Aichi D3A Type 99 <i>Kanbaku</i> dive bombers on their way to attack United States Navy ships on May 7, 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea. The bomber seen across the wing is from Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier <i>Shōkaku</i>. Note the single white stripe around the rear end of fuselage, which was <i>Shōkaku</i> identifier (e.g., <i>Zuikaku</i> identifier was a double white stripe). This photo is probably from the morning attack on the fleet oiler <i>Neosho</i> and destroyer <i>Sims</i> but could be from the unsuccessful afternoon mission to locate and attack the US Navy aircraft carriers <i>Yorktown</i> and <i>Lexington</i>.
Not stated
1942-05-07
Werneth, Ron, <i>Beyond Pearl Harbor:  The Untold Stories of Japan's Naval Airmen</i>, Schiffer Military History, Atglen, PA, 2008, p. 65.  Book states that the photo is from the Japanese Defense Agency, War History Section.