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Photo # NH 73059: Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi at sea, Summer 1941.

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- JAPANESE NAVY SHIPS --

Akagi (Aircraft Carrier, 1927-1942).

Akagi, a 34,364-ton aircraft carrier, was built at Kure, Japan. Begun as a battle cruiser, she was completed as one of Japan's first two large aircraft carriers in March 1927. Massively reconstructed in 1935-38, she was active off China during the next few years, and was flagship for the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941. She subsequently took part in carrier raids into the Indian Ocean area and was flagship of the carrier striking force during the Battle of Midway. On 4 June 1942, while operating northward of Midway, Akagi was hit by dive bombers from USS Enterprise (CV-6) and set afire. Damage control efforts were unsuccessful, and she was scuttled by Japanese destroyer torpedoes early on following day.

This page features all the views we have concerning the Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi.


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 81117

Japanese Warships


Photographed circa 1932-34, probably in Japanese home waters. The carrier Akagi is at left. Battlecruiser Kongo is in the center, with the training cruiser Kasuga in the distance beyond her stern. A Takao class heavy cruiser is at right.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 570 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 73058

Akagi

(Japanese Aircraft Carrier, 1925-1942)

In Sukumo Bay, southern Shikoku, 27 April 1939, following her extensive 1935-38 modernization.

Donation of Kazutoshi Hando, 1970.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 132KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 73059

Akagi

(Japanese Aircraft Carrier, 1925-1942)

At sea during the Summer of 1941, with three Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighters parked forward.

Donation of Kazutoshi Hando, 1970.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: USAF 57576

Battle of Midway, June 1942


Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi and a destroyer maneuvering below thin clouds while under high-level bombing attack by USAAF B-17 bombers, shortly after 8AM, 4 June 1942.

U.S. Air Force Photograph.

Online Image: 140KB; 740 x 620 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-701869

Battle of Midway, June 1942


Diorama by Norman Bel Geddes, depicting the attack by USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Yorktown (CV-5) dive bombers on the Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga and Soryu in the morning of 4 June 1942.
The diorama was created during World War II on the basis of information then available. It is therefore somewhat inaccurate in scope and detail.
This angle of view depicts Soryu (attacked by Yorktown aircraft) in the middle distance, with Kaga and Akagi (both attacked by Enterprise aircraft) as the closer two burning ships.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 380 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-701870

Battle of Midway, June 1942


Diorama by Norman Bel Geddes, depicting the attack by USS Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) dive bombers on the Japanese aircraft carriers Soryu, Akagi and Kaga in the morning of 4 June 1942.
The diorama was created during World War II on the basis of information then available. It is therefore somewhat inaccurate in scope and detail.
This angle of view is essentially the reciprocal of that shown in Photo # 80-G-701869. It depicts Soryu (attacked by Yorktown aircraft) in the center foreground, with Kaga and Akagi (both attacked by Enterprise aircraft) as the two most distant burning ships. The burning ship at far right is a light cruiser, which had been erroneously reported to have been hit.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 445 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 21 March 1999
    Coding updated 3 May 2009