was the lead ship 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. Fubuki was a veteran of many of the major battles of the first year of the war, and was sunk in Ironbottom Sound during the Battle of Cape Esperance in World War II. History Construction of the advanced Fubuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion program from fiscal year 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. Fubuki, built at the Maizuru Naval Arsenal was laid down on 19 June 1926, launched on 15 November 1927 and commissioned on 10 August 1928. Originally assigned hull designation "Destroyer No. 35", she was completed as Fubuki. World War II service At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Fubuki was assigned to Destroyer Division 11 of Destroyer Squadron 3 of the IJN 1st Fleet, and had deployed from Kure Naval District to Hainan Island. From 4 December 1941 Fubuki along with , the heavy cruisers and formed the Support Force of Rear-Admiral Takeo Kurita for the Japanese invasion convoy from Camranh Bay, French Indochina to Miri (British Borneo) then to Kuching. Sagiri was sunk by Dutch submarine near Kuching on 24 December 1941. Fubuki was next involved in supporting the Malaya operations. On 10 January 1942, Fubuki assisted the destroyers and in rescuing survivors of the torpedoed transport Akita Maru, which had been sunk by the Dutch submarine . On 27 January, Fubuki and her convoy were attacked by the destroyers and about north of Singapore in the Battle off Endau, and her torpedoes are credited with helping sink Thanet. On 13–18 February 1942, Fubuki was assigned to "Operation L", the invasion of Bangka and Palembang, on Sumatra in the Netherlands East Indies, and took part in attacks on Allied shipping fleeing from Singapore. Fubuki assisted in the sinking or capture of