4th Carrier Division (Imperial Japanese Navy)

The 4th Carrier Division (第四航空戦隊, Dai Yon Kōkū Sentai, or Yon Kōsen) was a seaplane tender and aircraft carrier unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet.

Fourth Carrier Division
Ise in October 1944, during the Battle off Cape Engaño
ActiveDecember 1, 1937 – July 14, 1942
May 1, 1944 – March 1, 1945
CountryEmpire of Japan
AllegianceAxis Powers of World War II
BranchImperial Japanese Navy
TypeNaval aviation unit
RoleAircraft carrier support
Engagements
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Kakuji Kakuta
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Notoro 1937
Notoro (ノトロ)
Ryūjō 1941–42
DI-xxx
Taiyō, Shōhō, Jun'yō 1941-42
DII-xxx
May 1944
634-xxx

Organization

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Date Higher unit Ships and air units
1 December 1937 (original) Combined Fleet Notoro, Kinugasa Maru
1 August 1938 disbanded
1 April 1941 1st Air Fleet Ryūjō
11 August 1941 Ryūjō, Destroyer Squadron 3 : Shiokaze, Hokaze
10 December 1941 Ryūjō, Kasuga Maru (Taiyō), Destroyer Squadron 3 : Shiokaze, Hokaze
1 April 1942 Ryūjō, Shōhō
3 May 1942 Ryūjō, Shōhō, Jun'yō
20 May 1942 Ryūjō, Jun'yō
14 July 1942 disbanded
1 May 1944 3rd Fleet Hyūga, Ise, 634th Naval Air Group[1]
15 October 1944 Jun'yō, Ryūhō, Hyūga, Ise
(24 October 1944)[2] Hyūga, Ise
15 December 1944 2nd Fleet Hyūga, Ise
1 March 1945 disbanded

Commander

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Rank Name Date
1 R.ADM Tomoshige Samejima 1 December 1937
x disbanded 1 August 1938
x vacant post 1 April 1941
2 R.ADM Torao Kuwabara 10 April 1941
3 R.ADM Kakuji Kakuta 1 September 1941
x disbanded 14 July 1942
4 R.ADM Matsuda Chiaki 1 May 1944
x disbanded 1 March 1945

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Carrier Air Group. Equipped D4Y2-Kai Judy and E16A1 Paul.
  2. ^ Battle of Leyte Gulf (The Battle off Cape Engaño).

Bibliography

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  • "Monthly The Maru" series, and "The Maru Special" series, "Ushio Shobō". (Japan)
  • "Monthly Ships of the World" series, "Kaijinsha". (Japan)
  • "Famous Airplanes of the World" series and "Monthly Kōku Fan" series, Bunrindō (Japan)