© 1998/2006 Anthony P. Tully
Revised Enhanced Edition:
© 2013 Anthony P. Tully and Gilbert Casse
(Hawaii Times):
At 0618, the Carrier Striking Force first wave is launched against Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
At 0630, BatDiv 3/1 launches Type 95 Nakajima E8N "Dave" two-seat reconnaissance floatplanes to patrol south of the Striking Force. CruDiv 8 also launches picket floatplanes.
At 0755, the Striking Force's first wave of 183 aircraft (89 Type 97 Nakajima B5N2 “Kate” attack planes, 51 Type 99 Aichi D3A1 “Val” dive-bombers and 43 Type 0 Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zeke” fighters) led by Cdr (later Captain) Fuchida Mitsuo (52) attack the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor and other military installations on Oahu, Hawaiian Islands. In the first strike, AKAGI contributes 12 B5N2 “Kate” torpedo bombers and 15 B5N2 “Kate” each equipped with one 800-kg Type 99 model 5 bomb, that target battleships MARYLAND (BB-46), CALIFORNIA (BB-44), WEST VIRGINIA (BB-48), TENNESSEE (BB-43 ) and OAKLAHOMA (BB-37) and nine A6M2 “Zeke” fighters that attack Hickam Field airbase and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Ewa Field, Oahu Island.
About 0840, the first wave is followed by a second wave of 167 aircraft (54 "Kate", 78 "Val" and 35 "Zeke") led by LtCdr (later Rear Admiral posthumously) Shimazaki Shigekazu (57). AKAGI contributes 18 D3A1 “Val” dive bombers that target battleship MARYLAND (BB-46), light cruiser RALEIGH (CL-7), fleet oiler NEOSHO (AO-23), destroyer SHAW (DD-373)and Naval Air Station Ford Island and nine A6M2 “Zeke” fighters that attack Hickam Field Air Force Base. By 0945, they retire towards their carriers.
Nagumo orders a withdrawal following recovery of the second attack wave. Losses sustained by AKAGI's aircraft are one “Zeke” and four “Val”, totaling five aircraft.
23 December 1941:
Arrives at Hashirajima, Yamaguchi Prefecture, with KAGA, SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU. Departs later for Kure.
25 December 1941:
Arrives at Kure.
5 January 1942:
Carrier Striking Force (Car Divs 1, 5) departs Hashirajima, and arrives later that same day at Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
8 January 1942:
Departs Iwakuni for Truk with CarDiv 5, BatDiv 3 (HIEI, KIRISHIMA), DesRon 1, ABUKUMA with Desdiv 18 (ARARE, KASUMI, KAGERO, SHIRANUHI, with AKIGUMO attached.)
14 January 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
15 January 1942:
KAGA arrives with CruDiv 8 at Truk. CarDiv 1 is reformed.
17 January 1942: - Operation "R" - The Invasions of Rabaul and Kavieng:
Admiral Nagumo Carrier Striking Force's CarDiv 1's AKAGI and KAGA, CruDiv 5's SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU, BatDiv 3/1 HIEI and KIRISHIMA, CruDiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA and DesRon 1's light cruiser ABUKUMA with DesDiv 17's ISOKAZE, URAKAZE, TANIKAZE, HAMAKAZE, DesDiv 18's ARARE, KASUMI, KAGERO, SHIRANUI and unattached destroyer AKIGUMO departs Truk.
CruDiv 18's TENRYU and TATSUTA also depart Truk with oiler GOYO MARU and troop transports KINRYU and AZUMASAN MARUs escorted by DesRon 6's light cruiser YUBARI and DesDiv 23's KIKUZUKI, UZUKI and YUZUKI. They are screened by CruDiv 6's AOBA, KINUGASA, KAKO and FURUTAKA, minelayers TSUGARU and OKINOSHIMA and CarDiv 11's seaplane carrier CHITOSE.
20 January 1942:
New Ireland. CarDivs 1 and 5 launch 100 bombers and fighters to attack Rabaul, New Britain. AKAGI provides 20 B5N2 “Kate” and 9 A6M2 “Zeke”. Norwegian cargo ship HERSTEIN is hit by three bombs, resulting in a fire that quickly spread all over the ship. During the night, HERSTEIN drifts across to the other side of Simpson Harbour and burns until the next morning before becoming beached and deemed a total loss. That evening, CarDiv 5 is detached with CHIKUMA and three destroyers and moves to a position in the Bismarck Sea.
21 January 1942:
CarDiv 1 attacks Allied positions at Kavieng, New Ireland, of which AKAGI contributes 9 A6M2 “Zeke” and 18 D3A1 “Val” with no casualties sustained. That same day, CarDiv 5 launches attacks on Madang, Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea. After CarDiv 5 recovers her aircraft, she departs the Bismarck Sea area that evening to rendezvous with CarDiv 1.
22 January 1942:
CarDiv 1 launches a 45-plane strike against Rabaul of which AKAGI contributes 6 A6M2 “Zeke” and 18 D3A1 “Val”.
22-23 January 1942:
The invasion forces land at night, swiftly overcome light Australian opposition and occupy Rabaul and Kavieng. All four carriers contribute small patrols of dive-bombers and fighters, providing continuous air cover over the landing area. After recovering its aircraft, Nagumo's CarDiv 1 heads north to Truk later followed by CarDiv 5 after it conducts an aircraft ferry operation.
27 January 1942:
CarDiv 1 arrives at Truk.
29 January 1942:
CarDiv 5 arrives at Truk. Later that day, SHOKAKU departs for Yokosuka.
1 February 1942:
Cancelling preparations to move to the Celebes, AKAGI, KAGA and ZUIKAKU departs Truk in an attempt to catch the enemy carrier force that attacked the Marshall Islands earlier that same day.
2 February 1942:
Pursuit of U.S. Task force is abandoned and the Japanese Carrier Strike Force proceeds to Palau, Western Carolines.
8 February 1942:
Arrives at Palau with KAGA and ZUIKAKU.
9 February 1942:
CarDiv 1 switches anchorages and during these movements KAGA's bow grazes a reef. However temporary repairs are made and she remains operational. ZUIKAKU departs same day for Yokosuka.
15 February 1942:
Departs Palau with KAGA, CarDiv 2's HIRYU and SORYU, and Crudiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA, screened by DesRon 1's light cruiser ABUKUMA, that includes DesDiv 17's ISOKAZE, URAKAZE, TANIKAZE, HAMAKAZE, DesDiv 18's KASUMI and SHIRANUI and DesDiv's 27 ARIAKE and YUGURE for the attacks on Port Darwin, Australia.
19 February 1942:
At 0830, raid on Port Darwin is launched. The first wave led by Cdr (later Captain) Fuchida Mitsuo (52) consists of 81 B5N2 “Kate”, escorted by 18 A6M2 “Zeke” to which AKAGI contributes 18 “Kate”. At 0900, the second wave is launched with 71 D3A1 “Val escorted by 18 A6M2 “Zeke” to which AKAGI contributes 18 “Val” and nine “Zeke”. The second wave catches up with the first one before arriving over Darwin.
Eight ships, including the destroyer USS PEARY (DD-226) and large Army transport GENERAL M. C. MEIGS are sunk and nine damaged, including seaplane tender USS WILLIAM B. PRESTON (AVD-7); 15 aircraft, including nine American Curtiss P-40E "Warhawk" fighters are destroyed. AKAGI's aircraft sustain no loss in the raid.
21 February 1942:
The Carrier Striking Force “Kido Butai” CarDiv 1's AKAGI and KAGA, CarDiv 2's HIRYU and SORYU and CruDiv 8's CHIKUMA and TONE, DesRon 1's light cruiser ABUKUMA with DesDiv 17's URAKAZE, ISOKAZE, TANIKAZE and HAMAKAZE, DesDiv 18's KASUMI and SHIRANUI and DesDiv 27's YUGURE and ARIAKE arrives at Staring Bay, Celebes (now Sulawesi) to refuel. They are joined by BatDiv 3/1 HIEI and KIRISHIMA. Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Kondo Nobutake (35) (former CO of KONGO) also arrives from Palau with BatDiv 3/2's KONGO and HARUNA, CruDiv 4's ATAGO, MAYA and TAKAO and DesDiv 4's ARASHI, NOWAKI, MAIKAZE and HAGIKAZE.
25 February 1942:
Departs Staring Bay with the Striking Force to cover the invasion of Java.
27 February 1942:
Close to launch attack against USS LANGLEY (AV-3) as ordered by 2nd Fleet CO VADM Kondo, but the american vessel is dispatched by land-based aircraft before Kido Butai strike can be launched.
1 March 1942:
At 1040 search plane from TONE sights a merchant ship east of Christmas Island. This is MODJOKERTO, which is engaged by gunfire from the screen at 1125 and sunk. At noon another merchant ship is sighted heading due south, and at 1240 Nagumo orders aircraft from KAGA and SORYU to sink it. This is the tanker USS PECOS (AO-6). It proves difficult to sink, so at 1520 AKAGI also launches nine Vals to participate. The combined force of three carriers finally sinks PECOs which goes down bow first at 1718. Immediately after, at 1720 USS EDSALL (DD 219) surprises KdB from astern, having come down from northeast heretofore unobserved in an attempt to rescue PECOS. Batdiv 3 and Crudiv 8 are ordered to reverse course and sink it. KAGA and CarDiv 2's carriers also launch aircraft, but AKAGI does not participate. Their combined gunfire and bombing sinks the EDSALL at 1900. Seven to eight survivors are picked up by CHIKUMA.(Note 1)
5 March 1942:
Launch strikes against Tjilatjap, Java, D.E.I (now Cilacap, Indonesia). AKAGI contributes 18 “Kate” and nine “Zeke”. No losses are sustained.
6 March 1942:
CarDiv 2 is detached and with two BBs and DesDiv 17 heads to raid Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean. CarDiv 1 with HIEI and KIRISHIMA, CruDiv 8 and six destroyers continues east.
10 March 1942:
CarDiv 2 force rejoins CarDiv 1 and all head for to Staring Bay after the fall of Java.
11 March 1942:
Arrives at Staring Bay.
26 March: “Operation C” - The Raids in the Indian Ocean:
Vice Admiral Nagumo's Carrier Striking Force (less KAGA) departs Staring Bay with CarDiv 1's AKAGI, CarDiv 3's SORYU and HIRYU, CarDiv 5's SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU, BatDiv 3's KONGO, HARUNA, HIEI and KIRISHIMA, Crudiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA, and DesRon 1's light cruiser ABUKUMA, DesDiv 17's URAKAZE, ISOKAZE, TANIKAZE and HAMAKAZE, DesDiv 18's KASUMI, SHIRANUHI, ARARE and KAGERO, DesDiv 4's MAIKAZE and HAGIKAZE, CarDiv 5's AKIGUMO and fleet oiler SHINKOKU MARU and heads to the Indian Ocean via the Timor Sea.
4 April 1942:
At 1930, a Catalina of the 413th Canadian Squadron sights KdB and reports it as 360 miles SE of the southernmost point of Ceylon. Three fighters each are launched from AKAGI, SORYU, SHOKAKU, ZUIKAKU, and six from HIRYU in a concerted effort to shoot it down before it can transmit details. It is forced into the sea, and six survivors of the nine crew are rescued by destroyer ISOKAZE.
5 April 1942:
The Striking Force attacks Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). At 1100, 127 of the "Kido Butai's" aircraft led by Cdr Fuchida attack the British naval base. AKAGI contributes 17 “Kate” and six “Zeke” with no loss sustained. They wreck the base's facilities, destroy 31 aircraft (six Swordfish, 21 Hurricane, four Fulmar) and sink destroyer HMS TENEDOS and armed merchant cruiser HMS HECTOR. 55 RN personnel are killed at Colombo (TENEDOS 33, HECTOR three, LUCIA two, TRUSTY one, BALTA one, FAA aircrew and ground crew 12, and an "Albacore" crew from INDOMITABLE three).
A TONE floatplane finds Vice Admiral (later Admiral of the Fleet, Sir) James Somerville's (former CO of HMS WARSPITE) British Eastern Fleet's cruisers HMS CORNWALL and HMS DORSETSHIRE at sea - without air cover. Between 1638-1700, 53 Aichi D3A1 "Val" dive-bombers from AKAGI (17), HIRYU (18) and SORYU (18) sink both ships. 424 RN personnel are killed (DORSETSHIRE 234, CORNWALL 190). After the attack, the Striking Force withdraws to the SE and searches unsuccessfully for the rest of Somerville's fleet. All “Val” aircraft return safely to their carriers.
9 April 1942:
At 0900, the Striking Force launches 91 B5N2 “Kate” level bombers and 41 Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zeke” fighters led by Commander Fuchida to attack the British naval base at Trincomalee, Ceylon. They find the harbor almost empty, but destroy merchant ship SAGAING and the four aircraft she was carrying, and damage monitor EREBUS. They also seriously damage the dockyard and the RAF station at China Bay, shoot down nine planes and destroy at least 14 aircraft on the ground.
HARUNA launches one E8N2 “Dave” floatplane that at 1055, spots an enemy carrier 65 miles south of the base. At noon, the Striking Force launches 85 D3A1“Val”, escorted by three A6M2 “Zeke”, of which AKAGI contributes 17 “Val” and three “Zeke”. They attack from 1335-1402 and sink old light carrier HMS HERMES and Australian destroyer HMAS VAMPIRE. Nagumo's aircraft also find and sink corvette HMS HOLLYHOCK, oilers ATHELSTANE and BRITISH SERGEANT and Norwegian merchant ship NORVIKEN.
At 1230 strikes are being recovered, when at 1350, without any lookouts' warning, AKAGI is straddled by bombs off the starboard bow and port quarter from RAF 18th Squadron's nine Blenheim IVs based in Colombo, Ceylon. All bombs miss but so sudden and unexpected is the attack that only a few AA shots is fired upon the attackers. This incident in fact, is the first time “Kido Butai” has been attacked since the start of the war.
13 April 1942:
By nightfall, the fleet passes Singapore and enters the South China Sea, bound for Japan.
18 April 1942: The First Bombing of Japan:
While approaching Formosa Strait CarDiv 5 [ZUIKAKU, SHOKAKU] is detached from the Striking Force for refueling at Mako with HAGIKAZE and MAIKAZE. They have been assigned to the "MO Operation." The two destroyers then subsequently returned to the Nagumo force.
Led by Lt Col (later General/MOH) James H. Doolittle, 16 Army B-25 "Mitchell" twin-engine bombers of the 17th Bomb Group take off from Captain (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's (USNA '10) carrier HORNET and strike targets in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and Kobe. At Yokosuka, a North American B-25 “Mitchell” damages light carrier RYUHO in drydock while undergoing conversion from former submarine depot ship TAIGEI.
19 April 1942:
In response to the raid on Japan, when west of Bashi Channel while steaming north for Formosa Straits, Vice Admiral Nagumo changes course eastward and his three carriers pass through Luzon Strait at high speed in an attempted pursuit of the "Doolittle Raiders" - carriers USS HORNET (CV-8) and ENTERPRISE (CV-6). No contact is made and the chase has to be called off.
22 April 1942:
AKAGI arrives at Hashirajima. Departs later for Yokosuka.
25 April 1942:
Captain Hasegawa is relieved by Captain Aoki Taijiro (41).
E 17 May 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
18 May 1942:
Arrives at Hashirajima. Her air group flies off to Kagoshima for training.
26 May 1942:
Refueling operations at sea are needed for MI Operation - “The Invasion of Midway”. Captain Ota Masanao's (39) Supply Group departs Hiroshima Wan (Bay) with oilers KYOKUTO (F), KOKUYO, TOHO, NIPPON and SHINKOKU MARUs escorted by destroyer AKIGUMO.
27 May 1942:
At 0600 (JST), AKAGI departs Hashirajima for the Invasion of Midway as flagship of CarDiv 1 of Vice Admiral Nagumo's First Mobile Force, Carrier Strike Force also consisting of CarDiv 2's HIRYU and SORYU, BatDiv 3/2's HARUNA and KIRISHIMA, CruDiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA, DesRon 10's light cruiser NAGARA with DesDiv 4's NOWAKI, ARASHI, HAGIKAZE and MAIKAZE, DesDiv 10's KAZAGUMO, YUGUMO and MAKIGUMO and DesDiv 17's URAKAZE, ISOKAZE, TANIKAZE and HAMAKAZE.
CarDiv 5 is unable to participate, due to damage to SHOKAKU and aircraft losses to ZUIKAKU suffered at Coral Sea on 8 May. AKAGI's air group consists of 18 A6M2 “Zeke”, 18 D3A1 “Val” and 18 B5N2 “Kate”. Additionally, six A6M2 “Zeke” from the 6th Air Group, destined to Midway's future garrison, are embarked.
28 May 1942:
At 1430 (JST), the Carrier Strike Force rejoins the Supply Group. Cruising speed is maintained at 14 knots.
3 June 1942:
At 0307 (JST), the Supply Group concludes its refueling activities and is detached from the Carrier Strike Force. Shortly after 1025, speed is increased to 24 knots.
5 June 1942/ (4 June 1942 local time) The carrier Battle of Midway:
Note: For convenience and familiarity local times and date are used herein until AKAGI's sinking as the vast majority of sources, even some Japanese ones, utilize this approach. To convert to Tokyo (JST) or Zone 9 time, subtract three hours but advance one one day ahead of a Midway Local time - (Tully)
Action:
At 0430 (local times), the air strike led by Lt. (later KIA, Cdr posthumously) Tomonaga Joichi (59) is launched against Midway Island with 36 B5N2 “Kate”, 36 D3A1 “Val” and 36 A6M2 “Zeke”. AKAGA contributes 18 “Val” and 9 “Zeke”. 1 “Val”, badly damaged is put out of commission and 1 “Zeke” is lost. Thereafter, AKAGI is subsequently engaged and attacked by numerous enemy land and carrier-based aircraft. Among these:
- 0710, AKAGI's lookouts spot enemy planes coming low. The aircraft are six Grumann TBFs “Avenger” torpedo-bombers, on their first combat mission, and four twin-engined Martin B-26 “Marauder” medium bombers, the latter targeting AKAGI. Two “Marauders” are shot down by CAP fighters and AA fire for the loss of one “Zeke”. Two torpedoes are evaded by the carrier. Two of the B-26s return safely. (One of them, apparently flown by Lt.James Muri, appears to have been the source of a story of a B-26 attempting to crash AKAGI. Muri's flew straight down close aboard the flight deck strafing. His attack wounded gunners and temporarily disabled # 3 AA mount.)
- 0754, lookouts spot a dozen of USAAF Boeing B17s “Flying Fortress” led by LtCol (later General) Walter C. Sweeney. AKAGI evades all bombs subsequently released from high altitude by means of a radical S-turn evasions.
- 1006 AKAGI sights 15 enemy planes bearing 48 degrees starboard (118 degrees), distance 45,000 meters.{This is Yorktown's VT-3}
- 1010 AKAGI lands two Zeros then changes fleet course to 300 degrees to turn sterns to the enemy approaching from southeast. Emergency reinforcement of CAP prepared.
- 1020 AKAGI sights enemy dive-bombers about to dive on KAGA which is currently 30 degrees to port. Made evasion with maximum turn with hard right rudder. In the next minutes AKAGI maneuevers radically to turn away from this attack, only to see torpedo planes to the east, and turn away from them, only to again confront dive-bombers approaching from KAGA's direction and goes into a maximum left turn. (It proves in vain)
- 1026, AKAGI is attacked from 80 degrees port by three VB-6's Douglas SBD-3 “Dauntless”dive-bombers led by LtCdr Richard H. Best (USNA '32) from U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6). One direct hit is scored amidships in the vicinity of the island, starting a fire in both hangar levels, a second bomb slices through the net-guards of the fantail and explodes under the port quarter, while the third is a near-miss port-side amidships-forward. (Note 2). Although normally the damage would have been moderate, the vessel is currently engaged in preparations to spot a strike, with the result that the single bomb hit induces terrible explosions among armed and fueled torpedo planes within the hangar and starts a raging aviation gasoline fire from ruptured lines. After the attack AKAGI increased speed to 28 knots and headed north.
- 1029 Fire in hangar deck started exploding torpedoes stored for ready loading to attack planes. Forward and aft magazines ordered flooded; but at first, only the forward ones can be due to damaged valves aft.
- 1036 AKAGI's aft starboard engine room becomes inoperational; speed dropped to 12 knots. A few minutes later an enemy torpedo plane is sighted 20 degrees to starboard and AKAGI turns toward it to bring still working forward AA guns to bear. Evaded.
- 1042 Attempting to return to course AKAGI rudder stayed locked in 20 degree turn and malfunctions. With the carrier left circling helplessly, fire engulfing the bridge, and communications failing, she cannot remain KdB flagship. Nagumo orders the carrier stopped to transfer the flag.
- 1045 First Air Fleet Staff HQ transferred to boat from destroyer NOWAKI.
- 1120 Captain Aoki and bridge officers relocate to forward flight deck. Fire is pouring out of the amidships elevator and surrounding the bridge.
- 1127 After transfer via NOWAKI's boat, KdB's flag is raised on light cruiser NAGARA which then immediately departs northeastward to rejoin the fleet. Immediately thereafter, the aviation personnel aboard AKAGI are ordered transferred to destroyers for safety.
- 1140 Fire spreads forward on flight deck. Captain Aoki and officers are forced to move down to the anchor deck. Fires raging in hangar decks with continual explosions in torpedo and bomb stored on the hangar decks.
- 1150 Since aware Commanding Officer wanted to get back underway, Chief Engineer came to anchor deck to report on the conditions of the Machinery Department.
- 1203 Perhaps in response to the above, but not ordered one of AKAGI's engines re-start and the carrier begins circling slowly clockwise. The exact reason is unknown.
- 1300 After magazines successfully flooded by use of long manual lever.
- 1338 Imperial Portrait transferred to destroyer NOWAKI.
- 1350 AKAGI fully halted again. Hereafter is drifting while attempting to fight the raging fires.
- 1500 Large explosion on AKAGI's hangar blows open the fire-protection bulkheads forward, allowing the fire to migrate to the forward and lower parts of the carrier. Fierce fires now raging as low as the Middle Deck.
- 1800 AKAGI warned there is an enemy submarine in her vicinity.
- 1820 Men sent back aboard the AKAGI to inspect the state of the machinery plant. But gas and heat continue to prevent access.
- 1920 Five minutes after learning from the Chief Engineer that there is no hope for AKAGI operating on her own power, Captain Aoki decided to Abandon Ship.
- 1925 All hands ordered to assemble and prepare to abandon ship. Captain Aoki radioed Nagumo this and requested permission to have AKAGI scuttled by destroyer torpedo.
- 2100 All non-essential personnel have left the ship with 500 aboard ARASHI and 200 aboard NOWAKI. Captain Aoki and a small damage control party remain aboard. Captain Aoki had himself bound to the anchor deck to share the fate of his ship.
- 2125 A direct order from CinC Yamamoto to postpone scuttling is received. Because of the changed circumstance, Commanding Officer is persuaded to leave the carrier, and transfers with Executive Officer to ARASHI. The vessel burns through the evening and next night, but remains afloat.
5 June 1942 (local West Longitude date):
Action:
- 0450 AKAGI directed to be scuttled by direct order of CinC-Combined Fleet, Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku.
Sunk:
- 0520 AKAGI lay over to starboard and sank tail first after two or three torpedo hits out of four fired into her starboard side - one each - by ARASHI, HAGIKAZE, MAIKAZE and NOWAKI in listed position 30-30'North, 178-40'West. More than 1,070 survivors are rescued, including her skipper, (Captain Aoki Taijiro) though he had to be ordered off the ship, while only 263 petty officers and men are lost. Survivors subsequently are transferred from destroyers to MUTSU, one of the battleships in Yamamoto's Main Body. [3]
25 September 1942:
Removed from the Navy List.
REMARKS & NOTE:
Note 1: For more details on this confused and neglected encounter, see A Blue Sea of Blood: Deciphering the Mysterious Fate of the USS Edsall by Donald M. Kehn Jr.
Note 2: Heretofore it has been generally reported that Akagi was struck by two bombs, one amidships, and the second on the rear of the flight deck. However, in "Shattered Sword" we (Jon Parshall & Anthony Tully) made the case that the available facts indicate the bomb aft did not detonate on the flight deck, but exploded close beside the fantail. For this reason, Akagi was in fact mortally wounded almost certainly by one hit alone, although the rudder damage did frustrate damage control and salvage efforts to an important degree that may have been decisive.
Note 3: It should be mentioned that in "Shattered Sword" the Editor with Jon Parshall described Akagi sinking head first. This had been derived from Gordon Prange's "Miracle at Midway" but proved misleading. The relevant passage from Prange is found on page 321: "At 0500, three destroyers closed on the carrier and fired three torpedoes against her. Explosions blasted along the starboard side, and Akagi began to nose down..." Additionaly an early translation of Senshi Sosho had confirmed a vertical sinking which supported this interpretation, but did not catch the error. However, since 2005 translation of the diary of Koga Mogotaro CO of NOWAKI and an entirely separate account in Ron Werneth's masterful "Beyond Pearl Harbor" makes clear Akagi's bow was the last part of the ship to leave the surface.
AKAGI wreck discovery
On October 20, 2019 Paul Allen Group's Vulcan Inc. team led by Robert Kraft announced they had located the wreck of the IJN Akagi. This came two days after the announcement of finding the main wreck of IJN Kaga. Unfortunately a mishap with the underwater equipment on recovery that day foreclosed closer-range investigation, but the identification as AKAGI from the side-scan sonar is not in doubt. The dimensions are a match and and even the appearance in outline and form are correct. It is hard to discern, but it appears that most of the flight deck is missing except for perhaps at the bow with the view looking down into exposed hangars. However the hull seems complete with no portion severed. The wreck is upright oriented bow to the southwest. For details and imagery see and scroll to October 2019 entries of RV Petrel's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/rvpetrel/
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Special thanks are due to Gilbert Casse in preparing this TROM, and Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp, Bill Somerville, Lu Yu, and Allyn Nevitt for entries derived from their works.
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