Block, Siteadmin, SkipCaptcha, Upload, Automoderated users, delete, edit, Moderators, move, protect, rollback, Administrators
27,336
edits
Changes
→June 4, 1942
Over the next two hours, Japanese "Zekes" on Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and antiaircraft fire from the Japanese fleet annihilated the repeated attacks by the American aircraft from Marine Corps Douglas SBD "Dauntless" and Vought SB2U "Vindicator" scout bombers from VMSB-241, Navy Grumman TBF "Avenger" torpedo bombers from VT-8 detachment, and U. S. Army Air Force torpedo-carrying Martin B-26 "Marauder" bombers sent out to attack the Japanese carriers. Army Air Force B-17s likewise bombed the Japanese carrier force without success, although without losses to themselves.
Over the next two hours, Japanese "Zekes" on Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and antiaircraft fire from the Japanese fleet annihilated the repeated attacks by the American aircraft from Marine Corps Douglas SBD "Dauntless" and Vought SB2U "Vindicator" scout bombers from VMSB-241, Navy Grumman TBF "Avenger" torpedo bombers from VT-8 detachment, and U. S. Army Air Force torpedo-carrying Martin B-26 "Marauder" bombers sent out to attack the Japanese carriers. Army Air Force B-17s likewise bombed the Japanese carrier force without success, although without losses to themselves.
[[Image:Hiryu.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Japanese heavy carrier ''Hiryu'' on June 4, 1942]]
Between 0930 and 1030, Douglas TBD "Devastator" torpedo bombers from VT 3, VT-6, and VT-8 on the three American carriers attacked the Japanese carriers. Although nearly wiped out by the defending Japanese fighters and antiaircraft fire, they drew off enemy fighters, leaving the skies open for dive bombers from ''Enterprise'' and ''Yorktown''. VB-6 and VS-6 "Dauntlesses" from Enterprise bombed and fatally damaged carriers ''Kaga'' and ''Akagi'', while VB-3 "Dauntlesses" from ''Yorktown'' bombed and wrecked carrier ''Soryu''. The submarine USS ''Nautilus'' (SS-168) then fired torpedoes at the burning ''Kaga'' but her torpedoes did not explode.
Between 0930 and 1030, Douglas TBD "Devastator" torpedo bombers from VT 3, VT-6, and VT-8 on the three American carriers attacked the Japanese carriers. Although nearly wiped out by the defending Japanese fighters and antiaircraft fire, they drew off enemy fighters, leaving the skies open for dive bombers from ''Enterprise'' and ''Yorktown''. VB-6 and VS-6 "Dauntlesses" from Enterprise bombed and fatally damaged carriers ''Kaga'' and ''Akagi'', while VB-3 "Dauntlesses" from ''Yorktown'' bombed and wrecked carrier ''Soryu''. The submarine USS ''Nautilus'' (SS-168) then fired torpedoes at the burning ''Kaga'' but her torpedoes did not explode.
During the battle, Japanese destroyers had picked up three U.S. naval aviators from the water. After interrogation, however, all three Americans were murdered. One TBD pilot, Lieutenant George Gay escaped detection by the Japanese ships and was later rescued by a PBY.
During the battle, Japanese destroyers had picked up three U.S. naval aviators from the water. After interrogation, however, all three Americans were murdered. One TBD pilot, Lieutenant George Gay escaped detection by the Japanese ships and was later rescued by a PBY.
===June 5, 1942===
===June 5, 1942===
On June 5, TF 16 under command of Rear Admiral Spruance pursued the Japanese fleet westward, while work continued to salvage the damaged ''Yorktown''. Both ''Akagi'' and ''Hiryu'', damaged the previous day, were scuttled by Japanese destroyers early on the 5th.
On June 5, TF 16 under command of Rear Admiral Spruance pursued the Japanese fleet westward, while work continued to salvage the damaged ''Yorktown''. Both ''Akagi'' and ''Hiryu'', damaged the previous day, were scuttled by Japanese destroyers early on the 5th.