The gunner of a U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-5 <i>Dauntless</i> of Bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10) from the aircraft carrier USS <i>Enterprise</i> (CV-6) secures equipment as the pilot tries to release bombs, in preparation for ditching, 30 March 1944. The plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over the Palau Islands. After ditching, its crew was picked up by a task force 58 ship. Note oil, coating the upper fuselage and tail.
U.S. Navy
1944-03-30
Official U.S. Navy photo <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/80-G-250000/80-G-250381.html">80-G-250381</a> from the U.S. Navy <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.history.navy.mil">Naval History and Heritage Command</a>