Chronology of World War II

Monday, October 4

Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless


Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
A Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless of US Navy bombing squadron VB-4 during Operation LEADER, on October 4, 1943, flying from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4). The objective of the force was the Norwegian port of Bodø. The task force reached launch position off Vestfjord before dawn October 4 completely undetected. At 0618, Ranger launched 20 Dauntless dive bombers and an escort of eight Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters of VF-4. One division of dive bombers attacked the 8,000-ton freighter LaPlata, while the rest continued north to attack a small German convoy. They severely damaged a 10,000-ton tanker and a smaller troop transport. They also sank two of four small German merchantmen in the Bodø roadstead.