Gordon wrote:
"Guys, its ok - we didn't die for nothing. Bombing 8 pasted the hell
outta thoe Jap carriers!"


Except VB-8, nor VS-8, for that matter, never dropped a single bomb on
the Japanese carriers; either under Ring in their initial failed strike
mission, nor by those 11 or so VB-8 SBDs returning to Hornet via a
stopover at Midway Is later in the day. They also failed to hit Hiryu
in a late afternoon strike.

Further, when VB-3, VB-6, and VS-6 did lower the boom on the Kido Butai
(their CAP being thoroughly distracted by VT-3 and its VF-3 escort),
the Japanese were at least 20 to 25 miles away to the north from the
scene of the VT-8 attack.

Only two VT-3 TBDs survived their attack and those two were forced to
ditch from damage. Both pilots and one rear gunner survived. The VF-3
escort lost one F4F and accounted for at least 5 A6Ms. And we all know
what VB-3, VB-6 and VS-6 accomplished.

R