World War II at Sea
Comsuming the globe, much of World War II was fought at sea. From U-boats prowling the North Atlantic to the US Navy's march across the Pacific, these resources will guide you through the conflict.
World War II: Battle of the River Plate
The Battle of the River Plate was fought on December 13, 1939, and saw British warships battle the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. Fighting off the estuary of the River Plate, Admiral Graf Spee inflicted heavy damage on the British but was forced to seek a harbor in neutral Uruguay. Trapped by British forces after the battle, the Germans scuttled Admiral Graf Spee in the River Plate.
The Battle of the River Plate was fought on December 13, 1939, and saw British warships battle the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. Fighting off the estuary of the River Plate, Admiral Graf Spee inflicted heavy damage on the British but was forced to seek a harbor in neutral Uruguay. Trapped by British forces after the battle, the Germans scuttled Admiral Graf Spee in the River Plate.
World War II: Battle of Taranto
The Battle of Taranto was fought on the night of November 11/12, 1940, and consisted of a British aerial attack on the Italian fleet. Flying from HMS Illustrious, 21 Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers struck the anchorage at Taranto, sinking one battleship and crippling two more.
The Battle of Taranto was fought on the night of November 11/12, 1940, and consisted of a British aerial attack on the Italian fleet. Flying from HMS Illustrious, 21 Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers struck the anchorage at Taranto, sinking one battleship and crippling two more.
World War II: Battle of Cape Matapan
The Battle of Cape Matapan saw British naval forces inflict a severe defeat on the Italian Regia Marina. Fighting off Cape Matapan on March 27-29, 1941, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham's ships sank three heavy cruisers, two destroyers, as well as badly damaged a battleship. The victory at Cape Matapan led to the Italians abandoning the eastern Mediterranean.
The Battle of Cape Matapan saw British naval forces inflict a severe defeat on the Italian Regia Marina. Fighting off Cape Matapan on March 27-29, 1941, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham's ships sank three heavy cruisers, two destroyers, as well as badly damaged a battleship. The victory at Cape Matapan led to the Italians abandoning the eastern Mediterranean.
World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor took place on December 7, 1941, and brought the United States into World War II. Launching from aircraft carriers, Japanese planes conducted a surprise attack and sunk or badly damaged eight battleships. The attack on Pearl Harbor was dubbed "a day which will live in infamy" by President Roosevelt.
The attack on Pearl Harbor took place on December 7, 1941, and brought the United States into World War II. Launching from aircraft carriers, Japanese planes conducted a surprise attack and sunk or badly damaged eight battleships. The attack on Pearl Harbor was dubbed "a day which will live in infamy" by President Roosevelt.
World War II: Battle of Wake Island
The Battle of Wake Island was fought December 8-23, 1941 and saw the US Marines mount a heroic defense before being overwhelemed by Japanese forces. First landing on Wake Island on December 11, the Japanese were repulsed by the Marines. Reinforced, they returned on the 23rd and succeeded in taking Wake Island.
The Battle of Wake Island was fought December 8-23, 1941 and saw the US Marines mount a heroic defense before being overwhelemed by Japanese forces. First landing on Wake Island on December 11, the Japanese were repulsed by the Marines. Reinforced, they returned on the 23rd and succeeded in taking Wake Island.
World War II: Battle of the Java Sea
The Battle of the Java Sea occurred on February 27, 1942, as Allied naval forces attempted to block the Japanese invasion of Java. Led by Dutch Admiral Karl Doorman, Allied ships engaged the invasion force's escorts in the Java Sea. Lasting over seven hours, the Battle of the Java Sea saw the Japanese repulse the Allied attacks.
The Battle of the Java Sea occurred on February 27, 1942, as Allied naval forces attempted to block the Japanese invasion of Java. Led by Dutch Admiral Karl Doorman, Allied ships engaged the invasion force's escorts in the Java Sea. Lasting over seven hours, the Battle of the Java Sea saw the Japanese repulse the Allied attacks.
World War II: Battle of the Coral Sea
Fought May 4-8, 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea was a strategic victory for the Allies. In the first naval battle fought entirely with aircraft, Allied naval forces were able to block a Japanese drive through the Coral Sea to Port Moresby. When the Battle of the Coral Sea ended, the Japanese had lost a light carrier while the Allies lost a heavy carrier.
Fought May 4-8, 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea was a strategic victory for the Allies. In the first naval battle fought entirely with aircraft, Allied naval forces were able to block a Japanese drive through the Coral Sea to Port Moresby. When the Battle of the Coral Sea ended, the Japanese had lost a light carrier while the Allies lost a heavy carrier.
World War II: Battle of Midway - Turning Point in the Pacific
The Battle of Midway in early June 1942, marked the turning point of World War II in the Pacific. Fighting to the west of Midway, the US Navy attacked and sunk four Japanese aircraft carriers while losing only one of its own.
The Battle of Midway in early June 1942, marked the turning point of World War II in the Pacific. Fighting to the west of Midway, the US Navy attacked and sunk four Japanese aircraft carriers while losing only one of its own.
World War II: Battle of the Eastern Solomons
Allied and Japanese naval forces clashed at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on August 24-25, 1942. The second major naval battle of the Guadalcanal Campaign, the engagement saw both fleets launch repeated air strikes against each other. Though both sides ultimately withdrew from the fight, American forces succeeded in sinking the light carrier Ryujo.
Allied and Japanese naval forces clashed at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on August 24-25, 1942. The second major naval battle of the Guadalcanal Campaign, the engagement saw both fleets launch repeated air strikes against each other. Though both sides ultimately withdrew from the fight, American forces succeeded in sinking the light carrier Ryujo.
World War II: Battle of Cape Esperance
The Battle of Cape Esperance took place on October 11/12, 1942, in the waters off Guadalcanal. Fighting off Cape Esperance, the battle was the third major naval engagement of the Guadalcanal Campaign. In the Battle of Cape Esperance, American forces were able to sink a Japanese cruiser and three destroyers.
The Battle of Cape Esperance took place on October 11/12, 1942, in the waters off Guadalcanal. Fighting off Cape Esperance, the battle was the third major naval engagement of the Guadalcanal Campaign. In the Battle of Cape Esperance, American forces were able to sink a Japanese cruiser and three destroyers.
World War II: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal took place November 12-15, 1942, in the waters around the Solomon Islands. Attempting to reinforce their troops on Guadalcanal, the Japanese dispatched forces to the area and engaged in two major night battles. Meeting the Japanese in battle, Allied ships won both fights off Guadalcanal and inflicted heavy losses.
The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal took place November 12-15, 1942, in the waters around the Solomon Islands. Attempting to reinforce their troops on Guadalcanal, the Japanese dispatched forces to the area and engaged in two major night battles. Meeting the Japanese in battle, Allied ships won both fights off Guadalcanal and inflicted heavy losses.
World War II: Operation Lila & the Scuttling of the French Fleet
Operation Lila was an effort by German forces to capture the French fleet at Toulon in November 1942. In the wake of the 1940 armistice, the fleet had been idle under Vichy French control. With the Allied invasion of French North Africa, the Germans sought to take the ships, but were prevented from doing so when the French crews scuttled them.
Operation Lila was an effort by German forces to capture the French fleet at Toulon in November 1942. In the wake of the 1940 armistice, the fleet had been idle under Vichy French control. With the Allied invasion of French North Africa, the Germans sought to take the ships, but were prevented from doing so when the French crews scuttled them.
World War II: Capture of U-505
On June 4, 1944, the German submarine U-505 was captured by American forces off the coast of Africa. After a mix of surface and aerial attacks forced U-505 to surface, an American boarding party managed to save the ship before it sank. The only enemy warship captured at sea by the US Navy in the 20th century, it is currently on display in Chicago.
On June 4, 1944, the German submarine U-505 was captured by American forces off the coast of Africa. After a mix of surface and aerial attacks forced U-505 to surface, an American boarding party managed to save the ship before it sank. The only enemy warship captured at sea by the US Navy in the 20th century, it is currently on display in Chicago.
World War II: Battle of the Philippine Sea
The Battle of the Philippine Sea was fought June 19-20, 1944, and was a decisive victory for the Allies. Attacking in the Philippine Sea while Allied forces were invading Saipan, the Japanese were repulsed with the loss of three carriers. The battle is often referred to as the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" due to the large number of Japanese planes downed by American pilots.
The Battle of the Philippine Sea was fought June 19-20, 1944, and was a decisive victory for the Allies. Attacking in the Philippine Sea while Allied forces were invading Saipan, the Japanese were repulsed with the loss of three carriers. The battle is often referred to as the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" due to the large number of Japanese planes downed by American pilots.
World War II: Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a series engagements fought October 23-26, 1944, in the waters around the Philippines. During the fighting, the Japanese attempted to block the Allied invasion of Leyte through a series of naval battles. The Battle of Leyte Gulf ended in a massive Allied victory and effectively crippled the Imperial Japanese Navy.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a series engagements fought October 23-26, 1944, in the waters around the Philippines. During the fighting, the Japanese attempted to block the Allied invasion of Leyte through a series of naval battles. The Battle of Leyte Gulf ended in a massive Allied victory and effectively crippled the Imperial Japanese Navy.
World War II: HMS Venturer Sinks U-864
On February 9, 1945, HMS Venturer and U-864 engaged in the only known battle where one submerged submarine sank another. Sailing off the coast of Norway, Venturer had been sent to intercept U-864 which was carrying mercury and Me-262 aircraft parts to Japan. After a three hour chase, Venturer fired four torpedoes, one of which hit and sank U-864.
On February 9, 1945, HMS Venturer and U-864 engaged in the only known battle where one submerged submarine sank another. Sailing off the coast of Norway, Venturer had been sent to intercept U-864 which was carrying mercury and Me-262 aircraft parts to Japan. After a three hour chase, Venturer fired four torpedoes, one of which hit and sank U-864.
World War II: Operation Ten-Go
Operation Ten-Go was a last ditch attempt by the Japanese to aid the garrison on Okinawa. Calling for the superbattleship Yamato and its escorts to break through the US fleet, Operation Ten-Go was a glorified suicide mission. On April 7, 1945, Yamato and its escorts were attacked and sunk by Allied air attacks.
Operation Ten-Go was a last ditch attempt by the Japanese to aid the garrison on Okinawa. Calling for the superbattleship Yamato and its escorts to break through the US fleet, Operation Ten-Go was a glorified suicide mission. On April 7, 1945, Yamato and its escorts were attacked and sunk by Allied air attacks.
Photographic History of the Battle of Coral Sea, May 7-8, 1942
This US Navy site provides an overview of the Battle of Coral Sea, as well as numerous images from the battle.
This US Navy site provides an overview of the Battle of Coral Sea, as well as numerous images from the battle.