Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Chapter · 30:33-33:09

Covering Hornet and fighting at Midway

Enterprise supplied carrier-aircraft cover for the Doolittle Raid before going on to fight at Midway.

B-25 MitchellBattle Of MidwayCombat Air PatrolCourageous Class Aircraft CarriersDoolittle RaidHMS Ark Royal (91)Illustrious Class Aircraft CarriersLexington Class Aircraft CarriersNaval AviationUSS Enterprise (CV-6)USS Hornet (CV-8)Yorktown Class Aircraft Carriers
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Notes

Hornet carried the B-25 Mitchell bombers for the Doolittle Raid, leaving her unable to operate a normal carrier air group in the usual way. Enterprise accompanied her and supplied the fighters that flew combat air patrol over the task force. The raid therefore required two carriers: one served as the bomber launch platform while the other protected the formation. The comparison between the purpose-built Yorktowns and the converted Lexington and Saratoga is likened to Courageous and Glorious beside Ark Royal. Enterprise then fought at Midway, although this video leaves the battle's detailed operations for a separate treatment. A purpose-built fleet carrier offered flexibility, while converting one flight deck into a specialized launch platform imposed an operational cost.