After the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Fifth Carrier Division had to return home and rebuild its air groups. That requirement kept Shokaku and Zuikaku away from the Battle of Midway. The delay exposed the consequences of Japan's narrow aircrew-generation system even while both hulls remained valuable fleet carriers. Japanese officers recognized the weakness, but the institution could not change the training and replacement system quickly enough.
Notable Point · 1:04:09-1:04:41
Coral Sea aircrew losses and the absence from Midway
Replenishing the Fifth Carrier Division after Coral Sea took too long for Shokaku and Zuikaku to join the Midway operation.