1844 Sqn claims, April 12th 1945, c.1830 hrs

[wwrsimon]

Hello

The IWM has an interview with F.A.A. pilot S/L William Fenwick-Smith on their website, which includes an account of the following action:

On April 12th 1945, two Hellcats from 1844 Sqn, Fleet Air Arm, attacked a formation of Ki-43s Oscars at 10,000 feet, 50 miles east of Formosa between 18.30 and 18.45 hours*. Fenwick-Smith thought them to be Kamikaze aircraft, due to the apparent lack of flying skill of their pilots.

One of the pilots was Fenwick-Smith, who claimed two Oscars destroyed in Hellcat JX811 144/W, but who was the other pilot, who apparently also shot down two?

The Hellcats were originally in a formation of four aircraft, but the formation leader had to turn back due to radio problems, and another flown by S/L J. D. S. Smithwick was hit by friendly fire - he was killed when his Hellcat JW862 exploded as he tried to ditch the aircaft.

Can anyone help?

Regards

Simon

*Additional information and Hellcat identity from FAA Aircraft 1939-1945, Sturtivant, and Those Other Eagles, Shores.

[twocee]

According to Ray's book it was S/L W.M.C. Foster in JX814. He claimed one Ki-43 and one Ki-61.

[wwrsimon]

Thanks for the reply

Yes, I saw that, but he gives the time for that action as 06.35 - the morning of the same day.

The other possibility is JX886 - Sturtivant has "Ki-43 shot down in sea 60m east of N Formosa 18.00, 12.4.45 (Lt DW Langdon)".

However, he notes that JX886 was with 1839 Sqn as 126/W. Looking again at Smithwick, his aircraft is listed as being a 1839 Sqn Hellcat, but he is listed as being a 1844 Sqn pilot. Seems the four Hellcats could have been made up of both 1839 and 1844 Sqn aircraft and pilots?

Regards

Simon

[twocee]

In John Winton's "The Forgotten Fleet" he has four Ki-44 and a Ki-61 shot down by that evening by the "fleet CAP", and names the pilots as Foster, Langdon and Fenwick-Smith. Presumably the Indomitable Hellcat squadrons shared their aircraft

[wwrsimon]

Many thanks indeed for that info, much appreciated.

Regards

Simon

[keith A]

I have Bill Foster making his claims in the morning too. I wonder if 6.30 actually means 1830? As far as I am aware Sammy Langdon was a pilot with 1839 Squadron but as you say he may just have been flying a Hellcat of 1839 Squadron. I know there were at least 12 and perhaps more on this date with Atkinson of 1844 adding a sixth Hellcat victory, Fireflies added four more and both Seafires and Corsairs made a claim.

regards

Keith