Fifth Carrier Division
Squadron · Japan · September 25, 1941 – July 14, 1942
Japan's newest carriers, Shōkaku and Zuikaku, under Rear Admiral Chūichi Hara. Detached from the Kido Butai for the Port Moresby operation, they fought the first carrier battle in the Coral Sea and missed Midway while they refitted.
View on map Fought in Pacific War
Sub-units 2
Attached units 2
Engagements 6
- December 7, 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor
- May 4–8, 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea
- August 24–25, 1942 Battle of the Eastern Solomons
- October 25–27, 1942 Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
- June 19–20, 1944 Battle of the Philippine Sea
- October 23–26, 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf
Movements
- November 26, 1941 Sails from Hitokappu Bay, Kuril Islands Map
- December 7, 1941 Launches the attack on Pearl Harbor from 230 miles north of Oahu Attack on Pearl Harbor Map
- December 23, 1941 Returns to the Inland Sea Map
- February 19, 1942 Air raid on Darwin, Australia Map
- April 5, 1942 – April 9, 1942 Indian Ocean raid: strikes Colombo and Trincomalee Map
- May 1, 1942 Truk: joins the MO Striking Force under Vice Admiral Takeo Takagi Map
- May 7, 1942 – May 8, 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea: sinks Lexington; Shōkaku damaged Battle of the Coral Sea Map
- May 17, 1942 Returns to Kure for repair Map