"March 19th, 1945...JAPAN: Beginning at 0545 hours, aircraft from the carriers of Task Force 58 begin attack on Japanese warships in the Kobe and Kure areas. These attacks are in support of the upcoming Okinawa invasion. At least 16 Japanese ships are damaged including the battleship Yamato, aircraft carriers Amagi and Katsuragi and the light aircraft carrier Ryuho.
At 0708 hours, one hour and 23 minutes after launching a strike force, the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) had 31 aircraft on her flight deck, five bombers, 14 torpedo planes and 12 fighters. All were loaded with ammunition, fuel, GP bombs and Tiny Tim rockets. A Japanese Yokosuka D4Y Navy Carrier Bomber Suisei (Comet), Allied Code Name "Judy," dove out of the 2,000-foot (610 meter) clouds and drops two 250-kilo (550 pound) semiarmor piercing bombs; one struck the flight deck centerline penetrating to the hangar deck..."
"...18 July 1945:
At Yokosuka. Attacked by TBF "Avenger" torpedo-bombers and F6F "Hellcat" fighter-bombers from Task Force 58's USS ESSEX (CV-9), RANDOLPH (CV-15), SHANGRI-LA (CV-38) and BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24).
Some of the NAGATO's former AA guns fire from nearby Urayama. Her main guns do not fire. A new 11.75-inch "Tiny Tim" rocket hits the NAGATO and passes through her stern. She is hit by three 500-lb. bombs. The first hits port side near No. 3 turret. The second hits the bridge and conning tower, demolishes the wheelhouse and kills skipper Admiral Otsuka and several other officers. Otsuka is promoted to Vice Admiral posthumously. After this attack, all her remaining AA armament is moved ashore...."
