USS Bates (APD-47) burning off Ie Shima, Japan, 25 May 1945 (NH 66450)

The U.S. Navy high-speed transport USS Bates (APD-47) burning off Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan), after a suicide attack by three Japanese planes, 25 May 1945. The first dropped a bomb, scoring a near miss which ruptured the starboard hull of the ship, and then crashed into the starboard side of the fantail. The second aircraft, almost simultaneously, made a suicide hit on the pilothouse. Shortly thereafter, the third aircraft made a bombing run scoring a near miss amidships, portside, rupturing the hull. At 1145hrs the commanding officer ordered Bates abandoned. Twenty-one of her crew were either dead or missing from the attacks. During the afternoon, the tug USS Cree (ATF-84) was able to get a line aboard and towed Bates to Ie Shima anchorage. At 1923hrs on 25 May 1945, the still burning Bates capsized and sank.

us navy burning ships images from the naval history and heritage command pacific war in may 1945 uss bates de 68 ultra high resolution high resolution japan in world war ii wwii world war 2 japan united states navy wwii photographs

25/05/1945

Naval History and Heritage Command

http://commons.wikimedia.org/

public domain