SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Hi guys

During the early part of Convoy PQ17, the US cruiser WICHITA fomed part of the escort. Apparently she lost one of her Curtiss SOC Seagull observation aircraft and its crew, circa 4 July. Seeking details including identity of crew, please.

On 4 July, two of the Seagulls, complete with depth charges, were engaged by German seaplanes (?). The account I've seen says both returned but possibly one did not (see above).

Cheers
Brian

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

There is no loss of SOC or any USN floatplane in North Atlantic listed between June and August 1942 by the site, that has lists of oversea USN losses:
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/USN/losslist.htm

But the list is not complete, so you can keep searching...

Edit: the rather detailed Wichita story below indicated that two SOC Seagull took off on 4 July and both returned.
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w7/wichita-i.htm

Edit2 (I'm typing faster than I am thinking today):
The War Diary of USS Wichita for July 1942 is available on the fold3 website:
http://www.fold3.com/browsemore/hsEU...QFQnTjteDV_-1/
You have to register to see it.

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Hi Laurent

Thanks for that.

I am quoting from 'PQ17 Convoy to Hell' (Lund & Ludham) page 182 of paperback version. Lt Douglas Fairbanks was aboard Wichita as an official observer, and wrote (in his official report) regarding the order to return to Iceland (4 July):

"Two of our Wichita observation pilots had already died before we could fish them out of the drink ....."

Cheers
Brian

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Ancestry.com have the muster rolls for USS Wichita and one document whcih is a nominall roll for the quarter ended 30 September 1942 records NO DEATHS from the aviation unit, and only five transfers of personel.

Unit is listed as VCS-7, aviation unit.

Also noting that I cannot see a 'Douglas Fairbanks' on the Wichita rosters, but if he was only an observer, might not show up.

That name appears no where in the 1942 rosters on any ship.

Closest I can see was a Douglas C Fahrenback at the end of August 1942, rank EM3c, Electrician's Mate, 3d Cl

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Hello.

It was Douglas Fairbanks Jnr., the ACTOR !

On the morning of 25 June, two days out from Scapa Flow, Hamilton's flagship "London" anchored in Hvalfiord, Iceland, where the American battleship "Washington" and the American cruisers "Wichita" and "Tuscaloosa"already lay. Some hours later, Lieutenant Douglas Fairbanks Jr, USNR, Admiral Giffen's Flag Lieutenant, reported aboard the "Wichita" for temporary additional duty's during the operation that was to follow. Fairbank's wrote an hour-by-hour chronicle* of the events in the cruiser force for his Admiral's personal files.

See:
The Destruction of Convoy PQ.17
Irving,David.
New York:Simon & Schuster,1968.
pp.37-8

* Lieutenant Douglas E. Fairbanks, Jr., USNR.
"Cruiser Covering Force, June 25 to July 8, 1942. (94 pages)."

Col.

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Good for him Col,

just saying he is not on any transcribed roster on that database the whole year of 1942.

if I get a chance I will check the VCS-7 roster names between June and September to see if there are unaccounted changed names.

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Not meant to drift away from the Seagulls, but a short bio on Cdr. Fairbanks here: http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/fairbanks_douge.htm

He did serve on the USS Wichita, but not as regular crew.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Hello,
Perhaps it did happen,
In David Irving's "The Destruction of Convoy PQ17"
Fairbanks notes that a USS Wichita young Ensign in charge of 15 armed guards was aboard the "William Hooper", (perhaps they were "Wichita" men as well ?).

Also that there were NO reconnaissance flights for several days prior to the 4th as there had been an accident ( on shore ?).

Was this an RAF Squadron or RAF Catalina Flight accident or a Russian recon aircraft accident ?

Would USN airmen have been involved with either or were there US Navy Recon aircraft in Russia at this time ?

The Royal Navy did have the use of Catapult Flights and Cam-ship Hurricanes, Swordfish, Fulmars and Walrus aircraft, one of which had to be taken in tow at one stage. But again I do not think that any of these would have had USN airmen crew.
Maybe a Walrus as they began as the Seagull and there may have been some confusion ?

Alex

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Not sure how far back Fairbanks was referring to, but SOC-3 BuNo 1090 of VCS-7 (USS Wichita) was lost on 16 April 1942, according Joe Baugher's website. Reportedly flown by Ensign Francis M. Dillon, fate unknown.

With some other US warships, USS Wichita was at Scapa Flow at that time.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

I can offcially say those muster rolls are hopeless!!!!

Can't see a Francis Dillon on them either. Thats pure annoying.

There is no one with the name Fran* Dillon on the various war dead lists on ancestry.com, I take it he survived.

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

I've forked out the 11USD for a months Fold3 sub (some of you might want to consider this also)

I've reveiwed the Wichita, Washington and Tuscaloosa war diaries and neither of them mention any fatal aircraft loss. The Tuscaloosa happens to DI when other ships in the flotilla launced and recovered planes.

The Washington did losse aircra 6-O-3 on June 12th when it lost a float on landing but the crew were taken on board Wichita. I'm trying to see if there is a diary for ComTaskFor 99, can't see it as of yet.

Wishita and Wasington were ceretainly launcing aircraft throughout July 4th.

More anon.

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

The final thing I can add having found the ComTAskFor 99 diary, which becomes Cruiser Covering Force from July 1st is a note on the July 3rd entry.

It mentions that a BV138 type 'snooper' was observed by USS Wainwright to be trying to catch up on a plane from the Wichita but the Wainwright fired on it. No mention of American plane or German plane being shot down so i take it that neither were.

There is udner this the following note:

NOTE: HMS London is reported to have had a plane damaged by a 'Snooper' and NORFOLK to have lost a plane on this trip possibly from 'Snooper' stalking.

So, possibly this was beleived by those on board Wichita at the time but not confirmed. I think its all I can add from my lunch break at least. Back to work.

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

The April loss is recorded in the war diary for Wichita as:

April 16:
1055 hrs Plane 7-CS-1, Ensign F M DILLON, USNR, Pilot; and MOSS, R W, CRM, USN, crashed on port bow. Personel recovered. Plane sank.

Tuscaloosa lost a plane in similar circumstances on May 5, crew recovered. Recorded in the Wichita Diary

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Hi Dennis

Super stuff!

I've taken your advice and have subscribed to Fold3, but can't find the relevant war diaries!! For Wichita I can only find diaries for postwar!!

Please direct me!

Cheers
Brian

Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
 

Top of the first screen,
Records, click on to get a drop down menu
select "Browse Records"

In new window, select World War II in left hand column

then scroll down new column to

WWII War Diaries

Then click on the letter U (for USS.....) in the thrid new column

Then scroll to USS Wichita and away you go, you can check the diary for every US ship that was on that operation. They ought to be listed under USS Xyzzzzz

Click on letter C for ComTaskFor 99 or CruCovforce for the actual operation.

Keep browsing is the main theing and learn to use it. Their is a myriad of information in there!!!