September 24th 1944, Coron Bay Basuanga Philippines

Task Force 38 launched their air strike from the deck of the USS Lexington.

Taking off at dawn, they surprised 15 Japanese ships in the Bay, the Coron Passage and just west of Coron Island. Ships ranged in size from small freighters to 15,000 ton tankers. Upon teaming up to take on the ships they were dispersed as follows

i) between Tangat and Lusong Islands:
1 x destroyer (DD) or destroyer escort (DE);
2 x 10,000 ts supply ships (AG);
2 x 5,000 ts supply ships (AG);
3 medium-sized supply ships (AG).

ii) between Lusong and Lajo Islands:
2 destroyers (DD);
1 auxiliary oiler (AO);
1 gunboat (PG).

iii) west of Lajo Island:
2 destroyers (DD) or destroyer escorts (DE)

iv) in Coron Passage:
1 x 7,000-8,000 ts supply ship (AG)

v) west of Coron Island:
3 Subchasers (SC)

Whether the Japanese fleet was spotted by aerial photo reconnaissance interpreters who noticed that some camouflaged ships had moved, or whether Japanese radio transmissions were intercepted is still debated. Photos taken from the air during the attack do not show any signs of camouflage netting on the ships. The consequence of detection was a surprise aerial attack by US Navy carrier based aircraft that sank the fleet at anchor.

and now like an intrepid Blue Peter presenter i am going to scuba dive them....