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St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
Hello
I am looking for information on this day. Claimants; VMF 124 (3 or 4)....who? 339°Sqd (1 or 3) I have only Capt William Griffith =1 (Zero ? or other?) 1st Lt George L.Lyon(KIA) VMF124....by collision with zero? According my sources: 17 zeros+ 1 Pete 9 for VB-101 4 for VMF 124 5 for 339°Sqd (including 2 prob.) Michel |
Re: St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
Buy Pacific Adversaries Volume 3 which has a chapter on the actions on this day. Only one Zero was lost, the A6M that collided with one of the F4Us lost.
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Re: St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
For anyone who encounters this thread, the engagement occurred over the Shortland Islands during a U.S. raid on Kahili airfield on Bougainville. The official U.S. account claims over 50 IJN fighters took part. Official claims were 6 x A6Ms for the loss of 2 x PB4Ys, 2 x F4Us and 4 x P-38s. ¹
¹ Hammel, Eric, Air War Pacific: America’s Air War Against Japan in East Asia and the Pacific 1941-1945. Chronology. Pacifica (CA): Pacifica Press, 1998. ISBN: 0-935553-26-6. Hb. Dj. 848p. Maps. Glossary. Bibliography. Indexes. pp.136-37. Other sources, such as, have different figures: Hata, Ikuhiko and Yasuho Izawa. Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in World War II. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1989. ISBN: 0-87021-315-6. Hb. Dj. 442p. Heavily illus. B/w side view dwgs. Appendices. Indexes. This claims a total of 27 A6Ms took part with 19 U.S. planes downed for the loss of 1 A6M!! There are a number of additional accounts, so which account is correct is up to the reader. L. deZ. |
Re: St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
The PB4Y attack, directed against shipping at Kahili, resulted in the loss of the 6540t ammunition ship Hitachi Maru.
The Air Sols Intelligence Summary shows losses of 2F4U, 2 PB4Y and 4 P-38. VMF124 claimed three A6Ms in return for two losses---one each of these as a result of the mid-air collision. It seems that the Japanese admitted to losing only one A6M. |
Re: St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
In 13th Fighter Command in ww2 by William Wolf (2004):
"The Marines Corsairs claimed 3 Zeros + 1 Pete"....well,I have the names concerning the Zeros,but WHO claims the Pete (Rufe)?? Other problem Capt James Geyer (flight leader of 339°Sqd) claimed 2 Zeros + 1 prob. but I can't find his claims in the list of 339°Sqd victories! Page 339 of Declassified IAW,only one victorie in SWP Theatre that day (Griffith) So? Michel |
Re: St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
All information on this mission available for free at the Pacific Wrecks website.
https://pacificwrecks.com/date/1943/02/14.html |
Re: St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
Yes,J know...that doesn't tell me anything more.
"Quid" of the claims of James Geyer?? victories? or not? The "Pete",who claims it? Michel |
Re: St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
Michel,
From Frank Olynyk's claims lists: 339 FS Capt. James A. Geyer 2 Zeros + 1 Zero probable 1/Lt. William M. Griffin 1 Zero + 1 probable 1/Lt. Brian W. Brown 1 Zero probable VMF-214 Capt. Joseph Francis Quilty, Jr. 1 fighter (VF) 1/Lt. James English 1 fighter (VF) 2/Lt. Gordon Lee Lyon, Jr. 1 fighter (VF) No info on VB-101 claims. Regards, Tom |
Re: St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
According to the Air-to-Air Claims and Credits for Navy and Marine Corps Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II complied by Mr. James C. Sawruk, Naval Aviation Researcher VB101 claimed 2 Rufe and 7 Zeke. All claims shared by the entire flight of 9 PB4Ys.
Regards, Peter |
Re: St Valentine's day massacre 14/02/43
I am amazed by the claims of James Geyer because I can't find them anywhere,only William Griffin's claim is mentioned in the South West Pacific theater (for USAAF).
Michel |
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