Monthly Archives: December 2017
Kiwis Over the Pacific
Flight Officer, Geoff Fisken
During early World War II operations in the Pacific, Geoff Fisken would become one of the most outstanding pilots of the RNZAF—the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Fisken was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, in 1918, and during the 1930s he learned to fly a de Havilland Gypsy Moth biplane. In 1939, Fisken was working for a farmer in Masterton, and at the outbreak of war in Europe he volunteered for flying duty. In October 1941, as the threat of war with Japan was increasing, No. 67 Squadron was moved to Mingaladon, Burma, but Fisken was posted instead to No. 243 Squadron RAF.
With the Japanese attacks across East Asia and the western Pacific on December 8, 1941, No. 243 Squadron was assigned to defend the Royal Navy’s Force Z––the battleship HMS Prince of Walesand battlecruiser HMS Repulse. Two days later the British warships were attacked and sunk by Japanese air units. Then, as the Japanese advanced down the Malay Peninsula, Singapore became the target of an increasing number of bombing raids.
RNZ on Guadalcanal
After continuous missions, No. 243 Squadron had lost the majority of its pilots and virtually all its aircraft. As a result, it was merged with No. 453 Squadron of the RAAF, which continued to operate along with No. 488 Squadron RNZAF. Fisken claimed another fighter destroyed on February 1. Five days later he was bounced by two Japanese fighters, shooting down one while narrowly escaping the other, though he was injured in the arm and leg by a cannon shell. On the eve of Singapore’s surrender, Commonwealth pilots were withdrawn to Batavia (now Jakarta), Java, and later to Australia. As a result of his performance in Singapore, Geoff Fisken received a commission and was promoted to the rank of pilot officer.
Fisken was just one of hundreds of New Zealanders––Kiwis––who loved nothing more than a good brawl but of whom little is known today outside their island nation.
“Too Young To Die” by Bryan Cox
Many of you history buffs out there already have “Too Young To Die” by Bryan Cox or have seen a book review and already know The story of Flight Sergeant Bryan Cox, who suffered a failure of both his radio and lights during the return flight but happened to stumble upon the landing strip at Green Island just as he was nearly out of fuel. It was not only a fortunate day for him, but also his 20th birthday. Below is another story of that day…
Bryan Cox (19), WWII
Continually fighting throughout the war, on January 15, 1945, during a strike on Toboi Wharf in Simpson Harbor at Rabaul, conducted by aircraft of Nos. 14 and 16 Squadrons flying from Green Island and No. 24 from Bougainville––a total of 36 Corsairs––one was knocked down by antiaircraft fire. The F4U was piloted by Flight Lieutenant Francis George Keefe of No. 14 Squadron, who managed to bail out, landing in the harbor.
An exceptional swimmer, Keefe struck out for the harbor entrance. For some time he made good progress. Then, in the middle of the afternoon, by which time he had been swimming for six hours, the tide and wind changed and he began to drift back up the harbor.
RNZAF on Green Island
A rescue force had been quickly organized while sections of Corsairs kept watch overhead to prevent Japanese attempts to capture Keefe. Two bamboo rafts were assembled and loaded aboard a Ventura at Green Island, intended to be dropped to the downed pilot.
As two Corsairs orbited above Rabaul awaiting the arrival of the Ventura, an American Catalina pilot circling just beyond the harbor entrance spotted Keefe and twice requested permission to land and pick him up. The request was denied both times by the officer in charge, Squadron Leader Paul Green, the commander of No. 16 Squadron, due to the threat posed by Japanese coastal and antiaircraft guns.
RNZAF doing maintenance after a Rabaul mission
When the Ventura arrived, it was accompanied by another 12 Corsairs, whose task was to strafe the Rabaul waterfront while the Ventura dropped the rafts. Everything went as planned, but Keefe failed or was unable to reach the rafts. The rescue was then aborted, and all aircraft were directed to return to base.
Approximately halfway back to Green Island, the Corsairs encountered a tropical storm front stretching across the horizon and down to sea level. Due to limited navigation aids, the aircraft were required to maintain a tight formation as the storm and darkness reduced visibility. The pilots could only see the navigation lights of the other aircraft in their flight.
Five of the Corsairs crashed into the sea, one crashed at Green Island as it was making its landing approach, and a seventh simply disappeared. The lost pilots included Flight Lieutenant B.S. Hay, Flight Officer A.N. Saward, Flight Sergeant I.J. Munro, and Flight Sergeant J.S. McArthur from No. 14 Squadron and Flight Lieutenant T.R.F. Johnson, Flight Officer G. Randell, and Flight Sergeant R.W. Albrecht from No. 16 Squadron.
RNZAF on Espiritu Santo
After the war, it was reported by Japanese troops captured at Rabaul that Keefe had managed to swim ashore. With a wounded arm, he was taken prisoner and died a few days later.
From September 3, 1939, to August 15, 1945, a total of 3,687 RNZAF personnel died in service, the majority with RAF Bomber Command flying in Britain and over Europe. The RNZAF had grown from a small prewar force to over 41,000 men and women (WAAFs) by 1945, including just over 10,000 serving with the RAF in Europe and Africa; 24 RNZAF squadrons saw service in the Pacific. On VJ Day, the RNZAF had more than 7,000 of its personnel stationed throughout the Solomons and Bismarcks.
The Kiwi airmen had not only fought proudly against their Japanese foes, but also carved out a place for themselves among their much larger Allies—Britain, Australia, and the United States—as they wrote their names into the history of the Pacific air war.
Click on images to enlarge.
Information from: ‘WWII Magazine’ and ‘Too Young To Die’ by Bryan Cox. Another excellent resource you might wish to look into “Kiwi Air Power” by Matthew Wright.
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Military Humor – 
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Farewell Salutes –
Earl Baugh – Searcy, AR; US Navy, WWII, SeaBees
Avadon Chaves – Modesto, CA; US Army, Iraq, Spc., 1/6/2nd Brig. Combat Team
Raymond Debenham – Kalapol, NZ; RNZ Navy # 14075
RNZAF Airtrainers perform farewell flight
David Fail – Manawatu, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 412665, WWII
Bruce McCandless – Boston, MA; US Navy, Cuba, pilot / NASA, astronaut
Peter O’Donnell – Auckland, NZ ; RNZ Air Force # M83478
Bryan Raos – Te Kauwhata, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 459204, Flight Lt.
Robert Scott – Linwood, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 414822, WWII
John Sweeney – Auckland, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 452589, WWII
Jerry Yellin – Newark, NJ; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 78th Fighter Squadron, P-51 pilot
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Christmas Wishes for ALL
TO ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN PEACE – HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
REMEMBER THOSE WHO HELPED TO GIVE YOU FREEDOM!!!
AND THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO KEEP US SAFE!!!
AND
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Military Humor – 
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Farewell Salutes –
Albert Atkins – Belvidere, NJ; US Army, Korea, Co. E/2nd/187th RCT, KIA
Mary (Sweet) Brown (103) – Tauranga, NZ; WA Air Force # 2031332, WWII
Ronald Burditt – NV; US Army, Korea, communications
Jack Downhill – Rochester, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Lt.Col. (Ret. 28 y.)
Joseph Elliot – Los Angeles, CA; US Navy, WWII, Korea, Lt.Commander (Ret. 23 y.)
Richard Grimm – Athens, GA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 187/11th Airborne Division
Andrew McGarry (100) – Milton, OK; US Navy, WWII
Robert Newcomb (100) – Honolulu, HI; US Navy, WWII, PTO / Korea, Cmdr. (Ret. 20 y.)
Kenneth Reth – Racine, WI; US Army, WWII, ETO, tank battalion
Maurice Ritter – Cockeysville, MD; US Navy, WWII, USS Naukesa
Lones Wigger Jr. – Carter, MT; Vietnam, Lt.Colonel (Ret. 27 y.), Olympic Gold winner
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Smitty’s Guard Duty – Letter XVI – conclusion
In the event that you missed the previous post, Cpl. Smith serving in the 11th Airborne during WWII, was attempting to visualize his first experience at standing guard duty in a combat zone to his mother in a letter.
At one point, the situation appears critical and the next – a comedy of errors. Nevertheless, this half of the letter describes his four-hour rest period and the following two hours of standing guard. Hope you stick around to see how he does.
***** ***** *****
Guard Duty (con’t)
As soon as your relief man comes along, you strut back to your tent feeling as proud as all hell knowing that you are a conqueror of the night and a tried and true veteran of the guard. You are supposed to get four hours of rest or sleep before going on for your second shift, but for some reason or another the time just flits away and just as you close your eyes in deep slumber — in walks the sergeant of the guard and out you go sleepily rubbing your eyes wondering how in the devil you are ever going to keep awake for the next two hours.
As you sit on the stump of a tree surveying what you have just four hours ago mentally overcame, you begin to think of home. Now, thinking of home is alright in the daytime with a load of griping G.I.s around, but at night on a lonesome post, it is strictly out. Not only do you think of things you shouldn’t, but soon you are feeling sad and more lonely than ever knowing that no one cares and that the whole world is against you. Not only is this bad for you, it doesn’t even help to pass the time.
You turn your thoughts elsewhere trying next to figure out what the cooks will try to feed you tomorrow. Here again is a very poor time-passing thought as you know damn well they’ll feed you bully-beef in its most gruesome form. Soon your eyes feel heavy again and seem like they’re going to close and you wonder if it would be okay to light up a cigarette.
Here again the book says what to do, but heck, as I said before, the guy who wrote it isn’t out here, so what does he know? You daringly light one up, trying desperately to shield the light and take a big, deep drag. I found that it isn’t the inhaling of the cigarette that keeps you awake, but the ever constant threat of being caught in the act. You look at your watch and find to your dismay that you still have an hour and forty-five minutes left to go.
Damn but the time sure does drag along. Wonder why it doesn’t speed up and pass on just as it does when you are off. Oh! Well, sit down again and hum a tune or two, maybe that will help. Gosh, sure wish someone would come along to talk. Ho-hum, lets see now. What will I do tomorrow on my time off? This last thought is sure to pass away in 15 to 20 minutes, but why it should, I don’t know. You know damn well that no matter what you may plan for tomorrow’s off-time, it will only be discarded and you will spend that time in bed asleep.
Light up another cigarette, sweat it out, swear a little at the dragging time, hum another tune, think more about home, think of you and the army, swear good and plenty and after that thought — look at your watch.
Hey — what goes on here? — that damn relief is over a half-minute late — who does he think he is anyway? Swear. Brother how you are swearing and cursing now. Oh! Oh! There’s a light coming your way — the relief. “Oh boy, sleep ahead.”
“So long bud, the whole damn post is yours. Take it easy, it ain’t too bad. Goodnite.” — And so ends your first night of guard duty as you wearily drag yourself to your bunk too damn tired to even undress.
Hey Mom, hope you enjoyed this as much as some of the others here did. Meant to send this off before now, but you know me.
Love, Everett
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Military Humor –
WWI soldiers had their brand of humor too for guard duty.
Soldiers and Officers from 16 Air Assault Brigade, build snow men during their break to stand guard.
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Farewell Salutes –
Robert Bond – Virginia Beach, VA; US Army, 187th RCT, Colonel (Ret.)
Cornelius Cunningham – Bronx, NY; US Army, WWII, PTO, Sgt. 27th Division
Teddy Drapper Sr. – Chinle, AZ; USMC, WWII, PTO, Navajo Code Talker, 5th Marine Div.
Stuart Haw Jr. – St. Louis, MO; US Army, 11th Airborne Div., Military Police
Charles Quarles – Hockessin, DE; US Navy, WWII, electronic tech’s mate
Edward Rowny (100) – Baltimore, MD; US Army, WWII, ETO/Korea & Vietnam, West Point grad., Lt.General (Ret.), Presidential adviser
Nola ‘Paddy’ Scott – Auckland, NZ; RNZ Navy # 621, WWII
Wilburn Timmons – Jonesboro, AR; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division
Douglas Voyzey – AUS; RA Army # 2137680, Vietnam, KIA
George B Willis Sr. – Leupp, AZ; USMC, WWII, PTO, Navajo Code Talker, 2nd Marine Division
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Smitty’s Letter XVI – Guard Duty, part one
Guard Duty, history.army.com, click to enlarge.
15 January 1945, all of the 11th Airborne Division was back on Bito Beach where they rested, re-organized, got re-equipped, re-trained and with a little time left over – they wrote letters home. Here starts Number 16 from Smitty….
Letter XVI Guard Duty 1/15/45
You have received many notes from me in the past that always seem to contain one line that went something like this, “Have to go on guard duty tonight ____.” Now in this letter I hope to be able to picture for you convincingly enough my first night on guard duty. Please remember, all through this letter, that this place at the time was threatened at ALL times by the Japs and never for one moment were we allowed to forget it — especially at night.
My first trick on guard was posted for the hours of 9 to 11pm with a four-hour sleep period before going on as second sentry relief. We were to be ready for immediate action. This was also the first time I had to stand guard with a loaded rifle, so instead of feeling safe and secure, it tends to make me that much more nervous and apprehensive.
At eight-forty-five sharp, we were called out, inspected and told the password and counter sign. We were then marched away, in a body, to our respective posts, told the special orders pertaining to that particular post and then left alone. The quick, short steps of the guard soon grow faint and they rapidly walk on until all you can hear is the beat of your heart.
As soon as I realized that I was alone and on my post, I tried vainly to pierce the darkness and see just where I was and what was around and near me. It generally takes from five to ten minutes before your eyes become accustomed to the darkness, but before that happens, I found out that your mind sees things and imagines most anything from a Jap standing or crouching down. You try to shake off the feeling, but damn it all — how can you?
After a while, you begin to see things in their true form and you notice that the standing Jap is nothing but a small palm tree and that sinister apparition is only some old debris or fallen tree. As these things unfolded before in their real form, I heaved a great sigh and relieved my tightened grip on my rifle. Boy! What a relief I thought and was just about to sling my rifle over my shoulder when suddenly I heard a noise.
I crouched down trying desperately this time to see what my ears had just heard, when again, I heard a faint sound — only this time it was in back of me or maybe on the side. All sorts of thoughts run rampant through your mind at this stage and mine were really running wild.
You try to remember things you were taught about for situations such as these, but at the time the lessons were given, they seemed boring and so you didn’t pay much attention. Now I wish I had listened and desperately tried to recall to mind what little I did hear. Seconds seemed liked hours, my legs were getting numb, but I was too damned scared to move a muscle for fear of giving away my position to whatever was around. “Where the hell is that man?” I thought to myself. Gosh, it sure was quiet and still that night. I even tried to stop breathing for fear it would be heard.
Suddenly, your eyes pick out a strange object that wasn’t there before, or so your memory tells you. You watch it for a while, then — oh, oh — it moves, sure as hell, it moved — there it goes again.
I could see it then, just an outline, but that was clear enough for me. I held my breath and at the same time brought my rifle up and aimed it. Now, I was in a mess. What if it was an American soldier out there or the next guard? The book covers this well, you remember it says, “Yell out, in a clear distinctive voice, HALT, at least three times.” That’s fine I thought, but dammit, the guy who wrote that isn’t out there with me now and I’d bet he wouldn’t yell “HALT” at least three times.
Well, I won the bet and only yelled once and waited for the password. Again, minutes seemed like hours, suppose he didn’t hear me, should I yell again? Suppose it is another guard and he thinks I’m only kidding or it’s nothing but a swaying branch, what a mess, what do I do? All these thoughts flash thru your mind and you are about to get up and yell again, but it moves back — that’s a Jap. Without hesitation now, you pull the trigger and then in excitement, before you release your finger, you hear instead of one shot, three or more ring out.
Flash lights appear from nowhere as men come out anxiously looking about and trying to find out what the noise is about. In the dim rays of their lights, you find that what you thought was a hoard of Japs surrounding you is nothing or was nothing more than a dog or wild pig prowling about. You feel about the size of a ten cent piece, I sure did. Inwardly you are proud to note that what you aimed at in the darkness, you hit and that a few are even remarking about that wonderful feat. You aren’t even shaking anymore. In fact, you notice to your most pleasant surprise you are no longer afraid.
Soon tho, you are left alone again, but this time the loneliness isn’t so bad and you know that soon you will be relieved and another “first night” will come along and make the same mistakes you did.
to be continued …
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Lucien Bolduc Jr. San Antonio, TX; US Army, Korea & Vietnam, West Point grad, MGeneral (Ret.)
Leo Chisholm – Baton Rouge, LA; US Army, 11th Airborne Division
A soldier from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, the guardians of Arlington National Cemetery, waits amid the gravestones during funeral services for Army Spc. Sean R. Cutsforth, of Radford, Va., a member of the 101st Airborne who was killed in Afghanistan in December, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Thomas Curtsinger Sr. – Springfield, KY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, CBI, ‘The Hump’, radioman
Glen Elfrank – Painton, MO; US Air Force
Richard Groff – Collegeville, PA; US Army, 11th Airborne Division
Edwin ‘Perry’ Miller – Lincoln, NE; US Army Air Corps, WWII, B-25 pilot instructor
Pat Murphy – Kansas City, MO; US Army, Korea, 187th RCT ‘Rakkasans’
George Pfeifer – Roslyn Heights, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO
Irving Sager (103) – NYC, NY; US Army, WWII, radar
Ernest Zeman – Tampa, FL; US Navy, WWII, USS Breton, Lt. (Ret.)
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Pesky Parafrags
Low level bombing, Luzon, early 1945. (Click to enlarge).
The bravery and expertise of the 5th Air Force ever present in the Pacific!
On January 8, 1945, the 345th Bomb Group’s 498th and 499th Squadrons were sent to hit Fabrica Airdrome on the Negros Islands. Between the two squadrons, two B-25s were fatally damaged, but they destroyed three Japanese fighters on the ground. One of the two B-25s, PLANE LONESOME, sustained a hit to the right wing tank by machine gun fire. It burst into flame and crashed in a forest, killing all aboard.
As the rest of the planes left the target area and headed home, one of 1/Lt. John B. Boyd’s wingmen noticed a parafrag was caught on the bomb bay doors of Boyd’s brand new B-25J, #44-29352. When Boyd opened the doors, two parafrags drifted away. A third, caught by its chute, exploded after it struck the fuselage of the plane. S/Sgt. William J. McGrath, the crew’s tail gunner, at first thought they had been hit by flak. When…
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10-16th January 1945 – Navy
Movements of Task Force-38
Except for submarines, Task Force-38 was the first appreciable presence of U.S. forces in the South China Sea. The ‘Great Fleet’ under VAdm. John McCain consisted of 8 carriers, 4 light-carriers, 19 other capital (war) ships, 56 screening vessels and various logical support ships. Their mission, Operation Gratitude, was to disrupt the Japanese Navy and interrupt the vital support lanes from Singapore and Indochina.
TF-38 spent 2 days avoiding detection from the enemy and staying clear of the typhoon brewing over the island of Mindanao. On the 12th, they arrived 65 miles off Can Ranh Bay in French Indochina (Vietnam). Halsey’s intelligence proved false as to the activity in the area, so alternative plans were put into action.
USS Essex pilots: Hartsock, Parker, Finn and Libbey, Jan. 1945. US Navy photo
Waves of US aircraft scoured the Indochinese coast from Qui Nhon to Saigon. Clusters of merchant ship and escort vessels were attacked, as were concentrations found in Saigon Harbor on the Mekong River. Convoy HI-86, north of Qui Nhon, consisted of 10 merchant ships and 6 escorts and drew attention that was an average for the day.
2 freighters and i tanker sunk by Ticonderoga aircraft, Saigon
The full strikes of 30-40 planes each from the carriers Hancock, Hornet (Essex-class), Ticonderoga, Essex, Langley, Lexington (Essex-class), and Independence. The result was that only 3 smaller enemy escorts remained afloat, the rest were either sunk, left beached or burning.
USS Sullivans & Astoria fuel up from the Taluga 62. Halsey’s flagship New Jersey in the background.
The absence of air opposition allowed all this damage to be accomplished. At the end of that single day, a total of 41 ships throughout the region were sunk, 31 damaged and 112 aircraft were destroyed on the ground. In addition to all this, docks, oil storage tanks, and airfields were heavily damaged.
USS Astoria guad-40mm hun crew
The results of this day drastically reduced the Japanese ability to ship goods along this route and Japan would feel the effects for a long time to come. Robert Sherrod, a Time Magazine correspondent, flew as an observer in one of the Essex aircraft, summed up the day by saying, “By any accounting, 12 January 1945 must be regarded as one of the greatest days of the U.S. Navy.”
With the typhoon now moving westward, TF-38 moved across the South China Sea and northward. After they refueled, they were in position to strike Formosa again on the 15th. These strikes were successful, but not as dramatic as the previous ones and they proceeded to backtrack westward again.
Japanese convoy off French Indochina, 12 Jan. ’45
On the 16th, they launched strikes against Hong Kong and the island of Hainan. The Formosa, Hong Kong and Hainan missions encountered a better organized anti-aircraft fire than Indochina, but it did not hold back the attack. During these 2 days, another 14 Japanese ships (mostly warships) were sunk and 10 more were damaged.
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Navy Humor
TF-38 avoided the typhoon, but still experienced very rough seas. On 13 January 1945, they created their own humor!!
USMC Captain Gerard Armitage was washed overboard from the USS Astoria‘s port beam; Herman Schnipper took the photograph. Joe Aman drew the cartoons for the USS Astoria ‘Morning Press News’.
As you can see below – Capt. Armitage was rescued from the sea, but the seamen on board were not satisfied to simply do that for the Marine. When he got back on board ship the men serenaded him with their own version of a popular song….
The Captain of the Marines went over the rail, parlez vous
It happened in a terrific gale, parlez vous
He slipped on the deck and slid on his tail
You’ll never teach a Marine to sail
Inky-dinky parlez vous.
_____ J.Fred Lind
Once dry and having a meal in the mess, Capt. Armitage was awarded the “Extinguished Service Cross” – It just happened to be his 24th Birthday!!
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Farewell Salutes –
Gary Asles – Long Beach, CA; US Army, 11th Airborne Division
John Balog – Wichita, KS; US navy, WWII, PTO, Yeoman, USS Anthony, gunner
111024-N-WD757-029
SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2011) Ceremonial honor guard during the funeral for retired Vice Adm. Paul F. McCarthy. McCarthy passed away on October 5, 2011. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Carlos M. Vazquez II/Released)
Charles Cooper – Dover, DE; US Navy, WWII, Captain, USS Hornet, Washington & San Diego
Harry Doerfler – Amarillo, TX; US Army, WWII, ETO, 424/106th Infantry Division
Jay Ewing – AR; US Army, WWII, PTO, ambulance driver
Joseph Hanoon – Philadelphia, PA; US Navy, WWII, PTO, USS Enterprise
Merv Martin – Paeroa, NZ; RNZ Navy # 13636, Korea
Frank Nolte – Albuquerque, NM; US Army, Korea, Co.K/187th RCT
Marvin Peters – Longmont, CO; US Army Air Corps, WWII, B-17 gunner
John Turek Sr. – brn. POL/Newington, CT; US Army, WWII, Cpl., mechanic
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9 January 1945 – Lingayen, Luzon Landings
Operational Map for Lingayen landing.
With Mindoro secured, American forces were now just south of Luzon. While MacArthur’s intention was to make his main landing assault at Lingayen in northern Luzon, elaborate attempts at deception were made in the south.
Mac had his aircraft unceasingly make reconnaissance flights and bombing missions in southern Luzon. Transport aircraft made many paradrops with dummies, while minesweepers cleared Balagan, Batangas, and Tayabas Bays. Filipino resistance fighters in southern Luzon, too, were called to conduct major sabotage operations. All the effort was to provide a false notion that the American landing was to take place in southern Luzon instead of Lingayen.
landing beaches, Lingayen Gulf
General Tomoyuki Yamashita, commander of the Japanese ground forces in the Philippine Islands, must have been made slightly unsure, for he did not move his headquarters to northern Luzon until after the landing had already taken place at Lingayen. The U.S. Sixth Army was waiting to start their Luzon campaign.
The opening amphibious operation at Luzon, unopposed by the Japanese except for air attacks, landed more men than the first wave of the Normandy landing, and 175,000 were ashore within the first few days, securing a beachhead twenty miles wide. At 09:30 hours, the 6th and 43rd divisions of the XIV Corps went in, between Lingayen and Damortis.
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Vice Admiral Shigeru Fukudome noted after the war that he “had no advance information of [American] movement against Lingayen until the fleet actually departed.” Even by then, the Japanese believed the landing would be attempted around Manila Bay, and they “were taken by surprise when Americans appeared in Lingayen and started landing there.”
Nevertheless, Yamashita knew well that the vast coastlines of Luzon meant defenses established closed to the shores would be useless; instead, most of his men were fortified well inland, leaving only small units closer to the shore to delay the advance of American units.
Also on this date, 28 aircraft from USS Ticonderoga attacked their secondary target Heito Airfield in southern Taiwan (the primary target, Toyohara Arfield was covered in clouds), damaging the facilities. USS Yorktown (Essex-class) launched attacks on Taiwan as well, in direct support of the Lingayen landings on Luzon and US Navy Task Force 38 attacked airfields on the Japanese-held Chinese island.
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Herbert Beck – SD; US Army, ETO, Pfc, POW
Katherine Despit – Bayou Blue, LA; USW Air Force, WWII (Ret. 20 y.)
David Feageans – Gretna, VA; US Navy, WWII, PTO, pilot
John Hillerman – Denison, TX; US Air Force, Sgt., SAC maintenance, (beloved actor)
Neil King – Winnipeg, CAN; RC Navy, WWII
Charles Malt – Pittsburgh, PA; US Navy, Vietnam
Stanley Oakes – Vancouver, CAN; RC Army, WWII, engineer
Overland Park – Rockhurst, KS; US Army, 187th RCT
James Simon – Conrad, MT; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, B-17 pilot, 351/8th AF
Arthur Wyckoff – Traverse City, MI; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO
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Attacking Clark Field
AN EXCERPT FROM ONE OF THEIR BOOKS, A VERY DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE 5TH AIR FORCE WHILE HELPING IN THE LIBERATION THE PHILIPPINES!!
As 1945 opened in the Pacific Theater, the Allies were advancing through the Philippines. Their next major target would be a three-unit attack on the Japanese stronghold of Clark Field on January 7th. At the time, the Japanese had put more than 400 antiaircraft guns in the area, which would make the planned 120+ A-20 and B-25 raid more challenging. Three bomb groups, the 345th, 312th and 417th, would split into formations and fly an “X” pattern over Clark Field. Above them, two P-38 squadrons would keep an eye out for enemy planes.
Upon arriving at the mountain pass that stood between the crews and Clark Field, heavy clouds blocked their path. The formation split up in the thick clouds as pilots navigated through the pass, temporarily invisible to each other. Emerging on the other side of the clouds, the 312th’s flight leader, Lt. Joseph Rutter, and his wingman, Lt…
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HMAS Australia
HMAS Australia, imagery scanned from Navy Historic Archive
Possibly the ship with the most colorful World War II history was HMAS Australia, fondly known as “The Aussie”. The Aussie fought for almost the entire duration of the war. A county class cruiser commissioned in 1928 she was the second ship to bear the name of her country.
With the outbreak of WWII Aussie sailed for the Atlantic to begin her long wartime career that she was to fight on all fronts and against all enemies. In September, 1940, she was in Operation Menace off Dakar, French West Africa. Bombers of the Luftwaffe tried in vain to sink her whilst she was berthed alongside in Liverpool during the period when the city suffered its worst blitz. During her war service Aussie went everywhere.
n December 1941 when Japan entered the war Aussie became the flagship or Rear Admiral Crace, followed by Admiral Crutchley and then Commodore Collins. In January 1942 the cruiser assisted in escorting the first US troops to Australia. Operating in the Coral Sea it pursued and attacked the Japanese from Guadalcanal to Hollandia, surviving everything its enemies could throw at her, until…
HMAS Australia funnel damage
Out of the blue skies of Leyte came the ‘Divine Wind” or the Kamikaze. The first Kamikaze hit against Aussie was by a A6M5 Zero-Sen Fighter fitted with a 200 kilogram bomb, the impact of this snapped one leg of the ship’s tripod mast, causing a huge shower of wreckage to rain down upon the compass platform. Underneath it lay Captain Dechaineaux mortally wounded along with many others, amongst them Commodore J. Collins, hero of the HMAS Sydney. Four days later, after the initial Kamikaze attack, Aussie again suffered the brunt of another, her sleek hull and distinctive row of three funnels drawing the suicidal pilots to her.
more HMAS Australia damage
HMAS Australia was needed badly by the R.A.N for she was the last surviving seaworthy member of the country’s heavy cruiser fleet the rest having been sunk and Hobart badly damaged. So she was quickly returned to active service.
She headed straight back to Philippine waters and on the afternoon of 5th January 1945 at Lingayen Gulf, The Kamikazes targeted her again. Her new Captain Armstrong flung the ship about wildly, but another bomb laden aircraft slammed into to her. The casualties were high – 25 men killed and 30 seriously wounded, most were badly needed guns crews.
Despite extensive damage she joined HMAS Shropshire and other US units to aid in the bombardment of San Fernando and Poro Point. A new wave of Kamikazes then attacked, a Aichi ‘Val’ Dive Bomber surviving the murderous fire thrown up by all ships collided headlong into her upper deck exploding in an enormous fireball. Several guns crews died instantly and a severe shock wave shuddered throughout the ship. This hit accounted for another 14 dead and 26 seriously wounded. by now Aussie’s AA defenses were all but eliminated.
HMAS Australia damage to the twin 4-inch mount
At dawn on 8th January the allied fleet resumed its bombardment and the Kamikazes renewed their suicidal attacks. Aussie was the last ship in the line and was once again singled out. The Aussie’s gunners throwing up withering fire at a Mitsubishi “Dinah” Bomber until at last shooting it down, but not before it released its bomb which exploded close to the waterline, punching a large hole in the hull.
Taking a dangerous list to port another ‘Dinah’ roared in. Those guns still in operation tore the bomber to bits and it showered down aviation fuel upon the sailors whilst its massive engine smashed through the bulkhead of the Captain’s Day Cabin. Within seconds another ‘Dinah’ roared in, the Aussie gunners frantically trying to shoot it down, succeeding, within just 15 metres, the propeller blades embedding themselves in a life-raft. The aircraft skidded into the hull ripping another large hole and damaging yet another fuel tank, whilst two mess decks were completely destroyed. Aussie by now was in bad shape, her speed reduced to fifteen knots to avoid causing more damage, still hung in and managed to continue the fight with what was left of her.
The following day the Japs decided to finish the Flagship off knowing she was almost dead in the water. As another plane raced in heading for her bridge its pilot misjudged his attack line and slammed into the yardarm slewing the aircraft around so as to miss the bridge area and taking out the top of the foremost funnel. Sliced off cleanly it crashed to the deck. There were no casualties from this hit but it spelled the end for Aussie. Two boilers had to be shut down because of insufficient updraft. Aussie’s war had come to an end.
The war for HMAS Australia was over.
Information from the Royal Australian Navy Gun Plot; Australian Navy and Joey’s Walkabout
The Australian Navy link includes some fantastic photographs!
Click on images to enlarge.
Current News – Doris “Dorie” Miller
Dorie Miller statue in progress
A 9-foot stature sculptured by Eddie Dixon will be unveiled today, Thursday, 7 December 2017, in honor of Doris “Dorie” Miller – Hero of Pearl Harbor! On the banks of the Brazos River, Miller relatives and former crew of the USS Doris Miller will attend the ceremony for the Waco, Texas born seaman.
For a full story of Mr. Miller please click HERE!
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Margaret Abbott Hanson – CAN; RC Army, WWII, Regina Rifle Regiment
Deane Brees – Creston, IA; US Navy, WWII, PTO, USS Gallatin, signalman
Paul Ciccarelli – Monessen, PA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Co A/188/11th Airborne Division
Walter Eacott – Melbourne, AUS; RAF, WWII, night fighter pilot / RAAF, Squadron Leader
Charles Greene – Middleboro, KY; US Army, WWII, ETO, 916 Medical Ambulance, Bronze Star
James Lane – Wannambool, AUS; RA Navy # 57966, CPO
Francis Mitchell – Walkanae, NZ; RNZ Navy # 13840. Korea
David Nesbitt – Sidney, AUS; RA Air Force # 420355, WWII
Joseph Pisano – Queens, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, F/367/101st Airborne Division
Michael Vertucci – Maspeth, NY; US Army, KOrea
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Lingayen Gulf, 2-8 January 1945
USS Ommaney Bay, January 1945
The USS Louisville is struck by a kamikaze Yokosuka D4Y at the Battle of Lingayen Gulf, 6 January 1945
On 2 January, the US carrier, USS Ommaney Bay, was severely damaged by a kamikaze aircraft and would later need to be scuttled. Three days later, the cruiser, USS Columbia, was also damaged when she was hit by 2 of the Japanese suicide planes. US shipping received relentless kamikaze strikes that cost the Navy more than 1000 men due to those 30 hits.
Beginning on 6 January, a heavy naval and air bombardment of suspected Japanese defenses on Lingayen began. Aircraft and naval artillery bombardment of the soon-to-be landing areas occurred, with kamikazes attacking again on the 7th.
USS Columbia hit by kamikaze
On the 8th, it was observed that in the town of Lingayen, as a response to the prelanding shelling, Filipinos had begun to form a parade, complete with United States and Philippine flags – firing was shifted away from that area.
The USS Louisville had been hit on the 5th of January with one man killed and 52 wounded, including the captain. The following day she was attacked by six successive plane, 5 were shot down, but one got through.
USS Louisville, hit by kamikaze
The strike on the Louisville was also notable for the death of RAdmiral Theodore Chandler, commanding the battleships and cruiser in Lingayen Gulf. He was badly burned when his Flag ship was engulfed in flames, but jumped down to the signal deck and deployed hoses to the enlisted men before waiting in line for treatment with the other wounded sailors. However, his lungs had been scorched by the petroleum flash and he died the following day.
Rear Admiral Theodore Edson Chandler
An eye witness account of the attack on the USS Louisville, from John Duffy:
“All of a sudden, the ship shuddered and I knew we were hit again. I was in charge of the 1st Division men and I yelled, “We’re hit, let’s go men!” I was the first man out the Turret door followed by Lt.Commmander Foster and Lt. Hastin, our Division Officer, then a dozen more men.
“The starboard side of the ship was on fire from the forecastle deck down. One almost naked body was laying about ten feet from the turret with the top of his head missing. It was the kamikaze pilot that had hit us. He made a direct hit on the Communications deck.
“As the men poured out of the turret behind me, they just stood there in shock. Explosions were still coming from the ammunition lockers at the scene of the crash. We could see fire there too. Injured men were screaming for help on the Communications Deck above us. I ordered 2 men to put out the fire on the starboard side by leaning over the side with a hose. That fire was coming from a ruptured aviation fuel pipe that runs full length of the forecastle on the outside of the ship’s hull. That fuel pipe was probably hit by machine-gun bullets from the kamikaze just before he slammed into us.
“Although there was no easy access to the deck above us, I ordered several men to scale up the side of the bulkhead (wall) and aid the badly burned victims who were standing there like zombies. I also ordered 3 men to crawl under the rear Turret 1’s overhang, open the hatch there and get the additional fire hose from Officers Quarters. These 3 orders were given only seconds apart and everyone responded immediately, but when they got near the dead Jap’s body, which was lying right in the way, it slowed them down…”
For some additional information on the Kamikaze, Click HERE.
The HMAS Australia was included in this fleet and would also come under heavy attack. Her full story will be the following post.
Click on images to enlarge
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Military Humor –
“I wish they’d get someone else to make up the mess duty roster!”
“Hold it , sailor! – Let’s see your orders!”
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Farewell Salutes –
Robert Chapman – Macon, GA; US Army, WWII, PTO
George Cramer – Prichard, AL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, Major, B-17 belly gunner
Peter Ferracuti – Ottawa, IL; US Navy, WWII, PTO
Charles Galloway – Clinton, SC; US Army (Ret.), WWII, Korea & Vietnam
Margaret Glazener – NC; US War Dept.; code breaker
William Hayes – London, ENG; RAF, CBI
Vance Larson – Saskatoon, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, Captain
Richard Nichols – Billings, MT; US Army (Ret. 22 y.), 11th, 82nd & 101st Airborne Divisions, 2 bronze Stars
Thomas O’Brien – Broad Channel, NY; US Navy, WWII
Daphne White – Melbourne, AUS; Women’s British Air Force, WWII
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Pacific Paratrooper 