CONFIDENTIAL
MARINE
FIGHTING SQUADRON 222, MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP 24
FIRST MARINE AIRCRAFT WING, FLEET MARINE FORCE,
C/O FLEET POST OFFICE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
WAR
DIARY
from
1
May 1944, to 31 May 1944 |
|
|
Distributions: |
Commandant,
Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet
Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet,
Commanding General, Aircraft, F. M F. Pacific
Commanding General, First Marine Aircraft Wing
File
|
|
| Geographical
Location of Unit: |
|
Quoin Hill, Efate |
|
| Name
of Commanding Officer: |
|
Major
Roy T. SPURLOCK, USMCR |
| Name
of next higher echelon:
|
|
Marine
Aircraft Group FOURTEEN |
| Roster
of Flight Echelon: |
|
|
|
| SPURLOCK
Roy T. |
Major |
|
Commanding
Officer |
|
| JOHNSON,
Robert E. |
Major |
|
Executive
Office |
|
| DOWNS,
John E. |
Captain |
|
Flight
Officer |
|
| SCHAEFER,
George C. |
WO |
|
Intelligence
Officer |
| BRITTINGHAM,
John T. |
Lt. |
|
Flight
Surgeon |
|
| BOWLING,
Maurice |
StfSgt |
|
Flight
Clerk |
|
| |
|
|
| BARNARD,
Harold Jr. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
BROOKS,
Wendell G. |
2nd. Lt. |
| BEKINS,
Robert, Jr. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
BROWN,
Fred I. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| DINGFELTER,
Clyde A. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
CHARLTON,
Douglas W. |
2nd. Lt. |
| FARR,
Sheldon G. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
DRIFTMIER,
John F. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| FITZGERALD,
Edward A. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
DUGAN,
Patrick |
2nd.
Lt. |
| FOOTE,
Robert E. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
FLICKINGER,
Judson |
2nd.
Lt. |
| GILLESPIE,
Robert L. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
GRIFFITH,
Donald C. |
2nd. Lt. |
| HARKINS,
Robert W. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
HANSEN,
Dale W. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| HUNTER,
A. C. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
HEILMAN,
Roland B. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| JOHNSTON,
Vesta |
1st.
Lt. |
|
KRIEGER,
Fredrick W. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| LANGLEY,
Ralph R., Jr. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
LIND,
Fenwick W. |
2nd. Lt. |
| LEVINE,
James H. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
LYNCH,
James W. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| MACK,
Melvin M. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
MARSHALL,
Samuel P. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| MATNEY,
F. K. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
McCALL,
Lewis B. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| MATTINGLY,
Francis E. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
McIVER,
Richard W. |
2nd. Lt. |
| PERINO,
August J. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
PERU,
Archie G. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| TEETER,
Virgil L., Jr. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
VAUGHN,
Alfred B. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| WALDEN,
Ennis E. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
GAGE,
John B. |
2nd.
Lt. |
| YORK,
Warren M., Jr. |
1st.
Lt. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Roster
of Ground Echelon Officers: |
| HAND,
Ralph. G. |
Captain |
|
Commanding
Officer |
|
| LAWLER,
Robert. P. |
2d
Lt |
|
Materiel
Office |
|
| SCHALLER,
L. W. |
CWO |
|
Engineering
Officer |
|
| SAINT,
J. L. |
WO
|
|
Adjutant |
|
|
| May
1 |
|
| |
Eleven
planes practiced squadron tactics, an eight-plane dummy- gunnery
flight, one instrument flight, and two familiarization fights
completed this date.
For the Record: 22 Sorties, 27.8 hours. |
May
2 |
|
|
No flying
due to bad weather. Orders received this date detaching Lt
(MC). Joseph S. POTICHA, USNR, to Marine Fighting Squadron
TWO TWENTY-TWO, from Second Marine Aircraft Wing to be effective
as of 22 April 1944. |
May
3 |
|
| |
One
eleven plane flight of combat tactics, ten instrument flights,
eighteen strafing sorties, thirteen dummy gunnery and eleven
fixed gunnery sorties were completed this date.
For the Record 83 Sorties 104.7 hours, |
May
4 |
|
| |
No flying
as planes not available for our use. |
May
5 |
|
| |
Received
orders to move up to Piva, Bougainville. The training was
somewhat shortened because of the small percentage of planes
kept in commission due to their hours of service and the shortage
of spare parts, Three squadrons plus forty ‘Pool"
pilots were provided with an average availability of sixteen
planes in commission, The training period extended from 10
April, 1944, to 3 May, 1944, during which the squadron flew
846.8 hours, 18 hours of which were flown at night. |
May
6 |
|
| |
SPURLOCK,
HANSEN, MATTINGLY, LUND, BROOKS, GRIFFITH, DUGAN, DRIFTHEIMER,
FLICKENGER, BARNARD, and BROWN proceeded via "SCAT"
for Bougainville this morning. Due to an error In "SCAT"
dispatch, transportation could not be furnished for the remainder
of the squadron. |
| May
7 |
|
| |
Those
of the squadron left behind yesterday left this morning via
"SCAT" and flew straight through to Bougainville.
The eleven that left Efate on 6 May also arrived on Bougainville.
The flight echelon of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWENTY-TWO
relieved Marine Fighting Squadron TWO FIFTEEN's flight echelon
and after being quartered at Acorn FIFTEEN the pilots were
briefed for the flight procedures in this area. |
|
|
May
8 |
|
0630-0815
|
DOWNS,
PERU, McIVER, and VAUGHN were airborne for local dawn patrol
- negative. |
0900-1212
|
TEETER,
BROWN, LANGLEY, and GILLESPIE took off to escort Dumbo to
within twenty miles of Cape St. George, New Ireland. Dumbo
was not needed for rescue work so the escort was secured and
TEETER and BROWN landed at Green Island where the ground echelon
is based for administrative purposes, while LANGLEY and GILLESPIE
landed at Piva. |
1600-1820 |
SPURLOCK,
HEILMAN, DUGAN, and DRIFTMIER were airborne to search the
southern coast of New Ireland from Cape Sena around to Sperber
Point on the west coast. The search was conducted at an average
altitude of 1500 feet but was negative because of poor visibility. |
1710-1840
|
BARNARD,
MATNEY, HUNTER, and FARR were airborne to perform negative
local dusk patrol. |
|
|
May
9 |
|
0620-0750 |
JQHNS0N,
GAGE, PERINO, and KRIEGER took off on negative local dawn
patrol. |
0725-1035
|
HARKINS,
LIND, DINGFELTER, and BROOKS took off for a fighter sweep
of the Rabaul area where they made a complete circuit of the
area and strafed four trucks, near Vunakanau and Keravat Airfields,
two of which they destroyed by burning. Personnel and houses
around the trucks were also strafed. BROOKS was holed by 7.7
MM in the rudder, probably from the vicinity of Vunakanau
Airfield or Tawlina on the west coast of Keravia Bay. |
0930-1335
|
BEKINS,
McCALL, FITZGERALD, and LYNN took off to escort Dumbo. They
orbited with Dumbo at usual position about twenty miles
east of Cape St. George but were not called for rescue work
so escorted Dumbo back to base. |
1720-1850
|
BARNARD,
FLICKINGER, HUNTER, and FARR took off on negative local dusk
patrol. |
|
|
May
10 |
|
0620-0800 |
TEETER,
BROWN, YORK, and GILLESPIE took off on negative local dawn
patrol. |
0655-1015
|
SPURLOCK,
DRIFTMIER, MATTINGLY, and DUGGAN took off for a fighter sweep
of the Rabaul area. Six trucks and the radio tower near Keravat
Airfield was strafed, several of the trucks burned and personnel
around them probably killed by the bullets. The buildings
along the river, running through the Keravat Experimental
Farm, they also strafed as well as supply areas in the Liguan
Bay and Talili Bay areas, but no results were observed, AA
fire was observed from severa1 points but none of the aircraft
were damaged. |
0850-1250
|
MACK,
MARSHALL, LEVINE. and GRIFFITH took off to escort Dumbo which
stood by twenty miles east of Cape St. George while strikes
were made in the Rabaul area. They were not needed for rescue
work. |
1315-1645 |
TEETER,
BROWN, YORK, and GILLESPIE took off to cover Dumbo on a special
Mission to rescue the crew of a downed TBF in Simpson Harbor.
A hole the size of a basketball was put in the PBY-5 by the
intense AA fire of all calibers which was brought to bear
on them as they entered Simpson Harbor. YORK's plane was hit
by either 20 MM shells or shrapnel from a 90 MM. A large hole
was put in the left elevator by the missile, which also tore
through the vertical stabilizer on the way out. The downed
crew was not seen and the AA turned the Dumbo and the fighter
cover for base where they landed after flying through a bad
front. |
1720-1200
|
DOWNS,
McIVER, WALDEN, and BROOKS took off on negative dusk patrol. |
|
|
May
11 |
|
O625-0740 |
HARKINS,
LIND, WALDEN, and BROOKS took off on negative local dawn patrol. |
0700-1005 |
BARNARD,
FLICKINGER, MATEY, and HUNTER took off for a fighter sweep
of the Rabaul area. They strafed huts and houses on the east
coast of New Britain from Tamalili Bay to Wrangoi River, houses
and bivouac areas on the Keravat Experimental Farm and airfield,
attempted to observe and strafe supply and ammunition dump
on Tawui Point, New Ireland. HUNTER and FLICKINGER made a
500-foot run over Rapopo Airdrome for a plane count. |
1535-1805 |
J0HNSON,
CHARLTON, DREIGER, and GAGE took ff on a barge and truck
reconnaissance of New Hanover and northwest New Ireland.
Negative results on the search but red-topped houses and
one burned along the northeast coast of New Ireland. Meager
accurate light AA received from Lakurafanga Plantation and
two large flashes, probably 40 MM, from Logagan Plantation.
They received 20 MM AA from the north end of Tamalili Bay,
machine gun fire from the south of the Wrangoi River and
intense fire from all caliber from Tawui Point. Damaged
in the fuselage, just aft of cockpit by a 12.7 MM shell,
was BARNARD's plane. FLICKINGER received shrapnel damage
to the left wing tip and HUNTER had a 12.7 MM shell hole
through the top of the rudder.
|
0920-1205 |
JOHNSON,
GAGE, DRIEGER, and CHARLTON took off to escort Dumbo. They
searched for the crew of a plane reported down ten miles south
of Cape St. George but secured this mission when the report
proved erroneous, |
1545-1820 |
FOOTE,
McCALL, FLICKINGER, and LYNCH took off on a barge sweep of
southern New Ireland. A negative search from East Cape around
Cape St. George to Sperber Point on the west coast was conducted. |
1710-1830 |
HARKINS,
LIND, WALDEN, and BROOKS took off on negative local dusk patrol.
Detached to Marine Fleet Air, West Coast, this date was BRITTINGHAM,
John T., Lt (MC), USNR, who left from Quoin Hill, Efate. |
|
|
| May
12 |
|
| |
The
squadron was omitted from operations this date to enable CASU
TWELVE, who although inexperienced with F4Us and short on
parts and tools, have done an excellent job in keeping planes
in commission, a day of repair and maintenance for the scheduled
transfer of the flight echelon to Emirau Island on 12 May,
1944. |
At
1700, |
MACK,
HANSEN, LEVINE and GRIFFITH landed on their return flight
from Guadalcanal with four new Corsairs. Hydraulic trouble
was experienced by three planes and CASU TWELVE as forced
to work all night to prepare the planes for the flight to
Emirau Island. |
|
|
May
13 |
|
0815-0910
|
SPURLOCK,
DRIFTMIER, MATTINGLY, HEILMAN, DOWS, JOHNSTON, McIVER, VAUGHN,
JOHNSON, PERINO, CHARLTON, GAGE, BARNARD, FLOCKINGER, HUNTER,
and MATNEY all took off from Bougainville and landed at Green
Island on their trip to Emirau Island. |
1200-1250
|
FARR
and DUGAN took off for Green Island. DUGAN crashed on landing,
his plane veered sharply to the right, caused by the droppable
gas can tank becoming -unhooked at the forward end, DUGAN
believes, and then hit freshly, graded coral which threw the
plane on its back. It immediately burst into flame. Quick
work by the fire truck crew saved DUGAN's life when they cut
a hoe in the side of the fuselage and dragged him out. He
was admitted to the hospital at Green Island with first and
second degree burns on his hands and arms. It was expected
that, barring complications, he would rejoin the squadron
within two weeks. The plane was destroyed. |
1250-1319
|
Sixteen
of the nineteen planes took off for Emirau.
The twenty remaining pilots, doctor, Intelligence Officer,
and Flight Clerk proceeded via "’SCAT" from
Bougainville to Green Island where the whole flight echelon
was Quartered with Acorn SEVEN.
The flight echelon, for administrative purposes, joined Marine
Aircraft Group TWELVE this date and our Corsairs will be serviced
by Marine Fighting Squadron TWO ELEVEN. |
|
|
May
14 |
|
0700-0930 |
DOWNS,
FARR, and VAUGHN took of from Green Island for Emirau Island.
The entire squadron was briefed by Air Combat Intelligence
on the rules and regulations governing flights from this base |
|
|
May
15 |
|
0500-0720
|
SPURLOCK,
DRIFTMIER, MATTINGLY, and HEILMAN made a pre-dawn take off
to escort seventeen SBDs to strike Kavieng. The fighters accompanied
the bombers in their dive and strafed bivouac and relevant
areas around the field with unobserved results. The bombers
and fighters received moderate intense AA as they retired
over the water. |
0620-0800
|
MACK
and MARSHALL took off to escort Dumbo to the northwest end
of New Ireland. No distress calls were received from the strike.
|
|
|
May
16 |
|
0630-0830
|
JOHNSON,
PERINO, KRIEGER, and CHARLTON took off on a negative local
dawn patrol.
0650-1000 BARNARD and MATNEY took off to escort two TBFs searching
New Ireland coast for trucks and barges. Flight was negative
with no targets observed. |
1745-1845
|
FOOTE,
DINGFELTER, WALDEN, and BROOKS took off and performed a negative
local dusk patrol.
Ground Echelon is relieved of duties on Green Island and out
on one hours sailing notice. |
|
|
May
17 |
|
0510-0800 |
FOOTE,
McCALL, and FITZGERALD, LYNCH not off because of trouble with
his plane, took off to escort TBFs and SBDs to Kavieng. Poor
weather encountered over the target and no observation of
damage was made. |
1420-1535
|
TEETER,
BROWN, YORK, and LANGLEY took off and worked a radar Interception
problem with fighter director. |
1500-1740
|
HARKINS
and LIND took off to escort SBDs and TBFs striking Kavieng
but the weather was still poor and although the bombers hit
in target areas no specific damage was observed.
The ground echelon, officers and enlisted men, with Captain
HAND in command, embarked and sailed this date for Espiritu
Santo. |
|
|
May
18 |
|
0630-1015,
|
MACK,
GRIFFITH, LEVINE, and HANSEN took off and performed a negative
Kavieng patrol. No activity noted around the airfield and
their patrol ranged up one side and down the other of the
northwest end of New Ireland. |
0655-1055
|
LANGLEY
and GILLESPIE took off to perform a negative reconnaissance
mission. |
0655-0900
|
DOWN,
PERU, JOHNSTON, and VAUGHN took off and performed a negative
barge and truck sweep around New Hanover and the northwest
end of New Ireland. Plantation installations and bridges were
strafed with unobserved results. |
0740-1000
|
TEETER
and BROWN took off to escort Dumbo to the Kavieng area but
it was a negative flight. |
|
|
May
19 |
|
0645-0930 |
BEKINS,
FOOTE, and FITZGERALD, McCALL, not airborne, took off to patrol
Kavieng. No activity observed on the airfield or trucks seen
moving along the roads northwest New Ireland. Some strafing
of plantations were done with unobserved results. |
0720-1030
|
JOHNSTON
and McIVER took off to cover six SBDs striking a reported
command post at Lakurafanga Plantation, New Ireland. No targets
were observed there so the coast road was searched for bridges
and one was destroyed by a direct hit near Polli Plantation.
Also light machine gun fire was received from this point and
the fighters made a strafing run at it but damage was not
observed. |
0930-1140 |
DOWNS and VAUGHN took off to cover three TBFs on a bridge
search. Only one bridge, at Frail, was bombed and a direct
hit scored. Both fighters and bombers- strafed native villages
and plantations.
|
1045-1320
|
HARKINS,
BROOKS, DINGFELTER, and LIND took off on Kavieng patrol. No
activity observed around airfield. Native villages and plantation
houses were strafed on New Hanover when no targets could be
found on Djaul Island or Northwest New Ireland. |
1230-1520
|
HUNTER
and MATNEY took off to cover three TBFs and observed them
hitting two bridges at Kapaau Plantation on Mongai Bay. They
all made strafing runs on other bridges and native villages
with no observed results. |
1430-1715 |
FARR,
FLICKINGER, FOOTE, and PERU took off on Kavieng patrol. Eight
or ten trucks were observed working on the airstrip but they
took cover when the planes were observed. They strafed red
oil drums on the beach at Palmer Harbor or Djaul Island but
no fires were observed so apparently the drums were empty. |
|
|
May
20 |
|
0645-1025
|
HARKINS
and BROOKS took off to cover two TBFs on a shipping and truck
reconnaissance of New Ireland. Negative search and bombs were
dropped on a hulk on the north coast of New Hanover. Houses
on the north coast road were strafed by the fighters and also
newly constructed bridge under trees one half mile up river
from the demolished bridge at Cape Bolegila. This target was
very difficult to spot and hit. |
0645-0930
|
BEKINS,
McCALL, FITZGERALD, and LYNCH took off on a barge and truck
sweep of New Ireland. The entire search was negative at Tabar
Island, New Ireland, and New Hanover, On Djaul Island, a small
structure on wheels with what appeared to be a radar screen
on top, was observed. Small sheds surrounded this house trailer
and damage was not observed of this strafing done here although
several runs were made. |
0840-1135
|
BARNARD,
HUNTER, FARR and MATNEY took off on a negative Kavieng patrol. |
0945-1435
|
DINGFELTER
and LIND took off to escort six SBDs bombing bridges along
the road on the north coast of New Ireland. The fighters did
some strafing of plantations and the bombers dropped on bridges,
although no specific damage was observed. From observation,
it was felt that there was a good deal of activity around
Fangelsya and Lakurafanga Plantations and several strafing
runs were made on these areas. LIND was having trouble with
oil on his windshield and then noticed a large flow of oil
over the glass window below his rudder bar. Leakage of oil
caused LIND to make water landing at 1150. He made a good
full stall on the rough water. The plane sank in thirty seconds,
after LIND had broken out his boat. Dumbo rescued him at 1450. |
1050-1335 |
JOHNSON
and GAGE took off to escort three TBFs searching for activity
along roads. A bridge at Lassuk Bay was destroyed by a direct
hit and strafing with unobserved damage was done elsewhere
by the fighters. |
1245-1545
|
BEKINS,
McCALL, FITZGERALD, and LYNCH took off on Kavieng patrol.
They strafed the installation reported to be a radar station
on Djaul Island but could not make it burn. It looked to be
unserviceable because of being riddled however. Three plantation
houses on southern coast of New Hanover were strafed and one
burned They then answered the call and proceeded to LIND's
location where they witnessed his rescue. McCALL made a belly
landing after returning to base. He had lowered his wheels
once but made a poor approach because of hydraulic fluid in
his eyes. After raising his wheels on the wave off he forgot
to lower them again and came in wheels up. |
1240-1525C
|
HARLETON,
and HEILMAN took off to escort Dumbo to LIND. Dumbo had difficulty
landing after dropping a smoke flare to mark the downed pilot.
After taxiing one fourth of a mile and picking up the pilot,
gasoline had to be jettisoned to take of again. |
1330-1615
|
PERINO
and KRIEGER took off to cover six SBDs bombing bridges on
the north coast road of New Ireland. All the bridges dropped
on were missed as well as plantation instillation at Lossu. |
1440-1745
|
FOOTE
end MARSHALL took off to cover three TBFS on a bridge strike
of the north coast road of New Ireland. A bridge was destroyed
at Panemausu Plantation and the approach to another was hit
near Finis Island, A large plantation home at Lamussong Plantation
was set on fire by the strafing of the fighters. |
1630-1855
|
BARNARD,
FARR, and HUNTER took off and performed a negative Kavieng
patrol. |
|
|
May
21 |
|
| 0630-0930 |
DOWNS,
PERU, McIVER, and VAUGHN took off and performed a negative
Kavieng patrol. |
0730-1125
|
MACK,
LEVINE, MARSHALL, and HANSEN took off to escort a combined
SBD and TBF strike on Tobara Airfield, New Britain. No interceptions
were encountered and the bombers covered the AA emplacements
and strip itself very well. Only moderate AA fire was received
and the planes landed at Green Island.
|
1045-1325
|
HARKINS,
BROOKS, DINGFELTER, and WALDEN took off to patrol Kavieng.
All planes made four strafing runs on the mobile radar station
on Djaul Island and although it flashed and smoked it did
not continue to burn. Other strafing was done by the flight
but damage was unobserved. WALDEN received a 7.7MM hole through
his right wing tank from Lakurafanga Plantation where the
Japs were not using tracer ammunition for it wasn't observed,
but the impact of the bullet was felt. |
1410-1445
|
PERU
and VAUGHN ware scrambled to investigate smoke observed coming
from Massau Island. It was found to be two brush fires. |
1430-1725
|
BEKINS,
McCALL, FOOTE, and LYNCH took off on Kavieng patrol, results
negative. |
1535-1835
|
SPURLOCK,
MATTINGLY, and HEILMAN took off on a barge sweep of New Hanover
and New Ireland. No barges were observed but much strafing
was done all over the area. One building which looked like
a church at Lakurafanga Plantation was strafed and burned,
the fire could be seen for fifteen miles. Huts were also burned
at Lamernewei Plantation. |
1430-?
|
LEVINE,
HANSEN, MACK, and MARSHALL arrived at Emirau escorting SBDs
and TBFs returning from Green Island. |
|
|
May
22 |
|
0645-1055
|
GRIFFITH
and LEVINE took off to cover two TBFs on shipping and truck
reconnaissance. They proceeded to Djaul Island where at Kallepine
Harbor a small pier and several boats or small barges were
riddled and left burning as well as one of the small houses
near the radar station. |
0645-1055
|
A run
was made on a house at the R. Young Plantation and 20 or 40
MM fire was received from Fangalawa Plantation, A large white
house was bombed by the TBFs and strafed by al1 planes during
which a TBF was hit by a 20 MM gun. It burst into flames and
made a water landing. All hands got into their rubber boat
before the plane sunk and LEVINE, having trouble with Emirau
base, turned on his emergency IFF and immediately began to
climb for better radar bearing leaving the other TBF and GRIFFITH
to circle the men in the water. LEVINE finally decided to
return to base and escort Dumbo to the location. He pancaked
at 1025; GRIFFITH remained until relieved by SPURLOCK's division.
|
1035-1200 |
LEVINE
took off again to lead Dumbo to the TBF crew in the rubber
boat. LEVINE, from observation on his previous flight suspected
that a coast artillery gun, which was mounted under a shed
with only three slides, close to the 20 and 40 MM gun positions
in a red church on Lakurafanga Plantation, was firing on rescue
operations. He called SPURLOCK and DRIFTMIER and they all
made a strafing run. They were caught in a cross fire from
machine gun fire close to the large gun and LEVINE's plane
was hit in the tail section causing him to nose down and plow
through the tops of coconut trees. His windshield was broken
and the starboard wing tank was punctured. He gained control
long enough to make a good water landing close to Dumbo and
was rescued after his plane sank in twenty seconds. |
0840-1225
|
SPURLOCK,
DRIFTMIER, MATTINGLY, and HEILMAN took off to patrol Kavieng.
No activity noted on their patrol until a call of distress
then to Fangelawa Bay, They patrolled over the men in the
boat until LEVINE returned with Dumbo at which time SPURLOCK
and DRIFTMIER followed LEVINE in strafing the gun position
firing on the rescue operations. |
0740-1015
|
JOHNSTON
and PERU took off to cover six SBDs striking bridges on New
Ireland. JOHNSTON was forced to return early with an oil leak
landing at 0900. PERU continued escorting the bombers and
after they dropped on the Djaul Island radar station, as well
as strafed, they returned and from a negative patrol. |
0845-1215
|
YORK
and BROWN took off to cover three TBFs on a New Ireland bridge
strike. Plans were changed when the call was received about
the downed pilot and they received 40 MM gunfire from a building
in Fangelawa Bay. BROWN was forced to return early when he
lowered his wheels with CO2 instead of purging his wing tanks,
YORK continued to patrol over the men in the boat until they
were rescued, then returned. |
1200-1345
|
LANGELY
and GILLESPIE took off to cover five SBDs which were dispatched
to try to destroy the gun position causing all the trouble
at Fangelawa Bay, but damage could not be evaluated from the
bombs dropped south of the church on the Lakurafanga Plantation. |
1240-1515
|
DOWNS
and McIVER took off to cover three TBFs. They hit a small
bridge near Amba and called upon DOWNS to make a strafing
run on a church at Fatmilak Plantation which; started to smoke
from the strafing and was then destroyed by a TBF bomb. They
received meager, accurate, light AA from Lossu Plantation. |
1640-1910
|
MACK,
HANSEN, MARSHALL, and DRIFTMIER took off on negative Kavieng
Patrol. |
|
|
May
23 |
|
0545-0800 |
JOHNSON
and CHARLTON took off to patrol New Hanover for float planes
suspected of operating at night from there. They had rain
squalls and thunderheads to fly through and around and although
they carefully investigated each island in Ysabel Passage
and Steffen Strait as well as New Hanover, for float planes
and barges, none were found. |
0630-0920
|
BEEKINS,
FITZGERALD, FOOTE, and LYNCH took off on Kavieng patrol. All
such patrols hare now been ordered to fly high to reduce the
chances of being hit by AA, especially around the known "Hot
Spots". This was a negative flight. |
0830-1240
|
PERINO
and KRIEGER took off to cover Dumbo to Rabaul. Their course
took them around the Tingwan Group and then direct to Watm
Island. No emergency calls were received and observations
ware negative in the Rabaul area so they returned, |
1040-1325 |
BARNARD,
FARR, HUNTER and FLICKINGER took off on Kavieng patrol. Two
planes returned early when one developed engine trouble. The
other two made four passes at a barge Djaul Island and left
it splintered and smoking. The rest of the patrol proved negative. |
1440-1720
|
WALDEN,
BROOKS, DINGFELTER, and LIND took off to patrol Kavieng. The
enemy fired, several rounds of heavy AA but burst far behind
and patrol was negative. |
1655-1855 |
JOHNSON
and CHARLTON took off on a float plane search of the north
coast of New Ireland, search negative. |
|
|
May
24 |
|
1240-1830
|
PERU
and VAUGHN took off to patrol Kavieng. The entire flight was
negative except for observations of new constructions of bridges
at Lossuk Bay. |
1400-1835
|
MACK
and MARSHALL took off to cover two TBFs on a shipping and
truck reconnaissance of New Ireland. Flight negative. |
1655-1835
|
TEETER
and YORK took off on a negative Kavieng Patrol. |
1655-1850
|
GRIFFITH
and HANSEN took off on a negative patrol of New Hanover. |
|
|
May
25 |
|
0615-0800
|
BEKINS,
McCALL, FOOTE, and FITZGERALD took off on a negative Kavieng
Patrol. |
0730-1010
|
MATNEY
and FLICKENGER were airborne to escort fourteen TBFs and thirty
SBDs striking Kavieng. Fighters were not allowed to go down
with the bombers so could just observe some good bombing of
AA positions by the SBDs and believed that all TBF bombs hit
the runway. They received moderate inaccurate heavy AA most
of which was silenced by the striking force. |
0815-1110
|
HARKINS
and BROOKS took off to patrol Kavieng. Theirs was a negative
patrol during which they observed the strike on the airfield
and reported a large explosion and fire at different places
near the runway. |
1200-1530 |
Three
divisions, led by SPURLOCK, were airborne to escort Admiral
HALSEY in a PB4Y to the base, circled the field until he again
took off at 1400 and escorted him out for forty minutes. |
1200-1530
|
WALDEN
and DINGFELTER took off to patrol Kavieng. The high altitude
of 10,000 feet restricted observations of this patrol, negative
flight. |
1635-1745 |
JOHNSON
and GAGE took off to patrol Kavieng, JOHNSON's engine was
cutting out so they returned early. |
1655-1910
|
PERINO
and KRIEGER took off to patrol the New Hanover area, negative
patrol extended down over New Ireland when JOHNSON was forced
to return to base.
The
ground echelon arrived and disembarked at Espiritu Santo
and joined Marine Aircraft Group ELEVEN, Marine Air, South
Pacific, from Marine Aircraft Group FOURTEEN, Fleet Marine
Air Wing, by Marine Air, South Pacific, Special Order number
135-1944, dated 31 May, 1944. |
|
|
May
26 |
|
0600-0805
|
TEETER
and BROUN took off and performed a negative patrol over New
Hanover. |
0655-0920 |
LANGLEY
and YORK took off end performed a negative Kavieng Patrol. |
0700-1010
|
FOOTE, PERU not airborne, took off to escort two TBFs on
a barge and truck search which was negative and no bombs
dropped, |
1035-1340
|
PERU
and VAUGHN took off to patrol Kavieng. Negative patrol with
good coverage of the entire area on New Ireland and New Hanover. |
1440-1720
|
MATTINGLY
and DRIFTMIER took off and performed a negative patrol of
New Ireland and New Hanover. |
1655-1900
|
LEVINE,
HANSEN, WALDEN and MARSHALL took off and split up one section
on the north end the other on the south coast of New Ireland
and New Hanover. This flight was negative except for at least
five rounds of heavy AA fired inaccurately at one section
from Kavieng. |
|
|
May
27 |
|
| 0600-0745 |
HARKINS,
and LIND took off to perform a negative patrol of New Hanover
especially looking for floatplanes and barges. |
0645-0925
|
WALDEN
and BROOKS took off on Kavieng patrol. They observed what
appeared to be a wake moving five or ten knots along a deep-water
channel in North East Passage. They dove down from 8,000 to
2,000 feet but the wake gradually disappeared. The proper
report was given. |
0715-1100 |
JOHNSON,
CHARLTON, KRIEGER, and GAGE took off to cover a combined
SBD and TBF strike on Hospital Ridge, Hew Britain. The escorting
fighters split up with two over the SBDs and two for the TBFs
and they proceeded down the New Ireland coast to a point north
of Tawui Point. They then turned toward Rabaul and "S"
turned to be over the ridge running south to north. The fighters
followed down first the SBDs from 16,000 feet, then the TBFs.
Scattered clouds made the target difficult to locate, but
a good bombing pattern was laid down. On retiring over the
water an intense barrage of light AA followed the retiring
striking force as they rallied. |
1030-1335
|
FITZGERALD
and LYNCH took off on negative patrol of Kavieng. |
1400-1645 |
BEKINS
and McCALL took off to escort two TBFs on a shipping reconnaissance
of New Ireland. The fighters were told to stay high above
the bombers so observation of their work was poor, however,
BEKINS caught a glimpse of an object which reflected and he
first thought it was water so he circled the spot satisfying
himself that it was not. It was in a heavily wooded spot between
Lamskot and Fangelawa Plantations and this exact spot later
proved to be the location of a farm of mobile tanks. |
1440-1720
|
WALDEN
and BROOKS took off to perform a negative patrol of Kavieng. |
1530-1600
|
A four-plane
division took off for a local PT Boat recognition flight.
It was planned to have the entire squadron take this flight
in which the boats used for this training could demonstrate
all forms of recognition signals, etc. |
1700-1910
|
BARNARD,
MATNEY, HUNTER, and FLICKINGER took off to perform patrol
of Kavieng, they ware split up to patrol opposite aides of
the island but HUNTER had trouble with his plane so he and
his wingman returned early leaving the other two with the
entire area. They performed a negative flight. |
|
|
May
28 |
|
0540-0740 |
LEVINE,
HANSEN, MACK, and FLICKINGER took off on a split patrol of
Kavieng. Both flights were negative. |
0805-1235
|
JOHNSTON
and VAUGHN took off to escort Dumbo to Rabaul. They orbited
at a point ten miles north of Rabaul, until a message was
received of a pilot downed east of Wrangoi River. They had
proceeded as far as Duke of York Islands when they were told
that Green Island Dumbo was making the rescue so they returned
to base. |
0830-1100
|
DOWNS
and McIVER took off on Kavieng patrol and were loaded with
500-pound bombs. The bombs were dropped from 9,500 feet in
a 20-degree dive but the altitude was too great to observe
any explosions in the Kavieng airfield area. Rest of flight
was negative. |
1240-1405
|
TEETER
and BROWN took off to patrol Kavieng loaded with 500-pound
bombs. The patrol was negative and bombs ware dropped but
neither were observed to explode |
1640-1810
|
TEETER,
BROWN, LANGLEY, and GILLISPIE took off on a split patrol of
Kavieng. They ran into frontal weather off New Ireland and
only the restricted areas of New Hanover could be seen so
the bombs were jettisoned over the water. |
|
|
May
29 |
|
0540-0825
|
WALDEN
and DINGFELTER took off and performed a negative patrol of
the Kavieng area. They observed four destroyers using two
PBYs for spotting as they shelled installations along the
coast particularly Fangelawa Bay. Several buildings were-
demolished and fires started by this shelling. |
0640-0920
|
HARKINS
and LIND took off to patrol Kavieng. They just made a thorough
search of the Lingwon Group when enemy shipping had been reported
but this was negative, they dropped their bombs on the Kavieng
runway. |
0655-0920 |
JOHNSON
and GAGE took off to cover two TBFs at a shipping strike of
New Ireland. The search was negative and the flight ended
prematurely without any bombing or strafing because of being
told to return to base because a storm was closing in over
Emirau. |
1030-1325
|
PERINO
and CHARLTON took off to patrol Kavieng. Patrol was negative,
both bombs would not release. |
1345-1540
|
BEKINS,
McCALL, and FITZGERALD and FOOTE took off to cover thirty
SBDs and fourteen TBFs bombing Kavieng. Weather over the target
area was very poor so the strike returned without dropping
their bombs. |
1440-1705
|
BARNARD
and MATNEY took off to patrol Kavieng, which was a negative
patrol, Bomb explosion; were not observed from Kavieng. |
1640-1855
|
PERINO,
CHARLTON, WALDEN, and FARR took off on a split negative patrol
of New Ireland. |
|
|
May
30 |
|
0700
-0840 |
PERU
and VAUGHN took off to patrol Kavieng. The flight was negative
and one bomb was dropped over Kavieng from 8,500 feet without
observed results. The other one lost on the runway as the
plane was taxiing. |
0736-1130
|
MARSHALL
and HANSEN took off to escort Dumbo to Kavieng to stand by
for any strike casualties. They orbited ten miles north of
Kavieng then received a call to pick the crew of an SBD in
the water close to North Cape. AA was not fired but was expected
from so close to land. After the rescue they moved two miles
east to pick up another SBD crew, again the AA did not open
up. |
1100-1330
|
SPURLOCK
and HEILMAN took off to patrol Kavieng. They dropped their
bombs 1.5 miles north of the center of Kavieng runway while
the strike’s bomb pattern was noticed to be on the south
side of the runway. The north side of the runway looked serviceable, |
1500-1710 |
TEETER
and BROWN took off to patrol and bomb Kavieng. BROWN got the
first accurate bomb release when he dropped from a forty degree
angle, used dive brakes, at 210 knots from 10,000 feet and
allowing the target to pass under his cowl about four seconds.
He hit close enough to the docks in Kavieng Town to damage
them. The other bomb was dropped in the water and did no damage. |
|
|
May
31 |
|
0630-0840
|
HUNTER
and MATNEY took off to patrol New Ireland and New Hanover,
negative patrol. |
0640-0925
|
WALDEN
and LIND took off to patrol and bomb Kavieng, One bomb exploded
twenty-five yards from the main dock in Kavieng City when
dropped from 10,000 feet. Remainder of patrol was negative. |
0840-1120
|
DINGFELTER
and BROOKS took off to patrol and bomb Kavieng. The bombing
was of little other than nuisance value when dropped from
the restricted 10,000 feet altitude. |
O855-1135 |
PERINO
and KRIEGER took off to cover two TBFs on shipping reconnaissance.
No enemy shipping was observed during the flight, which covered
the entire area of New Ireland south to Cape Lemeris and including
New Hanover. |
1025-1205
|
FARR
and FICKLINGER took off to patrol and bomb Kavieng. Bombs
were dropped with unobservable results. FLICKINGER had engine
trouble so the flight returned early with permission. |
1150-1225
|
BEKINS,
McCALL, FOOTE, and FITZGERALD were scrambled to intercept
Bogey, in three minutes. The Bogey proved friendly. |
1230-1520 |
J0HNS0N
and CHARLTON took off to patrol and bomb Kavieng. Flight
was negative and bombs unobserved. |
1435-1620
|
BEKINS
and McCALL took off to patrol and bomb Kavieng. Bombs were
dropped with no damage done and remainder of patrol negative. |
1620-1900
|
FOOTE, FITZGERALD, DRIFTMIER, and FLICKINGER took off on
a split New Ireland Patrol and both flights landed with
negative reports. |
| |
|
|
SUMMARY
|
| |
| A. |
Personnel |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
As
of 1 May, 1944: |
|
|
|
|
|
44
Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
238
Enlisted |
|
|
|
(2) |
Lost:
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
No
personnel on M. I. A. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| B. |
Aircraft |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
As
of 1 May, 1944: |
|
|
|
|
|
No
Corsairs assigned |
|
|
(2) |
One
plane lost - Operational
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Bu.No.
56074 |
|
|
|
(3) |
Two
planes lost - Combat |
|
|
|
|
|
Bu.No.
56104
Bu.No. 56138
|
|
|
| C. |
Operations |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Total
hours flown: |
|
|
|
|
|
1177.0 |
|
|
| |
(2) |
Total
number of individual flights:
|
|
|
|
|
|
531 |
|
|
|
(3) |
Total
number of individual flights on Combat Missions |
|
|
|
327 |
|
|
| |
(4) |
Total number of individual flights where enemy opposition
was encountered: |
| |
|
|
0 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| D. |
Enemy
planes destroyed to date |
|
|
|
(1) |
Squadron
total: |
|
|
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
| |
(2) |
Total
for each pilot now in squadron:
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| E. |
Enemy
aircraft destroyed this month: |
|
|
|
(1) |
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| F.
|
Enemy
shipping: |
|
|
| |
(1) |
None
destroyed. |
|
|
| |
(2)
|
None
Damaged: |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
