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MN Gal
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Aug 23, 2013 - 9:11am
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When I read that my father in-laws boat was accompanied by a "fighter" what plane would that have been?
The time frame I am inquiring on is, Sept 16,1944 Invasion of Morotai. through his time there in Nov. 1944.
Quoting what I read. "Some of their patrols were with "fighters", which protected the PTs from shore batteries and L-5's and L-4's which helped spot targets."
I was able to find some nice photos of the L-5s & 4s.
But I would like to know what type of fighter planes would have been giving the patrolling PTs protection?
Thank you for any information.
Julie
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earl
MASTER
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Posted on: Aug 23, 2013 - 9:39am
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hi/ i know that pby,s(black cvats) accompanued the boats at times. also p 38,s were pretty predominant fighter plans.i tjhnk f 4,s were also around
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Will Day
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Posted on: Aug 23, 2013 - 1:38pm
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There were also USMC Corsairs and Aussie P-40s and Beaufighters at times......
Will |
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Frank Andruss
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Posted on: Aug 23, 2013 - 9:18pm
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Have sent you photos of the planes in the Pacific area, and ones that were most likely seen by PT CREWS.
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MN Gal
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Posted on: Aug 24, 2013 - 5:51am
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Thank you Earl, Will and Frank for all the help.
I almost have him out of the war zone.
Much appreciation for all the help guy's.!!!
Julie
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Tracy White
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Posted on: Aug 24, 2013 - 7:59am
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It really could have run the gamnut as air cover was provided by both navy and Army Air Force. The Navy attached the six escort carriers of Task Force 77 to the landing - they operated FM-2 Wildcat or F6F Hellcats as fighters depending on ship (the smaller escort carriers operated the smaller, older fighters).
Air War Pacific Chronology by Eric Hammel is my main source for daily actions - it doesn't list anything about PTs specifically. There are also no tables of aircraft that says who was operating what, where, or when.
The US Army's 5th Air Force provided some support as well, but there were about seven separate fighter squadrons (this is a 1945 list, but the size should have been about the same or slightly smaller and it should give you an idea of what we're dealing with).
No fighters listed in Air War Pacific Chronology during the invasion.
A FM-2 Wildcat of VC-66 on Fanshaw Bay shot down a zero the second day of the operation, but the circumstances aren't listed. Some P-38s are listed, but always as either strafing ground targets or flying for B-25s. Four of the CVEs are relieved of their support roll on Sept 27, but two stay.
I think the P-38s might be a good bet as they show up a few times strafing ground targets as well as Japanese shipping and small boats. Nothing conclusive though.
Tracy White
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CJ Willis
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Posted on: Aug 24, 2013 - 12:16pm
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Julie: Our 13 months in the Solomons from Tulagi to Green Island we saw more Corsairs than any other fighter. We saw a few P-38's.
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Will Day
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Posted on: Aug 24, 2013 - 9:09pm
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Thanks, C.J. Nothing beats an eyewitness account.
Will |
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Pat Rogers
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Posted on: Aug 25, 2013 - 1:21am
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To go along with what C.J. had to say, I was on PT154, RON 9 and got to see quite a few Corsairs and P-38's during the New Georgia campaign. I think the Marines had the Corsair and the Army Air Force had the P-38. Shortly after the campaign started we had a major air strike by the Japs on what I call Munda. I believe it was July 4th as the Japs liked to pick on our major holidays for their offensive moves. The Corsairs were very much in evidence during the attack. PT154 was then sent to the east side of Santa Isabelle island to protect against any Jap attack from that direction. We were called upon to do Air-Sea rescue in the Kula Gulf. The sight of Kolombangara Island was very impressive. We were sent to pick up a Marine pilot in the gulf one time who had been shot down♠. He later returned to thank us for his rescue. I understand the officers were given a bottle or two of whiskey. The crew got a handshake. The Marine had a turn at steering the boat and he was just as wild as he probably was in his plane. When we went back to join the rest of RON 9, it was to get ready for the attack in the Bougainville area.
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Frank Andruss
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Posted on: Aug 25, 2013 - 4:02am
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C.J. and Pat, it is so nice to read your first hand accounts. Thank you so much for all of your input.....................
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