Straffing over Marrakech, Marocco 10 Nov'42

[Jerome Ribeiro]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for information on two US airplanes one DBD Dautless and one F4F-4 Wildcat who performed a straffing over the Marrakech airfield at 8:20 am on 10th November 1942.
These two a/c were reported to destroy or damaged lot of french a/c parked on the tarmac. Apparently, these two a/c took off from the USS Santee to start the mission.

Can anyone confirm how many US a/c performed this Rhubarb like mission and if so, the s/n & pilote/crew of 2 a.m. a/c ?

Thanking you for your help.
Cheers

Jérôme

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Jerome,

In 'WILDCATS OVER CASABLANCA' by John W. Lambert, 1992, Phalanx Publishing on page 33 is the following one line;
"A modest force of three Wildcats and one SBD from 'Santee' managed to destroy four French Bombers and a utility aircraft at Chichaoua airport."
Nothing else. No names, aircraft serials or times. The Wildcats were from VGF 29 and the SBD from VGS-29. A map shows Chichaoua relatively near to Marrakech so I presume this is the same attack.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Jerome

Frank Olynyk in his USN credits for the destruction of enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat world war 2 says the following (air-to-air victories only mind you)
0800 Ens. Bruce Donald Jacques, one Bloch 174 or Potez 63.11, east of Bou Guedra, from VGF-29
1104-9999 Ens Donald Archie Pattie, one Douglas DB-7, Chichaoua airfield, from VGS-29
These two are also listed in Wildcats over Casablanca on page 38

So if five claims were made in total the other three must have been against ground targets.

Cheers
Stig

[Jerome Ribeiro]

Thanking you Stig & Martin to enlighten me about this event.
Cheers

J&rôme

[CJE]

The F4F was piloted by Lt Brink Bass of VGF-29.
The two aircraft strafed on their own initiative Marrakech A/F claiming to have destroyed 13 French aircraft.
In fact, only 3 Potez 63.11s of GR I/52, that had not been transfered to Chichaoua, were hit.
The US staff apologized for this mission which had not been officilally ordered.