Developed just before the outbreak of the Second World War, the Douglas SBD Dauntless was the U.S. Navy's primary dive bomber throughout the opening salvos of the Second World War. Entering service prior to Pearl Harbour, it was the Dauntless that struck back at the Japanese fleet at both the battle of the Coral Sea and Midway. Also finding service over Guadalcanal, the Dauntless continued to be used against various Japanese targets. By the end of the war the Dauntless had sunk more Japanese shipping than any other aircraft
