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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060


SACO Operations--1945

Excerpts from Bulletin No. 13, Aircraft Seventh Fleet
Summary of Operations, 24 September 1945

SEARCH PLANES ATTACK ENEMY TROOPS
Fleet Air Wing SEVENTEEN

Special arrangements were made in the early part of July between FAW-17 and ComNavGroup China for search planes of VPB-119 and VPB-104 to contact a Naval Coast-watcher when flying in the Amoy area. The purpose of this contact was to enable the Coast-watcher to give the search planes any information he had obtained concerning enemy forces and movements and to point out any targets of opportunity which might be attacked. As the Japs started their evacuation of troops overland from Amoy to Swatow, the first dividends of this inter-theatre co-operation resulted.

On 12 July 1945, Lieutenant A. L. Lindsell of VPB-119 contacted the Coastwatcher according to plan. He was told to proceed to Chang Pu, 24-09N, 117-38E and to look for panels and markers put out by the Chinese to point the way to a concentration of Jap troops. He proceeded to the designated position and after circling the town six times discovered the panels pointing in a southwest direction. After proceeding approximately five miles in this direction another panel was seen changing Lieutenant Lindsell's heading slightly and leading him to a mountain trail. Almost instantly he came upon a concentration of Jap troops spread over three miles of the trail. It is estimated that they numbered about one thousand and their position was 24-06N, 117-29E. The troops were wearing green uniforms and had back packs, pack horses and horses pulling mobile guns. Feeling that there was a possibility that these troops might be friendly, Lieutenant Lindsell again contacted the Coastwatcher who advised him that if the troops had horses they were enemy. Lieutenant Lindsell attacked immediately from an altitude of three hundred feet, strafing the entire disposition. Five strafing runs were made, killing and wounding an undetermined number of men and horses. Lieutenant Lindsell also attempted to release his bomb load on the concentration but on his first run his hydraulic system was shot out and he was unable to open his bomb bay doors except manually, which method, under the circumstances, was too slow due to the fact that the troops dispersed immediately.

Breaking off the attack, Lieutenant Lindsell flew to the far side of the mountain which the enemy troops were climbing and waited there for about one half hour to give the enemy time to s reform it's ranks. This strategy worked to perfection; he came up over the mountain and down upon the enemy which had reformed along the trail, again strafing the entire concentration and inflicting a great deal of damage.

The following day the Coastwatcher reported to another search plane that these attacks resulted in the killing and wounding of / large numbers of men and horses and that a Jap General had been wounded in the legs and had his horse shot out from under him.

On 15 July 1945, Lieutenant T. R. Alkire of VPB-119 contacted the Coastwatcher and was given the position of additional troops. He proceeded to the area but had difficulty in finding the identifying panels. He sighted a small number of troops scattered over the area had made two strafing runs, but not being positive of their identity, broke off the attack. It is not known whether any damage was inflicted.

On 18 July 1945, Lieutenant (jg) H. M. Waldron of VPB-104 was directed to an enemy troop position by the Amoy Coastwatcher. He discovered a concentration of about fifty men at 23-50N, 117-18E and thoroughly strafed them with approximately 500 rounds. It is estimated that at least twenty of the troops were hit.

On 20 July 1945, Lieutenant W. G. Bloxham of VPB-104 accounted for many more of these enemy troops and their equipment. He found a concentration of about 400 men at 23-43N, 117-06E with about 100 pack horses, proceeding along a country road. He pressed home his attacks immediately. On his first run he dropped three parafrags, which he was carrying for this specific purpose, scoring hits along the road the enemy was traveling. He then made several strafing runs, pouring 6500 rounds into the concentration. Twenty to thirty horses were seen to fall. An undetermined number of men were hit, but as the entire area was thoroughly strafed a large number of men were unquestionably killed.

On 21 July 1945, Lieutenant T. G. McAuliff of VPB-104 strafed an estimated 100 Jap troops at 23-37N, 116-49E. These troops were disguised as Chinese and were crossing a small bridge near a town. After one run Lieutenant McAuliff broke off his attack for lack of positive identification.

Following these attacks FAW-17 received a congratulatory dispatch from ComNavGroup China which also stated that approximately 750 Jap troops were killed in this series of attacks.


VPB-104 CONTINUES CLARK FIELD SEARCHES

Patrol Bombing Squadron 104, under the command of Lieutenant Commander William Cole, USN, continued its operations from Clark Field during July and August, attacking and destroying enemy shipping and land targets on the China, Indo-China, and Formosa Coasts. The squadron operated in conjunction with VPB-119 under operational control of FAW-17.

Action summaries:

4 July -- Lieutenant Commander William Cole, USN, on patrol over the Pescadores, sighted a lugger at 23-22N 119-301. Two bombing and three strafing runs were made. A near miss damaged the lugger seriously, and it was left listing 20 degrees. At 23-22N 119-32E another lugger was sighted and in the subsequent attack destroyed. Continuing his patrol, Lieutenant Commander Cole found two luggers on a beach at 23-11N 119-25E; one century was dropped between them, blowing off the bow of one and the stern of the other.
5 July -- Four strafing runs on a lugger at 19-33N 110-48E by Lieutenant Ira B. West, USNR, succeeded in sinking the vessel and probably killing two of seven men aboard it.
6 July -- Lieutenant (jg) R. M. Williams, Jr., USNR, found a truck on northern Hainan at 19-54N 110-09E. He made four low-level strafing runs, scoring many hits and leaving the truck smoking.
6 July -- Lieutenant (jg) E. W. Cardiff, USNR, attacked two junks in the Formosa Straits. The first, at 23-45N 119-45E, was sunk with a single 100-pound GP after hits by incendiaries in three previous runs had failed to set the vessel afire. The second junk was found anchored at 24-03N 120-17E. Heavy, moderate, accurate A/A forced the PPC to break off the attack after two runs had been made; the junk was slightly damaged.
8 July -- Lieutenant J. H. McGhee, USNR, found a large SUGAR DOG and a motor launch anchored at 19-53N 109-30E. Strafing caused the SUGAR DOG to blaze fiercely. Four similar attacks on the motor launch failed to set it afire though its hull was pierced and it settled low in the water.
9 July -- Two bombing and strafing runs made by Lieutenant K. A. Burton, USNR, on a two-masted junk anchored at 20-05N 110-35E inflicted serious damage but failed to destroy the junk.
10 July -- Lieutenant (jg) Harvey M. Waldron, USN, made two bombing and strafing runs on a heavily loaded two-masted junk at 23-43N 119-40E. Numerous tracers were observed hitting the target and two near misses with 100-pound GP's were scored. Serious damage was caused but the junk failed to sink.
11 July -- It took ten runs, but Lieutenant McGhee finally destroyed two launches and two barges he found tied up to a pier at 22-25N 113-08E. Near misses with bombs set the launches and one barge adrift, the barge and one launch immediately catching fire. A series of strafing runs subsequently set the other launch afire and sank the remaining barge at the pier.
12 July -- Lieutenant Burton attacked a three-masted junk at 22-23N 119-20E, knocking off one mast. A U.S. submarine surfaced before a second run could be made, threw a shell into the junk, and sent out a boarding party. Two Nip P0W's were taken by the sub. Continuing his patrol, Lieutenant Burton attacked and blew the stern off a junk located at 23-03N 119-30E.
14 July -- lieutenant (jg) William G. Bloxham, patrolling the Southeastern portion of Hainan Island, bombed and strafed two blockhouses and a group of barracks along a five-mile stretch starting at 18-48N 110-23E. Two blockhouses and two of the barracks were hit and damaged by 100-pounders and strafing.


NOW YOU SEE THEM - NOW YOU DON'T -- Lieutenant Commander William" Cole| commanding officer of VPB-104, performed the two examples of legerdemain illustrated here. The photo at the top left shows a lugger anchored in the Pescadores at 23-22N 119-30E. Top left shows the lugger and where the bombs landed. Top right, the bombs explode, not only rendering the lugger useless but blew out a chunk of the sea wall. At the bottom left, another lugger two miles east of the above sighting, took shelter behind an island. At lower right, a direct hit completely destroys the vessel.


14 July -- A truck proceeding along a Formosa highway at 22-25N 120-55E was set afire by Lieutenant McGhee. An hour later at Taikanko harbor, incendiaries exploded a gasoline storage tank. A fishing boat in the harbor was set afire.
17 July -- Two camouflaged trucks found along the edge of a small river at 22-57N 114-13E were attacked in six strafing runs by Lieutenant (jg) Bloxham. Many hits were scored and the trucks were left smoking.
18 July -- Lieutenant (jg) William G. Shields attacked a ten-car freight train on the southern coast of Hainan Island at 18-19N 109-HE. More than 1200 rounds were expended in three strafing runs; the train stopped and steam was pouring from the locomotive when the plane left. The bombs hung up and could not be released.
18 July -- A coast watcher in the Amoy area informed Lieutenant (jg) Waldron that enemy troops were located at 23-50N 117-18E. Lieutenant Waldron proceeded to the area and found approximately 50 Japs. About ten of the Nips were killed on the first strafing run, but by the time the PPC had circled for another attack the troops had dispersed into the underbrush and could not be found.
20 July -- Lieutenant (jg) Bloxham also contacted the coast watcher at Amoy and was directed to a column of Jap troops at 23-43N 117-06E, proceeding towards Swatow. The Nips were taken completely by surprise, apparently having relied on the low ceiling and rain for protection. On the first pass Lieutenant (jg) Bloxham dropped parafrags; these fell in a string along the edge of the road; a number of horses were seen to fall and the whole column scattered wildly. The PPC then circled the area for half an hour, making between ten and fifteen strafing runs at any visible movement. It was estimated that the party contained between three and four hundred men and 100 heavily laden pack horses. Poor visibility prevented estimation of the casualties (see report for 21 July).
20 July -- Lieutenant McGhee had a busy day. At 23-16N 119-40E he heavily strafed and damaged a beached lugger, at 23-15N 119-35E he bombed and destroyed another beached lugger, and at 23-38N 119-35E he strafed and damaged two anchored junks. Turning to land targets, in the course of the next half hour he heavily strafed and left smoking three locomotives. While attacking the last, at 24-17N 120-33E, medium, intense accurate A/A from three positions knocked out the number 1 engine. The port waist gunner silenced one of the three batteries, and the plane then proceded to Laoag, on the northern Luzon, where a safe emergency landing was made.
20 July -- Lieutenant (jg) Cardiff made three bombing and strafing runs on a two-masted junk at 25-20N 121-35E and left it burning and listing.
21 July -- Lieutenant Thomas G. McAuliff, USNR, on direction from the coastwatcher in the Amoy area, found several small boats crossing a river at 23-47N 116-49E. Being unable to determine whether they were manned by Chinese or Japanese, Lieutenant McAuliff did not attack until he saw an arrow-shaped panel on the beach pointing to the boats. A run was made on them and two of the boats were destroyed, casualties not being determined.

The coast watcher reported, however, that in attacks made on 18, 20 and 21 July 120 casualties were inflicted and a Jap general killed.

22 July -- Thirteen luggers were destroyed or damaged by Lieutenant Commander Cole in a series of attacks. At 23-55N 120-20E he heavily strafed and damaged two luggers. Southeast of this attack in the Pescadores at 23-22N 119-30E he heavily damaged two additional luggers. Then on Ryuku Sho, at 22-20N 120-23E, he bombed and strafed 16 beached luggers, destroying four and heavily damaged five more.
25 July -- While on patrol over Hainan Island Lieutenant (jg) Bloxham found a group of luggers pulled up on the beach at 19-54N 109-32E. Six runs were made on the target, in which one lugger was destroyed and another seriously damaged. The PPC then attacked a barracks area about a quarter of a mile inland, setting three buildings afire with incendiary clusters. Subsequently, while flying low over Hainan at 20-32N 110-03E a rifle slug from the ground penetrated the radio man's compartment, hit the drift meter, and slightly wounded the radioman.
25 July -- Five strafing runs made by Lieutenant McAuliff on four luggers beached at 23-12N 119-25E resulted in many hits but apparently slight damage. At 23-21N 120-17E the PPC dropped ten centuries on a group of twelve luggers. One was destroyed and two more left burning.
25 July -- Lieutenant Burton found four luggers and ten small fishing boats in a harbor at 22-21N 120-22E, at Ryukyu island. Three bombing and strafing runs were made with the result that one lugger was blown to pieces and two of the fishing boats were badly damaged.
26 July -- Lieutenant (jg) C. R. Peffer, USNR, attacked a blockhouse on Hainan Island at 19-44N 110-37E. Four of the five bombs hung up, the one sucessfully released scoring a near miss and causing slight damage. On a nearby road he saw two trucks, both were strafed and left smoking.
26 July -- Two junks were attacked at 23-28N 119-58E by Lieutenant (jg) Shields. When an incendiary cluster failed to blaze one of the junks he dropped a single century on it, blowing the craft out of the water. The second junk was heavily strafed. Six camouflaged luggers on Ryukyu Sho were bombed and strafed with unobserved results.
27 July -- Lieutenant Commander Cole sighted a large motor launch headed for Hong Kong harbor. After a low level bombing attack, Lieutenant Commander Cole made four strafing runs, expending 2000 rounds, and sank it. Nearby he found a landing craft, also trying to make Hong Kong. Five strafing runs resulted in wrecking and sinking the craft. At 22-50N 113-38E he found a river boat tied to a pier. When two bombing runs failed to inflict any damage, he made five strafing runs, sinking the boat at the pier.
27 July -- Lieutenant (jg) G. T. Fisher, USNR, made eight strafing runs on four trucks and a bus on a highway near Swatow. Though all were hit and damaged, none burned.
30 July -- Lieutenant Commander Cole scored many hits with .50 calibre slugs on a small lugger tied up to a derelict at 25-04N 121-56E.
2 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Conkey, on patrol over Hainan, attacked 2 barracks at 19-40N 109-35E. One was burned and the other was destroyed by a direct bomb hit. He then damaged another barracks at 19-43N 109-13E by bombing and strafing.
2 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Bloxham, on patrol over China in the Hong Kong-Canton area, strafed and damaged 1 bus at 23-01N 113-20E. Then he made two strafing runs along the Si Kiang river and damaged by strafing, 3 river boats, 2 tugs, 3 barges and four trucks.
3 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Fischer, on patrol over Hainan, destroyed 2 barracks buildings by bombing and strafing at 19-00N 110-20E.
3 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Waldron destroyed 2 luggers and damaged 5 with bombing and strafing on Ryukyu island, 22-20N 120-23E.
3 Aug -- Commander W. S. Sampson, flying with Lieutenant Howe's crew, damaged 1 junk SE of Quemoy. Chang Chow coast watcher reported 6 Japs killed and junk heavily ladened with supplies. He then destroyed 1 lugger and damaged 3 more by bombing and strafing at 26-10N 119-04E.
3 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Williams bombed, strafed and seriously damaged 8 luggers at 23-07N 121-23E.
4 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Shields, on patrol over the China coast, attacked and damaged with a near bomb hit and 4 heavy strafing runs 1 well camouflaged truck at 23-03N 115-25E.


BOMBING A LUGGER -- in a Formosa inlet on 30 July 1945 by Lieu-tenant Commander William Cole, USN, CO, VPB-104.


5 Aug -- Lieutenant Commander Cole over the Indo-China coast attacked a wharf and coal loading facilities at 20-58N 106-40E. He destroyed 1 barge anchored at the wharf and two coal cars which were on the wharf. In thoroughly strafing the area he damaged 12 coal cars, 1 large water tank which was spurting water from numerous holes, and many buildings.
5 Aug -- Lieutenant Burton bombed, strafed and damaged severely 4 luggers on a beach at 23-12N 119-24E.
6 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Fischer, on patrol over Hainan, attacked 2 barracks buildings at 19-49N 110-50E. Both were damaged by bomb hits, and many strafing hits were observed. He encountered intense, inaccurate, small arms fire.
7 Aug -- Lieutenant McAuliff, over the China Coast, damaged 1 lugger at 23-15N 119-39E with near hits from his bombe, and very accurate strafing.
7 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Peffer destroyed a small landing craft by bombing and strafing at 23-30N 119-45E, and bombed and strafed a radio tower at 23-40N 120-09E.
7 Aug -- Lieutenant McGhee at Taikanko, Formosa attacked 5 luggers at anchor. His bombs damaged a nearby wharf, and all luggers were heavily strafed.
7 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Waldron on weather patrol tracking a typhoon, flew through to the center where he encountered winds of over 100 knots. He took a remarkable series of pictures of the clouds and waves, which were estimated at over 150' high.
8 Aug -- Lieutenant Burton in the Canton area bombed and destroyed a 70-ton river launch.
8 Aug -- Lieutenant Commander Cole, over the China coast, attacked and damaged 1 bus and 1 truck by strafing at 23-30N 116-37E.
10 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Peffer, over China, destroyed 1 camouflaged river launch with a direct bomb hit, and damaged a large barge by strafing at 22-45N 113-30E.
10 Aug -- Lieutenant McGhee, over China coast, attacked at 22-42N 114-33E and destroyed with a direct hit 1 large 100-ton lugger.
10 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Reichert, dropped a string of bombs from 10,000 feet on a large lugger anchored at the Swatow dock area; cloud cover prevented observation of the drop.


VPB-119 SEARCHES TO CHINA COAST AND FORMOSA

Patrol Bombing Squadron 119, Flying PB4Y-2 Privateers from Clark Field, continued its offensive search missions during July and August. The squadron was under the command of Lieutenant Commander M. S. Ragan, USNR, until he was relieved in August by Lieutenant Commander A, L. Jacobson, USN. Searches covered the sea and coastal area from Hainan Island and the Indo-China coast to 27 degrees north, Formosa and the Pescadores Islands. While targets of opportunity decreased in size and quantity many ships were added to the already heavy tonnage destroyed by the squadron. The squadron operated in conjunction with VPB-104 under the operational control of FAW-17.

Action Summaries:

1 July -- Lieutenant William Lyle, USNR, made two bombing and strafing runs from 50 feet on a lugger underway at 25-27N 119-40E. Near misses with the bombs and several hits by strafing left the ship dead in the water and beginning to settle.
1 July -- Lieutenant (jg) M. W. Jacob, USNR, damaged two Sugar Dogs at 18-15N 109-25E, headed for Yulin Bay.
5 July -- Three bombing attacks were made from an altitude of 50 feet on a lugger at 23-05N 119-28E by Lieutenant Roger Atzenweiler, USNR. Near misses were scored on the first two runs; on the third the bombs hung up. Heavy strafing set the ship afire, however, and the vessel was three quarters under water then Lieutenant Atzenweiler broke off the attack. Lieutenant (jg) Jack Fette, USNR, attracted to the scene by the smoke some fifteen minutes later, confirmed the destruction of the ship. Lieutenant Atzenweiler, continuing his patrol^ made two strafing runs on a three-masted junk at 22-42N 119-55^, causing it to settle in the water. It is considered probably destroyed.
6 July -- Lieutenant (jg) A. L. Lindsell, USNR, found two large junks tied together with a platform between them near Tourane; the coincidence of the platform and a truck nearby indicated that the junks were being used as a car ferry. One bombing run from an altitude of 200 feet plus two strafing runs seriously damaged the junks and the nearby truck.
6 July -- Lieutenant T.R. Alkire, USNR, attacked a motor launch at 23-28N 116-43E, making five strafing runs. Fires broke out and the launch settled on the bottom in shallow water. At 24-27N 118-00E some 45 minutes later, the PPC made four circular strafing runs on a cargo barge, which was beached.
6 July -- A converted patrol craft sighted at 22-40N 114-33E opened up on the Privateer piloted by Lieutenant Commander H. D. Allen, who thereupon decided to attack. His first run, made at 200 feet, inflicted no damage, the bombs being short. On the second run three bombs were dropped and straddles were scored and the ship was left dead in the water. Two one hundred pounders dropped on the third run caused the, ship to begin to settle by the bow. Then on his fourth and final run, a direct hit was scored on the stern, which was blown off, whereupon the ship sank. The port waist gunner found his guns jammed but joined the fray with his .38 revolver, expending nine rounds and claiming a fair percentage of hits.
6 July -- Lieutenant J. F. Gallagher, USNR, made one bombing and strafing run on a FOX TARE DOG anchored behind the breakwater at Hoi How Bay, on Hainan Island. Light, moderate A/A fire holed the plane as five one-hundred pounders were dropped. Two scored near misses, but accurate assessment was impossible because the plane had to retire before the 40MM and 20MM gun positions, which were manned, could open upon them.
8 July -- While patrolling near Swabue, China, north of Hong Kong, a PB4Y-2 piloted by Lieutenant (jg) C. W. Stone, USNR, was hit approximately 40 times by light, intense machine gun fire. None of the crew was hit and Lieutenant (jg) Stone was able to get his plane back to base safely.
9 July -- Lieutenant (jg) A. L. Lindsell, USNR, attacked a 50-ton river boat at 20-50N 106-30E. Three bombing runs followed by five strafing runs resulted in the destruction of the target.
12 July -- Three runs from an altitude of 50 feet were made on a motor launch off Hainan Island at 20-03N 110-15E by Lieutenant (jg) H. W. Evans, USNR. Serious damage was inflicted.
12 July -- Lieutenant Alkire, USNR, spotted two luggers anchored at 21-42N 112-47E. On his first run he dropped three 250-pounders, a near miss sinking one of them. On the last of four low-level bombing attacks a direct hit sank the remaining lugger.
12 July -- Lieutenant (jg) Lindsell, USNR, under the direction of a coastwatcher attacked Japanese troops near Chang Pu, China, 24-09N 117-38E. A series of attacks killed many Japanese troops and their pack horses. (See story Page 3)
15 July -- Lieutenant Commander Allen, USN, made one bombing and strafing run on a small lugger anchored at 19-16N 108-40E, leaving the lugger in a sinking condition.
17 July -- Lieutenant Richard Gilman, USNR, expended 300 rounds in a strafing attack on a small fishing craft sighted near Tansui harbor, holing the vessel in many places. Heavy A/A fire from the shore forced the PPC to retire.
21 July -- Lieutenant Alkire, USNR, missed with three centuries in an attack on three patrol craft tied up at a dock near Haiphong; the bombs fell long and destroyed a building adjacent to the dock. Serious damage was inflicted with 3000 rounds of .50 calibre fire.
24 July -- Lieutenant S. S. Aichele, USNR, expended 500 rounds on a small fishing craft in the Formosa Strait. When the boat was last seen its bow was under water.
25 July -- A large barracks and two or three smaller buildings were destroyed by fire after an attack made at 19-44N 109-56E on Hainan Island by Lieutenant (jg) M. W. Jacob, USNR.
26 July -- Lieutenant Gilman, USNR, inflicted serious damage on two large junks and ten small junks tied to docks in Swatow Harbor. Three parafrags were dropped and 3000 rounds of ammunition expended; positive assessment could not be made because of the necessity of withdrawing from the numerous known A/A positions in the area.
27 July -- Lieutenant Alkire, USNR, was just about to make a run on a lugger 26-07N 119-40E when two explosive shells hit his Privateer, one entering below-the co-pilot's seat and exploding against the armor plate, the other entering the bomb bays. Ensign T. M. Bullers, USNR, was slightly wounded. Lieutenant Alkire successfully landed his plane at Laoag, on northern Luzon.
27 July -- Lieutenant (jg) H. W. Evans, USNR, attacked with napalm incendiary clusters six luggers lined up on the beach at Ryukyu Island, 22-20N 120-18E. Two direct hits enveloped four of the luggers in flames, the fire spreading to the other two. Just as he had completed his second run, the PPC sighted a SALLY over Takao at 1500 feet, heading due south. The Privateer was on a reciprocal course. Lieutenant (jg) Evans put on full power and gave chase. The SALLY dropped two wing tanks and started to climb; it then took refuge over known A/A positions and closing on it became impossible. Two hours later Lieutenant (jg) Evans sighted two 50-ton luggers outside Kiirun harbor. Strafing attacks left one lugger in flames and the other dead in the water. Fifteen minutes later a camouflaged 300-ton SUGAR DOG was sighted at 24-48N 121-55E. Having no bombs left, Lieutenant (jg) Evans made ten strafing runs, setting the ship on fire and causing the crew to take to lifeboats. All were subsequently killed. Shortly thereafter the industrious PPC made a run on Suo harbor, inflicting minor damage of six camouflaged SUGAR DOGS and two small tugs. The final attack of the day was made on three luggers at 24-33N 121-50E. Three strafing runs left two of them in flames and the third dead in the water.
28 July -- Lieutenant (jg) J. H. Wold, USNR, attacked eight trucks along a road on the Luichow Peninsula at 20-35N 110-04E. A strafing run from 100 feet exploded seven of the trucks violently and the eight caught fire in the engine and was destroyed.
29 July -- Lieutenant Gilman, USNR, made two bombing runs and eight strafing runs on a three-masted junk at 21-58N 120-30E, missing with the bombs but scoring several hits out of the 4200 rounds expended. The junk remained under way.
30 July -- Lieutenant (jg) Lindsell, USNR, made five bombing and strafing runs on two luggers at 23-10N 116-37E. A direct hit sent one lugger to the bottom and straddles severely damaged the second.
30 July -- Lieutenant Commander Allen, USN, made three strafing runs on a launch in the Hong Kohg area, inflicting serious damage and leaving the launch dead in the water.
4 Aug -- Lieutenant Richard Gillman, USNR, heavily strafed and damaged a large junk and 7 smaller ones at 23-42N 119-35E. Later at 22-18N 119-17E, he strafed and seriously damaged another large junk.
4 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) Jack Fette, USNR, sank a converted patrol craft (250) tons at 23-34N 122-30E.
5 Aug -- Lieutenant Commander H. D. Allen, USN, inflicted serious damage on a landing craft (20-tons) at 21-35N 112-38E.
7 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) C. W. Stone, USNR, sank a lugger at 2130N 111-29E. Later at 21-23N 111-151, eight strafing runs caused the crews to abandon ship and small fir«s were started in two luggers. Both luggers were seriously damaged.
8 Aug -- Lieutenant T. R. Alkire, USNR, destroyed 4 luggers and 3 PC boats on the beach near Haiphong. One cluster was dropped on the adjacent buildings, settling them afire.
10 Aug -- Lieutenant R. M. Atzonweiler, USNR, was intercepted by three enemy fighters near Karenko, Formosa. He was flying at 2000 feet at 150 knots, when he spotted an OSCAR at 9 o'clock level - he then saw a FRANK and a HAMP at 7 o'clock high. He immediately headed for the deck reaching 260 knots indicated, all three enemy fighters staying with him. The three planes pressed home their attacks, making at least 15 runs singly. No coordinated attacks were made. The FRANK made only one attack and was believed to be damaged on that run; bullets were seen to enter the cockpit and wings. Most of the runs by the Hamp and Oscar were made from the quarters, level. Their final two runs were from 12 o'clock high. The Hamp was hit in the engine and was smoking badly when last seen. No damage resulted to the privateer and crew. The tail guns jammed on the first run, which handicapped the plane considerably.
13 Aug -- Lieutenant Richard Giliaan, USNR, destroyed a tug anchored in the Canton River.
14 Aug -- Lieutenant (jg) S. S. Aichele, USNR, sank a SUGAR DOG at 23-42N 119-36E. Later, two luggers underway between two islands at 26-10N 119-57E were strafed and damaged.


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