After Action Report, 25th January 1942.
CV Enterprise, flagship CAR DIV 1.
Both ships of CAR DIV 1 made their position to the south of Milne Bay by 08:25. Orders were immediately issued for both VB-6 and VS-6, as well as VB-3 and VS-3 to launch 3 aircraft a piece each on search missions on an arc streching from NNW to NNE.
Acting on information received yesterday from No.20 RAAF Squadron at Buna, Admiral Halsey gave the order to steam north into a strike position on a convoy on enemy ships approaching Milne Bay. Planes from VS-3 soon reported the presence of this convoy unloading at Milne Bay. The rest of VB and VS-3 were already bombed up and ready to go. The last Dauntless left the Saratoga by 11:15. The sinking of the AMC Monowai off Shortlands meant that the strike would go in unescorted while the Wildcats of VF-6 and VF-3 provided a substantial CAP over the task force.
The first reports from our divebombers were received by 13:48. A number of small escort vessels and one transport were moored next to a primitve quay at Milne Bay and troops were being ferried from the transport onto the base. LCDR Kirn (VS-3) reported he had given the order to attack and the first vic of three SBD-3s dove from 10,000 feet at 13:57. The first bombs missed but the last plane reported a 1000lb bomb hit on the transport ship amidships. The rest of VS-3 and VB-3 dove upon the hapless Japanese ships that seemed to have been caught unawares. VS-6 and VB-6 followed suit. None of our planes reported seeing any Japanese aircraft on CAP. The whole raid took approximately 25 minutes at which time a course was set back to the Saratoga. Initial damage reports stated that all enemy ships were hit and burning. Two of them were later confirmed sunk by a SOC-1 Seagull flying from the Indianapolis.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 26
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAK Daisin Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
PB Yodozo Maru, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Suyozai Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kenkon Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
191 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
As the Dauntlesses made their return a report was received on the bridge of the Enterprise for SBD-1 from VS-6 on a patrol route bearing 340 degrees. A hitherto unseen convoy was seen hugging the New Guinea coast on a north westerly heading, possible destination Port Moresby. As all dive bombers had been sent ot Milne Bay the task of attacking this new task force fell on the slow Devastators of VT-6 and VT-3. All planes had already been prepped for a naval strike and the strike force was off both decks in double quick time and heading towards the enemy ships. Word was received from LCDR Lindsey (VT-6) at 15:39. One medium sized transport, escorted by one patrol craft had been spotted and the order to attack had been issued. Once again the first salvoes had all missed but the aim improved as the attack progressed. The transport was hit and sunk by two torpedoes, while the escort vessel floundered after three hits. None of our planes were damaged and the last Devastator was back on board the Enterprise by 17:56. All SBDs had been recovered as the torpedo bombers made their attack with no loss as well.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 99,133
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes
Allied aircraft
TBD-1 Devastator x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAK Yamadori Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PB Toko Maru #4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
Japanese ground losses:
393 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
The immediate danger to CAR DIV 1 was now posed by the bombers at Rabaul. Admiral Halsey gave the order to steam south by south east into the Coral Sea at flank speed in order to put as much distance between his cares and Rabaul. Both Wildcat squadrons have been ordered to maintain a 100% CAP during the daylight hours tomorrow. Likewise all four SBD squadrons are to provide scout planes in an ASW role. CAR DIV 1 will then set course for Sydney to refuel. At least four enemy ships have been sunk with none of our planes lost. The ships at Milne Bay seemed to be ferrying troops and later intel suggests that the ships enroute to Port Moresby were also ferrying troops. It is hoped that this sortie has disrupted enemy plans in this area.
