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Old 25th July 2020, 10:38
Leendert Leendert is offline
Alter Hase
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Belgium
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USN F6F Hellcat units in Aleutians? - April 1945

On 13 April 1945 USN F6F Hellcats reportedly shot down 9 Japanese fire balloons over the Aleutians. See e.g. https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/...=3&isAllowed=y on p. 29.
This item is copied (?) on most websites dealing with the Japanese balloons.

However, what F6F Hellcat squadron was based at the Aleutian Islands in April 1945? At first glance I found no such unit at that location on link https://www.history.navy.mil/researc...-apr-1945.html other from a few patrol squadrons.

On the other hand, P-38s of the 54th FS/343rd FG claimed 5 Japanese balloons on the very same 13 April 1945. See https://www.nps.gov/aleu/learn/histo...ll-pgs-508.pdf in text on p. 6.

Any info if and what F6F squadron was involved welcome, thanks.

Regards,
Leendert
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