Bataan (CVL 29) - Naval Cruise Book

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BATTLE CE THE EAST CHINA SEA .hp b.urlush1p, H.1n1.1m ning pmmlrx' 1.1114 lllmkw .1 dxrut hu Z 'I'miling oil from mrpvalw hits. shy wrirlmus umlvr mmm blows tmm nlwvu K T-hc Lcrriblc cnding. ffirml cxplusiun ot' the Yanmno .N hcr escorting dcslroycrs-rhcir Lum next-stand hclplcsslv by VL 6 Page One Hundred One u l . s-W F L 3 2 7 ,I h 1. 4 i . . F - ,W n,--. ,,L,, ,. ,-. . ,. v W, , f.M..ff1 .1 ' a ',L 4 - -.,- ..., ,,,x. 44.1. Xulf f ...,. -..s ,.:,-.-t-,. , ..-U ,,,, D , ggfxf- - .J '

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i I El I S I I 1 I I 9,3 1- 1,1 1, ,,, l. sl? ll .i I I I I I I I I 4, K, I J 1 1 1 23 el' f-I AZ T' 0 X., X E75 - A F 425 'i i-3T7 -' ' s do I..-I I ' ,il I I g uuUfffll at N4 I E' EQ' TT? ' N 7 I F4 XS , ' X f f my X X 7 April '45-BATTLE OE THE EAST CI-IINA SEA. The BATAAN's contribution: 4 torpedo hits on the YA- MATOg one bomb hit on a light cruiserg bomb hits on 2 destroyers. As a result of these and hits by other groups, the YAMATQ and the cruiser sank, with the destroyers believed to have followed suit. Intense AA, including the battleship's main batteries. Lt. TRIGG makes a water landing because of flak damage to his Hellcatg he is picked up by the DD .IGI-IN W. WEEKS. The Task Group is under air attackg the ship's guns taking 2 planes under fire. The HANCQCK is hit by a Kamikaze about 2000 yards from the BATAAN. Our CAP splashes 2 Erances. 8-10 April '45-Target CAP's over Okinawa and strikes against Minami. As usual, Minami gives a warm hello and 2 of our planes are hit by flak on the l0th3 both return safely. ll April '45-Concentrated enemy air attacks on the Task Group, many .laps being splashed. The BATAAN shoots down a couple, with assists on 2 to 4 more. Kamikazes make unsuccessful dives on the ENTERPRISE, BUNKER I-IILL and the ESSEX, all in our formation. Our Amami sweep saves the gunners some work by splashing a Tojo on the way to the Task Group with a bombload. The BATAAN again sustains casualties: 9 men wounded by shell fragments. In the evening we are visited by enemy hecklers and night raiders. The AA produces some spectacular pyrotechnic effects. PgO Hn I Cl e no u drccl

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rl - as GNCE TRATED KAMIKAZE The Hancock is hit. fsP f' AQ was Page One Hundred Two K iw. 1 - Q 5 K - ,V , V If q . g .A+ ks V J. W x ' x -wi. X in X x V -.- -V -..W is M . ' Vi -4