Mission 5 – AKAGI down
4th June 1942, Finally the fleets knew their positions and the attacks started.
08:00 h B17 bombers tried to damage the Japanese ships but failed.
09:25 h a wave of Douglas TBD-Devastator torpedo bombers from the USS Hornet & the USS Enterprise failed to hit the Japanese Flagship Akagi. The AA guns and Zero fighter planes demand a high price from the US torpedo planes.
10:16 h two Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers (VB-8) from the USS Hornet, escorted by two Wildcats (VF-8) managed to approach the carrier undetected by the defenders.
A formation of Zeros finally spotted the attackers and tried to gain altitude for an interception.
Lt. Kenneth Bowman with his F4F-3 “Black 13” passed the two bombers, followed by Lt.JG. Gulliver with his F4F-4.
The leading Zero rushed under the Wildcats and shot at Cpt. Leland’s leading bomber, but because it was on a lower altitude level, it missed the Dauntless.
Bowman and Gulliver concentrated their fire on the Zero with the blackmarkings what had already reached their altitude level. Bowman’s plane shaked under the impacts of the Jap’s salvo but the cross fire from the US pilots damaged the enemy much more.
Now Lt. Riddixk’s bomber took a few hits from two Zeros, damaging the sturdy dive bomber.
Radio Man second class Hisler, gunner of the leading bomber, returned fire and hit the already damaged Zero with the red markings.
The formations passed each other. The line of fire of the third Zeros was blocked, so the bombers kept them under fire while the Wildcats did an Immemann maneuver to follow the Japanese fighters.
The dive bombers headed fort he carrier vessel and left the Zeros tot hei escort fighters.
The tactic of the US fighter pilots was brilliant and they managed to shot down one of the Zeros.
First aerial victory for Lt. Kenneth Bowman and his “Black 13”.
Heavy AA fire form IJN Akagi welcomed Leland’s leading bomber.
Lt.JG. Barry Gulliver shot down another Zero that was close to their comrades with the slower planes.
The Zero with the green camouflage spots fell with a trail of smoke into the sea and the Lt.JG. had achieved his first aerial victory, too.
Now many things happened simultaneously:
Captain Leland commenced the dive bombing attack and both bombers get light damage from the heavy AA fire…
…while another Zero headed for the attacking bombers…
…and the Wildcats went for the Mitsubishi Zero with the red marking.
The continuous fire from Lt.JG. Gullivers six 12,7-mm-MGs sealed the fate of the Zero.
Second kill for the aggressive US pilot.
Meanwhile Captain Leland released his bombload but the moment he pressed the button, a salvo from the green Zero shaked his diving bomber and the bomb missed the enemy carrier!
With an unbelieving view, he pulled his bomber out of the dive while another AA shrapnel damaged his plane seriously.
But thank God! Riddixk`s 2,000 lb bomb hit the Japanese carrier right near the bridge, causing a big explosion on the flight deck and silenced the deadly AA fire for a while.
The situation was still dangerous. Both Dauntless bombers were damaged, curved away from the hit carrier and tried to survive the dangerous moments, their escort fighters needed to come in range of the last enemy fighter.
Maybe the Japanese pilot was a little bit distracted by his burning carrier, because his dive maneuver ended in front of Leland’s two .50 cal machine guns.
Now the Wildcats approached and gave the bombers the badly needed cover.
The hunt for the enemy fighter begun.
Lt. Bowman opened fire and damaged the Zero.
His continuous fire caused steady damage on his opponent’s plane.
The Jap outmaneuvered the less agile Wildcats…
…and flied an Immelmann maneuver…
…that led him directly in front of Lt.JG. Gulliver’s guns.
„SAYONARA, SUKIYAKI!“, shouted the US pilot via the radio when he scored his third aerial victory for this fateful sortie.
The Wildcat reentered into a formation with the returning dive bombers, escorting them back to their carrier, the USS Hornet.
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