SBD Dauntless

History

It was first majorly used during the Battle of the Coral Sea, when SBDs and TBDs sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho. However, its most important contribution to the American war effort probably came during the Battle of Midway (early June 1942), when it sank four of the Japanese heavy carriers (the Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu), also heavily damaging two Japanese cruisers (the Mikuma and the Mogami, one of which was later scuttled by a Japanese destroyer).

Related Topics:
Battle of the Coral Sea - TBDs - Japanese aircraft carrier ''Shoho'' - Battle of Midway - June - 1942 - ''Akagi'' - ''Kaga'' - ''Soryu'' - ''Hiryu'' - Cruiser - ''Mikuma'' - ''Mogami'' - Destroyer

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However, they were not utilized to the best of their ability. One squadron of Marine SBDs, operating off Midway Island, was not yet trained in the effective "Helldiving" technique; instead, they were forced to use the slower but easier glide bombing technique, which led to that squadron's almost total destruction. The carrier-borne squadrons, on the other hand, were much more effective, combined with their F4F Wildcat fighter escorts.

Related Topics:
Midway Island - Glide bombing - F4F Wildcat - Fighter

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Next, SBDs participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign, both from American carriers and Henderson Field on Guadalcanal Island. It contributed to the heavy loss of Japanese shipping during the campaign. Dauntlesses eventually sank the Japanese carrier Ryujo near the Solomon Islands (in late 1942), damaging three others. They proceeded to sink one cruiser and nine transports during the decisive Battle of Guadalcanal.

Related Topics:
Guadalcanal Campaign - Henderson Field - Guadalcanal Island - ''Ryujo'' - Solomon Islands - Battle of Guadalcanal

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During this decisive time of the Pacific Campaign, the SBD's strengths and weaknesses became evident. Interestingly, while the American strength was dive bombing, the Japanese preferred their Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers, which caused the bulk of the damage at Pearl Harbor. Finally, the Dauntless was also very steady while diving.

Related Topics:
Pacific Campaign - Nakajima B5N - Torpedo bomber - Pearl Harbor

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In 1944, the Dauntless undertook its last major action during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, although the Marines utilized them until the end of the war (in 1945). It had already been replaced by the SB2C Helldiver in the U.S. Navy. The Dauntless was one of the most important aircraft in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, with dozens of ships sunk or heavily damaged by Dauntlesses.

Related Topics:
1944 - Battle of the Philippine Sea - 1945 - SB2C Helldiver

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