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-   -   4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=48672)

BruceMk11 19th July 2017 05:53

4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
I'm trying to sort out the claims/credits on this date. This is what I have thus far:


35th FG

Maj William F McDonough: Ki-61 destroyed; 1130 Gusap

Capt Frederick C Harries: e/a destroyed; time/location ?

40th FS

1stLt William H Strand: Ki-43 damaged; Wewak area

41st FS

2ndLt Paul L Lorick: e/a destroyed; time/location ?

1stLt Edward S Park: e/a destroyed; ditto

75 Sqn RAAF

S/L Colin W Lindeman & F/Sgt Alfred E Stuart: Ki-43 damaged (upgraded to destroyed ?); 1145 south of But


Eric Hammel (Air War Pacific Chronology) indicates two Japanese fighters were claimed destroyed in the Wewak area at 1115, and another two over the Bogadjim road at 1220, plus McDonough's claim. However, USAF Historical Study No 85 lists four credits for this date in SWPA.

Any constructive input welcome.

Cheers,

Bruce

BruceMk11 2nd August 2017 08:39

Re: 4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
41st FS

Edwards Park: Ki-61 destroyed; location ?

Apparently his only victory, the location seems to either the Wewak area or near Gusap.

Col Bruggy 2nd August 2017 12:57

Re: 4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
Bruce,

Have you read Parks' autobiography?

He has this to say about his opponent:

"As for the Jap pilot, I often wonder whether he got down all right and survived the war. If I should go to Japan, I might stop a few likely looking old men in bars - small men with fast reactions - and through a interpreter find out if they'd once flown fighters in New Guinea, if they'd once strafed Gusap, and then been shot down by a P-47, and bailed out over the Bogadgim Road. If one says yes, I'd tell him he owes me."

See:
Angel's Twenty.
Park,Ted
St Lucia:University of Queensland Press,1994 (s/b).
p.173.

Park wrote another book entitled, Nanette, an exaggeration by Edwards Park (London:Andre Deutsch,1978). This book focuses on his P-39 "Nanette". He also worked on papers and magazines in Australia post-war.

https://www.pacificwrecks.com/people...ark/index.html

https://www.pacificwrecks.com/people.../obituary.html

Col.

Frank Olynyk 2nd August 2017 14:04

Re: 4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
Strand: 1115, Oscar dam, Wewak
1st Lt Jack L Marvin: 1115, Tony dam, Muschu I
Marvin: 1115, Zeke claimed dest credited as probable, SE of Wewak
1st Lt John R Young: 1115, Tony claimed dest credited as prob, Muschu I
McDonough: 1130, Tony, 5 m NW of A/S No. 5, Gusap
Harries: 1130, Zeke, 50 m SE of Wewak
Park, 1220, Tony, over Bogadjim Road
Lorick, 1220, Tony, over Bogadjim Road

Individual Combat Reports for all of these can be found on NARA Microfilm Series M-1065 reel 6, except for Harries which is on reel 4. (9 reels total, not all contain ICRs, some have only (Preliminary) (Narrative) Mission Reports. The microfilms cover 5th Fighter Command from about the end of 1942 to the end of the war.

Lindeman & Stuart: 1145, Oscar dam, 10 m S of But

Combat reports and ORB for this claim on microfilm from the RAAF Historical Office. No indication of an upgrade.

Enjoy!

Frank.

BruceMk11 3rd August 2017 13:22

Re: 4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
Thanks Col. I haven't read his books yet but became aware of them after visiting www.pacificwrecks.com some while ago.

Thankyou Frank. I've seen some period newspaper articles that suggest 75 was granted a kill. And an article in RAAF SAGA (1944 Xmas book) does the same, although the objectivity of both can be questioned.

Bruce

NickM 21st September 2017 07:51

Re: 4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Col Bruggy (Post 237433)
Bruce,

Have you read Parks' autobiography?

He has this to say about his opponent:

"As for the Jap pilot, I often wonder whether he got down all right and survived the war. If I should go to Japan, I might stop a few likely looking old men in bars - small men with fast reactions - and through a interpreter find out if they'd once flown fighters in New Guinea, if they'd once strafed Gusap, and then been shot down by a P-47, and bailed out over the Bogadgim Road. If one says yes, I'd tell him he owes me."

See:
Angel's Twenty.
Park,Ted
St Lucia:University of Queensland Press,1994 (s/b).
p.173.

Park wrote another book entitled, Nanette, an exaggeration by Edwards Park (London:Andre Deutsch,1978). This book focuses on his P-39 "Nanette". He also worked on papers and magazines in Australia post-war.

https://www.pacificwrecks.com/people...ark/index.html

https://www.pacificwrecks.com/people.../obituary.html

Col.

I loved 'Nanette'! Park had such a 'unconventional' style of writing and he was definitely not 'ace' material. Rather than a hunter he came across as more 'prey'. It's rare to see stuff from guys who were 'just doing their jobs'.

nm

Tom Semenza 4th October 2017 19:43

Re: 4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
Hi Bruce,

The 75 Sqn. damage claim on 4 March 44 was new to me. I checked the ORB on the NAA website but there is no mention of the claim, at least not in the Form 50A. However I couldn't locate the Form 51A. Is this also accessible on the NAA site?

Do you happen to know the serial numbers of the Kittyhawks flown by Lindeman & Stuart on this mission?

Thanks,
Tom

BruceMk11 4th October 2017 22:00

Re: 4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
Hi Tom,

Lindeman: A29-456

Stuart: A29-447

You're right, there is no mention of combat in the ORB. Try chasing up the narrative report.

Cheers,

Bruce

Tom Semenza 5th October 2017 03:48

Re: 4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
Many thanks, Bruce!

Buz 12th November 2017 10:18

Re: 4th March 1944: 5th AF/RAAF claims
 
Text from Combat report (form A.108) for S/Ldr C.W Lindman
Aircraft A29-456

1st Attack - Front Quarter to full beam range opened fire 300yards, closing to 100 yards - enemy tight turn to left, climbed half rolled and dived to tree level
2nd Attack - Full beam from above opened fire 300yards, closing to 100 yards - This attack made during the pull out from the half roll.

Damage to enemy - Tracer appeared to be hitting fuselage of enemy aircraft around the cockpit during second attack.

Narrative - While catching up the B24 formation frm a previous combat I observed a single airplane dive through the bombers and continue down to about 4000 feet just above the clouds. I kept him in sight and as he turned towards us from dead ahead and below I saw he was an OSCAR. I dived down and at about 320 mph IAS fired from front quarter pulling around to full beam. The OSCAR turned to the left climbing with streamers from wing tips. I was able to turn inside him. He then half rolled down and when pulling out I got a good aft of beam shot from above. He was down near the trees and I had to pull up and around to the right. He evidently made off on the tree tops heading towards WEWAK. I think the aircraft was damaged from the second attack. I then continued to pursue and catch up the bomber formation and continued to give close escort. My Number 2 was following me during the combat but did not get in a shot.

Other info on the form:
Enemy aircraft did not fire.
Camouflage and markings: - Dark brown with red roundels clearly visible, large yellow arrows on tail plane and fuselage aft the roundels.

Text from Combat report (form A.108) for F/Sgt A.E Stuart
Aircraft: A29-447

Narrative: I was flying No.2 to Yellow 3 who made an attack on the OSCAR. I could not bring my guns to bear on the enemy plane which split S'd down and continued towards WEWAK. I followed him down but then turned back and joined my number 1 as I had no hope of catching him.

Narrative report states: Two separate OSCARS made two separate passes at the B-24's. At 1145L 10 miles south of BUT. RED (crossed out) 3 and 4 flying at 9500 saw an Oscar climbing towards the formation from 6 o'clock Yellow 3 and Yellow 4 turned and dived making attacks from the starboard rear and front quarters respectively and observing strikes round cockpit and wing roots and down fuselage towards the tail. OSCAR snapprolled and split S'ed giving Yellow 3 and 4 a head on attack commencing at 350 yards. Oscar dived away with light blue smoke coming from the cowling and was last seen at 1000-1500 feet diving over trees towards BUT. OSCAR was a dirty dark brown colour with prominent red roundels and yellow strips or arrows on the tail and rear of fuselage. The pilot appeared experienced but not eager for combat.
At 1150L about 27 miles South of BORAM an OSCAR coloured as above dived through the formation of B-24's - last element leaving the target from 3 O'clock. It fired a burst at one B-24 from 9500 feet and dved into cloud beating Yellow 1 and 2 who turned in to it from reaching a reasonable firing position. Yellow 3 and 4 saw the OSCAR burst though the formation as they returned from the previous combat. They dived from 4000 feet and Yellow 3 firing a burst from front quarter to full beam. OSCAR broke away up and to port and Yellow 3 turned inside OSCARS tight turn at 320mph indicated. Oscar half rolled down appearing not anxious for combat and Yellow 3 got a full deflection shot from slightly above. The OSCAR carried wing tanks and did not jettison them during the action. All Yellow section jettisoned belly tanks before attempting combat. NOTE: The original OSCAR above mentioned carried a prominent yellow figure 6 on the tail.

Overall only one OSCAR claimed as damaged.


Buz


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