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'40s Wheeler Field

Posted on Oct 18, 2017 in

'40s Wheeler Field

Aircraft and hangar damage at Wheeler Field was extensive. This photo was taken at 10:25 a.m. less than three hours after the attack began and shows smoke billowing from the flight line as aircraft go up in flames. Of 99 P-40s, 42 were destroyed.

This photo by a Japanese pilot shows Wheeler aircraft and other facilities in flames. During attack 37 men at Wheeler lost their lives, six were reported missing and 53 were wounded, December 7, 1941.

Wheeler Field flight line under attack, December 7, 1941.

Hangar row at Wheeler Field following Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. These tents were located between hangars 2 and 3.

Wrecked planes on Wheeler Field flight line with Hangar 2 in background and tent quarters where many enlisted men were killed, December 7, 1941.

Close up view of wreckage in Hangar 1 at Wheeler Field, December 7, 1941. A P-26 aircraft is on left with a P-40 in background.

Wrecked hangar with destroyed planes at Wheeler Field, December 7, 1941.

Severely damaged P-36 sits in wrecked hangar at Wheeler Field, December 7, 1941.

Aircraft wrecked on Wheeler Field flight line, December 7, 1941. In front is a demolished amphibian plane.

Burned out P-40Bs in front of Hangar 3, Wheeler Field, December 7, 1941.

A heap of wrecked planes at Wheeler Field caused by Japanese bombings on December 7, 1941.

Warhawk wreck in front of Hangar 4 at Wheeler Field, December 7, 1941. Several P-40s and P-36s got airborne during the attack and destroyed nine enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat.

Wreckage in front of Hangar 4, Wheeler Field, December 7, 1941.

Wrecked P-40s on Wheeler Field flight line, December 7, 1941.

Wrecked P-40s on Wheeler Field flight line, December 7, 1941.

Severely damaged fighter plan sits in the midst of rubble in front of a burned out hangar at Wheeler Field, December 7, 1941.

Wrecked planes at Wheeler Field, December 7, 1941.

Resourceful crews remove parts from a wrecked P-40 at Wheeler Field. Of 99 P-40Bs and Cs on the island 72 were damaged or destroyed on December 7, 1941.

Wheeler Field heroes: 2nd Lt. Harry Brown, Philip M. Rasmussen, Kenneth M. Taylor and George S. Welch, and 1st Lt. Lewis M. Sanders together downed nine Japanese planes on December 7, 1941. Welch got four and Taylor two, and were decorated with Distinguished Flying Crosses.

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