The Battle of Midway June 3-6 1942

[Tiffie K N-L]

Another good site to check out for those interested in the Battle of Midway. I clicked on the link for Torpedo 8 in color and just to know that those brave poor chaps where slatered in there TBD Devastor`s :( but it didnt go in vein because they pulled the fighter cover down that enabled the SBD`s to dive bomb the carriers. :cool: http://www.centuryinter.net/midway/midway.html

[1250ships]

Actually the Devastators of VT-8 did not pull the Japanese fighters down. They were destroyed a full hour before the dive bombers arrived. They did contribute by disrupting the Japanese efforts to launch an attack against the US carriers because while repelling the Devastators and keeping their decks clear for CAP the Japanese could not spot their strike on deck.

The best source discussing this is the recent book Shattered Sword by Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully. It is not an example of superbly written history in the literary sense by it is extensively researched and footnoted and will teach you more about Japanese carrier doctrine than you ever wanted to know.

[Tiffie K N-L]

Actually the Devastators of VT-8 did not pull the Japanese fighters down. They were destroyed a full hour before the dive bombers arrived. They did contribute by disrupting the Japanese efforts to launch an attack against the US carriers because while repelling the Devastators and keeping their decks clear for CAP the Japanese could not spot their strike on deck.

The best source discussing this is the recent book Shattered Sword by Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully. It is not an example of superbly written history in the literary sense by it is extensively researched and footnoted and will teach you more about Japanese carrier doctrine than you ever wanted to know.

See always thought that was the case from the documentries I have seen on the battle. I will check into the book ...:cool:

[gary ford]

Intersting link I have found on the web about VT-8 at Midway.

http://home.comcast.net/~r2russ/midway//aa-reports/tbf-detach.pdf

VT-8 was a split sqn with half of them (the most experianced pilots flying the TBD Devestator) from the carrier Hornet) and the rest (newly qual pilots flying the the new TBF-1 from Midways main base. all the TBD (I think and all by one of the new TBF-1 were lost in the battle.

Note the aircraft TBF-1 was only known as the TBF-1 by the US Navy and not Avenger at that time. Avenger name came after the battle of Midway

After a bad start at Midway the TBF/TBM went on to be the best Torpedo/Bomber of the US Navy in the War

TBF were built by Grumman (F) but due to later demand for F6F Hellcats by the Navy Avenger production was transfered to General Motors hence TBM, M for General Motors

[Tiffie K N-L]

Intersting link I have found on the web about VT-8 at Midway.

http://home.comcast.net/~r2russ/midway//aa-reports/tbf-detach.pdf

VT-8 was a split sqn with half of them (the most experianced pilots flying the TBD Devestator) from the carrier Hornet) and the rest (newly qual pilots flying the the new TBF-1 from Midways main base. all the TBD (I think and all by one of the new TBF-1 were lost in the battle.

Note the aircraft TBF-1 was only known as the TBF-1 by the US Navy and not Avenger at that time. Avenger name came after the battle of Midway

After a bad start at Midway the TBF/TBM went on to be the best Torpedo/Bomber of the US Navy in the War

TBF were built by Grumman (F) but due to later demand for F6F Hellcats by the Navy Avenger production was transfered to General Motors hence TBM, M for General Motors

From what I rememeber from the documtries I have seen a few TBD`S survived but none from VT-8. They where all shot down with only one survivor Pilot George Gay who actually wittnessed the battle while floating in the sea. And your right about the TBF-1/Avenger only one made it back to Midway actually I saw a documentry a while back and the pilot of the TBF-1 was still living and was interviewed dont quote me but I am pretty sure the rest off his crew was killed. :(

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq81-8c.htm

http://www.yorktownsailor.com/yorktown/georgegay.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_H._Gay,_Jr.