Chiyoda Japanese Aircraft Carrier

Chiyoda Japanese Aircraft Carrier

The Japanese warship Chiyoda began her career as a seaplane carrier and later served as a light aircraft carrier during the Second World War. Kure Naval Arsenal laid her down on 14 December 1936, launched her on 19 November 1937, and completed her in December 1938. The Imperial Japanese Navy named her after Chiyoda, the central district of Tokyo and the location of the Imperial Palace.

Chiyoda carried floatplanes for reconnaissance, patrol, and fleet support during the years before the Pacific War. She served off China during the Second Sino-Japanese War and helped Japan extend naval aviation across distant waters. In 1940, the navy gave her a more specialised role. Engineers reduced her floatplane capacity and fitted her to carry Type A midget submarines, which gave her an unusual combination of aviation and submarine support capabilities.

After December 1941, Chiyoda supported Japanese operations across the Pacific. She operated from major forward bases, including Truk, and took part in movements connected with the Aleutians, Guadalcanal, and the Solomon Islands. Her midget submarines also reached Shortland Island during the struggle for Guadalcanal, where Japan tried to reinforce and supply its forces under increasing Allied pressure.

Japan’s carrier losses after the Battle of Midway created an urgent need for more flight decks. Yokosuka Naval Arsenal began converting Chiyoda into a light aircraft carrier in January 1943 and finished the work late that year. Shipyard workers removed her earlier aviation and submarine equipment, then added a flight deck, hangar, elevators, and stronger anti-aircraft armament.

In 1944, Chiyoda joined Japan’s remaining carrier forces. She helped move aircraft and personnel to forward areas before joining the fleet for Operation A-Go. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, an American bomb hit her aft flight deck, killed crewmen, damaged aircraft, and forced repairs.

Chiyoda returned to action during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On 25 October 1944, American carrier aircraft crippled her off Cape Engaño. Later that day, United States cruisers and destroyers finished her with gunfire and torpedoes.

Photographs of Chiyoda

References for Chiyoda

1. Tully, Anthony P. “IJN Chiyoda: Tabular Record of Movement.” Combined Fleet / Kido Butai. (Combined Fleet)
2. Hackett, Bob; Kingsepp, Sander; and Tully, Anthony P. “IJN Seaplane/Midget Submarine Carrier Chiyoda: Tabular Record of Movement.” Combined Fleet. (Combined Fleet)
3. “Light Carrier Chiyoda.” World War II Database. (WW2DB)
4. “Chitose Class Light Fleet Aircraft Carriers.” Naval Encyclopedia. (Naval Encyclopedia)
5. “World War II Japanese Aircraft Carriers of CVL Chitose Class.” Naval History and Heritage Command. (Naval History and Heritage Command)
6. Stille, Mark. Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft Carriers 1921–45. Osprey Publishing, 2005. (Osprey Publishing)
7. Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter; and Mickel, Peter. Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Arms & Armour Press, 1977. (Internet Archive)
8. Chesneau, Roger, ed. Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships, 1922–1946. Conway Maritime Press, 1980. (Internet Archive)