1943 Footage Shows Japanese War Planes Shot Down Over Santa Cruz Island

This shocking footage from a World War Two Aircraft Carrier shows a Japanese warplane on fire, before crashing into the water during the battle of the Santa Cruz islands. 

This battle was part of the larger Guadalcanal campaign for control over the Soloman islands, which mostly took the form of attacking aircraft facing off against opposing carriers and naval ships. 

This footage likely comes from either the U.S.S. Hornet or U.S.S. Enterprise carriers, the former of which was sunk before the battle's conclusion. That sinking, along with significant damage to the Enterprise, led to a minor Japanese victory in the battle. 

However, heavy Japanese aircraft losses led to a long-term gain for the allies in the extended Pacific Ocean naval conflict.