However, due to poor accounting, the Japanese commanders thought their losses were closer to only 64. Had they known the real losses they may have withdrawn from the area to fight another day. One pilot said, ‘Why, hell, it was just like an old-time turkey shoot down home,’ June 20th, a carrier group commanded by Admiral Mitscher detected the Japanese carrier group at 4.30 pm, and he decided to launch an attack. In doing so, The Americans destroyed IJN Carrier Hiyu along with two oil tanker ships. Additionally, the IJN carri- ers Zuikaku and Chiyoda were damaged, and another 65 Japanese aircraft were destroyed. Because the IJN was detected so late in the day, the American planes were returning to the safety of the carrier at 8.30 pm. Due to a combination of poor visibility and low fuel the Americans lost 80 aircraft. To assist the pilots, the ship uncharacteristically turned on its lights. Normally, they remained off due to blackout conditions at night. Many pilots missed the carrier or ran out of fuel and had to ditch their aircraft and await rescue. In all, the Americans lost 123 aircraft during the battle. The full engagement became known as The Battle of the Philippines Sea. Japan lost many of its experienced aircrews prior to this battle. Out-gunned, under-expe- rienced and facing superior technology, they lost 3/4’s of their entire air force and all of their most highly-trained crews during this single battle; it crippled their fighting ability. Amer- ican bravery coupled with their manufac- turing ability made sure the Japanese would never again rule the seas or the skies. Without air support, two of the command- ers on Saipan, Admiral Nagumo, and Gener- al Saito, committed suicide while their forces attacked the American defensive posi- tions with a loss of 26,000 Japanese to 3,500 Americans. The combination of these losses led to the resignation of Premier Hideki Tojo in disgrace. It was the turning point in the war of the Pacific. From this point forward, as bad as the fighting was, America rule d both the seas and the skies.
US Navy photos of the Mariana’s Turkey Shoot. June 19th, 1945
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