The question of whether the Fairey Swordfish, a British biplane, would have been more effective at the Battle of Midway than the American TBD Devastator torpedo bombers involves examining several factors, including the aircraft’s design, mission capabilities, and operational context during the battle.
The Fairey Swordfish
The Swordfish was a biplane known for its ruggedness and ability to carry out attacks in challenging conditions. It was notably used by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and had earned a reputation for sinking the Bismarck and crippling the Italian fleet at the Battle of Taranto in 1940. Despite its age and obsolete design by World War II standards (it was designed in the 1930s), the Swordfish was still in service as a torpedo bomber and anti-submarine aircraft during the early years of the war.
Key features of the Swordfish included:
Torpedo Capability: The Swordfish was equipped to carry a 15-inch torpedo, and it was capable of launching this weapon from relatively low altitudes.
Rugged Design: The biplane’s design made it very durable, allowing it to take significant damage and still return to base.
Slow Speed: The Swordfish was slow compared to most other naval aircraft, with a top speed of around 140 mph (225 km/h). While this made it vulnerable to enemy fighters, its ability to carry out low-level, precision torpedo attacks was one of its key strengths.
The American TBD Devastator
The TBD Devastator, a monoplane used by the United States Navy during World War II, was the primary torpedo bomber during the Battle of Midway. Although it was state-of-the-art at the beginning of the war, it had become largely outdated by 1942. The Devastator’s role at Midway proved to be disastrous due to its vulnerability to enemy fighters, poor maneuverability, and lack of speed.
Key features of the Devastator included:
Torpedo Capability: Like the Swordfish, the Devastator was designed to carry a 21-inch torpedo. It was capable of performing torpedo attacks at low altitudes, much like the Swordfish.
Speed: The Devastator had a top speed of about 200 mph (320 km/h), which made it relatively faster than the Swordfish, but still slow by modern standards.
High Vulnerability: During the Battle of Midway, Devastators were severely outclassed by Japanese fighter aircraft, particularly the A6M Zero, which could easily shoot them down due to the Devastator's slow speed and limited defensive armament.
The Battle of Midway and Effectiveness
At the Battle of Midway, the American torpedo bombers (including the TBD Devastators) faced tremendous losses while attempting to launch torpedo attacks on the Japanese fleet. These planes were almost wiped out by Japanese fighters before they could inflict significant damage. However, the attacks served a critical role in distracting Japanese defenses, which allowed the American dive bombers to strike the carriers.
The Swordfish might have faced similar challenges at Midway, given its slow speed and the presence of experienced Japanese fighter pilots. However, there are a few factors to consider:
Tactical Advantage: The Swordfish's slow speed and rugged design might have allowed it to conduct more coordinated, low-level attacks despite the risk of heavy casualties. Its ability to maintain a formation despite damage could have been useful for inflicting damage on a well-defended fleet.
Carrier Defenses: The Japanese fleet was well-prepared for air attacks, with layers of defense involving Zero fighters and anti-aircraft fire. The Swordfish’s vulnerability to intercepting fighters would have been an issue, just as it was for the Devastators.
Impact of the Attack: The Swordfish's legacy in attacks like Taranto showed its potential for precision strikes, particularly when hitting large ships like battleships or aircraft carriers. However, the impact of its torpedoes on the heavily armored Japanese carriers at Midway is uncertain, as the design of the TBD Devastator's torpedoes was better suited to such targets.