Image: Japanese cruiser Kashii sinking in the South China Sea on 12 January 1945 (80-G-300684)

Description: The Japanese cruiser Kashii sinking off the coast of French Indochina after an attack by U.S. Navy carrier aircraft, 12 January 1945. The ship was underway with convoy HI-86 which consisted of 16 ships (four tankers, six cargo ships and six escorts). On 12 January 1945, shortly after departing Qui Nhon Bay, Indochina, bombers from the U.S. Task Force 38 comprising the aircraft carriers Lexington, Hornet, Hancock, Essex, Ticonderoga, Langley and San Jacinto attacked the convoy during the South China Sea raid, sinking most of the convoy's ships. Kashii was hit starboard amidships by a torpedo from a Grumman TBF Avenger, then a Curtiss SB2C Helldiver struck with two bombs aft, setting off the depth charge magazine. Of Kashii's crew, 621 men went down with the ship and only 19 were rescued.
Title: Japanese cruiser Kashii sinking in the South China Sea on 12 January 1945 (80-G-300684)
Credit: U.S. Navy photo 80-G-300684
Author: Photographed by a plane from USS Hancock (CV-19)
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No