Shōkaku was the lead ship of her class of two aircraft carriers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy shortly before the Pacific War. Along with her sistership Zuikaku, she took part in several key nav
Shōkaku upon completion, 23 August 1941
Shōkaku being launched in heavy rain at Yokosuka, 1 June 1939.
The twenty-eight chief shipbuilders of Shōkaku pose at the ship's prow prior to launching (30 May 1939).
Shōkaku preparing to launch D3A "Val" dive bombers during the attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941
The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, fought during 25–27 October 1942, was the fourth aircraft carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. It was also the fourth major naval engagement fo
Japanese aircraft carrier Shōkaku
…where she helped to cripple the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise but failed to score an overall victory. This was made up for later that October at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands where Shōkaku aircraft helped to sink the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and badly damaged the Enterprise; taking several bomb hits but remaining combat…
USS Enterprise (center left) and her screening ships during the battle, 26 October 1942
USS Wasp burns after being torpedoed on 15 September
Grumman F4F Wildcat on Enterprise as she conducts air operations on 24 October
Japanese fighter and dive bomber aircraft on Shōkaku prepare to launch for an attack on US carrier forces