Marine Fighting Squadron 122 (United States): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:05, 1 March 2024

Marine Fighting Squadron 122 (Abbreviated as VMF-122) was a Marine Fighter Squadron in the United States Marine Corps during the Second World War

Formation and history

18 June 1945 - Adverse weather and new pilots

0600 to 1915 - Four planes on standby during bad weather

All scheduled flighters were cancelled due to continued adverse weather conditions reported. An alert standby of four aircraft and pilots was maintained between these times^[1].

Additional 16 pilots

On 18 June 16 pilots joined VMF-122. The list was as follows^[1]:


Name	Rank	Serial #	Service
ESCOT, FELIX S.	CAPT.	011680	UMSCR
MC PHAIL, JOE	CAPT.	014435	UMSCR
ALLEY, STUART C., JR.	1ST LT.	031495	UMSCR
FELITON, JAMES A.	1ST LT.	029172	UMSC
RUHSAM, JOHN W	1ST LT.	038983	UMSCR
SHARP, JAMES, II	1ST LT.	031365	UMSCR
SHIRLEY, WALTER M.	1ST LT.	029434	UMSCR
THACKER, GLENN G.	1ST LT.	029654	UMSCR
BADE, ROBERT	1ST LT.	030908	UMSCR
WEITZEL, CHARLES W., JR.	1ST LT.	029059	UMSCR
BACON, CHARLES E., JR.	2ND LT.	034810	UMSCR
BARRETT, RAYMOND M.	2ND LT.	032037	UMSCR
KLINE, CHARLES L., JR.	2ND LT.	032553	UMSCR
KNUDSON, LAMAR A.	2ND LT.	037233	UMSCR
MC COLLOUGH, ORGAIN L.,JR	2ND LT.	032749	UMSCR
MILLER, NORMAN S.	2ND LT.	033931	UMSCR

The serial numbers would be referring to the Bureau numbers of their Corsairs. The USMCR would indicate that all but one (James A Felton) is in the Marine Corps Reserve, unlike Felton who is in the USMC. The list includes Joe McPhail. Another was John Ruhsam.

3 July 1945 - Bombing west Ngatpang on Babelthuap

On 3 July 12 F4U-1D Corsairs were scheduled to take off on a mission of bombing West Ngatpang on Babelthuap. The pilots that would be participating were:

Captain Scherer
Lt. Dorrell
Lt Bacon
Lt. Barrett
Le. Bestwick
Lt. Ruhsan
Lt. Wade
Lt. Feliton
Lt Weitzel
Lt. Thacker
Lt. Miller
Capt. McPhail

The pilots were briefed beforehand on the mission. They would have been told of the fact that by this time the installations and settlement that formed West Ngatpang had been reduced to rubble, however the area was still reported to contain a different variety of supplies. On either side of the road were concealed beneath the dense foliage, were the supplies, which, according to informations from POWs, were looked after and presumably cherished by many units around the area being well known locally.

The pilots were briefed to area bomb this district, located 2.5 miles inland from the West Coast. The target area was an area of 500 x 400 yds^[2].

1000 - Takeoff

At 1000 all 12 planes, loaded with each 2 500 lbs G.P bombs with .1 Nose .025 Tail fuze settings, fueled on average with 230, took off from Peleliu for their mission^[2].

1025 - Arrival over target

25 minutes after takeoff and flying for 60 miles, the group arrived at West Ngatpang. The had clear visibility of the target with 3/10 light cumulus clouds at 4500ft with visibility for 25 miles. The approach was made from the west and were planned to come out the same way to permit a water landing if they were hit. All planes dove at 50° without a bomb sight.

Captain Scherer released his bomb at 3000ft both on TA 654 Roger. Lt. Dorrell released also at 3000 ft both hitting TA 654 Queer. Lt. Bacon released at 2500 ft both bombs hitting TA 654 Item. Lt Barrett released at 3000 ft both hitting TA 654 Love. Lt. Bestwick released 2500 ft with both hitting TA 654 Sugar. Ruhsam released at 1500 ft making a direct hit on AA position in TA 654 George. Wade released also at 1500 ft both hitting TA 654 Able. Feliton released at 2500 ft both hitting TA 654 Queen. Weitzel released at 2500 ft both hitting TA 636 Able. Thacker released at 3000 ft both hitting TA 654 Love. Miller released his bombs at 2500 ft in TA 654 (exact position not known). McPhail released his at 2500 ft both landing in TA 654 Mike.

All the ordonnances would have exploded with no duds. The pilots believed that they had done considerable damage but observed that the target area was still well covered. They also didn't observe any secondary explosions.

With the exception of the AA being hit, the other damage from the other bombs was undetermined.

On the mission the pilots only encountered moderate 20-50mm AA, and noted that the air was filled with about 25-30 black puffs of medium calibre AA which detonated from 10,000 to 4000 ft, none of which was sufficiently close to cause concern.

In total 800 rounds of .50 cal were expended^[2].

1100 - Return

At 1100 local time the 12 Corsairs returned from their mission without any casualties or causes of concern. A report was conducted by Captain Fletcher and approved by Major Sapp^[2].

8 July 1945 - Bombing Bivouac and supply area in Babelthuap

Page 203

10 August 1945

0900

At 0900 in the "-10" time zone on Peleliu island, 4 F4U-1D Corsairs were scheduled to bomb the gardens of Babelthuap.

The Corsairs were led by Captain McPhail, with his old wingman of Lt. Bestwick, along with Lt. Ruhsam and Lt. Wade. Each plane carried 1 Napalm Tank with Double Fused E4-R1 Igniters.

Before the mission the 4 pilots were briefed to release over the gardens that were growing on Babelthuap.

The map references that they were to use were from the Special Air and Gunnery Target Map, specifically the one for the Palaus, scale 1:20,000.

At this time the planes took off and headed towards Babelthuap^[3].

0930 - Reaching the gardens

At 0930 the four planes reached the target point over Babelthuap. The weather was observed to be 3/10 cumulus at 5000ft.

None of the planes used a bomb-sight and started their attack run on a level attack. The first plane hit the gardens at TA 699 U releasing at 50 ft going 240 kts. The second hit the garden at TA 663 W at 50ft going 220 Kts. The third hit the garden at TA 698 K at 50ft going 200 kts. FInally the fourth Corsair hit the garden at TA 717 R at 50ft going 220 kts.

One of the planes with Lt. Ruhsam reported starting a "good sized fire" while strafing the town of Ngardmau. By someone or multiple of the members of the group Machine Gun fire was noted originating from TW(688-127). The shots were meager and inaccurate, with no other AA fire being observed^[3].

1000

At 1000 all the planes came back unscathed with no casualties. A report was compiled of the mission by Captain J. R. Fletcher and approved by Major Sapp^[3].

Citations

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 "VMF-122 - War Diary, 6/1-30/45". National Archives and Records Administration. p. 13. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 "IIc(20), VMF-122, Peleliu Island THRU IIc(23), VMF-212, Guluan, Samar, Awase, Kadena; Okinawa". National Archives and Records Administration. 3 July 1945. pp. 179–183. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 "IIc(20), VMF-122, Peleliu Island THRU IIc(23), VMF-212, Guluan, Samar, Awase, Kadena; Okinawa". National Archives and Records Administration. 10 August 1945. pp. 297–298. Retrieved 1 March 2024.

Bibliography

"VMF-122 - War Diary, 6/1-30/45". National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 29 February 2024.

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 "VMF-122 - War Diary, 6/1-30/45". National Archives and Records Administration. p. 13. Retrieved 28 February 2024.

[:1-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 "IIc(20), VMF-122, Peleliu Island THRU IIc(23), VMF-212, Guluan, Samar, Awase, Kadena; Okinawa". National Archives and Records Administration. 3 July 1945. pp. 179–183. Retrieved 1 March 2024.

[:2-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 "IIc(20), VMF-122, Peleliu Island THRU IIc(23), VMF-212, Guluan, Samar, Awase, Kadena; Okinawa". National Archives and Records Administration. 10 August 1945. pp. 297–298. Retrieved 1 March 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Not enough info}}
+{{Multiple issues|I wasn't able to find all of the people named and so cannot link to their future articles. Someone will have to add all of their names and all the other missions that were reported for this squadron in}}{{Not enough info}}
 [[Marine Fighting Squadron 122 (United States)|Marine Fighting Squadron 122]] (Abbreviated as [[VMF-122 (United States)|VMF-122]]) was a [[Marine Fighter Squadron]] in the [[United States Marine Corps]] during the [[Second World War]]
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ==== Additional 16 pilots ====
 On 18 June 16 pilots joined VMF-122. The list was as follows<ref name=":0" />:
-{{Multiple issues|I can't find the full names of the most of the people involved. Therefore more research will be needed to find out more about who is who}}
+{{Multiple issues|I can't find the full names of the most of the people involved. Therefore more research will be needed to find out more about who is who. Use the Joe McPhail article for more information}}
 {| class="wikitable"
 |+
@@ Line 40: / Line 41: @@
 |UMSC
 |-
-|RUNSAM, JOHN S
+|RUHSAM, JOHN W
 |1ST LT.
 |038983
@@ Line 65: / Line 66: @@
 |UMSCR
 |-
-|SZITZEL, CHARLES W., JR.
+|WEITZEL, CHARLES W., JR.
 |1ST LT.
 |029059
@@ Line 85: / Line 86: @@
 |UMSCR
 |-
-|KHUDSON, LAMAR A.
+|KNUDSON, LAMAR A.
 |2ND LT.
 |037233
@@ Line 100: / Line 101: @@
 |UMSCR
 |}
-The serial numbers would be referring to the Bureau numbers of their Corsairs. The USMCR would indicate that all but one ([[James A Felton]]) is in the [[United States Marine Corps Reserve|Marine Corps Reserve]], unlike Felton who is in the [[United States Marine Corps|USMC]].  The list includes [[Joe McPhail]].
+The serial numbers would be referring to the Bureau numbers of their Corsairs. The USMCR would indicate that all but one ([[James A Felton]]) is in the [[United States Marine Corps Reserve|Marine Corps Reserve]], unlike Felton who is in the [[United States Marine Corps|USMC]].  The list includes [[Joe McPhail]]. Another was [[John William Ruhsam|John Ruhsam]].
+=== 3 July 1945 - Bombing west Ngatpang on Babelthuap ===
+On 3 July 12 F4U-1D Corsairs were scheduled to take off on a mission of bombing West [[Ngatpang]] on Babelthuap. The pilots that would be participating were:
+* Captain Scherer
+* Lt. Dorrell
+* Lt Bacon
+* Lt. Barrett
+* Le. [[Warren William Bestwick|Bestwick]]
+* Lt. Ruhsan
+* Lt. Wade
+* Lt. Feliton
+* Lt [[Charles W Weitzel Jr|Weitzel]]
+* Lt. Thacker
+* Lt. Miller
+* Capt. McPhail
+The pilots were briefed beforehand on the mission. They would have been told of the fact that by this time the installations and settlement that formed West Ngatpang had been reduced to rubble, however the area was still reported to contain a different variety of supplies. On either side of the road were concealed beneath the dense foliage, were the supplies, which, according to informations from POWs, were looked after and presumably cherished by many units around the area being well known locally.
+The pilots were briefed to area bomb this district, located 2.5 miles inland from the West Coast. The target area was an area of 500 x 400 yds<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=3 July 1945 |title=IIc(20), VMF-122, Peleliu Island THRU IIc(23), VMF-212, Guluan, Samar, Awase, Kadena; Okinawa |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/138937320?objectPage=179 |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=[[National Archives and Records Administration]] |pages=179-183}}</ref>.
+==== 1000 - Takeoff ====
+At 1000 all 12 planes, loaded with each 2 500 lbs [[General Purpose b|G.P]] bombs with .1 Nose .025 Tail fuze settings, fueled on average with 230, took off from Peleliu for their mission<ref name=":1" />.
+==== 1025 - Arrival over target ====
+minutes after takeoff and flying for 60 miles, the group arrived at West Ngatpang. The had clear visibility of the target with 3/10 light cumulus clouds at 4500ft with visibility for 25 miles. The approach was made from the west and were planned to come out the same way to permit a water [[landing]] if they were hit. All planes dove at 50° without a bomb sight.
+Captain Scherer released his bomb at 3000ft both on TA 654 Roger. Lt. Dorrell released also at 3000 ft both hitting TA 654 Queer. Lt. Bacon released at 2500 ft both bombs hitting TA 654 Item. Lt Barrett released at 3000 ft both hitting TA 654 Love. Lt. Bestwick released 2500 ft with both hitting TA 654 Sugar. Ruhsam released at 1500 ft making a direct hit on AA position in TA 654 George. Wade released also at 1500 ft both hitting TA 654 Able. Feliton released at 2500 ft both hitting TA 654 Queen. Weitzel released at 2500 ft both hitting TA 636 Able. Thacker released at 3000 ft both hitting TA 654 Love. Miller released his bombs at 2500 ft in TA 654 (exact position not known). McPhail released his at 2500 ft both landing in TA 654 Mike.
+All the ordonnances would have exploded with no duds. The pilots believed that they had done considerable damage but observed that the target area was still well covered. They also didn't observe any secondary explosions.
+With the exception of the AA being hit, the other damage from the other bombs was undetermined.
+On the mission the pilots only encountered moderate 20-50mm AA, and noted that the air was filled with about 25-30 black puffs of medium calibre AA which detonated from 10,000 to 4000 ft, none of which was sufficiently close to cause concern.
+In total 800 rounds of .50 cal were expended<ref name=":1" />.
+==== 1100 - Return ====
+At 1100 local time the 12 Corsairs returned from their mission without any casualties or causes of concern. A report was conducted by Captain Fletcher and approved by Major Sapp<ref name=":1" />.
+=== 8 July 1945 - Bombing Bivouac and supply area in Babelthuap ===
+Page 203
+=== 10 August 1945 ===
+==== 0900 ====
+At 0900 <!-- The document says "9900" but is probably an error of the person typing accidentally typing a 9 instead of a 0. And plus it ends an hour later at 1000 -->in the "-10" time zone on Peleliu island, 4 F4U-1D Corsairs were scheduled to bomb the gardens of Babelthuap.
+The Corsairs were led by Captain McPhail, with his old wingman of Lt. Bestwick, along with Lt. Ruhsam and Lt. Wade. Each plane carried 1 Napalm Tank with Double Fused E4-R1 Igniters.
+Before the mission the 4 pilots were briefed to release over the gardens that were growing on Babelthuap.
+The map references that they were to use were from the Special Air and Gunnery Target Map, specifically the one for the Palaus, scale 1:20,000.
+At this time the planes took off and headed towards Babelthuap<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=10 August 1945 |title=IIc(20), VMF-122, Peleliu Island THRU IIc(23), VMF-212, Guluan, Samar, Awase, Kadena; Okinawa |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/138937320?objectPage=297 |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=[[National Archives and Records Administration]] |pages=297-298}}</ref>.
+==== 0930 - Reaching the gardens ====
+At 0930 the four planes reached the target point over Babelthuap. The weather was observed to be 3/10 [[Cumulus clouds|cumulus]] at 5000ft.
+None of the planes used a bomb-sight and started their attack run on a level attack. The first plane hit the gardens at TA 699 U releasing at 50 ft going 240 kts. The second hit the garden at TA 663 W at 50ft going 220 Kts. The third hit the garden at TA 698 K at 50ft going 200 kts. FInally the fourth Corsair hit the garden at TA 717 R at 50ft going 220 kts.
+One of the planes with Lt. Ruhsam reported starting a "good sized fire" while strafing the town of [[Ngardmau, Babelthuap|Ngardmau]]. By someone or multiple of the members of the group Machine Gun fire was noted originating from TW(688-127). The shots were meager and inaccurate, with no other AA fire being observed<ref name=":2" />.
+==== 1000 ====
+At 1000 all the planes came back unscathed with no casualties. A report was compiled of the mission by Captain [[J. R. Fletcher]] and approved by Major [[Donald Hooten Sapp|Sapp]]<ref name=":2" />.
 == Citations ==