Douglas TBD Devastator code 6-T-13 of the VT-6 in flight, 1941
The story of the early US Navy torpedo plane crews during World War II is indeed a tragic one, filled with irony and sacrifice. These brave pilots and their crews were tasked with flying outdated aircraft, often equipped with malfunctioning torpedoes, yet their missions were essential to the naval battles in the Pacific.
Development of the Douglas TBD Devastator:
The Douglas TBD Devastator was the result of the US Navy’s efforts to modernize its torpedo-bombing capabilities in the 1930s. When introduced, the TBD was considered advanced for its time, incorporating features like all-metal construction and folding wings for easier storage on aircraft carriers. However, by the time the US entered World War II, the TBD had been rendered obsolete by advances in aircraft technology and the growing intensity of the conflict.
Challenges with the Bliss-Leavitt Mk. 13 Torpedo:
The biggest flaw in the early torpedo planes wasn’t just the aircraft itself, but the Bliss-Leavitt Mk. 13 aerial torpedo it was designed to carry. This torpedo was notoriously unreliable. If it didn’t break apart upon hitting the water, it often ran too deep, passing harmlessly beneath its intended target. To give the torpedo a better chance of hitting its target, TBD pilots had to fly at extremely low altitudes (under 100 feet) and at slow speeds (below 90 knots), which made them vulnerable to enemy anti-aircraft fire and fighter attacks.
Torpedo Tactics and the “Anvil” Attack:
Despite the difficulties, the American approach to torpedo bombing was sound in theory. Torpedo attacks were divided into three phases: approach, attack, and withdrawal. The Navy had developed a tactic known as the “anvil” attack, where torpedo planes would attack a ship from both sides, ensuring that no matter which way the target turned, it would face incoming torpedoes. This method, while effective in practice, required precise coordination.
One early success came during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942, when the Devastators from VT-2, flying off the USS Lexington, managed to sink the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho using a simultaneous port and starboard attack.
Limitations of the Devastator and Torpedo Attacks:
Despite this success, the TBD Devastator was ultimately underpowered and vulnerable in combat, especially against Japanese fighters. This was painfully evident during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, when Devastators from several squadrons were sent on torpedo runs against the Japanese fleet. Most were shot down without scoring any significant hits, leading to heavy casualties. The failures of the torpedo planes, combined with the unreliability of the Mk. 13 torpedo, led to doubts about the viability of torpedo attacks.
Turnaround with the Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger:
The tide began to turn with the introduction of the Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger, a more advanced and capable torpedo bomber that replaced the Devastator. Alongside improvements to the Mk. 13 torpedo, which was made more reliable by mid-1944, the Avenger gave the US Navy the confidence it needed to effectively launch torpedo attacks.
The ultimate vindication of US Navy torpedo tactics came during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944, when Avengers from VT squadrons helped sink the Japanese super battleship Musashi. In a coordinated high-low attack alongside dive-bombers, the Avengers, led by Commander Larry French of VT-13 from the USS Franklin, made a high-speed approach at around 260 knots and 600–800 feet, evading Japanese anti-aircraft fire. The Avengers scored 19 hits on the Musashi, contributing significantly to its sinking.
Though the early torpedo plane crews faced overwhelming odds, their persistence and courage helped pave the way for the success of the Navy’s later torpedo bombers. The transition from the unreliable Devastators and faulty torpedoes to the capable Avengers symbolized the US Navy’s ability to learn from early failures and ultimately triumph in the Pacific theater.