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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:
15

(d) Date of Action:

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

(f) Mission:

.....Escort and strike reported
(g) Time of Return:
love
(Zone)
.....Jap supply personnel areas, Ralum #45 .
 1015

 
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 10 0 10 1 x 500 GP, MK-12
inst.
F4U-1 VMF-222 2 0 2 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-244 10 Green Island        
SBD-6 VMSB-244 2 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. 15

 
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 FG-1A
 VMF-222
Light AA
Port wing aileron and starboard
Minor
2
    
elevator control
 
3
       
4
       
5 FG-1A
 VMF-222
Light AA
Propeller and starboard wing
Minor
6
    
tip
  
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 140 140 2.9 344 200 - 7,650 - - 10
F4U-1 140 140 2.9 344 200 - 1,550 - - 2

                   

 
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. 15

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

(a) Target(s) and Location(s)
...Ralum "45" supply and personnel
(b) Time Over Target(s)
0900
love
(Zone)
...area Gazelle Peninsula, New Britain
 0920
  (FOR SHIPS INCLUDE ALL IN AREA UNDER ATTACK)      

(c) Clouds Over Target

......1/10 scattered cumulus 3 - 16,000'
  (BASE IN FEET, TYPE AND TENTHS OF COVER)
(d) Visibility of Target
....clear
(e) Visibility
 .....50
 
(BASE IN FEET, TYPE AND TENTHS OF COVER)
  
(MILES)
(f) Bombing Tactics: Type
 ....dive
Bomb Sight Used:
 .....MK 8, Model 6 & cowling
 
(LEVEL, GLIDE or DIVE)
  
(TYPE)
.Bombs Dropped per Run
One
Spacing
-
Altitude of Bomb Release
..2500- 3500
 
(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. Ralum "45"- supply and per-
....sonnel area about 1200 yards
400 x 200
yards
10-FG-1A
1 x 500 GP
and strafing
all in
area
unobserved
2-F4U-1
2 .S. of Blanche Bay
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.

.....All bombs landed in the target area with unobserved results.

After the bombing runs, all planes made two strafing runs riddling the few beat-up huts that were visible.

..

 

(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. 15

 
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 24 SBDs at Cape St. George at 0830. The fighters took position at 13,000' over the SBDs who were at 12,500' and were on course at 0840. The SBDs started their high-speed approach from 11,000' off of Rapopo Airdrome, while the fighters orbited over the target area at 13,000'. As soon as the bombers finished their runs, the Corsairs started their dives with pushovers, angles of dive, and releases at 9,500'- 11,500', 45-55 degrees, and 2,500'- 3,500' respectively. All bombing runs were made from south to north.

.....After the two strafing runs, which followed the bombing, the fighters rallied off of Cape Gazelle. A running join-up could not be effected with the SBDs due to the time lag covering the strafing runs.

.....The course home was down St. Georges Channel, around the Cape, and direct to base.

 
 
 
 
Form ACA-1
Sheet 5 of 5
 AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
Report No. 15

 
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
 
DRIFTMIER
 14077
14200 received .50 caliber hole in left wing
 
IRWIN
 50190
aileron and in right elevator control.
 
BARTLETT
 14200  
 
JAMES
 14029
14029 received light AA nick in propeller and
 
 
hole in right wing tip.
 
HANSEN
 13993  
 
SMITHEY
 14094  
 
McIVER
 14589  
 
PHILLIPS
 50025  
 
   
 
WILDER
 14119  
 
WRIGHT
 14015  
 
SEMB
 14036  
 
VERMILLION
 14267  
     
       
       
       
       
       

 
REPORT PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY:
M. M. ROSEN 1stLt. USMCR,
ACIO, VMF-222		 R. T. SPURLOCK MAJOR, USMCR,
C. O. VMF-222		 5 Nov. 44
 
SIGNATURE RANK AND DUTY
SIGNATURE
 RANK AND DUTY DATE

 
 
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