13. Way 280° T., rates 15 try managed during the night, the brand new challenger having been considered heading somewhat southern area out of west, probably to become listed good grief buluЕџma on new South pushes. Soon just before sunrise Business revealed a beneficial reconnaissance airline to search new area off 180° thanks to West so you’re able to 360° to possess a distance out of 200 miles. , the fresh opponent influence 239° T., range 150 kilometers from this push. Brand new get in touch with report from radio and on account of sound error the expression “BB” is heard due to the fact “CV”. Consequently, 1 Curriculum vitae was advertised to help you Chief Activity Push sixteen. The fresh pilot quickly gone back to legs and advertised correctly 1 BB, step 1 Ca, 3 DD, of the message get rid of and you may vocally. Cruisers had been upcoming bought to increase and continue maintaining experience of the SOCs, track the fresh new opponent and keep maintaining the newest OTC advised.
14. On 0957, commenced introducing heavens band of 26 VSB and you will 8 VF. The latter was in fact purchased collectively in case of in the past undetected heavens resistance. They aided in the attack because of the efficiently strafing destroyers. In the 1150 the atmosphere class began the attack towards enemy force which contained 1 BB, 1 Ca, and you may step three DDs, 142 miles affect 235° T. away from Hornet 1015 updates, causing the after the: dos a lot of-lb. bombs and you can step one 500-pound. bomb with the BB as well as a couple a thousand-lb. moves on the a california; that 500-lb. strike on stern out-of a great DD. Five VF strafed that DD and this probably sustained hefty employees casualties towards connection and you can higher performs. Certainly Hornet VSB was frequently strike and you can shot off because of the AA flames inside assault. All the pilots associated with attack assert your principal address is actually of course a BB (probably Kirishima class) and not a ca. All of the airplanes but the one sample down have been retrieved at 1245 and you will rearmed.
Within 1239 Firm released the girl very first attack from the go out; interceptions with the sound attack volume conveyed a large measure of triumph
sixteen. Brand new piece of cake is white however, beneficial all the time, blowing straight from the latest challenger; introducing is actually conducted from time to time in the place of deviation away from Collection way otherwise speed.
17. Upon the newest get back of your Agency Category, twenty four VSB were introduced from the 1530 for just what became the very last attack of your own around three-go out action. You to definitely deferred forced obtaining came back at 1602. The newest adversary force is at this time regarding 110 kilometers 264° T. away from Hornet reputation. Outcome of that it attack are listed below: One to one thousand-pound. bomb strike with the California, six one thousand-lb. bomb strikes towards California otherwise CL, step one a lot of-pound. bomb hit towards DD. Very big explosions were seen in the newest Ca, plus it was remaining totally gutted of the fire, team leaving watercraft. At 1728 the assault group came back, instead of losses, and you can try retrieved. Senior years try began into the a beneficial northeasterly way. Cruiser seaplanes assumed the internal heavens patrol.
18. Brand new Commanding Officer really wants to commend the entire crew of one’s Hornet with the Commander-in-Chief while the worth high supplement because of their efficiency regarding obligation for the subject step. Every hand conducted on their own in a way installing this new Navy’s ideal way of living. There have been zero the individuals, given that step was strictly an environment action, and there’s zero cause for censure. Suggestions for awards to your Sky Classification try present in Enclosure (C).
fifteen TBD towards 4 June (step 1 pilot saved). twelve F4F-cuatro on 4 June (six pilots rescued). 5 SBDs cuatro-6 Summer (cuatro pilots and cuatro RM rescued).
During the 1645, the new attack are began to the challenger push including 1 California (probably Kinugasa classification), 1 California otherwise CL, and you may 2 DDs
step 1 torpedo hit towards the Cv (Ensign Homosexual) (Most likely a great deal more by VT8). 3 Zero fighters sample down. 2 plunge bombers take to off. dos 1000-pound. bomb hits on the BB. step 1 five hundred-pound. bomb hit towards BB. 2 five hundred-lb. bomb struck to your California or CL. 2 a thousand-pound. near misses (under 50′) for the BB. step 1 DD strafed from the cuatro VF. *2 one thousand-pound. bomb strikes towards Ca. step one 500-pound. bomb hit for the DD. step 1 1000-lb. bomb struck toward Ca. 6 1000-lb. bomb strikes to the CL otherwise Ca. step 1 1000-lb. bomb strike towards DD.