A BIT OF HISTORY: "...United States Pacific Fleet Air Force Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Eight..." Contributed by Jeff H. Olsen j.olsen@ssamarine.com [09MAY2000]

Subject: Summary Operations, Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Eight

1. Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred eight was reformed at the U. S. Naval Air Station, Alameda, Calif., on 0 September, 1944, under the Command of Liut. Comdr. John E. Muldrow, USN. On 9 May 1945 Lieut. Comdr. Muldrow was shot down while leading a strike on Marcus Island and was officially reported Missing in Action. On 9 May 1945 Lieut. Comdr. Robert C. Lefever, USN, assumed the Command of the squadron.

2. Deployment of the squadron to date has been as follows:

3. At its maximum complement the squadron was composed of (18) eighteen Flight Crews, six (6) Ground Officers, one (1) Ground Chief, two (2) Yeoman, and three (3) aviation radio technicians. The squadron did not receive its full authorized complement of (18) eighteen flight crews and (15) fifteen PB4Y-2 aircraft until December 1944, two and a half months after it was reformed. A second ACI Officer and a RCM officer reported for duty on 24 of February 1945 and 12 March 1945 respectively. The Radar Officer was detached from this Command on the 26 MAY 1945. A squadron of this size, while operation in the forward area, requires the services of three (3) instead of two (2) Yeoman to handle the immense amount of paperwork, including Action Reports, Recommendations for Awards, Personnel Reports.

4. Following is a summary of Combat Operations from 15 March 1945 to 31 August 1945:

FLIGHT

Combat Missions
731
Hours in Combat MissionsTest and Miscellaneous FlightHours on Test and Miscellaneous FlightsTotal Number of FlightsTotal Hours Flown
LAND TARGETS
DESTROYED

1 Government Building
1 Warehouse
1 Radio and Weather Station
Barracks
Harbor Facilities
Boat Repair Basin

DAMAGED
1 Airstrip
8 Radio Stations
5 Lighthouses
8 Revetments and Installations
5 Harbor Facilities
4 Warehouses

C. Enemy Aircraft

ENEMY AIRCRAFT IN THE AIR
DESTROYED
2 Zekes
1 Oscar

PROBABLES
1 Oscar

DAMAGED
2 Oscars
1 Zeke

ENEMY SHIPPING
SUNK OR DESTOYED
6 ??? Sugars
25 Sugar Dogs
2 Motor Torpedo Boats
1 Whale Killer
2 Sub Chasers
6 Trawlers
1 Sea Truck
1 Auxiliary Schooner
1 Powered Lighter
1 Junk
1 Sea Going Tug
2 Landing Craft
68 Victor Ables, Luggers and Sampans

118 Total SUNK

DAMAGED
3 ??? Dogs
2 Picket Boats
1 Sugar Baker Sugar
1 Sugar Able Sugar
3 Motor Torpedo Boats
1 Gunboat
1 Sub Chaser
15 Sugar Dogs
1 Sea Going Tug
1 Powered Lighter
4 Trrawlers
7 Junks
10 Barges
108 Victor Ables, Luggers and Sampans

159 Total DAMAGED

The majority of the attacks on enemy shipping were made just off the coast of Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu, and the Izu Islands (northern Nahfo Shoto) within range of shore batteries and in close proximity to enemy airfields.

Soon after Iwo Jima was occupied, the blockade of enemy waters south of the empire was so effective that large cargo ships were no longer risked in these waters, and for the most part traffic was confined to small cargo vessels, which kept close to the shore and often traveled only at night. For this reason, although this squadron flew offensive searches regularly to the Japanese mainland and investigated coves, and harbors closely, in spite of frequent AA fire and occasional fighter interception, the hunting was usually poor.

PERSONNEL CASUALTIES
Missing---8
Seriously Wounded---2
Slight Wounded---13

F. Aircraft Losses

AIRCRAFT LOSSES

ENEMY ACTIONS
1 Enemy Action
Shot down over Marcus Island

1 Forced Ditching
After being hit by AA fire from A A.P.D.

1 Forced Ditching
At end of long search as flown through enemy (exploding) ship; damaged beyond repair.

PATROL LOSSES

1 Forced Ditching
At end of long search as result of Navigation and Communication difficulties.

OPERATIONAL LOSSES

1 Hit by towed sleeve during air to air firing exercise
(Kaneohe, T.H.)

1 Delayed emergency landing
Engine trouble, damaged beyond repair.

MISCELLANEOUS
1. This squadron was the first to install two fixed forward firing 20 mm. guns in any PB4Y-2 aircraft and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the increased fire power in combat. During the period of advanced training at Kaneohe, work was begun on an experimental installation in one of the squadrons aircraft. The work was completed in March at Peleiu, and when the squadron was transferred to Tinian, installations were made in other planes. The first combat test occurred off the coast of the Japanese mainland on April 26, 1945, when a steel hulled picket boat was attacked and sunk by 20 mm. fire. Since that date 20 mm. guns have been used extensively in combat by pilots of this command, and have been the major factor in the destruction of enemy shipping. It is believed that the additional fire power has materially increased the effectiveness of the PB4Y-2 for combat patrols.

The entire original assemblies were conceived, designed, assembled, and constructed by personnel of this squadron. Later installations were made with the assistance of CASU (F) 44 (TINIAN) and CASU (F) 52 (Iwo Jima).

2. It is believed that this unit was the first Navy Patrol Squadron to test the effectiveness of Napalm Bomb against small enemy cargo ships and important land targets. Both the AN/M13 500lb. and AN/M47A2 100 lb. Napalm Bombs have been used successfully in low level attacks.

3. In June, July, and August pilots of this squadron flew many Air Sea Rescue missions in Japanese Empire waters, and co-operated with lifeguard subs and surface craft in providing facilities for the assistance and rescue, when necessary, of Army B-29 and fighter pilots during long-range strikes on target on the mainland of Japan.

4. during July and August seventy (70) Barrier Patrols, averaging about 11.5 hours each, were flown by the squadron in close support of the operations of the Third Fleet in Japanese Empire waters.

COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The experience of this command had indicated that the Navy's Long Range Search and Reconnaissance Squadrons could operate more efficiently in the combat area with (15) crews and (15) planes, instead of eighteen (18) crews and fifteen (15) planes which has been standard complement.

2. Although the rotation plan has been working satisfactory, relief by squadron rather than by individual crews is believed to be preferable for the reason that it tends to produce a more closely knit and effective organization.

3. In preparation for combat flying, more heavy-load take-offs at all hours and in all kinds of weather than were called for in the flight training syllable are desirable. While this squadron was operation the forward area, take-offs with gross weight of 68,000 lbs. or more were made regularly under adverse flying conditions.

4. The present relief system for CASU's is not considered satisfactory. Maintenance efficiency and morale of CASU personnel definitely decreased after twelve months of service in the forward area, where equipment, facilities, and living conditions are generally inadequate.

5. The maintenance work of CASU (F) 52 at Iwo Jima is especially commended. Operation under the adverse conditions of a newly occupied forward base, the CASU kept this squadron's planes, as well as the PB4Y's of other squadrons, at a high level of operational and combat efficiency.

6. Command of this squadron was transferred 31 August 1945 from Lieut. Comdr. Robert C. Lefever, USN, to Liut. Comdr, Alexander D. Walter, Jr. USNR.

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