Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association![]() |
Bombing Squadron VPB-102TRAINING AND COMBATArchive and Microfilm Research
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VPB-102 was designated a Long Range Reconnaissance Squadron, but was
also utilized for long range screening in conjunction with movements
of the 3rd and 5th Fleets; interdictory flights ahead of Fleet
movements and while the fleet was refueling, to prevent detection by
enemy search planes.. Also to search and destroy Picket Boats along
the track of the fleet and to conduct long range photographic flights
over enemy territory and bases.
14 February 1944: The squadron reformed at Camp Kearney, California
as Bombing Squadron 102, later to be designated Patrol Bombing
Squadron 102. 14 copilots from the first tour were ordered to the
squadron to become Patrol Plane Commanders. Most had qualified as
Patrol Plane First Pilots while serving on the first tour. A Patrol
Plane First Pilot can fly as the pilot of the PB4Y-1, but not on
combat flights. For approximately two months prior to reporting to the squadron, most of the pilots trained at the Transition Land Plan Unit (TLU) at Camp Kearney
30 May 1944: Ltjg Luke Sauder and crew were lost over Palomar
Mountain while on a photo gunnery practice flight. In a five plane
formation, a navy F4F fighter from VF-36 based at NAAS Los Alamitos
was making simulated attack runs on the formation. The Fighter pilot
dove through the formation, sheering about 12 feet off Sauder's PB4Y-1.
Both aircraft crashed on Palomar Mountain. There were no survivors.
(See Killed in Line of Duty.)
Fifty Years Later (not finished as yet)
6 June 1944: Six enlisted men were killed when a PB4Y-1 from VB-117
crashed into a supply building. Somewhere between 24 and 34 men were
at muster, receiving instructions from Leading Chief Drott when they
determined the aircraft was going to crash on or near the spot they
occupied. Although most ran to avoid the approaching aircraft, it
crashed into the supply building, killing six men. A total of 19 men
were killed in the accident.(See Killed in Line of Duty)
Training in low level bombing, aerial gunnery, night radar procedures,
searchlight tactics and mine laying were conducted along with normal
instrument flying, aircraft systems etc.
6 July 1944: Training was conducted from 15 February until 6 July at
Camp Kearney, California. The Squadron was ordered to NAS Kaneohe Bay,
T. H. to complete training and deploy to the forward area. By 18 July
1944 the entire squadron was located at NAS Kaneohe Bay.
12 August 1944: Deployment to Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands
began.
14 August 1944: All aircraft and personnel were now on Eniwetok Atol.
19 August 1944: Harry Styles and crew bombed Wake Island.
Little Resistance.
19 August 1944: T. R. Clark and crew bombed Ponape.
22 August 1944: Thomas R. Clark and crew along with J. M.
(Knobby) Welsh and crew deployed to Isley Field, Saipan to standby
for shipping strikes.
23 August 1944: Flying out of Isley Field, Saipan, Clark and Welsh
attacked two
Japanese Destroyers and two AK (Cargo Ships). One AK was
sunk and the other left burning. Thomas Clark and crew were shot down
by enemy AA in a crossfire between two destroyers with a loss of all
on board the aircraft.
(See Killed in Action)
23 August 1944: Don Close and crew made a low level (100 feet)
night time run over
Wake Island dropping a string of four 500 pound
bombs on the airstrip. Nightly low level attacks were performed from
Eniwetok. The practice was to lay a string of four 500 pound bombs
on the landing strip so as to render it inoperable. Bombs with a
seven second delay fuse were used so the attack could be performed at
very low level (usually 50 to 100 feet) to assure absolute accuracy.
23 August 1944: Bill Alleman and crew made a low level search
of Truk and dropped bombs on Ponape.
26 August 1944: P.W.Gudka and crew made a night low level
attack on Wake Island.
27 August 1944: Departure for North Field, Tinian, Marianas was begun
when an 8 plane contingent moved up into the forward area. The Marines
had secured the north end of Tinian to a point several miles south of
the airstrip.
28 August 1944: The remainder of the squadron deployed to North Field,
Tinian.
29 August 1044: Upon arrival at North Field, Tinian, the squadron was
assigned to operate under Task Group 59.3 to conduct search,
reconnaissance and photographic flights in 10 search sectors of 800
miles in length. VB-116 operated jointly with the squadron in the
same areas of responsibilities. On 5 September 1944 two additional
sectors were assigned and all sectors were extended to 1000 miles.
4 September 1944: Wayne D. Rorman and crew arrived on Tinian
as a replacement crew for Thomas R. Clark, and crew, who were shot
down on 23 August (see above.)
5 September 1944: Two additional search sectors were assigned.
8 September 1944: Lt. Condon and crew made an emergency
landing when the number 3 engine failed on take-off. The heavily
overloaded plane ran off the end of the strip and was a complete
loss. No injuries to crew members. The aircraft was stripped of
salvageable parts.
9 September 1944: On a pre-dawn take-off, Francis J. Lencioni
and crew struck a bulldozer parked at the end of the runway. The
impact ripped off both starboard bomb bay doors and punctured the
afterstation. A loss of all hydraulic fluid resulted. On the first
approach, Lt. Lencioni was having difficulty with control while the
crew was rigging parachutes in both afterstations to aid in stopping
the heavily overloaded aircraft. As Lencioni flew over the field,
the belly turret separated and rolled down the runway. He was able to
land safely on the second attempt with no injuries to his crew.
10 September 1944: Lt. J. H. Goodman and crew sighted a
Japanese tanker 60 miles north of Iwo Jima. Two five hundred pound
bombs were dropped. The first struck the water immediately in front
of the bow, blowing the bow off the tanker as it ran over the bomb.
The second bomb missed. The ship stopped with the forward area low
in the water and a fire was observed. Two additional strafing runs
were made and the tanker exploded.
12 September 1944: U. S.Forces Bombarded Peleliu in the Palau Group
U. S. Marines invade Peleliu.
More than two months were required to secure the island, in one of
the most bitter battles in the Pacific. The famous battle at
"Pork Chop Hill' claimed many lives, both Marine and Japanese.
19 September 1944: Crews assigned to fly cover for the ongoing battle
at Peleliu.
22 September 1944: Lt. P.W.Gudka and crew on a routine search
of the Bonin Islands sighted and attacked a Japanese Betty. The
Betty increased speed and pulled out of range. Shortly thereafter,
the Betty was observed exploding on impact with the water. Later
Japanese records confirmed this aircraft was from the K708 unit
piloted by PO1c Katsuisa Nishino.
24 September 1944: Lt. Frank O. Burton and crew strafed 3
cargo ships.
1 October 1944: Squadron designation changed to Patrol Bombing
Squadron 102 (VPB-102)
2 October 1944: LCDR Ted Marshall, Lt. Frank Burton and
Lt. Wayne Rorman and crews conducted a three plane radar search
for a convoy of two destroyers and two cargo ships on a course inbound
to Iwo Jima. The search was negative.
9 October 1944: Lt. Phil Knights and crew sighted and
shot down
a
Japanese Betty.
The Betty's port engine and wing were set afire. It crashed in a
nose down attitude and exploded on impact with the water. Later
Japanese records confirmed the aircraft was attached to K708 and the
pilot was Ensign Hiroshi Ogawa.
10 October 1944: Lt. J. H. Goodman and crew skip bombed a
small cargo ship 60 miles north of Iwo Jima. The bow of the ship was
blown off and crew members were observed in life boats.
On the same date, Lt. Jesse Jolly, Lt. Wayne Rorman and crews
flying in a two plane formation destroyed a well armed picket boat.
13 October 1944: LCDR Ted Marshall, Lt. Frank Burton and
crews flying in a two plane formation attacked a heavily armed
Japanese LSM. Although the ship was not sunk, the cargo of trucks was
heavily damaged with strafing fire. Both PB4Y's were hit by enemy
return fire. There were no injuries to personnel and the two aircraft
landed safely at Tinian. One of Burton's main landing gear tires was
flattened by the enemy fire.
13 October 1944: Lt. E.N.Elliott and crew flying the sector
including Chichi Jima and Haha Jima attacked and shot down a Japanese
float plane (Jake). The Jake managed to make an open sea landing. It
was strafed and destroyed.
Squadron
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