A convoy to resupply allied troops at Mindoro, Philippines, seen underway, as it comes under attack by Japanese Kamikaze planes, during World War 2. Opening scene shows a burning Japanese warplane trailing smoke as it falls and breaks up before crashing into the sea. Flak clouds seen in the sky from the antiaircraft fire of the U.S. battleship, USS South Dakota (BB-57) seen low on the horizon in the background. Several ships are seen in the convoy. Suddenly a huge explosion occurs as a Japanese kamikaze (unseen) strikes the 14 thousand ton Liberty ship, SS John Burke. She is carrying a cargo of ammunition that explodes, raising a wall of water around the ship and creating a mushroom cloud of smoke that billows high into the sky.
Smoke rises from bombed aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) off Luzon in World War 2. Time code 00:29,shows F6F-5 #7 "Paper Doll," of VF-27, (mount of Ensign Bob Burnell who painted most of the famous "cat mouths" on the cowls of VF-27 Hellcats).Pilots walk across flight deck of USS Essex (CV-9). TC:01:04, F6F-5 #47 (VF-15) is seen with Horizontal stripe near rudder tip identifying it as an Air Group 15 aircraft. Further along is F6F-3 #8 (VF-15) Late production -3 with superseded tri-color paint scheme and 7 Japanese victory flag emblems under cockpit. F6F-3 #F-11 (VF-27) Late production -3, "F-11" lettered prefix to aircraft number (unusual on an operational fighter probably indicating a recent replacement). Plane captain is cleaning windshield on the "Minzi III" when Captain David S. McCampbell, the top U.S. Navy ace, approaches and climbs aboard the aircraft. Thirty Japanese flags are painted on the fuselage below the cockpit. McCampbell straps in and starts his engine. He gives a "thumbs up" sign. "Airedales" push empty Hellcat belly tanks across Essex flight deck. A Destroyer fires antiaircraft guns. Japanese aircraft seen in flight over water. Fire from 40 mm guns. (Note: Some planes of Squadron VF-27 on the Princeton, were recovered on the Essex.)
Japanese air attack on United States aircraft carrier underway in the Pacific during World War II. Men hose down deck of carrier. Japanese plane burns on flight deck of the same carrier. Men throw dead Japanese pilot over board. Men hose deck of carrier, large hole on flight deck. CVL (Light Aircraft Carrier) underway in the background.
Japanese air attack on United States aircraft carrier (USS Intrepid, CV-11, or USS Essex, CV-9) underway in the Pacific during World War II. U.S. Navy planes land on deck of ship. 40 mm gun crew operates a gun. Flak bursts in air. Japanese plane passes overhead. Japanese plane dives and crashes on deck of aircraft carrier. Explosion and debris seen flying overhead of camera. Flames rises from Japanese plane on deck. Fire fighting crew hose down wreckage of plane and deck of carrier.
Reconstruction shows Japanese kamikaze suicidal aircraft attacking U.S. task force ships underway in the Pacific during World War II. Japanese pilots in a torpedo aircraft. Japanese aircraft fly through anti-aircraft barrage and searchlights. Twin-engine aircraft in flight, one engine is hit, and results in fire. A carrier and several other vessels playing searchlight through sky. The aircraft releases torpedo which crashes into hull of carrier. The aircraft crashes into a vessel. More ships are attacked. Japanese aircraft in flames crashing on a ship. The ship sinks.
Reconstruction showing a Japanese Admiral at headquarters on a Pacific Island during World War II. A Japanese four star Admiral and Staff Officer in headquarters listen to war results on radio. Admiral hears of kamikaze suicide of 43 Japanese aircraft, he stands up and bows to shrine.