| First Combat |
| The first action for the Indianapolis came in the South
Pacific deep in enemy dominated waters, about 350 miles south of Rabaul,
New Britain. Late in the afternoon of 20 February 1942, the American ships
were attacked by 18 twin-engine bombers, flying in two waves. In the battle
that followed, 16 of the planes were shot down by accurate antiaircraft fire
of the ships and fighter planes from Lexington. All ships escaped
damage and later two trailing Japanese seaplanes were also 'splashed'. |
| On 10 March, the Task Force, reinforced by carrier
Yorktown, attacked enemy ports at Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea, where
the enemy was marshalling amphibious forces. Carrier based planes achieved
complete surprise by flying in from the south, crossing the high Owen Stanley
mountain range, and swooping in to strike Japanese harbor shipping. As they
inflicted heavy damage on Japanese warships and transports, the American
flyers knocked down many of the enemy planes that rose to protect the ports.
American losses were exceptionally light. |
| Indianapolis then returned to the United States for overhaul
and alterations in the Mare Island Navy Yard. Reinvigorated, she escorted
a convoy to Australia, and then headed for the North Pacific where Japanese
landings in the Aleutians had created a precarious situation. The weather
along this barren chain of islands is noted for continuous coldness; persistent
and unpredictable fogs; constant rain, snow, sleet and sudden storms with
violent winds as well as heavy seas. |
