by H I Sutton

The recent discovery of the wrecks of two aircraft carriers brings the Battle of Midway into focus. The Akagi and Kaga, both Imperial Japanese Navy ships, were found by an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) operated from the research vessel Petrel. Two more Japanese aircraft carriers sunk in the battle remain hidden in the depths of the North Pacific. The only U.S. Navy carrier sunk, USS Yorktown, was found in 1998.

There are fewer aircraft carriers in service currently than in 1942. This will change in the coming

In many eyes the war in the Pacific was the high-point of Aircraft Carrier warfare. The Battle of Midway, fought on June 3-6 1942, saw unprecedented carrier battle groups meeting in combat. Japan fielded 4 large aircraft carriers supported by 2 light carriers. These faced 3 U.S Navy carriers.

Japan had been a leading adopter of aircraft carriers before the war, launching its first, Hōshō, in 1921. This was arguably the first purpose-built carrier in the world, being launched before Britain’s HMS Hermes.

Going in to the battle Japan had the largest carrier fleet in the world with 13 ships. The U.S. Navy ranked third with 8, after the Royal Navy who had 9. France had 1, bringing the total of 31 carriers in commission around the world on the eve of the battle. Compared to today, there are just 28 carriers in service with fixed-wing planes.

The Japanese task force had the advantage in numbers, and had the most experienced carrier pilots in the world at that time. But intelligence was on the U.S. side. Without surprise the Japanese attacks were blunted and the U.S. Fleet scored a major upset. All 4 Japanese carriers were sunk for 1 U.S. flat-top. It was a massive blow to the Imperial Japanese Navy carrier force, and they never recovered.

After World War two carrier design progressed rapidly, mainly to cater for jet aircraft. Innovations included angled flight decks, better catapults for launching heavy aircraft and elevators which don't obstruct the runway. The classic flat-top appearance remains but carriers are, generally, much larger and better designed.

Few countries could afford to keep in the game however. The U.S. Navy has become the undisputed king of this arena with 11 nuclear-powered ‘super carriers’ and 9 large amphibious ships which can carry F-35 jets. Russia in particular struggled to develop comparable carriers. Today they only have one in service, the Admiral Kuznetsov. Britain has, despite leading the way with many carrier innovations, had a bumpy journey including years without operational carriers at all. But the two very large Queen Elizabeth Class carriers should reestablish it as leading carrier power. Currently the first is in service and the second is undergoing sea trials. India and China are the main growth nations.

Japan meanwhile stopped building carriers altogether. Although the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) is one of the largest and most modern navies in the world, carriers were avoided.

That will change however. Japan has been building helicopter carries, described as 'destroyers' for political reasons. Largely in response to Chinese naval expansion two of these are slated to get F-35 Lightning-II jets. In the future more countries will operate carriers and the total number in service will exceed Midway levels.