10 September 1943 – Recovery of Missing Pilots

 

.....We learned of the safety of Lt. Williams and Lt. Craig who were picked up out of the water and brought to Bi1oa, Vella Lavella, both without injury. Their stories follow:

1st Lt. J. Craig. III:
....."I took off at 0815, 5 minutes later than the other planes in my division. The reasons: an oxygen bottle had to be put in my plane and it took me four shells to start it after that job was completed. Incidentally, the first three shells were type B and type E, a larger shell and it really gives a P&W 2,000 a strong turn-over, which is needed in these planes we get out here.”

....."Well, we joined up with the bombers about 0900 at the designated place then proceeded on the way. Our particular mission was one of the 16 F4Us from our squadron, which consisted of 20 B-24s and to circle above the target after the bombers made their runs. We were to knock out any Zeros in the air - it seems they usually attack the bombers after they have made their run and are homeward bound."

....."I saw one division of Zeros climbing up below and I called in and reported them. In the meantime, we continued orbiting at 26,500 ft. I watched them climb right on up, continuing to call in their positions. By the tine they were about 4,000 ft. below us, we were in very good position for an overhead run or, as for as at goes, any kind of run. In fact, I thought all the time that was what we were getting into position for. I heard Lt. Reid, the leader’s wingman, call the leader and warn him. My section leader was growing very impatient as I was. We were both waiting for the leader to dive on then. Well, moments passed - the Zeros were almost at our altitude, still nothing happened. When they reached our altitude, they were a good distance away off my starboard bow and heading in opposite direction. They came on paralleling our course and then started a beam run on me - I being the nearest one to them. I called in all this time reporting it. Finally my section leader, Lt. Williams, cocked his nose in their direction, giving them a long burst. I was doing likewise at that time and two of the Zeros pulled up about 1,000 ft. and discontinued their runs."

....."""In the meantime, my division leader started a turn to the left. Lt. Williams, my section leader, whipped his plane into a vertical left turn and I did likewise, we were both still in our turns, I being abeam and slightly ahead of him. It was then that my left aileron was shot off and soon as we straightened up and I saw the Zeros didn't press home their attack, I pulled in close and showed my wing to Lt. Williams. He called in saying he and I were leaving and we headed for home. Just then I noticed my oil pressure was dropping fast and within the next minute, my motor was dead. Lt. Williams stayed well abeam of me and I held my plane in a dive with a speed of 250 - 260 knots indicated. A few minutes lapsed and I saw a formation of Zeros well in front of us and to the right of us. As they made a turn into me, Lt. Williams climbed until he was about 5,000 ft. above us. The Zeros tailed in behind us, well out of range and after a few minutes gave up the chase. Lt. Williams stayed at his present altitude to protect me and I glided on down to 1500 ft. and slowed up to 150 knots. Then I rolled over on my back and bailed out. I hit the water about one mile from the tip at the northeastern end of Vella Lavella and inflated my boat. Lt. Williams then came down and circled a small personnel-landing boat about a mile south of me and it turned and started in my direction. In the meantime Lt. Williams gave out of gas and made a water landing about 50 yards from me. The boat picked us up after I was in the water about fifteen minutes, and took us to shore about midway on the eastern side of the island. We were taken by jeep to Col. Parmalee's headquarters were we spent the night and then were brought back to Munda Point."

1st. Lt. J. B. Williams:
....""Took off from Munda 0810, heading second section In Volcansek's division. Lt. J. Craig was my wingman. Joined on twenty B-24s at approximately 0900 at 10,000 feet. We climbed on up to 27,000 ft., staying to the side and behind the B-24s which proceed NE of the SE tip of Bougainville. I did not observe the B-24s turn in on their run over Kahili. I observed at one time three divisions of planes well below any of our formations, and as we continued circling over Fauro I caught occasional sight of a division climbing up. while at 20,000 ft. I saw four Zeros or Haps at about 500 feet below two o'clock from us I headed in our direction. I tallyhoed them and fired a burst at them although they were well out of range. Volcansek was just turning left and I turned to stay in. Craig was hit in the left wing and his motor was smoking, so I broke away and headed to Vella. Sighted four Zeros returning from Vella. They made a turn to come in behind us, but did not remain. Craig bailed out about two miles from northeastern tip of Vella Lavella. I flew over him and proceeded about two miles south and got a landing craft boat headed in his direction. I circled Craig and my motor cut. Believe I was out of gas, although my gage indicated about 25 gallons. I made a water landing about 20 yards from Craig. We were picked up by a boat and taken to Col. Parmalee, who arranged for a cot and meal for us. He sent a message of our being picked up, and arranged for transportation on PT boat the next morning."

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