description HIJMS Zuikaku Overview
HIJMS Zuikaku was a Shokaku-class aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy that served during the Pacific War. Its aircraft participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the carrier later fought in major operations including the battles of the Coral Sea, the Eastern Solomons, and the Philippine Sea. Zuikaku was sunk by American carrier aircraft at the Battle of Cape Engano on 25 October 1944, during the wider Battle of Leyte Gulf.
insights Ranking position
HIJMS Zuikaku ranks #48 of 186 in the Shipwreck ranking, behind SS Yongala, ahead of SS Laconia.
help HIJMS Zuikaku FAQ
Did Zuikaku take part in the attack on Pearl Harbor?
Yes, aircraft from Zuikaku participated in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It operated as part of the carrier force alongside its sister ship Shokaku and four other fleet carriers.
Why was Zuikaku absent from the Battle of Midway?
Zuikaku had lost many aircraft and aircrew during the Battle of the Coral Sea, while Shokaku had suffered bomb damage. Neither carrier joined the four-carrier force that Japan sent to Midway in June 1942.
How was HIJMS Zuikaku sunk?
US carrier aircraft struck and sank Zuikaku during the Battle off Cape Engaño on October 25, 1944. The Japanese carriers were being used largely as a decoy force during the wider Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Has the wreck of Zuikaku been found?
No publicly confirmed discovery of the carrier's deep-water wreck has been announced. Zuikaku sank off Cape Engaño in the Philippine Sea, leaving a large and difficult search area.
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