US Navy Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bomber of bombing squadron VB-10 in flight during Palau Islands air raid attack in 30 March 1944. One of the last two SBD squadrons to operate from U.S. fleet carriers during the Second World War, VB-10 flew from the deck of the "Big E" during the period January-July 1944, and participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19-20 June 1944. Over the next two days, the 11 fast carriers of TF-58 attacked Japanese bases in the western Carolines while amphibious forces landed at Hollandia, New Guinea. Three TBF squadrons mined Palau Harbor while SBDs and other aircraft claimed 28 ships sunk of 108,000 gross tons! Note the gunner in the rear of the Dauntless, at the ready with his twin .30-calibers.
Source:
Book "SBD Dauntless Units of World War 2" by Barrett Tillman
http://time.com/photography/life/
No comments:
Post a Comment