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Photo # 80-G-32242:  Twp Japanese torpedo planes fly past USS Yorktown after dropping their torpedoes, 4 June 1942

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

Japanese Attacks on USS Yorktown, 4 June 1942 --
Japanese Torpedo Planes Hit Yorktown

Approaching Yorktown from both sides, in an "anvil" attack designed to divide her defenses and make it impossible for her to maneuver to avoid all their "fish", the Japanese strike force dropped several of the very effective Type 91 torpedoes. Those coming from starboard missed, but one hit Yorktown squarely amidships on the port side. She immediately took a slight list and started to turn. Then a second torpedo hit, in almost the same place. The explosion of the two torpedo warheads so close together opened a single very large hole, flooding machinery spaces and other compartments. Her propulsion knocked out once again, Yorktown coasted to a stop and began to list dangerously.

This page presents views of the Japanese torpedo planes as they flew close to Yorktown and hit her.

For additional coverage of this attack and its results, see:

  • Japanese Torpedo Planes Approach Yorktown;
  • Scenes on Yorktown during and immediately after the Torpedo Plane Attack; and
  • USS Yorktown is abandoned.

    For links to pages on the dive bombing attack earlier in the day, see:

  • Japanese Attacks on USS Yorktown, 4 June 1942 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

    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-32241

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Two Type 97 shipboard attack aircraft from the Japanese carrier Hiryu fly past USS Yorktown (CV-5), after dropping their torpedoes during the mid-afternoon attack, 4 June 1942.
    Note heavy anti-aircraft fire.
    Photographed from USS Pensacola (CA-24). The destroyer at left, just beyond Yorktown's bow, is probably USS Morris (DD-417).

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

    Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 530 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-32242

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Two Type 97 shipboard attack aircraft from the Japanese carrier Hiryu fly past USS Yorktown (CV-5), amid heavy anti-aircraft fire, after dropping their torpedoes during the mid-afternoon attack, 4 June 1942. Yorktown appears to be heeling slightly to port, and may have already been hit by one torpedo.
    Photographed from USS Pensacola (CA-24). The destroyer at left, just beyond Yorktown's bow, is probably USS Morris (DD-417).

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

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-11639

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Japanese Type 97 shipboard attack aircraft from the carrier Hiryu amid heavy anti-aircraft fire, during the torpedo attack on USS Yorktown (CV-5) in the mid-afternoon, 4 June 1942.
    At least three planes are visible, the nearest clearly having already dropped its torpedo. The other two are lower and closer to the center, apparently withdrawing. Smoke on the horizon in right center is from a crashed plane. It is possible that the object very close to the horizon, in center, is another attacking aircraft.

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

    Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-414423

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    USS Yorktown (CV-5) is hit on the port side, amidships, by a Japanese Type 91 aerial torpedo during the mid-afternoon attack by planes from the carrier Hiryu, 4 June 1942.
    Photographed from USS Pensacola (CA-24).
    Yorktown is heeling to port and is seen at a different aspect than in other views taken by Pensacola, indicating that this is the second of the two torpedo hits she received.
    Note very heavy anti-aircraft fire.

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

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 620 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17062

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    USS Yorktown (CV-5) dead in the water and listing heavily, shortly after being hit by two Japanese Type 91 aerial torpedoes during the afternoon of 4 June 1942. This view was taken prior to the ship's abandonment.
    Section of catwalk jutting above the flight deck, port side amidships, is directly above the place where the torpedoes struck the ship's hull.

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

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

     


    For additional coverage of this attack and its results, see:

  • Japanese Torpedo Planes Approach Yorktown;
  • Scenes on Yorktown during and immediately after the Torpedo Plane Attack; and
  • USS Yorktown is abandoned.

    For links to pages on the dive bombing attack earlier in the day, see:

  • Japanese Attacks on USS Yorktown, 4 June 1942 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

    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 History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 11 April 1999
    Coding updated 25 April 2009