Attacking Clark Field

Dec 9

Posted by

AN EXCERPT FROM ONE OF THEIR BOOKS, A VERY DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE 5TH AIR FORCE WHILE HELPING IN THE LIBERATION THE PHILIPPINES!!

IHRA

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…

View original post 482 more words

About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on December 9, 2017, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 39 Comments.

  1. Lavinia Ross | December 22, 2017 at 5:18 PM

    An interesting read! I can’t even begin to imagine what it would have been like to be in the middle of all that chaos and confusion.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. The Emu | December 20, 2017 at 7:19 PM

    Unbelievable story gp, those Pilots and Crew could only have stamina and guts made of steel. A great factual eye account in all detail.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. natuurfreak | December 12, 2017 at 6:59 AM

    Zoals altijd erg informatief en ook wat spannend

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. beetleypete | December 12, 2017 at 5:19 AM

    The war has turned full circle now. The Japanese attacked Clark on 8th Dec 1941, and now the US are returning all these years later. A very interesting read, GP, and an excellent reblog.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Jacqui Murray | December 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM

    I think the Philippines have forgotten what we did for them in WWII. Or maybe just some people over there.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. derrickjknight | December 10, 2017 at 5:46 AM

    Your work brings home to us erocentrics the reality of the war on the other side of the world

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
  9. Nasuko | December 9, 2017 at 6:41 PM

    Japan vs Allied countries, Japan battled hard only in one country,I think　：D

    This is the Truth on other side in Firippin 😀

    https://nasudanasuko.wordpress.com/2017/10/31/shinpu-hero-in-philippines%e3%80%80%e3%81%93%e3%81%93%e3%81%ab%e3%82%82%e6%ad%b4%e5%8f%b2%e3%81%ae%e7%9c%9f%e5%ae%9f/

    7th~8th on Dec,Perl harver day,Our ansesters battled hard on each other well, and now we are allies.

    With respect from Japan 😀

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  10. Curt Mekemson | December 9, 2017 at 6:24 PM

    The moral of the story is, I guess, you can plan all you want and then have to deal with reality. Sounds like they did well, considering. –Curt

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. Dina | December 9, 2017 at 2:39 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing. dear GP Cox.

    Totally beside the point, did you get a snowflake in Floirda too?? If yes, please redirect her to Norway. Thank you. x

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  12. 56packardman | December 9, 2017 at 1:39 PM

    I always learn something here, GP! I never knew about the parafrags until I read this!
    🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

Leave a reply to GP Cox Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.