Q&A · 2:17:48-2:18:25

The crews endured an eleven-hour flight to Ulithi

The surviving P1Y crews had been airborne for roughly eleven hours before attempting their night attack.

Aircrew Long Range Strike Naval Aviation Operation Tan No 2

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Question

How long had the Japanese crews been flying before they reached Ulithi?

Short answer

About eleven hours, from a 09:00 takeoff to an arrival around 20:00.

Notes

Takeoff was at about 09:00, and arrival was at about 20:00. The crews of the aircraft that reached Ulithi had therefore been flying for roughly eleven hours. Their attack came at the end of that long flight and after dark.