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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Strafeing the Beach
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When patroling the coasts of New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville etc. we were always on the lookout for lights, fires, or anything moving on shore. We gunners were always hoping the officers would go into shore to strafe so we could test our skills and use our guns. The proceedure for 242 was to idle in very quietly close to shore. We had a GM 1/c, Bill Metcalf,(after the war was Mayor of Cave Creek, AZ) who was really good with the 60 mm mortar. He could get 5 shots in the air before the 1st shot hit. I don't know how he kept all his fingers. When his first shot exploded on the beach all the guns would open up and we could really light up the beach. We would fire for a minute or so then open the throttles and get the hell away before the Japs had time for return fire. Sometimes we would get chased away but not often. We never knew what damage we did but we could sure wake up the Japs and get rid of our old ammunition.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: May 14, 2008 - 1:08pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm

C.J.

When you guys crept up close to the Beach, did you ever have the procedure of lighting up the Beach with a Flare backfire, with the Japs throwing lead at you guys instead of the other way around. Those 50 caliber guns must have been an awesome weapon to unleash on the enemy. Would all guns be firing including the 20MM's, and 37MM Cannon's. I mean with that amount of lead being thrown at you, trees, buildings, trucks, and anything else in the way would just be cut to pieces. Thanks for the update............

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 14, 2008 - 2:45pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

hi CJ remember how we used to play "games" with trucks. we would idle along, a truck would be going the beach road with his lights on. when he heard us or imagined he saw us he would turn his headlights off and keep going.we did not know whether he was going straight on down the road,stopping or turning around.we would try and guess where he would be when he turned his lights back on.if we outguessed him we would be near that spot and open up on him.we had radar and it helped some.we did that one night and he was near a battery of guns. they all opened up on US.luckily we got out there fast. this happened a lot around new ireland. one time we got a report from beach watchers and natives that there was a large building housing many japanese off the beach.we were given the spotted area coordinates and had a special patroll that night.we idled in and when we got opposite the area we opened up with all we had. and took off. we later got a report that we caught a large group of the enemy in the bldng and killed a lot of them. with our barrage. earl

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: May 14, 2008 - 3:58pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm

Hi Earl: We have been idling along close into the beach and the Japs fire a star shell right over the boat. Now that will get your attention!! The only thing to do is open up and get the hell out of there.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: May 14, 2008 - 5:31pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm

yep,slam those three throttles up,blow the mufflers and GO GO GO , FAST

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: May 14, 2008 - 5:49pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm