VMF-224 Scrap Book
Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands
Aircraft Action Report #72
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 #72
Based at Dyess Field, Roi Island - Operating from Roi Island
24 July 1944
Mission: Dive bomb middle gun emplacement of Cost Defense gun battery at E-1,
Wotje Island, Wotje Atoll.
Take Off Time: 0730 hrs
Squadron Aircraft: 19 F4U-1's with 1ea GP bomb set with 0.1 second nose fuse.
VMF-224 Pilots Participating: Major IRWIN, Captains LESLIE and IRISH and Lts. SANFORD, K.B. NELSON, BERRY, ATTEBERY, MARSHALL, NALLE, AYRES, PHILIPPI, DAUGHERTY, DAVIES, JOHNSON, PRESCOTT, DEMPSEY, LINDQUIST, GRAHAM and PRYOR.
Other U.S. or Allied Aircraft: VMF-111 - 12ea F4U-1's based at Makin Island.
VMF-113 - 10ea F4U-1's based at Eniwetok operating from Roi Island.
VMF 155 - 12ea F4U-1's based at Majuro Island.
VMF-441 - 5ea F4U-1's based at Dyess Field, Roi Island.
VSMB-231 - 12ea SBD's based at Majuro Island.
VSMB-245 - 17ea SBD's based at Makin Island
VMSB-331 - 11ea SBD's based at Majuro Island
Weather Over Target: 1/10 Cumulus, 2,000' to 5,000', 36degree sun angle, unlimited visibility.
VMF-224 Targets and Results: Six (6) of the explosions were within the target area. Of those at least two (2) were close enough to have caused possible damage. Near misses are credited to Lts. ATTEBERY, NALLE, LINDQIST and SANFORD.
Tactical Data: Nineteen (19) aircraft took off from Roi Island but Lt. PRYOR had to turn back because of an oil leak shortly after leaving base.
The flight rendezvoused over Roi Island with flights from VMF-331, VMF-441 and VMF113, and at 10,000' proceeded to second rendezvous point which was at 9,000' over the west end of Wotje Atoll. Here VMF-224 was joined by the flight from VMF-111 and the two squadrons attacked the middle CD gun at E-1, Wotje Island. The flights from VMF-441, VMF-311 and VMF-113 joined up with other flights involved in the strike and made simultaneous attacks on their assigned Wotje Island targets.
VMF-224 and VMF-111, led by Major IRWIN, passed east around the south end of Wotje Island, then north up the east coast. The approach to the target was in column of divisions, so spaced that no division would be crowded by another. As the lead division passed over the CD gun battery at E-1, Wotje Island, the division leader peeled off and made approximately a 100 degree turn to the left, going into his dive from 8,000' - the other planes of the division following in a modified rose petal pattern. Interval was close, and direction of attack was generally NE to SW. Releases were at an average of 2,000', although the altitude ranged from 1,500' to 2,500'. Average dive angle was 60 degrees.
Getaway was to the southwest and the squadron rendezvoused at 5,000' of the NW tip of Erikub Atoll for return to base. Squadrons returned to bases individually.
Range, Fuel and Ammunition Data: Average Hours in Air = 3 / Average Fuel Load = 344 / Average Fuel Consumed = 233 / 0.50 Cal Ammunition Fired = None.
Report Prepared By: P. H. NELSON, Captain ACIO
Approved By: D.D. IRWIN, Major - Commanding
