 to 30 January 1942 Hatsuyuki was part of the escort for the heavy cruisers , , and out of Samah and Camranh Bay, French Indochina in support of Malaya, Banka-Palembang and Anambas Islands invasion operations. On 18 February, she was credited with sinking or capturing two transports attempting to flee from Singapore. On 27 February, Hatsuyuki was assigned to "Operation J", covering landings of Japanese forces in western Java in the Netherlands East Indies, and was in the Battle of Sunda Strait on 1 March, assisting in the sinking of the Australian cruiser and the American cruiser . Hatsuyuki was part of the escort for Admiral Jizaburo Ozawa's cover force for "Operation