Task Force (film) footage documenting the rise of naval aviation as well as Technicolor footage filmed during the war in the Pacific, including the Battle of Midway, the Japanese attack on and a kamikaze attack on USS "Franklin". Encouraged by the offer of support from the U.S. Navy, when the production received permission to proceed with a film, a decision was made to shoot the first segments in black-and-white to merge into the original footage of the , the first American aircraft carrier, and . Principal photography began in late 1948 on the escort carrier, to replicate USS "Langley", as well as Naval
Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II fires on board the carrier. However, the Japanese had already launched a sixty-five aircraft strike against the American task force. Through a ring of antiaircraft fire and the carriers fighter cover, the Japanese dive and torpedo bombers registered a number of hits on the . By 9.30am the carrier was dead in the water, but planes from the Hornet had also located the Japanese and six bombs struck the deck of the "Shōkaku", effectively removing the carrier from the battle. Some of dive-bombers from the "Hornet" attacked the heavy cruiser , which was damaged so severely that it was forced