BASIC SHIP DATA

Both aircraft carriers were of the same class and both were built immediately before World War II.

DAMAGE TO SYOKAKU:

On 8 May, 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea, SYOKAKU was attacked by US Navy dive bombers. The ship received three direct hits from 1,000 pound high-explosive bombs. In addition, eight more bombs exploded around the ship very close aboard. The damage appeared to be significant, and the ship was forced to return to base for repairs which required two to three months.

On 26 October 1942, SYOKAKU was attacked twice by dive bombers in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. Several 1,000 pound bombs were dropped on the carrier. Four hit the flight deck portside and two hit in the vicinity of the after elevator. The flight deck was destroyed and ship speed dropped to 21 knots.

DAMAGE TO ZUIKAKU:

On 19 June 1944, during the Battle of the Philippines, ZUIKAKU received direct hits by two or three bombs as well as others close aboard. Explosions of the direct hits started a fire in the area of the hangar deck. The flames threatened to spread throughout the ship. However, the professionalism of the fire-fighting crews made it possible to put out the fires with water & carbon dioxide. The ship returned to base under her own power to begin repairs.

CONCLUSIONS: The explosions of three or four direct hits and many near-misses from 1,000 pound H.E. (high-explosive) bombs on ships of the SYOKAKU Class usually resulted in huge fires and heavy damage which would put the ship out of commission for two or three months. The fire protection systems of these carriers seemed to be poor against H.E. bombs. However, both ships were save by energetic and professional fire-fighting.