TBM-1C Avengers of Torpedo Squadron 4 from carrier USS Essex crossing the Indochinese coast on their way to bomb shipping at Saigon, 12 Jan 1945 (US Navy photo: 80-G-300673)
The Avengers entered U.S. Service in May 1942.
On January 12, 1944, the group’s aircraft sank 44 ships totaling over 130,000 tons off Indochina. The “group”? It was TF 38, the famed U.S. South Seas Task Force that sailed through the Luzon Strait and raided Japanese shipping in the South China Sea. The Task Force launched carrier strikes against Japanese shipping and coastal areas in the South China Sea. Its targets included Saigon, Cap St. Jacques, Camranh Bay, Qui Nhow, Tourane, and coastal convoys. This Task Force 38 was commanded by Vice Admiral John S. McCain Sr., when led by Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey, Jr., as part of the Third Fleet.
The raid by TF 38 (previously TF 58) was an enormous success for the Third Fleet (previously the Fifth Fleet). Losing few of its own, it destroyed many Japanese ships and aircraft. The ships sunk by TF 38 included 33 merchant ships, 13 warships, including the light cruiser Kashii, two destroyers, seven coast defense vessels, one patrol boat, one minesweeper, and a military transport. The destruction of oil tankers and cargo vessels was especially important, as it closed a vital supply route for the Japanese. During this attack, there were also shot down 15 aircraft and destroyed were 20 floatplanes at Cam Ranh Bay, and 77 aircraft at various airfields. Lastly, two Japanese aircraft carriers were damaged near Formosa during the day in a counter-attack.
TASK FORCE 58 OR TASK FORCE 38?
All the key characters were active Navy Commanders who were aboard the ships! Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and his planners (in Pearl Harbor) devised the TF58 or TF38 strategy – changing the designation of the Task Force (roughly) every six months. This accomplished many things, including confusing the enemy as to the strength of their opponents. This was a very tangible result of the designation change. Most important was that the commanders were relieved from battle and brought back to headquarters to assist in planning the next six-months of Operations.
See: Task Force 58 / Task Force 38 | Task Force 58 / 38
These ships sailed in a circle formation centered on the carriers with supporting ships sailing relatively close by. They carried the aircraft that could be called to battle at a moment’s notice by the carriers (with their anti-aircraft fire in addition to that of the carriers). This all helped to keep at bay attacking aircraft. The fleet’s composition and formation together was conceived of mainly by Admiral Marc Mitscher.
Admiral Marc Mitscher aboard the USS Lexington
It wasn’t until January 20th that the Third Fleet exited the South Seas China. For more information on the activities preceding this exit and reasoning therefor, see South China Sea raid – Wikipedia
Two vessels were under attack off the coast of Indochina on 12 January. The Imperial Japanese Navy tanker Ayayuki Maru is on fire and sinking.
