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Photo # NH 73063: Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu running speed trials on 28 April 1939.

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

Hiryu (Aircraft Carrier, 1939-1942).

Hiryu, a 20,250-ton aircraft carrier built at Yokosuka, Japan, was completed in July 1939. Active throughout the first six months of the Pacific War, she took part in the December 1941 Pearl Harbor attack as well as operations in the East Indies and Indian Ocean area. On 4 June 1942, during the Battle of Midway, Hiryu's aircraft inflicted serious bomb and torpedo damage to USS Yorktown (CV-5), causing her abandonment. Later that day, Hiryu was hit by U.S. carrier dive bombers. Though she remained underway for a time, she had been fatally damaged. Abandoned early the following morning, Hiryu sank at about 0900 on 5 June, the last of four Japanese aircraft carriers to be lost in the battle.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have concerning the Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu.

For pictorial coverage of Hiryu's loss, and the subsequent rescue of some of her survivors, see:

  • Hiryu Bombed, Abandoned and Sunk, 4-5 June 1942; and
  • Rescue of Japanese Survivors of Hiryu and Mikuma.


    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 73063

    Hiryu
    (Japanese Aircraft Carrier, 1937-1942)

    Running speed trials on 28 April 1939.

    Donation of Kazutoshi Hando, 1970.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 440 pixels

     
    Photo #: USAF 3725 AC

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu maneuvers to avoid three sticks of bombs dropped during a high-level attack by USAAF B-17 bombers, shortly after 8AM, 4 June 1942.

    U.S. Air Force Photograph.

    Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 625 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: USAF 75712 AC

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu maneuvering during a high-level bombing attack by USAAF B-17 bombers, shortly after 8AM, 4 June 1942.
    Note ship's flight deck markings, including Katakana identification character "hi" on her after flight deck.
    This image is cropped from USAF Photo # 3725 AC.

    U.S. Air Force Photograph.

    Online Image: 108KB; 595 x 765 pixels

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

     


    For pictorial coverage of Hiryu's loss, and the subsequent rescue of some of her survivors, see:

  • Hiryu Bombed, Abandoned and Sunk, 4-5 June 1942; and
  • Rescue of Japanese Survivors of Hiryu and Mikuma.


    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."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 18 April 1999
    Coding updated 3 May 2009