<p>The U.S. escort carrier USS <i>Kitkun Bay</i> (CVE-71) prepares to launch  Grumman FM-2 Wildcat fighters of composite squadron VC-5 during the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944. The aircraft visible on the left are Grumman TBF Avengers. In the distance, Japanese shells are splashing near the USS <i>White Plains</i> (CVE-66).<br></p>
AWM caption: off Samar, Philippines. 1944-10-25. just after 0700 the sea around the escort aircraft carrier USS White Plains erupts as she is straddled and near missed by 14 inch gunfire from Japanese battleships which have surprised the escort carrier task group 77:4:1. In the foreground is the flight deck of her sister ship, USS Kitkun Bay. The Kitkun Bay's air group is ranged on the flight deck aft. The first of its twelve FM-2 Wildcat fighters is just commencing its take off run as the second is readied to follow. The fighters carry only drop tanks - there has been no time to arm them with bombs. The six larger aircraft on the left are Grumman TBF Avenger bombers. (Naval Historical Collection)
The original uploader was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Nick_Dowling" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:User:Nick Dowling">Nick Dowling</a> at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:">English Wikipedia</a>.
25 Oct 1944; 12 January 2007 (original upload date)
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