I understand that a lack of bombardment ammunition, a shortage of fuel, and a perception that the two ships were too large to maneuver in the waters between Guadalcanal and Florida Islands were factors in the decision not to send them down to Guadalcanal. However, in the open ocean battles of the Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz and the carrier battle that almost took place in mid-September 1942, the two battleships did not participate with the carrier screening forces, but were held back around Truk.

Here's an article that susggest it was oil. Although there was also a question of whether the Yamato could get in and out without being vulnerable to attack US airpower. Hiei and Kirishima were faster.

Here's that article.

Oil and Japanese Strategy in the Solomons: A Postulate

Seems that the availability of bunker oil and the consumption of, is one of those logistic's issue that rears its head from time to time.

Well, that article states that Yamato could have used san shiki anti-aircraft shells to bombard the airfield, so I guess, if true, that rules out a lack of proper ammunition as a reason. Willmott states in his books that the inability of the Japanese to leverage the Indies' oil fields to provide adequate fuel to support their empire was a key factor in Japan's defeat.

I have re-checked my notes, scanned through my books, and double checked the AAR's in my possession. I have nothing, other then the Nihon Kaigun TROM, that claims or indicates any hits for Yamato during the battle.

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"War is a conflict of great interests which is settled by bloodshed, and only in that is it different from others." - Karl von Clausewitz

Yamato's sister ship, Musashi, was a tough one to sink. She took several bomb hits and something like 10 torpedos. Even then, it took her 4 hours to finally sink.

I don't recall Yamato being as hard to sink.

At 12:32 on 7 April 1945, Yamato was attacked by a first wave of 280 aircraft from Task Force 58, taking three hits (two bombs, one torpedo). Shortly afterward, a second strike of 100 aircraft attacked Yamato and her remaining escorts. At 14:23, having taken 10 torpedo and 7 bomb hits, Yamato's forward ammunition magazines detonated.

The Musashi suffered 17 bomb hits and 19 torpedos.

Tough ships anyway you slice it.

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Thank you - I didn't realize the Yamato had gotten so many hits. My studies haven't taken me quite that far yet. My dad's former Yorktown roommate is credited with helping sink the Musashi and also got the first hit on the Yamato, although most book accounts don't mention him. His rear seat man took pictures of the hit. His family says he actually got the first TWO hits on the Yamato and had copies of the pictures taken.

It's thought that one of the reasons Musahi lasted so long is she took torpedos from both sides which resulted in inadvertnat counter flooding. I believe when they went after Yamato the plan was to try and only hit her on one side with torps.

"No plan ever survives first contact with the enemy."

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Where did you get this specific information on Musashi and Yamato?

Wikipedia in that instance. It's backed up by several books I have at home concerning the Pacific theater and naval records.

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In any of your sources, can you find LT Arthur L Downing receiving any recognition for the first hit on the Yamato? He was not supposed to be at the Yamato location - he was assigned to lead a scouting mission to/around a nearby island instead. He led his squadron towards his assigned area at first, found nothing and then headed out to where the action was at the Yamato.

Nancy -

I believe that Art Downing received the Navy Cross for an attack on Musashi, that would have been his third award; he'd also got one for the Lae-Salamaua raid (10 Mar 42) and his second was for the Tulagi raid & Coral Sea (4-8 May 42). The Musashi action was while he was assigned to VB-18. Somewhere around here I have the wording of his citation for the action.

The 1942 actions, as you know, were while he was in VS-5, there were brief write ups of these two awards in the Navy's Personnel bulletins of January and September 1943 (attached).

When Yamato sank on 7 April 45, VB-18 was reforming at NAS Astoria, WA, and was not scheduled to return to action until after 1 July 45. Had Downing been transferred to another squadron?

Rich

Attached Files

	Page 58 from Jan 43 Bureau of Naval Personnel Bulletin.pdf (437.4 KB, 5 views)
	Page 61 from Sep 43 Bureau of Naval Personnel Bulletin.pdf (502.0 KB, 3 views)

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I'm currently reading H.P. Willmott's book on Leyte Gulf and he said exactly what you said here. I was one of the primary writers on the Wikipedia article about the sinking of Yamato and I remember the sources emphasizing that the US torpedo aircraft focused on launching their torpedoes from only one side of the battleship.

Rich,
Much thanks for the info on Downing. He was my dad's roommate on the Yorktown - both were in VS-5 - so I am interested in doing some bio on Art as part of my dad's story. I have his 3rd Navy Cross citation but I believe there are mistakes in the citation. He was in VB-14 on the WASP at the time and CO of the squadron during the Leyte Gulf Battle. The Yamato was hit a day or two after the Musashi was sunk and retired to Japan for repairs. Then she was sunk in April 45. Downing's daughter reports that Art's rear seat man took pictures of Art's TWO hits on the Yamato. But I am still not sure if this refers to the first hits at Leyte or the hits later in April. I have no knowledge yet of him ever in VB-18. Art's Carrier Hall of Fame write up also credits Art with the first hit on the Yamato, but, again, no reference as to when this occurred. Anything you can dig up on Art would be most appreciated by us all! Info on Art is most elusive for such a highly decorated man and a fabulous pilot.

Nancy -

Don’t know how I got off on VB-18, of course you are correct, Art Downing was in VB-14 off Wasp. Probably got distracted Wasp’s by CV-18 moniker.

My records show LCDR John D Blitch as VB-14's CO and LCDR Howard S Roberts the XO in October 1944.

But the same question, did Art Downing transfer to another squadron?

VB squadrons available in TF-58 on the morning of 7 April 1945 were:

VB-5 - USS Franklin; CO was LCDR John G Sheridan
VB-6 - USS Hancock; CO was LCDR Gordon P Chase
VB-9 - USS Yorktown; CO was LCDR Tony F Schneider
VB-10 - USS Intrepid; CO was LCDR Richard B Buchan
VB-17 - USS Hornet; CO was LCDR Robert M Ware
VB-82 - USS Bennington; CO was LCDR Hugh Wood
VB-83 - USS Essex; CO was LCDR David R Berry
VB-84 - USS Bunker Hill; CO was LCDR John P Conn
VB-85 - USS Shangri La; CO was LCDR Albert L Maltby, Jr
VB-86 - USS Wasp; CO was LCDR Paul R Norby
VB-87 - USS Ticonderoga; CO was LCDR Frank N Kanga

VB squadrons that actually attacked and helped sink Yamato on 7 April 1945 were VB-9, VB-10, VB-83, and VB-84.

Location reports for 7 and 14 April 1945 show VB-14 reforming at 29 Palms NAAS and not scheduled for deployment until 15 May.

Do you suppose the folks might be looking at photos of Musashi and thinking Yamato?

Regards,

Rich

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Rich,

Great info and thank you!

I only have a smattering of Art's activities in WWII so far ,but I do know for sure that he helped sink the Musashi and got the first one or two hits on the Yamato some time thereafter.

3rd Navy Cross (Gold Star) reads "as a LTjg in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14)embarked from the USS Lexington CV-18 while serving as a Leader of a strike group of Fighter, Dive Bomber and Torpedo Planes in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands. As Pilot of the leading dive-bombing airplane, he attacked one of the most powerful enemy battleships. In extreme anti-aircraft fire from every kind of weapon. He got two hits on the battleship. Upon his return from the mission he shot down an enemy seaplane."

He was CO of VB-14 in WASP CV-18 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 (home of heroes & fisthistory.org websites)

I'm thinking this is when he got the hits on the Yamato. If the Yamato had never been hit before, this would make sense.

Rich,
Perhaps Art was CAG in October '44? The 3rd Navy Cross does say that he led a strike GROUP. Would you have a record of the CAG on WASP during this time? It seems Art should have been more than a LTjg by 1944. Graduated Pensacola 1938.

Well, for the Battle of Leyte Gulf timeframe, Air Group 14 on Wasp was:
CAG-14 - CDR Walter C. Wingard, Jr.
VF-14 - LCDR Robert Gray
VB-14 - CO LCDR John D. Blitch
VT-14 - CO LCDR Harold S. Roberts
(this corrects my last that has Roberts as XO of VB-14, he was actually CO of VT-14)

To the best of my knowledge, Art Downing, one of the senior lieutenants in the squadron - if not the bull lieutenant - was at least a division leader, perhaps the XO. I know Ben Preston was also in VB-14 as a lieutenant, but Downing should have been senior to him as in June 1942 Preston was an ensign and Downing was a lieutenant (j.g.). It would not surprise me if we eventually find that Downing was moved up to CO of VB-14 when Blitch, and this I know for sure, replaced Wingard as CAG-14 on 2 November. Blitch had been CO of VB-14 from its establishment in August 1943.


Rich

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Then it seems that the information on Art's 3rd Navy Cross was a bit sloppy. I'm guessing, but please explain "Bull LT" since I've not heard the term before.

Bull LT is the senior LT, the next one due to be promoted.

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WWII Resources. Primary sources.
The Myths of Pearl Harbor. Demythologizing the attack.
Hyperwar. Hypertext history of the Second World War.
Veteran: USN, 1969-1989
http://www.hyperwar-ghq.com/ (Volunteer coordination site. Want to help?)

Yup, what Larry said. Usually one does not see the term "bull" inserted in front of ranks greater than Lieutenant and it is strictly a naval usage. Most often seen when referring to the senior ensign on a ship, the "bull ensign," but can equally be applied to "bull-JG" or "bull-lieutenant." Guess the charm of the expression wears a little thin after one hits Lieutenant Commander. Of course all the junior ensigns live in "boys town" aboard ship and, the bachelor ensigns anyway, in "snake ranches" when ashore.

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Thanks for the "bull" explanations. Makes sense.

Ben Preston - didn't we have him in VS-5 or VB-5?

I've heard plenty about the snake ranches in Norfolk while the Y was there. One guy had a stack of beer cans (or bottles?) outside that was almost as high as his second story window.

Ben Preston was VB-5

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