DATE: Dec. 10, 1942

LAT: 5 Degrees 15'S

LONG. 160 Degrees 50'E

TIME: 1035 L

WEATHER: Fair, with semi-occasional squalls

UNIT REPORTING: Ensign D. G. McLaran, PPC, and 2 members of crew of PBY-5 #72P5, of Squadron VP-72

NATURE OF OPERATION: Search Patrol

FORCES ENGAGED OWN: 1 PBY-5

FORCES ENGAGED ENEMY: 1 Mitsubishi 01 twin-engined land based bomber - color, a shiny silver blue - red suns

TYPE OF ATTACK: Passes from port side after quarter - see pp 16 for details

ENEMY TACTICS: See pp 16

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: See pp 16

WEAPONS EMPLOYED OWN: .30 and .50 cal. machine guns

WEAPONS EMPLOYED ENEMY: 7.7 mm. machine guns

EVASIVE ACTION EMPLOYED: Zigzag course at low altitutde - swing tail to bring waist guns to bear - running for raincloud

AMMUNITION EXPENDED: No Estimate

RESULTS: None - probably some damage to bomber since port engine seemed to be smoking after last pass, and its port and bow gun stopped shooting after 2nd pass

DAMAGE TO OWN AIRCRAFT: About 20 small bullet holes in PBY - none crippling - I.F.F. antenna shot off

REMARKS (pp16): PBY was on NW course at 200 ft. alt. when VB approached form West (from direction of Ongtong Java) at about 700 ft. The Jap dove on PBY's tail, approaching from port side after quarter in blind spot of horizontal stabilizer, to within about 300 yards, shooting its nose gun (guns?), then banked toward plane and out behind tail. 4 precisely similar passes were made, except that on last pass Jap came clear in and over PBY at only about 100 yards before turning out. The PBY turned into the attacking Jap whenever possible - its nose gun is sure it hit many times - and tried to keep its waist guns bearing - those too claim many hits, saying the range was so close sight no good, so just aimed by tracers. After 15 minutes, PBY got to rain cloud, stayed in it another 15 minutes, during which VB departed. The Jap could easily out speed the PBY, which was indicating 135 knots.

REMARKS: It seems probable that the pilot is on the starboard side of the VB since all attacks were from PBY's portside aft.

SIGNED: Air Combat Intel. Officer - Gail J. Burck

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
10DEC42 Action With Enemy Report
VP-91 Squadron Roster
A Sailors Prayer
Pearl Harbor on 07DEC41
War and Peace and Memory Article
A Letter
Life's Long Road

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"VP-91 Up-Float Newsletter SummaryPage"

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