The HIJMS Taihō (Great Pheonix) was an aircraft carrier used by Japan during the Pacific War.The Taihō-class aircraft carrier (大鳳型航空母艦) represented a complete revolution in Japanese carrier building. It was the first Japanese carrier to have an armored flight deck and hangar bay, as well as a hurricane bow design. It was laid down in Kobe,Japan in 10th July 1941. She was launched in 7th April 1943, and commissioned 7th March 1944. She was sunk two months later in 19th June 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Even though she was only hit by one torpedo by submarine USS Albacore, poor damage control and flaws in design and construction quality was the main cause of her sinking.