2194days

Pacific · United States vs Japan

Battle of the Philippine Sea

19 June 1944 – 20 June 1944

The Japanese Mobile Fleet sortied to break up the invasion of Saipan and met Spruance's Fifth Fleet in the largest carrier battle ever fought. Japanese air strikes were destroyed by radar-directed fighters in what American pilots called the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot, while submarines sank two fleet carriers. Japan lost some 600 aircraft and its carrier air groups were never rebuilt.

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Day by day

— The Turkey Shoot

Ozawa's aircraft outrange Mitscher's, so he launches from 300 miles out while Spruance, who will not leave Saipan uncovered, waits west of the island. Four raids come in between 10:00 and 15:00 and are met by radar-directed Hellcats: about 300 aircraft are shot down for the loss of 23, and the only bomb to hit anything all day dents the battleship South Dakota. Under the fleet, Albacore torpedoes the new carrier Taiho and Cavalla puts three into Shokaku; both blow up on their own petrol fumes.

— The mission beyond darkness

Mitscher finds Ozawa at 15:40, retiring west-north-west and refuelling, and launches 216 aircraft at 16:24 knowing they will come back in the dark and short of petrol. They sink the carrier Hiyo and two oilers and damage Zuikaku and Chiyoda for 20 aircraft lost. Eighty more ditch or crash on the way home, though Mitscher turns on every light in the fleet and most of the crews are picked up; Japan has lost about 600 aircraft in two days and will not rebuild the aircrew.

Battle of the Philippine Sea: the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku (center) and the destroyers Akizuki and Wakatsuki maneuvering, while under attack by U.S. Navy carrier aircraft, during the late afternoon of 20 June 19
Battle of the Philippine Sea: the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku (center) and the destroyers Akizuki and Wakatsuki maneuvering, while under attack by U.S. Navy carrier aircraft, during the late afternoon of 20 June 19Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain · source
Battle of The Philippine Sea, June 1944 (Catalog #: 80-G-23684): Lieutenant Junior Grade Alexander Vraciu, USNR; fighting squadron 16 "Ace", holds up six fingers to signify his "kills" during the "Great Marianas Turkey S
Battle of The Philippine Sea, June 1944 (Catalog #: 80-G-23684): Lieutenant Junior Grade Alexander Vraciu, USNR; fighting squadron 16 "Ace", holds up six fingers to signify his "kills" during the "Great Marianas Turkey SUS Navy · Public domain · source
Japanese Carrier Division Three under attack by United States Navy aircraft from Task Force 58 in the battle of the Philippine Sea, late afternoon of 20 June 1944. Photographed from a USS Bunker Hill plane. Heavy cruiser
Japanese Carrier Division Three under attack by United States Navy aircraft from Task Force 58 in the battle of the Philippine Sea, late afternoon of 20 June 1944. Photographed from a USS Bunker Hill plane. Heavy cruiserUnknown authorUnknown author · Public domain · source
Fighter plane contrails mark the sky over Task Force 58, during the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" phase of the battle, 19 June 1944. Photographed from on board USS Birmingham (CL-62). (Battle of the Philippine Sea, June
Fighter plane contrails mark the sky over Task Force 58, during the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" phase of the battle, 19 June 1944. Photographed from on board USS Birmingham (CL-62). (Battle of the Philippine Sea, June Post-Work: User:W.wolny · Public domain · source

Equipment in this battle

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