US Destroyers 1942-45 by Dave McComb

Author:Dave McComb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: US Destroyers 1942–45: Wartime Classes
ISBN: 9781780962115
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Published: 2011-11-25T16:00:00+00:00

Squadrons 53–56 joined the Fifth Fleet for Operation Forager against the Mariana Islands, which commenced on June 13 with the bombardment of Saipan. Vice Admiral Turner landed on the 15th; the island fell three weeks later.

The Japanese Mobile Fleet appeared on the 19th but in the two-day battle of the Philippine Sea – the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot” – lost more than 90 percent of its air wing to Spruance’s juggernaut, ending its effectiveness as a carrier force. Fifteen American carriers participated in the battle with destroyers of Squadrons 23, 45, and 50–53 in the screen. It ended with a long-range strike late on the 20th and Vice Admiral Mitscher’s memorable order to “turn on the lights” to guide his planes home after dark. Destroyers illuminated the formation with star shells and rescued pilots who had run out of fuel.

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