1 videodisc (ca. 50 min.) : sd., col. and b&w ; 4 3/4 in.
Note
Documentary.
System Details
DVD; Dolby Digital stereo.
Language
Closed-captioned.
Audience
Not rated.
Event
Originally broadcast on The History Channel in 2002.
Summary
Prior to the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the battleship had been the Navy's premier vessel of war. Ultimately, its place was taken by the aircraft carrier. The pride of the Pacific fleet during World War II was the Essex class of aircraft carriers. At over 800-feet and a displacement of 27,000 tons, these massive ships were able to launch hundreds of aircraft against the enemy. Although they remained vulnerable to Japanese kamikaze attack, not one Essex carrier was lost to these attacks during the war.