History of Enterprise
USS Enterprise (CV-6) – American aircraft carrier type “Yorktown”, operated from 1936 to 1947. This is the most famous US Navy ship during the Pacific War. He took part in almost all major naval battles on the Pacific Front, including the Tokyo Raid of 1942, the Midway Atoll, the campaign on the Solomon Islands, the Battle of the Mariana Islands, the Philippine operation and the capture of Okinawa.
At the end of 1941, the war with Japan became more and more real. The command of the Pacific Fleet decided to strengthen the squadron of F4F fighters on Wake Island. On November 28, 1941, his aviation group was replenished with 11 Entepraise naval fighters, consisting of 8 operational units under the command of Admiral Halsey. In sea, an order was received to act in wartime conditions. On December 4, 1941, having delivered the plane to Wake,the compound headed back. Thanks to this operation, the aircraft carrier managed not to fall under the Japanese aircraft carrier group during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Given that aircraft carriers were (along with battleships and heavy cruisers) the main target of the Japanese, the risk of the death of the ship during such a raid was extremely high. Nevertheless, the Enterprise Air Group did not manage to avoid losses: during the raid 5 dive bombers returned to Pearl Harbor after aerial reconnaissance. Several fighters from an aircraft carrier were shot down by anti-aircraft artillery while trying to land at the Ford Pearl Harbor airfield. The unit returned to the base only on December 8, after which, due to the possibility of a second Japanese attack, it cruised for almost a week at sea. On December 10, 1941, dive-bombers from Entepraise discovered and sunk the Japanese submarine I-170.
Taking advantage of the departure of the Japanese aircraft carrier squadron to the west, the US Navy intensified its operations against Japanese bases in the Pacific Ocean. The operations were carried out in the form of sudden attacks by operational groups formed around aircraft carriers.
On February 1, 1942, the 8th operational group attacked a group of atolls (Kwajalein, Voutier, Maloelap) on the Marshall Islands. During several attacks, Enterprise aircraft sank a Japanese anti-submarine ship and vehicles, shot down and destroyed dozens of aircraft on the ground. Own losses amounted to 5 dive-bombers. During the operation, the aircraft carrier was attacked twice by a Japanese aircraft and received minor injuries from a close bomb explosion (8 dead and 11 wounded) and from the fall of the Betty Mitsubishi G4M bomber. At the end of February 8, the operational connection turned into another raid, during which Wake Island was attacked on February 24, and Markus Island was attacked on March 4. During the raid, 3 dive bombers were killed.
The most famous operation of this period, of course, was a raid on Tokyo on April 18, 1942. On this day, 16 main twin-engine B-25 Mitchell bombers taking off from the Hornet aircraft carrier attacked the Japanese capital for the first during the war. The “Enterprise” accompanied the “Hornet”, carrying out reconnaissance and cover.r. Two aircraft carriers were included in 16 operational formations
Participation in a raid in Tokyo did not allow the Enterprise to take part in the battle in the Coral Sea. In late May, the aircraft carrier was returned to Pearl Harbor in connection with the expected attack by the Japanese fleet on Midway Atoll. The interception of Japanese radiograms allowed American ships to take positions before the Japanese advance and go unnoticed. On the morning of June 4, Japanese aircraft carriers were discovered, and Admiral Sprouts, commander of the 16th operational group, sent planes to the enemy aircraft carrier.
Torpedo bombers were the first to find the enemy: a squadron of 14 Enterprise aircraft attacked in the second wave, but could not succeed and lost 10 aircraft. Squadrons of two other aircraft carriers were completely destroyed. Immediately after the end of the failed torpedo attack, Japanese ships were attacked by a squadron of 33 dive-bomber from the Enterprise. The attention of the Japanese was diverted to the previous attack, and American aviation acted almost without resistance. The bombs hit two Japanese aircraft carriers, Akagi and Kaga. At this time, the aircraft from the Yorktown aircraft carrier attacked and shot down the third Soryu aircraft carrier. During the attack and upon returning the squadron lost 14 dive bombers, but achieved brilliant success, inflicting a mortal blow to two aircraft carriers.
The advantage in the battle immediately passed to the American Navy. In the afternoon, a squadron of torpedo bombers from the Enterprise and Yorktown discovered and shot down the last Japanese aircraft carrier from the Japanese Hira complex. Losses of the aviation group of the Enterprise amounted to 3 aircraft. The next day, June 5, two Japanese heavy cruisers attacked the planes of two aircraft carriers of the 16th operational compound. The Mogami cruiser was badly damaged, and the Mikuma cruiser was sunk. Thus, during the battle, the aircraft of the Enterprise sank 4 Japanese ships, making a decisive contribution to the victory of the American fleet.
Success in battle dramatically changed the balance of power in the Pacific War. The Japanese fleet now did not have such a clear advantage over its adversary. Moreover, the Americans for the first time gained an advantage in heavy aircraft carriers, having four ships (Saratoga, Wosp, Enterprise and Hornet) against two Japanese (Shokaku and Zuikaku). This allowed to confidently launch a counterattack, the goal of which was the island of Guadalcanal from the Solomon Islands archipelago. In early August, 3 aircraft carriers, including the Enterprise, consisting of 61 operational units, took part in ensuring the landing of the Marine Corps on the island. Within two days, on August 7-8, aircraft carriers carried out cover for landing, as a result of which 33 aircraft were shot down. Due to the threat of a ground fire in the evening of August 8, it was decided to leave the landing zone.
The Japanese fleet accepted the challenge and began to build up its forces in the Solomon Islands. On August 24, a battle took place near the eastern Solomon Islands. The Japanese aircraft carrier (3 aircraft carriers), designed to maintain landing on Guadalcanal, was attacked by 61 operational groupings, which included the Enterprise aircraft carrier. In the morning, diving bombers from an aircraft carrier attacked the Japanese several times, but to no avail. But the air group from “Saratoga” sank the aircraft carrier “Ryudze”. In the evening, Japanese aviation struck back. Despite the fact that the Japanese dive managed to achieve three hits on the Enterprise (74 killed). Bombs damaged the flight deck and steering, but the ship could even take planes. Some of the dive bombers after the battle landed at the Henderson airfield on Guadalcanal. On August 25, they took part in an attack on Japanese transport, and an aircraft from the Enterprise flooded transport with a displacement of 9,300 tons.
History of Enterprise
The next round of struggle took place at the end of October 1942. By this time, the Enterprise was quickly repaired and equipped with additional anti-aircraft weapons from 40-mm automatic weapons. On October 23 16 operational unit arrived under the command of Rear Admiral Kincaid, formed around the aircraft carrier, in the Solomon Islands. The main aircraft carriers of the Japanese fleet (4 aircraft carriers) also approached the islands. By this time, another Japanese ground attack on Henderson’s airfield had failed, and the Japanese fleet was preparing for battle with American ships.
A mutual search for the enemy took place on October 25, and the Enterprise lost 7 aircraft during these operations, which ran out of fuel. On the morning of October 26, two Enterprise torpedo bombers sent for reconnaissance discovered and suddenly attacked the Dzuyho aircraft carrier, damaging its deck and making it impossible to land planes. The main forces found each other and delivered the first massive strikes. The Japanese attack occurred on the Hornet aircraft carrier, which was shot down by three bombs, two torpedoes and two crashed planes. He was not visible next to the Enterprise, as it was hidden by a downpour. In turn, the Hornet plane seriously damaged the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku, but Enterprise pilots could not strike at another Japanese aircraft carrier and limited themselves to attacking Japanese heavy cruisers, damaging the Tikuma cruiser.
Soon, the second wave of Japanese aircraft (35 aircraft) attacked the American compound. This time, the main blow was dealt to the Enterprise. Despite the strong fighter cover and anti-aircraft fire, the ship was shot down by three bombs. Skillful maneuvering allowed him to dodge the 9 torpedoes fired at him. The third wave of Japanese aircraft could not get on an American ship. Despite the fact that enemy bombs hit the Enterprise was able to continue moving and even capture its own air group and group Hornet.
As a result of the battle, the American fleet seems to have lost its advantage in the battles for the Solomon Islands, since in the combat zone it only had a damaged Enterprise. However, the Japanese victory was worth very expensive. In addition to damage to two aircraft carriers, they lost a large number of pilots – 148 (more than in the previous three battles). This made even the combat-ready Zuikaku leave for Japan. As a result, the Japanese fleet could not take advantage of its success – the Americans again rested on Guadalcanal and soon went on the offensive. Enterprise was put into operation on the Noumea archipelago as soon as possible, and already went to sea on November 11, although it was still being repaired and one of the airplane lift was not working.
In mid-November, both sides made another attempt to change the balance of power in the battle for the island. The Americans landed troops on November 11th. The transports left, and the cover ships remained awaiting the Japanese fleet. On the night of November 13, the first naval battle on Guadalcanal took place, as a result of which the Americans lost many ships. However, the Japanese refused an immediate attack on Henderson’s airfield. In addition, in the afternoon of November 13, an American plane attacked and sank a battleship damaged during the night battle. Two of the torpedoes and three bombs shot down the planes of the Enterprise, operating both from an aircraft carrier and from a land airfield. Hiei was the first Japanese battleship to sink in the war.
In mid-November, both sides made another attempt to change the balance of power in the battle for the island. The Americans landed troops on November 11th. The transports left, and the cover ships remained waiting for the Japanese fleet. On the night of November 13, the first naval battle on Guadalcanal took place, as a result of which the Americans lost many ships. However, the Japanese refused an immediate attack on Henderson’s airfield. In addition, in the afternoon of November 13, an American plane attacked and sank a battleship damaged during the night battle. Enterprise airplanes, operating both from an aircraft carrier and from a land airfield, hit two torpedoes and 3 bombs. Hiei was the first Japanese battleship to have sunk in the war.
During the battle, the Enterprise aircraft operated either through the Henderson airfield, or through it entered the mission. This for a long time did not allow the Japanese to detect the presence of the enemy Enterprise. But on the evening of November 14, the Enterprise was finally discovered by a Japanese plane. Fearing losses from air attacks, it was decided to deliver the aircraft carrier to Noumea, leaving the combat-ready aircraft at the land airport. During the battle, the Enterprise airplanes participated in the sinking of the battleship, heavy cruiser and 6 transports, another 1 heavy cruiser and 5 transports were damaged.
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The November Battle of Guadalcanal marked the end of major naval battles in the area. The Japanese fleet actually recognized defeat and no longer used battleships and aircraft carriers in battles. Now the main task of the Japanese fleet was to protect the occupied lines. It was assumed that aircraft carriers and battleships would be used in a common battle, but at the moment the fleet had to build up strength. On the other hand, the US naval forces also expected an increase due to the gradual commissioning of aircraft carriers such as Essex and Independence. The company worked on the Solomon Islands until May 1943, after which it was replaced by English victories and sent for lengthy repairs to Pearl Harbor.
The American offensive in the central Pacific began in September 1943. The fleet’s strategy included neutralizing enemy aircraft on the islands with a series of aircraft carrier raids, and then landing marines with massive support from both aircraft and artillery ships.
The first operation that Enterprise participated in was a landing on the islands of Tarawa and Mackin in the archipelago of the Gilbert Islands. Enterprise, together with two lungs, became part of the Northern Operational Group (OG 50.2), which was part of the 50th operational compound (Target Group 50) or the Aircraft Carrier Connection. The task of the Northern Group was to support the attack on Makin. Aircraft attacked the atoll, ensuring its capture on November 22. On the way back, on October 4, the complex attacked the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. A plane from an aircraft carrier took part in the sinking of 3 transports and damaged a light cruiser. In the battles for Makin, the Enterprise airplanes first began night operations to intercept Japanese aircraft that were chasing US forces. According to the plan, F6F fighters were supposed to attack targets with a TBF torpedo bomber equipped with a radar.
On November 26, 1943, a group from the Enterprise managed to bring down two B4M bombers at the cost of the death of one fighter, which was piloted by the first US Navy G. O’Hara. Subsequently, night patrols became a specialization of the Enterprise Air Group.
History of Enterprise
On January 6, 1944, the fleet carrier received a new assignment 58 Task Force 58 under the command of Admiral M. Mitcher. The aircraft carrier received three Corsair F4U-2 fighters equipped with a radar for night interception. At the end of January, the fleet attacked the Marshall Islands. On January 29, Enterprise took part in attacks on fortifications and air bases on Kwajalein Atoll. The two-day attacks of the complex, in which there were 12 aircraft carriers (more than 700 aircraft), completely destroyed the aviation that defended the atoll and destroyed the fortifications.
Covering a landing on 58 Eniwetok Atoll, the operational unit (9 aircraft carriers) on February 17 dealt a blow to the Japanese naval base on Truk Island. The aviation group with the company participated in raids. During them, a light cruiser, 3 destroyers and several more ships were seriously damaged. The destroyer Fumitsuki was entered in the aviation registry of the Enterprise. The transport fleet suffered much greater losses, losing 30 ships at the same time. On the night of February 18, 12 Avengers from the Enterprise deck launched an effective nightly bomb attack on Truk Harbor, losing 1 plane. On the way back, on February 20, an aircraft carrier at the head of a small detachment bombed the Djaluit Atoll.
At the end of March, the operational unit again went to sea and attacked the island of Palau, where the main forces of the Japanese Joint Fleet were based shortly thereafter. Enterprise was part of 3 operational groups (Task Group 58.3 consisting of 4 aircraft carriers). Since the Japanese managed to withdraw the fleet, the American aircraft sank more than 30 merchant and auxiliary vessels. In April 1944, taking advantage of the inaction of the enemy fleet, the operational connection was engaged in supporting ground operations in New Guinea.
The lack of aircraft and trained pilots did not allow the Japanese fleet to provide worthy resistance to the American offensive in both the central and southern parts of the Pacific Ocean. But when in March 1944 the enemy was getting closer and closer to Japan, it was decided to start the battle in the US Navy in case of attacks on the Mariana and Caroline Islands. By summer, the Japanese aircraft carrier fleet reached its zenith and could bring 9 aircraft carriers into battle. New types of aircraft carriers were adopted. According to the Japanese plan, the U.S. invasion forces were to be weakened by attacks from the base aircraft from the Mariana Islands, and then be attacked by the Joint Fleet from the base at Tavi-Tavi. The weakest point of the Japanese was the training of pilots who could not compare to the Americans.
The US fleet left the base on Majuro Atoll on June 6, 1944 and on June 11 attacked the Mariana Islands (Operation Foreger) with air forces. On June 15, marines landed on Saipan. The next day, the first mobile fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Ozawa went to sea. Ozawa intended to attack aircraft carrier formations using the long range of his aircraft. Thanks to active intelligence, the Japanese were able to find the Americans first and raise air groups on the morning of June 19. But Americans availability a radar and numerical superiority negated these advantages. All four waves of Japanese aircraft were repulsed. The enemy lost 220 aircraft, most of which were piloted by inexperienced pilots and became so easy prey that one of the American pilots compared the battle to hunting for turkeys. The term «Great Marianas Turkey Shoot»has become ubiquitous.
The next day, the Americans got the opportunity to strike back. By this time, the Japanese fleet, in addition to most aircraft, had lost two large aircraft carriers (Taicho and Secaku, sunk by submarines). On June 20, at 15:40, the Avenger torpedo bomber from the Enterprise, piloted by R. S. Nelson, discovered the Japanese fleet and aimed at it using strike groups of American carrier aircraft. During several raids, the Hiyo aircraft carrier and 2 tankers were sunk, and another 4 aircraft carriers were damaged. The return of American aircraft in the dark caused more casualties than the Japanese attack the day before. 14 aircraft from the Enterprise landed on other aircraft carriers; himself he accepted 17 “strangers”. During the landing, several incidents occurred, during one of which the Dountless from the aircraft carrier Lexington crashed into a superstructure.
The result of the battle was the final defeat of the Japanese carrier fleet, which, having saved the ships,lost most of the aircraft and pilots. This cost the Americans relatively small losses, which did not reduce their combat readiness. The Enterprise Air Group provided support to ground forces in Saipan until July 5, after which it was assigned to the base at Enivetok Atoll.
The result of the battle was the final defeat of the Japanese carrier fleet, which, having saved the ships,lost most of the aircraft and pilots. This cost the Americans relatively small losses, which did not reduce their combat readiness. The Enterprise Air Group provided support to ground forces in Saipan until July 5, after which it was assigned to the base at Enivetok Atoll.
Task Force 38, in anticipation of the invasion, launched a deep raid on Japanese bases north of the impending attack. On October 10, aircraft carrier aircraft, including the Air Group with the Enterprise, attacked Okinawa, October 12 – Taiwan (Formos), and the Japanese air counterattacks were successfully repelled on October 13-14. During these battles, Japanese base and carrier aircraft suffered huge losses (up to 600 aircraft according to American data), which greatly limited its ability to withstand landing in Leyte Bay.
With the beginning of landing, he was supported by aircraft of the 38th complex, attacking ground targets and battling enemy aircraft. On October 20, 1944, the Enterprise was sent to Uliti to replenish supplies, but at that time information was received that the main forces of the Japanese fleet were moving to the Philippines. The aircraft carrier was returned. Already on October 22, his reconnaissance aircraft discovered the southern compound of Admiral Nishimura in the Mindanao Sea. On October 23, the Enterprise Air Group participated in numerous attacks on the central compound of Japan in the Sibuyan Sea, as a result of which the Japanese battleship Musashi was sunk.
The commander of the Central Command of Japan, Admiral Kurita, temporarily returned his ships back. Upon learning of this, the commander of the US 3rd Fleet, Admiral Halsey, decided to attack the northern Japanese complex, which included aircraft carriers. On October 25, an American aircraft discovered it and during six attacks sank all 4 Japanese aircraft carriers. In the last battle of aircraft carriers in the Pacific, aircraft from the Enterprise participated.
After the end of the naval battle, for several days the aircraft carrier supported the landed troops, including carrying out night patrols. By that time, the Americans had a new opponent – kamikaze. On October 30, Enterprise was first attacked by a kamikaze, successfully avoiding a hit. The next day, the ships of the operational group 38.4. left the war zone.
History of Enterprise
In early 1945, the Enterprise became a special ship for night operations, which was reflected even in its name (CVN-6). Together with the aircraft carrier Independence, also adapted for night operations, they formed a separate operational group 38.5. At the same time, they joined the 38.2 group for reinforcements and acted as day carriers.
In January 1945, the 38th compound participated in a raid into the South China Sea, attacking targets on the coast of Indochina. Enterprise planes launched night attacks. So on January 22, 6 Avengers bombed the port of Kiirun on Formosa at night, losing three aircraft. After the raid, the connection returned to Uliti, where in early February it was again renamed to 58 connection. Enterprise and Saratoga formed the night task force 58.5.
In February, Entepraise participated in a raid on the Japanese islands, and then until March 10, supported the landing on the island of Iwo Jima, without interrupting air patrols for 174 consecutive hours. In fact, the aircraft carrier served as an escort, so he received the title of “King of Jeeps” from the participants in the battle (“Jeep carriers” were called escort ships that directly supported the troops during landing).
After that, Enterprise, connecting with the rest of the complex, took part in a raid against Japan on the eve of the landing on Okinawa. On March 18, he received a bomb, which, fortunately, did not explode, killing 1 and injuring 2 people. On March 20, reflecting the attacks of the kamikaze, two 127-mm shells from neighboring safety ships fell into the ship, resulting in a severe fire on the flight deck. The aircraft carrier was sent to Uliti, but before the repair was completed, he was returned to Okinawa. On April 11, barely entering the service, he was again attacked by two kamikazes and received new injuries from nearby falls. The aircraft carrier returned to service in May. From May 12 to 14, he took part in attacks on the Japanese islands. His aviation group successfully operated at night. On May 14, the aircraft carrier was again damaged by a kamikaze. This time, the A5M Zero crashed into a deck near the bow elevator, breaking through several decks. Killed 13 and injured 64 people. This time the damage was so serious that Enterprise went to the USA to fix it. He no longer took part in hostilities.
The aircraft carrier Enterprise made the most significant contribution to the success of the US Navy among all the ships of the US Navy. He became one of the three pre-war aircraft carriers that fought throughout the war. Unlike Saratoga, which spent a lot of time on repairs, and the Ranger was used to a limited extent, Enterprise was active during the Pacific War. During the battles, he took part in 5 of the 6 battles of aircraft carriers, and in the battle on Midway Atoll, the role of the aircraft of his air group was decisive for achieving victory. No less significant was the participation of the aircraft carrier in the November battle near the island of Guadalcanal in 1943. Although the importance of the aircraft carrier began to decline with the advent of new aircraft carriers such as Essex, he was able to maintain his importance and personality, specializing in night operations.
The duration and activity of participation in the battles allowed the aircraft carrier to become a champion both in the number of enemy aircraft shot down and in the number of sinking warships and enemy transport ships. Among the large ships belonging to the Enterprise Air Group are the battleship Hiei, the heavy cruisers Mikuma and Kinugasa, the aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga and Hiru, as well as several destroyers.
The post-war service of the ship was short-lived. Already in 1946, he was sent for disarmament to the New York Naval Shipyard and was withdrawn from the operating fleet in 1947. Despite attempts to find funds to convert the ship into a memorial, in 1958 it was sold for metal and disposed of at a shipyard in New Jersey. 🙁