How the US Navy’s WWII Douglas Devastator Bomber Attacked Japanese Targets in Midway

(Christian Orr – Former Air Force Security Officer) 

As I type these words, the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Midway is tomorrow. Accordingly, this reporter will continue a tradition started last year by attending the superb Battle of Midway Commemoration Dinner at the posh Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia.

Last year, I penned a three-part series for 19FortyFive to celebrate the 80th anniversary of that epic air-sea battle, including one titled “The Warplanes That Won The Battle Of Midway.”

Well, 81 is not a nice round number like 80, so for this go-around, we will have to settle for a two-parter.

Video Above: Air Dominance and Air Force Innovation

In a separate piece I will tell the story of the Brewster Buffalo fighter plane. The subject at hand right here is the ill-fated Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo bomber.

Douglas TBD Devastator Early History and Specifications

The TBD Devastator made her maiden flight on April 15, 1935, and officially entered into operational service with the U.S. Navy on Aug. 3, 1937. At the time of her acceptance by the Navy, the Devastator was the most advanced naval aircraft in the world. Tragically, this lofty status didn’t last long.