The task force reached launch position off the Vestfjorden before dawn on 4 October completely undetected. At 06:18, USS Ranger launched 20 SBD Dauntless dive bombers and an escort of eight F4F Wildcat fighters. One division of dive bombers attacked the freighter La Plata, while the rest continued north to attack a German ship convoy. The bombers severely damaged a tanker and a smaller troop transport. They also sank two of four small German merchant ships in the Bodø roadstead.