Kamikaze Attacks USS Essex (CV-9) • Day of the Kamikaze • November 25, 1944

Yoshinori Yamaguchi's D4Y3 Suisei type 33 dive bomber just before impacting on the port side of USS Essex (CV-9). Anti-aircraft fire has ripped open the fuel tank and Yamaguchi's D4Y is leaking fuel in a cloud of vapor. The D4Y lacked armor and self-sealing tanks, which made them susceptible to break up from light damage. While Yamaguchi made his suicide attack, many D4Ys were shot down short of their target because they lacked pilot protection. Note the "17" on the tail of the aircraft. Click on the image to enlarge.