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Photo # 80-G-17056:  Burning oil tanks on Sand Island, Midway, following the Japanese air attack delivered on the morning of 4 June 1942.

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

Damage on Midway from the 4 June 1942 Air Attack


This page features photographs of damage caused by the 4 June 1942 Japanese air attack on Midway.

For views of the attack, and the fighter action that immediately preceded it, see:

  • Japanese Air Attack on Midway, 4 June 1942.

    For artworks of the air attack on Midway and its results, see the Navy Art Gallery page:

  • The Battle of Midway.

    For links to views of other aspects of the Battle of Midway, see:

  • Battle of Midway, 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-17056

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Burning oil tanks on Sand Island, Midway, following the Japanese air attack delivered on the morning of 4 June 1942.
    These tanks were located near what was then the southern shore of Sand Island. This view looks inland from the vicinity of the beach.
    Three Laysan Albatross ("Gooney Bird") chicks are visible in the foreground.

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

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17057

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Damage on Sand Island, Midway, following the Japanese air attack delivered on the morning of 4 June 1942.
    This view, probably photographed from the powerplant roof, looks roughly southwest, along what was then Sand Island's southern shore. Building in the foreground is the laundry, which was badly damaged by a bomb. Oil tanks are burning in the distance.
    Note pilings and surf in the left distance.

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

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 595 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17081

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Firefighting crews at work in the burned-out seaplane hangar on Sand Island, Midway, following the 4 June 1942 Japanese air attack.
    What appear to be Packard PT Boat engines are in the rubble in the left background.

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

    Online Image: 163KB; 740 x 635 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17053

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Oil tanks burning on Sand Island, Midway, during the night of 4-5 June 1942. They had been set afire by Japanese air attack on morning of 4 June.
    Light from this fire guided at least one Marine aviator back to Midway after an attempted night attack mission against Japanese ships on 4-5 June.
    This view looks roughly southwest along what was then Sand Island's southern shore.

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

    Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-11636

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Damaged and partially disassembled Grumman F4F-3 "Wildcat" fighter (Bureau # 4006) on Sand Island, Midway, circa 24-25 June 1942.
    This plane, a unit of Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221), was flown by Captain John F. Carey, USMC, during the squadron's attack on incoming Japanese planes on the morning of 4 June. Carey was wounded in this action.
    Several other planes are visible right background, including F2A-3 "Buffalo" fighters.
    For more information on this scene, see: Photo # 80-G-11636 (Complete caption).

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

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

     


    For views of the attack, and the fighter action that immediately preceded it, see:

  • Japanese Air Attack on Midway, 4 June 1942.

    For artworks of the air attack on Midway and its results, see the Navy Art Gallery page:

  • The Battle of Midway.

    For links to views of other aspects of the Battle of Midway, see:

  • Battle of Midway, Overview and Special Image Selection.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    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 18 April 1999
    Coding updated 23 April 2009