Type 99 Carrier Bombers - Vals Leave for Pearl Attack

These Japanese Navy Type 99 Carrier Bombers ("Val") are preparing to take off from an aircraft carrier during the morning of December 7, 1941.  The orientation of the planes facing left, as in this image, is correct.  (The photo is sometimes reproduced with the planes incorrectly facing right.)

The carrier in the background is the Soryu.

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Credits

U.S. Navy Photo  #: 80-G-182259.

Information on the photo from the U.S. Navy's Historical Center.

Photo, U.S. National Archives.