The Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu played a significant role during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, but it also suffered tremendous losses during the battle. Here's a breakdown of the number of planes it carried before and after the battle:
Before the Battle of Midway
At the start of the Battle of Midway, the Hiryu was part of the Japanese Kido Butai, the carrier strike force. It carried a complement of about 72 aircraft. This included:
18 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters
18 Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers
18 Aichi D3A "Val" dive bombers
During the Battle of Midway
The Hiryu launched several air attacks against the American carriers, most notably during the morning of June 4, 1942, when its planes were part of the second wave that attacked the U.S. fleet. However, during the course of the battle, the Hiryu suffered severe damage after a series of American air strikes, particularly by dive bombers from the U.S. carrier Yorktown. By the end of the battle on June 5, 1942, the Hiryu was critically damaged and eventually scuttled.
After the Battle of Midway
By the time the battle ended, the Hiryu had lost all of its aircraft and most of its aircrew. The exact number of planes lost is difficult to determine, but it is believed that the carrier lost all 72 aircraft during the battle, including those that had participated in attacks on Midway and the American carriers. Some aircraft had been destroyed in the battle, while others were lost due to attacks on the ship and subsequent fires.