CONFIDENTIAL

MARINE FIGHTING SQUADRON 222, MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP 14
FIRST MARINE AIRCRAFT WING, FLEET MARINE FORCE,
C/O FLEET POST OFFICE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

WAR DIARY

From

As of this date there are 307 men attached to this squadron, 57 officers and 250 enlisted men.

Twelve planes, escorting 30 SBDs, struck Jap personnel concentrations at Pondo Plantation, New Britain.
ACA-l, Number 14.

For the Record: 15 Sorties, 37.7 hours.

This day was set aside for training purposes, A total of 26 sorties were flown on division tactics, with emphasis on interception of enemy aircraft.

For the Record: 29 sorties, 43.3 hours.

HANSEN, SMITHEY, McIVER, and PHILLIPS on Rabaul Patrol was called back to base by Air Operations because of closing in weather. All bombs were returned to base, ACA-l, Number 18.

For the Record: 23 Sorties, 62.4 hours.

HEILMAN, PAULIS, LYNCH, and FOX on targets of opportunity on New Ireland, ACA-l, Number 18.

The 0800 strike against New Ireland was unable to take off on account of adverse weather.

For the Record: 10 Sorties, 21.2 hours.

Twelve planes, escorting 24 SBDs struck enemy supply areas at Ralum #45, ACA-l, Number 15.

For the Record: 14 Sorties, 36.5 hours.

All scheduled flights, five Rabaul Patrols, were cancelled on account of that weather which fills our rain barrels.

A wholesale exchange of enlisted personnel was affected between VMSB-244 and us. As their squadron is expected to move up north before arrival of replacements from the states, we had to give them 59 of our "long-timers" in exchange for 59 of their " short-timers".

WILDER, WRIGHT, SEMB, and PERU on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 18.

DUGAN, IRWIN, BARNETT, and JAMES on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 18.

BARNETT had hydraulic line break at 1735 while on station. He immediately made for base with his wingman as escort. Unable to get both wheels down, he was ordered to bail out, which he did at approximately 1935 from 4700 feet over the lagoon. Cooperating "Blackcats" and surface craft were responsible for his rescue, uninjured, at 2110. The second patrol, 0830 take off, was cancelled because of adverse weather. BOLLER, GRAHAM, and VERMILLION left via SCAT for "Health and Recreation" at Sydney.

For the Record: 20 Sorties, 58.9 hours.

Fourteen planes, escorting 24 SBDs, bombed and strafed Jap supply and personnel areas at Matakan Plantation, New Ireland, ACA-l, Number 16.

GAUVREAU, VITTITOE, WILDER, and WRIGHT left via SCAT for "Health and Recreation" at Sydney. PETERS returned from "Health and Recreation" at Sydney.

For the Record: 18 Sorties, 35.8 hours.

Sixteen planes, escorting 23 SBDs, hit reported enemy supply area at Ranilola Plantation, New Britain, ACA-l, Number 17. A total of 15 sorties were flown on division tactics. SCRIMGEOUR and HOTT returned from "Health and Recreation" at Sydney.

For the Records: 32 Sorties, 58.0 hours.

DUGAN, JERNIGAN, MARSHALL, and MOONEY on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 18. The first and third patrols, 0600 and 1015 take off, were not cleared for flight because of adverse weather conditions.

For the Records: 12 Sorties, 26.8 hours.

HANSEN, SMITHEY, McIVER, and PHILLIPS on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 18.

MATNEY, HOWARD, LOVE and PERU on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 18.

For the Record: 26 Sorties, 85.8 hours.

HEILMAN, PAULIS, PERU, and FOX on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 20. PERU did not return and is officially listed as
M. I. A.

The first two patrols, 0600 and 0745 take offs, were kept on the deck by adverse weather and Air Operations.

For the Records: 16 Sorties, 34.9 hours.

Ten planes, escorting 30 SBDs, struck reported enemy concentrations in the Open Bay area of New Britain, ACA-l, Number 19.

For the Record: 16 Sorties, 36.0 hours.

MATNEY and HOWARD escorted SCAT planes to Emirau. A total of 19 sorties were flown on training hops in cooperation with the Fighter Controller on interception problems.

For the Record: 27 Sorties, 48.4 hours.

SPURLOCK, DRIFTMIER, HEILMAN, MATNEY, DUGAN, and HANSEN on special Rabaul Patrol combined with strike against two reported serviceable Zekes at Tobera, ACA-l, Number 20. Second Lieutenants IRWIN, JERNIGAN, LINDSEY, and LINGENFELTER were transferred to VMO-251.

For the Record: 26 Sorties, 86.0 hours.

MARSHALL, MOONEY, DUGAN, and SMITHEY on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 20. First three patrols were kept on standby in ready room because of Army B-24s and B-25s from New Guinea operating or the Rabaul area.

For the Record: 13 Sorties, 33.8 hours.

Eight planes, with four fighters from VMF-218, hit enemy supply area at Ralum #46, ACA-l, Number 21.

For the Record: 10 Sorties, 17.0 hours.

MARSHALL and MOONEY escorted SCAT to Emirau. A total of 18 planes were up on division tactics throughout the day. Offensive and defensive fighter tactics were practiced.

For the Record: 25 Sorties, 43.2 hours.

SPURLOCK, GERMSCHIED, BARNETT, and JAMES on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 24.

For the Record: 21 Sorties, 67.4 hours.

ZANGER and RIX on Dusk Patrol - negative. First three patrols were again kept on the deck because of Army Bombers from New Guinea operating in the Rabaul area.

For the Record: 19 Sorties, 41.8 hours.

HANSEN and SMITHEY escorted SCAT to Emirau.

PAULIS and LOVE on Dusk Patrol - negative. A total of 19 planes were up on training flights.

For the Record: 31 Sorties, 58.3 hours.

HANSEN and SMITHEY returned from Emirau escorting SCAT.

LYNCH and FOX returned from Emirau. First Rabaul Patrol was kept on the deck because of adverse weather.

For the Record: 25 Sorties, 74.3 hours. Second Lieutenants AMERINE and DAY detached this day to MarFairWest.

SMITHEY and PHILLIPS escorted SCAT to Emirau. 1505-1830 GEIGER, RYAN, PETERS, and NELSON on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 24. First Rabaul Patrol unable to take off because of bad weather.

For the Record: 21 Sorties, 57.3 hours.

The second contingent of enlisted men, seventy- eight beer and love thirsty Marines, left on first leg of journey back to Uncle Sugar Able.

Ten planes escorting 8 PBJs, struck gun positions and supply area at Tobera Rubber Plantation #1.
ACA-l, Number 23.

SMITHEY end PHILLIPS returned from Emirau.

For the Record: 15 Sorties, 26.9 hours.

Entire day was reserved for training hops. Twelve planes were up on division tactics with emphasis on defensive weaving.

For the Record: 15 Sorties, 20.8 hours.

GRIFFITH, McCALL, and RUMMEL returned from Guadalcanal ferrying new planes, FG-1As.

For the Record: 26 Sorties, 81.6 hours.

MARSHALL, HOWARD, BROWN, and BARNETT on Rabaul Patrol, ACA-l, Number 25.

For the Record: 26 Sorties, 81.2 hours.

RIX and LOVE on Dusk Patrol - negative.

For the Record: 10 Sorties, 13.6 hours.

DUGAN and ZANGER on Dusk Patrol - negative. Other scheduled flights, Dawn Patrol, SCAT, and Dumbo Escorts were cancelled on account of adverse weather.

For the Record: 4 Sorties, 4.6 hours.