The aircraft on Lexington’s stern, May 8, 1942, around 15:00. There are Wildcats in the front, Dauntlesses and
Devastators behind them. Fire is raging in the hangar and the smoke is rising around the rear lift.
Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command
Neosho and Sims at least. The ships had no
chance. After three bomb hits the destroyer
broke in halves and sank immediately. Out
of 192 crew members only 14 sailors survived. Neosho was hit by seven bombs and
a Val which, hit by a defense AA fire,
crashed on her as well. Seriously damaged
tanker drifted for several days until she finally sank.
The Americans at last discovered the light aircraft carrier Shōhō attached to the
invasion fleet and dived on her. Only two
Mitsubishi A5M Claude and a Zero provided
the air cover for her and another three Zeros took off at the beginning of the attack.
They could not however stop the American onslaught. The Lexington aircraft hit
the Japanese ship with two 450 kg bombs
and five torpedoes. Shortly afterwards the
Yorktown aircraft showed up and finished
the burning wreck with 11 more bombs and
2 torpedoes. Shōhō sank 45 minutes after the attack was launched on her. All 18
aircraft she carried were lost as well. The
Americans lost a Dauntless from Lexington. In the evening the Japanese attempted
to find the American main force again but
to no avail. Therefore, the aviators released
their bombs and torpedoes and turned on
their return flight. After the sunset they did
find the American carriers-but they were
without ordnance and misidentified the
ships as their own. They started to circle
and prepare for landing. After a while when
the American destroyers started to fire at
them the Japanese realized their mistake
and flew away.
Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command
HISTORY
Decisive second day
10
INFO Eduard
Burning, abandoned and listing Lexington, May 8, 1942 evening. There are still aircraft on the rear deck.
Photo: Raysonho
The first day ended with serious aircraft
losses on the Japanese side and resulted
in a small American victory in the form of
Japanese decision to postpone the invasion
of Port Moresby for several days. On May
8, 1942, morning the decisive battle was
staged. The Japanese launched an attack
with concentrated force of 18 fighters, 33
Val bombers and 18 Kate bombers. The
Americans sent out two separate groups.
Yorktown launched 6 Wildcats, 24 Dauntlesses and 9 Devastators. A while later
Lexington launched 9 fighters, 15 dive bombers and 12 torpedo bombers. Yorktown
aviators hit Shōkaku with two bombs, a bit
later Lexington pilots scored another hit
and the damaged Japanese carrier had to
withdraw. The Lexington attack formation
lost three Wildcats.
By a coordinated attack from both sides the
Japanese managed to hit Lexington’s port
side with two torpedoes. Val dive bombers
contributed with two bomb hits. Besides
Wildcats Dauntlesses were also deployed
to the ships’ defenses. 15 took off from Le-
F4F-3 Wildcat sporting Butch’s markings is displayed in Terminal 2 of the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.
December 2022