During the war the "Asashio" class was used extensively in the protection of the Combined Fleet. "Arare" was attacked and sunk off Kiska Island during the Aleutian Islands Campaign by on 5 July 1942. "Kasumi" was also heavily damaged along with one other destroyer. "Asashio" and "Arashio" escorted the 7th Cruiser Division at the Battle of Midway, where both were damaged by air attack. Although repaired and returned to service, both were sunk in 1943 when a large Japanese transport force was destroyed by American planes in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. "Michishio", "Asagumo", and "Yamagumo" were lost in 1944 in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. "Kasumi", last of the class to be laid down, served as escort on the attack on Pearl Harbor and joined the battleship during Operation Ten-Go against the American fleet at Okinawa. None of the "Asashio"-class ships survived the Pacific War.