VMF-224 Scrap Book
Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands
Aircraft Action Report #80
Note: Aircraft Action Reports typically are 5 pages or more in length.  The below information was extracted from official Aircraft Action Reports.  Not all copies of reports viewed were complete in content.

VMF-224 Aircraft Action Report #80   
Based at Dyess Field, Roi Island - Operating from Majuro Island
13 August 1944

Mission:  Dive-bomb Coast Defense gun battery at B-6, Mille Island   
 
Take Off Time:   0810 hrs                
 
Squadron Aircraft:  Nineteen (19) F4U-1's equipped with 1ea Mark 12 Mod 2 500 pound GPs with
AN-N-103 0.1 Sec. nose fuses.
  
VMF-224 Pilots Participating:  Majors IRWIN, MORRISON, Captains IRISH, K.B. NELSON, R.J. IRWIN and Lts. NEDBALEK, DEMPSEY, MARSHALL, VAN AMBERG, SATTERWHITE, CURTIS, VEACH, WASHBURN, NALLE, ATTEBERY, RILEY, JENSEN, PHILIPPI and BERRY.         
 
Other U.S. or Allied Aircraft:  VMF-111 - 12ea F4U-1's based at Makin Island.
                                                  VMF-311 - 18ea F4U-1's based at Roi Island.
                                                  VMO-155 - 12ea F4U-1's based at Majuro Island.
                                                  VMO-155 -   2ea F6F-3P's based at Majuro Island.
                                                  VMSB-231 - 21ea SBD-5's based at Majuro Island.
                    VMSB-245 - 13ea SBD-5's based at Makin Island. 
 
Weather Over Target:  CAVU, target clear, 50 mile visibility. 
 
VMF-224 Targets and Results:  Of the 19 bombs dropped 17 hit in the target area.  Of these at least 2 hit and destroyed the north position - one of these, and the more direct, was dropped by Captain IRISH.  Captain K.B. NELSON hit and probably destroyed the southern gun.  Near misses, close enough to have done possible damage, are credited to Captain R.J. IRWIN and Lts. PHILIPPI, ATTEBERY, JENSEN and WASHBURN.  Gun positions were 25' across.  Photos taken by F6F-3P's of VMO-155 and turned over to NAB, Majuro confirm these claims. 
  
Tactical Data: The flight of nineteen (19) fighter-bombers approached from the north at 10,000', in column of divisions.  Dives were initiated by 180 degree turns to the left as planes peeled off and attacked in line astern.  Direction of attack was from south to north.  Releases were made at an average of around 4,000' and dive angles were about 60 percent.  Grouping of bombs was excellent, and the north and south gun positions were destroyed.  

Range, Fuel and Ammunition Data:  Average Hours in Air = 1 1/3  / Average Fuel Load = 351  / Average Fuel Consumed = Not Reported  /  0.50 Cal Ammunition Fired = None .        
  
Report Prepared By: P.H. NELSON, Captain, ACIO 
 
Approved By:  D.D. IRWIN, Major, Commanding