The next day, the carriers again launched strikes on Formosa. During the ensuing night retirement, the formation again came under attack by Japanese torpedo-carrying "Betties" which struck home this time and damaged Canberra (CA-70). The Sullivans then helped to protect the damaged cruiser. On the 14th, "Betty" torpedo bombers scored against Houston (CL-81). The Sullivans soon joined the screen which guarded the two battle-battered cruisers as they retired toward Ulithi.
http://www.sullivans.navy.mil/dd537.html
The Japanese attempted to strike back through the air. On the 18th the ship's guns claimed their first victim but four days later a Japanese "Betty" bomber sneaked in, flying low over the still-contested Saipan hills and found two anchored battleships. Crossing the bow of USS Pennsylvania (BB 38), she dropped a torpedo which opened a gaping hole in Maryland's bow, portside.
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/shi ... 46-md.html
The Japanese tried again the next day, this time with 27 "Betty" bombers fitted with aerial torpedos and an escort of 15 "Zeros". Once more, they failed to locate the U.S. aircraft carriers, but made a daring low-level torpedo attack on the Vice Admiral Turner's amphibious force. Turner skillfully maneuvered his ships in the sound between Guadalcanal and Tulagi, throwing off the enemy's aim. Only one torpedo scored, hitting destroyer Jarvis in the bow.
http://www.thehistorynet.com/wwii/bltac ... ndex1.html
The invasion was deceptively easy; the Japanese were taken by surprise. It couldn't last and, on the following day, WILSON helped to fight off dozens of Japanese "Betty" twin-engined torpedo bombers as the enemy air fleet struck at the transports in the anchorage. A destroyer and a transport succumbed to the attack. WILSON was ordered to take the place of the stricken destroyer.
http://www.destroyers.org/nl-histories/dd408-nl.htm
As the Bettys entered Chicago's circle of escorts, additional Wildcats joined the fray: the four Kilpatrick and Porter had left behind, as well as four more led by CDR Jimmy Flatley. Despite the vigorous anti-aircraft fire from ships below, the airmen pressed home their attacks. Flying at masthead level, the Wildcats' .50-calibers brought down one bomber, then three more, and as the enemy fled Task Force 18's defensive circle, two or three more. By most accounts, a single Betty survived the attack.
But the well-trained enemy crews had completed their mission. Despite a desperate, last minute attempt by Navajo to turn Chicago's bow to the attackers, four torpedoes slammed against the cruiser's already-battered starboard side and detonated. A fifth torpedo struck destroyer La Vallette DD-448, killing 21.
In moments it was clear Chicago's fate was sealed, and she was ordered abandoned. In her remaining 20 minutes of service, her men calmly evacuated their wounded and then abandoned ship themselves: 1049 survivors were rescued. At approximately 1715, the cruiser rolled to starboard and slipped under the waves, stern first. Chicago was the last major American warship lost in the struggle for Guadalcanal.
http://www.cv6.org/1943/rennell/default.htm
He was spot on, a desperate, and well pressed home attack was carried out by Japanese twin engined torpedo carrying Betty Bombers. 16 were shot down, and we lost 12 carrier borne aircraft. It was the first time that I had been subjected to an enemy air attack, I was staggered just how the Japanese Betty’s could fly through so much flak thrown up by the Fleet’s AA guns, and come through unscathed. I thought no aircraft could survive such a barrage, but they did, as on they came to drop a deadly torpedo at the last moment, then pull into a steep climb trying to escape and head for home, all very scary. It was fortunate at this early stage of the war against Japan, that the frightful weapon of the Kamikaze Aircraft had not been conceived. US Destroyer Mugford[/b] was hit, with 22 of her crew dead.
http://www.ahoy.tk-jk.net/Solomons/Prel ... sinth.html
