A Mitsubishi G4M1 Type 1 Model 11 bomber from the Imperial Japanese Navy’s 4th Air Group based at Rabaul, New Britain, approaches the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2) during an attack on the carrier off Bougainville on 20 February 1942. The Type 1, missing its port engine after being damaged by a Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat piloted by Butch O’Hare, was commanded by Hikotaicho (operations commander) Lieutenant Commander Takuzo Ito. The bomber crashed into the ocean about 1,400 meters from the carrier.
Photographed from Lexington, Lt. Cmdr. Takuzo Ito’s G4M1, its left engine shot away by O’Hare, makes a last attempt to reach its target before crashing into the sea. (National Archives)