Zuikaku

Ship · Japan · September 25, 1941 – October 25, 1944

Fleet carrier that fought in most of the carrier battles of 1942-44; the last Pearl Harbor carrier sunk, at Leyte Gulf.

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
August 24, 1942 Battle of the Eastern Solomons Battle of the Eastern Solomons Map
October 26, 1942 Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands Map
November 15, 1942 Truk Map
July 15, 1943 Home waters: training new air groups Map
November 1, 1943 Truk; air groups sent to Rabaul Map
February 15, 1944 – March 1, 1944 Withdraws to Singapore Map
May 15, 1944 Tawi-Tawi anchorage Map
June 19, 1944 Battle of the Philippine Sea Battle of the Philippine Sea Map
June 24, 1944 Back to Okinawa and Japan Map
October 20, 1944 Sails from Japan as the decoy Map
October 25, 1944 Off Cape Engaño: four carriers sunk Battle of Leyte Gulf Map