View source for Japanese aircraft carrier Chitose

{{Short description|Aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy}}
{{Other ships|Japanese ship Chitose}}

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|Ship image=Japanese seaplane carrier Chitose.jpg
|Ship caption=''Chitose'' as a [[seaplane carrier]]
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|Ship country=[[Empire of Japan]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Empire of Japan|naval}}
|Ship name=''Chitose''
|Ship namesake={{nihongo|千歳|Thousand Years}}
|Ship ordered=
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|Ship builder=[[Kure Naval Arsenal]], [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], [[Japan]]
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|Ship laid down=26 November 1934
|Ship launched=29 November 1936 
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|Ship completed=
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|Ship commissioned= 25 July 1938
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship notes=Converted from [[seaplane carrier]] to [[light aircraft carrier]] 26&nbsp;January&nbsp;1943–1&nbsp;January&nbsp;1944
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship recommissioned= 15 November 1943
|Ship reclassified= [[Light aircraft carrier]] 15&nbsp;December&nbsp;1943
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|Ship reinstated=1 January 1944
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|Ship fate=Sunk 25 October 1944
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship struck=20 December 1944
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Ship class={{sclass|Chitose|aircraft carrier}}
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|11200|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} (standard)
*{{convert|15300|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} (full load)
|Ship length={{convert|192.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|20.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|7.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship power={{convert|56000|shp|kW|lk=in|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*2 × geared [[steam turbine]]s
*2 × shafts
|Ship speed={{convert|28.9|kn|km/h mph|lk=in|abbr=on}}
|Ship range=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship complement=800
|Ship sensors=
|Ship armament=*'''Seaplane Carrier:''' 4 × [[12.7 cm/40 Type 89 naval gun]]s
*12 ×  [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|Type 96 25 mm AA guns]]s
*'''Aircraft carrier''' 8 × [[12.7 cm/40 Type 89 naval gun]]
*30-48 × [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|Type 96 25 mm AA guns]]
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=*'''Seaplane Carrier''' 24 × [[floatplane]]s
*'''Aircraft Carrier:''' 30 × aircraft
|Ship aircraft facilities=*'''Seaplane Tender:''' 4 × [[Aircraft catapult#Interwar and World War II|catapult]]s
*'''Aircraft Carrier:''' 2 × elevators
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|}

{{nihongo|'''''Chitose'''''|千歳}} was a warship of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] that served from 1938 to 1944, seeing service as a [[seaplane carrier]] and later as a [[light aircraft carrier]] during [[World War II]]. In her initial guise as a seaplane carrier, she first saw service during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] in 1938, and subsequently played a key role in the Imperial Japanese Navy's development of a network of [[seaplane]] bases on the islands of the [[Pacific Ocean]]. After the outbreak of World War II in [[Pacific War|the Pacific]], she took part in the [[Philippines campaign (1941–1942)|Philippines campaign]], the [[Dutch East Indies campaign]], the [[Battle of Midway]], and the [[Guadalcanal campaign]], during which she was damaged in the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons]] and also saw service related to the [[Battle of Cape Esperance]].

''Chitose'' was converted into a [[light aircraft carrier]] during 1943, and subsequently took part in the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]] and the [[Battle of Leyte Gulf]]. She was sunk in the Battle off Cape Engaño, one of several actions that made up the Battle of Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944.

Although it has been speculated that ''Chitose'' as a seaplane carrier also carried Type A [[midget submarine]]s, only her [[sister ship]] {{Ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Chiyoda||2}} had that capability.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/chitosesp_t.htm |title=IJN Seaplane Carrier CHITOSE: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Athony |last1=Tully |work=combinedfleet.com |date=19 May 2014|access-date=11 December 2021}}</ref>

==Construction and commissioning==

''Chitose'' was [[Keel-laying|laid down]] on 26 November 1934 by the [[Kure Naval Arsenal]] at [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], [[Japan]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> [[Ceremonial ship launching|Launched]] on 29 November 1936, she was completed as a [[seaplane carrier]] and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 25&nbsp;July&nbsp;1938.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

==Service history==
===Seaplane carrier===

====Second Sino-Japanese War====

When ''Chitose'' entered service, the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] had been raging for a year. Operating her original complement of [[Kawanishi E7K]] ([[World War II Allied names for Japanese aircraft|Allied reporting name]] "Alf") and [[Nakajima E8N]] (Allied reporting name "Dave") [[floatplane]]s, she supported Operation Z, the [[Canton Operation|surprise unopposed landing]] of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]]′s [[Twenty-First Army (Japan)|21st Army]] at [[Daya Bay|Bias Bay]] on the coast of [[China]] {{convert|35|mi}} northeast of [[Hong Kong]], on 12 October 1938. The 21st Army advanced against little opposition toward its main objective, [[Guangzhou|Canton]], which fell to the Japanese on 29 October 1938.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/><ref>[https://pacificeagles.net/the-invasion-of-canton/ "The Invasion of Canton," Pacific Eagles Accessed 10 December 2021]</ref>

====1939–1941====

On 15 November 1939, the Imperial Japanese Navy established the [[4th Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|4th Fleet]] at [[Truk Atoll]] under the command of [[Vice Admiral]] [[Eikichi Katagiri]], with ''Chitose'' as Katagiri's [[flagship]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> In December 1939, ''Chitose'', the [[seaplane tender]] {{ship|Japanese seaplane tender|Kinugasa Maru||2}}, and 24 [[Kawanishi H6K]] (Allied reporting name "Mavis") [[flying boat]]s were stationed at Truk.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> From December 1939 into 1940, ''Chitose'' and ''Kinugasa Maru'' were involved in transporting construction crews and technicians to build [[seaplane]] and flying boat ramps at [[Tonowas|Dublon]] in Truk Atoll, [[Malakal Island]] in the [[Palau Islands]], [[Ebeye Island]] and [[Roi-Namur|Roi]] at [[Kwajalein Atoll]],  and [[Saipan]] in the [[Mariana Islands]], and also made several voyages to and from Japan to transport construction materials to these locations.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

On 11 October 1940, ''Chitose'' was one of 98 Imperial Japanese Navy ships that gathered along with more than 500 aircraft on the Japanese coast at [[Yokohama Bay]] for an [[Fleet Review (Japan)|Imperial fleet review]] — the largest [[fleet review]] in Japanese history — in honor of the 2,600th anniversary of the enthronement of the [[Emperor Jimmu]], Japan's legendary first [[Emperor of Japan|emperor]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/><ref name="jdf">{{cite news |title=2012 Fleet Review |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/e/jdf/pdf/jdf_no35.pdf |accessdate=October 8, 2019 |work=Japan Defense Focus |date=December 2012}}</ref> The occasion was the first time that ''Chitose'' and many other new Japanese naval vessels — including the seaplane carriers {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Chiyoda||2}} and {{ship|Japanese seaplane carrier|Mizuho||2}} and the [[heavy cruiser]]s {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Tone|1937|2}} and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Chikuma|1938|2}}, which had extensive floatplane-handling capabilities — were displayed to the public.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She arrived at [[Sasebo]], Japan, on 15 October 1940 to undergo repairs and an overhaul.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

By November 1941, ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' made up Seaplane Tender Division 11.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> On 2 December 1941, ''Chitose'' was deployed at [[Palau]] as the Japanese armed forces mobilized to enter [[World War II]] with an offensive against [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] forces.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

====World War II====
=====Philippines campaign=====
On 8 December 1941 [[Japan Standard Time|Japan time]] — 7 December 1941 on the other side of the [[International Date Line]] in [[Hawaii]] —  the [[Pacific War]] began when Japan entered World War II with its surprise [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], Hawaii. On 8 December, ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' were attached to the [[2nd Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|2nd Fleet]] to operate as part of the Fourth Surprise Attack Force, tasked with providing air cover for [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious landings]] at [[Legazpi, Albay|Legaspi]] in southeastern [[Luzon]] in the [[Philippine Islands]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose'' got underway from Palau on 8 December and supported the landings on 11–12 December.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

After the Legaspi landings, ''Chitose'' continued to operate in support of Japanese operations in the [[Philippines campaign (1941–1942)|Philippines campaign]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> On 14 December 1941, one of her [[Mitsubishi F1M]] (Allied reporting name "Pete") floatplanes unsuccessfully attacked a [[B-17 Flying Fortress]] [[bomber]] of the [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[Far East Air Force (United States)|Far East Air Force]] as the B-17 flew over [[Catanduanes Island]] off Legaspi on an anti-shipping strike.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> On 19 December, she was {{convert|200|nmi}} east of [[Davao City|Davao]] on [[Mindanao]] when she launched seaplanes to reconnoiter Davao.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> From 20 to 25 December 1941 she was attached to the forces supporting the Japanese landings at Davao and at [[Jolo, Sulu|Jolo]] on [[Jolo Island]] in the [[Sulu Archipelago]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

=====Dutch East Indies campaign=====

On 26 December 1941, ''Chitose'' was transferred to the 2nd Air Force, a component of the Netherlands Indies Force in the Eastern Occupation Forces,<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> to operate in support of Japanese forces during the [[Dutch East Indies campaign]]. She departed Davao on 2 January 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose'' was anchored in [[Malalag]] Bay in [[Davao Gulf]] on the coast of Mindanao on 4 January 1942 when U.S. Army Air Forces B-17D Flying Fortresses flying from [[Java]] attacked the anchorage, and five of her floatplanes suffered damage from splinters from a bomb hit on the nearby heavy cruiser {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Myōkō||2}}.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

As part of the 11th Seaplane Tender Division with ''Mizuho'',<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose'' proceeded to the waters of the [[Netherlands East Indies]] to support the Japanese invasion of those islands as part of the 2nd Fleet, Southern Force, Netherlands East Indies Force. She rendezvoused with ''Mizuho'' and the two vessels anchored west of the [[Sangihe Islands]] at 09:00 on 10 January 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho>{{cite web |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/mizuho.htm |title=IJN Mizuho:Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Anthony |last1=Tully |work=combinedfleet.com |date=31 October 2018|access-date=13 December 2021}}</ref> From their anchorage, the two ships launched floatplanes to escort an invasion [[convoy]] heading for [[Manado]] in northern [[Sulawesi|Celebes]], 
make reconnaissance flights, and conduct a harassing bombing raid on an Allied [[radiotelephone]] station.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> After sunset on 10 January, the two seaplane carriers got back underway and headed toward Manado.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/>

The [[Battle of Manado]] began on 11 January 1942 as Japanese [[Special Naval Landing Force]] (SNLF) personnel landed at [[Kema District|Kema]] and Manado in northern [[Sulawesi|Celebes]],<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> and ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' arrived at an anchorage at [[Bangka Island (North Sulawesi)|Bangka Island]] off the northeastern tip of Celebes at 05:40 that day.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/><ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> Sources are unclear on the aircraft the two seaplane carriers operated, one asserting that they carried a combined 49 [[Aichi E13A]] (Allied reporting name "Jake") floatplanes and another that ''Chitose'' operated Mitsubishi F1Ms (Allied reporting name "Pete").<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> The two seaplane tenders conducted air operations from 06:30 to 19:00 in support of the landings.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> During the day, ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' floatplanes reported engaging nine Allied flying boats and four Allied bombers, claiming two flying boats shot down;<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> in one action, seven [[Netherlands Naval Aviation Service]] and [[United States Asiatic Fleet]] [[PBY Catalina]] flying boats attacked Japanese forces landing at Manado, and a floatplane from ''Chitose'' — described by one source as an F1M — shot down one of the Dutch Catalinas.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> In a [[friendly fire]] incident, one E13A from ''Mizuho'' shot down an Imperial Japanese Navy [[Yokosuka L3Y]] (Allied reporting name "Tina") carrying SNLF [[paratrooper]]s when it flew low over the anchorage without responding to recognition signals.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> Between them, the two ships lost three floatplanes — all identified by one source as E13As<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> — during the day, one which crashed and two which were wrecked in emergency landings.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> The landings concluded on 12 January 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

Allied opposition to the advance of Japanese forces at Manado was slight, and although ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' continued to support Japanese forces ashore there on 12 and 13 January 1942, their aircraft did not need to fly any ground-support missions.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> From 14 to 19 January, they both searched unsuccessfully for Allied submarines in the [[Celebes Sea]], based on what turned out to be erroneous information.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> They were released from supporting the Manado landings on 19 January 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/>

''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' departed Bangka Island on 21 January 1942 and proceeded to the waters off [[Kendari]] on the southeastern coast of Celebes, patrolling the waters ahead of an invasion convoy carrying SNLF forces bound for Kendari, their aircraft conducting combat air and antisubmarine patrols over and around the convoy.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> The [[Battle of Kendari]] began with Japanese landings on 23 and 24 January 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> The two seaplane carriers provided distant support to the Japanese operation,<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> and ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' arrived at [[Sarabanka Bay]] (or Salabangka Bay) on the coast of Celebes on the morning of 24 January, from which they conducted further air operations in support of Japanese forces at Kendari.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> On 26 January, ''Chitose'' separated from ''Mizuho'', departing Sarabangka Bay bound for the Bangka Island anchorage accompanied by [[destroyer]]s.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/>

Assigned to support the [[Battle of Ambon|Japanese invasion]] of [[Ambon Island]] in the [[Maluku Islands|Molucca Islands]], ''Chitose'' got back underway on 29 January 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She rendezvoused with ''Mizuho'' south of [[Mangole Island]] at 10:00 on 30 January 1942,<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> and the two seaplane carriers spent the day in the [[Manipa Strait]], providing cover for Japanese invasion forces approaching Ambon and conducting harassing bombing raids against [[Namlea]] on [[Buru]] that doubled as reconnaissance flights.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> They departed the strait in the evening and made for an anchorage in [[Keelang Bay]] on the southwestern tip of [[Seram Island|Ceram Island]], where they arrived at 05:50 on 31 January 1942<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/><ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> to provide air cover for the invasion of Ambon, although bad weather made flight operations impossible that day.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> The weather subsequently improved, and on 1 and 2 February 1942 floatplanes from both ships provided air and antisubmarine defense to the Japanese invasion convoy, devoted about 70 [[sortie]]s each day to heavy attacks against Allied ground forces on Ambon, and patrolled over the [[Banda Sea]].<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/>

The two seaplane carriers parted company at 15:00 on 3 February 1942, when ''Mizuho'' got underway from the Keelang Bay anchorage for [[Staring-baai|Staring Bay]] on the southeast coast of Celebes.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> At 19:00, ''Chitose'' also departed Keelang Bay to proceed to [[Piru Bay]] on the coast of [[Seram Island|Ceram]], accompanied by a [[patrol boat]].<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/>

''Chitose'' rendezvoused with ''Mizuho'' in the [[Flores Sea]] southwest of [[Kabaena Island]] at 07:20 on 8 February 1942, and the two ships headed westward to support  Japanese landings at [[Makassar]] on the southwest coast of Celebes.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> The landings began that evening around midnight in bad weather with poor visibility.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/><ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' were anchored in [[Makassar Strait]] southwest of [[Bulunrue Island]] south of Celebes at 03:40 on 10 February 1942 when three U.S. Army Air Forces [[LB-30 Liberator]] bombers of the Far East Air Force's [[19th Bomb Group]] attacked them, damaging ''Chitose''.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/><ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> At 19:20, ''Chitose'' parted company with ''Mizuho'', getting underway along with two patrol boats for [[Jolo]] in the [[Sulu Islands]] in the Philippines.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> ''Chitose'' supported Japanese operations against [[Surabaya]] in eastern Java on 14 February 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

''Chitose'' was at [[Balikpapan]] in Japanese-occupied [[Dutch Borneo]] by 22 February 1942, and she took aboard aircraft from the crippled [[seaplane tender]] {{ship|Japanese seaplane tender|Sanuki Maru|1939|2}} there, bringing the combined aircraft complement of ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' back nearly to full strength.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> ''Chitose'' got back underway on 24 February 1942 to support the [[Battle of Java (1942)|Japanese invasion of Java]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She rendezvoused with ''Mizuho'' south of [[Sebuku (Borneo)|Sebuku]] off the southeast coast of [[Borneo]] on 25 February, and the two ships anchored off [[Cape South]] — the southern tip of Borneo — for a time on 26 February before getting back underway and heading westward toward [[Cape Puting]] while covering the Japanese invasion force.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> They anchored off Cape Puting on 27 February 1942 and conducted air operations that day during the [[Battle of the Java Sea]], although bad weather at the anchorage allowed them to launch few aircraft.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> That evening they accompanied the Japanese invasion convoy southward toward [[Bawean Island]].<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/>

On 28 February 1942 — the day of the Japanese landings on Java — ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' anchored off the west coast of Bawean Island.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/><ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> During the day, the two seaplane carriers launched floatplanes to protect the Japanese invasion convoy bound for [[Kragan]] from attack by Allied aircraft or by the remnants of the [[American-British-Dutch-Australian Command]] (ABDA) fleet defeated in the Battle of the Java Sea the previous day.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> They sighted no ABDA ships, but did observe three [[gunboat]]s and eight [[torpedo boat]]s in the channel at the main Dutch naval base at Sarabaya.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> During the day, Japanese landings took place  at [[Batavia, Dutch East Indies|Batavia]], [[Port of Merak|Merak]], [[Banten Bay]], and [[Eretenwetan]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

On 1 March 1942, plans to set up a seaplane base at Kragan were scrapped when the Japanese found the waters off the beach there too shallow for seaplane operations.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> Remaining off Bawean Island, ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' began air operations in support of the landings in the morning.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> At 09:45, they curtailed ground-support operations to focus on protecting the Japanese invasion fleet from air attack, and during the day E13A1s from the two ships claimed three Allied [[Northrop Corporation|Northrop]] light bombers shot down, but much of what they did on 1 March is ambiguous or poorly documented.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> One of the ships launched two floatplanes at 11:40 to follow up on a reported sighting west of Bawean Island of the [[Royal Navy]] heavy cruiser {{HMS|Exeter|68|6}} and destroyer {{HMS|Encounter|H10|6}}, and at 12:40 the ships launched a strike by 11 Mitsubishi F1M2 (Allied reporting name "Pete") floatplanes against ''Exeter'' and ''Encounter'', but they failed to find the ships due to frequent tropical rain [[squall]]s.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> Meanwhile, at 12:30  an F1M2 from ''Chitose'' sighted the U.S. Navy [[destroyer]] {{USS|Pope|DD-225}} off Java.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> A strike by ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' aircraft as well as floatplanes from the heavy cruisers {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Ashigara||2}}, ''Myōkō'', {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Nachi||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Haguro||2}} sometime between 13:00 and 14:30 inflicted damage that caused flooding and disabled one of ''Pope''′s [[propeller]] shafts.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> Later, a strike by six [[Nakajima B5N]] (Allied reporting name "Kate") [[torpedo bomber]]s from the [[aircraft carrier]] {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Ryūjō||2}} attacked ''Pope'', and ''Ashigara'' and ''Myōkō'' intercepted and sank her at 15:40.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/><ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/>

On 2 March 1942, ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' set up a seaplane base at [[Karangdawa]], {{convert|3|mi}} east of [[Cape Awarawara]], from which they continued to support the Java landings.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> They departed [[Bawean Island]] on 3 March escorted by three patrol boats and headed for Kendari, which they reached on 6 March.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> After routine maintenance and repairs, they got underway from Staring Bay on 9 March 1942 to return to the combat area at Cape Awarawara, but Dutch forces on Java surrendered that day.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> They arrived at Kragan on 12 March, dismantled the seaplane base, and at 20:00 departed Kragan bound for Makassar, where they arrived at 11:30 on 14 March.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/><ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/> There ''Chitose'' and ''Mizuho'' separated for the last time, when ''Mizuho'' was reassigned and departed for Japan.<ref name=combinedfleetmizuho/>

''Chitose'' was reassigned to the N Occupation (or Expeditionary) Force on 15 March 1942 for operations in [[Netherlands New Guinea]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> The N Force assembled at Ambon Island on 29 March 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose'' arrived at [[Boela]] on Ceram Island on 31 March and thereafter provided cover for a series of Japanese landings along the coast of Netherlands New Guinea, at [[Fakfak]] on 1 April, [[Babo, West Papua|Babo]] on 2 April, and [[Sorong]] on 4 April 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She then provided cover for landings at [[Ternate]] in the Molucca Islands on 7 April, at [[Djailolo]] on [[Halmahera]] on 8 April, at [[Manokwari]] on the coast of Netherlands New Guinea on 12 April, and at [[Moemi]] and [[Seroei]] on [[Yapen|Japen Island]] off the north coast of [[New Guinea]] on 15 April 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> At [[Nabire]] on the north coast of Netherlands New Guinea on 17 April 1942, she transferred 63 troops to the auxiliary [[gunboat]] {{ship|Japanese gunboat|Taiko Maru||2}} which ''Taiko Maru'' put ashore on the east side of Japen Island on 18 April.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose'' then returned to providing cover for Japanese landings in Netherlands New Guinea, at [[Sarmi, Indonesia|Sarmi]] and on [[Wakde]] on 19 April and at [[Jayapura|Hollandia]] on 20 April 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

=====April–May 1942=====
''Chitose'' departed Ambon Island bound for Sasebo, Japan, on 21 April 1942, and with the [[New Guinea campaign]] completed, she was reassigned to the Advance Force on 23 April 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She made an overnight stop at Davao on 25–26 April and arrived at Sasebo on 1 May 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She was in [[drydock]] at Sasebo from 9 to 16 May 1942 for a refit, then departed Sasebo on 16 May bound for Kure.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> During May 1942, she became the [[flagship]] of the 11th Seaplane Tender Division.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She departed Kure bound for Saipan on 21 May 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

=====Battle of Midway=====

The 11th Seaplane Tender Division, now consisting of ''Chitose'' and the seaplane tender {{ship|Japanese seaplane tender|Kamikawa Maru||2}}, was assigned to participate in Operation MI — the planned Japanese invasion of [[Midway Atoll]] — and on 28 May 1942 ''Chitose'' and ''Kamikawa Maru'' got underway from Saipan headed for Midway as part of the Midway Invasion Force under the command of Vice Admiral [[Nobutake Kondo]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose'' embarked 16 floatplane [[Fighter aircraft|fighters]] and four reconnaissance floatplanes for the operation,<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> and she and ''Kamikawa Maru'' made the voyage to Midway as part of a convoy that also included 12 [[Transport (ship)|transports]] and an [[Oiler (ship)|oiler]], escorted by the [[light cruiser]] {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Jintsu||2}} and nine destroyers.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> As the convoy approached Midway on 3 June 1942, nine U.S. Army Air Forces B-17 Flying Fortresses bombed it and U.S. Navy PBY Catalina [[amphibious aircraft]] attacked it with [[torpedo]]es, but ''Chitose'' escaped damage.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> On 4 June 1942, a PBY of U.S. Navy [[VPB-44|Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44)]] found the convoy, and ''Chitose'' launched three Mitsubishi F1M (Allied reporting name "Pete") floatplanes to intercept it; they shot the PBY down from an altitude of {{convert|500|ft|0}} with the loss of five members of its crew.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> Its six survivors were rescued from the water by another PBY on 6 June, but one of them died on 7 June 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

The Japanese suffered a decisive defeat on 4 June 1942 during the [[Battle of Midway]] and subsequently cancelled the invasion of Midway.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose'' was detached from the Midway Invasion Force on 7 June 1942 and proceeded to [[Wake Island]] in company with the heavy cruisers {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Haguro||2}} and ''Myōkō'' and three destroyers.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She then returned to Japan.

=====June–July 1942=====

''Chitose'' was assigned to the A Air Group of the Occupation Force on 18 June 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She departed Kure on 26 June 1942 bound for [[Chichijima]] in the [[Ogasawara Islands]], where she made a port call from 28 to 29 June 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She then returned to Japan and spent July 1942 in the [[Tokyo Bay]] area.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> On 14 July 1942, she again became flagship of Seaplane Tender Division 11, and as of that day carried 14 Mitsubishi F1M2 (Allied reporting name "Pete") and five [[Aichi E13A]]1 (Allied reporting name "Jake") floatplanes, with two of each type in reserve.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She was in drydock at the [[Yokosuka Naval Arsenal]] in [[Yokosuka]], Japan, from 20 to 23 July 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

=====Guadalcanal campaign=====

The [[Guadalcanal campaign]] began on 7 August 1942 with [[United States Marine Corps]] landings on [[Guadalcanal]] in the [[Solomon Islands]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose'' departed Sasebo on 9 August headed for Yokosuka, where she arrived on 11 August.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She departed Yokosuka later the same day bound for Truk as part of Kondo's 2nd Fleet Support Force in company with the [[battleship]] {{ship|Japanese battleship|Mutsu||2}}, five heavy cruisers, a light cruiser, and 10 destroyers.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She called at Truk from 17 to 23 August 1942, when she sortied as part of Kondo's Advance Force in company with five heavy cruisers, a light cruiser, and six destroyers as Japanese forces deployed for an operation to reinforce Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, resulting in the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons]].<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

======Battle of the Eastern Solomons======

The Battle of the Eastern Solomons began on 24 August 1942. At around 10:15, three F1M2s from ''Chitose'' attacked a PBY Catalina searching for the Japanese aircraft carrier force, and another three F1M2s drove off a PBY looking for Japanese [[troopship]]s.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> Another ''Chitose'' floatplane discovered U.S. Navy [[Task Force 11]], centered around the aircraft carrier {{USS|Saratoga|CV-3}}, and [[Task Force 16]], centered around the aircraft carrier {{USS|Enterprise|CV-6}}.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> At 18:20, two [[SBD Dauntless]] [[dive bomber]]s from Bombing Squadron 3 (VB-3) aboard ''Saratoga'' attacked ''Chitose'', damaging her [[Port and starboard|port]] engine and [[Hull (ship)|hull]] plates and set three F1M2s on her deck on fire.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She took on a 30-degree [[Angle of list|list]] to port.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

The destroyer {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Minegumo|1937|2}} took ''Chitose'' under [[Towing|tow]] on 25 August 1942 and headed toward Truk.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> En route, seven B-17 Flying Fortresses of the U.S. Army Air Forces [[11th Bombardment Group|11th Heavy Bombardment Group]] attacked the ships, but inflicted no damage on them.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> As ''Minegumo'' and ''Chitose'' neared Truk on 28 August, they experienced an [[Antisubmarine warfare|antisubmarine]] alert which culminated in an attack by the U.S. Navy [[submarine]] {{USS|Flying Fish|SS-229}} against the nearby battleship {{ship|Japanese battleship|Yamato||2}}, which was arriving at Truk from Japan with an escort of three destroyers.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Flying Fish''′s four torpedoes missed ''Yamato'',<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> and all the Japanese ships arrived safely at Truk.

======August–October 1942======
On 28 August, the Imperial Japanese Navy created the R Area Air Force, a floatplane unit intended to reinforce land-based [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service]] aircraft in the Solomon Islands.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose'' put her floatplanes ashore at Truk so that they could deploy to the [[Shortland Islands]] as part of the R Area Air Force, then underwent repairs at Truk.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> With them done, she headed for Japan for further repairs at the [[Yokosuka Naval Arsenal]], arriving at Yokosuka in September 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> After their completion, she departed Yokosuka on 14 September 1942, called at Truk from 18 to 20 September, at [[Rabaul]] on [[New Britain]] in the [[Bismarck Archipelago]] from 22 to 24 September, at the Shortland Islands and at [[Buin Rural LLG|Buin]] on [[Bougainville Island|Bougainville]] in the Solomon Islands from 25 to 27 September before arriving at [[Kavieng]] on [[New Ireland (island)|New Ireland]] in the Bismarck Archipelago on 28 September 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

During ''Chitose''′s stay at Kavieng, one of her F1M2s flying [[combat air patrol]] spotted four [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] fighters and five B-17E Flying Fortresses of the U.S. Army Air Forces [[72nd Bombardment Squadron]] approaching the fleet on 4 October 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> To prevent them from attacking the seaplane carrier {{ship|Japanese seaplane carrier|Nisshin||2}}, the F1M2's pilot rammed the lead B-17E, tearing off the B-17E's right [[wing]] and [[vertical stabilizer]] and damaging the F1M2's right wing.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> The F1M2's two-man crew [[parachute]]d to safety before their floatplane crashed and was rescued by the destroyer {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Akatsuki|1932|2}}, and the B-17E crashed with the loss of its entire crew.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

======Battle of Cape Esperance======

''Chitose'' departed Kavieng on 7 October 1942 and proceeded to Rabaul, where she was assigned to the Reinforcement Force of the Outer South Seas Force<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> and tasked with carrying reinforcements to the Japanese forces fighting on Guadalcanal. Departing Rabaul on 8 October 1942, she made for the anchorage in the Shortland Islands, which she reached on 9 October.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> At the Shortlands, ''Chitose'' and ''Nisshin'' between them embarked 280 troops of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]]'s [[2nd Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|2nd Division]] along with four 150-mm [[howitzer]]s with their [[Tractor unit|prime mover]]s, two [[field gun]]s, 14 [[Limbers and caissons|caisson]]s, an [[antiaircraft gun]], ammunition, provisions, and 675 other men.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> They departed the Shortlands on 11 October 1942 bound for [[Tassafaronga Point]] on the north coast of Guadalcanal escorted by six destroyers — four of them also carrying reinforcements — and covered by a force of heavy cruisers and destroyers which planned to distract Allied forces by bombarding [[Henderson Field (Guadalcanal)|Henderson Field]] on Guadalcanal.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> While the [[Battle of Cape Esperance]] raged nearby between the Japanese covering force and a [[task force]] of U.S. Navy [[cruiser]]s and destroyers during the night of 11–12 October 1942, ''Chitose'', ''Nisshin'', and their accompanying destroyers discharged their passengers and cargo at Guadalcanal unmolested and, except for two destroyers detached to search for survivors of the sunken heavy cruiser {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Furutaka||2}}, headed back to the Shortlands, which they reached on 14 October 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

======October–November 1942======

While ''Chitose'' was at the Shortlands, one of her floatplanes sighted an American supply convoy approaching Guadalcanal on 15 October 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> Based on the floatplane's sighting report, the aircraft carrier {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Zuikaku||2}} launched an airstrike against the convoy which sank the destroyer {{USS|Meredith|DD-434}}.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

''Chitose'' refueled from the oiler ''Omurosan Maru'' on 27 October 1942, and on 3 November 1942 ''Kamikawa Maru'' replaced her as flagship of Seaplane Tender Division 11.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> In company with the seaplane carrier {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Chiyoda||2}} and escorted by two destroyers, ''Chitose'' departed the Shortlands on 3 November bound for Truk, where the ships arrived on 6 November.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> ''Chitose''  got back underway on 10 November and proceeded to Sasebo, arriving there on 15 November 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/> She was drydocked at the [[Sasebo Naval Arsenal]] on 28 November 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetchitoseavp/>

===Aircraft carrier===
====Conversion====
[[File:Japanese aircraft carrier Chitose cropped.jpg|thumb|''Chitose'' in 1944  after her conversion into a [[light aircraft carrier]].]]
''Chitose'' began conversion to a [[light aircraft carrier]] at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 26 January 1943.<ref name="Movement">{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/ChitoseCV_t.htm |title=IJN Seaplane Carrier CHITOSE: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Anthony |last1=Tully |work=combinedfleet.com |date=5 October 2001|access-date=11 December 2021}}</ref> She was recommissioned on 1 November 1943 and moved to Kure on 17 December 1943.<ref name="Movement"/> After final [[Fitting-out|fitting out]], she was completed as an aircraft carrier on 1 January 1944.<ref name="Movement"/>

====January–June 1944====

Upon completion of her conversion, ''Chitose'' on 1 January 1944 was assigned to the [[1st Mobile Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|1st Mobile Fleet]] and attached to its [[3rd Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|3rd Fleet]].<ref name="Movement"/> On 11 January 1944 she departed the Seto Inland Sea bound for Singapore, which she reached on 20 January.<ref name="Movement"/> She got back underway on 25 January 1944 headed for Sasebo. During her voyage, she was assigned to Carrier Division 3, 3rd Fleet, 1st Mobile Fleet, on 1 February 1944.<ref name="Movement"/> She arrived at Sasebo on 4 February 1944.<ref name="Movement"/>

''Chitose'' departed Sasebo on 15 February 1944, called at [[Kagoshima]], Japan, from 16 to 20 February, and then proceeded to Saipan, where she arrived on 26 February 1944.<ref name="Movement"/> She got back underway on 29 February 1944 to return to Japan, and arrived at Yokosuka on 4 March 1944.<ref name="Movement"/> She moved from Yokosuka to [[Kisarazu]] on 13 March, then back to Yokosuka on 17 March 1944.<ref name="Movement"/> She was in drydock at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal from 19 to 24 March, then departed Yokosuka on 25 March bound for the Seto Inland Sea, which she reached on 27 March 1944.<ref name="Movement"/> She remained in the Seto Inland Sea through April 1944.<ref name="Movement"/>

On 5 and 6 May 1944, ''Chitose'' embarked aircraft of Air Group 653, and on 11 May 1944 she departed [[Saeki District, Hiroshima|Saeki]], Japan, to head for [[Tawi-Tawi]] in the southern Philippines, where she and her [[sister ship]] ''Chiyoda'' — which also had been converted from a seaplane carrier into an aircraft carrier — were to rendezvous with a task force consisting of the battleship {{ship|Japanese battleship|Musashi||2}}, the aircraft carriers {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Hiyō||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Jun'yō||2}}, {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Zuihō||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Ryūhō||2}}, and three destroyers.<ref name="Movement"/> After pausing briefly at [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] on 12 May, she headed south, and on 16 May 1944 arrived at Tawi-Tawi, where Japanese naval forces were assembling to carry out Operation A-Go, the Japanese defense of the [[Mariana Islands]].<ref name="Movement"/> While ''Chitose'' was at sea off Tawi-Tawi conducting air training on 22 May 1944, the U.S. Navy submarine {{USS|Puffer|SS-268}} fired a spread of torpedoes at her at 09:24, but they exploded in her [[Wake (physics)|wake]] and she escaped damage.<ref name="Movement"/>

To escape the growing danger of submarine attack off Tawi-Tawi and reach a better jumping-off point for the defense of Saipan, which U.S. ships and aircraft had begun to bombard on 11 June 1944, ''Chitose'' departed Tawi-Tawi on 13 June 1944 to move to [[Guimaras]] in the western [[Visayas]].<ref name="Movement"/> Arriving there on 14 June, she began to take on supplies. On 15 June 1944, with U.S. forces [[Battle of Saipan|landing on Saipan]], Operation A-Go was activated, and ''Chitose'' headed for the Marianas along with the rest of the 1st Mobile Fleet.<ref name="Movement"/>

====Battle of the Philippine Sea====

With the [[Mariana and Palau Islands campaign|Marianas campaign]] underway, the activation of Operation A-Go resulted in the Japanese 1st Mobile Fleet meeting U.S. Navy [[Task Force 58]] in the two-day [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]] on 19–20 June 1944. ''Chitose'' formed part of the 1st Mobile Fleet's Van Force along with ''Chiyoda'' and ''Zuihō'', screened by the battleships ''Yamato'', ''Musashi'', {{ship|Japanese battleship|Kongō||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese battleship|Haruna||2}}, four heavy cruisers, a light cruiser, and seven destroyers.<ref name="Movement"/> On 19 June, the first day of the battle, ''Chitose'' participated in airstrikes against Task Force 58, and on 20 June she took part in antiaircraft actions as Task Force 58 aircraft counterattacked.<ref name="Movement"/> The battle resulted in crippling losses for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, including three aircraft carriers and hundreds of aircraft.

====June–October 1944====

After the Japanese defeat in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, ''Chitose'' withdrew, anchoring at Okinawa on 22 June 1944 and getting back underway on the morning of 23 June to return to Japan.<ref name="Movement"/> She arrived at Kure on 1 July 1944 and remained there for the rest of the month, spending 20–26 July 1944 in drydock at the Kure Naval Arsenal.<ref name="Movement"/> She was assigned to the 2nd Diversion Attack Force on 3 August 1944, but remained in the Seto Inland Sea and in the waters of [[Kyushu]].<ref name="Movement"/>

====Battle of Leyte Gulf====

After [[United States Army]] forces landed on [[Leyte]] in the Philippines on 20 October 1944, beginning the [[Battle of Leyte]], Japanese naval forces approached Leyte from several directions to oppose the landings. Among the forces responding was Vice Admiral [[Jisaburō Ozawa]]′s Northern Force, consisting of ''Chitose'', the aircraft carriers ''Chiyoda'', ''Zuikaku'', and ''Zuihō'' and the hybrid battleship-aircraft carriers {{ship|Japanese battleship|Ise||2}} and {{ship|Japanese battleship|Hyūga||2}}, screened by three light cruisers and eight destroyers. After the disastrous losses of aircraft and aircrew in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, the Japanese had only 108 aircraft aboard the four aircraft carriers and none on the two battleship-aircraft carriers, and the Northern Force's mission was to serve as decoy, drawing the aircraft carriers of U.S. Navy [[Task Force 38]] northward and away from Leyte, where the Japanese hoped that their battleships, cruisers, and destroyers could destroy the American landing force.

The resulting [[Battle of Leyte Gulf]] began on 23 October 1944, and on the afternoon of 24 October American aircraft located Ozawa's force in the [[Philippine Sea]] off [[Luzon]]'s [[Cape Engaño (Luzon)|Cape Engaño]]. Around dawn on 25 October, the [[Battle off Cape Engaño]] — one of several actions making up the Battle of Leyte Gulf — began when Ozawa launched a small airstrike against Task Force 38 which suffered heavy losses and accomplished nothing

Task Force 38 counterattacked with a series of large, punishing airstrikes. During the first strike, ''Chitose'' was targeted by planes from the aircraft carrier {{USS|Essex|CV-9}}. At 08:35, a line of three large explosions — either torpedo hits or near-misses by bombs  — took place on ''Chitose''′s port side forward of the Number 1 aircraft [[elevator]].<ref name="Movement"/> [[Fire room|Boiler rooms]] 2 and 4 flooded, and ''Chitose'' immediately took on a 30-degree list and suffered [[rudder]] failure.<ref name="Movement" /> Her crew succeeded in reducing the list to 15 degrees, but by 08:55 further flooding had increased it to 20 degrees.<ref name="Movement" /> At 08:55, ''Chitose''′s forward starboard [[engine room]] flooded, cutting her speed to {{convert|14|kn|km/h mph|lk=in}}, and her speed subsequently fell further when her after starboard engine failed.<ref name="Movement" /> When the after port engine room flooded at 09:25,<ref name="Movement" /> ''Chitose'' went dead in the water, and her list grew to 30 degrees.<ref name="Movement" /> The light cruiser {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Isuzu||2}} attempted to close with her and take her in tow, but it proved impossible.<ref name="Movement" />

At 09:37, an hour after her initial wounds, in the Philippine Sea at position {{coord|19|20|N|126|20|E|display=inline, title}}, ''Chitose'' [[capsize]]d to port and nosed under, with the loss of 904 men.<ref name="Movement" /> ''Isuzu'' rescued 480 survivors, and the destroyer {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Shimotsuki||2}} rescued 121.<ref name="Movement" />

The Japanese struck ''Chitose'' from the Navy list on 20 December 1944.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last1=Lengerer |first1=Hans |title=The Aircraft Carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy and Army: Technical and Operational History |date=2023 |publisher=Model Hobby |location=Katowice, Poland |isbn=978-83-60041-71-0|volume=II}}
*{{cite book |last1=Lengerer |first1=Hans |editor1-last=Jordan |editor1-first=John |title=Warship 2021 |date=2021 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford, UK |isbn=978-1-4728-4779-9 |chapter=''Chitose'' and ''Chiyoda''|pages=165–179}}

==External links==
*[http://www.voodoo-world.cz/ww2car/ships/japan/cit_ciy.html Chitose specifications]
*[http://www.combinedfleet.com/Chitose.htm Chitose record of movements]

{{Chitose class aircraft carrier}}
{{October 1944 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chitose}}
[[Category:Chitose-class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Ships built by Kure Naval Arsenal]]
[[Category:1936 ships]]
[[Category:Seaplane tenders of the Imperial Japanese Navy]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy]]
[[Category:Second Sino-Japanese War naval ships of Japan]]
[[Category:World War II aircraft carriers of Japan]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers sunk by aircraft]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by US aircraft]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by aircraft during the Battle of Leyte Gulf]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Philippine Sea]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in October 1944]]