Hosho, a 7470-ton aircraft carrier built at Tsurumi, Japan, was completed in December 1922, the first of her type to enter service in the Japanese Navy. She was originally completed with an "island" on her starboard side, but this was removed in 1923. During much of the 1920s Hosho was Japan's only "flat-top" and, like her U.S. Navy contemporary, USS Langley (CV-1), was actively employed developing carrier operational techniques and tactical doctrine. Though superseded by far more capable ships during the later 1920s, she continued in operation through the remainder of the Imperial Navy's existence.
By the beginning of the Pacific War, Hosho had been relegated to training duties, but was used in a combat role during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. In July 1945, during U.S. carrier air strikes on Kure, Japan, she was lightly damaged. Hosho was converted to a transport after Japan's surrender and carried Japanese personnel home from overseas until mid-1946. She was scrapped in 1947.
This page features images of the Japanese aircraft carrier Hosho.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 42374-KN (Color) "Kokubokan" Japanese postal card, published circa 1921-22, depicting (rather inaccurately) the aircraft carrier Hosho, which was then under construction. "Kokubokan" ("Aviation Mother Ship") is the Japanese term for "Aircraft Carrier". The Japanese "Kanji" characters (reading from right to left) can be translated: "World's newest aircraft carrier" The original postcard was received from Chief of Naval Operations' office OP16-F2 in January 1943. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 480 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 63433 Yamato (Japanese battleship, 1941-1945) In the late stages of construction alongside the large fitting out pontoon at the Kure Naval Base, Japan, 20 September 1941. The aircraft carrier Hosho is at the extreme right. The store ship Mamiya is in the center distance. Note Yamato's after 460mm main battery gun turret, and superfiring 155mm secondary battery gun turret. Courtesy of Lieutenant Commander Shizuo Fukui. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 143KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: 80-G-351904 Hosho (Japanese Aircraft Carrier, 1922-1947) Off Kure, Japan, 13 October 1945. She was then undergoing conversion to a repatriation transport. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 620 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-351903 Hosho (Japanese Aircraft Carrier, 1922-1947) View on the ship's forecastle, 13 October 1945. Hosho was then at Kure, Japan, undergoing conversion to a repatriation transport. Note her overhanging flight deck and anchor handling machinery. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 101KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-351905 Hosho (Japanese Aircraft Carrier, 1922-1947) Interior of the ship's hangar, 13 October 1945, showing temporary deck built to provide extra berthing space. Hosho was then at Kure, Japan, undergoing conversion to a repatriation transport. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 140KB; 740 x 620 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Note: During the June 1942 Battle of Midway, Hosho accompanied the Japanese "Main Body" to provide a modest degree of air cover for the battleships and other vessels of that force. On the morning of 5 June, one of Hosho's planes photographed the crippled aircraft carrier Hiryu shortly before that ship sank. Photo numbers NH 73064 and NH 73065 were taken at that time.
NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 10 June 2000
Coding updated 3 May 2009