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Form
ACA-1
Sheet 1 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT
ACTION REPORT |
CONFIDENTIAL |
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(a)
Unit Reporting |
.....VMF-222 |
(b)
Based on or at: |
.....Green
Island |
(c)
Report No: |
11 |
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22-28
Oct.
1944 |
(e)
Take off: Time: |
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Lat.
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4'
32' S. |
Long.
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154'
14' E. |
various |
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(g)
Time of Return:
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Rabaul
Patrols and bridge strikes on New Ireland. |
various |
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II.
OWN AIRCRAFT OFFICIALLY COVERED BY THIS REPORT.
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SQUADRON
(b) |
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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 |
29 |
0 |
29 |
MK-12
1 x 500 or 1 x 1000 GP
|
500#
- 4-6 sec.
1000# - inst. |
F4U-1 |
VMF-222 |
11 |
0 |
11 |
MK-12
1 x 500 or 1 x 1000 GP |
500#
- 4-6 sec.
1000# - inst. |
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III.
OTHER U. S. OR ALLIED AIRCRAFT EMPLOYED IN THIS OPERATION.
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SQUADRON
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NUMBER
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BASE |
TYPE |
SQUADRON |
NUMBER |
BASE
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PBJ-1D |
VMB-423 |
4 |
Green
Island |
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IV.
ENEMY AIRCRAFT OBSERVED OR ENGAGED (By Own Aircraft
Listed in II Only).
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(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 |
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(Zone) |
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(Zone) |
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(Zone) |
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(h)
Apparent Enemy Mission(s)
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.....- |
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(i)
Did
Any Part of
...Encounter(s)
Occur in Clouds? |
....- |
If
so, Describe Clouds |
- |
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(YES
OR NO) |
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(BASE
IN FEET, TYPE AND TECHTURE OF COVER) |
(j)
Time of Day and Brilliance
....of
Sun or Moon |
....- |
(k)
Visibility |
- |
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(NIGHT,
BRIGHT MOON -DAY, OVERCAST, CLEAR) |
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(MILES) |
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V.
ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED OR DAMAGED IN AIR (By Own
Aircraft Listed in II Only).
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(b) DESTROYED OR DAMAGED BY |
(c)
WHERE HIT ANGLE |
(d)
DAMAGE
CLAIMED |
TYPE
A/C |
SQUADRON |
PILOT
OR GUNNER |
GUNS
USED |
None |
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Form
ACA-1
Sheet 2 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT
ACTION REPORT |
CONFIDENTIAL
Report
No. 11 |
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VI.
LOSS OR DAMAGE, COMBAT OR OPERATIONAL OF OWN
AIRCRAFT (of those listed in II only). |
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(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
F4U-1 |
VMF-222 |
hit
by AA (20 MM) |
bottom
- into accessory area |
plane
lost - forced water |
2 |
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landing. |
3
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BuNo.
50052 |
4
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5
F4U-1 |
VMF-222 |
hit
by AA (20 MM) |
180°
- starboard wing just |
wing
change necessitated. |
6 |
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outside
of wing tank |
18"
hole |
7 |
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8 |
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9 |
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10 |
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11 |
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12 |
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13 |
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14 |
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VII.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIES (in aircraft listed in II only;
identify with planes listed in VI by Nos. at left).
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(b)
SQUADRON |
(c)
NAME, RANK,OR RATING |
(d)
CAUSE |
(e)
CONDITION OR STATUS |
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None |
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VIII.
RANGE, FUEL, AND AMMUNITION DATA. |
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(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 |
130-
160 |
130-
160 |
2.5-3.5 |
344 |
190-270 |
- |
24,720 |
- |
- |
29 |
F4U-1 |
130-
160 |
130-
160 |
2.5-3.5 |
344 |
190-270 |
- |
9,660 |
- |
- |
10 |
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IX.
ENEMY ANTI-AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED (in aircraft listed
in II only; identify with planes listed in VI by Nos.
at left).
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NONE
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MEAGER |
MODERATE |
INTENSE |
HEAVY- Time-fused shells, 75mm and over |
x |
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MEDIUM - Impact-fused shells, 20mm-50mm |
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x |
x |
LIGHT - Machine gun bullets 65mm - 132mm |
x |
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X.
COMPARITIVE PERFORMANCE, OWN AND ENEMY AIRCRAFT (use
check list at left) |
SPEED
CLIMB
at
various altitudes
TURNS
DIVES
CEILINGS
RANGE
PROTECTION
ARMAMENT
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None
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XI.
ATTACK ON ENEMY SHIPS OR GROUND OBJECTIVES
(By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only).
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.....Varied |
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(BASE
IN FEET, TYPE
AND TENTHS
OF COVER) |
(f)
Bombing Tactics: Type |
....Dive |
Bomb
Sight Used: |
.....MK
8, Model 6 and cowling |
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(LEVEL,
GLIDE or DIVE) |
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(TYPE) |
.Bombs
Dropped per Run |
One |
Spacing |
- |
Altitude
of Bomb Release |
..1000'-3500' |
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(NUMBER) |
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(FEET) |
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(FEET) |
(g)
Number of Enemy Aircraft Hit on Ground:
Destroyed |
0 |
Probably
Destroyed |
0 |
Damaged |
0 |
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(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
Huts just S. Gereu River,
...New
Ireland.
|
6-FG-1
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A,
4-F4U-1
|
8
x 500 GP
and strafing |
8 |
all
in area
unobserved damage
|
VMF-222 |
2
Huts and bldgs. S. of
...Rabaul
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1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
in area
unobserved damage |
VMF-222 |
3
Large truck on crest of
..Tunnel
Hill Road |
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2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
one
damaging
miss (alight) |
VMF-222 |
4
.Huts
on S. coast Waton
....Island
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1-F4U-1 |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
in
area
unobserved damage |
VMF-222 |
5
Truck
on Kuraba Pltn. |
|
1-F4U-1 |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
VMF-222 |
6
.*12-
30' x 50' huts
....Kenabot
Pltn. |
|
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
damaged
several huts |
VMF-222 |
7
50' jetty W of Tinbur |
|
1-F4U-1 |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
VMF-222 |
8
Truck
parked at Vuna-
...kambi
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1-F4U-1 |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
VMF-222 |
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(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.
|
.
9
Large truck on
Talili Road
|
2-F4U-1 |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
VMF-222 |
10
Plane in revetment E of SW end
.....of Tobera |
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
near miss, possibly damaged |
VMF-222 |
11
Groups of huts in Rataval area |
4-F4U-1 |
4
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
3 |
destroyed 8 huts
45 minute fire |
VMF-222 |
12
Salik River Bridge |
4-FG-1A |
4
x 500 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none
|
VMF-222 |
13
Bridge over Matanatava River
|
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
damaging miss |
VMF-222 |
14
Large truck at parked
at .....Kinigunan
Pltn.
|
3-FG-1A |
3
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
slight |
VMF-222 |
15
Huts N of Old Carman Road |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
2 |
in area,
unobserved damage |
VMF-222 |
16
Huts at road intersection 1 mi. S
.....of Tokavel
Pltn. |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
VMF-222 |
17
Reveted plane S of Vunakanau |
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
in
area,
unobserved damage |
VMF-222 |
18
50' x 30' bldgs. 2 miles N of
.....Vunakanau
|
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
cratered
road |
VMF-222 |
19
Reveted plane S. of
.....Vunakanau |
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
Cratered R/W |
VMF-222 |
20
2- 30' x 50' huts 2 mi. S.
.....of Vunakanau |
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
hit in supply area
starting fire |
VMF-222 |
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*
hung bomb - frozen solenoid, returned to
base. |
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(p)
Were Photographs Taken?___No____
Photographs of Damage, When Taken,
Should Be Attached.
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Form
ACA-1
Sheet 4 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT
ACTION REPORT |
CONFIDENTIAL
Report
No. 11 |
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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.)
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ENGAGEMENT
WITH ENEMY |
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OWN
AIRCRAFT |
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Disposition |
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Altitudes |
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Speeds |
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Approach
Tactics |
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Use
of Cover, Deception |
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Angles
of Attack and
...Their Effectiveness |
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Distance
of Opening Fire |
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Defense
Tactics and
...Their Effectiveness |
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ENEMY
AIRCRAFT |
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Method
of Locating, Distance |
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Disposition |
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Altitudes |
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Speeds |
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Approach
Tactics |
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Use
of Cover, Deception |
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Angles
of Attack |
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Distance
of Opening Fire |
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Defensive
Tactics |
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COMMENTS
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS |
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Own
Weaknesses |
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Enemy
Weaknesses |
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Offensive
Tactics, Own |
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" |
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" |
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,
Enemy |
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Defensive
Tactics, Own |
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" |
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" |
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,
Enemy |
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Flexible
Gunnery, Own |
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Escort
Tactics |
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Fighter
Direction |
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Use
of Radar |
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Night
Fighting |
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Recognition,
Aircraft |
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ATTACK |
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OWN
TACTICS |
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Method
of Locating Target |
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Approach
to Target |
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Altitudes,
Speeds |
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Approach |
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Dive |
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Release |
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Pull-Out |
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Dive
Angle |
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Strafing |
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Retirement |
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Defensive
Tactics |
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Use
of Jamming |
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DEFENSE,
ENEMY |
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Evasive
Tactics, Ships |
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Concealment |
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Searchlights |
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Night
Fighter Tactics |
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Use
of Jamming |
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COMMENTS
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS |
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Bombing
Tactics |
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Torpedo
Tactics |
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Effectiveness
of
...Bombs, Torpedoes |
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Selection
of Targets |
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Strafing
Tactics |
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Defensive
Tactics |
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Use
of Radar |
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Reconnaissance |
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Photography |
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Briefing |
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OPERATIONAL |
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Navigation |
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Homing |
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Rendezvous |
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Recognition,
Ships |
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Communications |
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Flight
Operations |
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Search
and Tracking |
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Base
Operations |
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Maintenance |
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.
....
.....During
the week a total of 40 sorties were flown over
various targets in the Gazelle Peninsula, New
Britain, and New Ireland. A total of 19 1/2
tons of bombs were dropped and 34,400 rounds
of .50 caliber ammunition was expended with
the following observed results:
-
direct
hit setting afire and completely destroying
group of 6 - 8 huts, Rataval.
-
hit in probable supply area approximately
2 miles N of Vunakanau - 50' flames with white
smoke to 500 -700'.
-
set
afire by strafing 1 large truck and 2 gasoline
trucks (1 gas truck exploded).
-
smoked by strafing 1 medium sized truck.
-
completely
riddled 1 medium sized truck - believe driver
killed.
-
holed
by strafing 12 other trucks, majority of them
being large.
.....In
addition to the above definitely observed results,
it can safely be said that many additional huts
and buildings have been destroyed or damaged
as a result of considerable strafing and bomb
hits in areas of of clusters and concentrations
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Form
ACA-1
Sheet 5 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT
ACTION REPORT |
CONFIDENTIAL
Report
No. 11 |
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XIII.
MATERIAL DATA. (Comment freely on performance
or suitability, following check list at left.
Use additional sheets if necessary.)
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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 |
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.....On
the 25th of October. 2dLt. L. C. WILDER flying an
F4U-1, bureau number 50052, on a Rabaul Patrol sustained
a 20 MM hit in the accessory section from a known
position on Tawui Point. Lieutenant WILDER was strafing
huts and buildings on the NW coast of Tawui Point
when he was hit.
.....The
shrapnel from the explosion must have hit the main
gas line for approximately 160 gallons of fuel was
gone within ten minute period, as well as the presence
of about 8" of gasoline in the bottom of the
cockpit.
.....Lieutenant
WILDER was hit when immediately over the shoreline
and upon noticing the gasoline in the cockpit went
down to 200' in the event of an emergency landing.
Upon being hit, all hydraulic pressure went out;
tail wheel dropped down, front wheel doors dropped
down, and the cowl and inter-cooler flaps opened.
The radio went dead when just north of the Duke
of York Island. The main gas tank ran out around
the Duke of York Island, at which time he switched
onto the right wing tank which ran out about 10
miles north of Cape St. George, and then onto the
left wing tank which had about 5 minutes fuel left
when the water landing was made.
.....Second
Lieutenant AMERINE, flight leader, escorting Lt.
WILDER from the time he was hit, sighted 3 MT Boats
about 20 miles east of Cape St. George and called
them to standby for rescue duty.
.....Lt.
WILDER landed into the wind about 1/4 mile from
the MTB and about 16 miles east of Cape St. George
at 1720, and within 10 minutes time was safely aboard
the MT Boat.
.....It
is very strongly recommended that practice lifeboat
drills be given all pilots before going into actual
combat operations. This drill should not only include
jumping from a raft with a parachute harness and
back pack, and then swimming over to an already
inflated raft; instead, the pilot should be made
to extricate and inflate his seat pack life raft.
Teaching is no substitute for doing.
.....Lt.
WILDER had the above type of lifeboat drill in April
1944, and as a result did not have the slightest
difficulty in getting out of his harness and into
his lifeboat. It all went so smooth that he even
brought back all his gear, including parachute.
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REPORT
PREPARED BY: |
APPROVED
BY: |
M.
M. ROSEN |
1stLt.
USMCR,
ACIO, VMF-222 |
R.
T. SPURLOCK |
MAJOR,
USMCR,
C. O. VMF-222 |
22-28
Oct. 44 |
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SIGNATURE |
RANK
AND DUTY |
SIGNATURE |
RANK
AND DUTY |
DATE |
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Return
to Top |
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