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Photo # 80-G-17031:  Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku under attack by USS Yorktown aircraft, 8 May 1942

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- World War II in the Pacific --

Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 --
Attacks on Shokaku, 8 May 1942

After scouts from USS Lexington located the Japanese carriers, she launched an attacking force of twelve torpedo planes, twenty-two bombers and nine fighters. USS Yorktown sent off nine torpedo planes, twenty-four bombers and eight fighters. The latter's aircraft found Shokaku in relatively open weather and attacked first, just before 11 AM. The torpedo planes made no hits, an early indication of serious problems with American aerial torpedos. However, the dive bombers connected twice, one bomb striking well aft and the second forward, starting a large fire.

Lexington's attack group was mis-directed to an incorrect location and had to search for their target. Only some of these planes found the enemy, also Shokaku, and hit her with another bomb. Once again, the torpedo planes did not score. With her flight deck so damaged as to preclude launching aircraft, though they could still land on board, the Japanese carrier was no longer combat effective. A few hours later, she was ordered to steam home for repairs.

This page features views of U.S. air attacks on the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku, 8 May 1942.

For links to other Battle of the Coral Sea photographs taken on 8 May 1942, see:

  • Events of 8 May 1942.

    For links to additional pictorial coverage on the Battle of the Coral Sea, see:

  • Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: 80-G-17125

    Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942


    View taken from a Torpedo Squadron Five (VT-5) TBD-1 torpedo plane, from USS Yorktown (CV-5) during attacks on the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku, during the morning of 8 May 1942.
    Shokaku is visible in the left center distance. Anti-aircraft shell bursts are also visible.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 545 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17422

    Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942


    Bombs burst near the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku as she was attacked by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes in the morning of 8 May 1942.
    Note anti-aircraft shell burst in left center, with fragments splashing below and further left.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17027

    Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942


    Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku under attack by planes from USS Yorktown (CV-5) in the morning of 8 May 1942. Splashes from dive bombers' near misses are visible off the ship's starboard side as she makes a sharp turn to the right.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 44KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17030

    Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942


    Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku attacked by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes, during the morning of 8 May 1942. Flames from a bomb hit on her forecastle are visible, as are smoke and splashes from dive bombers' near misses off her starboard side.
    Photographed from a Torpedo Squadron Five TBD-1. What appear to be erratic torpedo tracks are visible in the lower left.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 595 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17031

    Battle of Coral Sea, May 1942


    Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku under attack by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes, during the morning of 8 May 1942. Flames are visible from a bomb hit on her forecastle.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     


    For links to other Battle of the Coral Sea photographs taken on 8 May 1942, see:

  • Events of 8 May 1942.

    For links to additional pictorial coverage on the Battle of the Coral Sea, see:

  • Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 25 July 2000
    Coding updated 6 May 2001