MIDWAY BATTLE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 135, 10 June 1942, Page 5

MIDWAY BATTLE

CARRIER IN FLAMES

Pilot's "Fish-«ye" View Of

Operations

United Press Association.—Copyright,

WASHINGTON, June 9.

Naval officials at Pearl Harbour announce that Ensign G. H. Gay witnessed the destruction of one of the Japanese aircraft-carriers of the 26,900-ton Kaga class and the probable destruction of two other carriers in the Midway Island battle.

Ensign Gay, who is a 25-year-old torpedo-plane pilot, related one of the most unusual eye-witness accounts of this major naval engagement. He had a "fish-eye" view of operations when his plane was shot down. He watched the battle while clinging to his boat-bag, at the same time covering his head with a seat from the plane.

Gay took off on June 4 with his squadron, and at midday sighted the objective, three Japanese aircraft carriers strung out for 10 miles, screened by a large force of cruisers and destroyers. The Americans attacked in the face of terrific antiaircraft and fighter opposition. Gay's plane was shot down and two of his crew were killed, but Gay escaped with two slight bullet wounds.

From his vantage point in the water Gay observed the Kaga class carrier burning fiercely as a result of his squadron's attack. Then American dive-bombers appeared and blasted two carriers which previously had not been hit, starting tremendous fires. During the afternoon Japanese ships approached the burning carriers, but were unable to get close enough to assist in the fire-fighting operations.

Attempt To Seattle Ship Gay was amazed to see a big Japanese cruiser begin firing at one carrier in an apparent effort to scuttle the vessel, disregarding the danger of the men aboard. The cruiser soon ceased firing, however, and a destroyer approached, removing part of the carrier's crew. In the meantime Japanese planes circled constantly overhead, with no place to alight, and they were still circling like a flock of lost geese when darkness blotted out the scene. Gay was picked up the following day after spending 20 hours in the water. He said that he had launched a torpedo at an aircraft carrier just before being shot down. The Navy Department said it could be assumed the aircraft carriers Gay observed were among those mentioned in the official communique giving details of enemy losses. Aircraft carriers of the Kaga class are armed with 10 eight-Inch guns. 10 4.7inch anti-aircraft suns, and 28 machineguns. They carry 60 planes and are capable of a speed of 2'.} knots. The first aircraft carrier of the Kaga class was originally laid down in 1920 as a hattle-

s-h'p of an,ooo tons under the 1017 "EightFour" Klcet Law. As a result of the Washington Treaty, the Kaga was converter! into an aircraft carrier, forming part of the 1923 shipbuilding programme, and was completed in 1928.