4 Original Photos WW2 USS Bunker Hill Fire Kamikaze Attack USS Wilkes-Barre Rare

Description: This is a rare set of four original photographs depicting the USS Bunker Hill CV-17 and USS Wilkes-Barre CL-103 during World War II. The photos showcase the fire and kamikaze attack on the USS Battle of Bunker Hill with the Cruiser USS Wilkes-Barre providing fire hoses and transporting a casualty from ship to ship. There is an RPPC of the USS Wilkes-Barre. These original photos are a must-have for any militaria collector. The photographs were taken in the United States and are authentic pieces of history from the period. They are perfect for anyone interested in the Conflict aspect of WW II (1939-45) and Militaria theme. While covering the invasion of Okinawa, Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikazes in quick succession on 11 May 1945, setting the vessel on fire. Casualties exceeded 600, including 396 killed or missing, with 264 wounded. These were the second heaviest personnel losses suffered by any carrier to survive the war, after Franklin. After the attack, Bunker Hill returned to the U.S. mainland and was under repair when hostilities ended. On 16 April, TF 58 embarked on another series of attacks on Japanese airfields on Kyushu. Late that day, at around 18:54, Wilkes-Barre's gunners shot down a Japanese bomber that attempted to attack the American carriers. The next morning, she shot down a Zero at 09:39. During the operations off Okinawa and southern Japan, Wilkes-Barre continued to employ her Kingfishers to rescue downed air crews, including a pair of pilots off Okinawa on 26 April. Further strikes on Japan were carried out over the first ten days on May, and on the 10th, Wilkes-Barre and the rest of Cruiser Division 17 were detached to form Task Group 58.3 along with a group of escorting destroyers to bombard Minami Daito Shima again. The ships returned to TF 58 the next day; the fleet was attacked by kamikazes that morning, and two of them struck Bunker Hill, inflicting serious damage. Wilkes-Barre was ordered to come alongside at 10:59 and assist with firefighting efforts. The cruiser placed her bow in contact with Bunker Hills starboard quarter so some forty men, who were trapped by fires, could climb to safety aboard Wilkes-Barre. The ship sent additional firefighting equipment aboard the carrier and took of injured men, and by 15:34, the fires had been extinguished, allowing Wilkes-Barre to pull away. Thirteen men from Bunker Hill had died by 12 May, so a burial at sea was held that day; the remaining survivors were transferred to the hospital ship Bountiful. Later on the 12th, TF 58 got underway to launch another round of strikes on the Kyushu airfields to further degrade the Japanese ability to interfere with the Okinawa invasion fleet. The raid began the following morning, and on 14 May, the Japanese launched an aerial counterattack. During the action, shell fragments, possibly from American guns, struck Wilkes-Barre and wounded nine men on the aft signal bridge. For their part, the ship's gunners claimed partial credit for shooting down a Zero at 08:16. On 28 May, 3rd Fleet resumed command of the fast carrier task force, and Wilkes-Barre's unit was accordingly re-numbered TG 38.3. Wilkes-Barre was detached from the unit the next day to return to the Philippines for repairs and maintenance at San Pedro Bay that lasted from 1 to 20 June. Over the following three days, she took part in shooting practice and tactical training off Samar. She remained in the bay for the rest of the month.

Price: 175 USD

Location: La Grange, Texas

End Time: 2024-08-21T21:04:20.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.63 USD