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VP-54 / VPB-54 War Diary             
Part Two                                             

REPORT OF ACTION WITH THE ENEMY

1. Date: October 22-23, 1943; Lat.: (Ship) 6-38, (Barges) 7-10; Long: (ship) 156-26, (barges) 7-10. Time: ship - 0055L, (barges) - 2015L.

2. Weather: Good; no moon, .8 cloud cover at 1000'; slight haze; no wind; water smooth.

3. Unit Reporting: Lieut. James W. Anderson, A-V(N), USNR, PPC of plane 1 V 24 of VP-54, (Black Cat Command ).

4. Nature of Operation: Night search mission.

5. Specific Objective: Enemy shipping.

6. Forces Engaged Own - 1 PBY-5A (Black Cat)

Enemy - Approximately 28 barges and one corvette or small AP.

7. Type of Attacks: Black Cat strafed barges and bombed and strafed

corvette.

8. Enemy Tactics: Barges stopped dead in water, then turned toward shore. Barge personnel fired rifles. Ship attempted to reach safety in the mouth of a small river.

9. Description: On the night of October 22-23, 1943 Lieut. Anderson made visual contact with what appeared to be a group of 8 barges off Wugai Point, Choiseul Island. As the Black Cat circled a contact report was dispatched and shortly after, 28 additional barges were counted. Lieut. Anderson strafed the barges for a period of 3 1/2 hours. Runs were made from 400-600' with the plane firing at any targets that presented themselves. Numerous hits were scored but no fires were started and no enemy craft were seen to sink As the plane opened fire the barges turned from their course of 120 degrees (down the southwest coast of Choiseul) and made for shore. No opposing fire was received other than scattered fire from rifles and occasional shots from what appeared to be a fairly large calibre shore based field gun. At 0030L Lieut. Anderson left the barges and continued up the coast of Choiseul Between Guppy Island and Sipasel Island (northern Choiseul) he made visual contact at 0055L, with an enemy corvette or small troop transport. Poor visibility prevented positive identification. One strafing run was made and Anderson then circled for bombing altitude. Approximately 26 flares were dropped and a glide bombing run made from 2300' to 1500'. As the four five hundred pound bombs were dropped the Black Cat was indicating 180 knots. The run was made across the port beam of the ship with two bombs exploding very close aboard each side of the stern. The ship stopped and began sinking by the stern. No return fire was received. The Black Cat was by this time very low on gas and was forced to return to base.

The Jap ship was apparently waiting to take evacuees aboard. Lieut. Anderson believes that it was severely damaged and probably sank.

10. Weapons Employed: Own - Four 500# General Purpose demolition bombs equipped with 1/10 second delayed nose fuses and 4/5 th. second delayed tall fuses. Twin .30 cal MG bow guns and two .50 cal waist guns.

Enemy - A few rifles and one fairly large calibre field gun.

11. Evasive Action Employed: Black Cat took no evasive action. Enemy barges and ships first stopped dead in water and then made for shore.

12. Ammunition Expended: Four five hundred pound bombs listed above. Approximately 32 flares.
1000 rounds .30 cal. MG ammunition.
1000 rounds .50 cal. MG ammunition.

13. Results - probable: Extensive damage to many enemy barges and the possible killing and wounding of enemy personnel The probable sinking of any enemy corvette or small troop transport of approximately 200-300' length.

14. Damage to Own Aircraft: None.

APPROVED:

C. W. SCHOENWEISS,
LIEUT. COMDR., U.S. NAVY
COMMANDING

year vol. JAN FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
1941 Oct 1943 Diary has excellent summary 15 Nov 1942-
1942 30 Spt 1943, which is accessioned as a                          15    x
1943 Diary
          x   x    x    x    x    x     x    x    x     x    x
1944         6x    x    x    x    x     x    x    x     xOn 1 Oct.
1945 1944 title changed to VPB 54

VP 54

year vol. JAN FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
1941
1942
1943
1944 Prior to 1 Oct. 1944 known as VP 54                x    x    x
1945       x   x 1-24

VPB 54

From: Commander, Patrol Squadron FIFTY-FOUR
To : The Chief of Naval Operations. (Office of Naval Records & Library).

Subject: War Diary - Forwarding of.

References: (a) U.S. Pacific Fleet Letter 11L-42.
            (b) Patwings Pacific Letter 1-42
            (c) Patwings Pacific Letter 2-42.
            (d) Air Force Pacific Fleet Letter 11L-42.

Enclosure:  (A) War Diary 11-1642 to 11-30-42.

1. In compliance with the above references, the War Diary of Patrol Squadron FIFTY-FOUR is forwarded herewith.

Copies To:

COMAIRPAC
FAW2
FILE

1. Operating Status:

Based ashore at N. A. S. Kaneohe with Patrol Wing TWO. (In process of formation during period covered by this report)

2. Status of Aircraft:

IN CUSTODY TYPE LOCATION READY UNDER REPAIR

0      -       -       0       0

3. Log of Events:

The various operations of this Squadron are chronicled in the War Diary of Fleet Air Wing TWO for the month of November, 1942.

Original: OPNAV (Office of Naval Records and Library)
Copies to: COMAIRPAC
           FAW2
           FILE

From: Commander, Patrol Squadron FIFTY-FOUR.
To : The Chief of Naval Operations. (Office of Records & Library).

Subject: War Diary - Forwarding of.

Reference: (a) U.S. Pacific Fleet Letter 1 1L-42.
           (b) Patwings Pacific Letter 142.
           (c) Patwings Pacific Letter 242.
           (d) Air Force Pacific Fleet Letter 1 1L-42.

Enclosure: (A) War Diary 12-142 to 12-3142.

1. In compliance with the above references, the War Diary of Patrol Squadron FIFTY-FOUR is forwarded herewith.

Copies To:

COMAIRPAC
FAW2
file

Original: OPNAV (Office of Naval Records and Library).

Copies to: COMAIRPAC
           FAW2
           FILE.

1. Operating Status:

Based ashore at N. A. S. Kaneohe with Patrol Wing TWO.

2. Status of Aircraft:

IN CUSTODY    TYPE      LOCATION           READY PLANE REPAIR

    12      PBY-5A       N.A.S. Kaneohe      10       2

3. Log of Events:

The various operations of this Squadron are chronicled in the War Diary of Fleet Air Wing TWO for the month of December, 1942.

1. Designation of Unit: Patrol Squadron FIFTY-FOUR

2. Commanding Officer: Lt. Comdr. C.W. Schoenweiss, USN

3. Composition of Unit:

a. Planes.......................................... 9 PBY-5As (Black Cats)
b. Crews (flight).......................... 15
c. Pilots (officers)....................... 52
d Pilots (enlisted)................................ 8
e. Ground officers (A-Vs).......................... 2
f Flight surgeon .................................. 1
g. Crew members (enlisted)....................... 115
h Yeoman .......................................... 1

4. Location of Unit: (NOTE: This diary entry was prepared during October 1943) Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

Patrol Squadron 54 was commissioned on November 15, 1942 and was organized and trained at the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, T.H. A nucleus of experienced officers and men was assigned existing squadrons but the majority of the pilots were drawn directly from advanced flight training units.
As much training as facilities afforded was carried out in gunnery, bombing, navigation, communications, flight operations, and plane and ship recognition during the period from November, 1942 to March, 1943. The squadron also furnished three crews daily for daylight patrol of the Hawaiian Area.
On the twelfth of February, 1943, VP-54 received orders to convert to a night-flying unit and to be ready to leave for the South Pacific within two weeks. In this short time as much training as possible was given to inexperienced pilots and crews. Flights were scheduled for night landings, torpedo drops and bombing and gunnery runs. This program was necessarily limited and it was not until the Squadron reached Guadalcanal did it gain any significant experience in night search and attack operations. Fortunately, the first three months of such operations were far less taxing than the succeeding six-month 's period and the pilots thus had time to gain the 'feel" of night landings, takeoffs, and unfavorable night weather conditions, to learn their search areas thoroughly and, more important, to develop confidence in themselves, their planes and their crews.
The first contingent, consisting of nine planes and ten crews departed Kaneohe Bay for Espiritu Santo on the first of March, arriving March seventh. The balance of the squadron (six planes and eight crews) arrived at Espiritu during March and early April. A three-plane section that left Kaneohe March 24th was bombed at Canton. One Black Cat was completely destroyed and another, riddled by shrapnel was flown back to Hawaii for repairs. The third plane proceeded to its scheduled destination.

The first VP-54 Black Cat landed on Henderson Field March 11, 1943 and its crew made the first squadron night patrol in the Solomon Islands area the following night. The remaining Planes and crews arrived in quick succession, temporarily relieving those of VP-12. Patrol Squadron 54 operated jointly with VP-12 until approximately June 1 after which the Black Cats consisted solely of VP-54 planes and personnel.

The Squadron's operations to date may be conveniently divided into distinct periods, corresponding to the changes which occurred in the general tactical situation. These periods are:

1. March 11 to June 15 Development and defense of Guadalcanal.

2. June 15 to August 5 Rendova and Munda Campaigns.

3. August 5 to October 31 Attempted Jap evacuations; Vella Lavella    campaign.

   The Black Cats' part in the first period consisted of night patrols known as the "mike search", day and night anti-submarine patrols, special weather flights, rescue missions, bombing and harassing missions over the Jap-held airfields at Vila and Munda, radar detection flights and flights involving the transportation of officers and materials to advanced bases. The mike search was an anti-ship ping patrol designed to cover the channel and southern approaches to Guadalcanal and the track included the Russell Islands, the southern two-thirds of the southwest coast of Santa Isabel, the northern tip of Malaita and Savo Island. Convoy and anti-submarine patrols were ordinarily flown to the southeast of Guadalcanal or between Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands, the most advanced Allied base during this period.

   The Munda and Vila harassing missions consisted off flying over these bases at periodic intervals during the night and dropping a single bomb on each run. The objective was to keep the Japs awake and in their fox holes.

   On June 1, 1943 Patrol Squadron 12 left the area and all Black Cat missions were assumed by Patrol Squadron 54. From approximately this date to August 5th. (the end of the Rendova and Munda campaigns) the Black Cats were extremely active. At the Squadron's suggestion the mike search was discontinued. A number of more useful night patrols were substituted which took the Black Cats far into enemy territory to hunt for Jap shipping at the top of the "slot" and off the southwest and northeast coasts of Bougainville. At the inception and during the 32-day Rendova and Munda campaigns the Japs attempted to land reinforcements, to shell our land positions and to oppose Allied task forces. Four to six Black Cats were sent out nightly to search for, report and attack Jap warships. Contacts were numerous and the Black Cats were frequently able to guide Allied warships to the Jap forces and to illuminate after the enemy had been engaged. Black Cat contacts led to each of the several battles of Kula and Vella Gulfs. In nearly every instance the Black Cats dropped their four 500 lb. bombs on the ships contacted or, in the event of no contact bombs were dropped on the Vila airfield.

   The number of other types of missions was also increased Numerous convoys were escorted to Rendova and Munda, special bombing and harassing missions were undertaken, a considerable number of pilots were rescued and a large number of spotting, weather and transportation flights were undertaken.

   The period from August 5th to October 31 saw the occupation by Allied forces of Arundel and Vella Lavella Islands, intense bombardment of Jap positions on Kolombangara and, during latter portion, the attempted evacuation of Japanese troops from the New Georgia area. Several Jap task groups were used during these operations but the bulk of the shipping consisted of barges and small Auxiliary vessels. The Black Cats regularly searched the approach areas to out New Georgia positions locating, reporting, bombing and strafing numerous enemy task groups, barge convoys and single troop-carrying ships. A considerable increase in transport, rescue and anti-submarine missions also occurred during this period.

The following sections give a statistical summary of operations during the Month of October and a narrative account of each combat mission.

6. Operating statistics - October, 1943:

a. Total number of missions -----------------------         47

b. Total hours --------------------------------------------  412

c. Types of missions:
(1) Search ----------------------------------------- 38
(2) Spotting ---------------------------------------- 2
(3) Rescue ------------------------------------------ 1
(4) Transportation, officers ------------------------ 2
(5) Convoy ------------------------------------------ 1
(6) Misc. ------------------------------------------- 5

d. Search contacts: ---------------------------------------   77
(1) Destroyers -------------------------------------- 5
(2) AKs and APs ------------------------------------- 2
(3) Barges ----------------------------------------- 68
(4) Unidentified ------------------------------------ 2

e. Bombing attacks-shipping --------------------------------   4
(1) Bombs dropped (lbs.) -------------------- 7,500
(2) Results ---------------- Possible sinking of small auxiliary vessel.

f Strafing actions ----------------------------------------    5
(1) No. of vessels --------------------------------- 65
(2) Barges ----------------------------------------- 64
(3) Aux. vessels ------------------------------------ 1
(4) Results ---------- Numerous hits, probable damage to several barges & wounding and killing of some enemy personnel

g. Rescue missions -----------------------------------------    1
(1) Persons rescued --------------------------------- 1

7. Narrative Summaries of Combat Missions:

October 1:

Lt.(jg) Gage picked up five enemy DDs eight miles east of the Fauro Islands. A contact report was sent and he began tracking the ships which headed down the coast of Choiseul At least five amplifying reports were sent plain language CW and every effort was made to contact our own surface forces supposedly on station north of Vella Lavella, The DD's proceeded to a point approximately 18 miles north of Vella Lavella and appeared to be putting over barges or perhaps making contact with a submarine. As they headed back up the channel Gage dropped flares and made a glide bombing run on the trailing DD scoring a near miss with his fourth bomb, On his return flight Lt (jg) Gage dropped 10,000 leaflets over Vila.

Lt.(jg) Carter took off after a late request for a second plane, Bad weather prevented him from reaching the search area and he returned to base at 0205.

October 2:

Lieut.(jg) Johnson made no contacts but observed what appeared to be a naval battle in Kula Gulf Several Jap planes flew close to the Black Cat but did not attack.

October 3:

Lt.(jg) Schall was unable to reach the search area due to very bad weather and over-heating of the port engine.

October 4:

Lt.(jg) Schall searched the Choiseul-Treasury-Vella Lavella area thoroughly with completely negative results. A VHF test with Henderson was unsuccessful.

October 5:

Lt.(jg) Anderson made contact with four medium barges near Moli Island. On his bombing run all bombs failed to explode and he then dropped flares and began series of strafing runs. The starboard .50 cal waist gun jammed immediately and the port .50 jammed at frequent intervals. A fire of about 10 minutes duration was started on one barge and the remaining three were undoubtedly damaged. The barges were beached on Moli Island.

October 6:

Lieut. Casey contacted two enemy barges 15 miles south of Kieta. He dropped three bombs scoring two near misses and then strafed them until they were beached. Considerable damage was doubtlessly inflicted on the barges and Jap personnel The Black Cat suffered six 7.7 MG. hits one of which punctured the unprotected gas tank.

Lieut. Apgar covered an area west of Vella Lavella and north of Treasury. He observed the sea battle in which three Jap DD 's were sunk but did not sight the retiring Jap force.

October 7:

Lieut. Gage searched the usual area without making contact with enemy vessels. He received a properly authenticated message from the "base" asking the effective date of the current code book No reply was made and it was later learned that no such message was sent. An immediate change of code book was effected.

October 8:

Lieut. Bruce's search was negative with the exception of a Japanese plane which was evidently being vectored to the Black Cat by Jap radar. Lieut. Bruce dove to the water and flew an evasive course at 50 feet until the Jap plane was lost.

October 9:

Lieut. Carter's search was negative. He obtained a good fix on the Jap Poperang radar station despite a report of destruction by a P-39 strike earlier in the day.

October 10:

Lieut. Marsh's search was negative except for several surface lights and blips from enemy aircraft

October 11:

Lieut Comdr. Schoenweiss with Lieut Johnson covered the usual search area with negative results. In accordance with instructions they attempted to land at Munda but could not get clearance.

October 12:

Lieut Smith rescued a P-39 pilot who landed at sea near the southeast tip of Guadalcanal Heavy seas made the landing and takeoff difficult as did failure of the port engine to deliver more than half power.

October 13:

Lieut Livingston was unable to reach the search area due to extremely bad weather.

October 14:

Lieut Erhard also found the area to the northeast and northwest of Vella Lavella closed in and therefore was unable to reach the usual search area.

October 15:

Lieut Casey's search was entirely negative. Coverage was hampered by extremely bad weather.

October 16:

Lieut Apgar conducted a negative search in unfavorable weather. Several good fixes were obtained on the Jap radar station on Poporang Island

October 17:

Lieut Smith sighted a small enemy craft five miles south of Shortland Islands but lost it immediately in the bad weather.

October 18:

Lieut Gage searched the Choiseul-Treasury-Vella Lavella triangle with negative results.

October 19:

Lieut. McDonough sighted what might have been a small tanker in the channel between Mono and Stirling Islands of the Treasury group. The plane was armed with depth charges, hence no attack was made.

October 20:

Lieut Goodrich's search was entirely negative and was considerably hampered by bad weather.

October 21:

Lieut Engemann took off three times because of defective plane equipment. The resulting search was entirely negative.

October 22:

Lieut. Livingston flew Commander Miller from Halavo to Henderson Field.

Lieut. Goodrich returned him to Halavo.

Lieut. Anderson contacted 28 enemy barges off Gugai Point, Choiseul Island and strafed them for over three hours. Approximately 2000 rounds of ammunition were expended and there is little doubt that considerable damage was suffered by the enemy. As he continued up the Choiseul coast, Lieut. Anderson made visual contact with a medium size cargo or troop carrying vessel Anderson strafed and bombed it and left it sinking by the stern.

October 23:

Lieut. Carter searched the southwest coast of Choiseul for barges but made no contacts.

October 24:

Lieut. Bruce searched the usual area with negative results. Very unfavorable weather conditions were encountered.

October 25:

Lieut. Johnson searched the usual area with negative results. Low oil pressure delayed his takeoff.

October 26:

Lieut. Bruce flew Commander Coombs to Halavo in the morning and returned for him in the afternoon.

Lieut. Smith provided air cover for a task force and covered the landing on Treasury Island. Considerable difficulty was experienced in locating the task force since the entire southern route was lined with shipping.

Lieut. Livingston covered the area between north Choiseul, Treasury and Vella LaVella with completely negative results.

Lieut Casey searched Bougainville Straits and as far north as Kieta but with negative results.

October 28:

Lieut. Engemann was prevented by heavy showers from reaching the Green Island area. His search was negative.

Lieut. Anderson made visual contact with 28 enemy barges on the northwest coast of Choiseul. He strafed for forty minutes causing them to scatter and head for shore. Light AA fire was directed at the Black Cat and several hits were received in the after-section of the plane. Lieut. Anderson left the barges

and proceeded to his assigned search area. Approximately l0 miles east of Dambach Island (Bougainville) he made visual contact with a small merchant ship of approximately 150-200'. After dropping flares he made 15 strafing runs and when last seen the ship was approximately 40' from a shallow reef The Black Cat carried no bombs and all but one .30 caliber bow gun jammed shortly after fire was opened on the barges.

October 29:

Lieut. Schall took off but was forced to return because of defective radar. On his second attempt he reached Empress Augusta Bay where he turned because of approaching daybreak. The weather was very good but no contacts resulted.

Lieut. Carter searched the Cape-Alexander-Timputs Bay area with negative results.

October 30:

Lieut. Bruce covered the southwest side of Bougainville to Buka without making contact.

Lieut. Carter searched the northeast side of Bougainville with negative results.

October 31:

On the night of October 31-November 1, American forces neutralized Jap airfields and installations at Buka, Bonis and the Shortland-Faisi area. This was in part effected through bombardment by a large task force. At the same time a landing in force was made at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville. The Black Cats were very active. Their efforts including spotting and air cover for the task force and anti-submarine coverage for the landing convoy.

Lieut. Casey contacted four barges and 1 small AK thirty miles west of Buka Island. He dropped flares and sent contact and amplifying reports but since his plane carried no bombs he was unable to make an attack.

Lieut. Smith searched the northeast coast of Bougainville with negative results.

Lieut. McDonough searched ahead of our task force and spotted for the shelling off Buka. As the shelling ended out task force was illuminated by flares dropped from Jap planes.

Lieut. Gage also spotted for two cruisers of the bombardment group. He encountered slight AA over Buka and on the return trip was forced to land at Munda when his radar went out.

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