|
FROM: S.Thrift, VMF-124 Commanding
TO: MAGHQ
SUBJECT: AAR
On 24 June, VMF-124 was tasked with an escort mission. We were to link up with a PB4Y-1 Over Ondonga and provide escort voer the target area and back. Take off was not without incident as two aircraft aborted before take-off. We were left with six airworthy aircraft to accomplish the mission. The PB4Y-1 arrived over the airfield on schedule, however we were below requested escort altitude. The flight turned on a heading of 300 degrees and continued to climb. We were able to make the altitude of eighteen thousand (18,000) feet well before reaching the target area.
We arrived over the target area in close escort. Below and to my twelve (12) o'clock I observed four (4) A6M fighter aircraft climbing to meet us. We had climbed to approximately twenty thousand (20,000) feet and had a definant altitude advantage beginning the fight. I ordered the flight to orbit and wait for the aircraft to close on our altitude before engaging. I led the flight into the attack as the enemy fighters approached approximately eighteen thousand (18,000) feet. I lined up one of the trailing aircraft and took a short ranging shot. I closed a bit more and gave the enemy fighter a three (3) burst from all six M-2 machine guns. The enemy fighter's engine burst into flames and spiraled right and down out of the fight. I passed close enough under my victim after my firing pass to notice that the aircraft had clipped main wings indicating to me that the four (4) enemy fighters were A6M-5 HAMP fighters.
By this time the other three (3) remaining enemy fighters were likewise engaged from members of my squadron. Flt.Lt. Helmer reported that one of the HAMP fighters was closing with the PB4Y and that he was on the enemy's six. I closed and watched as Lt. Helmer's victim burst into flames.
With no enemy aircraft in the area we headed back to our home base. Other members of the flight had taken up close escort on the PB4Y and because of the varying altitude of the fights we more or less gaggled back to our base.
Once back we were preparing to land when a lone enemy aircraft was reported south of our location. Myself, Pilot Officer Wilks and 1st Lt. Standsfield headed out to intercept. PO Wilks caught sight of the bandit first and closed with myseld and Lt. Standsfield close behind. PO Wilks made a long gun run on the target, which was a B5N KATE torpedo plane. After PO Wilks cleared I made a run but had closed to fast and was only able to get a few round into the enemy plane. I did notice strikes and debris falling from the aircraft after PO Wilks and my passes. Lt. Standsfield locked onto the enemy plane and stayed with him until the bird exploded and came apart. All pilots landed without incident.
For the mission I claim one (1) A6M-5 HAMP destroyed, one (1) B5N KATE damaged.
I confirm one (1) A6M-5 HAMP destroyed for Flt.Lt. D. Helmer
I confirm one (1) B5N KATE Destroyed for 1st. Lt. Standsfield.
I confirm one (1) B5N Kate Damaged for PO Wilks
Second Mission
Second mission I led a strike on enemy artillery emplacements. Form up went well and we gained an altitude of six thousand (6,000) feet. We arrived over the target area and proceeded to level the encampment. I claim two (2) artillery peices destroyed and one (1) anti aircraft battery destroyed. I can confirm one (1) enemy car for my wingman, 1st Lt. Standsfield. Some Jap brass hat aint gonna be happy.
Signed:
S.Thrift, Lt. Col. USMC
VMF-124 Commanding.
Posted by: Stans Yesterday, 04:55 PM TO: MAGHQ
FROM: 1st Lt. M. Stansfield
SUBJECT: After Action Report, 24 June, 1943
First mission:
I was assigned to fly as the C.O.�s wing man. Our mission was to escort a PB4Y. While over the PB4Y�s assigned target, we encountered enemy aircraft flying well below us. We waited until the enemy was within about 2000 feet of our altitude (approximately 20,000 feet) before engaging. I observed the skipper destroy one enemy aircraft at which point I became separated from my wing man. Seeing two enemy aircraft attempting to close on another Corsair, I rolled over into a shallow dive and engaged. I was able to put sufficient rounds into one A6M3 that it�s rudder departed its airframe. I fired again and the plane nosed over into a steep dive and I did observe this A6M3 crash into the ocean, no parachute seen. I can only surmise that I must have severely injured or killed the pilot.
With the sky cleared of enemy aircraft and the PB4Y now returning to its base, I began my journey back to Ondonga. As the skipper, PO Wilks, and I approached Ondonga, we were vectored south towards an unknown enemy air contact. The skipper and Wilks both made passes on a lone B5N and this aircraft began to smoke. I was able to slow my aircraft sufficiently to load the enemy aircraft with rounds until it exploded. We then returned to Ondonga.
For this mission I claim one (1) A6M3 and one (1) B5N.
I confirm one (1) A6M destroyed for Lt.Col. Shawn Thrift
I confirm one (1) B5N damaged by both Lt. Col. Thrift and PO Wilks
Second mission:
I was again assigned as the wing man to the skipper, this mission was a strike against enemy artillery emplacements. Once over the target area, we were able to detect enemy activity. The squadron made several passes, destroying several artillery pieces as well as some motor vehicles. I was able destroy one vehicle, appeared to be an automobile.
For this mission I claim one (1) vehicle destroyed
Signed
M. Stansfield, 1st Lt. USMCR
VMF-124
Posted by: Chopper Today, 06:59 AM Unfotunately my recording of mission 1 was corrupted and the 2nd full of pointless views all due to a bad night of pc stoppages. Several times I had my finger on the power button when I start getting loud reverb feedback type sounds from the speaker, usually signaling game shutdown. 
Posted by: kajr Today, 01:56 PM I thought we were escorting a B-25...
Posted by: The Skipper Today, 02:41 PM It was a B-24. PB4Y-1 was the navalized version of the B-24. The PBJ was the B-25, JM-1 was the B-26.
Posted by: Stans Today, 03:22 PM QUOTE(Chopper @ Jun 26 2006, 08:59 AM)
Unfotunately my recording of mission 1 was corrupted and the 2nd full of pointless views all due to a bad night of pc stoppages. Several times I had my finger on the power button when I start getting loud reverb feedback type sounds from the speaker, usually signaling game shutdown. Would like the track files to be posted? I recorded both. Posted by: kajr Today, 08:31 PM QUOTE(The Skipper @ Jun 26 2006, 04:41 PM) It was a B-24. PB4Y-1 was the navalized version of the B-24.
Err, that's what I meant, B-24. Sorry. 
Thanks!!!!! |
Home 
Articles 
