VMF-224 Scrap Book
Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands
Aircraft Action Report #50
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 #50
Based at Dyess Field, Roi Island - Operating from Roi Island
02 June 1944
Mission: Low-level bombing attack against concrete blockhouse magazines at B-4 and B-9, Wotje Island, Wotje Atoll. Strafe "B" magazine area and Wotje Island generally; also buildings on Agumichi Island and Pignekarage Island, Wotje Atoll.
Take Off Time: 1233 hrs
Squadron Aircraft: Sixteen (16) F4U-1's, eight (8) with 1ea 500 pound GP's with 5 sec delay - tail. One (1) bomb failed to drop and was brought back to base.
VMF-224 Pilots Participating: Major IRWIN, Major HOPPER, Captain IRISH and Lts. NEDBALEK, NELSON, BERRY, SPINNER, BOSHART, GIVENS, KNAPP, WORD, NEWKIRK, LINQUIST, GRAHAM and PRYOR.
Other U.S. or Allied Aircraft: None Listed
Weather Over Target: 3/10 scattered cumulus, 2,000' to 4,000'. High cirrus at 15,000'. Sun overhead, visibility unlimited.
VMF-224 Targets and Results: B-4 was hit from the west side, the bomb apparently penetrating the thick wall and exploding, knocking down a portion of the west wall but leaving most of the building standing. It is a pity it wasn't a 1,000 pounder - the target would probably have been destroyed. Lt. NELSON attacked B-9 from the west. His bomb exploding near the west wall of the target. In addition, three (3) bombs which skipped over B-9 exploded in the air directly over the gun emplacement at B-11. Lt. PRYOR strafed and silenced machine guns firing from a new emplacement just northeast of B-4.
Tactical Data: The flight passed east between Wotje and Erikub Atolls, then proceeded north off the east coast of Wotje Island. During this approach the eight strafing Corsairs joined up on the bomb carrying Corsairs - one strafer to each bomber.
Major IRWIN led his division around the north end of Wotje Island, then west into a 180 degree diving turn and attacked the magazine at B-4 in a west to east direction. His dive was started from 8,000', with a strafer on his wing, and after picking up speed he eased up to about a 20 degree dive angle as he made his final approach to the target, releasing at about 150'. The 500 pound GP bomb hit the west wall of the target direct, penetrated and exploded within the blockhouse. The west wall of the blockhouse was badly damaged, and the contents of the building presumably destroyed. There was a good size explosion, but not sufficiently violent to indicate that the magazine contained any appreciable amount of explosives as was the case with B-6 and B-7.
The remaining six (6) bombers concentrated on the magazine at B-9 (Lt. BERRY did not drop), and one (1) of these six (6) proved to be a dud. Attacks on B-9 were similar to Major IRWIN's run on B-4, except that releases were at between 50' and 75'. Lt. K.B. NELSON's bomb exploded near the base of the west wall of B-9. The other three (3) bombs bounced over B-9 and exploded in air over the gun emplacement at B-11.
After the bombing runs, a four (4) plane division of Corsairs strafed the "B" area ahead of a glide bombing PV-1. Section strafing runs were made on the northern half of Wotje Island, and on Agumichi and Pignekarage Islands in the Wotje Atoll. Moderate, light and inaccurate fire from a new circular emplacement northeast of B-4.
Range, Fuel and Ammunition Data: Average Hours in Air = 2 1/2 / Average Fuel Load = 287 / Average Fuel Consumed = 185 / 0.50 Cal Ammunition Fired = 14,250 rounds.
Report Prepared By: Patrick H. Nelson - Captain, ACIO
Approved By: D.D. IRWIN - Major, Commanding
