Japan's Soryu class fleet aircraft carriers

Photos

Design

As part of the Second Reinforcement Program of 1934 the Navy wanted a carrier design that future designs would be based on.

Soryu was designed based on experience with the Ryujo. The Soryu was the first Japanese carrier to be designed from the keep up. The design for the Soryu was still under the London Naval Treaty restrictions however when the Hiryu was to be built it wasn't.

The Hiryu's forecastle deck was one level higher than Soryu's. After the 4th Fleet suffered storm damage it was decided to build Hiryu with a stronger hull and beam to improve stability.

Hangars

There were three elevators serving the two hangars on the Soryu and the Hiryu.

The upper hangar was 520' long and the lower 420'.

Bridge

Hiryu's bridge was on the port side near the middle of the deck and Soryu's was on the starboard side more forward. Hiryu's placement caused problems with air currents and reduced the area for aircraft landing.

The funnels on the Soryu were just in back of the bridge and went horizontally and then downward.

Ships

IJN Hiryu (flying dragon)

• Manufacturer: Yokosuka Navy Yard
• July 8, 1936: Laid down.
• November 16, 1937: Launched
• July 5, 1939: Commissioned
• 1939 - June 1942: Member of Carrier Division 2.
• 1939: China.
• December 6, 1941: Pearl Harbor attack.
• December 21, 1941: Supported attack on Wake Island.
• January 24 - 25, 1942: Attack on Ambon.
• February 1942, February 19, 1942: Darwin.
• March 1, 1942: Java.
• March 3, 1942: Tjilatjap.
• March 1942, March 26 - April 22, 1942: Indian Ocean operations. Helped sink HMS Cornwall, HMS Dorsetshire, and HMS Hermes.
• April 5, 1942: Colombo
• April 9, 1942: Trincomalee
• June 4, 1942: Attacks on USS Yorktown.
• June 5, 1942: Sunk at Battle of Midway.

IJN Soryu (deep blue dragon)

• Manufacturer: Kure Navy Yard
• November 20, 1934: Laid down.
• December 21, 1935, December 23, 1935: Launched
• January 29, 1937, December 29, 1937: Commissioned
• 1939 - June 1942: Member of Carrier Division 2.
• 1939: China.
• December 6, 1941: Pearl Harbor attack.
• December 21, 1941: Supported attack on Wake Island.
• January 24 - 25, 1942: Attack on Ambon.
• February 1942, February 19, 1942: Darwin.
• March 1, 1942: Java. Sank USS Pecos.
• March 3, 1942: Tjilatjap.
• March 1942, March 26 - April 22, 1942: Indian Ocean operations. Helped sink HMS Cornwall, HMS Dorsetshire, and HMS Hermes.
• April 5, 1942: Colombo
• April 9, 1942: Trincomalee
• June 4, 1942, June 6, 1942: Sunk at Battle of Midway.

Usage

Pearl Harbor

The Soryu carried 18 fighters, 18 bombers, and 18 torpedo bombers for the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Battle of Midway

The Hiryu and Soryu made up the 2nd Carrier Division and were sunk at the Battle of Midway. The Soryu carried 21 fighters, 21 bombers, and 21 torpedo bombers,

The Hiryu was set on fire by aircraft from the USS Yorktown and USS Enterprise on June 4, 1942. She was scuttled the next day by the Kazegumo, Makigumo, and Yugumo.

The Soryu was set on fire by aircraft from the USS Yorktown and later blew up on June 4, 1942.

 

Specifications