Japanese aircraft carrier Kaga

Japanese aircraft carrier Kaga was a Tosa-class battleship converted into an aircraft carrier for the Imperial Japanese Navy during the 1920s, with design influenced by HMS Argus and USS Langley. The conversion was supervised by Vice Admiral Kikuo Fujita and Captain Isoroku Yamamoto, who later became the Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet. Kaga was named after the Kaga Province in Honshu, Japan, and was one of the two largest aircraft carriers in the world at the time of its commissioning, along with its sister ship, Akagi. The ship's design was also influenced by the Washington Naval Treaty, which limited the size and number of battleships that Japan could build.

● Design and Construction

The design and construction of Kaga were overseen by the Imperial Japanese Navy Technical Department, with Yuzuru Hiraga serving as the chief designer. The ship was originally designed as a battleship, but was converted into an aircraft carrier during construction, with a flight deck and hangar added. The conversion was inspired by the British Royal Navy's HMS Furious and HMS Argus, as well as the United States Navy's USS Langley. Kaga was built at the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Yard in Kobe, with materials and equipment supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel. The ship's construction was also influenced by the London Naval Treaty, which further limited the size and number of warships that Japan could build.

● Service History

Kaga was commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1928, with Captain Denshichi Okawachi serving as its first commanding officer. The ship was initially assigned to the First Air Fleet, which was commanded by Vice Admiral Eikichi Katagiri. Kaga participated in several naval exercises and fleet reviews, including the 1930 Naval Review and the 1933 Naval Review, which were attended by Emperor Hirohito and Admiral Osami Nagano. The ship also visited several ports in Japan, including Yokosuka, Sasebo, and Maizuru, as well as ports in China, such as Shanghai and Tianjin. Kaga was also involved in the Second Sino-Japanese War, providing air support for Japanese Army operations in China.

● Operational History

Kaga played a key role in the Imperial Japanese Navy's aircraft carrier fleet, participating in several naval battles and air campaigns during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. The ship was commanded by several notable officers, including Captain Jisaburo Ozawa and Captain Sadayoshi Yamada. Kaga was involved in the Invasion of Indochina, the Battle of the Coral Sea, and the Battle of Midway, where it was sunk by United States Navy dive bombers from the USS Enterprise and USS Yorktown. The ship's air group, which included Aichi D3A dive bombers and Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft, was also involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor, which was planned by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and Captain Kameto Kuroshima.

● Fate

Kaga was sunk on June 4, 1942, during the Battle of Midway, after being hit by several bombs dropped by United States Navy dive bombers. The ship sank at 19:25, taking over 800 crew members with it, including Captain Okada and Commander Amagai. The wreck of Kaga was discovered in 2019 by a team of researchers from the National Geographic Society, led by Dr. Robert Ballard, who also discovered the wreck of the USS Yorktown. The discovery of Kaga's wreck was announced by the Japanese Ministry of Defense and the United States Navy, and was seen as an important historical find.

● Specifications

Kaga had a displacement of 38,200 tons, with a length of 247.7 meters and a beam of 32.5 meters. The ship was powered by eight Kampon boilers and four turbines, which produced 91,000 horsepower and gave the ship a top speed of 28.5 knots. Kaga had a crew of over 1,700 officers and men, and carried a total of 60-70 aircraft, including Aichi D3A dive bombers, Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft, and Nakajima B5N torpedo bombers. The ship's flight deck was 248 meters long and 30 meters wide, and was equipped with two elevators and a crane. Kaga was also armed with 10 127mm guns, 22 25mm anti-aircraft guns, and 8 13.2mm machine guns, which were used for anti-aircraft defense. Category:Japanese aircraft carriers