Amerikaanse vliegdekschepen spelen een belangrijke rol in de strijd tegen Japan in de Pacific.

Amerikaanse vliegdekschepen spelen een belangrijke rol in de strijd tegen Japan in de Pacific. De Landings-officier, in speciale nacht- kleding geeft een signaal aan het binnenkomende vliegtuig tijdens een nachtvlucht. ' U.S. Aircraft Carriers Play Important Role In Blasting Japanese in Pacific. Air power, the spearhead of the U.S. offensive in the Pacific, has been transported on the decks of U.S. aircraft carriers to every point in the vast Pacific where the Japanese have sought to rule. In January, 1945, carrier planes battered enemyheld ports on the China coast, bringing the sea-air phase of the offensive into Japan's innermost defense areas. Typical of thes `floating` airdromes is the U.S.S. Bennington, 27.100 ton aircraft carrier launched in April, 1944, which carries more than 80 aircraft and more than 2.000 men. She is among the more than 80 U.S. carriers in operation. Her final pre-battle test, like that of all U.S. Navy ships, consisted of a shakedown cruise to synchronize the activities of crew and pilots. The following series of photographs shows various activities during the cruise. This photo shows: Landing Signal Officer Guides Plane To U.S. Carrier's Deck At Night. Dressed in a fluorescent yellow and red suit, and holding fluorescent yellow paddles, the landing signal officer guides an incoming plane as it lands at night on the deck of the USS Bennington, aircraft carrier. This bright spot of glarefree glow is the only guide to the landing pilot, and almost the only light visible on a aircraft carrier at night. During this final pre-battle test cruise, known as a shakedown cruise, crew and pilots learn to work together, coordinating the activities of ship and planes. '