14:40 HMS Fortitude began to recover the 10 surviving Hawker Hendley's of 888 squadron, of the four damaged aircraft three were deemed unrepairable and pushed overboard. The three surviving Bermuda's of 884 followed the six Grendals of 885.
At the same time Formidable recovered the sole survivor of 813's Bermuda's. All 12 of 800 squadron returned plus one of the two Grendals of 880 which took part.
15:00 The Swordfish flying at 50 ft above sea-level began their attack on Mikawa ships. As the largest target all 16 Swordfish picked out the battleship Shikishima. Flying in, in waves of four aircraft the Japanese AA gunners from not only from the big warship but also the two cruisers wreaked havoc with the RNAS aircraft. The first four were shot down about a mile and a half out. Of the second four three got close enough to release their torpedoes whilst the fourth was shot down before getting into position to release its fish. Despite its size the battleship managed to evade all three torpedoes. As she manoeuvred the Whirlwinds dove out of the sky. Again in waves of four the sturdy twin engined fighter-bombers took everything that the Japanese could throw at them. 20mm cannon shells ripped through the thin guards over the AA guns and smashing their way into the soft human tissue of the Japanese sailors. Of the eight 500lbs armoured piercing bombs three hit the ships superstructure causing superficial damage, but two bombs which exploded as near misses to her stern damaged the outer port screw, causing it to vibrate throughout the ship.
With her main armament fully depressed her salvos sending walls of water airborne the third wave of Swordfish released their deadly cargo at a mile out. The Shikishima attempted to evade the Whirlwinds and all four found their target. The giant warship shuddered as the explosions created a vacuum under her port side causing the light outer skin to twist and distort, just as she fired another 18" gun salvo at the fourth flight of incoming Swordfish. Meanwhile the Whirlwinds buzzed over head like a swarm of killer bees. Again another four torpedoes struck home on her port side. A total of nine Swordfish were shot down.
By now the Kongō had closed to within two miles of the Shikishima her AA guns trying desperately to ward off the Whirlwinds.
Of the 40 bombs carried by the Whirlwinds 16 were direct hits. Along with those of the first wave, 'B' turret was hit by 5 of them, though none actually managed to penetrate the turret roof the shock vibrations managed the jam both the turrets ability to rotate and to elevate the two 18" guns.
The bridge was hit twice causing many casualties including the death of Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai. Of the other six three failed to explode, one hit 'A' turret and bounced off exploding on the forward deck. The other two hit amidship wreaking the vessels lifeboats.
The attack lasted until 15:25 with many of the aircraft out of ammunition the surviving 17 Whirlwinds headed off to join the remaining 11 Swordfish for the short flight back to the British carriers. From the bridge of HMS Duke of York, Captain Morgan could see the black smoke rising on the south-eastern horizon.
Summerville aware of the tactical situation developing, had ordered the two carriers along with the Curacoa and Cornwall plus the destroyers Nestor and Panther to steam west after recovery of the first attacking flights.
15:35 news of the attack on Mikawas ships reached Admiral Nagumo. He immediately ordered the launching of two dozen Zero's to protect Mikawa from further air attacks.
At the same time Formidable recovered the sole survivor of 813's Bermuda's. All 12 of 800 squadron returned plus one of the two Grendals of 880 which took part.
15:00 The Swordfish flying at 50 ft above sea-level began their attack on Mikawa ships. As the largest target all 16 Swordfish picked out the battleship Shikishima. Flying in, in waves of four aircraft the Japanese AA gunners from not only from the big warship but also the two cruisers wreaked havoc with the RNAS aircraft. The first four were shot down about a mile and a half out. Of the second four three got close enough to release their torpedoes whilst the fourth was shot down before getting into position to release its fish. Despite its size the battleship managed to evade all three torpedoes. As she manoeuvred the Whirlwinds dove out of the sky. Again in waves of four the sturdy twin engined fighter-bombers took everything that the Japanese could throw at them. 20mm cannon shells ripped through the thin guards over the AA guns and smashing their way into the soft human tissue of the Japanese sailors. Of the eight 500lbs armoured piercing bombs three hit the ships superstructure causing superficial damage, but two bombs which exploded as near misses to her stern damaged the outer port screw, causing it to vibrate throughout the ship.
With her main armament fully depressed her salvos sending walls of water airborne the third wave of Swordfish released their deadly cargo at a mile out. The Shikishima attempted to evade the Whirlwinds and all four found their target. The giant warship shuddered as the explosions created a vacuum under her port side causing the light outer skin to twist and distort, just as she fired another 18" gun salvo at the fourth flight of incoming Swordfish. Meanwhile the Whirlwinds buzzed over head like a swarm of killer bees. Again another four torpedoes struck home on her port side. A total of nine Swordfish were shot down.
By now the Kongō had closed to within two miles of the Shikishima her AA guns trying desperately to ward off the Whirlwinds.
Of the 40 bombs carried by the Whirlwinds 16 were direct hits. Along with those of the first wave, 'B' turret was hit by 5 of them, though none actually managed to penetrate the turret roof the shock vibrations managed the jam both the turrets ability to rotate and to elevate the two 18" guns.
The bridge was hit twice causing many casualties including the death of Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai. Of the other six three failed to explode, one hit 'A' turret and bounced off exploding on the forward deck. The other two hit amidship wreaking the vessels lifeboats.
The attack lasted until 15:25 with many of the aircraft out of ammunition the surviving 17 Whirlwinds headed off to join the remaining 11 Swordfish for the short flight back to the British carriers. From the bridge of HMS Duke of York, Captain Morgan could see the black smoke rising on the south-eastern horizon.
Summerville aware of the tactical situation developing, had ordered the two carriers along with the Curacoa and Cornwall plus the destroyers Nestor and Panther to steam west after recovery of the first attacking flights.
15:35 news of the attack on Mikawas ships reached Admiral Nagumo. He immediately ordered the launching of two dozen Zero's to protect Mikawa from further air attacks.
