Water Line Series
AKAGI
25 March 1927: Converted from a battle-cruiser hull and completed at Yokosuka Navy Yard. Named AKAGI ("Red Castle") and commissioned. Until August 1940, was flagship of CarDiv 1, 1st Fleet and was in or around Yokosuka. In her original configuration, she sports three flight decks that form a series of ramps at the bow. April 1937: Taken out of service and enters drydock for extensive modernization at Sasebo NavalYard. 31 August 1938: Modernization complete; AKAGI emerges with the three flight decks removed. In theirplace is one single flight deck running nearly the length of the ship. Aircraft capacityis thus increased from 61 to 91. 26 November: 1941 As Flagship of VADM Nagumo Chuichi's First Air Fleet, departsHittokapu Bay in the Kuriles leading the Carrier Striking Force ("KidoButai") in the "Hawaii Operation" ....the surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleetat Pearl Harbor. 7 December 1941: Two strike waves launched against Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. AKAGI's torpedo planes are instrumental in sinking the battleships USS OKLAHOMAand WEST VIRGINIA. Nagumo orders a withdrawal following recovery of the second attack wave. 27 May 1942: Departed Hashirajima for the Battle of Midway as flagship of VADM Nagumo's Carrier Striking Force (CarDivs 1, 2). CarDiv 5 unable to participate, due to damage to SHOKAKU and aircraft losses to ZUIKAKU suffered at Coral Sea on 8 May. 4 June 1942: Launched strikes against Midway Island. Subsequently engaged and attacked by numerous enemy land and carrier-based aircraft. At 1026 attacked by three aircraft from U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6). One direct hit is scored amidships in the vicinity of the island, starting a fire in the hangars, a second rips through the fantail and explodes under the port quarter, while the third is a near-miss port-side forward. (Note 2). Although normally the damage would have been moderate, the vessel is currently engaged in preparing a strike,with the result that the single bomb hit induce explosions among armed and fueled aircraft within hangars and start a raging aviation gasoline fire. Since she was in a maximum turn at the time, AKAGI's rudder is damaged, and soon jams at 20 degrees to port, leaving her going in wide circles. Unable to command the fleet from her now, at 1046 VADM Nagumo Chuichi transferred flag first to NOWAKI, then to NAGARA. AKAGI's engines work erratically, with the ship starting and stopping, but she goes dead in the water for good at 1350. By 1600 all non-essential personnel have left the ship, though Captain Aoki and a damage control party remain aboard. The vessel burns through the evening and next night, but remains afloat. 5 June 1942: Sunk: Scuttled by direct order of C-in-C Combined Fleet Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku.At 0520 sank bow first after two or three torpedo hits out of four fired into her starboard side -one each - by ARASHIO, HAGIKAZE, MAIKAZE and NOWAKI. Sank in position 30-30 N, 178-40 W. More than 1,070 survivors rescued, including her skipper, (now Captain Aoki Taijiro - who had replaced Hasegawa in the spring) - though he had to be ordered off the ship -, while only263 petty officers and men are lost. Survivors subsequently transferred from destroyers to MUTSU, one of the battleships in Yamamoto's Main Body.
