Talk:TBD Devastator
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In reference to a statement near the end refering to how TBF Avengers would have likely suffered similar losses at the Battle of Midway under similar circumstances as those the TBD Devestators faced: I seem to recall from a book called "Miracle at Midway" that TBF Avengers used during the Battle of Midway also suffered severe losses, though only a handful of them (flying from Midway Island) were present. These also attacked without fighter escort, due to the fact that most of the fighters based at Midway had to defend the base from the initial attack and were unable to join the bombers. The one plane that did survive from this group landed wih over 200 bullet holes in it. I don't have the book with me, so I won't add this to the article until I can verify it (but if someone else verifies this or dis-verifies it before then, feel free to add this or refute it as you wish.)
--Jeff
I've read that story as well. The Avengers were a detachment of VT-8 based on Midway. Six attacked, one returned with the turret gunner (Jay Manning) dead. IIRC the aircraft was heavily damaged, crash-landed, and was scrapped. This is the pilot's story: http://boatcoach.tripod.com/id109.html 198.49.81.33 17:17, 29 May 2007 (UTC)