13. Path 280° T., rate 15 is was able during the night, the fresh new opponent having been considered supposed a bit south out-of west, most likely to join the brand new South forces. Shortly before dawn Business introduced good reconnaissance airline to find the latest urban area out of 180° because of West to 360° getting a distance from 200 kilometers. , the fresh new challenger results 239° T., length 150 miles out of this push. New get in touch with statement made by broadcast and you may on account of voice mistake the word „BB“ is read due to the fact „CV“. Accordingly, 1 Cv try stated so you can Commander Task Push 16. The fresh airplane pilot quickly gone back to legs and you can reported truthfully 1 BB, 1 Ca, 3 DD, of the message shed and you will verbally. Cruisers had been after that purchased to get and keep maintaining connection with the SOCs, tune the latest challenger and maintain the OTC advised.
fourteen. Within 0957, began releasing air number of 26 VSB and you can 8 VF. The latter were bought collectively in case there is in earlier times undetected sky opposition. They helped in the attack from the efficiently strafing destroyers. From the 1150 air classification commenced its assault to your adversary push and that contained step 1 BB, step 1 California, and you will step three DDs, 142 miles results 235° T. away from Hornet 1015 standing, inducing the adopting the: dos a thousand-lb. bombs and you can step 1 500-pound. bomb to the BB plus two one thousand-lb. hits to the a california; one to 500-pound. hit on harsh of a DD. Four VF strafed one to DD and that most likely sustained heavier teams casualties to your connection and you will top functions. Among Hornet VSB try seem to struck and test down from the AA flames contained in this assault. All pilots of this attack believe that the dominating target was of course good BB (most likely Kirishima group) and never a california. Most of the planes except one take to down was retrieved during the 1245 and you will rearmed.
On 1239 Firm launched their very first assault in the time; interceptions into voice assault regularity indicated a big measure of profits
sixteen. The latest cinch is light but positive all the time, blowing right from the fresh challenger; starting was held occasionally instead deviation out of Collection course or price.
17. Abreast of brand new come back of Business Classification Saint Paul MN eros escort, twenty-four VSB were introduced at 1530 for just what turned out to be the last attack of your own three-go out action. You to definitely deferred pushed getting returned at the 1602. The fresh new adversary push was at this time on the 110 kilometers 264° T. away from Hornet reputation. Outcome of which assault are as follows: One to one thousand-lb. bomb strike on Ca, half dozen 1000-pound. bomb strikes toward California or CL, step one one thousand-pound. bomb strike towards DD. Really big explosions were observed in the brand new Ca, and it also try remaining totally gutted because of the fire, teams abandoning motorboat. During the 1728 the fresh assault group came back, as opposed to loss, and you can is actually retrieved. Later years is actually commenced on an excellent northeasterly way. Cruiser seaplanes believed the internal heavens patrol.
18. The newest Ruling Officer desires commend the entire staff of your own Hornet into the Leader-in-Head since worth higher praise due to their abilities from duty for the topic step. All hand conducted themselves you might say suitable this new Navy’s ideal life. There were no the somebody, as the action try strictly an environment action, and there is zero cause for censure. Recommendations for honors towards Sky Group is present in Enclosure (C).
fifteen TBD into the 4 June (1 airplane pilot rescued). several F4F-4 for the cuatro Summer (six pilots rescued). 5 SBDs cuatro-6 June (cuatro pilots and you will cuatro RM saved).
During the 1645, the latest assault is actually going with the opponent push composed of step 1 California (most likely Kinugasa category), step 1 Ca otherwise CL, and you can dos DDs
1 torpedo strike towards Curriculum vitae (Ensign Homosexual) (Probably much more of the VT8). step 3 Zero fighters take to off. 2 plunge bombers test off. 2 a lot of-lb. bomb moves for the BB. 1 five hundred-pound. bomb hit with the BB. dos 500-pound. bomb hit on the California or CL. 2 a lot of-pound. close misses (around 50′) on BB. step 1 DD strafed of the cuatro VF. *2 one thousand-lb. bomb hits into Ca. 1 five-hundred-pound. bomb hit on the DD. step one a lot of-lb. bomb hit to the Ca. six 1000-pound. bomb moves to your CL or Ca. step 1 a thousand-pound. bomb hit to the DD.