Historical Naval Battles

Vintage photographs depicting naval forces during historical wars, featuring battleships and aircraft carriers in action or at anchor.

Torpedo Boats - British Navy. August 24, 1939.

The US Navy in the First World War Section of the US Navy cooperating with the British Navy, lying at anchor in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. There are six battleships in all among which are the USS New York, USS Kansas, USS Kentucky and USS Texas.

Torpedo Boats - British Navy. August 24, 1939.

Ships Sunk - Destroyed By The Enemy (Includes Survivors - Sea Rescues Explosions) - British Navy. July 29, 1944. (Photo by Commonwealth of Australia Department Of Air).

Rocket fired from an attacking Beaufighter hitting an armed merchantman.R.A.F.'s La Test Weapon: Rocket-carrying Beaufighters attacked a large enemy convoy recently in the Aegean Sea. This is the newest R.A.F. weapon to come off the secret list and in the words of pilots of aircrafts using these projectiles. "They have the hitting power of a 6-inch naval gun". July 19, 1944. (Photo by Department Of Air).

Coastal Command Beaufighters Attack Enemy Convoy -- A large heavily - armed cargo vessel gradually being enveloped in a mass of flames. Other enemy vessels and several balloons may be seen.Photograph recording a phase in a successful torpedo attack by Beaufighters of R.A.F. Coastal Command, escorted by Spitfires and Mustangs of Fighter Command, on a large enemy convoy sighted off the Dutch Coast on 18-4-43. April 01, 1943. (Photo by British Official Photograph).

Fleet Air Arm Series, on Board HMS Victorious. September 1942. Aircraft carriers HMS BITER and AVENGER. BITER leading in heavy sea.

Depth charge dropped by H.Ms. destroyer "Banckert". March 08, 1941. (Photo by Naval Press Service).

This flaming Jap torpedo plane is a victim of accurate anti-aircraft fire from a Pacific Fleet carrier which raided the Marshall Islands. Enemy plane is one of six which came in at low level on December 4 to launch torpedoes within range of this carrier's guns and were destroyed.Coastal Commands spotting of Japanese fighters ***** Australia and the Pacific, says Air Chief Marshal Sir Philip Joubert (above). But a myopic High Command all but ruined Coastal Command, he says. December 09, 1943. (Photo by Official U.S. Navy Photo).

Anefo photo collection. Den Helder Arrival Four mining sweeps from Indonesia M801 Abraham Crynssen, M802 Abraham van der Hulst, M803 Jan van Gelder, M804 Pieter Florisz. Aerial recording. October 27, 1951. Den Helder

While after the fall of Singapore in February, 1942, two superior Japanese invasion fleets approached from the north and west of Java, a small Allied naval force tried again and again to repulse the enemy. During one of the last days before the Japanese landed on Java, the Allied force was attacked by about 90 enemy bombers. For 6 hours, the Dutch, British and Australian warships were continuously bombed. However, no direct hits were booked by the enemy. A salvo of many heavy bombs just misses the Netherlands cruiser H.M."Java". March 13, 1944. (Photo by A Netherlands Indies Governments Information Service).

R.A.F. Beaufighters attack enemy convoy off the Dutch Coast. October 08, 1943.

Routing The Undersea Enemy -- Routing the undersea enemy.This picture, just received in London, shows a depth charge exploding as a British destroyer passes over the spot where the presence of a submarine was suspected guides by her delicate instruments, the vessel had raced to the spot to attack the submarine with her efficient depth charges. In the laconic words of the Navy "The attack was successful." November 21, 1939. (Photo by Fox).

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Coastal Command The German Vorpostenboot (flak ship) Vp1605 MOSEL, escorting the Norwegian freighter INGER JOHANNE off Lillesand, engulfed in a torrent of fire from Beaufighters of No 404 Squadron RCAF, one of which can be seen passing overhead at mast height, 15 October 1944. The ships were attacked by 21 Beaufighters and 17 Mosquitos of the Banff and Dallachy Wings. The MOSEL eventually blew up and sank.

Escort vessels literally disappear from view in the bursting cannon fire of Beaufighters. These vessels were severely damaged.During successful strikes on enemy shipping off the Dutch Coast recently, Beaufighters of RAF Coastal Command attacked three Merchant vessels. A violent explosion occured on an armed trawler which was left enveloped in smoke. June 27, 1944. (Photo by Department of Air).

R.A.F. Beaufighters attack enemy convoy off the Dutch boast. October 08, 1943.

"Sea-Level Attack On Enemy Convoy -- Royal Air Force bombers are constantly hammering enemy convoys as they steal along the coast of occupied territory. These pictures illustrate the story of a low-level attack by Blenheims on a conv6y of eight ships escorted by six flak ships (flak-anti-aircraft) The action took place off the Dutch coast near the Hague when the convoy was steaming north.Twelve ships now visible. Angle Blenheim aircraft attacking almost at sea-level.The flak ships come into action and a shell burst in the middle foreground has narrowly missed the Blenheim.More shell bursts on the Blenheims line of approach. August 11, 1941. (Photo by Topical Press).

Anefo photo collection. Navy Navy Anefo London series. HR. Ms. Flores shield landing Sicily. 1942

Ships Sunk - Destroyed By The Enemy (Includes Survivors - Sea Rescues Explosions) - British Navy. June 13, 1941.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War An oiler exploding in flames during a Russian convoy. Many of the other ships of the convoy can be seen around the oiler.

The last of the ***** cruiser crimes "Bartolomeo Colleoni" sunk by H.M.A.S. Sydney. July 19, 1941.

First Pictures Of The Sinking Of British Ships By The "Graf Spee" -- The blowing up of the liner "Doric Star" by a torpedo from their "Graf Spee", two of chose guns can be soon.Before she reached her inglorious end by being scuttled in the harbour at Montevideo, the "Graf Spec" claimed a number of innocent British merchant shins as victims in the South Atlantic. These pictures are the first to roach England and were taken by a seaman aboard the Graf Spee. They show the torpedoing of some of the ships and the capture of their crews. January 28, 1940.

A "Whitley" Depth-Charges A U-Boat -- The depth-charges fall in the path of the U-boat entering the water forward of the conning tower.Photograph taken from a Coastal Command "Whitley" aircraft, gives a comprehensive picture of a depth-charge attack on U-boat which the Whitely, patrolling far out over the south-western approaches, found traveling on the surface. February 22, 1943.

Bombing of Japanese Transport in South China Sea.

Japaneseanese Destroyer-Escort 'Frigate' Under Attack By North American B-25S Of The 'Air Apaches Group' Off China Coast. April 6, 1945.

Alert Gunners On Atlantic Convoy -- These Gunners aboard a U.S. warship do not relax their vigilance as they watch out for the safety of the vessels in the *****, background, part of a convoy crossing the submarine-infested waters of the North Atlantic and carrying supplies for the United Nations. June 17, 1942. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Ablaze and ***** The Bartolomeo Colleoni presented this sight to men of ***** Sydney as the Australian cruiser sped to ***** of the other Italian. September 15, 1940.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War The destroyer HMS NORMAN fires a broadside as assault craft makes for the beach during landings by Royal Marines at Cheduba Island, Burma. Cruisers and destroyers of the East Indies Fleet provided the protective bombardment whilst air cover was provided by the Fleet Air Arm. A ship's cutter is underway in the foreground.

The battleship Vittorio Emanuele opening fire on the Kum Kale fort at the entrance to the Dardanelles, Turkey, Italian-Turkish war, photograph by Rino Matteucci, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XXXIX, No 18, May 5, 1912.

A submarine which was sunk by a Canadian Air Force bomber shortly after this picture was taken is shown surrounded by bursting depth charges dropped by the Canadian crew. October 01, 1944. (Photo by Canadian Navy - W.I.B.).

The German mine-detecting ship SAUERLAND being attacked off La Pallice in France by RAF Bristol Beaufighters, 12 August 1944. The ship was later finished off by the Royal Navy. On 12 August 1944 the SAUERLAND, a heavily armed Sperrbrecher (mine-detector ship), was hit off La Pallice by Beaufighters of No 236 Squadron and a detachment from No 404 Squadron RCAF, both operating from Davidstow Moor. The ship was left floundering and later was finished off by the Royal Navy. The aircraft flying overhead in this photograph is reportedly that of Wing Commander Ken Gatward, the CO of No 404 Squadron and one of the RAF's leading anti-shipping 'aces'.

Aircraft Carrier Survives "One-Two" Punch -- Hit and set aflame by Jap suiced planes, the USS Hancock, Navy Aircraft carrier was stunned and badly shaken. But resumed limited operations within a few hours. A Jap bomber scored a direct hit and then, caught in its own blast crashed on the deck into a group of U.S. planes. Here only the bow and extreme forward edge of the flight deck can be seen as heavy black smoke and flames pour from the wounded carrier. August 20, 1945. (Photo by U.S. Navy Phot

Japaneseanese Takanni Class Destroyer (With New Or Temporary Bow) Under Attack By North American B-25's Of The Air Apaches Group Off China Coast. April 6, 1945. 345Th Bomb Group.

Anefo photo collection. Navy Navy Anefo London series. HR. Ms. "SOEMBA" action Midland Sea. smoke screen laid English torpedo boat hunter. July 1943. Mediterranean

Vintage photograph. US Navy carriers and escort vessel at sea

The explosion as the British steamer Ashlea was blown up by a torpedo from the Admiral Graf Spee. February 22, 1940. (Photo by Planet News Ltd.).

Not a Conflagration at Sea - Just a Smoke Screen!When the British Navy lays a smoke screen there are no half measures about it - and the result is seen in this picture. The screen of thick black smoke is being laid so heartily by destroyers during exercises that it looks like some enormous conflagration at sea. The contrasting shades of bright sunlight and thick black smoke have played their parts noteably in creating a striking picture of the screen as witnessed from the deck of the great British battleship H.M.S. Hood. March 25, 1940. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Anefo photo collection. torpedo boat hunter Royal Navy lays smoke curtain. 1940-1945}. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Bombs falling astern of HMS ARK ROYAL during an attack by Italian aircraft during the Battle of Cape Spartivento (photograph taken from the cruiser HMS SHEFFIELD).

The Allied Landings in Italy, September 1943- Reggio, Taranto and Salerno Salerno, 9 September 1943 (Operation Avalanche): Distant view of British warships bombarding enemy positions during the fighting on Salerno beaches. The naval bombardment broke up an attack by German tanks.

U.S. Pt Boats Show Their SpeedIn manouvers off the U.S. Atlantic Coast, PT (patrol-torpedo) boats of the U.S. Navy, three abreast, three in file, leave foamy waves astern as they cut through the water at high speed. Because of their speed and armament, these PT boats have been extremely effective in the Allied offensive in the South Pacific, taking a heavy toll of Japanese shipping. April 10, 1955. (Photo by U.S. Authority).

Hr.ms. Witte de With (1930-1942). Tests spring grenades. Inspection of the elaboration. HIT

This Japanese freighter, a 4400-ton single stack armed cargo vessel, somewhere off the China coast is the target of bombs dropped from a B-25 bomber of the U.S. Army 14th Air force making a South China Sea Sweep. The ship sank.

In the Atlantic: New pictures showing the last moments of the ill-fated American freighter flying enterprise. In the top picture only the tip of the ***** may be seen above the water in the lower picture the waters close over the stricken vessel as it makes its death Plungs . Shortly before this picture was taken mate Dancy of the tug Turmoil and Captain Kurt Carlsen of the enterprise had jumped off the sinking vessel and were picked up by the Turmoil.Credit must be given to British movietone news.. January 11, 1952.

Fast Frigate Type Escort Which 'Guarded' Largest Japaneseanese Convoy In The Northern Kuriles Is Caught Dead In The Water By 11Th Af B-25 Bombers And Strafed From Mast-Top Level, During The Strike 11 May 1945 Which Sank Or Damaged Six Enemy Cargo And Escort Sh

USS Sangamon Survives Suicide Attacks -- Knocked down by deadly anti-aircraft fire just as it seemed certain to crash into its target, a Jap suicide plan plummets down past the catwalk to plunge into the sea. This was one of several Jap suicide plane attacks on the escort carrier USS Sangamon in the Ryukyus on May 4, 1945. One suicide plane found its mark, exploding in the center of the Sangamon's flight deck. August 17, 1945. (Photo by U.S. Navy Photo).

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Part of an Allied convoy in the north Atlantic led by Catapult Armed Merchant (CAM) ship EMPIRE SPRAY, with a Hawker Sea Hurricane Mark I of the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit at readiness on the rocket propelled catapult over the fo'c'sle. The MSFU operated within No. 9 Group, Fighter Command.

First Attack On Surfaced U-boat - Initial attack on a German U-boat by a navy liberator in the South Atlantic sends a spout of spray upward as depth charges straddle the undersea Marauder. Three navy and two army planes took part in the attack. January 10, 1944. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

A formation of U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 Mitchell bombers and an escort of P-38 Lightnings engaged an Axis air convoy of 35 planes over the Sicilian Straits recently and shot down 25 of them. This picture taken during part of the action shows Axis

. Aerial photograph of British battleship HMS Superb under way.

40B Kamikaze Suicide For Pilots (See Aviation Foreign Air Force). January 10, 1944.

05/31/1914. The Great French Naval Maneuvers. Battleships, in line of battle, ready to fire their large-caliber cannons against the supposed enemy.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Operation Husky: The Sicily Landings 9-10 July 1943: A small section of the vast armada of ships which took part in the invasion of Sicily as photographed from landing ship headquarters HILARY at dawn of the first day of the invasion of the island.

North American B-25 Air Apaches Pilots Have Field Day With Lightly Armed Japaneseanese Tanker Off Coast Of China. Path Of The Strafing Bullets Crosses Foredeck. Sharp Angular Lines Reveal Prefabricated Construction, A Production Method Only Recently Adopted

events First World War WWI naval warfare Battle of Jutland 31.5.1916 - 1.6.1916 German battlecruiser SMS ""Derfflinger"" firing a broadside 31.5.1916,

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Bombs from Italian aircraft obscure the view of HMS ARK ROYAL while she was under attack off Sardinia. Photograph taken from HMS KELVIN.

Destroyers at Sea. 3 February 1943, on Board the Destroyer Leader HMS Faulknor. Destroyers returning in evening, seen from HMS FAULKNOR.

HMS Quail (G45) laying smoke, 3 February 1943.

Soon after this picture was taken this Japanese destroyer was in Davy Jones locker one of the 17 vessels sunk by US aircraft Nassau Island, 50 miles N.W. of New Ireland. Destroyer is on fire amid ships while near misses make rings of foam. May 16, 1951.

Bad News For Axis Subs -- With a thunderous blast that sends water flying high into the air, a death-dealing depth charge explodes in the Atlantic after being dropped from the U.S. Coast Guard sub-chaser in the foreground. Coast Guard sub-busters, such as this one, are constantly on the alert against Axis submarines preying on United Nations shipping. July 26, 1942. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).

General Kenney's 5th AF bomber command makes another effective strike against Japanese shipping off the New Guinea coast near Wewak. During this raid wave after wave of B-24, B-25, and A-20 bombers dropped their cargo of destruction on a Japanese convoy

Japan/USA: Tracked Landing Vehicles (LVTs) approach the heavily-defended beaches at Peleliu, Battle of Peleliu, September-November 1944

Trouble For Japanese Subs -- This tremendous water spout is the result of a depth charge dropped by a Navy patrol craft escorting a convoy of LCI's (Landing Craft, Infantry) during the U.S. operation ***** Dutch New Guinea. Troops met virtually no Jap ***** on the beaches. August 7, 1944. (Photo by U.S. Signal Corps.).

The United States Navy fleet oiler Neosho is left burning and slowly sinking after an attack by Imperial Japanese Navy dive bombers on May 7, 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Vintage photograph. The mighty battleship Missouri plows through mountains of waves on her return from Korea to America

Torpedoes on British cruiser being checked dock. November 19, 1939.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War- the Dieppe Raid, August 1942 A destroyer makes a smoke screen to cover the landing during the Combined Operations daylight raid on Dieppe.

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Marine Parade, August 20, 1898 in New York Harbor - Five Battleships and two Armoured Cruisers in Line

HMS Duke of York at Sea. 27 February 1942, on Board the Escorting Destroyer HMS Bedouin. The 14' guns of HMS DUKE OF YORK's Y turret on the quarterdeck firing a full calibre salvo during an exercise. Notice the smoke ring often made by gun fire.

The " Picture Of The War " reached Sydney today. It Shows the Men of the US Aircraft carrier Lexington going over the side on ropes when she caught fire after the Coral Sea Battle. It shows the decks of the stricken vessel crowded with men while others clamber down the ropes.Cause of the decks Carrier's loss was explosion of her Petrol tanks. Her Principal officers went down with her, but 92 percent. Of the Crew were saved. Stern of a destroyer picking up men can be seen at right. July 21, 1942.

R.A.F. Attack On German Convoy In Helicopter Bight: Bomber of the R.A.F. Flew at mast height to attack a convoy of six ships in Heligoland Bight on 30/7/41. These photographs shows a direct his amidships on a 500 ton ship which was left well alight. August 14, 1942. (Photo by British Official Photograph).

U.S. Navy Gleaves-class destroyer passing aft of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) off North Africa on 8 November 1942. The Air Group Screen was composed of the light cruiser USS Cleveland (CL-35) and Destroyer Division 10, consisting of USS Ellyson (DD-454), USS Forrest (DD-461), USS Fitch (DD-462), USS Corry (DD-463), and USS Hobson (DD-464). Nine Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters and five Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless dive bombers are visible on the flight deck. Note Ranger´s distinctive stacks in the left foreground. November, 1942

Firing of gun, Fort Hamilton

American fleet bombarding San Juan in Puerto Rico, 1898, Spanish-American war, 19th century.

HMS Hood HMS HOOD going into action against the German battleship BISMARCK and battlecruiser Prinz Eugen, 24 May 1941. This image taken from HMS PRINCE OF WALES was the last photo ever taken of HMS HOOD.

The explosion in the armed trawler following attacks by cannon fire. A Beaufighter is in the background.During successful strikes on enemy shipping off the Dutch Coast recently, Beaufightes of RAF Coastal Command attacked three Merchant vessels. A violent explosion occurred on an armed trawler which was left enveloped in smoke. June 27, 1944. (Photo by Department of Air).

March 1917. From the British Navy. The sailors of a "Dreadnought" in a moment of rest during navigation.

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A wet few minutes before rescue for the crew of a Grumman Avenger after it had landed in the sea when its engine failed on leaving the carrier HMS SMITER during the operations against Sakishima in support of the American landing on Okinawa.

Photograph of the USS Phoenix after the Japanese Attack on Pearl HarborThe USS Phoenix (CL46) after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7 1941.

Malta convoy; Destruction caused by enemy torpedo during the convoy battle. August 1942. August 01, 1942.

The American command ship USS Northampton (CC 1, left) and an Aircraft Transport Ship (right) near Norfolk, Virginia, seen from Cruiser Hr.Ms. The seven provinces (C 802, flagship of Smaleeld 5, right before), June 1957.

Japan/USA: Japanese battleship Yamato moments after exploding, after receiving massive bomb and torpedo damage from US Navy carrier planes, north of Okinawa on 7 April 1945. Three Japanese destroyers are nearby.

U1228 , Submarines. Photographs of the First Naval District

Scud-B chemical/biological decontamination. Courtesy of Soviet Military Power, 1984. PHOTO No. 73, page 71, right. Country: Unknown

British sea going tug 'Turmoil' (left) steams round the listing American cargo liner Flying enterprise (6,711 tons) as SMS attempts to secure tow lines. The scene is photographed from the U.S. destroyer ' John . weeks standing by at the time 250 miles south west of Falmouth . Soon the weeks short of the fuel steamed to Devonport. The enterprise, taker in tow, is making toward Falmouth at 31/2 knots. January 07, 1952. (Photo by Reuter Photo)

Usaf - Tokyo Raid - On 18 April 1942, Airmen Of The Us Army Air Forces, Led By Lt. Colonel James H.(Jimmy) Doolittle, Carried The Battle Of The Pacific To The Heart Of The Japaneseanese Empire With A Surprising And Daring Raid On Military Targets At Tokyo, Yok

The german armoured cruiser SMS Blücher sinks after receiving multiple hits from British warships at the Battle of Dogger Bank o, Anonymous

HMS Thunder Underway.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Landing craft assault (LCA 330) going under the cover of smoke screen as naval beach parties and commandos train at HMS SAUNDERS, Kabrit, Bitter Lakes near the Mediterranean.

"Albacores On Deck of H.M.S. Indomitable - "Albacore" Planes prepare for a take - off from the ***** of the new British ***** Carrier, H.M.S. Indomitable. May 5, 1943, (Photo by Associated press Photo).

06/30/1917. War at Sea - Crew members of an English warship collecting an unexploded torpedo.

A huge explosion occurs off Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands of the Pacific following a strike by U.S. Navy planes against Japanese ships in the area in December, 1943. January 27, 1944. (Photo by Official U.S. Navy Photograph).

During the attack on Sakishima Gun to by a Task Force of the British Pacific Fleet, a Japanese suicide place exploded in the sea alongside one of the ships of the Force. May 31, 1945. (Photo by Royal Official Photograph).

Attack Of A German Submarine By A Plane Of The 479Th Anti Submarine Group Somewhere In The North Sea. July 1943.

A Lewis double layout A / B from a Dutch auxiliary mine sweeper in W.O. II

The Big eight inch guns of the heavy cruiser Los Angeles are shown as they boom a fiery message across Wonsan Harbor during a constant day-long bombardment of the besieged coastal port. The Los Angeles brought her eight and five inch guns to bear on enemy supply routes and military installations in and around Wonsan throughout the day. In the background is the destroyer USS Lyman K. Swenson, which screened the Los Angeles during Wonsan Operation. October 23, 1951. (Photo by Official U.S. Navy Photograph).

British, Destroyers Fights Fire At Sea: The scene from the upper deck of the British destroyer H.M.S Childers as she Moves in the fight the fire on ***** smoke-shrouded Benledi. The Benledi's funnel and bridge amidships, are seen covered in smoke. March 03, 1950. (Photo by British Official Photo).

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