OPNAV-16-223

Form ACA-1

Sheet 1 of 5

AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT

RESTRICTED

(Reclassified when

filled out)

 SECRET

 

I. GENERAL

(a) Unit Reporting

VMB 613

(b) Based on or at

Kwajalein Is. & Atoll forward echelon

Eniwetok Is, & atoll.

(c) Report No.

8

(d) Take off: Date

3 February, 1945

 Time (LZT)

0530

(Zone)

Lat

11°-20' N

Long

162° -21'E

(e) Mission

Reconnoitre Ponape Island.

(f) Time of Return

1240

(Zone)

 

II. OWN AIRCRAFT OFFICIALLY COVERED BY THIS REPORT.

TYPE

SQUADRON

NUMBER

 

BOMBS AND TORPEDOES

CARRIED (PER PLANE)

FUZE SETTING

TAKING OFF

ENGAGING

ENEMY A/C

ATTACKING

TARGET

(a) (b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

PBJ-1H

VMB-613

2

None

2

No bombs.

21 rnds. 75 mm. shells.

----

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

III. OTHER U.S. OR ALLIED AIRCRAFT EMPLOYED IN THIS OPERATION.

None
TYPE SQUADRON NUMBER

BASE

TYPE SQUADRON NUMBER BASE
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

         
               

 

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

 

 

 

 (ZONE)

 

 

 

     

(ZONE)

     
     

(ZONE)

     

(h) Apparent Enemy Mission(s)

---

Did Any Part of

(i) Encounter(s) Occur in Clouds?

---

If so, Describe Clouds

---

 

(YES OR NO)

 

(BASE IN FEET, TYPE IN TENTHS OF CLOUD COVER)

Time of Day and Brilliance

(j) of Sun or Moon

------

(k) Visibility

------
 

(NIGHT, BRIGHT MOON, DAY, OVERCAST, ETC.)

 

(MILES)

 

V. ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED OR DAMAGED IN AIR (By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only).

None

(a)

(b) DESTROYED OR DAMAGED BY

(c)

(d)

TYPE

ENEMY A/C

TYPE A/C SQUADRON

PILOT OF GUNNER

GUNS USED

WHERE HIT, ANGLE

DAMAGE

CLAIMED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             

ALLSET -- MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED

 

PAGE 2

 

   

OPNAV-16-223

Form ACA-1

Sheet 2 of 5

AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT

RESTRICTED

(Reclassified when

filled out)

 SECRET

REPORT No.

8

 

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)

1    

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

3  

     

 

4

   

 

 

5

       

6

       

7

       

8

       

9

       

10

       

11

       

12

       

13

       

14

       
 

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

 

 

 

 

 

         
         
         
         
         
         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIII. RANGE, FUEL, AND AMMUNITION DATA FOR RETURNING PLANES.

(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 75MM

PBJ-1H

490 490 7.2 1160 885 -- 550 -- 4

2

                     
                     
 

IX. ENEMY ANTI-AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED (Check one block on each line).

CALIBER NONE MEAGER MODERATE INTENSE

HEAVY -- Time-fuzed shells, 75mm and over

  X    

MEDIUM -- Impact-fuzed shells, 20mm-50mm

  X    

LIGHT -- Machine gun bullets, 6.5mm-13.2mm

      X
 

X. COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE, OWN AND ENEMY AIRCRAFT (use check list at left).

SPEED, CLIMB

at various altitudes

TURNS

DIVES

CEILINGS

RANGE

PROTECTION

ARMAMENT

None Observed.

ALLSET -- MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED

 

PAGE 3

 

   

OPNAV-16-223

Form ACA-1

Sheet 3 of 5

AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT

RESTRICTED

(Reclassified when

filled out)

 SECRET

REPORT No.  

8

 

XI. ATTACK ON ENEMY SHIPS OR GROUND OBJECTIVES (By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only).

(a) Target(s) and Location(s)

 

Installations and boats Ponape Is.

(b) Time Over Target(s)

0730-1000

(Zone)

 

(FOR SHIPS INCLUDE ALL IN AREA UNDER ATTACK)

 

(c) Clouds Over Target 1200' cumulus, 8/10 lifting to 5/10 at 3,500'
 

( BASE IN FEET. TYPE IN TENTHS OF COVER)

(d) Visibility of Target Clear

(e) Visibility

15

 

(CLEAR, HAZY, PARTIALLY OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, ETC.)

 

(MILES)

(f) Bombing Tactics:  Type

level

Bomb Sight Used

 

AN-APG 13

 

(LEVEL, GLIDE, OR DIVE)

 

(TYPE)

Bombs Dropped per Run

--

Spacing

--

Altitude of Bomb Release

--

  (NUMBER)   (FEET)   (FEET)

(g) Number of Enemy Aircraft Hit on Ground:  Destroyed

None

Probably Destroyed

None

Damaged

None

 
 

(h)

AIMING POINT

(i)

DIMENSIONS OR

TONNAGE

(j) NO. A/C ATTACKING

(l)

BOMBS AN AMMUNITION

EXPENDED EACH AIMING POINT

(m)

NO. HITS On

Aiming Point

(n)

DAMAGE (None, slight,

serious, destroyed, or sunk)

(k) SQUADRON

1

Building probably warehouse.

30 X 100'

VMB 613

1 75mm. shell.

100 rnds. 50 cal.

All

Destroyed

1  PBJ-1H

2

Bridge over inlet Ponape Town.

300' long

1  PBJ-1H

1 75mm. shell.

1

Destroyed

VMB 613

3

Motor boat patrol craft.

60' LOA

1  PBJ-1H

2 75mm. shells.

100 rnds..50 cal.

All

Sunk

VMB 613

4

6 outrigger   canoes.

15'-20' LOA

1  PBJ-1H

200 rnds..50 cal.

All

Destroyed

VMB 613

5

 3 boats.

30' LOA

1  PBJ-1H

150 rnds..50 cal.

All

Sunk

VMB 613

6

 

 

 

     

 

7

 

 

 

     

 

8

 

 

 

     

 

(o)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)

 

1. A large building located in headquarters area was attacked from 300' altitude.  Was seen to explode and burn.

 

2. The bridge connecting installations on the east and west banks of inlet was attacked from 200' altitude and point blank range and was destroyed.

 

3. A 60' navy craft, probably a patrol boat, was sunk in the inlet at its mooring.

 

4. Six outrigger canoes encountered at different locations in Ponape lagoon were strafed and destroyed.  Some occupants escaped by diving overboard.  The balance were killed.

 

5. Three boats, probably lighters, moored together in the inlet were attacked and sunk.

 

 

 

 

 

See diagram next page.

 
(p) Were Photographs Taken? No.

Photographs of Damage, When Taken, Should Be Attached By Staple

 

ALLSET -- MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED

 

PAGE 4

 

   

OPNAV-16-223

Form ACA-1

Sheet 4 of 5

AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT

RESTRICTED

(Reclassified when

filled out)

 SECRET

REPORT No.  

8

 

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

 

Two planes of this squadron took off on a reconnaissance mission over Ponape Island with orders to attack targets of opportunity.  Upon arriving on the target a circling patrol until the weather had lifted sufficiently to allow flying over the island itself.  When visibility was sufficient the two planes made coordinated runs over Ponape Town and the adjoining inlet, the old and new airfields, and the various small islands around the shore of Ponape Island proper.  While one plane was performing low level reconnaissance the other maintained cover over it at approximately 3,000 feet.  During these runs photos were taken and attacks were made on boats moored in the inlet and other installations enumerated on page three.  Light A/A was intense in the vicinity of Ponape Town and appeared to originate in the town sight and on the ridge opposite Jokaj Island and also south of the old airstrip.  Meagre, heavy, inaccurate A/A from Langar Island was also encountered.  Light moderate A/A came from a position on the south side of Metalanim Harbor.  While circling the island at various times during the morning a total of six native canoes were discovered in the lagoon and destroyed.  It is known that some of the personnel in the canoes were killed although an accurate count could not be obtained. The pilots estimated 3 occupants per canoe approximately half of whom escaped.  At 1000 the planes left Ponape according to order returning to Eniwetok and landing at 1240 Mike.

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

OPERATIONAL

Navigation

Homing

Rendezvous

Recognition, Ships

Communications

Flight Operations

Search and Tracking

Base Operations

Maintenance

ALLSET -- MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED

 

PAGE 5

 

   

OPNAV-16-223

Form ACA-1

Sheet 5 of 5

AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT

RESTRICTED

(Reclassified when

filled out)

 SECRET

REPORT No.  

8

 

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

All materiel functioned satisfactorily.

REPORT PREPARED BY:   APPROVED BY:    
   

7 March 1945

SIGNATURE                                                  RANK AND DUTY

SIGNATURE                                                     RANK AND DUTY

DATE

C.R. MOCINE, Captain, S-2.

G.W. Nevils, LtCol., Commanding.

 

ALLSET -- MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED

 

END

 

   

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