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| IJN Hiyō-class aircraft carrier  IJN 1943 |
Ship History Built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries at Kobe. Laid down November 20, 1939 as Idzumo Maru, a fast luxury passenger liner for Nippon Yusen Kaisha (Japan Mail Steamship company). During 1940, Idzumo Maru and her sister ship Kashiwara Maru were purchased by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) for conversion into aircraft carriers. Launched June 24, 1941 as Hiyō 飛鷹 meaning "Flying Hawk" also spelled Hiyo in English as the lead ship of the Hiyō-class aircraft carrier. Commissioned July 31, 1942 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) at Kure and assigned to Carrier Division 2, Third Fleet. Wartime History On October 4, 1942 departs Saeki for Truk, arriving on the 9th and assigned to main unit Advance Force. On October 11 departs Truk for the Solomons. Abort from Battle of Santa Cruz On October 17, 1942 operated off Guadalcanal before the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, when a fire broke out in the generator room. Considerable damage to the condensor is caused and the carrier is slowed to 16 knots and the carrier is forced to proceed for repairs, arriving at Truk on October 26, 1942. While under repair at Truk, suffers minor bomb damage on November 13, 1942 and November 27, 1942 during air raids. When the repairs were completed, Captain Beppu takes command and the carrier is assigned to Mobile Force and departs Truk on December 5 proceeding northward via Saeki before arriving at Kure on December 11. On January 15, 1943 patrols the Inland Sea, and travels from Tokuyama frequently. On February 26 dry docked at Kure, and departs on March 4 and resumes patrolling. On March 22 departs Saeki and is reassigned to the Main Unit Mobile Force, arriving Truk on March 27, 1943. Operation I-GO During early April 1943, while Hiyo remained at Truk, her A6M2 Zero and D3A Vals flew to Rabaul to participate in Operation I-GO. On April 7, 1942 based at Ballale Airfield and then Rabaul. On April 12, 1942 while Hiyō is at Truk, she sustains minor damage from an air raid. On April 14, 1943 her Zeros and Vals participate in the attack against Milne Bay. The Vals score a bomb hit on MS Van Heemskerk that catches fire and sinks. MV Gorgon sustained a bomb hit to the engine room and stern and sank but was later refloated. Van Outhorn (2,070 Tons) was damaged by two near misses and a fire started aboard that was extinguished. Bombs fell near other ships but no other damaged was reported. Damaged by strafing were Australian corvettes and Moa Moa off at Kana Kopa. In total, the Allies aboard the ships suffered 15 killed and 80 wounded. PARTIAL HISTORY On June 10, 1943 damaged by USS Trigger (SS-237) 18 miles off Irozaki at Lat 34°13'N Long 139°50'E. PARTIAL HISTORY Arrives at Tawi Tawi on May 16, 1944. During June 19-20, 1944 participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (Great Marianas Turkey Shoot). Sinking History On June 20, 1944 while operating with Junyō, Ryuhō, Nagato and Mogami and destroyers, this carrier was attacked by aircraft from USS Enterprise that dropped a bomb that exploded above the top of the bridge. Another bomb exploded on the flight deck. Later, six TBF Avengers from USS Belleau Wood CVL-24 attacked with aerial torpedoes, one scored a hit that flooded the starboard engine room, caused fires and a loss of speed. Afterwards, the fires were put under control and the list corrected. Two hours after the attack, there was a tremendous explosion. Japanese sources credited this to a submarine, but was actually caused by an explosion of gas vapor that cut off all power and started fires. Escorting destroyer Uranami could not assist due to the flames and the carrier began to sink stern first at 7:32pm. Fates of the Crew During the sinking 247 crew were lost. Escorting destroyers rescued 1,000 crew including Captain Yokoi. References Combined Fleet - IJN Hiyo: Tabular Record of Movement Operation A by Richard Dunn Contribute
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