Essex (CVA 9) - Naval Cruise Book

 - Class of 1946

Page 27 of 174

 

Essex (CVA 9) - Naval Cruise Book online collection, 1946 Edition, Page 27 of 174
Page 27 of 174



Essex (CVA 9) - Naval Cruise Book online collection, 1946 Edition, Page 26
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Page 27 text:

The ESSEX attack on Rabaul was unique in several ways. It was not a part of the over-all strategic plan for the advance in the Pacific. . It was strictly an attack of opportunity. The attack set the stage for the greatest carrier air battle of all time. It was the most severe blow U. S. forces had ever dealt to shore based japanese aircraft. Moreover, enemy planes failed to score a single hit or to in any way damage our ships participat- ing in the attack. Early in November, we had received information that large numbers of Japanese ships were concentrating in Rabaul harbor. The concentration was potentiallv a serious threat to our recently established beachhead on Bougainville, a vitally important operation in establish- ing complete control of the Solomons. The ESSEX, one other large carrier and one small one, and a half dozen destroyers were anchored peace- fully in an Allied harbor far to the south, when orders came in the middle of the night to proceed to a point 75-100 miles oil Rabaul and launch an attack. Augmented IYVU CllfSfrUVk'l'S l:l'Unl fill' SUlUiliUllH area, making a total of eight destroyers in all, rhi- three carriers made a not too formidahh- force tor an attack on what was then the most important and certainh th.- strongest enemy base in the South Pacific. At dawn on November ll, W43, nearlv everv plane of the ESSEX air group was on its wav to the target. Primary objectives were enemy combat ships. Because the approach was again undetected, there was reason to believe the target would not be alerted until it was too late for ships to escape from the harbor. When the attack began some ships had reached the harbor en- trance, some were franticallv getting under wav, and many were still at anchor. The ESSEX had never be- fore been presented with such a lucrative opportunitv. and in spite of determined interception bv swarms ot enemy fighters. her planes pressed home the attack with gratifying results. Sixteen planes from the intercepting group were destroyed bv ESSEX planes alone. The ESSEX personnel had waited patientlv for manv months for a chance to sink or cripple 'lap warships. and now were tremendously eager for return of the planes from the first strike. News of the chaos at Rabaul was jov- fully received. The returning planes had been rearmecl and some were already launched for a second strike when there came the first indication that a large number of enemy planes were approaching the disposition. Fortunately, all of the ESSEX fighters and most of the fighters from the 1

Page 26 text:

v . 4 .....'!i , an -1-My ' K V A , W .fwknoufs N1 5 . of' 'Fe GW 52,0 'air' -:Y I X me mga 5 A I A R Z -Agni. an . -:lr '-ug, . -n HAI FV 9 is rvfuclcd Ivy thc U.S.S. Tallulah przor to speed run or attack H on Rabaul HABAL UVEMBEH ll 1943 24



Page 28 text:

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Suggestions in the Essex (CVA 9) - Naval Cruise Book collection:

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