Hi all,
6th May 1942 saw the first CV battle in the history of humankind.
It was a scatty affair though......
The day started with Catalina's spotting various enemy TF's east of Milne Bay/NW of Rossel Island - composed of CV elements and a probable invasion force bound for PM. The first planes to locate the enemy were 6 x Wirraway's from PM. They located the probable invasion force 75 miles east of Milne Bay. At 10.18AM they reported 3 Zeroes overhead but managed to attack the enemy TF before the Zeroes noticed them. They'd had scant naval bombing training but had rudimentary lessons over the past 2 days. Amazingly one of the 100 lb bomb hit the freighter Asakaze Maru in the bow area. Despite smoke billowing from the wound the ships didn't apepar to be noticeably damaged.
Whilst this was going on Fitch and Fletcher had also launched a full strike against the invasion force. The decision was tough to make but at the launch time no Japanese CV's had been detected. They located the same TF the Wirraways had recently left......
The first wave to locate the enemy were Yorktown's SBD's. 31 of them left 2 freighters sinking and 5 heavily damaged. Hot on their tails were 18 SBD from Lexington who sent two more freighters to their grave. As they were leaving the target area they reported 16 Zeroes arriving on the scene....albeit too late. The SBD's evaded the enemy who hadn't noticed them!
No TBD's took off due to the distance and Lexington's other SBD Squadron faield to locate the invasion force.
Whilst my flights were in the air recon assets had located the Jaopanese CV's and vice versa.
The afternoon saw Fletcher and Fitch launch what they could against the enemy CV's. The Japanese struck first though. 30 Zeroes escorted 39 x Kate and 42 x Val. They zeroed in on the first TF they encountered....Fletchers Yorktown. 16 x Wildcat managed to be on CAP at the height of the raid but they only managed to damage a couple of Vals and Kates before they bored in on Yorktown.......
Yorktown attracted the most attention and was first hit by a 250KG bomb against the belt which caused minimal damage. This was quickly followed by 2 x 60KG bomblets one against the belt the other slightly damaged the forward flight deck. The AA gunners were firing furiously downing 2 Kates and a Val but the attackers kept on coming from all directions. A Val screamed across from the port side planting it's 250KG bomb amidships penetrating the flight deck causing fires. Almost immediately after a Kate came in low from the same direction and a terrific explosion announced the arrival of a torpedo into the Port Side. Thsi was the low point for Yorktown as the enemy attacks were ebbing.......another 250Kg penetrated the flight deck followed by a 60Kg bomblet.
Yorktown although bruised was still in the fight....
The other victims in this ferocious battle were CA Chester hit by 2 torpedoes on the starboard side simultaneously....the rapid succession of these hits caused massive flooding both fore and aft.....the teams are working furiously but it's likely she'll sink before reaching Australia over 400 miles away.
Close by to Yorktown DD Morris had been fighting back with all she had to protect Yorktown. 2 Vals had enough of her though and landed 250Kg bombs fore and aft. Although not sinking fires rage from stem to stern and it's likely she'll be abandoned.
US Retribution was occuring over 200 miles NW.......
42 SBD, 12 x TBD and 22 x Wildcat escort had located the main Japanese CV force. 18 Zeroes were on CAP but neither they nor the Wildcats claimed any kills.
I was hoping for more but 3 x 1000 lb bombs landed squarely into Zuikaku. Although not reported as heavily damaged her flight deck is clearly not open for business as over 40 Val/Kate were lost operationally today.
A poor showing by 29 x SBD/TBD failed to achieve any hits on Shoho........
Although Yorktown is damaged we're continuing to engage moving 80 miles NW......with Zuikaku out of the fights it's Shokaku and Shoho vs Lexington and a damaged Yorktown.
