At 0715 (7:15am), a search plane from the Enterprise reported sighting enemy patrol vessel. Later developments indicated this vessel made original contact report to Japan. At 0744 (7:44am) this vessel was sighted by the task force bearing 221 degrees at a distance of 10,000 yards. The cruiser Nashville was ordered to sink this vessel by gunfire.
The carriers turned to a course of 320 degrees true which was into the wind and commenced launching the bombers. The first bomber was launched at 0820 (8:20am) and the last at 0919 (9:19am). The average interval for the bomber take offs was 3.9 minutes. At 0927 (9:27am) the task force commenced retirement on a course of 90 degrees true and a speed of 25 knots.
During retirement an enemy patrol vessel was picked up by the radar at 1214 (12:14pm) at a distance of 64,000 yards, but passed off the screen before contact was made. At 1400 (2:00pm) two enemy patrol vessels were attacked by Enterprise planes. One was sunk and one was damaged. At 1413 (2:13pm), one was still afloat and the Nashville was ordered to attack. The patrol vessel broke out a white flag and five prisoners were taken, then the vessel was sunk by gunfire. These were apparently the ones that were first sighted by radar earlier in the morning. During these operations one naval plane, apparently damaged by AA fire from the patrol vessels during the attack, landed in the water due to engine failure. The crew of this plane was recovered without injury.
No further contacts were made during the return trip to Pearl harbor. Another patrol plane was lost during patrol operations enroute. Both plane and crew were lost.
After the war with Japan was over, records revealed the message sent by the patrol boat that forced the early take off, had been received and confirmation requested. By the time confirmation was requested, the patrol boat had been sunk. The Japanese government, therefore, chose to ignore the message until the bombs started hitting their targets. By that time it was too late.
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