The Group was carrier-based for Frame 5. We had multiple duties to accomplish. We had to CAP over two carriers, scout for the enemy CBG, and escort our strike force to the location of the enemy carriers once they were located. On first launch, our scout flight spread out covering one large area, while the AEs spread out to cover another. Ultimately, the AEs found and reported the location of the enemy CBG, and the strike force was advised. For us, timing of things was rather critical as the F4F-4 has a rather limited endurance when one needs to run at full power, and WEP more than occasionally. Enemy aircraft were encountered in all quadrants from our carriers on every sortie. We had pilots rearming and refueling throughout the entire Frame, with all of our pilots conducting multiple operations from the carrier deck. We encountered enemy aircraft at all altitudes from 25' off the deck to over 28,000'. Engagements were frequent throughout the Frame, with our various flights CAPing each other as recoveries and departures occurred. As the strike force approached their target area, our flights were able to both CAP over them and sweep ahead to the enemy CBG, ultimately clearing the way for an attack on it with only on-board defenses available to the enemy. We were able to observe that the strikers were able to splash both of the enemy carriers, and we then escorted them back to the CVs where they landed and stood down to allow further use of the CVs by other Groups. However, our Group had been scheduled to relocate to land bases to free-up carrier availabilities, and the relocating flight encountered a number of enemy fighters and bombers among friendly freighters on our way to the assigned bases. We landed at the assigned land bases with just a few minutes of flight time remaining in the Frame.
"Honorable mention" is required to be made to other Groups with whom we were pleased to work with during the Frame. The 4th FG and the AEs proved valued partners throughout the Series. Both Groups proved to be great at mutual aid. Sometimes, their flights saved our bacon with their support, occasionally we could come in to give them an assist. <S>
Attending
Todzla
Juice=
Vulche
=JMan=
=Dobs=
-Grip-
Fencer
Parson
-Epic-
JlordJ
Dawger
MadCat
SASpin
-Guns-
-KBar-
-Oskar-
Chicdg
RedSgt
DeWolf
Claims
The Command Staff of the 352nd FG is pleased to announce that the following pilots flew their F4F-4 aircraft with enough skill over the course of the Series to become Series Aces:
Frame 5
-Epic-: Kills (4). A6M3 (3). B5N2 (1). Assist: (2).
-Oskar: Kills (3). A6M3 (3). Assist: (3).
=Dobs=: Kills (3). A6M3 (3). Assist: (1).
Vulche: Kills (2). A6M3 (2). Assist: (3).
JlordJ: Kills (2). A6M3 (2). Assist: (2).
Chicdg: Kills (2). A6M3 (1). B5N2 (1). Assist: (1).
Dawger: Kills (2). A6M3 (2). Assist: (1).
SASpin: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (3).
RedSgt: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (2).
Juice=: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (2).
Todzla: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (1).
-KBar-: Kills (1). A6M3 (1). Assist: (1).
-Grip-: Kills (1). A6M3 (1).
Fencer: Assist: (4).
MadCat: Assist: (2).
DeWolf: Assist: (2).
Parson: Assist: (1).
Summary
•18 pilots
•74 sorties
•69 safe landing(s)
•5 airframe(s) lost ( 5 x F4F-4 *)
•2 pilot(s) KIA
•0 taken POW
•22 victories
•30 assist(s)
Series
Series Aces' Tally
Thanks to Mt. Dew and Darryl for coming-up with an Allied plan, and to our Janitors for an interesting Series.
<S>
