VMF-224 Scrap Book
Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands
Aircraft Action Report #07
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 #07
Based at Dyess Field, Roi Island - Operating from Roi Island
14 April 1944
Mission: Bomb runway Baker and/or targets E-1 and E-2, also strafe E-2 and Barracks area, Wotje Island.
Take Off Time: 1420 hrs
Squadron Aircraft: Twenty-one (21) F4U-1's, 8 aircraft with 1ea 1,000 pound GP's, 13 aircraft with 1ea 500 pound GPs.
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: Major MORRISON, Captains IRISH and LESLIE, Lts. LINDQUIST.
Other U.S. or Allied Aircraft: VMSB-331 - 9ea SBD's based at Majuro Island.
VB-144 - 2 each PV-1's based at Roi Island.
Weather Over Target: 3/10th cumulus, 2,00' to 6,000. Visibility 20 miles.
VMF-224 Targets and Results: Twelve (12) F4U-1's, 7 with 1,000 pound GP's, and 4 with 500 pound GP's, attacked coastal defense guns at E-1 having 1 direct hit and 4 bombs within the target area. Six (6) F4U-1's with 1ea 500 pound GP's, attacked AA guns at E-2 having 3 bombs within the target area. Eight (8) F4U-1' strafed the AA gums at E-2 and twelve (12) F4U-1's strafed the Barracks in area D starting a fire.
Major MORRISON's bomb failed to release in dive, and in an attempt to jettison, the bomb and rack were dropped in the lagoon. Captain LESLIE had trouble with his release mechanism and finally dropped his bomb in the area of the radio station, obtaining a near miss. Lt. LINDQUIST's bomb failed to release in the dive and the bomb was finally dropped in the D Barracks area. One additional bomb cannot be accounted for.
Photographs were taken by PV's which will be submitted to MAG-31.
Tactical Data: In accordance with plan, the 2 PV's which had reached the target a few minutes ahead of the Corsairs, radioed the flight that runway Baker was not operational. Accordingly, the flight swung around the South of Wotje Island, then up the East coast and peeled off in dives on CD guns at E-1. Dives were from 9,500'-10,000', releases at 2,000'-3,000' and pull outs at 1,000'-1,500'. Direction of dives was NE to SW, so that line of flight covered E-1 and E-2. Dive angle averaged 45 degrees.
Two divisions then rendezvoused with SBD flight and strafed E-2 ahead of the SBD's, opening fire at 4,000'-5,000' and pulling out at 50'-500'. Dive angels averaged 45 degrees and attack was from SW to NE. The remaining 3 divisions of Corsairs had rendezvoused off the North end of the island, then came in from N to S strafing ahead of the 2 PV's (carrying 6x100 pound frag each) and setting a barracks building on fire. Some small arms fire from D area and near NE corner of E area. Fire extremely weak and ineffective.
Range, Fuel and Ammunition Data: Average Hours in Air = 2 1/2 / Average Fuel Load = 297 / Average Fuel Consumed = 200 / 0.50 Cal Ammunition Fired = 18,100.
Report Prepared By: None Listed
Approved By: None Listed
