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Form ACA-1
Sheet 1 of 5
 AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT CONFIDENTIAL

 
I. GENERAL
(a) Unit Reporting
 .....VMF-222
(b) Based on or at:
 .....Green Island
(c) Report No:
02

(d) Date of Action:

6 Oct. 1944
(e) Take off: Time:
love
(Zone)
Lat.
4' 32' S.
Long.
154' 14' E.
0720

(f) Mission:

C
(g) Time of Return:
love
(Zone)
Cover and Strike Vunakanau Revetment areas.
 1025

 
II. OWN AIRCRAFT OFFICIALLY COVERED BY THIS REPORT.

(a)
TYPE

(b)
SQUADRON
(c)
NO. OF
SORTIES
(d)
NO. ENGAGING
ENEMY A/C		 (e)
NO. ATTACK-
ING TARGET		 (f)
BOMBS AND TORPEDOS
CARRIED PER PLANE		 (g)
FUZE SETTINGS
FG-1A VMF-222 9 0 9 1 x 500 GP inst.
F4U-1 VMF-222 3 0 3 1 x 500 GP
         

 
III. OTHER U. S. OR ALLIED AIRCRAFT EMPLOYED IN THIS OPERATION.


TYPE


SQUADRON

NUMBER
BASE
TYPE
SQUADRON
NUMBER		 BASE
SBD-5 VMSB-341 21 Green Island PBJ-1D VMB-423 7 Green Island
SBD-6 VMSB-341 12 Green Island F4U-1 VMF-218 8 Green Island
SBD-5 VMSB-244 3 Green Island        

 
IV. ENEMY AIRCRAFT OBSERVED OR ENGAGED (By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only).

(a)
TYPE

(b)
NO.
OBSERVED
(c)
NO. ENGAGEING
OWN AIRCRAFT
(d)
TIME ENGAGED		 (e)
LOCATION OF
ENCOUNTER 		(g)
BOMBS, TORPEDOES CARRIED
GUNS OBSERVED		 (g)
COMOUFLAGE AND
MARKING
None    
(GCT)
      
   
(GCT)
      
   
(GCT)
      

(h) Apparent Enemy Mission(s)_________________________________________________________________________

(i) Weather and Clouds at Location of Encounter(s)__________________________________________________________

____________________________ (j) Sun or Moon___________________________ (k) Visibility_____________________

 
V. ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED OR DAMAGED IN AIR (By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only).

(a)
TYPE
ENEMY A/C
(b) DESTROYED OR DAMAGED BY
 (c)
WHERE HIT ANGLE		 (d)
DAMAGE
CLAIMED
TYPE A/C SQUADRON PILOT OR GUNNER GUNS USED
None            
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
 
 
 
Form ACA-1
Sheet 2 of 5
 AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
 Report No. 02

 
VI. LOSS OR DAMAGE, COMBAT OR OPERATIONAL OF OWN AIRCRAFT (of those listed in II only).

(a)
TYPE OWN A/C

(b)
SQUADRON
(c)
CAUSE, TYPE ENEMY A/C
TYPE OWN OR OPERATIONAL CAUSE
 (d)
WHERE HIT, ANGLE		 (e)
EXTENT OF LOSS OR DAMAGE,
REMARKS
1 None
       
2
        
3
       
4
        
5
        
6
        
7        
8        
9        
10        
11        
12        
13        
14        

 
VII. PERSONNEL CASUALTIES (in aircraft listed in II only; identify with planes listed in VI by Nos. at left).

(a)
NO.
(b)
SQUADRON
(c)
NAME, RANK, OR RATING
 (d)
CAUSE		 (e)
CONDITION OR STATUS
  None      
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

 
VIII. RANGE, FUEL, AND AMMUNITION DATA.
(a)
TYPE A/C		 (B)
MILES OUT		 (c)
MILES
RETURN		 (d)
AV. HOURS
IN AIR		 (e)
AV. FUEL
LOADED 		(f)
AV. FUEL
CONSUMED
(g) TOTAL AMMUNITION EXPENDED, PLANES RETURNING
NO. PLANES .30 .50 20 MM MM
FG-1A 195 140 2.7 344 195 9 - 510 - -
F4U-1 195 140 2.7 344 195 3 - 165 - -
                     

 
IX. COMPARITIVE PERFORMANCE, OWN AND ENEMY AIRCRAFT (use check list at left)

SPEED CLIMB
at various altitudes

TURNS
DIVES
CEILINGS
RANGE
PROTECTION
ARMAMENT

 

 

 

 


None

  
 
 
 
 
Form ACA-1
Sheet 3 of 5
 AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT
CONFIDENTIAL
 Report No. 02

 
X. ATTACK ON ENEMY SHIPS OR GROUND OBJECTIVES (By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only).

(a) Location of Target(s)

(b) Time Over Target(s)
love
(Zone)
Vunakanau airfield, Gazelle Peninsula, New Britain.
 0905-08

(c) Weather and Clouds Over Target

.....Solid Layer of Stratus 14,000', slight haze near ground.
(d) Sun or Moon
 ......Overcast sun
(e) Visibility
 .....Unlimited below 14,000'.

XI. TARGETS, RESULTS OF ATTACK.

(a)
DESCRIPTION OF TARGET (List All Ships In
Group, Whether Or Not Attacked)
(b) A/C ATTACKING
 (d) BOMBS AND AMMUMINITION
EXPENDED, EACH TARGET		 (e)
ALTITUDE OF ATTACK		 (f)
HITS
(c) SQUADRON

1 Revetment areas adjacent to ...Vunakanau airfield.
9-FG-1A
9 x 500 GP and strafing
3,000'
all in area
VMF-222
2
3-F4U-1
 3 x 500 GP and strafing
3,000'
all in area
VMF-222
3
        
 
4
        
 
5
        
 
6
        
 
7
        
 
8
        
 

(f) RESULTS: FOR SHIP TARGETS DRAW DIAGRAM, TOP OR SIDE VIEW OR BOTH AS APPOPRIATE, SHOWING TYPE AND LOCATION OF HITS FOR ALL TARGETS. GIVE LOCATION AND EFFECT OF HITS WITH DIAGRAMS OR CHARTS WHERE DESIRABLE. DESCRIBE TARGETS FULLY IN (a) AND IN REPORTING DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION, IDENTIFY BY NUMBERS AT LEFT. USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS IF NECESSARY.

(1) All bomb hits in assigned target areas, but no specific results were observed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(h) Were Photographs Taken?___No____ Photographs of Damage, When Taken, Should Be Attached.
 
 
 
Form ACA-1
Sheet 4 of 5
 AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT
CONFIDENTIAL
 Report No. 02

 
XII. TACTICAL AND OPERATIONAL DATA. (Narrative and commentary. Describe action fully and comment freely, following applicable items in check list at left. Use additional sheets if necessary.)
ENGAGEMENT WITH ENEMY
 
   
OWN AIRCRAFT
   
Disposition
   
Altitudes
   
Speeds
   
Approach Tactics
   
Use of Cover, Deception
   
Angles of Attack and
...Their Effectiveness
   
Distance of Opening Fire
   
Defense Tactics and
...Their Effectiveness
       
ENEMY AIRCRAFT
   
Method of Locating, Distance
   
Disposition
   
Altitudes
   
Speeds
   
Approach Tactics
   
Use of Cover, Deception
   
Angles of Attack
   
Distance of Opening Fire
   
Defensive Tactics
       
COMMENTS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
   
Own Weaknesses
   
Enemy Weaknesses
   
Offensive Tactics, Own
   
"   "  
, Enemy
   
Defensive Tactics, Own
   
"   "  
, Enemy
   
Flexible Gunnery, Own
   
Escort Tactics
   
Fighter Direction
   
Use of Radar
   
Night Fighting
   
Recognition, Aircraft
 
 
ATTACK
       
OWN TACTICS
   
Method of Locating Target
   
Approach to Target
   
Altitudes, Speeds
   
Approach
   
Dive
   
Release
   
Pull-Out
   
Dive Angle
   
Strafing
   
Retirement
   
Defensive Tactics
   
Use of Jamming
       
DEFENSE, ENEMY
   
Evasive Tactics, Ships
   
Concealment
   
Searchlights
   
Night Fighter Tactics
   
Use of Jamming
       
COMMENTS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
   
Bombing Tactics
   
Torpedo Tactics
   
Effectiveness of
...Bombs, Torpedoes
   
Selection of Targets
   
Fuzing
   
Strafing Tactics
   
Defensive Tactics
   
Use of Radar
   
Reconnaissance
   
Photography
   
Briefing
 
 
OPERATIONAL
   
Navigation
   
Homing
   
Rendezvous
   
Recognition, Ships
   
Communications
   
Flight Operations
   
Search and Tracking
   
Base Operations
   
Maintenance

.

....The Corsairs took off without incident and effected rendezvous with the SBD's over Feni Islands. Escorted the SBDs to Namatanai at 14,000' but lost contact there due to weather. Then headed to Watom Island which they circled three times, and then went on to target area and saw the SBD's there orbited until SBD's and PBJs struck, then went in on their bombing runs.

.....All bombing runs were made from NW to SE. High speed approaches were made from 13-14,000', push-over altitude 10,000’, with releases at approximately 3,000'. Retired between Kuluana Point and Ralum, rallying at 6,000' 5 miles off Cape Gazelle. Was unable to make contact with SBD's after strike due to on approximate 10 minute interval required by the PBJs for their bombing.

.....Anti-aircraft fire encountered consisted of moderate to intense, inaccurate, heavy and auto; about 5-6 guns firing at SBDs from 3/4 mile north of Vunakanau R/W. Ten bursts of 40MM was fired at PBJ's from NW end of R/W. Also 5-6 bursts of heavy at 10,000' from clearing on side of mountain around Keravia, Though no specific results were observed, considerable smoke for ten minutes was seen to come from the NW corner of R/W.

 
 
 
 
Form ACA-1
Sheet 5 of 5
 AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
Report No. 02

 
XIII. MATERIAL DATA. (Comment freely on performance or suitability, following check list at left. Use additional sheets if necessary.)
ARMAMENT
Guns, Gunsights
Turrets
Ammunition
Bombs, Torpedoes
Bomb Sights
Bomb Releases
COMMUNICATIONS
Radio, Radar
Homing Devices
Visual Signals
Codes, Ciphers
RECOGNITION
 
IFF
Signals
Battle Lights
Procedures
PROTECTION
Armor, Points and Angles
... of Fire Needing Further ... ...Protection.
Leak Proofing
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Parachutes
Life Boats, Life Rafts
Safety Belts
Emergency Kits
Rations, First Aid
NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT
Compass
Driftsights
Octants
Automatic Pilots
Charts
Field Lighting
INSTRUMENTS
Flight
Power Plant
OXYGEN SYSTEM
CAMOUFLAGE AND ...DECEPTION DEVICES
STRUCTURE
Airframe
Control Surfaces
Control System
Dive Flaps
Landing Gear
Heating System
Flight Characteristics at ...Various Loadings
POPWER PLANT
Engines
Engine Accessories
Propellers
Lubricating System
Starters
Exhaust Dampers
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Auxiliary Plant
Lights
FUEL SYSTEM
FLIGHT CLOTHING
MAINTENANCE
BASE FACILITIES
Plane Servicing Equipment
Personnel Facilities

 

   
MISSION LOG:
 
PILOT
 PLANE NO. REMARKS
 
SPURLOCK
 14077  
 
PETERS
 14029  
 
SCRIMGEOUR
 14131  
 
WRIGHT
 14253  
 
   
 
MARKER
 14015  
 
GRAHAM
 14218  
 
CHATHAM
 14267  
 
RYAN
 14026  
 
   
 
AMERINE
 49890  
 
WILDER
 14152  
 
SEMB
 50015  
 
VERMILLION
49795  
       
       
       
       
       
       
REPORT PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY:
M. M. ROSEN 1stLt. USMCR,
ACIO, VMF-222		 R. T. SPURLOCK MAJOR, USMCR,
C. O. VMF-222		 6 Oct. 1944
 
SIGNATURE RANK AND DUTY
SIGNATURE
 RANK AND DUTY DATE

 
 
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