| Douglas SBD Dauntless scout bomber of Scouting Squadron 41 goes around for another landing attempt, after being waved off by the Landing Signal Officer on USS Ranger (CV-4). USS Ranger moored to the South side of the pier at Quonset Point, Rhode Island Naval Station on May 29 to take provisions and fuel and Carrier Air Group 4. Composite Air Group 4, consisting of Torpedo 4 (VT-4), Scouting 41 (VS-41) and Fighting Fourty-1 (VF-41), On June 2, the ship got underway with Carrier Air Group 4 for Argentia, Newfoundland, arriving at its destination June 5. USS Ranger conducted flight operations on June 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, and 19. Escorts were a range of American, British and French naval warships. During the next several weeks, Ranger remained in the Argentia area making routine training cruises with Air Group 4. The ship then made another ferry run to Casablanca with United States Army Air Force Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. These operations prepared Carrier Air Group 4 for action in Operation Torch in November 1942. Torpedo 4 was detached and Fighting 9 (VF-9) was added, as engagement with active Axis warships was not expected, but onshore close air support was needed; the Dauntlesses could – and did end up opposing – Vichy French warships. After Operation Torch, the squadrons reverted to VT-4, VF-4, and VB-4 designations. A carrier-based attack on Nazi-held Norway, assigned the code name Operation Leader, was carried out by aircraft from USS Ranger, on October 4, 1943. Air Group 4 (VB-4, VT-4, and VF-4) left the Ranger and reformed on the East Coast in the spring of 1944. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1907.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.73 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5759 x 4509 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | June 1, 1942 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | |
| Country | Atlantic Ocean |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-741 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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