Zuiho

Zuihō-Class Aircraft Carriers (瑞鳳型) were built for the Imperial Japanese Navy during the years of 1934 to 1936. Originally they were built as submarine tenders, but converted into carriers. There were 2 ships built in this class.

Zuihō-Class Aircraft Carriers served between the years of 1937 to 1944.

Zuihō-Class Aircraft Carriers Zuihō & Shōhō - Shōhō supported the invasion forces in Operation MO, the invasion of Port Moresby, New Guinea, and was sunk by American carrier aircraft on her first combat operation during the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942.  Shōhō was the first Japanese aircraft carrier to be sunk during World War II.

 Zuihō played a secondary role in the Battle of Midway in mid-1942 and did not engage any American aircraft or ships during the battle. She participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign during the rest of 1942. She was lightly damaged during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and covered the evacuation of Japanese forces from the island in early 1943 after repairs.  Zuihō participated in the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf in mid-1944. In this last battle, Zuihō mainly served as a decoy for the main striking forces and she was finally sunk by American aircraft fulfilling her task.