Setting the Rising Sun by Kevin A. Mahoney

Author:Kevin A. Mahoney
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780811768429
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Published: 2018-12-21T16:00:00+00:00

Briefed to attack the battleship Hyuga, now reported sunk, Air Group 16’s target changed to three submarines seen in a cove on Kurahashi Island just before the Randolph launched its aircraft. The subs were identified as two RO-57 class and one larger I-9 class, moored next to each other. The Helldivers, carrying 1,000-pound bombs intended for the battleship, dove on the cove first, with four Hellcats. None of the planes scored any direct hits, but they did claim two near misses on one sub, as antiaircraft fire from the flak positions protecting the subs was formidable. Flak hit one of the last three SB2Cs to attack, crewed by Lieutenant Garland Trussel and ARM3c Franklin Miller, just before it went into its dive. The SB2C went into an uncontrollable spin and their squadron mates thought the plane lost with both men. Fortunately, the crew survived the ordeal to become prisoners of war.

Antiaircraft fire also hit a second Helldiver, flown by Lieutenant Clair Williams and radioman ARM3c Clay Darling, coming out of its dive. It crashed into the water, killing both men.

The TBMs of VT-16 attacked after the Helldivers, accompanied by four more Hellcats. Crews later reported that the submarines “made a beautiful glide-bombing target.” Most of the Avengers missed hitting the subs, but two pilots, Ensigns Leo McNally and William Parker, scored hits on the large submarine, later declared as sunk. The target coordinator for the attack later reported that “the torpedo bombers are the boys that did the damage this morning.”335

The last group from 38.4 had a rough start to the mission, as Air Group 83 lost a Helldiver soon after takeoff. Lieutenant James A. Riner had engine trouble and ditched the plane near a destroyer, USS Walker, which quickly rescued him and his radioman. On their arrival at Kure, a change of target also greeted the group. Diverted from their original target, the Hyuga, the planes struck three camouflaged ships seen inside the harbor on July 24, believed to be either destroyers or light cruisers. Hell-cats covered the Avengers during their attack then went in themselves, dropping fragmentation bombs, and got one hit on a ship. The Corsairs of VBF-83 split into two divisions, one diving with the Avengers, the other with the Helldivers. The latter misidentified the target cove and struck a cargo ship by mistake, scoring one direct hit and a near miss. The Avengers, however, found the destroyers and claimed eight hits on one, as did the Hellcats. The TBMs got three hits on a second destroyer, as did the Corsairs.336

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