Black and white Type 1 Photograph, 7.5” x 8.75,” April 1, 1945, Okinawa, Japan. This incredibly unique and unpublished image was taken from an attack aircraft on L Day and likely shows Japanese warships being attacked by the American Air Force. Designated a Type I by PSA who also notes that these photos are "Original Contact Photographs", meaning they were produced contemporaneously with direct contact from the original negatives. PSA/DNA has encapsulated the photo to a size of 9.75" x 13.25.”
This is one of the most dramatic WWII photos we've ever seen of a specific significant event in the Pacific theater, moreover, they were likely taken by a fighter pilot, possibly Lt. Cmdr. J. John Fox, from whom these photos came. The Battle of Okinawa was the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War, which lead to a victory for the US but resulted in massive casualties on both sides. The invasion was supported by a fleet consisting of 18 battleships, 27 cruisers, 177 destroyers/destroyer escorts, 39 aircraft carriers (11 fleet carriers, 6 light carriers and 22 escort carriers) and various support and troop transport ships.
Taking Okinawa would provide Allied forces with an airbase from which bombers could strike Japan and an advanced anchorage for Allied fleets. From Okinawa, US forces could increase air strikes against Japan and blockade important logistical routes, denying the home islands of vital commodities.
J. John Fox was an American judge known for his central role in the founding of the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy and received a Bronze Star for his service in the invasion of the Marshall Islands and the Mariana Islands.