VMF-224 Scrap Book
Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands
Aircraft Action Report #06
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 #06
Based at Dyess Field, Roi Island - Operating from Roi Island
11 April 1944
Mission: Bomb runway Baker and bomb and strafe targets E-1 and E-2, Wotje Island.
Take Off Time: 1121 hrs
Squadron Aircraft: Twenty (20) F4U-1's, 12 aircraft with 1ea 1,000 pound GP, and seven (7) aircraft with 1ea 500 pound GP.
VMF-224 Pilots Participating: Complete listing not shown on this report. The following individuals have been identified from the narrative sections of this report, or from other sources, they are: Captain IRISH, and Lt. BURNAM.
Other U.S. or Allied Aircraft: VMSB-331 - 9ea SBD's based at Majuro Island.
VB-144 - 1ea PV-1 based at Roi Island.
Weather Over Target: 9/10th over E-1 and E-2, from 2,000' to 8,000'. 5/10th over runway Baker, 2,000' to 8,000', with clear opening directly over target. Sun approximately overhead, unlimited visibility below 2,000'.
VMF-224 Targets and Results: Bomb hits on runway Baker and targets E-1 and E-2. One fire was started by bomb just northeast of E-1, apparently a gasoline fire. The two hits on the edge of E-1 were close enough to have caused possibly damaged the coastal defense gun, and the near miss on E-2 was close enough to have possibly done damage to the AA guns. Six (6) 1,000 pound bombs were strung along runway Baker, probably rendering it non-operational.
A string of four (4) bombs dropped by the SBD's was observed to hit off shore just east of E-1. Target areas E-1 and E-2 were heavily strafed. Lt. BURNAM, piloting the 20th Corsair, was forced to turn back to base before reaching target because of engine surge. Bomb jettisoned in ocean.
Intense small arms fire from C-4 area and D-4 area, and moderate small arms fire from E-3 area. Some of the fire from D-4 and C-4 areas was probably 20mm.
Tactical Data: The flight approached the southern end of Wotje Island from the West, the first 3 divisions totaling 12 planes, dive bombing runway Baker from SW to NE, starting the 45 degree angle dives at 12,000', releasing the 1,000 pound bombs at altitudes varying between 1,000' and 3,000', the aircraft pulling out at altitudes varying between 800' and 2,000'. Dives were made thrugh an opening in the 5/10 overcast.
Meanwhile, the remaining 2 divisions swung North around the ocean side of the island, crossed the lagoon and peeled off at 10,000' in a 45 degree angle dive, from West to East, releasing at 2,000' and pulling out at around 1,000'. Four of these aircraft bombed target E-1, and 3 bombed target E-2. Flight rendezvoused at 5,000' over Erikub, at 2330 for return to base.
A wing of one F4U was pierced in two places by shrapnel, not observed until return to base when fragments were found and removed. No large AA fire observed, hence, may have been from one of our 1,000 pounders. A second plane was hit on windshield, under part of wing near root, and on tail surface, probably by shrapnel or ejected cartridges from another plane. Windshield glass shattered but did not break or permit penetration.
Range, Fuel and Ammunition Data: Average Hours in Air = 2.9 / Average Fuel Load = 287 / Average Fuel Consumed = 202 / 0.50 Cal Ammunition Fired = 17,400 .
Report Prepared By: Patrick H. Nelson, Captain - ACIO
Approved By: No signature shown
