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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:
10

(d) Date of Action:

21 Oct. 1944
(e) Take off: Time:
love
(Zone)
Lat.
4' 32' S.
Long.
154' 14' E.
0815

(f) Mission:

(g) Time of Return:
love
(Zone)
...Cover and strike hut concentrations, Tawui Pt.
1045

 

II. OWN AIRCRAFT OFFICIALLY COVERED BY THIS REPORT.

TYPE
(a)

SQUADRON
(b)

NUMBER

BOMBS AND TORPEDOS
CARRIED PER PLANE
(f)
FUZE SETTINGS
(g)
TAKING
OFF
(c)
ENGAGING
ENEMY A/C
(d)
ATTACKING
TARGET
(e)
FG-1A VMF-222 8 0 8 1 x 500 GP, MK-12
inst.
F4U-1 VMF-222 4 0 4 1 x 500 GP, MK-12 inst.
           

 

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


TYPE


SQUADRON

NUMBER

BASE

TYPE

SQUADRON

NUMBER
BASE
SBD-5 VMSB-341 18 Green Island        
SBD-6 VMSB-341 12 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    
(Zone)
     
     
(Zone)
     
     
(Zone)
     
   

(h) Apparent Enemy Mission(s)

.....-
 
(i) Did Any Part of
...Encounter(s) Occur in Clouds?
....-
If so, Describe Clouds
-
 
(YES OR NO)
 
(BASE IN FEET, TYPE AND TECHTURE OF COVER)
(j) Time of Day and Brilliance
....of Sun or Moon
....-
(k) Visibility
-
 
(NIGHT, BRIGHT MOON -DAY, OVERCAST, CLEAR)
 
(MILES)

 

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. 10

 
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,
(h)
NO. PLANES
RETURNING
.30 .50 20 MM MM
FG-1A 170 135 2.5 344 205 - 1650 - - 8
F4U-1 170 135 2.5 344 205 - 850 - - 4

                   

 

IX. ENEMY ANTI-AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED (in aircraft listed in II only; identify with planes listed in VI by Nos. at left).

CALIBER

NONE
MEAGER
MODERATE INTENSE
HEAVY- Time-fused shells, 75mm and over
x    
MEDIUM - Impact-fused shells, 20mm-50mm
x    
LIGHT - Machine gun bullets 65mm - 132mm
x  

 

X. 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. 10

 

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

(a) Target(s) and Location(s)

(b) Time Over Target(s)
0955
love
(Zone)
Hut concentrations, Tawui Pt., New Britain.
1002
  (FOR SHIPS INCLUDE ALL IN AREA UNDER ATTACK)      

(c) Clouds Over Target

.....None
  (BASE IN FEET, TYPE AND TENTHS OF COVER)
(d) Visibility of Target
....Clear
(e) Visibility
.....Unlimited
 
(BASE IN FEET, TYPE AND TENTHS OF COVER)
 
(MILES)
(f) Bombing Tactics: Type
....Dive - High Speed Approach
Bomb Sight Used:
.....MK 2, Model 5 & cowling
 
(LEVEL, GLIDE or DIVE)
 
(TYPE)
.Bombs Dropped per Run
One
Spacing
-
Altitude of Bomb Release
..2-3,000'
 
(NUMBER)
 
(FEET)
(FEET)
(g) Number of Enemy Aircraft Hit on Ground: Destroyed
0
Probably Destroyed
0
Damaged
0
 
 
 
 
 

(h)
AIMING POINT

(i)
DIMENTIONS OR
TONNAGE
(j) NO. A/C ATTACKING
(l)
BOMBS AND AMMUMINITION
EXPENDED, EACH AIMING POINT
(m)
NO. HITS On
AIMING POINT
(n)
DAMAGE (None, Slight,
Serious, Sunk, Destroyed)
(k) SQUADRON

1 Many clusters of huts
...on N. tip Tawui Point

1700' x
800' area
8-FG-1A
8 x 500 GP
and strafing
8

Unobserved
VMF-222
2 between coastal road
...and ocean
4-F4U-1
4 x 500 GP
and strafing
4
Unobserved
VMF-222
3
         
 
4
         
 
5
         
 
6
         
 
7
         
 
8
         
 

(o) 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.

....Though no specific results were observed, all bombs were seen to hit in the target area with a good pattern.

.....All planes strafed in the dives and one plane on pulling out strafed a 40' x 40' thatched roof building near the coast. Three resulting explosions followed one after the other with increasing intensity - probably an ammunition dump.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(p) 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. 10

 

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

.

.....All planes took off without incident and rendezvoused with the SBDs at 8,000', 8 miles N of base. Two divisions flew low cover at 1,500' and 2,000' respectively, while the third division flew high cover at 3,000' above the SBDs.

.....The entire flight flew direct to East Cape thence up the East Coast of New Ireland to Dolomakas Bay where they crossed over and down to the target area.

.....The fighters orbited at 12,000' over Watom Island while the SBDs made their runs, with the first division of fighters making their high speed approach while the lest division of SBDs were making their dives.

.....The Corsairs rallied at 5,000' midway between the target and the Duke of York Island, where they rendezvoused with the SBDs who were at 3,000'. The fighters escorted the bombers down St George Channel to about 15 miles W of Cape St George, at which point they were relieved of escort duties by the SBDs flight leader.

 

 
 
 
Form ACA-1
Sheet 5 of 5
AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
Report No. 10

 

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
 
GEIGER
50052
 
BARNETT
14029  
 
DRIFTMIER
14160  
 
PAULIS
56041  
SET OFF PROBABLE AMMUNITION DUMP
       
 
MATNEY
50025  
 
DUGAN
49925  
 
PERU
14015  
 
HEILMAN
14218  
       
 
BROWN
14267    
 
LYNCH
14236  
 
McCALL
49795    
 
HORSLEY
14026    

 

REPORT PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY:
M. M. ROSEN 1stLt. USMCR,
ACIO, VMF-222
R. T. SPURLOCK MAJOR, USMCR,
C. O. VMF-222
21 Oct. 1944
 
SIGNATURE RANK AND DUTY
SIGNATURE
RANK AND DUTY DATE

 


 
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