Talyn
SAINT
Large-scale U.S. Navy air strikes against Kure naval base significantly weakened the Japanese fleet but also accounted for half of all Pacific Fleet carrier casualties in July 1945.
www.usni.org
Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Haruna being bombarded during the attack on Kure on 28 July 1945. Though the strikes crippled the IJN fleet, many believe the cost in American lives was too high.
The Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La, later chosen by Vice Admiral McCain as his flagship,
leaving Norfolk, Virginia, in January 1945, headed to battle in the Pacific. The Shangri-La’s aircraft
damaged IJN cruiser Oyodo and battleship Haruna, the latter so badly that she beached and flooded.
Naval History and Heritage Command
Halsey’s Folly
Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey Jr.’s insistence on attacking Kure Harbor, Japan, in July 1945 was one of questionable wisdom.
Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Haruna being bombarded during the attack on Kure on 28 July 1945. Though the strikes crippled the IJN fleet, many believe the cost in American lives was too high.
The Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La, later chosen by Vice Admiral McCain as his flagship,
leaving Norfolk, Virginia, in January 1945, headed to battle in the Pacific. The Shangri-La’s aircraft
damaged IJN cruiser Oyodo and battleship Haruna, the latter so badly that she beached and flooded.
Naval History and Heritage Command