 |
Sunday 4 April
94th Day, 271 Days to come
Much better this AM. Sent out what little laundry I had. Quinine makes
ears ring, but feel much better, except back which aches constantly.
Transferred U.S. Army Hospital #31.
~~~~~~~~~
From the VMF-213 WAR DIARY:
8 F4Us  Alert 0530
0830 - 1020 Major Weissenberger Local Patrol 4 F4U
1000 - 1205 Captain Leary Local Patrol 3 F4U
1145 - 1340 Major Britt Local Patrol 6 F4U
1345 - 1435 Captain Peyton Test Hop 1 F4U
1500 - 1635Lieutenant Treffer Local Patrol 6 F4U
Relieved VMF-124 - 11 F4Us.
Flights designed mostly to familiarise squadron with general
operational area.
~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: "Alert" is the group of pilots who are in the Ready Tent on
standby in case there is an air raid before the Local Patrols have
taken off, which would be after daylight.
Captain Peyton had just rejoined the squadron the day before; this was
his first flight in the Corsair.
VMF-124 had left California in January with 24 F4Us, arriving at
Cactus on 12 Feb 43. There are only 11 to pass on to VMF-213 after
about 7 weeks.
Most War Diary entries include a table as the one above. I will not
include them in future War Diary entries unless there is something
important in them.
Monday 5 April
95th Day, 270 Days to come
Still can't eat. Given intravenous injection 1 liter glucose sol'n.
Decided not malaria but dengue fever.
~~~~~~~~~
From the VMF-213 WAR DIARY:
(Summary) Peyton and Treffer led Local Patrols in the morning,
Leary and Weissenberger led Knucklehead Patrols over the Russell Islands
in the afternoon.
Tuesday 6 April
96th Day, 269 Days to come
On liquid diet. Weaker today though stomach feels a little better. The
army certainly takes good care of me. I am only marine here.
~~~~~~~~~
From the VMF-213 WAR DIARY:
(Summary) 8 F4Us escorted 2 PB4Ys on photo mission over
New Georgia Island.
~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: The PB4Y is more commonly known as the B-24, the twin tailed 4 engine bomber. These bombers were either from VMD-254, which moved up to Henderson Field from Buttons in March or from Navy squadron VB-102 which also moved to Henderson in March or, just as likely, one from each. All aircraft on the Solomon Islands - Marine, Navy, Army, Australian or New Zealander - fell under the command of COMAIRSOLS, Commander, Aircraft, Solomons. R.Adm. Mason was the first COMAIRSOLS, followed by R.Adm. Mitscher in April, USAAF Gen Twining in July, USMC M.Gen. Mitchell in November.
Japanese fighter pilots had great respect for our big bombers, which were difficult to shoot down and had ample ability to defend themselves. A Navy PB4Y downed six Zeros in a single engagement. Throw in a top cover of Corsairs to prevent a surprise attack out of the sun, and a low cover to prevent head on belly straffing runs, and the slow bombers were quite a hard nut to crack.
On this day photo recon showed 114 Japanese aircraft at the Kahili complex of airfields, up from 40 the day before. These aircraft were flown in from the Japanese carriers to begin an offensive on Cactus.
Wednesday 7 April
97th Day, 268 Days to come
Still on liquids. Nothing solid will stay down. Awake only a little of the time. Feeling better though now that they are treating for dengue fever instead of malaria.
~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: The Japanese began Operation I-GO with 67 bombers and 117
Zero escorts, sinking a USN oiler and destroyer and a Royal New
Zealand Corvette. They lost 12 bombers and 15 fighters, including the
crews. We lost 7 aircraft but only 1 pilot. VMF-221 pilot Jim Swett
downed seven of the bombers in a Wildcat before succumbing to Japanese
hits and friendly AA fire. He won the Medal of Honor on this, his
first, combat flight. After this all new pilots wanted to "do a
Swett." This was the last day that Marines used the Wildcat in
combat.
~~~~~~~~~
From the VMF-213 WAR DIARY:
...Lieutenant Hermann Spoede of Dallas, Texas, succeeded in
shooting down the aforesaid Zero, first encountered by Flight I, and
the Zero was seen by Major Britt, Lieutenant. Shaw and others to fall
in flames into the water. There were 10 to 15 other Zeros observed
above at about 32,000 feet, but these Zeros succeeded in diving into
the clouds and escaping before they could be reached.
Photo at right shows Lt. Herman Spoede, the first HellHawk to "draw blood".
Thursday 8 April
98th Day, Jewish Passover, 267 Days to come
Fever broke today. Finally able to take a little food, though still
largely on liquids.
~~~~~~~~~
From the VMF-213 WAR DIARY:
(Summary) 8 F4Us on continuous alert. Capt. Peyton led 4 F4Us on
morning Knucklehead patrol, Lt. Treffer let 4 on the afternoon
Knucklehead.
Friday 9 April
99th Day, 266 Days to come
First day with no fever. Made it to
head, but staggered all the way. Practically have to learn to walk
again. Lost about 20 lbs in past week.
~~~~~~~~~
From the VMF-213 WAR DIARY:
Summary: 12 F4Us on morning alert, Lt. Treffer, Capt. Humberd and Maj.
Weissenberger led sequential Knuckleheads of 4 planes each, Capt.
Leary flew Task Unit Cover with 3.
Saturday 10 April
100th Day, 265 Days to come
Second day with no fever. Moving around more but still pretty weak.
Sunday 11 April
101st Day, Passion Sunday, 264 Days to come
Went to Mass and Holy Communion this AM. Third day with no fever. Will leave tomorrow.
Monday 12 April
102nd Day, 263 Days to come
Discharged this AM. Reported to MAOS-1 for travel orders to Buttons. Set up very comfortably. Notations for last week filled in diary.
Tuesday 13 April
103rd Day, Thomas Jefferson born 1743, 262 Days to come
Took and after delay passed physical exam for active flying duty.
Spent greater part of day ashore. My French is becoming more usable.
Came home and received word I leave at 0930 for Tontouta for DC-3
transportation to Buttons. Big drunk tonight which I am carefully
avoiding.
~~~~~~~~~
From the VMF-213 WAR DIARY:
...but due to misjudgement of the runway or some unknown
reason his (the C.O., Major Britt's) plane ran off the runway and
crashed into two F4Us that were parked on the taxiway, and were
completely destroyed. A daring attempt was made by Captain Henry
Milles of VMF-214 to rescue the Major and remove him from his burning
plane, but he was caught in the cockpit and their efforts were in
vain.
The Squadron is fortunate in having Major Weissenberger, an able and
experienced succesor to Major Britt.
...at a point Northeast of New Georgia Island, Staff Sergeant W.I.
Coffeen's plane developed engine trouble and he was last seen at about
3,000 feet going in the direction of the Southwestern coast of
Choiseul Island. We have hopes of his return.
Results of the day:
Major Wade H. BRITT Jr.
Killed in action.
Staff Sergeant W.I. COFFEEN Missing in action.
Four F4Us destroyed.
Wednesday 14 April
104th Day, Lincoln Assassinated 1865, 261 Days to come
Left 0930 for Tontouta. Left Tontouta by DC-3 at 1300. AR Buttons
1630. Met by Stewart and Paradise 1730 & drove to fighter strip. Had
a quick chow & after perfunctory check of gear. Retired to ordinance
tent with Stewart & a bottle of Bacardi Rum & two letters, both
written 17 March. One happily from V.J.. The other from Kit with news
of Bob's death. He was my best friend, now dead with Kit expecting on
the last of August.
~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: The Lt. is non-fraternizing with Sgt. Stewart again, at least
it is in the Ordnance tent.
An assumption I make, drawn from the margin note earlier about his
sister's birthday, is that Kit is his sister. It would not be a long
assumption, since he refers to her husband as his best friend.
Thursday 15 April
105th Day, 260 Days to come
Got my gear. Met Col. Clifford, He fixed me with transportation to Cactus for 8 AM tomorrow. Wrote Kit, trying to show her a little hope. At 1730 Stewart took me to SCAT operations & I was quartered there for the night. Stewart & I had quite a long talk today. He is returning to the U.S. since he can't get into action with the squadron. He will contact mother who I hope will write V.J.. Learned today that Maj. Britt was lost.
WADE H. BRITT, JR - MAJOR, USMC
C.O. VMF 213 - KILLED IN ACTION APR 13, 1943
THERE'S NO ONE CAN TAKE HIS PLACE
IN THE HEARTS OF US ONE AND ALL
THE HIGH AND LOW, THE BEST AND WORST
MUST GO WHEN HE GIVES THE CALL
AND NOW THE BEST OF US ALL IS GONE ~
AND IT'S NO DISGRACE TO WEEP.
BUT WE'LL CARRY ON AS HE TAUGHT US TO
WHILE HE GUIDES US FROM HIS SLEEP.
~ ~ LT. BROWN.
Placed on a plaque on his prop over the
grave.
Photo at right: The cemetery at Cactus | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
