Date of Action: November 21, 2008
Base of Operations: Midway
Division Assignment: Kaga Strike
VMF-251 formed on NE runway, Midway, with 10 TBM-3s, consisting of:
Red Flight
Saxman
HAMMERR
aJoust
Herder
Blue Flight
CpMorgan
Viper65
1Duke1
trumpman
White Flight
Drazz
SNYK
VMF-251 launched into the wind and proceeded to circle airfield to point NE Midway, then turned 270, correcting course to arrive at 7.10.4. Squadron remained at low altitude of 1000ft and gathered into formation.
At 7.10.4 squadron turned 180, awaiting sighting of target before turning into engagement area. Kaga sighted by Swamp Dragons in 8.9.4 headed NW. Initial attacks resulted in some hits and one ship sunk. VMF-251 arrived in 7.9.7 and turned 090 to point N of sighting, then turned S at 8.9.7 and dropped altitude to 200ft.
VMF-251 made contact with additional friendlies in 8.9.4, but no visual of carrier. Second sighting placed target in 8.9.9 and VMF-251 corrected for second sighting. Saxman spotted target bearing 11 o'clock and ordered squadron into position for attack at about 2345. VMF-251 formed on Saxman and spread into attack formation. Saxman ordered doors open.
Additional friendly contacts spotted and initiated attacks on CV. Some hits reported by other squadrons as 251 entered torpedo runs. Saxman reached drop point and ordered torpedoes away. All fish released and squadron broke S to evade enemy AAA and some fighters in vicinity. As squadron egressed torpedo from Saxman struck destroy at 2349 and sunk it. Drazz's torpedo sunk cruiser at 2349. aJoust sunk second destroyer at 2350. 251 joined by survivors of other squadrons with intent to rearm at Midway for second attack on Kaga.
251 engaged sporadically by enemy aircraft on withdrawal towards Midway, in which Drazz engaged and shot down D3A at 2357, but all craft arrived safely over island. Base was under attack by enemy A6Ms and D3As, and 251 forced to engage to defend itself. Sharp action ensued. 1Duke1 shot down D3As at 0003 and 0005, shot down 0010 after rearm. CpMorgan shot down A6M 0003, shot down 0009 after attempted rearm. Drazz shot down 0004. HAMMERR shot down A6Ms at 0003 and 0004. Saxman shot down D3A at 0005. SNYK crashed 0003. trumpman shot down D3A at 0003.
Most of squadron survivors recovered by 0018. HAMMERR successfully rearmed and had jettisoned torpedo to return to base when he returned to rearm again and formed with several other TBMs returning to target area to attempt second strike on Kaga. Group of TBMs made it out west and continued to 8.9.9 where CV was contacted. HAMMERR and a second TBM flown by LatinMan made successful drops, but evasive maneuvers by carrier escaped further damage.
Survivors egressed on deck, pursued by A6Ms. One Zero shot down and another forced to withdraw by :atinMan. After turning E for Midway, was engaged by two D3As and two A6Ms. Defensive fire from TBMs forced off D3As. LatinMan downed by Zeros before hits were recorded by HAMMERR'S rear gunner. Nearby F4Fs received request for assistance, but HAMMERR took fatal damage and shot down 0044.
Personnel Status
Saxman Landed Safely
HAMMERR Shot Down
aJoust Landed Safely
Herder Landed Safely
CpMorgan Shot Down
Viper65 Landed Safely
1Duke1 Shot Down
trumpman Landed Safely
Drazz Shot Down
SNYK Crashed
Equipment Status
10 TBM-3 5 Recovered, 5 Lost
14 Mk. 13 torpedoes 14 Expended
Pilot Victories
Saxman 1
HAMMERR 2
CpMorgan 1
1Duke1 2
trumpman 1
Drazz 1
Pilot Objects
Saxman 8
aJoust 7
Drazz 5
Pilot Surface
Saxman 1
aJoust 1
Drazz 1
