MISSION REPORT - RESCUES - 01

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03 OCTOBER 1944
First Lieutenant Kenneth N. Hunter, pilot of the rescue ship "Daylight One Three", departed Middleburg Island at 0600 to cover a strike on Balikpapan, Borneo. While enroute he received a call to proceed to a point Southeast of Ambon Bay and search for a pilot reported down in a life raft. At 0940, he was joined by a flight of P-38's who led him to the Snafu. Lieutenant Rauschkolb landed his ship in a rough sea and took the survivor of the 67th Fighter Squadron aboard. The pilot, who was in excellent condition, stated that he was forced to ditch his ship just off Ambon after it was severely damaged by "ack ack". The rescue plane took off at 1015 and proceeded to complete its mission before returning to its base at 1645.

OFFICIAL Report transmitted to Headquarters: (below)

DAYLIGHT #13:  Departed 0600 to provide cover for Uncles and Rogers on Ambon and Namlea strike and rear protection for Balikpapan strike. RZ Laoet Is. Escort: Rainbow 7 at 0930 I. Orbited at mouth of Ambon Bay from 1000 to 1040 I. Proceeded to 5-10 miles E Manlea  and orbit until 1200. Dispersed escort at Beana Is. Orbit S Waigeo Is. 1500 to 1730. 0818 received call from Caution White at pos of Snafu. Rainbow 7 let Daylight to Snafu. 0950 sighted raft and sea marker. Landed and picked up pilot who was in good condition. Pilot's name: Robert W. Salling, 1st Lt, AC, 67th Fighter Sq. 1000 took off from water. Light swells running. Damage to hull landing consisted of 22 broken rivets. After takeoff proceeded to orbit point and orbited until 1040. 1040 left orbit point with Rainbow 7 and proceeded to pos 5-10 miles E of Manlea, orbited there until 1200. Contacted leader of Uncles on Namlea strike. Received reply that no help was needed. 1205 dispersed Rainbow 7 escort and proceeded to pos South of Waigeo Is. 1400 orbited South of Waigeo Is. until 1645. No calls read. Returned to base and landed at 1720. 

 RESCUED P-38 PILOT:  67th Fighter Squadron - Lieutenant Robert W. Salling


AIRCRAFT TYPE: OA-10A*
USAAF SERNO: 44- 33877
(CV-327)**
CALLSIGN:
  "Daylight 13" 
CREW:
(Pilot) 1st Lt. Kenneth N. Hunter, (Co-pilot) 1st Lt. Frank Rauschkolb


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The narrative of these rescues was compiled and published in April 1946 from logbooks of pilots, notes, letters, and other
information by secretary Marina G. de Guzman in Pampanga, Philippines.

  * Aircraft produced at Canadian Vickers Ldt, Cartierville, Quebec, Canada
** Canadian Vickers contract number that was unique to each aircraft produced by at the Cartierville, Quebec plan
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