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Nakajima ‘Kate’ torpedo bombers launch against Allied
shipping in raids against Port Darwin, Australia, 19 February,
1942. As Flagship of VADM Chuichi Nagumo’s First Air Fleet,
the Akagi led the attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor
on December 7th 1941. Following that attack, the Japanese Fleet
returned to the Home Islands. In January 42’, the Akagi
proceeded as part of Carrier Division 1 in raids on Rabaul, Kavieng,
and Rabaul again. In February of that same year, along with the
carrier Kaga, she proceeded to launch attacks on Davao and Port
Darwin, Australia. It was on the raid against Port Darwin, that
the planes of the Akagi and Kaga, sunk or damaged 9 ships, including
the U.S. Destroyer Peary. On June 4th, 1942 the Akagi was attacked
by dive bombers from the USS Enterprise and put out of action
during the Battle of Midway. On June 5th she was scuttled to
prevent it’s capture. |