Operation Snapshot

'Snapshot' was a US photo-reconnaissance and attack on Japanese installations on the island of Palau, in the eponymous island group, as part of the preparations for the 'Stalemate II' campaign (26 July 1944).

Air Group 19 from the fleet carrier Lexington, in the form of Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter-bombers, Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive-bombers and Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo and level bombers, attacked and damaged the 950-ton tank landing ship T-150 off the island. One F6F aircraft reported a hit with a 350-lb (159-kg) depth charge. Two SB2C aircraft achieved direct hits forward and a near miss with a 1,000-lb (454-kg) bomb. The Avenger aircraft dropped 24 500-lb (227-kg) bombs on T-150 but scored only two near misses. The TBF aircraft made several strafing runs on T-150, which was left burning.