Shokaku-Class Aircraft Carriers: In the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II

The first book on the powerful Japanese Shōkaku-class carriers.

The aircraft carriers of the Shōkaku class are generally regarded as being the most-successful carriers designed by the Imperial Japanese Navy. They became operational just prior to the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941, and their combat records are impressive.

Compared with the preceding aircraft carrier designs, they represented a great design leap, combining excellent striking power with good protection. Even by the US ...