Coral Sea 2009 - Frame 3 - USN Team AlphaUSN pilots launching from the Yorktown and Lexington struck a critical blow to IJN ships 70 nautical miles North East of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in the North Solomon Sea. The Attack Carrier Shokaku was sunk and serveral of her escorts vessels damaged.
Navy pilots flying the F4F-F Wildcat, SBD-5 Dauntless and TBM-3 Avenger flew 65 minutes 250 nautical miles before striking the enemy.
The strike group was comprised 60+ aircraft and was only lightly escorted greatly increasing the hazard of the mission; only 4 of the 60+ aircraft were fighters.
Route planning avoided enemy land based spotters on the the southern tip of the peninsula; the element of surprise was paramount.
The IJN task group was spotted just north of Kiniwina Island in the Solomon Sea by USAAF B-25C scouts; she was steaming South South West.
Scouts were ordered to maintain contact in a station East South East of Shokaku in an effort to draw IJN fleet defense away from Shokaku's western starboard flank, to create a defensive vacuum in front the USN attack
The USN attack group flanked her escorts on her western side and attacked from West to East; they were undetected until it was to late for the enemy to interdict.
Light and Heavy SBD-5's attacked first: setting the ship on fire and disabling Shokaku's anti-aircraft capability leaving her vulnerable to the TBM-3. The enemy fighter cover followed the SBD's to the North West after their attack; the door was left wide open for the TBM-3 and Shokaku was doomed.
Shokaku was seen slipping beneath the waves at 13:30 after being struck by no less than 8 USN Mk 12 torpedo
The IJN loss of Shokaku set the stage for USN victory the following day; no United States Navy ships were lost in the 48 hours of battle otherwise known as The Battle of Coral Sea
TBM elements of USN Attack Group "Fury" crosses the Southern New Guinea peninsula near Gaidaisu.
TBM-3's led the crossing followed by the SBD-5's flying above and behind.
USN pilots spread out in long formations to avoid detection; surprise of the enemy was essential
Enemy spotter stations on the peninsula left a narrow 2 mile corridor to pass through; see waypoint #2 below
The massive formation of SBD (out of frame) used their altitude advantage to shallow dive and close the formation
Attack Group "Fury" fully reformed itself in the Goodenough Bay near Kieboda before attacking
USN TBM-3's on attack run for IJN Shokaku breaking right and lining up in a streched echelon
A6M-2's can be seen wave hopping in the distance chasing SBD's
The door was open for USN TBM-3 Avenger Torpedo Bombers; Shokaku was doomed
USN planning map for operation "Fury", Team Alpha, Frame 3, Coral Sea 2009
2 TBM-3 Avengers throw a curve ball and set up for an attack on Shokuku's port beam
USN pilots were trained to attack the ships from all points of the compass simultaneously
This chaotic attack profile crippled the enemy in his ability to respond effectively
On the right you can see low TBM-3 attacking her on the starboard beam drawing fire
Not an enemy aircraft in sight ~ the element of surprise secured
