Photographic history of the US Essex-class aircraft carriers of the
Second World War.
Essex-class aircraft carriers played an essential role in the victory of
the United States over Japan in the Second World War, and Leo Marriott's
photographic history is a fascinating introduction to them. Without
these remarkable ships, the island-hopping campaign of American forces
across the Pacific towards Japan would not have been possible. They also
took part in the Korean and Vietnam wars that followed.
During the Second World War they were at the center of the powerful task
groups that could put up hundreds of aircraft to support forces on the
ground. They were also prime targets for Japanese air attacks, in
particular the kamikaze suicide missions. A total of twenty-four were
eventually commissioned including several after the end of the war.
The selection of rare photographs and the expert text cover the
evolution of US aircraft carrier design prior to the Second World War
and look at the factors which shaped the design and construction of the
Essex class. Included are dramatic action shots of the new breed of
naval aircraft that was launched from their flight decks, including
Hellcat and Corsair fighters that took on the Japanese and the
carrier-borne jets that flew over Korea and Vietnam.
