The FIST of the FLEET — where it began during WWII.
In 1945 Carrier Air Group 17 consisted of VF-17, VBF-17, VB-17, and VT-17.
VT-17 (1943-45)
VA-6B (1946)
VA-65 (1948) Air Group II (2)
VA-25 (1959) Air Group VI (6)
VFA-25 (1983 and continuing)
VT-17 was a torpedo squadron of the United States Navy. It was established on 15 January 1941 at NAS Pensacola, Florida, and was disestablished on 15 December 1945 at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island. The squadron was nicknamed the "Torpedoes" and its insignia was a red and white torpedo on a blue background.
VT-17 was initially equipped with the TBD Devastator torpedo bomber, but transitioned to the TBM Avenger in 1943. The squadron saw action in the Pacific Theater of World War II, participating in the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. VT-17 was also involved in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in April 1942.
The squadron earned two battle stars for its service in World War II. VT-17 was deactivated in December 1945 and was not reactivated.
9th Nov 09
AdministratorThis is section 4, covering sheets 31 through 40 of 65 pages from the archives of the U.S. Navy in a declassified document.
VT-17 Historical Report by W. M. Romberger : Click – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Part 6 – Part 7
9th Nov 09 AdministratorThis is section 3, covering sheets 21 through 30 of 65 pages from the archives of the U.S. Navy in a declassified document.
NARRATIVE
HILO was the squadron’s first brush with the semi-tropics and living conditions at an advanced station (not having yet reached GUAM). Gunnery, searches, inter island hops, squadron and air group tactics, co-ordinated air group and inter-air group tactics and simulated torpedo attacks on blue shipping were included in the training during this period.
Living conditions at HILO were satisfactory. The officers’ and mens quarters were clean and sanitary despite the indigenous dampness due to heavy rainfall.
Pre-Dawn simulated attacks on friendly shipping in the Hawaiian area were valuable, if dangerous, to VT-17 pilots during this period. Because of widespread cloud cover a great portion of the time in this area during the winter season, the pilots were able to utilize this important combat advantage in simulated shipping attacks. Horizontal bombing tactics were perfected here.
The squadron left HILO 15 December 1944, went to Pearl Harbor on an inter-island steamer, the name of which is difficult and happily forgotten. On 16 December the USS NASSAU left Pearl Harbor with the squadron enroute to GUAM.
7. NAB AGANA, GUAM 26 December 1944 to 29 January 1945:
GUAM became immediately more “advanced” than HILO. The squadron officers and men lived in Quonset huts, and ate canned foold, bathed in public and cold water and washed their clothese in all types of ingenious contrivances.
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NARRATIVE
Some refresher carrier landings were made during this period, and some division gunnery runs were made.
One two-plane strike was made on AGUIJAN, from GUAM during which VT-17’s “combat bombing” was initiated. (The crossroads of the by-passed island’s village was hit).
After one month on GUAM, the air group embarked for ULITHI on the USS KASAAN BAY, arriving there 1 February 1945.
COMBAT
8. Aboard the USS HORNET 1 February 1945 to 13 June 1945:
The HORNET sortied from ULITHI 10 February 1945 with Air Group SEVENTEEN aboard. Training exercises had been conducted on a pre-operation shakedown cruise 4, 5, and 6 February, and continued on 11 and 12 February. Pilots were briefed on the first operation, “Tokio,” on 13 and 14 and 15 February.
Tokio was a big name. The war looked big and important to VT-17 at this moment, and in the squadron ready rooms smiles passed rakishly and nervously before the first take offs. VT’s first target was HACHIJO Jima, only an island very close to Japan and Tokio, but a test, and unknown nevertheless. The airfield, installations and small craft in the harbor were hit, 16 February. The pilots came back with enthusiasm. This was the squadron’s first real attack on the enemy. Following this hop, the same day, a mission was
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NARRATIVE
sent over HAMAMATSU Airfield – the Honshu homeland! The AA was “disappointing.” Strafing by the squadron was rampant. Extensive damage was inflicted on the airfield installations and parked planes.
For three days the Task Force haunted Honshu, VT hit other airfields (TOYAHASHI and KANOYA), and CHICHI Jima, a hot spot of anti-aircraft, which tucked in their confident ears somewhat but hardly affected their aggressiveness.
The force steamed then for the primary operations objective, IWO Jima. The squadron was told “TOKIO” had been “diversionary,” and a feint to keep Empire aircraft aground watching the home fires burn while the amphibious units prepared to take the little island in the Volcano Retto.
IWO was PETALUMA MARSH in the real. What the squadron had practiced 30 miles north of ALAMEDA, the were repeating 650 miles south of TOKIO. Five support missions were launced to support the IWO ground gorces, and the “well dones” were adequate payment for the long hours on and over PETALUMA MARSH.
VT was given its first crack at Jap shipping in MIYAKO Hakuchi. Search disclosed two merchantmen and a DE there. Five torpedo-bearing TBM’s were launched 1 March 1945. Three of the pilots shared two hits on an SB, which exploded spectacularly and sank, and two other VT pilots shared in the sinking of a FTC. The fifth pilot, a veteran, returned shamefacedly and admitted he had scored but a near miss on the DE.
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NARRATIVE
This strike completed the first phrase of the cruise of VT-17. The Task Force returned to ULITHI 4 March.
In 11 days the force was at sea again, this time for an extended prowl, one which took the squadron in forty-seven (47) days to such targests as KURE on the INLAND SEA, the KERAMA RETTO, which was a pre-invasion operation for OKINAWA; shipping in the EAST CHINA SEA, OKINAWA, AMAMI GUNTO islands, AMAMI GUNTO shipping, KANOYA, SAKISHIMA GUNTO, and the JAP FLEET, spearheaded by the late YAMATO.
KURE, 19 March, will remain a nightmare of multi-colored flak as long as the squadron lives. Piercing this lethal pyro-technic display with a torpedo bomber was akin to sticking one’s fingers into a bowl of hot colored marbles. Still the ships were below it — waiting but angry ducks on the harbor pond. VT-17 poked “12 fingers” into the marble bowl, and pulled back eight whole ones. Three were injured, one was missing. But in those weary fingers was adequate feel of contact and accomplishment. VT-17 scored 14 x 500-pound bomb hits on eight ships.
The KERAMA RETTO reminded many of the pilots of home. It was a sleepy group of hilly islands breeding people apparently of the soil. Even so, the little islands were obstacles to the goal OKINAWA. VT-17 bombed and burned them three times 23 March.
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NARRATIVE
An eight-ship enemy convoy, apparently enroute to secure OKIMAWA, was spotted too far from their home shore in the EAST CHINA SEA 24 March. Twelve VT-17 planes, with others of the Task Group, were launched. Three of the squadron’s planes failed to reach the target due to the emergency water landing of one and rescue procedure of the two planes standing by. (See Air Sea Rescue Appendix 10). The nine planes carrying their torpedoes to the target, however, scored six hits on four ships, all of which sank during the Task Group attack.
Pre-Invasion OKINAWA support began for VT-17 25 March. Including these and the numerous post-invasion missions, VT-17 flew a total of 24 without losing a plane or crew. Targets included practically everything stationary and moving on the ground from aircraft revetments to truck convoys and galloping horses (the last-mentioned galloped unmolested).
OKINAWA, despite occasional flurries of AA, ultimately became the convenient route to an Air Medal, but it was still tedious, technical business over the target with the ever-present potential threat of being destroyed at low altitude.
AMAMI GUNTO held out to VT-17 pilots airfield and shipping targets mostly, and occasionally a barracks area or a concentration of aircraft revetments.
Ordinarily camouflage played its theatrical role in the Gunto. Shipping, when found, was often close against the ponderous shorelines under nets or
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NARRATIVE
or tree limbs, and the aircraft, too, were hidden in groves. During two shipping strikes, though, VT-17 damaged eight ships, destroyed two luggers and damaged other small craft.
MIYAKO SHIMA was an excellent airfield target. It was more circular, like a bull’s-eye, than were most of the oddly-shaped NANSEI SHOTO airfields. This shima was hit twice by VT-17. Its bombs were dropped on the airfield and installations principally.
On 7 April, a portion of the Jap Fleet, including the YAMATO, was struck in the EAST CHINA SEA. Thirteen planes of VT-17 were in on the kill, and were the first torpedo planes to attack the principal units, including the prized 45,000-ton YAMATO. Four of the eight VT-17 torpedoes fired at the YAMATO scored hits on the port side of the big ship. The ship listed to the port, wounded painfully. Three other VT-17 pilots dropped their torpedoes on the TERUTSUKI class DD in the force, scoring one hit. The DD sank. One torpedo hung up, and one missed a DD in the screen. One pilot and crew were lost attacking the port bow of the YAMATO. All of the ships in the convoy seemed to be underway and maneuvering when the squadron attacked. Torpedoes were dropped against the YAMATO from an altitude of 600-700 feet and from an average range of 1600 yards. Torpedoes were set at 20 feet depth setting for the YAMATO, (see comments of CO), and 10 feet depth setting on the smaller ships in this force.
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NARRATIVE
Colored puffs of AA, like those observed at KURE, were seen also during this attack. The shipborne AA was intense, destroying one VT-17 plane and damaging five others. Wing tanks were carried by the VT-17 planes for the 263-mile leg out mission. The planes were in the air five hours.
The target was hazy, and the ceiling during the squadron’s attack was from 1200 to 2000 feet with seven tenths clouds and intermittent rain.
Returing pilots said the YAMATO assumed tremendous proportions as their attacking planes drew within dropping range. She was underway at high speed.
Following the excitement — and rejoicing — over the YAMATO attack, VT-17 “simmered down” to a series of support attacks on OKINAWA and airfield and installations attacks on KIKAI and AMAMI GUNTO.
Although the support strikes were not of a spectacular nature, their effectiveness was essential to the advancement of ground troops and the ultimate security of OKINAWA SHIMA and the satellite islands intended to establish the base from which to hit Japan’s homeland and/or China.
After the support strike on OKINAWA 27 April the Task Group left the operation area, and steamed to ULITHI, arriving there 30 April. The group sortied 9 May and on 12 May VT-17 was again flying in support of OKINAWA, striking the now familiar KANOYA Airfield and other KYUSHU airfields and installations. One SHIKOKU Airfield, shipping in the EAST CHINA SEA, additional strikes against AMAMI GUNTO and ended this final phase of combat by flying supply paradrop
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NARRATIVE
missions for the advanced front line troops on OKINAWA’s hard-fought southern sector.
Damage inflicted on KYUSHU’s airfields and installations by VT-17 was difficult to assess. Most attacks against this type of target were glide boming attacks, and bombs were released at altitudes ranging from 1500 to 3500 feet.Observation by the pilots was difficult also since their planes were in pull-outs usually when the bombs hit the targets. Over-all, however, the bombing accuracy was estimated at 80-90 per cent, and the damage extensive to airfields, revetments, more than a dozen hangars, scores of plane revetments, warehouses, workshops, barracks, one gunpowder plant and a dozen aircraft factory buildings.
After a series of attacks on KANOYA, IZUMI Airfield and SAEKI Naval Air Base, on 14 May VT-17 was assigned its first strictly industrial target, the KUMAMOTO Aircraft Plant. (The strike was reported as the first by U.S. Planes against the factory). Fifteen of the squadron’s planes in two flights dropped a total of 52 x 500-pound bombs on the factory area seriously damaging three large camouflaged buildings, a large “U”-shaped building, four large buildings, several smaller buildings, and a gas tank. During the second of the two KUMAMOTO striked 4 x 500-pound bombs in one of the planes hung up over the target, and were dropped returning to base on the gunpowder plant north of NOBEOKA on the east coast of KYUSHU. The four-bomb salvo made a direct hit on the four large adjoining buildings. An explosion followed, and the plant was probably destroyed.
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NARRATIVE
TACHIARAI Airfield was hit 14 May for the first time by VT-17 planes during this period of operations. MATSUYAMA WEST, the only SHIKOKU Airfield to be attacked by VT-17 planes during the entire combat cruise, received one mission. TOKUNA Airfield was a new target for VT-17.
Two VT-17 planes were launched with fighter planes to intercept a three-ship convoy in the EAST CHINA SEA 22 May. One of the planes scored a direct 500-pound bomb hit on a PC-13 sinking it.
Among the most successful missions of VT-17 over OKINAWA were the two supply paradrop flights during which 12 planes flew a total of 42 sorties from KADENA Airfield to the advanced lines in the southern sector of the island. At this time mud and blocked roads were hampering ground movement of supplies. The planes dropped food, water, ammunition and medical supplies, received thanks and “well dones”.
Combat missions for VT-17 ended 3 June 1945.
There followed, however, one of the most harassing experiences. On 5 June the squadron’s base ship, USS HORNET, with other ships of the Task Group encountered a typhoon. Steady winds reached a velocity of 80-100 knots, with gusts up to 120 knots. The seas were mountainous. No one was injured or lost, however, aboard the ship.
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NARRATIVE
The Task Group reached LEYTE 13 June and anchored in SAN PEDRO BAY.
After a partial ship-stripping, the USS HORNET sailed eastward 19 June to the U.S. via PEARL HARBOR.
* * *
(See Appendicies for combat figures and details).
(See Chronology for Squadron Log, Personnel Losses, etc.).
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(continued)
VT-17 Historical Report by W. M. Romberger : Click – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Part 6 – Part 7
9th Nov 09 AdministratorThis is section 2, covering sheets 11 through 20 of 65 pages from the archives of the U.S. Navy in a declassified document.
CHRONOLOGY
VT-17
ROSTER OF ENLISTED MEN
SMITH, Blair N., ARM1c(T), 519 Notre Dame Avenue, Dayton, Ohio.
SPRING, Richard A., ARM3c, Main St., Perry, Ohio.
STRAW, William (n)., AOM3c(T), 176 E. 81st Street, New York, New York
STRIBLING, Samuel L., ARM2c(T), 127 N. Monroe Avenue, Arcadia, Florida.
THOMPSON, LeRoy S., PB1c(T), 4528 Wilkshire Avenue S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan.
TIKKA, Carlo J., AMM2c(T), 302 W. Buena Vista, Highland Park, Michigan.
TOENER, Joseph E., ARM2c(T), 1054 Winfield Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio.
TRABOLD, William O., ARM2c(T), 141-12 Collidge Avenue, Jamaica, Long Island, New York.
TULLY, William L., AMM2c(T), 7 Miles Avenue, Olyphant, Pennsylvania.
VERNON, Edward F., Jr., ARM1c(T), 1425 Third Avenue South, Denison, Iowa.
WALTER, George H. ACRT(AA)(T), Willard, Colorado
WOOD, James C. (AOM2c(T), Route #4, Box 196, Bessemer, Alabama.
YOUNG, Leonard R., ARM3c, 3816 Ridge View Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana.
* * *
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CHRONOLOGY
COMBAT
PERSONNEL LOSSES
Lieut. Thomas C. Durkin 67 Wall St., New York, New York.
Thomas J. Tindall, ARM1c #224 93 33, 540 E. Washington St., Trenton, N.J.
Cecil W. Stewart, AOM2c #657 16 21, 106 N. 12 Street, North Carolina
Missing in Action following a strike on Kanoya Airfield, Kyushu 12 May 1945. The plane was last seen gliding toward Kagoshima Bay. Radio transmissions from Lt. Durkin indicated that enemy AA fire rendered the plane’s engine useless. Some witnesses said they saw a plane crash on the shore of Kagoshima Bay. It was ont established however, that the plane was Lieut. Dukin’s or that the crash had been fatal to the pilot or crew.
* * *
Lt. (jg). Talmadge Westmoreland, 2600 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley, Calif.
Harold F. West, AOM3c, #733 71 81, 520 Grand Avenue, Hoquiam, Wash.
Robert H. Williams, ARM3c, #828 01 17, 2602 Russell Road, Portsmouth, Ohio.
Missing in Action following the Kure Attack on 19 March 1945. The plane was last seen in a glide over Kure Ko and headed northwest toward the beach. Some of the VT pilots had heard a transmission from Lt.(jg). Westmoreland that his plane had been hit and that he was going down. The plane was apparently still under control, and could have made a safe emergency landing, if additional AA fire had not further disabled the plane or wounded the pilot.
* * *
Ens. William E. Hooton, 1001 N.W. 16th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Robert A. Warren, AMM3c, #576 99 06, 4415 Avenue R., Galveston, Texas.
Richard W. Gere, ARM3c, #225 44 19, 46 Chetwood Terrace, Fanwood, N.J.
Missing in Action following an attack on a Jap Convoy in the East China Sea on 24 March 1945. Ensign Hooton’s plane was last seen making a torpedo attack on a merchant vessel in the convoy. Two TBM’s were seen to crash during the attack. It is believed one of these was piloted by Ensign Hooton. Subsequent searches of the area disclose no evidence of survivors.
* * *
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CHRONOLOGY
COMBAT
PERSONNEL LOSSES
[TBF Avenger crew]
Ens. Leo O’Brien, Louisville, Nebraska. [pilot]
Jacob E. Ricketson, AMM3c, #893 25 05, 719 N. Madison, Douglas, Ga. [gunner]
James L. Opheim, ARM3c, #322 01 89, 205 S. Hyland St., Ames, Iowa. [Radar/Navigator]
Missing in Action following an attack against the Yamato in the East China Sea on 7 April 1945. The plane was last seen making a torpedo attack on the Yamato’s port bow. AA fire was intense, and a TBM was seen to splash in the (Yamato’s) vicinity. Subsequent search shows no evidence of survivors.
* * *
Russell L. Miller, AOM3c, #869 36 03, Ringle, Wisconsin.
Deat At Sea. Miller died as a result of exposure and illness contracted during nine days at sea in a life raft. The plane of which he was gunner had an emergency water landing about 150 miles northeast of Okinawa Shima on 24 March 1945. Nine days later the three-man crew was picked up seventy miles south of Kyushu. Miller was in a critical condition when rescue on 2 April 1945. He died the same day abouard the USS CHANDLER. His body was removed to Zamami Shima in the (Kerava) Retto, about 20 miles west of Okinawa, and was buried with military honors.
* * *
PERSONNEL INJURED
Lt. James A Tew, 200 Avacado, Sanford, Fla.
Face and head cuts during the attack at Kure on 19 March 1945.
Lt.(jg). John E. Strickland, Warsaw, North Carolina.
Minor left arm injuries during the attack on Kure on 19 March 1945.
Blair N. Smith, (ARM1c(T), #612 45 64, 519 Notre Dame, Dayton, Ohio.
Head injuries during the attack on Kure on 19 March 1945.
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CHRONOLOGY
SHIPS VT-17 WAS ABOARD
USS TAKANIS BAY, Qualifications, 8-16-44 to 8-18-44
USS RANGER, Qualifications, 10-27-44 to 10-29-44
USS HOLLANDIA, Transportation from San Diego to Pearl Harbor, 11-3-44 to 11-10-44
USS NASSAU, Transportation from Pearl Harbor to GUAM, 12-16-44 to 12-28-44
USS KASAAN BAY, Transportation from Guam to USS HORNET, 1-28-45 to 2-1-45
USS HORNET, Combat – Transportation to the United States, 2-1-45 to
* * *
Note: This Squadron was based on board the above carriers as Torpedo Squadron SEVENTEEN of Air Group SEVENTEEN.
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VT-17
HISTORICAL DATA
PART TWO
* * *
NARRATIVE
NARRATIVE
SECTION A
Section A of this narrative will cover the period from the time of origin of VT-17 (1 January 1943) to the time of return of this unit to the United States (10 March 1944).
Unfortunately, records of the squadron covering this period are scant. The re-formed squadron command is able to compile only inadequate historical data covering the above-mentioned period. This report is being prepared at sea, a fact that adds to the limitation of information soures insofar as the “original” VT-17 is concerned.
Chronological material on the “original” VT-17 squadron is contained in the Chronology of this report, however, and lists the required date of origin, names of commanding Officers, movements of the unit and actions in which it engaged. Personnel losses are, again, not available to this command, except in the instance of Lieut. Comdr. Frank M. Whitaker, San Diego, who was the squadron Commanding Officer.
Briefly, the original VT-17 was commissioned at NAS Norfolk, was trained on the East Coast, took a shake-down cruise to Trinidad, and ultimately came through the Panama Canal aboard the USS BUNKER HILL for action in the Pacific. (See Chronology).
VT-17 was organized as the torpedo bombing squadron of Carrier Air Group 17, and was commissioned under the authority of the Chief of Naval Operations. The squadron was under the command of ComAirLant during its period on the East Coast, and was transferred to the Command of ComAirPac while in the
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NARRATIVE
in the Pacific theater.
SECTION B
Section B of this Historical Data narrative of TORPEDO SQUADRON SEVENTEEN covers the period from 18 April 1944, when the unit was re-formed, until the squadron returned to the United States, after combat, in July, 1945.
* * *
1. General: TORPEDO SQUADRON SEVENTEEN was re-formed 18 April 1944 at NAS Alameda, California. Lieut. Comdr. William Melvin Romberger, 36 S. 11th Street, Sunbury, Pennsylvania served as commanding officer through training and combat.
VT-17 was organized under the authority of the Chief of Naval Operations, as torpedo bombing squadron of Carrier Air Group SEVENTEEN. Average complement during training and combat has been 27 pilots (reduced to 23 just before embarking from NAS HILO and the combat zone), three (A)L officers, one (A-T) officer, 54 aircrewman (reduced to 46 when the pilot reduction was put into effect. This figure includes one ACOM), one ACMM, one ACEM, one Y1c and 20 non-flying enlisted personnel.
The duties of the nonflying officers included administration, intelligence, radar and ordinance, and the duties of the nonflying enlisted personnel included the office work and aircraft maintenance.
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NARRATIVE
2. NAS ALAMEDA 18 April 1944 to 29 May 1944:
This period was one of squadron organization. Departments were set up, and responsibilities assigned. Ground School, division and section flying, navigation, aerial gunnery, and glide bombing tactics were emphasized.
During the period the squadron personnel became “acquaintedn” and acquired the habit of working together as an efficient unit organization.
One pilot and two aircrewmen were lost during a training glide bombing attack in San Francisco Bay.
The usual social functions were held to secure the spirit and fellowship of the squadron.
3. NAAS Monterey, Cal, 29 May 1944 to 17 July 1944:
The squadron came into its primary element during this period by concentrating on torpedo attacks and tactics. Combat conditions were simulated by dud runs on bowed surface targets and destroyers in Monterey Bay. Over-water navigation flights were extended to increase the proficiency of VT-17 in the use of instruments. Squadron bombing tactics also were designed by Lieut. Comdr. Romberger and became squadron doctrine during this period along with new improved squadron torpedo tactics (see Appendix 13).
Squadron flight doctrine was practiced to (ensure) efficient formations to and from the target areas and to assure proper rendezvouses.
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NARRATIVE
Simulated searches were conducted, and the squadron was instructed in air-sea rescue. Squadron cross country flights gave the divisions the “feel” of the unit in the air.
4. NAAS Vernalis, Cal., 17 July to 24 July, 1944:
This was a period of night landing and field landings, and additional Landing Signal Officer training for all pilots, especially those without previous combat experience. The squadron spent a week at Vernalis, then returned to Monterey and continued torpedo and bombing training. On 14 August the squadron had returned to NAS Alameda for inter-squadron tactics and air group training.
5. NAS Alameda, 14 August 1944 to 2 November 1944:
This period covered air group tactics and “attacks”, long range flights, inter-air group training attacks, carrier qualifications on the USS Takanis Bay and USS Ranger, rocket training at NAAS Arcata, Calif., and additional night flying and field carrier landings at NAAS Vernalis.
Arrangements were made also with Army officials at Camp Cooke, Cal., to engage in close air support exercise with ground units at the camp. Weather interfered with the proposed plan, however, and the scene of close air support training for the air group was changed to Petaluma Marsh, an area about 30 miles north of NAS Alameda.
Considerable time was devoted to this close air support training. Mobile radio units were used by the air group ACI officers, who acted as Com-
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NARRATIVE
manders Air Support Control Unit. Pilots were assigned in divisions so that eacy pilot learned the mechanics of locating assigned targets from gridded maps or photos and became indoctrinated to pin pointed bombing. (The exhaustive training proved fruitful during the combat air support of Iwo Jima and Okinawa Shima).
Long range inter-air group attacks on target areas 250 miles from base were made during this period.
The squadron boarded the USS TAKANIS BAY, 16 August for a two-day qualification cruise, and qualified without incident or blowing out a tire. The rocket training period at NAAS ARCATA, was from 2 October to 10 October. On 27 October the squadron, despite bad weather, completed its live-rocket syllabus. Carrier qualification landings and take-offs were made from the USS RANGER during the period 27 October to 29 October 1944.
After considerable “boxin’ up,” the squadron boarded a train from Oakland to San Diego, where it embarked on the USS HOLLANDIA for Pearl Harbor.
6. NAS HILO, HAWAII, 12 November 1944 to 16 December 1944:
VT-17, with other squadron of the AIR GROUP were assigned NAS HILO for advanced base training and air group tactics. A portion of the pilots flew planes from Oahu, other pilots and officers were flown in transports, and some officers and enlisted personnel were transported to HILO on the USS CUMBERLAND SOUND.
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(continued)
VT-17 Historical Report by W. M. Romberger : Click – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Part 6 – Part 7
26th Oct 09 AdministratorThe Grumman TBM-3E Avenger was the torpedo bomber used by CAG-17 VT-17 aboard the USS Hornet during 1944 and 1945.
The USS Hornet (CV-12) is now a floating museum at NAS Alameda, California. Their tribute to the WWII years includes a restored Grumman TBM-3E Avenger with VT-17 markings.
TBM-3E Specifications
VT-17 TBM aircraft were the first to strike the Battleship Yamato on 7 April 1945.
Below are a series of photographs of the USS Hornet and VT-17 aircraft during 1944-1945.
23rd Oct 09 AdministratorThis is section 1, covering sheets 1 through 10 of 65 pages from the archives of the U.S. Navy in a declassified document.
TORPEDO SQUADRON SEVENTEEN
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
DECLASSIFIED
27 June 1945
From: The Commanding Officer.
To: The Officer of Naval Operations, Aviation History Unit (OP-33-J-6).
Via: Commander, Carrier Air Group SEVENTEEN.
Subject: SQUADRON HISTORY, transmittal of.
Reference: (a) Aviation Circular Letter No. 74-44, OP-33-J-6-JEJ, serial 356333, dated 25 July 1944.
(b) Manual for Historical Officers, NavAer 00-25Q-26.
(c) Aviation Circular Letter No. 23-45, OP-33-J-6-JEJ, serial 89133 of 27 February 1945.
(d) OPNAV Letter OP-33-J-6-JEJ, serial 118433, dated 14 March 1945.
Enclosure: (A) HISTORY OF TORPEDO SQUADRON SEVENTEEN.
1. In accordance with references (a) through (d), the HISTORY of TORPEDO SQUADRON SEVENTEEN is herewith submitted.
/signed/ W.M. ROMBERGER.
VT-17
HISTORICAL DATA
PART ONE
* * *
CHRONOLOGY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DATA on original VT-17 Page 1
VT-17 Log Page 2
Roster of Officers Page 4
Roster of Enlisted Men Page 5
Personnel Losses Page 9
Personnel Injured Page 10
Ships VT-17 Was Aboard Page 11
History Narrative Page 12
VT-17 Combat Summary Appendix I
VT-17 Combat Calendar Appendix II
Principal VT-17 Strikes Appendix III
Pilots’ Personal Achievement Appendix IV
Shipping & Aircraft Damage Assessment Appendix V
Sorties Aboard HORNET Appendix VI
Bombs & Torpedoes Dropped on Enemy Targets Appendix VII
Ordnance Recapitulation Appendix VIII
Awards Appendix IX
Rescue Appendix X
Radar Appendix XI
Engineering Appendix XII
Comments By Commanding Officer Appendix XIII
CAG-17 Yearbook Enclosure A
* * *
CHRONOLOGY
Jan. 1, 1943 – Torpedo Squadron SEVENTEEN commissioned at NAS, Norfolk, VA., under ComAirLant, by authority of Chief of Naval Operations.
July 13, 1943 – Assumed ship-based status aboard USS Bunker Hill.
Sept. 26, 1943 – Arrived San Diego. Came under authority of ComAirPac.
Sept. 28, 1943 – Left San Diego for Pearl Harbor.
Oct. 2, 1943 – Arrived Pearl Harbor.
Oct. 3, 1943 – Shore-based at Kaneohe, Oahu.
Oct. 17, 1943 – Departed Pearl Harbor.
Nov. 5, 1943 – Arrived Espiritu Santo Island.
Nov. 7, 1943 – Underway as part of Task Group 50.3 (This was the “Southern Attack Force lead by Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery aboard the USS Essex)
Combat
Nov. 11, 1943 – Raubaul.
Nov. 25, 1943 – Kavieng.
Jan. 1, 1944 – Kavieng.
Jan. 4, 1944 – Kavieng.
Jan. 29, 1944 – Kiwajalein.
Feb. 1, 1944 – Eniwetok.
Feb. 2, 1944 – Eniwetok.
Feb. 16, 1944 – Truk.
Feb. 22, 1944 – Tinian.
Feb. 25, 1944 – Enroute to U.S. (Quit U.S.S. BUNKER HILL at Pearl Harbor).
March 10, 1944 – Arrived NAS, Alameda, on USS ESSEX.
* * *
Commanding Officer of VT-17 was Lieut. Comdr. Frank M. Whitaker, San Diego, Cal., who was lost in a mid-air collision over Eniwetok. He was succeeded by Lieut. G.N. Owens.
The purpose of the squadron since its origin has been to operate as a torpedo bomber carrier-based squadron in Air Group SEVENTEEN.
* * *
Note:
A list of citations and awards for personnel in VT-17 from the time of commissioning until the squadron was re-formed 18 April 1944 is not availabl to this command. What information could be obtained with current records on hand would be inadequate and inaccurate. The same is true in connection with narrative material of the squadron during the period from 1 January 1943 to 18 April 1944. Complete records of the squadron during that period were not inherited by the command which took over on 18 April 1944.
– 1 –
CHRONOLOGY
VT-17 LOG
Reformed NAS, Alameda 4-18-44
NAS Alameda 4-18-44 to 5-29-44
NAAS Monterey 5-29-44 to 7-17-44
NAAS Vernalis 7-17-44 to 7-24-44
NAAS Monterey 7-24-44 to 8-14-44
NAS Alameda 8-14-44 to 8-16-44
USS Takanis Bay (Qualification) 8-16-44 to 8-18-44
NAS Alameda 8-18-44 to 8-27-44
NAAS Vernalis 8-27-44 to 8-31-44
NAS Alameda 8-31-44 to 10-2-44
NAAS Arcata 10-2-44 to 10-19-44
NAS Alameda 10-19-44 to 10-27-44
USS Ranger (Qualification) 10-27-44 to 10-29-44
NAS Alameda 10-29-44 to 11-2-44
Aboard Train to San Diego 11-2-44 to 11-3-44
San Diego 11-3-44 to 11-3-44
USS Hollandia 11-3-44 to 11-10-44
Pearl Harbor 11-10-44 to 11-10-44
USS Cumberland Sound 11-10-44 to 11-12-44
NAS Hilo, Hawaii 11-12-44 to 12-15-44
Transport to Pearl 12-15-44 to 12-16-44
Pearl Harbor 12-16-44 to 12-16-44
USS Nassau 12-16-44 to 12-28-44
NAB Agana, Guam 12-28-44 to 1-28-45
USS Jasaan Bay 1-28-45 to 1-29-45
Ulithi 1-29-45 to 2-1-45
USS Hornet (Ulithi) 2-1-45 to 2-10-45
(USS Hornet) At Sea 2-10-45 to 3-4-45
Ulithi 3-4-45 to 3-14-45
(USS Hornet) At Sea 3-14-45 to 4-30-45
– 2 –
CHRONOLOGY
VT-17 LOG
Ulithi 4-30-45 to 5-9-45
(USS Hornet) At Sea 5-9-45 to 6-13-45
Leyte 6-13-45 to 6-19-45
At Sea, Enroute to U.S. via Pearl Harbor 6-19-45 to (6-26-45)
* * *
– 3 –
CHRONOLOGY
VT-17
ROSTER OF OFFICERS
Lt. Cdr. William M. Romberger, 610 First Street, Coronado, California
Lt. Thomas C. Durkin, 67 Wall St., New York City, N.Y.
Lt. Charles D. Livengood, P.O. Box 470, Powell, Wyoming.
Lt. James A. Tew, 200 Avacado Avenue, Sanford, Florida
Lt. Henry E. Clark, 1127 N. 25th Street, Billings, Montana
Lt. John A. Martin, 5043 W. Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois
Lt. Raymond M. Roland, Jr., 16565 Kentfield Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.
Lt. Steven G. Sullivan, Rt. #2, Box 234, Tulare, California
Lt. Richard C. Reed, 16 34th Street, Des Moines, Iowa.
Lt. John E. Murphy, 217 Scenic Avenue, Mt. Allen, Covington, Kentucky.
Lt. (jg). George A. Hill, Jr., 40 Elm Street, Concord, Massachusetts.
Lt. (jg). William H. Morrissey, 314 E. Arrellaga Street, Santa Barbara, California.
Lt. (jg). Arnold C. Traxler, 2012 Tiffin Road, Oakland, California
Lt. (jg). Harlan W. Foote, 772 Poli Street, Apt. D., Ventura, California.
Lt. (jg). Francis M. Smith, 305 S. 15th. Street, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Lt. (jg). Thomas J. Coghlan, 669 S. Poplar Avenue, Kankakee, Illinois.
Lt. (jg). Ivan R. Beisel, P.O. Box 168, Inglewood, California.
Lt. (jg). John S. Cooke, 60 Douglas Road, Glen Ridge, New Jersey.
Lt. (jg). Walter D. Nielsen, 1523 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood, California.
Lt. (jg). Kenneth B.C. McCubbins, Rt. #1, Box 135, Dallas, Oregon.
Lt. (jg). Hugh C. Johnson, 201 E. Lake Street, Waupaca, Wisconsin.
Lt. (jg). Ralph V. Johnson, Benton City, Missouri.
– 4 –
Lt. (jg). Jules J. Bungus, 145 W. 55th Street, New York, New York.
Lt. (jg). James F. Monaghan, 18-11 Murray Street, Whitestone, Long Island, New York.
Lt. (jg). John E. Strickland, Warsaw, North Carolina.
Ensign Joseph Behl, 442 E. Mt. Airy Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ensign Harry D. Jones, 1500 Fallowfield Avenue, Apt. F, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Ensign Walter F. Nickel, 428 N. “J” Street, Dinuba, California.
Ensign Harold J. Rogers, Box 94, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Ensign Robert S. Hanlon, 14625 Forrer, Detroit, Michigan.
Ensign Frederick B. Tschudin, 4487 Laclede, St. Louis, Missouri.
* * *
VT-17
ROSTER OF ENLISTED MEN
AKERS, Charles N., ARM2c(T), 2312 Avenue “U”, Lubbock, Texas.
BARKLAY, Budd N., AOM2c(T), 125 Massachusetts Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.
BELL, Vern K., ACMM(AA)(T), Route #1, Box 138, Reno, Nevada.
BERRYHILL, James H., ARM1c(T), 1706 30th Street, Sheffield, Alabama.
BOBBITT, Paul M., AMM1c, Route #6, Box 511-A, Ft. Worth, Texas.
BRAUCH, Paul (n)., AOM1c, 1922 E. 22nd Street, Wichita, Kansas
BREZOVSKY, Philip S., AMM1c, 6431 N. Greenview Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
CANADA, Herman R., ARM3c, Elbridge, Tennessee.
– 5 –
CHRONOLOGY
VT-17
ROSTER OF ENLISTED MEN
CHASE, LeRoy C., AMM2c(T), 53 B Central Lane, N. Tonawanda, New York.
CIMINSKI, Frank (n)., ARM3c(T), 266 Twickenham, Los Angeles, California.
COLOMBINI, William (n)., S1c, P.O. Box 434, Castroville, California.
COLP, William E., ARM3c, 2209 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri.
CONSTANTINE, Pete (n)., ARM3c, 6924 Fulton Street, San Francisco, California.
CROPP, Fred R., ARM2c(T), E. 18 Fourth Avenue, Spokane, Washington.
FEURT, Donald R., AOM1c(T), Hereford, Colorado.
FIELD, James J., Y1c(T), 441 So. Jefferson Davis Parkway, New Orleans, Louisiana.
FITZGERALD, Fred J., AMM1c(T), 2 Earl Avenue, San Jose, California.
FORBES, Ray D., AOM1c(T), 3416 9th Avenue, Tampa, Florida.
FRIEZE, Robert A., ARM2c(T), 4007 E. Sixth Street, Los Angeles, California.
FUCHS, Ernest P., AOM1c, 3023 Feasler Avenue, Erie, Pennsylvania.
GEORGE, Philip W., AOM1c(T), Lebo, Kansas.
GEYER, Jack L., AOM1c(T), 2039 Termon Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
HAND, George C., ART1c, 45 N. Corona Avenue, Valley Stream, New York.
HELGESON, Helge KL., ARM3c, Box 259, Nashua, Montana.
HERZING, Ivan J., ACOM(AA)(T), 340 Washington Street, St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania.
HILBERT, Bruce M., AMM3c, 126 N. 4th Street, Emmaus, Pennsylvania.
JENSEN, Norman C., AOM1c(T), 1048 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois
JONES, Robert J., S1c, 2222 W. 13th Street, Chicago, Illinois.
KEENER, Frank W., AOM3c, Rt. #1, Box 1-B, Sanger, California.
KEFFER, Theodore (n)., AOM1c(T), Cheswick, Pennsylvania.
– 6 –
CHRONOLOGY
VT-17
ROSTER OF ENLISTED MEN
KELLETTE, Walter B., ACEM(AA)(T), 1291 58th Avenue, Oakland, California.
KLUNDER, Robert “E”., ARM1c(T), 8 Denman Place, Cranford, New Jersey
MANNING, Victor (n)., AMM2c(T), 2505 Humphrey Street, E. Elmhurst, New York.
MAZUR, Walter (n)., ACMM(T), 130 Hale Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.
McFARLAND, Carl W., AMM3c, 1833 Vinton Avenue, Portsmouth, Ohio.
MEYER, Jack T., AOM2c(T), 310 Logan Boulevard, Altoona, Pennsylvania.
MULLIS, William B., S1c, R.F.D. #4, Xenia, Ohio.
NELSON, Glenn L., ARM3c, 301 11th Street, Sheldon, Iowa.
NICHOLSON, James N, ARM1c(T), c/o General Delivery, Harrison, Arkansas.
NIEDZWICK, Theodore J., AOM1c(T), 225 S. Ann Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
PARKER, Frank G., ARM1c(T), 1706 30th Avenue, San Francisco, California.
PODOLAK, Paul G., ARM2c(T), 5619 Damen Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
REDMON, Joseph H., ARM1c(T), 5827 S. Artesian, Chicago, Illinois
REIGER, Robert E., ARM, Wauzeka, Wisconsin.
ROBSON, Donald W., ARM3c, 329 1/2 Glady Avenue, Long Beach, California.
ROELFSON, Roy O., ARM2c, 3740 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
ROUSH, Randall C., ACEM(PA), 21 Valley Lane, Skyway Park, Osborne, Ohio.
SARTORY, Joseph G., AM1c, 111 Meade Avenue, Bellview, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
SCHNELL, Frederick P., AMM2c(T), 301 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin.
SENNETT, Walter M., AOM2c(T), 9121 Falcon Avenue, Detroit, Michigan
SHUTTLEWORTH, Frank (n)., ARM3c, 9627 Traverse Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.
SIMONS, Paul E., ARM2c(T), 1271 Bosworth Street, San Francisco, California.
– 7 –
(continued)
VT-17 Historical Report by W. M. Romberger : Click – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Part 6 – Part 7
18th Oct 09 Administrator
18th Oct 09 AdministratorView Secrets of the Battleship Yamato a/k/a Sinking the Supership
14th Oct 09 AdministratorThere are many stories about the sinking of the Japanese battleship Yamato. Below are some of those stories and some links to other web sites with more stories about the ship and it’s final day, April 7, 1945.
Yamato (大和), named after the ancient Japanese Yamato Province, was a battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet, she was lead ship of the Yamato class. She and her sister ship, Musashi, were the largest and heaviest battleships ever constructed, displacing 72,800 tonnes at full load, and armed with nine 46 cm (18.1 inch) main guns.
Constructed from 1937 – 1940 and formally commissioned in late 1941, Yamato served as the flagship of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto throughout 1942, first sailing as part of the Combined Fleet during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Throughout 1943, Yamato continually transferred between Truk, Kure and Brunei in response to American airstrikes on Japanese island bases. The only time Yamato fired her main guns at enemy targets was in October 1944, but was ordered to turn back after attacks by destroyers and aircraft of the “Taffy” light escort carrier task groups managed to sink three heavy cruisers during the Battle off Samar.
(portions removed)
On 1 January 1945, Yamato, Haruna and Nagato were all transferred to the newly reactivated 1st Battleship Division; Yamato left drydock two days later.[1] When the 1st Battleship Division was deactivated once again on 10 February, Yamato was reassigned to the 1st Carrier Division. On 19 March 1945 Yamato came under heavy attack when American carrier aircraft from Enterprise, Yorktown and Intrepid raided the major naval base of Kure where she was docked.[25][26] Damage to the battleship, however, was light,[25] due in part to the base being defended by elite veteran Japanese fighter instructors flying Kawanishi N1K “Shiden” or “George” fighters.[1][26] Led by the man who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor, Minoru Genda, the appearance of these fighters, which were equal or superior to the F6F Hellcat in performance, surprised the attackers, and several American planes were shot down.[26] Heavy antiaircraft defensive fire and the heavy upper-deck armour plating on Yamato also prevented any significant damage to the vessel. On 29 March, Yamato took on a full stock of ammunition, in preparation for combat off Okinawa in Operation Ten-Go.[1]
Operation Ten-Go was a deliberate suicide attack against American forces off Okinawa by Yamato and nine escorts, beginning on 6 April 1945. Embarking from Kure, Yamato was to beach herself near Okinawa, and act as an unsinkable gun-emplacement—bombarding American forces on Okinawa with her 18.1-inch heavy-guns. Yamato carried only enough fuel to reach Okinawa, as the fuel stocks available were insufficient to provide enough fuel to reach Okinawa and return.[27] While navigating the Bungo Strait, Yamato and her escorts were spotted by the American submarines Threadfin and Hackleback, both of which notified Task Force 58 of Yamato‘s position.[1][5]
At 12:32 on 7 April 1945, Yamato was attacked by a first wave of 280 aircraft from Task Force 58, taking three hits (two bombs, one torpedo).[1] By 14:00, two of Yamato‘s escorts had been sunk.[5] Shortly afterward, a second strike of 100 aircraft attacked Yamato and her remaining escorts. At 14:23, having taken 10 torpedo and 7 bomb hits, Yamato‘s forward ammunition magazines detonated.[5] The smoke from the explosion—over 4 miles (6.4 km) high—was seen 100 miles (160 km) away on Kyūshū.[28] An estimated 2,498 of the 2,700 crew members on Yamato were lost, including Vice-Admiral Seiichi Itō, the fleet commander.[1]
Yamato Museum
Battleship Yamato with 35 photographs (WW2DB)
Yamato record of movement
What did the US Navy know about Yamato and when?
The final phase of the Pacific war during World War II saw a terrible new tactic: massed kamikaze attacks on American ships by Japanese planes. But the biggest kamikaze attack of all was the suicidal mission of the super battleship Yamato, the largest, most advanced warship of the day. In this program, NOVA joins an international team exploring the grave of this magnificent vessel to learn the secrets of her design, her final mission, and the violent events that brought her down.
Yamato lies on the floor of the East China Sea, 200 miles north of Okinawa, blown apart by one of the most massive explosions ever to occur at sea. Altogether, more than 2,700 men went down with the ship or drowned after it sank, making the loss of the Yamato one of the greatest naval disasters of all time. Despite the destruction, the majesty of the ship is unmistakable, symbolized by a six-foot-wide chrysanthemum crest, icon of the Japanese imperial family, still gracing Yamato‘s prow like a figurehead.
NOVA interviews two survivors of the sinking, who had to meet the most stringent requirements in the Japanese navy to be chosen for the crew. Also interviewed is an American dive-bomber pilot who took part in the attack.
Aircrews were astonished at the size of the ship, which had seen very little naval action during the war. Built in total secrecy and launched just after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Yamato may have been almost twice the size of her American counterparts, with the largest guns ever mounted on a warship.
Most of her engineering drawings have disappeared and few photographs survive, making Yamato‘s exact dimensions and design a mystery. One of her junior designers tells NOVA he was completely in the dark about the scale of the vessel that he was helping to create: “I was building the biggest ship in the world, and I didn’t even know it until after the war.”
Japan’s secrecy was due to her inability to match U.S. naval power ship for ship. Instead, military leaders decided to build a secret weapon that could engage many enemy ships at once. Her main guns were designed to attack at an unprecedented distance of 25 miles, well beyond the range of American battleships.
Had Yamato ever encountered an Allied battleship group, she could have floated safely out of range, while destroying each ship in turn. Instead, Yamato was obsolete the day she was launched, as the Japanese themselves proved at Pearl Harbor and elsewhere by sinking Allied battleships with airpower. World War II would see the aircraft carrier emerge as the key to naval supremacy, supplanting the battleship.
Forced to wait out much of the war due to her vulnerability to air attack, Yamato was committed in a last, desperate gamble during the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945. As waves of kamikazes took to the sky to defend the island, Yamato was ordered to sea on a mission to emulate the suicide planes and take out as many American ships as possible.
Of the just over 3,000 men aboard the Yamato on the morning of April 7, 1945, fewer than 300 were alive at day’s end. In the interviews below, meet two Yamato veterans still haunted by memories of the battle that took most of their comrades’ lives.
Read Japanese Survivor Stories
Japanese Battleship Yamato - minutes before sinking
0800 hour – The Attack Force is sighted by a searching Grumman F6F Hellcat from USS ESSEX (CV-9). The Attack Force briefly sights seven “Hellcat” fighters, but they are not seen by the escorting Zekes.
1000 hour – The Attack Force sights two large Martin “Mariner” PBM flying boats. The Japanese also spot the HACKLEBACK trailing the Attack Force. YAMATO turns towards the planes and opens fire unsuccessfully as does cruiser YAHAGI. While YAHAGI jams their sighting messages, YAMATO receives a report from a Japanese scout plane that Task Force 58 has been located east of Okinawa, 250 nautical miles from the Attack Force. The aircraft are lost behind the clouds. Both ships cease firing. The Attack Force turns towards Sasebo.
1100 hour – YAMATO’s Type 13 air search radar operator reports contact with a large aircraft formation at his set’s maximum range of 63 miles. He reports the formation at bearing 180, heading north, and splitting into two groups. All ships increase speed to 25 knots and commence a simultaneous turn.
A report that had been delayed for 25 minutes by ransmission and decoding, is received finally. It says that the Kikaigashima Island lookout station saw 150 carrier planes heading northwest. Just then, eight F6F Hellcats appear and begin circling over the force to maintain contact until the main formation arrives. YAMATO and YAHAGI open fire, increase speed to 24 knots and commence a series of sharp evasive maneuvers.
Air search reports two groups of aircraft, range 44 miles, closing at high speed. The sky is still overcast and visibility is poor. Then radar reports the closing aircraft have turned towards the force. The Attack Force resumes zigzagging. The Attack Force turns to course 205, towards Okinawa.
1200 hour – A lookout spots three Japanese troopships on bearing 0250 heading for Amami-Oshima.
A lookout spots American planes 25 degrees to port, levation 8, range 4,375 yards, moving to port. This is the first wave of 280 aircraft (132 fighters, 50 bombers, 98 torpedo planes) from Task Group 58. 1’s USS HORNET (CV-12), HANCOCK (CV-19), BENNINGTON (CV-20), BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24) and SAN JACINTO (CVL-30) and from Task Group 58. 3’s USS ESSEX (CV-9), BUNKER HILL (CV-17), BATAAN (CVL-24) and CABOT (CVL-28).
Lagging behind the main force, destroyer ASASHIMO is attacked and sunk by aircraft from SAN JACINTO.
YAMATO opens fire with her two forward main turrets and AA guns. YAMATO stops zigzagging and increases speed to 24 knots. Her nine 18.1-inch guns firing Sanshikidan beehive shells, twenty-four 127-mm. AA guns and one hundred fifty-two 25-mm AA guns all open fire. The American planes release their bombs and torpedoes and strafe the bridge with machine-gun fire. YAMATO is hit by two AP bombs. Smoke rises from the vicinity of the mainmast and a bomb explodes in the same area. The aft secondary battery fire control, secondary gun turret and the air search radar are knocked out.
The Attack Force changes course to 100 degrees. Helldivers from BENNINGTON and HORNET attack from port. At flank speed, YAMATO commences a right turn but two 1000-lb AP bombs hit her. The first explodes in the crew’s quarters abaft the Type 13 radar shack. The second penetrates the port side of the aft Command station and explodes between the 155-mm gun magazine and main gun turret No. 3’s upper powder magazine. It starts a fire that cannot be extinguished and rips a 60-foot hole in the weather deck. One Helldiver is shot down, another is damaged badly.
A group of five low-flying Avengers (VT-17) from HORNET (CV-12) start a torpedo run from the port, bearing 70 degrees. YAMATO, at 27 knots flank speed, heels to starboard in evasive action. The Avengers drop three torpedoes. One strikes her port side near the forward windlass room. One Avenger is shot down.
Fourteen F4U Chance-Vought Corsairs from BUNKER HILL strafe and rocket YAMATO but cause only minor damage. Thirty-four Hellcats, 22 Helldivers and one Corsair attack YAMATO’s escorts. DesDiv 17’s HAMAKAZE takes a near miss on her starboard quarter that disables her starboard shaft. A torpedo strikes HAMAKAZE starboard, aft of amidships and she jackknifes. SUZUTSUKI takes a 500-lb GP bomb hit to starboard, abreast her No. 2 gun mount. Two dud rockets hit FUYUTSUKI.
The first attack wave retires. Destroyer SUZUTSUKI wreathed in black smoke, burns furiously. The light cruiser YAHAGI, without headway, drifts helplessly behind the main force. YAMATO, despite hits by two bombs and one torpedo, maintains flank speed.
1300 hour – YAMATO changes course to 180 degrees, due South. Her remaining air search radar reports the approach of a second attack wave. The Attack Force changes course due south to 180 degrees. Fifty aircraft from ESSEX and BATAAN are sighted approaching from the SSW, range 18.5 miles. YAMATO increases speed to 22 knots.
A Corsair from ESSEX drops a 1000-lb GP bomb that hits the superstructure in the port bow area. Twelve Helldivers claim several hits near the bridge and main gun turret No. 3. Five Helldivers are damaged by AA fire. Another 110 aircraft from Task Group 58. 4’s YORKTOWN (CV-10), INTREPID (CV-11), LANGLEY (CVL-27) engage the Attack Force. This time all the attacks are concentrated against the battleship. Twenty Avengers make a new torpedo run from 60 degrees to port.
YAMATO starts a sharp turn to port but three torpedoes rip into her port side amidships. Her auxiliary rudder is jammed in position hard port. YAMATO has taken a total of four torpedo hits. She ships about 3,000-tons of seawater. She lists about seven degrees to port. Damage Control counter-floods both starboard engine and boiler rooms and almost entirely corrects the list.
YAMATO starts a turn starboard to course 230 degrees. One of her lookouts spots the tracks of four torpedoes approaching. The first torpedoes pass by harmlessly, but the remaining two strike her port amidships. She takes on a heavy list to port and her speed drops to 18 knots. Armor-piercing and other bombs make a shambles of her upper works.
YAMATO turns hard to port. She continues to throw up a screen of desperate flak fire. One Avenger is shot down but her barrage is largely ineffective because each AA battery fires independently without coordination. The escorts cannot defend the flagship either.
1400 hour – Three bombs explode port amidships, five minutes later a torpedo hits her starboard side amidships. Ten minutes later, two more torpedoes strike her port side. YAMATO’s list increases to about 15 degrees and her speed slows to 12 knots.
Executive Officer Nomura Jiro reports to Captain Aruga that his damage control officers are all dead and that counter-flooding can no longer correct the list. He suggests the order to abandon ship be given. The Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Ito, orders the mission cancelled and directs the remaining ships to pick up as many survivors as possible.
Light cruiser YAHAGI, hit by 12 bombs and seven torpedoes sinks exactly one minute after the last bomb hits. LtCdr (later Captain) Herbert Houck, the leader of 43 TBM Avengers of VT-9 from YORKTOWN, detaches Lt Thomas Stetson’s six Avengers in a final torpedo attack from the ship’s starboard side. Stetson’s crewmen reset their Mark 13 torpedoes’ running depth to 20 feet. Listing heavily to port, YAMATO’s exposed hull is hit by several more torpedoes. She rolls slowly over her port side on her beam ends.
YAMATO’s No. 1 magazine explodes and sends up a cloud of smoke seen 100 miles away. She slips under followed by an underwater explosion.
YAMATO sinks at 30-22 N, 128-04 E.
Vice Admiral Ito and YAMATO’s skipper Captain Aruga and 3,055 of 3,332 crewmen are lost. 276 men are rescued including Rear Admiral Morishita Nobuei, Chief of Staff, Second Fleet (and former YAMATO skipper). Aruga receives a rare double promotion posthumously to Vice Admiral on the request of Admiral Toyoda. Later that day, the battered destroyers ISOKAZE and KASUMI are scuttled and sink. 1,187 crewmen of DesRon 2’s light cruiser YAHAGI and the four destroyers are also lost.
The Imperial Japanese Navy ceases to exist as a fighting force. The Americans lose 10 aircraft and 12 crewmen.
(Source: www.combinedfleet.com)
##
14th Oct 09 AdministratorWhat was to become the FIST of the FLEET was conceived on September 15, 1941, when the keel of the USS BUNKER HILL (CV-17) was laid. On January 1 1943, VT-17 was formed under the command of LCDR Frank W. “Silver Fox” Whitaker. In those previous fifteen months, the US Navy was busy recruiting, training, and purchasing the aircraft and thousands of items the squadron would need when the USS Bunker Hill was commissioned on May 24, 1943.
CVG-17 was also formed on January 1, 1943. This air group became CVBG-17, then CVBG-5 in 1946 and redesignated CVG-6 in 1948. It became CVW-6 in 1963 and was disestablished on April 1, 1992. Numerical designation of air groups began in 1942, many numbered according to their assigned ship (CV-17 .. CVG-17) and each ship had a distinctive graphic design for its aircraft. Aircraft assigned to USS Bunker Hill were identified with a vertical arrow on the tail.
The “Fist of the Fleet” began as Torpedo Squadron 17 (VT-17) at NAS Norfolk (Virginia), initially assigned TBF-1 then TBM-1C aircraft as part of Air Group 17 (CVG-17). The TBM Avenger was the same as the Grumman designed TBF, but built by Eastern Aircraft, a division of General Motors. The squadron moved to NAAS Chincoteague (Virginia) for training, away from the flight activity and intense scrutiny at Norfolk (Virginia).
(remaining list is still to be transcribed)
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