* The text in gray italics is from the report by T/Sgt Colin MacEachern that was transmitted to 13th Air Force Headquarters summarizing the Squadron history from activation thru 31 Dec 1944 - The report was dated 11 May 1945 - It has been combined with the monthly history reports (in tan text) so you don't have to jump back and forth to view both reports.

On the 1 October 1944, "B" Flight was transferred from APO 565 (Hollandia, New Guinea²) to APO 159. (Sansapor, New Guinea²) This move was completed by air. On the 4 October 1944 the advance echelon for the flights at APO 920 (Biak Island²) departed by air for their new station at APO 926. (Morotai, P. I.²) This party consisted of 2 Officers and 1 Enlisted men. The balance of personnel at APO 920 (Biak²) joined this group on the 10 October 1944. *On 10 October 1944, "Headquarters", "A" and "D" flights bypassed "B" and "C" flights which remained at Middleburg Island, and moved up to Morotai to cover strikes on Palau and the Philippines as well as Ceram, Celebes, and Borneo. The advance group had already cleared an area and had started putting up tent frames so there was no hitch in the flying schedule. This area was located approximately a half a mile from Pitoe Strip which was to be used by the ships of this organization.

The first combat casualties experienced by this Squadron occured on the 26 October 1944. One plane, type OA-10A, No., 44-33877, departed on a routine courier mission to the Philippines. Enemy action prevented the completion of this mission and caused the plane to exhaust its fuel supply. This plane was forced to crash land in the open sea 30 minutes North by Northwest of Morotai at 1920. (Aircraft was written off on 28 October 1944, per AIRCRAFT INDIVIDUAL RECORD CARD³) The members of the crew who were lost are as follows:

Survivors were Second Lieutenant Richard F. "Mickey" Finn, ASN 0-814276, Co-Pilot, and Second Lieutenant Alvin H. Haas, ASN 0-744129, Navigator. These two men were picked up at 2345 by a PT Boat. During this period the squadron lost 19 Officers and gained 1 enlisted man. This left the squadron strength stand at 57 officers and 226 enlisted men.

A total of 184 missions totaling 1,127:10 hours were flown during this period and the rescues were made as follows:

                   1 October  -  picked up fighter pilot in Wasilile Bay area. Picked up 10 men                                            while covering Balikpapan strike.
                       1 October  -  rescued one fighter pilot near Waigeo Island area.
                       3 October  -  rescued 2 fighter pilots while covering Ambon strikes.
                       7 October  -  rescued 1 P-38 pilot at Salababoe Island. Rescued 1 P-40 pilot
                                          at Zeben Is.
                     12 October  -  rescued 1 P-40 pilot at Misool Island.
                     14 October  -  rescued 3 P-4 pilots near Paloe Bay.
                     17 October  -  evacuated 12 Dutch natives from Waigeo Island.
                     20 October  -  rescued P-47 pilot in Menipa Island area.
                     22 October  -  rescued A-20 pilot at Amboina Bay under fire from single
                                         engine plane. Rescued 5 P-47 pilots from among small un-
                                         named islands in Waigeo Island sector.
                     27 October  -  rescued 10 members of PB4Y crew while covering Mindanao
                                          strike. Rescued 3 Japs on Misool Island. Mistaked for
                                         Australian pilots.
[Back][Next][Top]

1