Solomons
Epilog
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War
Diaries
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:
18

(d) Date of Action:

1-11 Nov. 1944
(e) Take off: Time:
love
(Zone)
Lat.
4' 32' S.
Long.
154' 14' E.
Various

(f) Mission:

(g) Time of Return:
love
(Zone)
..Rabaul Patrols and targets of opportunity, New Ireland
 Various

 
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 64 0 54 1 x 500 or 1- 1000 GP
1000# - inst.
500#- 4-6 sec. inst
F4U-1 VMF-222 16 0 16 1 x 500 or 1- 1000 GP
1000# - inst.
500#- 4-6 sec. 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    
(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. 18

 
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
Hydraulic trouble
- Lost- pilot bailed out near
2
   operational - base, plane crashed at sea.
3
       
4
       
1 FG-1A
 VMF-222
Unknown - possibly
   Lost- plane crashed at sea.
6
  
AA though none was
 
7  
observed by other
    
8  
pilots
    
1 2 F4U-1
 VMF-222 Holed by moderate AA    
10  
ref. ComAirSols
   
11        
1 2 FG-1A
 VMF-222
Holed by AA
    
13   ref. ComAirGreen    
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
1  VMF-222 MILLER, Gerald R., crashed at sea Missing in action
    2nd Lt., USMCR  
         
         
         
         
         
         

 
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 130-160 130-160
2.5- 3.5
344 190-270 - 52,800 - - 58
F4U-1 130-160 130-160
2.5- 3.5
344 190-270 - 12,500 - - 16

                   

 
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 x
LIGHT - Machine gun bullets 65mm - 132mm
 x 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. 18

 
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)
love
(Zone)
Gazelle Peninsula, New Britain and New Ireland
 various
  (FOR SHIPS INCLUDE ALL IN AREA UNDER ATTACK)      

(c) Clouds Over Target

..........varied
  (BASE IN FEET, TYPE AND TENTHS OF COVER)
(d) Visibility of Target
....varied
(e) Visibility
 ...varied
 
(BASE IN FEET, TYPE AND TENTHS OF COVER)
  
(MILES)
(f) Bombing Tactics: Type
 ....dive and glide
Bomb Sight Used:
 .....MK 8, Model 6 & cowling
 
(LEVEL, GLIDE or DIVE)
  
(TYPE)
.Bombs Dropped per Run
One
Spacing
-
Altitude of Bomb Release
..1000- 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 Possible camouflaged
.object S end Timbulmogru

Lagoon
2-FG-1A
2 x 1000 GP
and strafing
1
unobserved
VMF-222
2 Quonset type huts at
...Keravia Village
2-FG-1A
 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		2
destroyed at least two
VMF-222
3 Huts and buildings, .Obai
Mission
 2- F4U-1  2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		2
unobserved
VMF-222
4 Truck at Laweo
   1- F4U-1  1 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
possibly damaging
VMF-222
5  Truck at Korere Mission
  
1-FG-1A
  1 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
damaging miss
VMF-222
6 Huts and buildings at
...Vonavarr
2- F4U-1  2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		2
damaged several
VMF-222
7 8-10 huts, Kuradui
   2-FG-1A  2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		2
unobserved
VMF-222
8 Huts and buildings at
. Vonavarr
2- F4U-1
  2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		1
unobserved
VMF-222

(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 40' bridge, Belik Plantation
4-FG-1A
4 x 500 GP
and strafing
1
damaging
VMF-222
10 40' bridge, Ramut Plantation
2-FG-1A
 2 x 500 GP
and strafing 		0
cratered road
VMF-222
11 2- 30' parallel wood bridges, ....Ramut Plantation
2-F4U-1 2 x 500 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
12 Pltn. buildings and gardens,
....Vunakanau Pltn.
 2-F4U-1 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
13 Loaded truck, Ulatava Pltn.
 2-F4U-1 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
14 Two large trucks West of Ralum
 2-FG-1A 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
destroyed several huts
VMF-222
15 Huts and buildings, Tawui Point
 4-FG-1A 4 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		3
unobserved
VMF-222
16 * 20-30 huts, Obai Mission
 4-FG-1A 4 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		2
unobserved
VMF-222
17 4- 20' x 30' huts near Malaguna.
 2-F4U-1 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
18 Borpop supply area
2-FG-1A 4 x 500 GP
and strafing 		4
unobserved
VMF-222

 

(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. 18

 
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

19 Truck Tailili Bay and Tunnel
.....Hill Road intersection
1-FG-1A
1 x 1000 GP
and strafing
0
one
damaging miss
VMF-222
20 Huts at Pilapile
2-FG-1A
 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		2
unobserved
VMF-222
21 20 huts just S of Vunalira
.....Plantation
 2-F4U-1 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		2
damaging
VMF-222
22 Large truck just S of Lat Lat
 2-F4U-1 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
23 Three trucks Rakuna Bend
 2-FG-1A 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
damaging
VMF-222
24 Tanker hulk, Keravia Bay
 1-FG-1A 1 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		1
completely
destroyed
VMF-222
25 50' x 60' boat hulk, Keravia
.....Bay
1-FG-1A 1 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
damaging
VMF-222
26 75' tanker hulk, Keravia Bay
 1-FG-1A 1 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
27 ** Tanker hulk, Keravia Bay
 3-FG-1A 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
damaging miss
VMF-222
28 Floating crane, Keravia Bay
 1-FG-1A 1 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
29 2 groups 15-20 huts each,
.....Ravalian Pltn.
4-FG-1A 4 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		4
destroyed
several
VMF-222
30 Bridge over Matanatava
.....River coast road
 4-FG-1A 4 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
31 78-10 huts at Lat Lat
 1-FG-1A 1 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
in area
unobserved
VMF-222
32 30' x 60' house W of Tawliua
.....Mission
1-FG-1A 1 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
33 2 large, many small bldgs,
.....Mission Pltn.
2-FG-1A 2 x 1000 GP
and strafing 		0
none
VMF-222
 
*
One bomb was a dud
    
**
One bomb was a dud, and another bomb hung up and was returned to base.
   

 

.....During this period a total of 80 sorties were flown over the Rabaul area of New Britain, and over New Ireland. A total of 3l 1/2 tons of bombs were dropped and 65,300 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition were expended with the following observed results:

  1. strafed 2 Japs on horseback at Hapapar, believed both were killed.
  2. strafed 25 sheep and 2 Japs at Mageh Pltn., killed many sheep and possibly the Japs.
  3. strafed 6 Japs working in clearing south of Kabagada Point with no determinable results.
  4. one Jap on horse and buggy, entire contingent believe destroyed.
  5. strafed and exploded one motorcycle with side car, driver believe killed.
  6. increased the working hours of motor transport personnel through strafing as follows:
  • 3 small trucks holed
  • 15 medium sized trucks holed
  • 1 medium sized truck burned
  • 1 medium sized truck smoked
  • 4 medium sized truck strafed with with unobserved results
  • 7 large trucks holed
  • 4 large loaded trucks holed
  • 1 large truck burned
  • 1 large truck smoked
  • 4 large loaded trucks burned
  • 2 sedans holed
  • 1 tank truck holed
  • 1 tank truck burned

 
 
 
 
Form ACA-1
Sheet 5 of 5
 AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
Report No. 18

 
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

 
REPORT PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY:
M. M. ROSEN 1stLt. USMCR,
ACIO, VMF-222		 R. T. SPURLOCK MAJOR, USMCR,
C. O. VMF-222		 1- 11 Nov. 44
incl.
 
SIGNATURE RANK AND DUTY
SIGNATURE
 RANK AND DUTY DATE

 
 
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