This Haunting WWII Photo Sums Up Our Veterans’ Perseverance And Sacrifice

Updated Dec 1, 2019 6:05 AM EST

Veterans Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on just how amazing those who have served our country in uniform are and the critical tasks, both small and large , they have done and continue to do so that we can sleep soundly at night. It’s also a day on which we can focus a bit more on trying to comprehend and reconcile the heroic , but often horrific sacrifices the best of us have made in the defense of our nation. The photo above, one of my favorites from World War II, captures all of this in a single, almost surreal frame.

The image depicts services being conducted in the bombed-out and fire-charred hangar bay of the USS Franklin (CV-13). From what I have been able to tell, there are two accounts as to when this photo was taken. Some sources state that the badly damaged aircraft carrier was very close to finally arriving in Brooklyn to begin the process of rebuilding the ship when it was snapped. The war-ravaged Franklin had to travel from the Pacific through the Panama Canal and on to New York to receive repairs because Pearl Harbor and the west coast shipyards were overwhelmed with the construction of new ships and repairs of battle-damaged one.

But historic reels state that it was taken shortly after the attack, as soon as the area could be cleared and a remembrance of the those who were lost could be held. Regardless, it is an incredibly moving image that speaks to the sacrifice and dedication of America’s servicepeople. Even after so many were lost and so much was destroyed, the drive to push on with what remains while also remembering those who could not, was a top priority.

A badly damaged USS Franklin pulling in to New York in April of 1945. , USN

The attack on the Essex class carrier USS Franklin (CV-13), also known as “Big Ben,” represents one of the most tragic, but heroic stories of World War II. On Mar. 19, 1945, the ship was operating less than 100 miles off of Japan—closer than any carrier during the war. Within just six hours, her crew were called to battle stations a dozen times . That evening, Captain Leslie Gehres downgraded the alert status for much of the crew, giving them some time to rest. A lone Japanese dive bomber evaded combat air patrols and emerged from the clouds, making an attack run at the ship. It dropped two 550-pound armor-piercing bombs. One stuck dead center on the flight deck. The bomb burrowed into the hangar bay before exploded. The effect was like putting a firecracker in a tin, fuel-laden can. It ripped the carrier apart and sparked a horrific blaze. The other bomb hit towards the rear of the ship, ripping into two decks.

When the attack occurred, 31 planes were fully armed on Franklin’s deck, and half as many were fueled and armed in her hangar bay. This set off an unimaginable chain reaction, starting with what amounts to a massive fuel-air burst followed by a crescendo of secondary explosions of ordnance and other combustibles. Aircraft were blasted into each other around the deck like tiny pieces of shrapnel. It was unthinkable mayhem and carnage that began in an instant and lasted over six hours.

USS Santa Fe (CL-60) assisting with the firefighting and rescue efforts., USN

To get the best idea of what actually happened that day, the videos below tell the story in great detail, but in very different ways. The first is an official vintage reel giving an overview on the attack on Franklin and what came after. If you notice, in it you will see film shot of the service shown in the photo above. The other is an amazing firsthand account from a survivor who was actually there. They work wonderfully together and are a must-watch.

In the end, the Navy figured that 724 sailors were killed and hundreds were wounded in the attack and assessments have since elevated that total to potentially over 800 killed and even more wounded. Suffice it to say it was one of the most horrific single incidents of the entire war for the United States. It’s mind-boggling that the crew saved the ship and then sailed it back to the east coast of the United States for repairs. Those who stuck it out were designated by the captain as being part of the “Big Ben 704 Club,” as in 704 crewmen, although the actual number of how many sailors really stuck with the ship remains in question.

Regardless, the story of the Franklin attack and the solemn moment in time captured on camera showing the battle-weary crew paying their respects to those they lost among the torn rubble that was their mighty ship’s hangar bay, exemplifies the unique spirit and courageous attitude of those who have served.

To all those who were on the Franklin on that terrible day and to anyone who has worn the uniform, thank you.

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

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更新于美国东部时间2019年12月1日上午6:05

退伍军人节让我们有机会反思那些身着军装为国效力的人们是多么伟大，以及他们为了让我们能够安享晚年而完成和正在完成的那些无论大小的关键任务。在这一天，我们也可以更加专注于理解和体会我们中最优秀的人们为了保卫国家所做出的英勇却又往往惨烈的牺牲。上面的照片是我最喜欢的二战照片之一，它用一个近乎超现实的画面捕捉到了这一切。

照片描绘的是富兰克林号航空母舰（CV-13）被炸毁并烧焦的机库内正在进行的维修工作。据我所知，关于这张照片的拍摄时间有两种说法。一些资料显示，这艘严重受损的航空母舰当时已接近抵达布鲁克林，即将开始重建工作，而这张照片正是在那时拍摄的。由于珍珠港和西海岸的造船厂当时正忙于建造新舰和维修受损舰艇，饱受战争蹂躏的富兰克林号不得不从太平洋经巴拿马运河前往纽约进行维修。

但历史影像资料显示，这张照片拍摄于袭击发生后不久，当时该区域刚刚清理完毕，人们得以举行悼念仪式缅怀逝者。无论如何，这都是一张令人无比动容的照片，它展现了美国军人的牺牲和奉献。即便在如此惨重的伤亡和如此巨大的破坏之后，他们依然将重心放在了继续前行，同时缅怀那些逝去的生命。

1945年4月，一艘严重受损的“富兰克林”号巡洋舰驶入纽约港。

对埃塞克斯级航空母舰“富兰克林”号（CV-13，又称“大本钟”）的袭击，是二战中最悲惨也最英勇的故事之一。1945年3月19日，这艘航母在距离日本不到100英里的海域航行——比战争期间任何一艘航母都更靠近日本。短短六个小时内，舰员们就被召集到战斗岗位十几次。当晚，舰长莱斯利·格雷斯降低了大部分舰员的警戒级别，让他们得以休息。一架日本俯冲轰炸机躲过了空中巡逻，从云层中出现，向“富兰克林”号发起攻击。它投下了两枚550磅重的穿甲弹。其中一枚正中飞行甲板中心。这枚炸弹钻入机库后爆炸。爆炸的威力如同将鞭炮放入装满燃料的铁罐中。它撕裂了航母，引发了一场可怕的大火。另一枚炸弹击中了船尾，炸穿了两层甲板。

袭击发生时，富兰克林号航母甲板上停放着31架全副武装的飞机，机库里还有一半的飞机加满燃料并装满了武器。这引发了一场难以想象的连锁反应，首先是一次巨大的燃油空气爆炸，随后是一系列弹药和其他易燃物的二次爆炸，爆炸声此起彼伏。飞机像弹片一样在甲板上互相撞击。这场瞬间爆发、持续六个多小时的惨绝人寰的混乱和屠杀令人发指。

美国海军圣达菲号轻巡洋舰（CL-60）协助灭火和救援工作。

为了更全面地了解当天究竟发生了什么，以下视频以截然不同的方式详尽地讲述了整个故事。第一个视频是官方的早期影像资料，概述了对富兰克林号的袭击及其后续事件。如果您仔细观看，会发现其中出现了上图所示的追悼仪式的影像。另一个视频则是一位亲历者的精彩第一手叙述。这两个视频相辅相成，绝对值得一看。

最终，海军估计有724名水兵在袭击中丧生，数百人受伤。但后来的评估显示，死亡人数可能超过800人，受伤人数甚至更多。毋庸置疑，这是美国在整个战争中最惨烈的单次事件之一。令人难以置信的是，船员们不仅保住了军舰，还将其驶回美国东海岸进行维修。那些坚持到最后的船员被舰长称为“大本钟704俱乐部”的成员，意指704名船员，但究竟有多少水兵真正留在了船上，至今仍是个谜。

无论如何，富兰克林号遇难事件的故事，以及镜头捕捉到的那个庄严的时刻——疲惫不堪的船员们在他们那艘雄伟战舰的机库废墟中向逝去的战友致敬——都体现了服役人员独特的精神和勇敢的态度。

感谢所有在那可怕的一天身处富兰克林号上的人们，以及所有穿过军装的人们。

联系作者：Tyler@thedrive.com

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