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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 27, 2020 20:21:17 GMT 12
I have located a few 6 Sqn action reports from 1944.
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Post by davidd on Dec 28, 2020 9:34:28 GMT 12
Sounds good! I know that one of their PBY crews (I think operating out of the Treasuries) spotted a Betty in the distance during routine operation, but naturally could not do much about it!
David D
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 28, 2020 12:13:19 GMT 12
6th February, 1944.
OPEN SEA RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS OF U.S.A.A.F. LIBERATOR NO. -015 IN POSITION 02° 40'S, 1670 20' E. on 4th FEB., 1944.
ENCLOSURE "A".
Statement of experience of Lieutenant D.A. Morris - Navigator of Army Liberator No. - 015 (first part of serial number not known - probably 420,015.)
Catalina NZ4017, Captain Flying Officer. D.S. Beauchamp took off from Halavo Base, Forida Island on a normal patrol - searching sector 040° - 049°. At 1023L in position 03° 40'S, 165° 20E' while on the outward leg a landing barge was sighted but on investigation proved to be abandoned. Patrol was continued and at 1207L in position 02°40' S, 167° 20'E about six minutes after turning on the homeward leg smoke was noticed on the water on the starboard beam approximately one and a half miles away. On investigating this proved to be flare signals being fired and on approaching closer discovered four rafts tied together with men in three of them.
An attempt to land and rescue the survivors was decided upon immediately and the Cataline circled the rafts for 12 minutes, during which time the aircraft endeavored to advise Base of proposed rescue attempt but failed to make contact with or response from Base. Preparations were made for landing in open sea and bombs were jettisoned and usual procedure for forced landings was carried out. The aircraft then had approximately 800 gallons of gass, all armament and a complete crew of 9. At this time survivors threw out green sea marker from their rafts, and the Cataline Captain would like to report how very noticeable this dye was and thus helpful in keeping the rafts under observation while the rescue plane was circling.
A very heavy swell was running with a wind of approximately 15 knots. There were white caps on the swells the presence of which made it unnecessary to drop smoke floats for wind direction.
At 1220L the Catalina made an approach for a stall landing with swell and into wind. The landing was slightly heavy, and on examination the hull was found to have some rivets shorn off and was making water. The electric bilge pump was immediately started and kept water under control. The aircraft taxied to windward of the four rafts - motors were cut and both drogues and sea anchors were put out. Catalina drifted back slowly while the survivors rowed along side and were helped aboard - members of the crew took spare gear out of the rafts which were then destroyed.
Preparations for a rough water take off were proceeded with; crew and passengers bracing themselves against bulkheads etc. and at 1303 the Catalina was headed into swell and into wind but aircraft could not be held into swell which slaved the boat around. Eventually made quite a satisfactory take off along the swell and across wind, and proceeded to Halavo Bay where a landing was made at 1740L.
The survivors who appeared to be in a fair condition stated that they were from Army Liberator No. -015 of 26th Bombardment Squadron and had gone down after a bombing mission from Tarawa. They had been in the water 6 days when rescued and their names are as follows:-
Lieutenant D.A. Norris.
Staff Sergeant Glen C. Howell.
Corporal Jerold O. Eis.
Staff Sergeant Newton J. Chiafullo.
Staff Sergeant Ernest H. Despault.
Damage to Catalina was 5 rivets shorn off, 20 strained, the hull plate on starboard side buckled - starboard float slightly buckled.
The crew of the rescue plane was:
Flying Officer, D.S. Beauchamp Pilot.(Capt.)
Flight Sergeant Hutchins, D.R. 2nd Pilot.
Flight Sergeant Oliver, A.N. Navigator.
Flying Officer, J.C. Broughton. Air Gunner.
Flight Sergeant Corkill, R.J. W.O.A.G.
Flight Sergeant Clark, R.G. W.O.A.G.
Sergeant Murphy, B.R. Flight Engineer.
Sergeant Bracey, K.A. Flight Engineer.
Sergeant Davies, M.C. Flight Engineer.
Preparatory to landing and while on the water in extremely uncomfortable conditions the Catalina Crew carried out their duties in perfect co-ordination.
Squadron Leader,
Commanding,
No. 6. (F.B.) SQUADRON.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 28, 2020 12:16:58 GMT 12
Subject: Report of Dumbo Mission.
1. F/O J.A. HENDRY, RNZAF, PPC Plane XX-V, radio call 50-B-28, departed TREASURY at 0827, 12 February 1944 to rendezvous with fighter cover over TOROKINA and take station at 5°-18' South/153°-41' East. Arrived 0905, rendezvoused with cover of 4 P39's and 8 F4U's at 1020, departed 1028 and arrived on station 1123.
2. At 1222 received message to pick up survivors at position bearing 300° distant 35-40 miles from TOROKINA and then received another message, from a fighter circling the survivors, describing the bearing of the position as being 200° from BUKA. The DUMBO proceeded out on a line bearing 200° from BUKA PASSAGE and at 1250 sighted 6 survivors on a rift at 5°-54' South/154°-29' East (bearing 205° distant 30 miles from BUKA PASSAGE). Three F4U's were circling the raft. The rescuers attention was attracted by a Very Pistol.
3. Landing was made at 1255 and the following survivors were taken aboard the DUMBO;
1st Lt. John H. VANDCHAICK;
2nd Lt. James G. MC CLURE;
2nd Lt. Ralph C. TITTLE;
S/Sgt. Earle D. KIRKPATRICK;
S/Sgt. John F. HOWELL;
PFC. Louis C. LANGELIER, all U.S.AAF, attached to 70th, Bomber Squadron, 42nd Bomber Group, based at STIRLING ISLAND, TREASURY. All were uninjured. Their plane, a B-25, Squadron No. 563, had been hit by A/A over VUNAKANAU during the morning and a water landing was made near the point of rescue. DUMBO returned to COOS BAY with survivors at 1411.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 28, 2020 12:21:46 GMT 12
1 April 1944
Subject: Report of Dumbo Mission.
1. F/Lt. R.L. SCOTT, RNZAF, Squadron No. 6 FB, PPC Plane XX-J, radio call 50 Baker 28, left TREASURY at 1100, 31 March 1944 with instructions to rendezvous with cover over TOROKINA and to thereafter orbit at 5º-31'S/153º-44'E. Arrived TOROKINA 1140, rendezvoused with 8 F4U's, and departed for oribit point at 1151.
2. At 1220 received message from DANE BASE advising that a plane had been forced own in ST. GEORGE'S CHANNELL and that the survivors were on a raft and being circled by 1 Baker 30 (aPV). Course was set for CAPE ST. GEORGE where another PV, 2 Baker 30, met DUMBO and guided it to the location of the raft. The survivors fired a Very light to attract the attention of DUMBO and 1 Baker 30 dropped 3 smoke floats as an aid in landing. Landed 1321, rescued 3 survivors at 5º-28'S/152º-34'E, took off at 1330, and arrived TREASURY at 1530.
3. The survivors were Lt. Russell P. LECHLIDER, USNR: Arthur L. DE MOTT, ACRM: and Joseph D. ZOLLINHOFER, AMM1c, all attached to VC-40, based at PIVA-YOKE strip, TOROKINA, the crew of TBF #120. Their plane had been hit by 20 or 40MM fire over LAKUNAI airdrome at 1200 on the day of the rescue, causing the engine to fail. A water landing was make at 1215 and the survivors took to their life raft. All were uninjured. At the time of the landing they were being escorted by other TBF's on the same strike. The PV's then appeared and circled them until the rescue.
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Post by davidd on Dec 29, 2020 11:32:05 GMT 12
There is some very good stuff here, the Beauchamp crew one in particular being one of the most detailed I have yet seen, also interesting that they sometime use the aircraft's serial number, other times the code letters. As usual, many thanks for aircraftclocks going to the trouble of hunting these down, then posting them here. In case anyone wondering, I believe PPC = Patrol Plane Commander.
David D
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Post by chinapilot on Dec 29, 2020 23:14:53 GMT 12
As davidd said - many thanks for these interesting posts.
The B-24 survivors rescued by F/O Beauchamp and his crew were indeed very fortunate.
Guessing the B-24 was on a mission to Nauru or Ocean Island to end up way out there.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Dec 31, 2020 1:40:57 GMT 12
PPC = Patrol Plane Commander, I have found this in other documents written in full.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 16:57:48 GMT 12
Found more activity of 6 Sqn in the war dairy of U.S.S. COOS Bay (AVP 25)
Anchored in BLANCHE HARBOR, TREASURY ISLANDS, in Latitude 07° 24.2' South, Longitude 155° 36' East. Operating with Task Group 33.1 of Task Force 33 of the Third Fleet in accordance with Commander Fleet Air Wing ONE secret dispatch 171400 of December, 1943. Routine operations consists of maintaining seadrome and tending and operating seaplanes for Dumbo missions, anti-submarine and utility missions, all as directed.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 16:58:48 GMT 12
12 February 1944.
PBY5, Patrol Plane Commander F/O J.A. HENDRY, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of First Lieutenant John H. VANDCHAICK; Second Lieutenant James G. MC CLURE; Second Lieutenant Ralph C. LITTLE; Staff Sergeant Earl D. KIRKPATRICK; Staff Sergeant John F. HOWELL; Private First Class Louis C. LANGELIES; all U.S.A.A.F., from 70th Bomber Squadron, 42nd Bomber Group, from a life raft at 05° 54' South, 154° 29' East, after their bomber (B-25) had been hit by anti-aircraft fire over VUNAKANAU.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 16:59:42 GMT 12
13 February 1944.
PBY5, Patrol Plane Commander F/Lt. J.R. MC GRANE, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of Second Lieutenant Martin H. HANNUM, U.S.A.A.F., 68th Fighter Squadron, from a life raft at 05° 08' South, 153° 40' East, after a forced sea landing.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 17:00:32 GMT 12
16 February 1944.
PBY5, Patrol Plane Commander F/O J.A. HENDRY, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of Sergeant H. P. CRUMP, R.N.Z.A.F., N.Z. 14th Fighter Squadron, after a forced landing due to fuel pump failure.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 17:01:51 GMT 12
18 February 1944.
PBY5, Patrol Plane Commander F/O G.C. HITCHCOCK, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of Sergeant Lester A. STEINBERG and Sergeant Charles E. COWAN, both U.S.A.A.F., 69th Bomber Squadron, from a dinghy, at 04° 58' South, 154° 32' East, after their bomber (B-25) had been hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the water.
PBY5, Patrol Plane Commander F/Lt. J.R. MC GRANE, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of Second Lieutenant Jack G. MORRIS, U.S.M.C.R., VMF 218, from a life raft at 04° 53' South, 152° 45' East, after his plane (F4U) had been shot down over GAZELLE PENINSULA, 9 February 1944.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 17:02:37 GMT 12
21 February 1944.
PBY5, Patrol Plane Commander F/O J.A. HENDRY, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of Major H.A. PEHL, U.S.M.C., VMF 218, from a life raft at 06° 00' South, 154° 30' East, after he was compelled to make a water landing.
On same mission, the rescue of First Lieutenant W.J. O'BRIEN, U.S.M.C., VMF 216, from a life raft was effected at a position eight miles from CAPE ST. GEORGE bearing 167°. He had made a water landing earlier in the day.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 17:03:17 GMT 12
22 February 1944.
PBY5, Patrol Plane Commander F/O G.C. HITCHCOCK, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of Captain C. E. EATON, U.S.M.C.R., and Corporal R.E. VAN PELTEN, U.S.M.C.R., VMSB 244, from a life raft at 05° 40' South, 154° 28' East, after a forced water landing.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 17:03:57 GMT 12
5 March 1944.
PBY 5, Patrol Plane Commander Ft/Sgt J.B. MONK, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of Second Lieutenant John H. BAUWENS, Co-pilot; Tech/Sgt Clarence F. MARCY, radio operator; and Sgt. Martin LUND, Assist. Engr., all U.S.A.A.F., and members of crew of B-24J, No. 2-37469 attached to 31st Bomber Squadron, 5th Bomber Croup based at MUNDA. The rescue was made in vicinity of 4° 25' South Latitude, 152° 25' East Longitude where the B-24 exploded and crashed in the water after being hit by A/A fire over TOBERA.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 17:04:48 GMT 12
8 March 1944.
PBY 5, Patrol Plane Commander F/O D.S. BEAUCHAMP, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of Captain E.M. SHANKS, pilot; First Lieutenant J.V. FAIRLEY, bombardier; Second Lieutenant A.F. ALAGNA, Co-pilot; Second Lieutenant C.L. JOHNSTON, navigator; S/Sgt N.A. GIDLEY, radio gunner; S/Sgt R.G. AKERS, gunner, and S/Sgt D.D. BERGMAN, photographer, from two life rafts at 4° 56' South Latitude, 152° 53' East Longitude. The survivors were the entire crew of B-25 No. 42-87310, 106th Reconnaissance Squadron (B), 42nd Bombardment Croup, U.S.A.A.F., based at STIRLING ISLAND, TREASURY. The B-25 was hit by A/A while retiring from mission over RABAUL.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 17:05:28 GMT 12
16 March 1944.
PBY 5, Patrol Plane Commander F/Lt. H.T. FRANCIS, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of First Lieutenant Joseph George MARAIST, USMCR, an F4U pilot of VMF 217, TOROKINA, from a raft at 4° 17' South Latitude, 153° 44' East Longitude after he had been shot down while strafing a Jap barge 5 miles south of FENI ISLAND.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 17:06:09 GMT 12
31 March 1944.
PBY 5, Patrol Plane Commander F/Lt. SCOTT, R.N.Z.A.F., effected rescue of Lieutenant Russell P. LECKLIDER, USNR; Arthur L. DeMOTT, ACRM and Joseph D. ZOLLINHOFER, AMM1c from water at 5° 28' South Latitude, 152° 34' East Longitude. This crew of a TBF from VC 40, based at PIVA-Y, TOROKINA made water landing following strike on LAKUNAI.
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Post by aircraftclocks on May 8, 2021 17:08:01 GMT 12
5 April 1944.
Not really a 6 Sqn rescue but since it was there in the record:
PBY 5, Patrol Plane Commander Lieutenant (jg) R.C. WOOLERY from Patrol Squadron 91, effected rescue of F/O A.F. TUCKER, R.N.Z.A.F., Fighter Squadron 16, from a life raft at a position 15 miles bearing 065° from NUSSI POINT, BOUGAINVILLE. The survivors' plane had been hit earlier the same day by anti-aircraft fire over KIETA PENINSULA, BOUGAINVILLE.
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