Raid on Salamaua (1942)

The Raid on Salamaua, conducted on March 10, 1942, was a carrier-based air attack by the United States Navy against Japanese shipping and facilities at Salamaua and Lae in the Territory of New Guinea. These settlements had been captured by Japanese forces just days earlier, as part of their expansion into the region.

The raid was launched from the aircraft carriers USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Yorktown (CV-5), operating in the Gulf of Papua. The attacking force consisted primarily of Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers and Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo bombers, escorted by Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters.

The primary objectives were to disrupt Japanese operations, damage or destroy enemy shipping, and inflict casualties on the Japanese garrison. The raid achieved significant success, sinking or damaging numerous Japanese vessels, including transports and warships, and causing considerable damage to shore facilities. Specific ships damaged or sunk are debated among sources, but significant damage to the Japanese presence in the area was evident.

While a tactical victory for the United States Navy, the Raid on Salamaua was strategically important as one of the early blows against Japanese expansion in the Pacific. It demonstrated the vulnerability of Japanese forces to carrier-based air power and boosted American morale in the early stages of the war. The raid also contributed to the eventual Allied strategy of bypassing heavily fortified Japanese positions in favor of attacking weaker points.

Despite its successes, the raid also revealed shortcomings in American torpedo technology, as many torpedoes failed to detonate properly. This issue would plague the US Navy for much of the early war period. The raid also resulted in some losses of American aircraft and aircrew.