The Battle of the Philippine Sea stands as one of the most decisive and dramatic aerial engagements in the history of warfare. Often remembered by its infamous nickname, the “Marianas Turkey Shoot,” this confrontation saw the American F6F Hellcat fighter planes dominate the skies over the Pacific with unprecedented ferocity and efficiency.
While many people know the broad strokes of this pivotal World War II battle, few are familiar with the intricate details and forgotten history that make it truly remarkable. In this article, we will dive deep into the records, test your knowledge, and uncover what you likely never knew about the greatest American aerial victory of the war.
Have you ever held a physical piece of World War II history in your hands? Perhaps a relic or autograph tied directly to one of the heroes who fought in the Pacific Theater? Imagine owning a collectible card set that transports you back to 1945 — the final year of the war — featuring significant battles, figures, and events from that time.
The “1945 End of the War” card set, produced by one of the largest non-sport trading card companies, offers exactly that experience. Each card highlights a critical moment or hero, and some packs even include autographs, relics, and DNA hair cards from veterans who participated in battles like the Marianas Turkey Shoot.
Among the autographs collectors hope to find are those of legendary figures such as Chester Nimitz, Curtis LeMay, and Jimmy Doolittle. Even if you’re not a card collector, owning a piece of history through this set makes for a meaningful gift for any history enthusiast, young or old, and provides an engaging way to learn about the heroes of our past.
If you want to explore this unique collection, visit the Historic Autographs website and use code TJ3 for a 15% discount. Now, let’s turn our attention to the gripping story behind the Marianas Turkey Shoot.
The stage for this epic battle was set months earlier, in late March 1944. A Japanese transport plane carried a top-secret document known as the Z Plan, along with Admiral Mineichi Koga, the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Japanese Fleet.
This plan outlined Japan’s strategy to draw the United States carrier fleet into a decisive battle, where they hoped to throw everything they had at the US Navy and gain an advantage in peace negotiations.
Tragically for the Japanese, the transport plane encountered a fierce typhoon over the Pacific Ocean, crashing and killing most on board, including Admiral Koga. The briefcase containing the Z Plan was believed lost but eventually washed ashore on a Philippine island.
Filipino guerrillas recovered the documents and passed them to American intelligence, ultimately reaching Admiral Chester Nimitz. This intelligence coup allowed the US Navy to prepare for the upcoming battle with a significant strategic advantage.
The Japanese Navy, however, was already at a disadvantage before the Z Plan’s loss. Their losses at earlier battles — Midway, Coral Sea, and Guadalcanal — had severely depleted their experienced pilots and air squadrons. Japanese aircrews were often inexperienced and undertrained, while American aviators benefited from superior training, technology, and tactics.
Throughout the war, the US Navy prioritized preserving their ace pilots by rotating them out of combat tours to train new recruits. This strategy ensured a steady supply of skilled flyers and prevented the catastrophic losses the Japanese suffered.
Additionally, American industrial might was producing advanced aircraft in large numbers, including the F6F Hellcat, designed specifically to counter the nimble but lightly armored Japanese Zero fighter.
The Hellcat was faster, more powerful, and better armored than its adversary, though it lacked the Zero’s agility. American pilots were trained to exploit these strengths, avoiding dogfights where maneuverability was key and instead using boom-and-zoom tactics to strike hard and escape. This combination of superior aircraft and tactics would prove devastating in the coming battle.
By June 1944, the Japanese fleet steamed towards the Marianas Islands, aware they were outnumbered — nine carriers with roughly 450 planes against America’s 15 carriers and about 900 aircraft. To compensate, Japan had stationed a large force of land-based aircraft on nearby islands, hoping these would help even the odds.
Early on June 19th, Japanese scout planes, primarily A6M Zero fighters, were dispatched to locate the American fleet. At 5:50 a.m., one Zero pilot spotted the entire US fleet and immediately radioed their position. In a remarkable display of bravery or desperation, this pilot then attacked the American fleet alone, attempting to strike a destroyer before being shot down.
This lone assault exemplified the mindset of Japanese pilots at the time: willing to sacrifice themselves regardless of the odds. Unfortunately for Japan, this would be the first of many such futile attacks.
American radar quickly detected the incoming Japanese airstrikes from the land bases on Guam and the Marianas. The US Navy scrambled its Hellcats from the carriers, and the first wave of Japanese aircraft was intercepted before they could form up or gain altitude. The Hellcats decimated the attackers, shooting down 35 planes while losing only one in return — an astonishing kill ratio of 35 to 1.
Following this initial success, the US Navy launched combat air patrols (CAPs), a defensive strategy where fighter squadrons patrolled specific zones around the fleet to intercept enemy aircraft far from the carriers.
This tactic prevented Japanese bombers from reaching their targets without first facing waves of Hellcats, forcing them to fight through intense aerial opposition before even reaching the fleet’s anti-aircraft defenses.
The second wave of Japanese aircraft, numbering 107 planes, was again intercepted approximately 60 miles from the fleet. The Hellcats shot down 70 of these attackers, leaving only 37 to continue their assault. Of those, just 10 survived to return to their carriers, suffering staggering losses.
A third wave of 47 aircraft was launched but was mostly called off before attacking, with 40 planes returning safely. The final wave faced confusion and poor coordination, with many pilots unable to locate the American fleet. Ultimately, 30 of the 49 aircraft in this group were shot down, mostly by American fighters during their return.
The overwhelming success of the Hellcats in these engagements earned the battle its nickname: the Marianas Turkey Shoot. One pilot famously exclaimed upon landing on his carrier, “Hell, this is like an old-time turkey shoot!” The phrase captured the lopsided nature of the battle and became synonymous with the American aerial dominance that day.
Among the heroes of the battle was Lieutenant Alexander Vashon, pictured grinning broadly and holding up six fingers to indicate the number of enemy planes he had just downed. Vashon would finish the war credited with 19 kills, including seven during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He was one of many Hellcat pilots who contributed to this monumental victory.
The aftermath of the battle was devastating for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Over just two days, they lost approximately 350 carrier-based aircraft and 200 land-based planes. Several carriers were sunk or rendered inoperable due to submarine attacks and air strikes. In contrast, the US Navy lost only one ship with substantial damage and around 23 aircraft on the first day of combat.
Though more US planes were lost in the days following, often due to pilots ditching in the ocean, the Japanese could never recover from the loss of their experienced aircrews and aircraft. The aerial war in the Pacific was effectively decided, tipping the balance decisively in favor of the Allies.
The Marianas Turkey Shoot remains a testament to the power of superior technology, training, intelligence, and strategy. It highlights how a combination of factors — including the fortunate recovery of the Z Plan, the development of the Hellcat fighter, and the tactical use of combat air patrols — led to one of the most crushing aerial defeats in history.
For those fascinated by this chapter of World War II, the opportunity to connect with history through memorabilia is invaluable. Collecting autographs and relics from veterans who fought in the Battle of the Philippine Sea can bring the past vividly to life. Whether you’re a dedicated collector or simply a history enthusiast, owning a piece of this legacy helps keep the stories and sacrifices alive for future generations.
In conclusion, the Marianas Turkey Shoot was not just a battle but a turning point that showcased American ingenuity and resilience. The courage of the Hellcat pilots and the strategic brilliance of the US Navy ensured that the skies over the Pacific would never again be dominated by the Japanese Zero. This victory paved the way for the final Allied push towards Japan and ultimately helped bring World War II to a close.
