Launched on the 29th of January 1944, USS Missouri was the last and one of the finest battleships of any fleet. With a top speed of 33 knots, she earnt the name Fast Battleship, as the Iowa class to which she belonged were known. Bristling with an assortment of anti-aircraft, Missouri was as much a floating anti-aircraft battery as a battleship. With these qualities Missouri was well equiped to counter the desperate aerial attacks faced when she joined the Pacific Fleet. Here Missouri is seen repelling a kamikaze attack on the 11th of April 1945, with the destroyers Melvin (left) and McCord. Although one of the kamikazes did get through the curtain of shell fire, little damage was sustained.