Saburo's Surprise
by
Marii Chernev
SBD-3, "Black B-18" of Bombing Six, flown by Ensign Robert C. Shaw and AO2 Harold L. Jones off the USS Enterprise, 8 August 1942. Shaw and Jones were part of a formation of eight VB-6 and VB-5 aircraft designated as Flight 310 on Enterprise's Operations Schedule. While orbiting near Tulagi that morning, waiting for a target to be assigned, the SBD's were attacked by two A9M2 Zero fighters from Rabaul, New Britain. The lead fighter was flown by Petty Officer Saburo Sakai, who sustained grievous injuries from the return fire from two or more of the Dauntless dive-bombers. Through blinded in one eye, Sakai managed to fly more that 500 miles back to Rabaul.

Original Image Size: 20" x 27"
Price:SOLD
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