(a) Unit Reporting

VMB-613

(b) Based on or at

Kwajalein Island and Atoll

(c) Report No.

34

(d) Take off: Date

2 April, 1945

 Time (LZT)

1200M, First/

Plane(Zone)

Lat

8°50'N.

Long

167°9'E.

(e) Mission

Hunter-Killer near Wotje Atoll.

(f) Time of Return

Last Plane

1715M.

(Zone)

II. OWN AIRCRAFT OFFICIALLY COVERED BY THIS REPORT.

TYPE

SQUADRON

NUMBER

TAKING OFF

ENGAGING

ENEMY A/C

ATTACKING

TARGET

(f)

(g)

PBJ-1H

VMB-613

4

none

none

Nose Instantaneous.

Transverse 25' hydro.

VMB-613

4

none

Nose Instantaneous.

Transverse 25' hydro.

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

BASE

--

--

--

--

--

IV. ENEMY AIRCRAFT OBSERVED OR ENGAGED (By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only).

None

(d)

(f)

(g)

TYPE

NO

OBSERVED

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

PILOT OF GUNNER

GUNS USED

WHERE HIT, ANGLE

DAMAGE

CLAIMED

--

--

----

--

----

--

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AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT

 SECRET

REPORT No.

34

VI. LOSS OR DAMAGE, COMBAT OR OPERATIONAL, OF OWN AIRCRAFT (of those listed in II only).

(a)

TYPE OWN A/C

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.

--

--

----

----

----

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

PBJ-1H

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

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

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

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

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.

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AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT

REPORT No.  

34

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

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

(b) Time Over Target(s)

(Zone)

(FOR SHIPS INCLUDE ALL IN AREA UNDER ATTACK)

( BASE IN FEET. TYPE IN TENTHS OF COVER)

(e) Visibility

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

(MILES)

Bomb Sight Used

(LEVEL, GLIDE, OR DIVE)

(TYPE)

Bombs Dropped per Run

Spacing

Altitude of Bomb Release

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

None

Probably Destroyed

None

Damaged

None

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)

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

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AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT

REPORT No.  

34

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

Eight PBJ's of this squadron took off at three hour intervals beginning at 1200M., 2 April, 1945 on a hunter-killer mission following a submarine report in Wotje Lagoon.  The surface vessel in charge was the Wintle, DE #25.  Operations were conducted in accordance with Annex "B" of Operation Plan No. 2-44 of Commander, Shore Based Air Force, Marshall-Gilberts Area.  Four planes which were on station during hours of darkness carried three depth charges and one flare and the others which operated during daylight hours were loaded with four depth charges. 

Each plane proceeded to Wotje Lagoon, reported to the Wintle and proceeded with a modified square search so laid out that the plane periodically recrossed Wotje Atoll during its period on station.  This was done because it was felt that Wotje Lagoon was the most probably place for the enemy to be lurking.  Weather continued excellent during the entire operation and radar equipment functioned satisfactorily but no contacts with the reported submarine were made either visual or radar.  During the course of the search four planes were fired on from islands in the Wotje Atoll.  Fire was light, meagre, and inaccurate.  An overlay on the following page shows the sources of the fire so far as they could be observed.  In addition to the gunfire one plane observed a searchlight located toward the southern end of Wotje Island.  This light coordinated automatic weapons fire and was directed in a westerly direction across Wotje Lagoon at about 2030 M. on 2 April.  The target did not appear to be the plane and the pilot could not determine what the Japanese were attempting to fire at.  When the plane changed its course to investigate, all fire and the light ceased.  No other unusual activity was observed and the hunter-killer was secured at 1600, 3 April, 1945 the last plane being on station landing at Kwajalein at 1715 M.

OPERATIONAL

Navigation

Homing

Rendezvous

Recognition, Ships

Communications

Flight Operations

Search and Tracking

Base Operations

Maintenance

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AIRCRAFT ACTION REPORT

REPORT No.  

34

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

SIGNATURE                                                  RANK AND DUTY

DATE

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

G.W. Nevils, LtCol., Commanding.

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