VP-52 on the Bismarck Hunt
 

Hi,

Need code tie-ups for following Consolidated PBY-5 (Catalina) flying boats, engaged in hunt for German battleship Bismarck, then steaming SE of Greenland. Unit VP-52 took off from Argentia, Newfoundland, in afternoon 24.05.1941, and returned after about 20 - 22 hrs flight each.

PBY-5 2302 - Transferred VP-43, VP-81 ..... 11.06.41
PBY-5 2303 - Transferred VP-61 ............ 11.06.41
PBY-5 2304 - Transferred VP-61 ............ 16.06.41
PBY-5 2305 - Transferred VP-61 ............ 16.06.41
PBY-5 2306 - Transferred VP-61 ............ 16.06.41
PBY-5 2307 - Transferred VP-42 ............ 16.06.41

Best regards
Ed

Re: VP-52 on the Bismarck Hunt
 

Ed,

I don't know if you have all the codes of the PBY's involved, but this article seems to give them, except alas the tie ups....:

http://www.history.navy.mil/download/ww2-5.pdf

Perhaps the names of the mentioned pilots of he 24 May 1941 mission (Byrne in -5 and Rumsey in -9) may help. 52-P-11 was flown by Bill Hardaker.
It appears that -7 was BuNo 2293, -8 BuNo 2292 and -11 BuNo 2291, so can be eliminated.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: VP-52 on the Bismarck Hunt
 

Leendert: Not asking for these..
These codes you give are NOT proven, and some appear wrong.
Scarborough article is dodgy, say no more. It has errors.

Ed

Re: VP-52 on the Bismarck Hunt
 

Errors in article include:
Recce flight was never for West Coast of Greenland, only for East Coast of Greenland. He says four (4) PBY-5 came from VP-14, but record cards indicate 5 were assigned first to VP-14 - one via NAS San Diego - Other 6 came direct (new).
He says "Plane 7" (used on Greenland flights) was his plane, but his combat Carreer details (found in internet) indicate he did not participate in these (?) His logbook might solve this, but he has passed away. Anyone know of where they are, or copies, can anybody help?

Two serials have been given for 52-P-7, but six serials/code tie-ups are known (some thought correct) but few of them are actually confirmed. 2291 was 14-P-11 and appears confirmed by photo.

Re: VP-52 on the Bismarck Hunt
 

Hello Leendert,
Don't know why but I cannot get the link to work ?
Alex

Re: VP-52 on the Bismarck Hunt
 

Alex,

Link works in my part of Europe... If you type the link in search, you may very well end up with a pdf.document with the name "The Neutrality Patrol: To Keep us out of World War II, part 2 of 2" by Capt. William E. Scarborough, USN Ret.)

But as Ed wrote, it has some errors, so keep these in mind.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: VP-52 on the Bismarck Hunt
 

Happy New Year Leendert,

Is this it ?
http://vpnavy.net/adobe/neutrality_p..._25may2003.pdf

Alex