USS Yorktown

Mid-day on the 4 December 1943

A Japanese Nakajima B6N 'Tenzan' torpedo bomber is hit by a 5-inch shell while attacking the USS 'Yorktown' aircraft carrier off Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, North Pacific.

Deck side account, "At 300 yards, the Jap plane took a shell in its left-wing and flames spurted out. The pilot then veered to try to crash into the Yorktown, skimming the flight deck so close that the flames singed the beard of one of the Yorktown gunners. The plane finally crashed into the sea 100 yards close aboard and exploded in a ball of smoke and flame." (Photo was taken from the aft end of Yorktown's flight deck, by Chief Petty Officer Photographer’s Mate, Alfred N. Cooperman)

(Colourised by Royston Leonard)