On 4 June, off the northwest coast of New Guinea, eight Japanese fighter bombers attacked "Phoenix"'s task force. Two confined their attention to "Phoenix". Although the ship's gunfire did not hit the planes, it diverted their bomb runs. Both planes dropped bombs, one of which burst in the water close to "Phoenix", killing one man and wounding four others with fragments. The ship also suffered some underwater leakage and damage to her propellers. The following night, aircraft again attacked "Phoenix". This time, low-flying torpedo bombers struck as she proceeded through Yapen Strait, between Biak and Yapen islands, but her gunfire and evasive tactics prevented damage.