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OPNAV-16-V-#537
Form ACA-1
Sheet 1 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
CONFIDENTIAL |
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(a) Unit Reporting |
VMB 613 |
(b) Based on or at |
Kwajalein Island,
Kwajalein Atoll, forward echelon at Majuro. |
(c) Report No. |
62 |
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(d) Take
off:
Date |
31 July, 1945. |
Time (LZT) |
1235M |
(Zone) |
Lat |
7°05'N. |
Long |
171°22'E. |
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(e) Mission |
Harrass islands, Wotje Atoll as part of a
coordinated strike. |
(f) Time of Return |
1505M. |
(Zone) |
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II. OWN AIRCRAFT
OFFICIALLY COVERED BY THIS REPORT. |
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TYPE |
SQUADRON |
NUMBER |
BOMBS
AND TORPEDOES
CARRIED (PER
PLANE) |
FUZE
SETTING |
|
TAKING OFF |
ENGAGING
ENEMY A/C |
ATTACKING
TARGET |
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(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
(g) |
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PBJ-1H |
VMB 613 |
2 |
-- |
2 |
4 X 250#G.P.
8 X 5"AR. |
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BOMBS
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PBJ-1H |
VMB 613 |
1 |
-- |
1 |
4 X 250#G.P.
7 X 5"AR.
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Nose-instantaneous. |
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Tail-non-delay.
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PBJ-1H |
VMB 613 |
1 |
-- |
1 |
7 X 5"AR.
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ROCKETS |
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Nose-instantaneous. |
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III. OTHER U.S. OR ALLIED
AIRCRAFT EMPLOYED IN THIS OPERATION. |
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TYPE |
SQUADRON |
NUMBER |
BASE |
TYPE |
SQUADRON |
NUMBER |
BASE |
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SB2C |
VMSB 231 |
9 |
Majuro
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F4U |
VMF
155 |
9 |
Kwajalein Is., forward
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SB2C |
VMSB
331 |
9 |
Majuro
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echelon at Majuro. |
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SB2C |
HQSQ 13 |
2 |
Majuro
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PBM |
VH 5 |
1 |
Majuro-Dumbo. |
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IV.
ENEMY AIRCRAFT OBSERVED OR ENGAGED
(By Own Aircraft
Listed in II Only). |
None. |
|
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
(g) |
|
TYPE |
NO
OBSERVED |
NO ENGAGING OWN
AIRCRAFT |
TIME
ENCOUNTERED
|
LOCATION OF
ENCOUNTER |
BOMBS, TORPEDOES
CARRIED;
GUNS OBSERVED |
CAMOUFLAGE AND
MARKING |
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-- |
-- |
-- |
--
(ZONE) |
-- |
---- |
-- |
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(ZONE) |
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(ZONE) |
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(h) Apparent Enemy Mission(s) |
--- |
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Did Any Part
of
(i)
Encounter(s) Occur in Clouds? |
--- |
If so, Describe
Clouds
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--- |
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(YES OR NO) |
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(BASE IN FEET, TYPE IN
TENTHS OF CLOUD COVER) |
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Time of Day and Brilliance
(j)
of Sun or
Moon |
------ |
(k) Visibility |
------ |
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(NIGHT, BRIGHT MOON, DAY,
OVERCAST, ETC.) |
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(MILES) |
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V. ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED OR DAMAGED IN AIR
(By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only). |
None. |
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(a) |
(b) DESTROYED
OR DAMAGED BY |
(c) |
(d) |
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TYPE
ENEMY A/C |
TYPE A/C
|
SQUADRON
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PILOT OF
GUNNER
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GUNS USED
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WHERE HIT,
ANGLE
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DAMAGE
CLAIMED
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-- |
-- |
-- |
---- |
-- |
---- |
-- |
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ALLSET --
MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
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OPNAV-16-V-#537
Form ACA-1 Sheet 2 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
CONFIDENTIAL |
| |
VI. LOSS OR DAMAGE, COMBAT OR OPERATIONAL, OF OWN AIRCRAFT
(of those listed in II only). |
None |
|
(a)
TYPE OWN A/C |
(b)
SQUADRON |
(c)
CAUSE: TYPE ENEMY
A/C,
TYPE GUN, OR OPERATIONAL
CAUSE |
(d)
WHERE HIT, ANGLE
(List armor,
self-sealing tanks,
equipment hit) |
(e)
EXTENT OF LOSS OR
DAMAGE
(Give Bureau serial
number of planes destroyed) |
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1
-- |
-- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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9 |
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10 |
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11 |
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12 |
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13 |
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14 |
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VII. PERSONNEL CASUALTIES
(in aircraft listed in II only; identify with planes listed in VI by
Nos. at left).
None |
|
(a)
NO. |
(b)
SQUADRON |
(c)
NAME, RANK OR RATING |
(d)
CAUSE |
(e)
CONDITION OR STATUS |
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-- |
-- |
---- |
---- |
---- |
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VIII. RANGE, FUEL, AND AMMUNITION DATA FOR RETURNING PLANES. |
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(a)
TYPE
A/C |
(b)
MILES
OUT |
(c)
MILES
RETURN |
(d)
AV HOURS
IN AIR |
(e)
AV FUEL
LOADED |
(f)
AV FUEL
CONSUMED |
(g)
TOTAL AMMUNITION EXPENDED |
(h)
NO. OF
PLANES
RETURNING |
|
.30 |
.50 |
20MM |
MM |
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PBJ-1H |
206
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168
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2.5
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1160
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300
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--
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4800
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--
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--
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4 |
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IX.
ENEMY ANTI-AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED
(Check one block on each line). |
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CALIBER |
NONE |
MEAGER |
MODERATE |
INTENSE |
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HEAVY -- Time-fuzed shells, 75mm and over |
X
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MEDIUM -- Impact-fuzed shells, 20mm-50mm |
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X
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LIGHT -- Machine gun bullets, 6.5mm-13.2mm |
X
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X.
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE, OWN AND ENEMY AIRCRAFT
(use check list at left). |
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SPEED, CLIMB
at various altitudes
TURNS
DIVES
CEILINGS
RANGE
PROTECTION
ARMAMENT |
None observed.
|
|
ALLSET --
MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
|
OPNAV-16-V-#537
Form ACA-1 Sheet 3 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
CONFIDENTIAL |
| |
XI.
ATTACK ON ENEMY SHIPS OR GROUND OBJECTIVES
(By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only). |
|
(a) Target(s) and Location(s) |
Various Islands,
Wotje Atoll.
|
(b) Time Over Target(s) |
1335-1420M
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(Zone) |
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(FOR SHIPS INCLUDE ALL IN
AREA UNDER ATTACK) |
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(c) Clouds Over Target |
500-2000 feet
5 to 10/10 cumulus
with rain squalls.
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( BASE IN FEET. TYPE IN
TENTHS OF COVER) |
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(d) Visibility of Target |
Obscured by
clouds
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(e) Visibility |
3-10 |
| |
(CLEAR, HAZY, PARTIALLY
OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, ETC.) |
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(MILES) |
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(f) Bombing Tactics: Type |
Glide
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Bomb Sight Used |
None
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(LEVEL, GLIDE, OR DIVE) |
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(TYPE) |
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Bombs Dropped per Run
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1 to 4
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Spacing
|
---
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Altitude of Bomb Release
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1000
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(NUMBER) |
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(FEET) |
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(FEET) |
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(g) Number of Enemy Aircraft Hit on Ground: Destroyed |
none
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Probably Destroyed
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none |
Damaged
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none |
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(h)
AIMING POINT |
(i)
DIMENSIONS OR
TONNAGE |
(j)
NO. A/C ATTACKING
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(l)
BOMBS AN AMMUNITION
EXPENDED EACH AIMING POINT |
(m)
NO. HITS On
Aiming Point |
(n)
DAMAGE (None, slight,
serious, destroyed, or sunk) |
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(k)
SQUADRON
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1 |
Parae Is.
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Undetermined
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1 PBJ-1H
|
2X5"AR.
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2
|
Slight.
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VMB 613
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2 |
Enea Is.
|
"
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2 PBJ-1H
|
2X5"AR.
4X250#G.P. |
9
4
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Serious.
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|
VMB 613 |
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3 |
Ormed Is.
|
"
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1 PBJ-1H
|
4X5"AR.
|
4 |
Serious.
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VMB 613 |
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4 |
Egemedio Is.
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"
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1 PBJ-1H
|
3X250#G.P.
4X5"AR. |
3
4
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Serious, bivouac area destroyed.
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VMB 613 |
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5 |
Hulk off
Egemedio Island.
|
30' X 100'
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1 PBJ-1H
|
1X250#G.P.
1X5"AR. |
0
0
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None.
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VMB 613 |
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6 |
Cherutaku Is.
|
Undetermined
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1 PBJ-1H
|
2X5"AR. |
2
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Serious.
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VMB 613 |
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7 |
Toton Is. |
" |
1 PBJ-1H |
1X250#G.P. |
1 |
Slight. |
|
VMB 613 |
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8 |
Neichen Is.
|
"
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1 PBJ-1H |
1X250#G.P.
2X5"AR. |
1
2
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Serious. |
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VMB 613 |
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(o)
9
10
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RESULTS:
(For all claims
made on ship targets of special interest, draw diagram, top or side view
or both, as appropriate, showing type and location of hits. For
all targets give location and effect of hits, and identify by number
above. Use additional sheets if necessary)
|
Ukon
Is. |
Undetermined |
1
PBJ-1H |
1X250#G.P. |
1 |
Serious. |
|
VMB-613 |
2X5"AR. |
2 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Wetowerakku
Is. |
" |
1
PBJ-1H |
1X250#G.P. |
1 |
Serious. |
|
VMB-613 |
4X5"AR. |
4 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4800 rounds of .50 caliber strafed on all above islands.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS : Target
on all islands were Jap bivouac areas and gardens known to exist
through POW interrogation. Nature of targets and poor weather made
accurate damage assessment impossible, however serious damage is assumed to have resulted when bombs, rockets, and .50 caliber
strafing were in target area.
|
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(p) Were Photographs Taken? |
No |
Photographs of Damage, When
Taken, Should Be Attached By Staple
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|
ALLSET --
MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
|
OPNAV-16-V-#537
Form ACA-1 Sheet 4 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
CONFIDENTIAL |
| |
XII.
TACTICAL AND OPERATIONAL DATA.
(Narrative and comment. Describe action fully and comment freely,
following applicable items in check list at left. Use additional
sheets if necessary). |
|
ENGAGEMENT WITH ENEMY
OWN AIRCRAFT
Disposition
Altitude
Speed
Approach Tactics
Use of Cover, Deception
Angles of Attack and
Their Effectiveness
Distance of Opening Fire
Defense Tactics and
Their Effectiveness
ENEMY
AIRCRAFT
Method of Locating, Distance
Disposition
Altitudes
Speed
Approach Tactics
Use of Cover, Deception
Angles of Attack
Distance of Opening Fire
Defense Tactics and
Their Effectiveness
COMMENTS
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Own Weaknesses
Enemy Weaknesses
Offensive Tactics, Own
"
" , Enemy
Defensive Tactics, Own
"
" , Enemy
Flexible Gunnery, Own
Escort Tactics
Fighter Direction
Use of Radar
Night Fighting
Recognition, Aircraft |
The four PBJ's took off
from Majuro ahead of the other planes in the strike and proceeded to
Wotje where they harassed assigned targets while the main attack on
Wotje Island was being pressed home by the fighters and dive bombers.
The four Mitchells released twelve 250# G.P. bombs and fired thirty 5"
rockets at nine islands in Wotje Atoll. Runs were made from all
directions, bombs being dropped from 1000' elevation and rockets from
700 to 800 feet both at an I.A.S. of 200 knots. Weather was very
poor with continuous rain squalls interfering with runs but all bombs
and rockets were in the target area with the exception of one bomb and
one rocket which missed a hulk off Egemedio Island at which they were
directed. Meager medium inaccurate AA was observed from Wotje
Island. Following the harassment three planes joined up and flew
to home base at Kwajalein, landing at 1505M. The fourth plane was
to escort the fighters back to Kwajalein but poor weather prevented a
joinup and the bomber and fighters returned to base separately, all
landing safely.
|
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ATTACK
OWN AIRCRAFT
Method of Locating Target
Approach
to Target
Altitudes,
Speeds
Approach
Dive
Pull-Out
Dive Angle
Strafing
Retirement
Defensive
Tactics
Use of
Jamming
DEFENSE ENEMY
Evasive
Tactics, Ships
Concealment
Searchlights
Night
Fighter Tactics
Use of
Jamming
COMMENTS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Bombing
Tactics
Torpedo
Tactics
Effectiveness of
Bombs,
Torpedoes
Selection of Targets
Fuzing
Strafing
Tactics
Defensive Tactics
Use of
Radar
Reconnaissance
Photography
Briefing |
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OPERATIONAL
Navigation
Homing
Rendezvous
Recognition, Ships
Communications
Flight Operations
Search and Tracking
Base Operations
Maintenance |
|
ALLSET --
MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
|
OPNAV-16-V-#537
Form ACA-1 Sheet 5 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
CONFIDENTIAL |
| |
XIII.
MATERIAL DATA.
(Comment freely on performance or suitability, following check list at
left
Use additional sheets if necessary). |
|
ARMAMENT
Guns, Gunsights
Turrets
Ammunition
Bombs, Torpedoes
Bomb Sights
Bomb Releases
COMMUNICATIONS
Radio, Radar
Homing Devices
Visual Signals
Codes, Ciphers
RECOGNITION
IFF
Signals
Battle Lights
Procedures
PROTECTION
Armor;
Points and Angles
of Fire
Needing Further
Protection
Leak
Proofing
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Parachutes
Life
Belts, Life Rafts
Safety
Belts
Emergency Kits
Rations,
First Aid
NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT
Compasses
Driftsights
Octants
Automatic Pilots
Charts
Field
Lighting
INSTRUMENTS
Flight
Power
Plant
OXYGEN SYSTEM
CAMOUFLAGE AND
DECEPTION DEVICES
STRUCTURE
Airframe
Control
Surfaces
Control
System
Dive
Flaps
Landing
Gear
Heating
System
Flight
Characteristics
At
Various Landings
POWER PLANT
Engines
Engine
Accessories
Propellers
Lubricating System
Starters
Exhaust
Dampers
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Auxiliary Plant
Lights
FUEL SYSTEM
FLIGHT CLOTHING
MAINTENANCE |
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| REPORT
PREPARED BY: |
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APPROVED BY: |
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SIGNATURE
RANK AND DUTY |
SIGNATURE RANK AND DUTY |
DATE |
|
C.R. MOCINE, Captain,
S-2.
|
G.W. Nevils, LtCol.,
Commanding.
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ALLSET --
MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
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