IJN Haruna – A Survivor Until The Very End

While not unique in lasting until the final months of the Pacific War, Haruna is still an interesting case. An old battlecruiser-turned-fast-battleship, and the last survivor of her class. Alongside Nagato, she was the only capable capital ship left to Japan at the end of the war.

Arguably more capable, in her generally better material condition. Relative lack of firepower and armor aside.

For all of that, though, Haruna survived as long as she did...by not getting involved in the battles off of Guadalcanal. By avoiding submarine attack. And by, generally, avoiding damage as a whole.

Not the most exciting career, but then, that's often the case for survivors.

Further Reading:

https://www.amazon.com/Warships-Imper...
https://www.amazon.com/Kong%C5%8D-Cla...
https://www.amazon.com/Imperial-Japan...
http://www.combinedfleet.com/haruna.htm