U.S. Task Force 38.3 in Leyte Gulf during Battle of Leyte in World War II. CVLs (Light Aircraft Carriers) and CVs (Fleet Aircraft Carrier) underway. USS Princeton (CVL-23) underway and burning. Japanese plane passes through flak. Princeton burns fiercely following attack by a Japanese Yokosuka D4Y 'Judy' Dive Bomber. The aircraft had dropped a bomb which struck the carrier between the elevators, crashing through the flight deck and hangar, and then exploding. U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat fighter parked on deck of carrier. Explosion on the after-deck of Princeton. Additional explosion on the USS Princeton. Japanese Zeke (Zero) dives on USS Langley (CVL-27), burns in flames, and crashes.
U.S. Task Force 38.3 in Leyte Gulf during Battle of Leyte in World War II. Japanese plane passes midst flak and tracer fire. DD (Destroyer), BB (Battleship) and CL (Light Cruiser) fire antiaircraft guns. Japanese plane overhead
U.S. Task Force 38.3 in Leyte Gulf during Battle of Leyte in World War II. Japanese plane makes a low torpedo run. U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat fighter smoking badly, approaches. U.S. CV (Fleet Aircraft Carrier) underway, many planes pass overhead.
U.S. Task Force 38.3 in Leyte Gulf during Battle of Leyte in World War II. Captain C.W. Wieber talks to pilots aboard USS Essex (CV-9) underway. U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat fighter crash lands on flight deck of Essex. F6F approaches and lands on deck.
U.S. Task Force 38.3 in Leyte Gulf during Battle of Leyte in World War II. U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat fighters with folded wings parked on deck of carrier. Pilot talks to his gunner after strike. F6F lands on flight deck. Men wheel 2,000 lb. bomb no dolly.
Japanese air attacks on U.S. Task Force underway during Battle of Leyte in World War II. Smoke screen laid by small craft and shields LCIs (Landing Crafts, Infantry), CVs (Fleet Aircraft Carrier), APs (Transport), and many other ships in Leyte. Destroyer lays smoke screen. Japanese plane dives.