VPNAVY VP-5 Open House
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

Note VP-52 NoticeNote

Note NOTICE: "...My name is Bas Kreuger and I am a Dutch aviation historian, at the moment doing research into a crash landing and subsequent rescue of the crew of a US B-25 bomber crew from the Netherlands New Guinea in the summer of 1944 (see attached article for more information and the full story..." Contributed by Bas Kreuger bas@kreugerinkultuur.nl [10JAN2021]

In my research at first I thought only the US AF 2 ERS (Emergency Rescue Squadron) was involved with their Catalina's, but it may be that Cat's of VP-52, at that time also flying from Biak and Woendi, were involved.

There are some pictures of the Cat's flying in and out of the Vogelkop peninsula and these might be both 2 ERS and VP-52 Cats. It seems the army Cats were bare aluminium and the Navy Cats painted black or very dark blue.

I've included a few of them:

    - the Saturday 19th August picture shows the rescued B-25 crew being brought on board of the Cat to fly back from Biak

    - Z7J6165S shows the crew of 1Lt Leslie E. (Elder) Lange with three Japanese POW's that were captured during the rescue mission.

    - In Jap POW in Cat you see two Jap POW's in a Cat on their way back to Biak. One of the four tried to overwhelm his guard and "escaped" through the blister at 3,000 feet!

    - Z7J6170S show the take off by a Cat (2ERS or VP-52) on the Kais river, a dangerous take off because of the bend in the river and the trees at the shore line.

    - Then there is a picture of the 25th PRS photographer Charlie D. Crow who took numerous aerials of the crashed B-25 to help making maps so the rescue team could find their way and the wreck/crew.

    - PBY MacCluer Gulf rescue comes from another source, but might very well be during this rescue ops as civilians were flown out by Catalina's.
Do you know if VP-52 could have been involved in this rescue? Or do you know someone who is involved in research into VP-52 and might know more? Do you know where to find the squadron history for VP-52 in the summer of 1944?

All help is very much appreciated!

LEFT to RIGHT

Z7J6165S, Z7J6170S, Japanese POW in Catalina, 19AUG1944 around 1330 PM the rescued crew flew back to base (picture Thomas Wright), PBY MacCluer Gulf rescue, Photographer Charlie D. Crow of 25th PRS with Lt Lange and his Cat and

Swamp rescue - a daring air crew rescue in New Guinea in the summer of 1944 - expedition 2019 - article English V3.PDF File

History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail

Note NOTICE: "...Does anyone know a James Wilbur Woodward of South Carolina also known as "Woody" or "The Deacon"? He was in the VP-52 as well as FAW-2, FAW-5, and FAW-8 during WWII? If so, could you please give any info regarding "Woody", his service, or the history of his unit? His military history is unclear and any light shed on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...Andrew Woodward awoodw2@lsu.edu..." [26MAR2005]


Note NOTICE: "...Navy Establishing Augment Units For All FRS's Including VP-30..." Contributed by LCDR Robert J. Cable cablerj@vp30.navy.mil [03DEC2003]

VP-30 SAU The Navy is scheduling the establishment of a Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) attached to VP-30 for 1 October, 2004. Final numbers have yet to be released, but the SAU is likely to total near 150 personnel composed of Officer and Enlisted instructors and maintenance personnel. The SAU has begun recruiting the advance party of 20 maintainers in the AD, AE, AT, AM, and AME rates. If you are interested in serving as a Selected Reservist in VP-30 SAU, have P-3 NEC's and P-3 experience within the last 6 years, and are within drilling distance of NAS Jacksonville, Florida, please call Naval Reserve Recruiting Area SE at 904-542-3320 ext 490 or the SAU OIC at 904-542-0990.

AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate    AE - Aviation Electrician's Mate    AT - Aviation Electronics Technician    AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic

Note NOTICE: "...A Memorial is being established at Crawley Bay in Perth in commemoration of Naval operations during World War II. We are interested in communicating with any and all Shipmates attached to: CPW-10, FAW-10, VP-11, VP-33, VP-34, VP-52, and VP-102. Please contact Jim Eftos jimef@dcd.wa.gov.au. Thanks you..." [19FEB2003]


Note NOTICE: "...Have been looking hi and low for my great uncle Ralph Mortimer Gordon. Think he may have been in VP-52 in 1943-44. Perhaps someone out there remembers him that was in the spuadron at that time. He may have been an AMM or a Navigator. Please let me know if you remember him...William Gordon wlgordon@mindspring.com..." [26MAR2000]


Return
"VP-52 Summary Page"