Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 31:15-31:32

Why did Hōshō survive the Pacific War?

Hōshō survived largely because she spent the war in Japanese home waters as a training carrier, apart from a secondary role at Midway.

Battle Of MidwayCarrier TrainingHoshoImperial Japanese Navy
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Question

How did Hōshō avoid being sunk during the war?

Short answer

She remained mainly in Japanese home waters as a training carrier and took only a secondary role at Midway.

Notes

Hōshō survived through employment rather than exceptional protection or combat power. The Imperial Japanese Navy kept the elderly carrier mainly in home waters as a training platform. Her participation at Midway was secondary rather than a frontline striking role. That limited exposure kept her away from the battles that destroyed Japan's operational carrier force.