Night Work

WED 6 SEP 1944
Pacific
TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) arrives off Palauto begin operations against Japanese airfields and defense installations in the western Carolines; a fighter sweep discloses no aerial opposition and reveals much damage caused by prior strikes. Task groups involved are TGs 38.1, 38.2 and 38.3. TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison), meanwhile, conducts fighter sweep over Yap.

Small carrier Independence (CVL-22) begins use of specifically trained air group for night work, marking the first time that a fully equipped night carrier operates with the fast carrier task force.

Destroyers Ellet (DD-398) and Downes (DD-375) bombard Aguijan Island, Marianas, to destroy gun emplacement located by air reconnaissance.

Submarine Albacore (SS-218) sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper No.3 Eguchi Maru at entrance to Kii Suido, Japan, 33°29'N, 135°32'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) damages Japanese destroyer Hibiki east of the Ryukyus, 16°19'N, 119°44'E.

USAAF P-40s sink Japanese fishing boats Sakae Maru, Tairyu Maru, Tatsuei Maru, and Takuyo Maru off Kai Island.

Japanese army cargo ship Eiji Maru is sunk by mine, 22°19'N, 120°30'E.