USS Thornhill In The Pacific

Color Images

The Thornhill assited in the evactuation of Japanese survivors at Jaluit after the war was over, in order to repatriate them and return them to Japan.

These pictures were originally shot as Kodak color slides, and recently reprinted as photos. The slides were kept carefully over the years, and have retained their color quite nicely.

There are two versions of each picture available to download, a normal low-res 72 dpi GIF, and a higher resolution 150 dpi GIF.

Escorts

The other 3 ships of the Thornhill's destroyer escort squdron on the way from San Diego to Pearl Harbor in July 1945

hi-res (221 k) low-res (60 k)

Sunset After The Battle

Sunset at Jaluit in the Marshall Islands, October 1945

hi-res (130 k) low-res (37 k)

Imiage Coastline

Imiage was one of the tiny islets that made up the Atoll of Jaluit. Jaluit was one of the Japanese bases that was cut off and left to wither on the vine.

Unlike the islands that the Allies invaded, which usually blasted into something more resembling a moonscape than a tropical isle, the vegetation and trees on Imige can be seen in full growth.

Imiage was not left untouched, many obvious Japanese installations were destroyed by nuisance raids carried out by Allied air units.

hi-res (217 k) low-res (52 k)

Imiage Shore

With the exception of a few pieces of debris, this beach looks like a beautiful place to spend a vaction. By late in the war, the Japanese soldiers stationed here probably had a far less kind view of their posting.

hi-res (283 k) low-res (74 k)

Model 94 (1934) Tankette

A fine example of this tiny 2 man tankette. The mottled pattern of jungle green, brown and yellow camoflage paint can be clearly seen.

These vehicles were not match for the lightest American tank. Having a maximum armor of only 12mm (less than half an inch), and being armed only with a light machine gun, these vehicles were used primarily for reconaissance and fighting against infantry.

The later Model 97 (1937) tankette would be upgunned to a 37mm gun, but it was still no match for Allied armor.

hi-res (253 k) low-res (66 k)

A6M2-N Floatplane Zero

This damage floatplane Zero had clearly seen better days. Much of the dark green paint on the fuselage had work away, but the red Hinomaru symbol, the red paint on the float, and the tail markings Y4 are clearly readable over a while horizontal band. There are also 2 of what appear to be Japanese characters on the tail but they are somewhat obscured by dirt. The Y code indicates that it was assigned to either the Yokosuka or Yokohama Kokutais (air groups).

The A6M2-N was the seaplane version of the famous Zero fighter. It was the first seaplane that was ever designed as a pure fighter plane. While it was some 60 mph (53 knots) slower than the land version, it was surprisingly maneuverable even with the drag created by the large float.

This type was code named Rufe by the Americans, and it was a successfuly plane. Designed to provider fighter protection to areas where there was no airstrip, such as over invasion beaches, very tiny islands and atolls, or places where terrain did not make it practicle to build an airfield.

When it first came into service it scored a number of air to air victories, but as more and more advanced Allied fighters were developed, it became easy prey to Allies later in the war.

By late 1944 it had been supplanted in the seaplane fighter role by the N1K1 Kyofu (code name Rex), and was used to train pilots for the more advanced plane. During the last desperate months of the war remaining examples often flew from Lake Biwa northeast of Osaka and Kyoto in the interceptor role.

hi-res (346 k) low-res (85 k)

PBM Mail Plane

The mail plane lands in the lagoon at Jaluit, October 1945.

This large Allied flying boat saw use in search, rescue, transport and liason missions.

hi-res (299 k) low-res (74 k)

Admiral's Bombshelter

This large earth and stone bombshelter was the commanding admiral's headquarters during attacks.

hi-res (291 k) low-res (73 k)

Radio Tower

Japanese radio tower, it is unclear if this was for transmission, reception, electronic surveilance or some combination thereof. To its left is a blownout blockhouse.

A group of 8 Japanese survivors sit on debris in the foreground.

hi-res (253 k) low-res (68 k)

Blockhouse

Close up of the blockhouse shown next to the radio tower in the photo above.

Every remaining surface can be seen to be pockmarked from strafing, bombing, and shrapnel. The reains of earth and shrub camoflage can be seen on the roof.

hi-res (238 k) low-res (63 k)

Camouflaged Bunker

Well camoflaged Japanese bunker built into small rolls in the land.

hi-res (248 k) low-res (65 k)

Searchlight

60cm searchlight position on top of a bunker camoflaged by earth and vegetation. Presumably the searchlight operators lived in the bunker.

hi-res (277 k) low-res (74 k)

Escorts The other 3 ships of the Thornhill's destroyer escort squdron on the way from San Diego to Pearl Harbor in July 1945	hi-res (221 k) low-res (60 k)
Sunset After The Battle Sunset at Jaluit in the Marshall Islands, October 1945	hi-res (130 k) low-res (37 k)
Imiage Coastline Imiage was one of the tiny islets that made up the Atoll of Jaluit. Jaluit was one of the Japanese bases that was cut off and left to wither on the vine. Unlike the islands that the Allies invaded, which usually blasted into something more resembling a moonscape than a tropical isle, the vegetation and trees on Imige can be seen in full growth. Imiage was not left untouched, many obvious Japanese installations were destroyed by nuisance raids carried out by Allied air units.	hi-res (217 k) low-res (52 k)
Imiage Shore With the exception of a few pieces of debris, this beach looks like a beautiful place to spend a vaction. By late in the war, the Japanese soldiers stationed here probably had a far less kind view of their posting.	hi-res (283 k) low-res (74 k)
Model 94 (1934) Tankette A fine example of this tiny 2 man tankette. The mottled pattern of jungle green, brown and yellow camoflage paint can be clearly seen. These vehicles were not match for the lightest American tank. Having a maximum armor of only 12mm (less than half an inch), and being armed only with a light machine gun, these vehicles were used primarily for reconaissance and fighting against infantry. The later Model 97 (1937) tankette would be upgunned to a 37mm gun, but it was still no match for Allied armor.	hi-res (253 k) low-res (66 k)
A6M2-N Floatplane Zero This damage floatplane Zero had clearly seen better days. Much of the dark green paint on the fuselage had work away, but the red Hinomaru symbol, the red paint on the float, and the tail markings Y4 are clearly readable over a while horizontal band. There are also 2 of what appear to be Japanese characters on the tail but they are somewhat obscured by dirt. The Y code indicates that it was assigned to either the Yokosuka or Yokohama Kokutais (air groups). The A6M2-N was the seaplane version of the famous Zero fighter. It was the first seaplane that was ever designed as a pure fighter plane. While it was some 60 mph (53 knots) slower than the land version, it was surprisingly maneuverable even with the drag created by the large float. This type was code named Rufe by the Americans, and it was a successfuly plane. Designed to provider fighter protection to areas where there was no airstrip, such as over invasion beaches, very tiny islands and atolls, or places where terrain did not make it practicle to build an airfield. When it first came into service it scored a number of air to air victories, but as more and more advanced Allied fighters were developed, it became easy prey to Allies later in the war. By late 1944 it had been supplanted in the seaplane fighter role by the N1K1 Kyofu (code name Rex), and was used to train pilots for the more advanced plane. During the last desperate months of the war remaining examples often flew from Lake Biwa northeast of Osaka and Kyoto in the interceptor role.	hi-res (346 k) low-res (85 k)
PBM Mail Plane The mail plane lands in the lagoon at Jaluit, October 1945. This large Allied flying boat saw use in search, rescue, transport and liason missions.	hi-res (299 k) low-res (74 k)
Admiral's Bombshelter This large earth and stone bombshelter was the commanding admiral's headquarters during attacks.	hi-res (291 k) low-res (73 k)
Radio Tower Japanese radio tower, it is unclear if this was for transmission, reception, electronic surveilance or some combination thereof. To its left is a blownout blockhouse. A group of 8 Japanese survivors sit on debris in the foreground.	hi-res (253 k) low-res (68 k)
Blockhouse Close up of the blockhouse shown next to the radio tower in the photo above. Every remaining surface can be seen to be pockmarked from strafing, bombing, and shrapnel. The reains of earth and shrub camoflage can be seen on the roof.	hi-res (238 k) low-res (63 k)
Camouflaged Bunker Well camoflaged Japanese bunker built into small rolls in the land.	hi-res (248 k) low-res (65 k)
Searchlight 60cm searchlight position on top of a bunker camoflaged by earth and vegetation. Presumably the searchlight operators lived in the bunker.	hi-res (277 k) low-res (74 k)