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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:
03

(d) Date of Action:

1-7 Oct. 44 inc.
(e) Take off: Time:
Various
love
(Zone)
Lat.
4' 32' S.
Long.
154' 14' E.
times

(f) Mission:

(g) Time of Return:
Various
love
(Zone)
........Patrols, escorts, strikes.
 times

 
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 55 0 53 1 x 500 GP or 1 x 1000
GP 500# 4-6 or
8-11 or inst.
F4U-1 VMF-222 15 0 15 1 x 500 GP or 1 x 1000
GP 1000#: inst.
       

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


TYPE


SQUADRON

NUMBER
BASE
TYPE
SQUADRON
NUMBER		 BASE
None              
               
               

 
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. 03

 
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 130-160 130-160 2.5- 3.5 344 180-250 55 - 27,935 - -
F4U-1 130-160 130-160 2.5- 3.5 344 180-250 15 - 6,980 - -
                   

 
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. 03

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

(a) Location of Target(s)

Gazelle Peninsula, New Britain; and
(b) Time Over Target(s)
love
(Zone)
New Ireland south of 3' 20' S.
 varied

(c) Weather and Clouds Over Target

.....varied
(d) Sun or Moon
 ......varied
(e) Visibility
 ....varied

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 Possible barge hide, Mataken
...Pltn.

4-FG-1A
4 x 500 GP and strafing
3,000' all in area
VMF-222
2 Northernmost bridge Belik Pltn.
3-FG-1A
 3 x 500 GP and strafing 2,500-3,000' 1 direct
2 misses
VMF-222
3 Huts and bldgs Himau Pltn.
2-F4U-1
 2 x 500 GP and strafing 1,500' Near misses
VMF-222
4 Bridge- Mageh Pltn.
1-F4U-1
 1 x 500 GP and strafing 3,000' miss
VMF-222
5 Bridge, first river north of Puk
...River.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 500 GP and strafing 3,000' miss
VMF-222
6 Supply caves, Keravia.
4-FG-1A
 4 x 1000 GP and strafing 2,500-3,000' Near misses
VMF-222
7 Huts on shore east of the
...Mother.
3-FG-1A
 3 x 1000 GP and strafing 3,000' all in area
VMF-222
8 Flak ship in cove south of
...the Mother.
1-F4U-1
 1 x 1000 GP and strafing 3,000' Near miss
VMF-222

(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.

..(9) Bridge N. end Mangrove
.......Creek.
3-F4U-1
3 x 1000 GP and strafing
2,000-2,500' Near misses
VMF-222
(10) Water tower and huts 1 mile
.......west of Mangrove Creek.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 1000 GP and strafing 1,000' Near miss
VMF-222
(11) Pier at Mandres Pltn.
4-F4U-1
 4 x 1000 GP and strafing 1,500-2,500' misses
VMF-222
(12) Warehouse- north shore of
.......Simpson Harbor.
4-F4U-1
 4 x 1000 GP and strafing 3,500' misses
VMF-222
(13) Nabuto Bay bridge
2-F4U-1
 2 x 500 GP and strafing 1,000' Near misses
VMF-222
(14) Bridge- south end Ramut
.......Bay.
2-FG-1A
 2 x 500 GP and strafing 200' Near misses
VMF-222
(15) Huts and bldgs Mandres
.......Pltn.
2-FG-1A
 2 x 1000 GP and strafing 3,000' damaging
VMF-222
(16) Huts at Old Massaua Pltn.
2-FG-1A
 2 x 1000 GP and strafing 2,000' Near misses
VMF-222
(17) Huts and bldgs at Taulio
.......Pltn.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 1000 GP and strafing 2,500' damaging
VMF-222
(18) 2 engine A/C, Keravat strip.
2-FG-1A
 2 x 1000 GP and strafing 1,500-3,500' Revetment end on strip
VMF-222
(19) Pier- Kabaira Pltn.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 1000 GP and strafing 3,500' miss
VMF-222
(20) Huts - Bailu Pltn.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 1000 GP and strafing 4,000' damaging
VMF-222

(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. 03

 
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

(21) Huts and bldg Toma
.......Pltn.
1-FG-1A
1 x 1000 GP and strafing
2,000'
Area damaging
VMF-222
(22) Huts Wairiki.
2-FG-1A
 2 x 1000 GP and strafing 3,000'
miss
VMF-222
(23) Keravia, semi-truck.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 500 GP and strafing 1,500'
miss
VMF-222
(24) Truck- Moluraban
.......Pltn.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 1000 GP and strafing 2,500'
miss
VMF-222
(25) Coast road near
.......Keravia.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 1000 GP and strafing 2,000'
direct
VMF-222
(26) 10 huts-Watare
2-FG-1A
 2 x 1000 GP and strafing 3,000'
Near misses
VMF-222
(27) Bldgs and huts Miolo
.......Island.
1-FG-1A
 2 x 1000 GP and strafing 3,000'
miss
VMF-222
(28) 30'x70' bldg NE end
.......Rapopo strip.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 1000 GP and strafing 2,500'
miss
VMF-222
(29) 35' log bridge R.
.......Ramut Pltn.
3-FG-1A
 3 x 500 GP and strafing 1,000-2,000'
1 damaging
1 direct
VMF-222
(30) Bridge- south end
.......Bopire Pltn.
1-FG-1A
 1 x 500 GP and strafing 2,000'
miss
VMF-222
(31) Puk River bridge.
3-FG-1A
 3 x 500 GP and strafing 200'
Near misses
VMF-222
(32) Huts - Kuradui Pltn.
2-FG-1A
 2 x 500 GP and strafing 2,000'
Near misses
VMF-222

 
 
 
 
Form ACA-1
Sheet 5 of 5
 AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
Report No. 03

 
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

 

.....During the week a total of 68 sorties, consisting of seven 4-plane bridge strikes, ten 4-plane Rabaul patrols, and one 2-plane Dumbo escort, were flown over various targets on new Britain and New Ireland.
A total of 28 tons of bombs was dropped with the following results:

  1. Knocked out 20' section of bridge over river in Belik Pltn.
  2. Thoroughly strafed area where 20 white shirted people evacuated from buildings on Himau Pltn.- undetermined number wounded or killed.
  3. Destroyed small pier off Keravia.
  4. Set serviceable looking barge afire at Timbulmogru Lagoon.
  5. Destroyed, by burning, a small building Just north of Customs Wharf on north shore of Simpson Harbor.
  6. Destroyed pier leading to hulk tied up to the Customs Wharf.
  7. Direct hit in revetment on north side of Keravat strip.
  8. Damaged 20' x 40' building Toma Pltn.
  9. Damaged 35’ log bridge over river in Ramut Pltn.
.....In addition to the above definitely observed results, it can definitely be said that many huts and buildings have been damaged or destroyed as a result of much strafing and bomb hits in areas of hut and building clusters and concentrations.
REPORT PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY:
M. M. ROSEN 1stLt. USMCR,
ACIO, VMF-222		 R. T. SPURLOCK MAJOR, USMCR,
C. O. VMF-222		 1-7 Oct. 1944
 
SIGNATURE RANK AND DUTY
SIGNATURE
 RANK AND DUTY DATE

 
 
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