First Carrier Division
In August 1942, commanded by Captain Tameteru Notomo, "Zuikaku" was dispatched as part of the First Carrier Division along with the repaired "Shōkaku" and the light carrier to oppose the American offensive in the Solomon Islands. On 24 August 1942, in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, her aircraft severely damaged the carrier . She was based at Truk for the next few months.