| |
| |
| Form
ACA-1
Sheet 1 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT
ACTION REPORT |
CONFIDENTIAL |
|
|
(a)
Unit Reporting |
.....VMF-222 |
(b)
Based on or at: |
.....Green
Island |
(c)
Report No: |
24 |
 |
 |
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19-25
November, '44 |
(e)
Take off: Time: |
|
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Lat.
|
4'
32' S. |
Long.
|
154'
14' E. |
| various |
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|
(f)
Time of Return:
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...........Rabaul
Patrols, Special Barge Hunt |
various |
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II.
OWN AIRCRAFT OFFICIALLY COVERED BY THIS REPORT.
|
| |
SQUADRON
(b) |
|
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 |
54 |
0 |
51 |
1
x 1000 GP, MK-13
|
inst |
| F4U-1 |
VMF-222 |
12 |
0 |
12 |
1
x 1000 GP, MK-13
|
inst |
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III.
OTHER U. S. OR ALLIED AIRCRAFT EMPLOYED IN THIS OPERATION.
|
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| |
SQUADRON
|
NUMBER
|
BASE |
TYPE |
SQUADRON |
NUMBER |
BASE
|
| none |
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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 |
|
|
(Zone) |
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(Zone) |
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(Zone) |
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|
(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 |
- |
|
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| |
(NIGHT,
BRIGHT MOON -DAY, OVERCAST, CLEAR) |
|
(MILES) |
|
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| |
V.
ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED OR DAMAGED IN AIR (By Own
Aircraft Listed in II Only).
|
|
| |
(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. 24 |
|
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|
 |
| |
VI.
LOSS OR DAMAGE, COMBAT OR OPERATIONAL OF OWN
AIRCRAFT (of those listed in II only). |
|
|
| |
(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 |
|
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| 2
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| 3
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| 4
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| 5
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| 6 |
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| 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).
|
|
| |
(b)
SQUADRON |
(c)
NAME, RANK,OR RATING |
(d)
CAUSE |
(e)
CONDITION OR STATUS |
| |
none |
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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 |
- |
25,475 |
- |
- |
51 |
| F4U-1 |
130-160 |
130-160 |
2.5-3.5 |
344 |
190-270 |
|
6,100 |
|
|
12 |
| |
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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).
|
| |
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
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
XI.
ATTACK ON ENEMY SHIPS OR GROUND OBJECTIVES
(By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only).
|
|
.....varied |
| |
(BASE
IN FEET, TYPE
AND TENTHS
OF COVER) |
| (f)
Bombing Tactics: Type |
...........glide
and dive |
Bomb
Sight Used: |
.....MK
8, Model 6 & cowling |
|
|
|
|
| |
(LEVEL,
GLIDE or DIVE) |
|
(TYPE) |
| .Bombs
Dropped per Run |
one |
Spacing |
- |
Altitude
of Bomb Release |
..1,500'-
6,000' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
(NUMBER) |
|
(FEET) |
|
(FEET) |
| (g)
Number of Enemy Aircraft Hit on Ground:
Destroyed |
0 |
Probably
Destroyed |
0 |
Damaged |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
(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.Bldgs.
Obai Mission
.
.
|
|
3-FG-1A |
3
x 1000 GP
and strafing
|
3 |
probably
destroyed several
|
|
VMF-222 |
| 2
Group
huts 1 mile N. of Oba
.
.Mission |
|
1-F4U-1 |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
|
VMF-222 |
| 3
Huts,
Tawui Point |
|
3-F4U-1 |
3
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
unobserved |
|
VMF-222 |
| 4
6-8
huts, Rainau Pltn. |
|
1-F4U-1 |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
|
VMF-222 |
| 5
*.Truck
on Boiler
Road, 3 mi.
.
.S.
of Talili
Bay
|
|
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
serious,
blew tail end
off truck |
|
VMF-222 |
| 6
6 huts N. tip of Duke of York
....Island |
|
2-F4U-1 |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
|
VMF-222 |
| 7
Huts,
Utuan Island |
|
4-FG-1A |
4
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
4 |
destroyed
several |
|
VMF-222 |
| 8
Huts
Watnabara (Ulu Island) |
|
2-F4U-1 |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
damaged
many |
|
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
Huts Metakura (Utuan Island)
|
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
destroyed five |
| VMF-222 |
| 10
* Caves at Vunakanau |
1-F4U-1 |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
| VMF-222 |
| 11
A/C boneyard 1/2 mile NE of
.... Vunakanau
|
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
| VMF-222 |
| 12
Revetment area SE of Vunakanau
.... R/W |
2-F4U-1 |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
both
cratered taxiway |
| VMF-222 |
| 13
Huts, Utuan Island |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
2 |
unobserved |
| VMF-222 |
| 14
* 2 trucks intersection Tunnel Hill
.... and Talili
Bay coast roads |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
| VMF-222 |
| 15
* Bridge at Mantantava River |
4-FG-1A |
4
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
all near misses |
| VMF-222 |
| 16
35' barge in NW Passage Duke of
.... York |
4-FG-1A |
4
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
all
near misses |
| VMF-222 |
17
Revetment area S side of Tobera |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
2 |
unobserved |
| VMF-222 |
18
Revetment area SW end of
....
Vunakanau |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
2 |
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. 24 |
|
|
|
|
| |
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 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
| |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
| VMF-222 |
| 20
* 4- 30' x 70' huts Bita Paka |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
unobserved |
| VMF-222 |
| 21
* Group of huts E side of The
.... Mother |
4-FG-1A |
4
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
3 |
serious, started large
fire |
| VMF-222 |
| 22
Tobera Runway |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
2 |
cratered
R/W |
| VMF-222 |
| 23
Vunakanau Runway |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
none |
| VMF-222 |
| 24
Huts and bldgs. Raluana |
2-FG-1A |
2
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
none |
| VMF-222 |
| 25
3 red roofed houses Mataka-
....bang |
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
cratered road |
| VMF-222 |
| 26
Road intersection Talili Bay
....Road |
1-FG-1A |
1x
1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
unobserved |
| VMF-222 |
27
North end Tobera Rubber
.... Plantation |
3-FG-1A |
3
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
3 |
none |
| VMF-222 |
28
Large loaded truck Mission
....Plantation |
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
unobserved |
| VMF-222 |
29
Twin engined plane Vunaka-
.... nau revetment |
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
0 |
damaging
miss |
| VMF-222 |
30
Vunakanau R/W |
1-FG-1A |
1
x 1000 GP
and strafing |
1 |
cratered
R/W |
| VMF-222 |
| Note:
|
One plane did not carry any bomb |
|
|
* |
One bomb of each of those groups were duds |
|
|
|
|
.
During the week a total of 63 sorties
were flown over the Rabaul area. A total of
31 1/2 tons of bombs were dropped and 31,575
rounds of .50 calibre ammunition was expended
with the following observed results, excluding
those listed in XI - (h) and (n):
....
(1) strafed 12 trucks, holing 6, other 6 with
unobserved results.
.... (2) strafed
area where 6-7 Japs ran for cover in gulley
about 1 mile south of
.... ....
Ratongar.
.... (3) sank
a 25' canoe with 2 Japs in it and a 15' outrigger
canoe with 1 Jap in Blanche Bay, .
.
.
.
.
.
all Japs believed killed.
.... (4) holed
an empty 40' barge floating in the Northwest
Passage, Duke of York.
.... (5) completely
burned a 35' barge ramp type, underway in
Northwest Passage, Duke of
.
.
.
.
.
York. It had from 5 to 10
Japs in it, all of whom are believed killed.
.... ....
The barge ran right up on the shore of Ruruan
Island where it was left burning and
.
.
.
.
.
observed there the following
day to be completely gutted.
.... (6) started
large fire by strafing of large native type
huts at Nagalla of Makada
.... ....
Island.
In
addition to the above definitely observed
results, it can safely be said that many additional
huts and buildings have been damaged or destroyed
as a result of considerable strafing and bomb
hits in areas of concentrations.
|
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| |
| |
|
| Form
ACA-1
Sheet 5 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT
ACTION REPORT |
CONFIDENTIAL
Report
No. 24 |
|
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|
|
|
| |
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 |
19-25
Nov. 44 |
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