SUBJECT: C.A.F.O. 2489/42 – Action Damage Report – 9th May, 1945
FROM: THE COMMANDING OFFICER, H.M.S. “FORMIDABLE”
DATE: 16th May, 1945. No. 779/026.
TO: THE FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING FIRST AIRCRAFT CARRIER SQUADRON, BRITISH PACIFIC FLEET
SUBMITTED:
The following Action Damage report is forwarded in accordance with C.A.F.O 2489/42, paragraph 5 et seq., after H.M.S. “FORMIDABLE” was hit by a Japanese Suicide Aircraft on 9th May, 1945.
C.A.F.O.2489/42 – SECTION I: NARRATIVE OF EVENTS
CIRCUMSTANCES PRECEDING ATTACK
1. At approximately 1650 I on 9th May, “FORMIDABLE” was in approximate position 23 30’ North, 125 38’ East in copany with the Fleet, Cruising Disposition 5B. Speed 22 knots. There were six Corsairs on the Flight Deck.
WEATHER
Fine, visibility excellent; wind force 4 from 060, some cumulus cloud. Sun elevation 020, bearing 275.
DEFENCE PRIOR TO ATTACK
The ship was closed down to Damage Control State I, slightly modified. The special precautions for Suicide Bomber attack had been taken (Section III of my letter No.774/026 of 11th May refers). Full Damage Control State I was ordered at 1640.
2. At about 1654 bogies were reported closing the Fleet and the Hands went to ‘Anti-Hawk Stations’. Three bogies merged into the ground wave shortly afterwards.
THE ATTACK
3. At 1702 H.M.S. “VICTORIOUS” was seen to be hit by a Suicide bomber and at 1706 a similar attack was seen to be made on H.M.S. “HOWE”. “FORMIDABLE” engaged this second aircraft with two 4.5” Groups and 2 Pom-poms.
4. At 1708, a third aircraft approached from Red 100 in a shallow dive and was engaged by several ships and by “FORMIDABLE” with ‘B’ and ‘Y’ Groups. This aircraft, when astern turned sharply to port and flew straight in from right astern of the ship at about 30 feet.
5. In addition to ‘B’ and ‘Y’ Groups, 4 single and 2 Twin Oerlikons opened fire, and although the aircraft was seen to be hit repeatedly by these guns, no effect was observed.
6. The aircraft crashed on the flight deck slightly to starboard of the centre line, abreast the after end of the Island, at 1709.5, and was disintegrated. It was a single-engined aircraft, either a ZEKE or JILL. It carried what appeared to be overload tanks under each wing and either a 250lb bomb or a heavy shell which only detonated partially on hitting the flight deck. It may be that what witnesses thought to be overload tanks was one bomb and one tank carried fore fireraising purposes.
IMMEDIATE DAMAGE
FLIGHT DECK
7. A depression 4.5in deep, about 10 feet square was made and the surrounding deck severely pitted and gouged by fragments. A deep beam at 94 Station was depressed about 2” and buckled and strained.
AIRCRAFT ON DECK
One Corsair abreast the Island was set on fire, another was blown on top of P3 Pom-pom and two others further aft set on fire.
ISLAND
Medium splinter and blast damage was caused.
BELOW FLIGHT DECK
A fire broke out in the Torpedo Parting Shop; this was caused by burning petrol leaking down the Torpedo Lift and was soon extinguished.
A third fire broke out in ‘B’ Hangar, also due to burning petrol and this was quickly extinguished.
SHIP’S MOVEMENTS
With the fires on deck, the ship was manoeuvred to bring the wind on the starboard side and speed was reduced to 15 knots until the fires were under control.
THE FIRE ON DECK
Those were tackled by the Flight Deck Fire Parties using foam only and were under control by 1725 and finally extinguished ten minutes later. As the fire was exceptionally fierce (two of the Corsairs had full drop tanks) it was considered that the hot deck might cause a major fire in the hangar below and at 1710 the order was given to spray ‘C’ Hangar. This was smoothly carried out.
CASUALTIES
8. It is regretted that one rating was killed and our injured as a result of this attack: their names are as follows:
Killed:
George HINKINS, Petty Officer. P/JX. 125445.
Injured:
Kenneth DAY, Ord.Sem. P/JX.630671.
William HARDING, O.M.4. P/MX.89477.
Thomas McNAMARA, A.B. P/SSX.23999.
Robert V. WILLISON, Boy I/c. C/JX..371934.
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C.A.F.O. 2489/42 – SECTION II – GENERAL
1. 250lb. Bomb with impact fuse, or heavy shell
2. Hit deck with aircraft.
3. Flight Deck, amidships at 94 Station, M.L.
4. N.A.
5. N.A.
6. Depression 4.5” deep in Flight Deck; area of about 10 feet square.
7. N.A.
8. Slight blast damage to Island.
9. Blast and splinter damage to Island
10. 15 lbs. protective at 60 feet distance.
12lbs M.S. at 230 feet distance
11. Partial. Some fragments of 2.5lb weight.
12. Two Pom-poms temporarily out of action.
13. Pom-pom Directors Mk. IV displayed their usual weakness; arms supporting G.R.Us. fracturing under shock.
14. Petrol carried by aircraft caused large flash and sheet of flame, also set alight several aircraft on deck.
15. Not applicable.
16. Not applicable
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C.A.F.0. 2489/42. SECTION III – DAMAGE CONTROL
The ship was closed down at State I, slightly modified, all day and assumed the full Damage Control State I at about 1640. The ship was then in the full ‘Z’ State and the firemain split into six sections.
At 1653, Anti-Hawk Stations were ordered and the flight deck was cleared.
At 1706, a KAMIKAZI, carrying a small bomb or shell, hit the flight deck slightly to starboard of the centre line abreast the after end of the Island. This caused a slight indentation of the flight deck and splinter and blast damage to the Island. One Corsair abreast the Island was set on fire, but was quickly extinguished, another was blown on top of P.3 Pom-pom and two others were also set on fire. These three fires were were tackled by the Flight Deck fire parties using foam only and were all under control by 1725 and finally extinguished about 10 minutes later.
Another fire broke out in the Torpedo Parting Shop due to burning petrol leaking down under the lift cover; this was soon extinguished by the fire parties using foam.
A third fire broke out in an aircraft in ‘B’ Hangar due to burning petrol entering the hangar through rivet holes. This was tackled by the Hangar Fire parties in a most admirable manner and was soon extinguished.
At about 1710, the order was given to spray ‘C’ Hangar as the Corsairs on deck had full drop tanks and the fire on deck was, in consequence, exceptionally fierce, and it was considered that the heated deck head might cause a fire in the hangar. The drill for spraying the hanger worked smoothly. Hangar fire curtains were lowered immediately after the incident.
Damage control stores were adequate and it was again clearly demonstrated that large quantities of foam compound are required although on this occasion only 200 gallons were used on all the fires.
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C.A.F.0.2489/42- SECTION IV – MACHINERY
Nil.
C.A.F.0.2489/42- SECTION V – GUN ARMAMENT
Steps taken to repair damage.
2-pdr. Mk. VIII Gun on Mark VI A+ Mounting.
P2 Position. Reg No. 178 The sighting arrangements for this gun were extensively damaged. Emergency repaors were carried out to the steel connecting rod linking the gun to the sight by reforming it to wire pattern taken from another gun. New sight bracket assembles were also shipped. It was necessary to burn away a considerable quantity of plating that was blown over the gun, before the mounting was again operational.
S.3 Position. Reg No. 183. Two belts of ammunition were damaged at the gun and were cleared. The eyeshooting sights were destroyed and were replaced. No.4 Gun, S/6961 was damaged beyond repair.
Bofors, Single.
Ammunition was damaged, particularly in respect of the fuzes shearing off. The gun mechanism required extensive clearing after the occurrence. Slight training stiffness was reduced.
Oerlikons, Twin, Mk. V Mountings.
No.8 Position. Reg. No. 2018. A damaged eyeshooting sight was temporarily repaired and the destroyed Mk. XIV Gunsight was replaced.
No. 14 Position Reg. No. 2022. The defective Mk XIV Gyro Gunsight was replaced. Power supplies to this mounting had been destroyed in the previous incident and the emergency cables were again destroyed. The mounting was operated in hand.
No. 15 Position. Reg. No. 2033. Power supplies were destroyed and the mounting was operated in hand.
Other points of interest.
1. The Pom-pom directors, Mk. IV are considered unacceptably susceptible to damage. The brackets and sight arms carrying the sights and the G.R.U. were fractured or distorted by blast, and all the directors carried were rendered unserviceable from this cause.
2. Mk. XIV Gyro Gunsight. The electrical leads and air hose leads carried on this sight are found to be easily damaged and the supply of spare leads should be increased.
3. 4.5” Mk III Guns. Following large petrol and aircraft fires it has been found particularly important to clean the striker and bush firing holes thoroughly. One striker was found to be held to the rear by a wedge of metallic substance following the explosion.
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C.A.F.0. 2489/42. – SECTION VI – TORPEDO ARMAMENT
Nil.
C.A.F.0. 2489/42. – SECTION VII – ELECTRICAL
1. Ring Main split fore and aft; one dynamo from each steaming unit feeding each side. (i.c. Nos 1, 3 and 6 Starboard side, and Nos. 2, 4 and 5 Port side)
2. No effects of shock beyond immediate vicinity of explosion.
3. As in paragraph (k) of my letter no. 6920/100 of 15th May, 1945.
4. No effect on steam system.
5. The load remained almost constant at 5600 amps. (Normal action load).
6. (a) Sea going efficiency – no effect.
(b) Gunner efficiency – One of the alternative suplys to each of Nos 5, 7, 9, 13, 15 and 17 Oerlikons failed; both supplies to Nos 11 and 14 Oerlikons failed, due to cable damage. No other effect on armament
(c) Flying efficiency – No effect except that Klaxon horn circuit was put out of action.
7. Temporary junctions made in damaged cables as necessary.
8. None.
Paragraph 18 (b) All electrical gear functioned correctly.
(c) Nil.
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C.A.F.0. 2489/42. – SECTION VIII – COMMUNICATIONS.
1. No W/T gear put out of action. Loudspeakers in Wa/T, A.B.A and A.D.R. temporarily out of action due to severing of leads on port side of Island.
2. Receiving aerials parted. One insulator cracked – probably hit by pieces of aircraft or exploding ammunition.
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C.A.F.0. 2489/42. – SECTION IX – ANTI-SUBMARINE MATERIAL
Blank.
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C.A.F.0. 2489/42. – SECTION X – AIR MATERIAL
1. Operation of aircraft was not affected.
2. Nil
3. Aircraft could still be manoeuvred. Fire curtains and armoured doors undamaged.
4. Sprayers in ‘C’ Hangar were used with effect. Fire in one Avenger in ‘B’ Hangar was extinguished by CO2 trolley, one foam generator and several hand foamites. The CO2 trolley was found to be most effective. Armoured doors were closed and fire curtains between ‘B’ and ‘C’ and after end of ‘C’ Hangars were down.
7. ‘C’ Hangar was sprayed. Scuppers worked efficiently and depth of water never rose above 0.5 inch.
8. Flight Deck. Six Corsairs were destroyed by fire and blast effect. These aircraft were ditched. Flight deck was unserviceable until these aircraft and their remains were jettisoned.
Hangar. 7 Corsairs and 3 Avengers were damaged by spraying. Six Corsairs and the 3 Avengers were subsequently flown off as ‘flyable duds’. The seventh Corsair is being serviced and will be flown off later as a ‘flyable dud’.
A fourth Avenger, which was damaged by fire and subsequent foam compound corrosion, is being repaired and is expected to be serviceable shortly.
Damaged aircraft in the hangar did not obstruct movement.
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C.A.F.0. 2489/42. – SECTION XI – VICTUALLING
Blank.
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C.A.F.0. 2489/42. – SECTION XII – MEDICAL
Blank.
SUBJECT: REPAIR OF DAMAGE REPORT
FROM: THE COMMANDING OFFICER, H.M.S. “FORMIDABLE”
DATE: 15th May, 1945. No. 6920/100.
TO: THE FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING FIRST AIRCRAFT CARRIER SQUADRON, BRITISH PACIFIC FLEET
SUBMITTED: With reference to C.A.F.O.2489/42, paragraph 4, Repair of Damage Report is attached as Appendix I, under the heading laid down, covering KAMIKAZE attack on “FORMIDABLE” on 9th May, 1945.
APPENDIX I TO “FORMIDABLE’s” LETTER NO. 6920/100
(a) Suicide Bombing Attack by Japanese aircraft carrying 250-lb bomb or heavy shell.
(b) See (d)
(c) Island only.
(d) Flight Deck. Depression 4.5in deep, approximately, 10-feet square at 94 Station M.L. on lap of two armour plates and 2’0” from butt of third. About 90-100 rivets loosened and gouged by hot metal (?) Deck severely gouged by hot metal (?) over area about 5’0” square. Deep beam at 94 Station depressed about 2” and buckled and strained at damage. Coaming to Flight Deck at Port forward access, 38 Station, torn by fragments.
Island. Medium splinter damage to Island Bulkhead, and blast damage to doors, furniture etc. One hot F.W. pipe punctured in funnel casing.
(e) DAMAGED CAUSED TO ARMAMENT
2-Pdr Mk.VIII Guns on Mk. VI A* R.P. 50 Mountings
P.2 Position. Reg.No.178. Sighting arrangements damaged by blast and debris. Steel connecting rod and eyeshooting sight damaged. Back sight assemblies destroyed.
S.3 Position. Reg.No.183. Eyeshooting sights destroyed. No.4 Gun was damaged and cannot be repaired by ship’s staff. Ammunition damaged.
S.2 Pom-Pom Director. Reg.No.257. The brackets supporting the sight and G.R.Us were fractured by blast.
Oerlikons Mk. V Twin Mountings.
No.14 Reg.No.2022. Power supply to pump and gyro failed. MkXIV Gyro Gunsight damaged by splinters.
N.15 Reg.No.2033. Failure of power
No.8 Reg.No.2018. Mark XIV Gyro Gunsight destroyed by blast. Eyeshooting sight damaged.
Bofors single.
Blast has caused slight stiffness in training. Ammunition damaged by nose fuzes shearing off.
H.A./L.A. Director Mk IV G.B. Reg.No.55.
‘Y’ Position. H.A.D.F.A.S. sight was damaged beyond repair. An emergency sight was constructed of plexiglass.
(f) Nil.
(g) 1. Flight Deck (a) 6 Corsairs lost by fire and damage by blast.
(b) 2 Clarkat tractors.
(c) 1 Towmotor.
(d) 3 Loud Hailers.
(e) 2 Bomb skids and handles
2. Hangar. (a) 7 Corsairs and 3 Avengers damaged by salt water spraying.
(b) 1 Avenger damaged by fire.
(c) 1 Instrument testing trolley damaged by spraying.
(h) Temporary wiring of Wa/T ABA and A.D.R. broadcast cut by shrapnel.
(i) Nil.
(j) N/A
(k) (1) AUK Aerial – splinter hole in pedestal penetrating oil sump, above oil level (aerial remained in action).
(2) Port after 10” S.P., splinter damage
(3) Extensive splinter damage to various cable runs situated in the after end of Island including the following circuits :-
H.P. feeds to Starboard Oerlikons.
Multicores carrying Radar Gunnery Communications; W/T feeds and communications, Pom-Pom Control
*(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: Note (k) Items (4), (5) and (6) were part of an addendum slip attached to the original papers.)
(4) Multicores up mast to type 242 Aerial cut by splinters.
(5) Lighting circuits for S2, S3 and P2 Pom-Pom R.U. Magazines 50% damaged by splinters and fire.
(6) One lighting circuit in Hangar damaged by shock.
(l) Nil
(m) Armour plates 3 in number at 94 Station M.L.
Plate C.10 – 24’0” x 10’6”; Port, Starboard and Forward laps over, After lap under.
Plate C.11 – 24’0” x 10’6”; Port and Starboard laps over, Forward and after laps under.
Plate D.10 – 24’0” x 10’6”; Port and Forward laps under, Starboard and After laps over.
Lapped edges and butts. All laps planed and radiused 0.75in internal and external
(n) Damage to Equipment Not Included Above.
RADAR:
Type 281B.
Aerial again damaged by ‘flash’ and splinters. Temporarily repaired.
Control unit 2OD – Gera teeth slightly damaged by splinters. Require survey.
Type 242.
Aerial outfit ASC/1 – Pyrotenax cable fractured. Aerial requires renewal.
Type 242 (267)
Splinters through transmitter and responsor units. No damaged except broken valves.
Aerial repeater cables severed. Temporarily repaired.
Type 79B
One NT57 valve damaged – replaced. Sheet steel screening adrift. Requires re-welding to deck-head.
Type 277.
Aerial outfit AUK again damaged; splinter penetrated elevation gear and is now lodged in sump.
Main bearing appears to have shifted and considerable oil leaks from between ‘skirt’ of rotating structure and top of fixed structure. Aerial still operating (16/5/45), but bearing becoming stiff. Complete new AUK now required.
General.
Pyrotenax Synch. And Signal Leads and aerial repeater cables from 267 and 277 to remote P.P.Is further damaged.
Type 282 S2/S3
Aerial cable run further damaged. Modulation generator pierced by splinters. No damage except to valves.
Type 282, P2.
Dipole units burned. Require renewal.
All radar sets were temporarily repaired within 48 hours. Three interrogators are now working. Remote P.P.I leads await repair.