P-38 Massacre-Rabaul -Jan 17.1944

[kaki3152]

Just received my last copy of "After The Battle",Issue #133-The Air War for Rabaul". I've always been interested in the air battle for Rabaul, ever since first reading about in the Navy Historical compedium by Samuel E. Morrison.
On January 17,1944 eight (8) P-38s were lost in aerial combat were lost over Rabaul, 4 from the 18th FG and 4 from the 347th FG. This was half of the available P-38 force. Does anyone know more about the incident?

The US/RAAF force lost 17 a/c and the Japanese JNAF lost 12 A6Ms.
(Japanese Naval Aces)

[gian paolo]

Hallo kaki 3152

W.WOLF "THE 13th FIGHTER COMMAND IN WWII" give a rather detailed narrative of the combat in question.

While escorting SBD and TBF , the P-38 of the 44 and 339 FS were bounced by a large number of A6M . Eight were shot down - 7 pilots killed
+1 injured ( rescued ) for 6-5-1 claims . Also 1 SBD + 1 TBF lost.

USMC F4U and USN F6F came to the rescue and claimed 12 A6M for 1 F4U and 1 F6F lost .

I have no data on actual IJNAF losses. Hata and Izawa report no pilot killed under this date.

Hope this helps

gianpaolo

[JACK COOK]

1Lt Earl Heckler headed for Rabaul on Jan 17, 1944 RIP

[RossGmann]

Hi, Is the following any help/interest http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html
Lockheed P-38H-5-LO Lightning
42-66897 (347th FG) lost Jan 17, 1944. MACR 1772

Lockheed P-38J-5-LO Lightning
42-67171 (347th FG) lost Jan 17, 1944. MACR 1779
42-67179 (347th FG) lost Jan 17, 1944. MACR 1775
I didn’t check the MACR

Kind regards
Ross

[Leendert]

Kaki,

18th FG losses included 42-67611 (Lt Theodore Schoettel), 42-67617 (Lt Earl Heckler) , 42-67785 (Lt George W. Snell) plus one of which serial number is not listed (MACR 1777). Pilot of last P-38 most likely to have been Lt John M. Munson.

Sources: aviationarchaeology.com, footnote.com and abmc.gov

Regards,

Leendert