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US Naval Aviation Europe and the Med

Discussion in 'Air War in Western Europe 1939 - 1945' started by JCFalkenbergIII, Mar 18, 2008.

  1. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    US Navy VCS-7 pilots that flew gun spotting missions on D-Day instead of flying the OS2U Vought Kingfisher seaplane they preferred flying the Spitfire.

    "Perhaps because of the high demand on P-51s for strategic bomber escort duties, it was decided that 17 VCS and Battleship Observation (VO) pilots aboard the cruisers Quincy (CA 71) Tuscaloosa (CA 37) and Augusta (CA 31) and the battleships Nevada (BB 36) Arkansas (BB 33) and Texas (BB 35) would be checked out in RAF Spitfire Mk Vbs."

    "Spitfires/Seafires were chosen rather than Mustangs to give VCS-7 commonality of aircraft with the RAF/FAA spotter squadrons with which they were operating. The aircraft complements of all three forces was pooled for operations.

    The three RAF Mustang spotter squadrons, Nos. 2, 268 and 414, flew Allison-engined Mustang Is and IAs, equivalent to P-51As, which were not used by the USAAF in Northern Europe. In any case, the Mustangs were withdrawn on D-Day to go back to their primary role as tactical reconnaissance aircraft."
     
  2. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    Spitfires of the US Navy
    By Steven D. Hill
    During the Second World War, the skies over France and Germany were the responsibility of Britain's Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces. US Naval aviation had only limited opportunities to engage Hitler's armed forces. Although no fast carrier task force was present to support the landings at Normandy on 6 June 1944, Naval Aviators did, in fact, participate in this greatest amphibious invasion in history.
    [​IMG]

    The best known of the US Navy Spitfires is probably this one, carrying the designation 4Q. Mechanics of VCS-7 posing with the aircraft are (from left to right): James J. O'Connor; C.N. Pfanenstiel; Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate V.G. Disa; Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class R.P. Theirauld; and Edmund Pachgio.
    During its short-time combat tour VCS-7 used a miscellany of second-hand Spitfires Mk. V. All of their aircraft carried ordinary RAF markings and paint schemes. The swastika victory mark below the cockpit originates from previous use of the aircraft; it was evidently left out during the more recent repaint of the airframe. [US Navy]
    VCS-7, Seagulls to Spitfires

    Naval Aviation’s mission on 6 June was to provide air spotting support for the cruisers and battleships bombarding targets along the Normandy beachhead.
    For this purpose, each vessel normally carried several aviators and two or three floatplanes, either SOC Seagulls or OS2U Kingfishers. Both aircraft performed the spotting mission quite well. Operations in the Mediterranean during 1943 had shown, however, that against strong enemy aerial opposition the SOCs and OS2Us were far too vulnerable. They lacked the speed and manoeuvrability to escape attacks made by Focke-Wulf Fw 190s and Messerschmitt Bf 109s. In the Mediterranean, efforts were being made to train VCS pilots in the handling of fighters such as the P-40 Warhawk and P-51 Mustang. Flying fighters, the air spotting pilots stood a much better chance of eluding enemy air attacks.
    Perhaps because of the high demand on P-51s for strategic bomber escort duties, it was decided that 17 VCS and Battleship Observation (VO) pilots aboard the cruisers Quincy (CA 71) Tuscaloosa (CA 37) and Augusta (CA 31) and the battleships Nevada (BB 36) Arkansas (BB 33) and Texas (BB 35) would be checked out in RAF Spitfire Mk Vbs.
    [​IMG]

    At the time of VCS-7 operations, Naval Curtiss SOC Seagulls and Vought OS2U Kingfishers (in the background) were stored ashore. [US Navy]
    The 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Ninth Air Force, under the command of Colonel George W. Peck, was assigned the task of checking out the VCS-7 aviators in Spitfires. Training was conducted at the 67th’s base in Middle Wallop, Hampshire. The training syllabus consisted of defensive fighter tactics, aerobatics, navigation, formation flying and spotting procedures.
    On 8 May, Lieutenant Robert W. Calland, senior aviator aboard Nevada, assumed command of the squadron. He was relieved by Lieutenant Commander William Denton, Jr., senior aviator aboard Quincy, on the 28th. That same day, the squadron became fully operational and moved to Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Lee-on-Solent.
    Ten squadrons, five RAF, four Royal Navy FAA (Fleet Air Arm) and VCS-7, were brought together at Lee-on-Solent to provide air spotting for the fire support ships of the Western and Eastern Naval Task Forces. The Western Naval Task Force, Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk commanding, would land the US. First Army on beaches Utah and Omaha. The Eastern Naval Task Force would land the British Second Army on beaches Gold, Juno and Sword. Two of the RAF squadrons, Nos. 26 and 63, flew Spitfires. The other three, Nos. 2, 268 and 414, flew Mustang Mk. Is and Mk. lAs. The four FAA squadrons, Nos. 808, 897, 885 and 886, were assigned Seafire Mk. Ills.
    On D-day, all aircraft were pooled. This meant that VCS-7 flew whatever type was available, either Seafire or Spitfire. Although Mustangs were present, they were not flown by any VCS-7 aviators-the reason being that they had not been checked out in the type.
    At noon on D-Day, the RAF Mustangs were withdrawn for tactical reconnaissance duties. This left some 95 aircraft available for air spotting support at RNAS Lee-on-Solent.
    [​IMG]
    VCS-7 pilots are briefed before flying a gunfire spotting mission over the Normandy beachheads, June-July 1944. Those present are (from left to right): Wing Commander Robert J. Hardiman, RAF, Commanding Allied Spotter Pilots; Ensign Robert J. Adams, USNR; Major Noel East, British Army Intelligence; Lieutenant Harris Hammersmith, Jr., USNR; and Captain John Ruscoe, Royal Artillery, Gunnery Liaison Officer. [US Navy]
    [​IMG]
    Another photo taken in Lee-on-Solent showing VCS-7 pilots and English personnel in readiness. Shown on the photo are Ensign Robert J. Adams, USNR, (drinking a cup of tea); Lieutenant Alexander A. Smith, USNR, studying maps, second from the right. [US Navy]
    Typical spotting missions utilized two aircraft. The lead plane functioned as the spotter. The wingman, or “weaver,” provided escort and protected the flight against enemy aerial attack. The clocking, or ship control, method was utilized on the majority of spotting sorties. Standard altitude for spotting missions was 6,000 feet, but poor weather forced the spotter to operate between 1,500 and 2,000 feet. Occasionally, missions were flown at even lower altitudes. Drop tanks were used to increase range. A typical spotting sortie lasted close to two hours. This provided 45 minutes on station and 1 hour in transit.
    The Luftwaffe was rarely encountered, although six of the station’s aircraft were shot down by German fighters. Four VCS-7 pilots were attacked by Bf 109s and Fw 190s, putting the fine defensive capabilities of the Spitfire to the test. All four aviators successfully avoided being shot down.
    Flak, however, was common and accounted for the squadron’s only loss, Lieutenant Richard M. Barclay, senior aviator aboard Tuscaloosa. Lt. Barclay’s wingman, Lieutenant (jg) Charles S. Zinn, also from Tuscaloosa, managed to return home despite severe damage to his right wing and aileron.
    The exact number of aircraft lost by VCS-7 during the Normandy campaign cannot be verified as of this writing. VCS-7’s action report mentions only the loss of Lt. Barclay’s aircraft. Author David Brown in his book, The Seafire, the Spitfire that went to sea, claims that VCS-7 lost 7 aircraft to enemy action and 1 operationally in 209 sorties flown. Unfortunately, Mr. Brown fails to cite the source of his information. According to VCS7’s action report, the squadron flew a total of 191 sorties between 6 and 25 June. The busiest days were the 6th, 7th and 8th. During those three days, a total of 94 sorties were flown.
    [​IMG]
    4Z was a late-production Spitfire Mk. VC featuring individual exhaust manifolds of the same type which were adopted for Spitfire Mk. IX. An interesting and non-standard feature is the single reinforcing "fence" above the wheel well.
    The pilots are Lieutenant Robert F. Doyle, USNR, shaking hands with his wingman, Ensign John F. Mudge, USNR, after their return from a gunfire-spotting and strafing mission over the Normandy. [US Navy]
    Following the bombardment of Cherbourg on 26 June, naval gunfire support operations ceased. The fighting had moved inland out of the range of the ships big guns. VCS-7 was, therefore, disbanded by order of Adm. Kirk, and all personnel returned to their ships.
    During 20 days of combat operations, the aviators of VCS-7 were awarded 9 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 6 Air Medals and 5 Gold Stars in lieu of additional Air Medals. Ten VCS-7 aviators went on to participate in the invasion of southern France and three others took part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa in the Pacific during 1945.

    http://www.spitfiresite.com/history/articles/2008/01/spitfires-in-us-navy.htm
     
  3. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Aquila non capit muscas

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    The US Navy flying Spitfires? First time I hear that one! I suppose they would be preferred over Kingfishers for the "Getoutatherefast!" factor :)

    You learn something new everyday in this forum.
     
  4. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    I was surprised too. I may have to paint a couple up for my wargaming :). Though on D-Day I don't think the Kingfishers would have been in danger. lol ;)
     
  5. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    "Spotting for the naval bombardment during the D-Day invasion was done by 34 Recce Wing, the Air Spotting Pool of 2nd Tactical Air Force. This was made up of 26 and 63 Squadrons RAF, 885 Squadron RN, and VCS-7 USN and was commanded by a Commodore of the RN. The aircraft used were Spitfire Vbs and Seafire IIIs. With the launch of the D-Day invasion of Normandy imminent, seventeen naval aviators were taken from aviation units on battleships and cruisers and were assigned to bombardment duty as part of VCS-7. The spotters flew the Spitfires from June 6th through June 26th, although they started flying some of their original aircraft as early as June 25th. Once Cherbourg fell VCS-7 was disbanded and the Spitfires were returned to the British. The US Navy shows 1 combat loss of a Spitfire from VCS-7."
     
  6. canadiancitizen

    canadiancitizen Member

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    Once again, the idea that ONLY the RAF and the USAAF were flying over Europe in WW 2 raises it's ugly head.

    Anytime you see a WW2 squadron numbered in the "400 series " its a Canadian squadron, not an RAF unit.

    The RCAF had an entire heavy bombier group of it's own, number six group, and over 40 squadrons of fighters, PLUS costal command patrol Cansos, and the Atlantic ferry service to fly new aircraft from North America to the UK.

    In addition, the RCAF provided thousands of aircrew to the RAF who flew with mixed crews in Bomber Command. It was not unusual to see a crew with Brits, Canadians. South Africans, Australians, New Zealanders, all working together, only distingushed by their different national identity shoulder flashes on their uniforms.

    In addition, there were entire squadrons of the RAF that were made up of Poles, Danes, Norwegians, and French men, so lets pay respect to them too, shall we ?

    And as for the use of Spitfires by the Americans, why not , if they were available and did the job?

    Jim Bunting. Toronto.
     
  7. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    The reason for this thread was the unusual and lesser known fact that British Spitfires were used by the US Navy during the Normandy Invasion. Not to denigrate other countries forces. It is well know that the USAAF used Spitfires and other British aircraft but not the USN. And also well known on this forum is the fact that the RCAF and others fought along side with the British. And we here pay respect to the others countries quite often BTW. I especially point out the contributions of the smaller and minor countries both Axis and Allied.
     
  8. Mussolini

    Mussolini Gaming Guru WW2|ORG Editor

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    Easy there, canadiancitizen. Notice the title of this thread? US Navy Spitfires D-Day It isn't bashing anyone else, or glorifying one particular nation and not giving any credit to anyone else. Its like Za put it - learning something new everyday on the Forums. I too was unaware that the US flew Spitfires either.

    All of us here hold every nationality and person that served in WWII with great respect (minus a few bad apples who get banned by der PanzerPenguin :pzp: ) so need need to get upset over this.

    Your information does explain one thing to me - my family originates from England, and my grandfather was a Bombardier flying for the RAF. For some reason, his logbook is RCAF (not sure why, he never lived in Canada) though I do know his wife had several Canadian Cousins - 3 of whom were RCAF Fight Pilots and all shot down within a month of each other.

    EDIT: While writing this, JCF posted a response along the same lines as this.
     
  9. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    [​IMG]
     
  10. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    Even Corgi recently made a model of one of the Navy Spitfires.

    NAVY AA31906

    [​IMG]
     
  11. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    I found it interesting also that they were not maked in US Navy markings.Though it makes sense due to the short time they were used.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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  13. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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  14. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    In my seach for more information on VCS-7 I found this interesting piece of information. You hear so much about the actions by the RAF and USAAF in Europe. But not much about the US Navy and FAA in Europe other then for example "Operation Torch".


    For USN F6Fs the only action over Europe transpired during the
    invasion of southern France in August 1944. USS Tulagi with VOF-1
    (Lieut. Comdr. WF Bringle, USN) and USS Kasaan Bay embarking VF-74
    (Lieut. Comdr. HB Bass, USN), both squadrons, operating F6F-5s,
    provided coverage for the landings. VF-74 also operated a 7-plane
    F6F-3N night fighter detachment from Ajaccio on the island of Corsica.
    On the day of the invasion, 15 August, VF-74 flew 60 sorties, VOF-1,
    40 sorties, all ground support missions.

    On the morning of 19 August, a four-plane division of VOF-1 pilots
    spotted the first German aircraft, three He-111's. The Americans were
    too short on fuel and could not attack. Two of the Americans were
    forced to land on HMS Emperor due to their fuel state. Later that day,
    two He-111's were spotted by another VOF-1 division and were promptly
    shot down, this occurring near the village of Vienne. Lieut. Poucel
    and Ens. Wood teamed up to bring down one and Ens. Robinson brought
    down the second. Soon thereafter, in the same vicinity, a third He-111
    was shot down by Ens. Wood. That same morning, a division of VF-74
    pilots led by Lieut. Comdr. Bass brought down a Ju-88 and in the
    afternoon another division attacked a Do-217 with split credits to
    going to Lieut. (j.g.) Castanedo and Ens. Hullard.

    On 21 August, pilots from VOF-1 shot down three Ju-52 transports north
    of Marseille. Two were credited to Lieut. (j.g.) Olszewski; one went
    to Ens. Yenter. Operating for two weeks in support of the invasion,
    these two squadrons were credited with destroying 825 trucks and
    vehicles, damaging 334 more and destroying or otherwise immobilizing
    84 locomotives. German aircraft shot down: VOF-1: 6, VF-74: 2.

    Although the two navy squadrons lost 17 aircraft combined, 13 were
    lost to ground fire and the others were operational accidents. None
    were shot down by German aircraft. Among the 7 pilots lost (2 from
    VOF-1 and 5 from VF-74) was the CO of VF-74, Lieut. Comdr. H. Brinkley
    Bass (USNA 38), killed by antiaircraft fire while strafing near
    Chamelet on 20 August.

    Fleet Air Arm fighter squadrons also supported the landings of
    Operation Dragoon and, as did their USN counterparts, roamed far and
    wide in ground attack and support missions. None of the FAA squadrons
    encountered Luftwaffe aircraft in these operations. FAA fighter
    squadrons in Operation Dragoon were Numbers 800 (Lieut. Comdr. SJ
    Hall, DSC, RN) in F6F-3s off HMS Emperor; 807 (Lieut. Comdr. (A) LGC
    Reece, RNZNVR) in Seafire LIIIs off HMS Hunter; 809 (Lieut. Comdr. (A)
    HDB Eadon, RNVR) in Seafire LIIIs off HMS Stalker; 879 (Lieut. Comdr.
    (A) RJH Grose, RNVR) in Seafire LIIIs off HMS Attacker; 881 (Lieut.
    Comdr. (A) LA Hordern, DSC, RNVR) in Wildcat VIs off HMS Pursuer; 882
    (Lieut. Comdr. (A) GR Henderson, DSC, RNVR ) in Wildcat Vs off HMS
    Searcher; and 899 (Lieut. Comdr. (A) RB Howarth, RNVR) in Seafire
    LIIIs off HMS Khedive.

    Operation Dragoon also saw one of the more unusually equipped USN
    squadrons in action. It was presumed by the US Navy that aerial naval
    gunfire spotters would be of value over the beachheads established by
    invading allied forces, but that their standard aircraft, the OS2U and
    the SOC would be too vulnerable to roving German fighters. To remedy
    that situation it was decided to train the USN flyers to perform their
    spotting missions from high performance fighters.

    For Operation Dragoon, the training for this began when four naval
    aviators from USS Brooklyn's VCS-8 (Lieut. DA Liane, USN) reported to
    Berteaux, Algeria, on 15 January 1944 to begin transition to the P-40.
    They were joined about a month later by aviators from USS
    Philadelphia. Training continued through spring, and in April the
    entire group transitioned to P-51's.

    On 21 April, the navy flyers were formally attached to the 111th
    Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, flying F-6A's and they began to fly
    missions as they qualified in type. In July, the VCS-8 pilots received
    10 new P-51C's which they flew during the invasion of southern France.
    By August 30, with the land operations reaching outside the range of
    naval gunfire support, the pilots turned their P-51's over to 111 TRS
    and returned to their ships.

    Earlier, on the other side of France, another of those unusually
    equipped USN squadrons, VCS-7 had similarly operated over the beaches
    of Normandy. VCS-7 flew the Spitfire Vb. VCS-7 was established on 8
    May 1944, made up of 17 VCS and Battleship Observation (VO) pilots
    from the battleships Nevada, Arkansas, and Texas and the cruisers
    Quincy, Tuscaloosa, and Augusta. The squadron began training in
    Spitfire Vb's at Middle Wallop, Hampshire under the direction of
    Colonel GW Peck of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Ninth Air
    Force. The Navy pilots were trained in defensive fighter tactics,
    aerobatics, combat formation flying and spotting procedures. Lieut.
    Comdr. W Denton, Jr., USN, senior aviator from Quincy, took command on
    May 28th. The squadron was determined to be fully operational that
    same day and moved to Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Lee-on-Solent.

    At Lee-on-Solent there were five naval squadrons, four FAA and VCS-7.
    The four FAA squadrons, Nos. 808 (Lieut. Comdr. JF Rankin, DSC, RN),
    897 (Lieut. Comdr. WC Simpson, DSC, RN), 885 (Lieut. Comdr. SL
    Devonald, RN), and 886 (Lieut. Comdr. PEI Bailey, RN), were assigned
    Seafire III's. VCS-7 had Spitfire Vb's. The squadrons' aircraft were
    pooled to insure maximum availability. This meant that VCS-7 flew
    whatever type was available, either Seafire or Spitfire.

    German aerial opposition was rarely encountered. VCS-7 pilots had four
    recorded encounters with German fighters, and suffered no losses, but
    neither did they score any victories. Losses to anti-aircraft fire
    were also small, with only one pilot lost. The VCS-7 after action
    reports record only this one loss as the total for the operational
    period, but other sources report upwards to seven aircraft lost to
    enemy fire and one operational loss. It is entirely probably that both
    are correct except that the VCS-7 reports only the pilot loss not the
    loss of aircraft not resulting in a personnel loss. VCS-7 flew
    approximately 200 combat sorties between 6 and 25 June. On 26 June, as
    the fighting had moved beyond the range of naval gunfire, the squadron
    was disestablished and the pilots returned to their ships.

    Re: Me Bf 109 vs Hellcat?
     
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  15. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    Its interesting too that the Navy pilots were flying P-40s and P-51s too
     
  16. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    "For the USN, the only F6F action over Europe transpired during the
    invasion of southern France in August 1944. USS TULAGI with VOF-1
    (F6F-5's), USS KASAAN BAY embarking VF-74 (F6F-5's), and a 7 plane
    night fighter detachment from VF-74 operating F6F-3N's out of Ajaccio
    on
    the island of Corsica were the USN fighters involved. On the day of
    the
    invasion, 15 August, VF-74 flew 60 sorties, VOF-1, 40 sorties, all
    ground support missions."

    The F6F is the Hellcat and the F6F-3N was a version of it modified for
    night-fighting. VF-74 is a squadron designation, their nick-name was
    the 'Be-Devilers' and call-sign was 'Devil'."

    soc.history.war.world-war-ii | Google Groups
     
  17. Tiornu

    Tiornu Member

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    Ranger's air group conducted a sweep along the Norwegian coast.
    One of the "funnest" books on my shelf is Duels in the Sky by Eric Brown. Having flown more different aircraft than perhaps any other human, Brown describes the various carrier-borne planes and the land-based opponents they might face. He then gives his opinions on a multitude of "versus" scenarios to rate the planes in their air-to-air capabilities. He is not without his biases, but he's always informative.
    I believe he cites specific score cards for USN fighter types over Europe.
    He also wrote Wings of the Navy, a closer look at Allied carrier planes, in which he yields more to his dry wit.
     
  18. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    Thanks. Ill have to look that book up :).I posted about him over on THC awhile back.
     
  19. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    Fifty-eight years ago, August 15, 1944, the Allied invasion of Southern France, Operation Anvil - Dragoon, began. Hellcats, Wildcats, Spitfires, American and British aircraft carriers and destroyers struck at the German coastal defenses around the city of Me'ze in southwestern France, and the islands of the Mediterranean. The days would be hard fought as the Allies fight to gain a foothold in France, and many would die.

    Flying cover for the infantry, the skies were filled with Allied planes. Their missions were to attack the gun emplacements, road convoys and munitions trains hurrying German troops to intercept the Allied invasion. Destroyers, USS Augusta, Quincy and Nevada pounded the coastal defenses constantly, guided by the Hellcats above. Bombers of the 12th and 15th Army Air Corps dropped their loads on designated targets, to further protect the troops.

    At 06:02 AM, August 20, 1944, VF-74 Squadron, Flight #30, lifted off from the deck of the USS Kasaan Bay, heading inland toward Montpelier. Outside Montpelier, the flight saw four wagons, which turned out to be munitions, on the roadside. They made one low level strafing run, resulting with one wagon exploding, sending debris 250’ into the air. This debris struck one of the 6 planes, knocking off sections of starboard elevator and stabilizer. The plane handled satisfactorily, the pilot apparently unaware of the seriousness of the damage, the flight continued on toward Balaruc.
    On this heading, the flight located an enemy convoy of troop carriers, cargo and tank trucks. Due to poor weather in the area, the flight let down through the clouds, (ceiling approximately 600’) to strafe. The flight made four runs, in the face of light and medium Anti-Aircraft fire. Before relinquishing their attack, the pilots counted 15 troop carriers, 4 tank trucks and a command car on fire. The troop carriers were carrying enemy troops, many of whom were probably killed.

    After these runs, the pilot of the aircraft damaged earlier by the exploding ammo wagon, asked Flight leader, Lt. John H. Shroff to check the damage. At this point, Lt. JG. W. N. Arbuckle, USN, one of two pilots lost on the flight, was still flying right wing of the Flight Leader. Lt. Shroff circled the damaged plane, then ordered the pilot to return to base, assigning another plane as escort. They returned safely
    .
    Immediately after these planes turned for base, Lt. Shroff looked for Arbuckle, but could not find him. Arbuckle was called on all radio frequencies, but did not respond. Lt. Shroff, Lt. Gerald G. Hogan (NY) and Lt. John M. Thomas circled the area for 10 minutes searching for him, and then continued with the flight. Lt. Arbuckle was never seen again. Unknown to them, his plane had been hit with AA fire and had crashed.(Read the Action Report)

    Lt. Arbuckle crashed at Me'ze, near Sete Harbor, in Southern France, as a result of A. A. fire. He was buried in the Catholic Church Cemetery, August 23, 1944. On the grave of Lt. Arbuckle, the Mayor, Thomas Bessiere ordered the following words to be engraved:

    "Here lies William Nathan Arbuckle, an American airman killed in action in the sky of Me'ze, on August 20, 1944, for our liberation. We shall never forget him."

    A year later the remains were removed to The US Military Cemetery, Dinoze', near Epinol, Voges, North East France. There is a memorial stone for him, placed in the Arbuckle Family Plot at Rose Cemetery, Hobart, OK.

    William Nathan Arbuckle
     
  20. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

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    Sad that this is neglected in the overal scheme of things.
     

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