| Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier Zuikaku (“Happy Crane”) was detailed as part of the 5th Carrier Division, created on November 13, 1941, with her sister ship, Shokaku (“Soaring Crane”), under Rear Admiral Chūichi Hara (March 15, 1889 – February 17, 1964). The carrier is shown around the time she left Hitokappu Bay on November 26, 1941, to attack Pearl Harbor. The 5th Carrier Division was successful through the 1st 5 months of the Pacific War, participating in the Pearl Harbor Raid, sinking HMS Hermes, HMS Cornwall, HMS Dorsetshire, HMS Hollyhock, tanker Athelstane, tanker British Sergeant, cargo ship Norviken, USS Sims (DD-409), USS Neosho (AO-23), and damaged USS Lexington (CV-2) so badly she later blew up. At the Battle of the Coral Sea, Shokaku was damaged, and Zuikaku’s air group was depleted, so neither carrier was available for the Battle of Midway. After the loss of 4 carriers of Kido Butai (“Mobile Strike Force”), the 5th Carrier Division was dissolved, and Shokaku and Zuikaku were reformed into the 1st Carrier Division with Zuiho. All 3 ships were lost in 1944. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2258.jpg |
| Image Size | 321.74 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 3048 x 1053 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | November 1, 1941 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | |
| Country | Japan |
| Archive | Kure Maritime Science Museum |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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