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| IJN Zuihō-class aircraft carrier 14,200 Tons (Full) 674' 2" x 59' 8" x 21' 7" 4 x 12.7cm DP guns 4 x Twin 25mm AA guns Aircraft: 30 |
Construction Built by Yokosuka Naval Arsenal. Laid down June 20, 1935 as a high-speed oiler named Takasaki. Launched June 19, 1936 as Zuihō 瑞鳳 means “fortunate phoenix”. During January 1940, converted into an aircraft carrier, named Zuihō 瑞鳳 means “fortunate phoenix”. Launched December 27, 1940. Commissioned January 1941 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and assigned to Carrier Division 3 with Hōshō. Wartime History During December, 1941 participates in the attack on the Philippines. During January, 1942 supported invasion of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). During the Battle of Midway Zuihō leads the Support Fleet but did not engage American carriers directly. Her aircraft complement consisted of 12 A6M2 Zeros and 11 Aichi D3A Vals. On September 1, 1942 departed Kure escorted by Abukuma bound for Truk arriving six days later. During October, 1942 assigned to 3rd Fleet, 1st Carrier Division along with Shōkaku and Zuikaku. On October 26, 1942 during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (Battle of the South Pacific) around 7:40am, two two SBD Dauntless from USS Enterprise CV-6 managed to locate, dive bomb and scored two 500 pound bomb hits on the flight deck of Zuihō that disabled the flight deck and made it impossible to land aircraft. Damaged, Zuiho was escorted out of the area by destroyer Teruzuki. On November 1, 1942 the Zuihō air group tail codes and markings were changed to A1-3-1xx (last two digits) with three fusealge bands. Between January 1943 until early February, 1943 Zuihō, Junyō and Zuikaku aircraft aided in evacuation of Japanese forces from Guadalcanal. Under orders from 3rd Fleet, on February 18, 1943, a detachment of Zuiho aircraft including twenty A6M2 Zeros and eight B5N2 Kates arrived at Kavieng Airfield. On February 19, 1943 the aircraft arrived at Wewak Airfield (Wiruri) to provide convoy protection. On February 28, 1943 the planes withdrew to Kaveing Airfield then the B5N2 Kates departing March 1, 1943 to Truk followed by the Zeros two days later on March 3, 1943. During April 1943, Zuihō aircraft flew land based from Ballale on April 7 and from Rabaul and participated in Operation I-GO. During February, 1944 participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Sinking History On October 24, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf along with the Chiyoda, Chitose and Zuikaku. Carrying only a few aircraft, she was sacrificed as a "decoy" ship, to draw the U.S. Navy fleet away from the Japanese main battleship fleet. On October 25, 1944 during the Battle off Cape Engano, hits are scored on Zuihō's flight deck during an attack by a wave of American bombers. After repairing this damage, three more strike waves arrive and finally sink Zuihō. References Thank to Richard Dunn for February 1943 Zuiho detachment information Contribute
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