The Day Japan’s Aircraft Carriers Became Floating Targets

Four Japanese aircraft carriers were destroyed on October 25, 1944, during the Battle off Cape Engaño. Once part of Japan's offensive striking power, these ships entered the Leyte Gulf operation with severely depleted air strength and a mission built around diversion. None of those four carriers would ever return to Japan. This documentary follows Zuikaku, Zuiho, Chitose, and Chiyoda from the collapse of Japanese carrier aviation in the Philippine Sea to their final battle against Task Force 38. It examines the F6F Hellcat, SB2C Helldiver, and TBF/TBM Avenger, American training and fighter direction, Ozawa's decoy mission, and Halsey's decision to head north. The account distinguishes the three carriers sunk by aircraft from Chiyoda's destruction by cruiser gunfire, while explaining the simultaneous danger to American escort carriers off Samar. Sources include official U.S. Navy ship histories, postwar Japanese interrogations, and archival photograph captions. The narration distinguishes confirmed losses from uncertain damage estimates and keeps Cape Engaño separate from the wider Leyte Gulf casualty ledger. Subscribe for the definitive history of the United States in the Second World War — new documentaries every few days. #ww2 #worldwarii #PacificWar #usnavy #wwiihistory #aircraftcarriers #CapeEngano #TaskForce38 #militaryhistory #USAInWW2