Date - 24 January 1943

28 January 1943

4 February 1943

10 February 1943

February

16 February 1943

17 February 1943

1 March i943

5 March 1943

3 April 1943

9 April 1943

11 May 194.3

CARONOLOGY

Event

Concluding conference held i n Lakehurst, . . . . ~ e w ~ e r s e y . Final pla-m f o r formation ' k.=Aq-~02s ......... of Squadron 51 drawn up. ........ ...... ..*..., ..- . .... -- . ..-A ........ -.. ---..-... ...--- -....,.. . .....-. "-<. *. -..-....Av. -.-- >:+: >>?.-.:." ............... ............ USS ALBETUARLE departed Norfolk, Va. en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . route t o Trinidad, B.W.I. O n board were . ;;:.:::: . . . . . . . . . . . the o f f i ce r s and men of the advance u d t ::!:-::.-:: 11,:

. . . . of Squadron 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The advance un i t of Squadron 51 arrived . . . . . . . . . . . . . a t Edinburgh Field, home of the f i r s t Navy ....."..... : LZA. Base outside the continental l i m i t s of .:.: ; '.: '.. ' .I

. . . the United S t a t e s i n World War 11, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A i r ship Squadron FIFTY -GIVE formally placed. ;':'. . . . ' ':.:I i n commission. ( ~ p p , A) . . . .

I.... . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CommaMer Gerald D. Zurmuehlen arrived a t .--.: - -

. . Edinburgh t o take command of the newly . . . . . .

commissioned Squadron, . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The K-17 arrived t o become t h e f irst air- . ,, :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ship 'assigned t o the Squadro ni . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . .

The K-17 makes f i r s t patrol flight along NUpper Bauxite Lanen,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conference a t San Juan, Puerto Rico with ::.: .: . . . . . . . . . :

. . . . . . Vice Admiral J.. Be Hoover, Commander ,.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caribbean Sea Frontier , . l :,:... . . . . ... ..: .,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Detachment Ow of the Squadron placed i n i : : . . : . . operation at NAS, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. #. . . i::;:. <.:-. ..: . . . . .

I.::: : :. .' . . . . . . . . . I..> . . . . . . . . . . i: ..I .......... :

The K-16 accepted as the second a i r sh ip as- k*,;-.:, ." .... ... .... ..... .. signed t o the Squadron. -.<_ ..._. p::>.:2::z2;f .............. ............. -. ............. r.... ..... ;;.,:., .-...-.... &-:-;.:;C.>+:3

Detachment TWO of the Squadron placed in ?::;%::?.~::: operation a t Atkinson Field, Br i t i sh GuZana,;.:":' ' : '

1 .:..:. ::..: 1.: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I..'.' :. .: .::.:.

Rear Admiral A. G. Robinson, USN, Comnan- ::.;;?::;::: .;: dant Naval Operating Base, Trinldad in- , . . , ,.. , . . . . . . . ..... ... .. :.. :. : .

............. spected ZP-51. 8 : . . . . . . . . . . . . . :. .:. : :: ., . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . .-. . . . . . . . : - - Date

10 June 1943

1 July 1943

30 July 1943

1 August 1943

6 August 1943

7 August 1943

1 5 August 1943

8 September 1943

27 September 1943

2 October 1943

26 October 1943

. . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHRONOLOGY ( ~ o n t f d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONFIDENTIAL . . . . . . . . . . . .: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lieutenant Commander John B. I3ieke.r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . relieved Commander Zurmuehlen a s Com- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . manding Officer of ZP 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Detachment ONE turned oyer t o Airship ............ . . - . , . . 2.. =$;:;$;:: ............. ................. Squadron 'JIPIENSIS-One. . ........ ........ ........... -.......- , ...... -.-.- :.;<.:-:.:.:-?:-y-< ..,......A\........ . ............ .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Join t Army and Navy conference held i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana. ' PreLimfnarg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . plans were made fo r the opening of ZP. 51 ' ;:.::..'.::::'. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Detachment THREE, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commander John D, Reppy rel ievei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lieutenant Commander John B. Rieker as , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . :::. . . . . . . . . Commanding 'Officer of ZP 51. The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Squadron orgznization was expanded t o . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . include a Bedron FIVE and a Wing FIVE, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The K-68, returning from an engagement with an enemy submarine, made a forced landing on the island of Blanquilla, and was subsequently deflated. There was no loss of personnel.

K-24 dropped jungle rescue k i t t o K-68 crew on Blanquilla Island, B.W.I. (see Rescue A ~ ~ . )

K-16 discovered and directed rescue of

4 hree (3) men i n dr i f t ing boat. See Rescue ~ p p , ) '

~et&hmant TmEE of the Squadron was placed i n operation a t Paramaribo, Dutch Guiam.

Ground was broken a t Edinburgh Field fo r the construction of a one-ship hangar.

~ o k a n d e r Samuel Bailey rel ieved Com- mander John Reppy a s Commanding Officer of the Squadron.

Lieutenant Commander Robert J. Williams relieved Commander Bailey a s Commanding Officer of the Squadron.

CHRONOLOGY (~ontfd) . . . . . . . . . . . . CONFIDENTIAL

+.: ' : - : . , .. Date Event . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 October 1943 -The K-94 en route to Trinidad exploded . . . . .

. . . . .

off ~ u e r t o Rico with the . l o s s of a l l hands. . : : : I : : ; . . . . . . . . . .

. .

........ 10 November 1943 . The K-100 located end aided i n the rescue :<; ......... of survivors of rashed a i rp lane , F *. i <.f.$:::3:-:.::.: :,<,y..p.?y..y.: ...............

(see Rescue App. ........... ........ .... ,........., ;....:I;: ..........-'........... ..... ..... .;:.:.:.::.:I.>:< .............. ...,.. . . . . :. :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 November 1943 Edinburgh Field assumed new name, Carlsen ':.::.: . . . . : . : . . . ' : . . Field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13 Decernb e r 1943 Admiral Ernest J;\ King inspected Zandery Field, Dutch Guizm.

1 February 1944 Detachment ONE a t Naval A i r Stat ion, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, t r ans fe r r ed t o Airship Squadron FIFTY-ONE, a f t e r being under the command of Fleet Airship Wing m-0 for l i t t l e more than e igh t months.

4 February 194.4 Lieutenant Commander Jack NAHIGIAN, A-V(G) USNR rel ieved L t , Comdr. Robert n'illiams, USN, as Commanding Officer o f , A i r sh ip Squadron FIFTY.-ONE,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 , . ......... : : _ ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 February 1944 The K-121, ( ~ n s i g n Sidney Verier A-V(N) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . USNR, pilot) successfully towed an eight , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . ton launch f o r seven miles, a f t e r the , . . . . . 1 : . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . C'. :. boat had been reported missing f o r several ;: .:... .:;I..::. ':.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I_ . . . . . _..... hours. (see Rescue ~ p ~ . ) , - . . . .: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 2 Barch 19& .Mrs. Franklin D. ROOSEVELT v i s i t e d Carlsen i : . . . . ..:: . . . . - . : -. . .

Field .and inspect.ed the LTA f a ~ i l ~ t i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : :. , _ . . ! . .

. .

23 March 19&

6 April 19M

8 April 1944

t. 23 April 1944 '%.-,

. .s 1. ' . , . . : . . . . . . . . ' . , : . . - .: The K-108 brought aid t o a s t r i c k e n vessel . I : ; . . . . . . : .. . . . . . . . (See Rescue A ~ ~ . ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The firit of the Combat A i r C r e w of FIFTY- ; :: ;:. . :. ,

I : . :.::... ::

ONE departed f o r a two weeks r e f r e she r 1. t.:c.:-x-:.:-...:22, ...... -.;.:.:.;.:-; > . ......: :&-:-> .:. ..................... course a.t . the Anti-S,ubm.rine Training I.. .:.I.:.:.:q.::.;:":-.. ............ ..... ....... -..,...-. .*..- ...... _%~.'.s:-'- ... ............. Unit a t Key West, Florida. .... J.Y....__ ........_ , ~ ; ~ : ~ ~ $ ; : g ~ : z : : ................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

Assistant Secretary of the Navy f o r A i r , . . . . . . . . . . ........... ....... . . . . . . . Artemus Gates inspected ZP-51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The hangar a t Carlsen Fie ld was completed . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and Squadron spaces occupied. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHP.0NCLOGY ( ~ o n t ' d ) . . . . . . . . . . .

CONFIDENTIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . - Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I . . . . . . . . , . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

28 A p r i l '1944 . . . . . . . . . . . . The K-68 aided i n t he escue of a s t r icken :::.;,',.;.; . . . . . f . . . . . . PBY. (see Rescue App. . . . . . .

. . . .

. . . '13. June 1944 The K-124 sighted Bscaped convicts, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dropped food ' and summoned aid. . . . . . . . . . . . .............. . . . . . .

(See Rescue ~ - p ~ . ) - , ..--..-: - -:-. ."............-. ;.>:.:.:,,>:.>=-:,: .................. .......... .................. ..- ............ ........ .......... '.........,C.. :.:,:.:.- ......... ........:... ............ 4 J u l y 19.44 Squadron FIFTY-ONE carr ied off f i r s t ,:.:-;;:g::::::;: ., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . honors i n t h e 6t.h War Bond Drive i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~

. . . . . . . . Trinidad Sector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 5 July 1944 The K-108 found th r ee PBM survivors a t posi t ion given by K-32 and d i rec ted crash boat i n rescue. (See Rescue A P ~ . )

I i

. . . . . . . . . . . . : .: ., 30 July 1944 Squadron FIFTY-ONE blimps began to . . . . . . 4 " . - . . . . conduct mine search ' sweeps i n Gulf of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paria, from then on a daily. assignment. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 August 1944 Detachment TmEE a t ~aramaribo, Dutch I.:::... . . . .

Guiana dLsestablished. 5 , . . . . . . 1

The K-124 a t Guantanamo Bay, Cuba struck I the mast and was deflated._ 1 1 I

1 5 August 1944 search i n s t i t u t e d for t h e ISLAND -QUEEN a schooner l o s t with f if ty-seven passengers' aboard.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .

. . . . - 16 September 1944 Commander Char1.e~ VIfERTS, USN, re l ieved . . . . . . . : : . . . . . . . . . . . Czptain Samuel BAILEN, USN, a s Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ . . . Flee t Airship Wing FIVE. !. . . . . . . . . . : . . , : : .. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . ! ._'. . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 23 September 194Lk ECKER?, Gar net Jr , AR2c; USN, awarded the /::+';...;.: . . . . . . :. ..:.

.... Purple Heart f o r vlrounds received when. the i! ':'!..-.: . . . K-74 was shot down as a r e s u l t of enemy

. ' ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . : : j action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .:. 2 . : .......... i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r\lo\~e)~aea 1 9 ~ ? ? . . . . . . ZP-51 assigned t o ' ~ l e e t Airship Wing TIVO. 27 September 1944 .-....z.~ a-+~~...2i.2z.2~.~ :.~.::A.:.~I~~<.:.:.?:~ .... -... ............... ......:............* ............ v... . ..,- ...................... ...............

23 November 1944 Orders to decommission Blimpron 51. (App. B) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ $ @ $ .............. , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20 December 1941, Z? 51 decommissioned ( ~ p g . C) , t.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ..- .._ . _ .: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . t r : . ;: :: - :

I . . .

HISTORY OF AIRSHIP SQUADRON FIFTY-Om

A s the United S t a t e s began her second year of p a r t i c i -

pat ion i n WORLD F.;kR 11, her coasta l waters, through which

gassed a l l i e d ships deep laden with v i t a l war m a t ~ r i a l s , were

d i l i g e n t l y guarded by a l l types of c r a f t of the Navy, Daunt-

less c u t t e r s braved the cold viaters of the North At lan t i c on

continuous patrol , s leek dpstsoyers and the newly constructed ,

DEls maintained an unending search f o r enemy U-boats i n t e n t

on s t ~ p ~ i n g the flow of machines, arms, supplies, and men; 1

converted yachts, PC! s, Coast Guard yawls' -- every possiqle

type' of c r a f t was represented i n the great s t ruggle t o keep

these ~ ia t e r s clear of the preying enemy. And i n the a i r , t he

ever-watchful eyes of Navy f l y e r s scanned t h e waters, search-

ing constantly f o r t he wake of a p e r i s c ~ p e , the s w i r l qf a

conning tower, o r the low, f ish- l ike h u l l of a submarine. I n

t h i s ever-expanding organization, dedicated sole ly t o anti-sub-

marine warfare, the a i r sh ip dai ly assumed a more important ro le .

~ r o r n - ~ d n e t o Florida, across the Gulf of Mexico, and u p

t h e West Coast from Lower California t o Oregon, ogerati'hg bases

fo r t h e Mzvy K-type a i r s h i p were established, From the nucleus

of men who had received t h e i r experience back i n the day)s of

r i g i d ships, there grew a la rge body o f f i ce r s and e n l i s t e d

personnel, especial ly- t ra ined i n all phases of a i r s h i p operations.

Slow-moving, graceful., v ig i l an t , night and day, the a i r s h i p

- was making her contr ibut ion t o t h e powerful units guarding the

Morth American shores.

Through the t i r e l e s s e f f o r t s of a l l these forces, coast-

line wate rs ceased being the r i c h hunting grounds f o r the

lurking U-boats; and instead became the graveyard f o r countless i

numbers o f German seamen. Except f o r an occasional s t ab and

a swif t r e t r e a t , the commanders of .B i t l e r r s Underseas F l ee t

dared not enter these waters, and so the German Admiralty sought

new f i e l d s f o r conquest, i n a desperate e f f o r t t o h a l t t h e ever-

'increa,sing might t h a t w . 2 ~ being stored up i n Bri ta in . Slovily

t he u n d e r ~ a t e r @=my vizs crowded i n t o South American seas, where

he s ta lked h i s victims i n t h e Caribbean, the Gulf Pzr i a ,

off the shores of neutra l Venezuela, along t h e coast of big

B r a z i l .

To meet this th rea t , immediate ac t ion was necessary, and

the e n t i r e anti-submarine oFganization of the At lan t ic w a s

focused on the South. Bases had already been established;

these were augmented. Forces t o combat the U-boat menace here

had already been a le r ted ; these were reenforced with more and

more un i t s , The Navy read i ly understood the need fo r , and the

advantages in , a i r s h i p operations i n t h i s area. The agon

s igna l was given.

A t Lakehurst, Nevi Jersey, i n the off ice of the Commander,

Fleet Airship Wing THIRTY, important decisions concerning t h e

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .::. > ......... . . . ..... -.......*..a 5::<3-*=:;2 .... 3 ........... .................... ................ ................... ..... h.r ............, ..-- .-.,--.- .>:.>>f.f.f.f.2.:;;G ..A-L... '..i__., ... ..,. %- ....... \< i. ............. ................ . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . ,- ....... i ' . . ' ' ' _ . . . . . . ;.. . , - :.: . . . . . . . . . . .

. . ! . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ............ . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,: .:... ,..:I: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I::,:; : .:.:::. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,~ ... , . . . . . . . . . . ,_.; _ _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . : . . . . . . ..:.:.: .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , ..........____.. +- ,......... ......... x.Xa:;.>::>>x :;>:+:<,:::*xu. ..,,. ................ .:.::c::,:::::::: ....................... ................. ..................... >:.;:<.::c:--

p>..%...,"L.&-.-, ........ <..,..%,... ................. ...... ......... ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

............... ........ .............. . . . .............. ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , , . , . .y:::. !_ . :_.- . . . . : '. ' ' .... i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

. . . . . .

future a c t i v i t i e s of the Lighter-than-Air service were reached.

I n the early evening of 21, J;s.l~u:.~y 1943, the concluding con-

ference was held; f inishing touches t o an ambitious plan were

made; f i n a l ins t ruct ions were given. On the follo~ving morning,

a d e t a i l consisting of eighteen off icers and forty-seven (47) enl is ted men, commij.nded by Lieutemnt Herbert S. GRAVES, U.?.

Navy, departed Lakehurst, Nevs Jersey, fo r Norfolk, Virginia.

This was t o be the advance uni t of Airship Squadron FIFTY-OWE

-- t h e i r s was the mission of establishing, fo r the f i r s t time

i n FORLD WAR 11, a Lighter-than-Air base outside the conti-

nenta l . l imi ts of the United Sta tes -- t o extend airshipoperations

some G o thousand (2,000) miles beyond previous boundsries. On

28 Januzry, -1943, aboard t h e U.S.S. ALBERIWLRLE, they departed

Norfolk, Virginia, en route t o Trinidad, Br i t i sh West Indies.

A s the f i r s t grey s t reaks of dawn broke i n the East on the

morning of February 4, 1943, the U.S.S. Albermarle slovaly dipped

through the Dragon's Mouth and i n to the Gulf of Paria and dropped

anchor off Port-of -Spain, t h 6 cap i t a l of tne B r i t i s h Crown Colony

Trinidad. Several hours l a t e r , the of f icers and men, who rn2.de

up the nucleus of Airship Squadron FIFTY-ONE, disembarked and

were transported with t h e i r gear t o Edinburgh Field, twenty

miles fur ther south. Edinburgh Fie ld , along with other American

ins t a l l a t ions on the Island, w ~ s s i tuated on property acquired

by end-Lease agreements, an6 was a t the time one of the l a rges t

A r m y A i r Corps posts i n the Caribbean'area. Commanded by - Lieutenant-Colonel George Campbell, RUS, i t covered an area of

-. . . . . . . . . some 3317 square acres., and>comis ted of Edilnburg F ie ld , Xeres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . Runways; and an a i r s t r i p which had been tur'ned over t o the Navy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . f o r a blimp mat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending the a r r i v a l of Commalvler Gerald D. Zurmuehlen, USN, : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . .....

formerly of AIRSHIP SQUADRON T,WENTY-ONE, who had been .appointed k2::&skzis .................. ....... ,-,...- .................. ........ /-/I. ..................... ---..- ...... ....., -.:.>>>: .... ......,... ........ ... ... Commanding Off ic,er of the newly formed squadron, Lieutenant -..i.---. -<... ........ -.5:?:?2 ............ /.i.._ ... i ............ ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graves assumed the dut ies of Officer-in-Charge. Navy quar te rs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . , .. - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .:. ::: were no* y e t completed, and consequently, the Army played host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .:. ;. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

t o t h e Airship d e t a i l . ,Complete coo'peration from Lteutenant- . . . . . . . . . , . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colonel Campbell and his s t a f f made the a r r i v a l of t h e advance . .':> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . unit much more pleasant than could otherwise have been expected. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , I . : . / . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . . . . , . . . . j . j . . . . The reminder of the week was spent i n t ranspor t ing equip-' , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ment from t h e Naval Base i n Port-of-Spain, and i n erect ing t h e . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . I . . . : . . . . : - 1 . . . . . f i rs t airship mast on. the runway, a s ing le s t r i p a f f a i r , run- I . . . . . . : I . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

i ning E a s t and ~est ; '150.0 feet long and 200 f e e t wide. Mooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I : : . : j . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c i r c l e s were prepared and t e h t s provided for repair shops and ! . . ,.:... . . . . . . . . : : . . 1

. . . . . . . . . .'a . . . . . . . . . . : : : : , ::.. i . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . msintenance uni ts . . . . . .

.. :. I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : 1 . . . . . . . .

I :: : . .:_ : .:. . . . . . . : f . . . . . . . . ., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I n accordance with basic orders of Commander Fleet Airship . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : : : . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R i n g THIRTY, Airship squadron' FIFTY-ONE was f qrmally placed i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . commission on 10 February 1943. A t Lakehurst, New Jersey, in . .

I . . . . . . ::.:.:.:.. j . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., . . . . . . . . . a b r i e f but impressive.ceremoqy, Commander Zurmuehlen accepted ............ . . . . . . . . . . . .........

. . . . . . . . . . . . ............. .,,.......,.....,.. I , . qB:**Fp.:<:;x::. .... ..... command of t h e squadron; whi le some 2,000 miles t o the South, ............... b... ...- -*. ..>. ..... ,... . .&..., ,-.._ -.5. ......... ......................... . - - - - . . - - . . , ...... ......, .-.._,:_ ... .*.- ......-\.:<...:.>.i'f. ...-.-.-..,- ........ ,-.:.: :.:: :: 2: . . . . . . . . . . . . . the . event was -commemoratedby the posting of the f irst watch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . : . . . . . , .

On February 15, 1943 Commander Gerald D, Zurmuehlen, USN,

arrived a t Edinburgh Field and took command of the squadron,

Lieutenant Graves assumed the duties of Executive Officer.

The K-17,. the f i r s t non-rigid a i r sh ip of the United Sta tes

Navy t o land a t a foreign f i e l d i n the Caribbean area, arrived

a t 1400 (4 on 16 February 19.43, commanded by Ensign James L. . a

Bishop; the ship 's crew consisted of Ensign Frank Burgess;

Ensign rbh'illiarn S. Huminers; KATERS, Hilara El., QBd3c; HARSIlAI,

James L., BEQc; GEIGER, Charles P., RB6lc; COOPER, Robert J.,

fiQJ12c; and RUSSELL, Preston S., M Q c . Lieutenant Fred G,

Lueders travelled i n a passenger s ta tus . Considerable amaze-

ment w a s regis tered by the many natives who thronged around

t h e runway t o watch the landing f o r up t o t h i s time they were

acquainted solely with Beavier-than-Air craf t . No d i f f i c u l t i e s

were expe*nced i n t h i s first 1anding;'and t h e sh ip was masted

out on the completed mooring c i rc le .

The K-17 departed on i t s f i r s t mission a t 0600 Q on 1 7

February 1943. Assignment o f the mission was received from the

Naval Operating Base, A i r Controller, and consisted of a patrol

f l i g h t along the Upper Bauxite Lane.

The Bauxite Lane was the route followed by heavy cargo

ships t rave l l ing from Georgetown, B r i t i s h Guiana t o Trinidad.

Approximately three hundred miles i n length, following up along

*

'-6e coast of Venezuela, the Lane was an important ard freque

sd"ube& -wa.ter highway, over which steamed the ships carrying b a u - 1 st$ orb, sb v i t a l l y needed- i n the manufacture of aluminum,

I .

hence th'e. riame "Bhuxit e Lane" . Quarters f o r the housing of Naval personnel were completed 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .;:<.;. . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. ........ :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... and::sdady f or accupancy . . . . , on the eighteenth of February. A l l ............. ...... > . ...:.......'..I 'i ..;... . . . . ........̂ "-. .-_ . . . . . . . . ~. . . . . . . . . . .. .......... .-2t-*;-; ;-.: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . .......::.. : : ? , . . . : . ; . > -. ; : ............................... .i-_- . . . . ,-ha?d s , turned ,to in- the transparting of ,.g;g;5i.. from .t-hk -t61iiG;orrijr. ::; , If ../ .. ,. , .

- -. < , * . .-L.., .- .&<. >-<?

iu 'arters by the Army t o the new barracks of S ~ 1 5 6 % t ' . $ ~ ~ . ' I - --

.... - eo&ugste$bzbrlek. Administration of f ices were established clQse1 tlib b"arxgcks as well as a t the mat, which was a mile or so from

the l iv ing spaces.

"yThe*~emainder o f , the month of February was spent i n .

. . . . . . e ~ i~h te r - than- .Ai r - ,. base. No event of special

. . . . ..-,*. *. . . ?

uring the' d a i l y :-: rabt ine -patrols t h a t . cok, tinuTed throughout the month. i

... *.x > . . . . . . .. -. ,--. .... -: :.:,... ...... -.-.. ........ . .. ....... . . . . . . . . . . . .......... A.

.......... . . . . . . . . -..-.-. ..-- .ria.-.,;ia ,.,- "-, , \ -.. .- _-. ..- __ _ ^

. . . %.+... .......... ,,. , .3,.v .&;;;.;GQ=-&@~:;:, ~,u&we-t&en, a.@ Ji-qe+-@&s:?& J,'; . Eoo lier, Corn- . . . .

......... . . . . ....... .. . .............. : : , , . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 6:- . . . . . . - . .

m r t d . e r ; , 5 ~ C a i . . sea. FF ontie?, f levr to. Sari . J U ~ , h e r t o 6% . .... . " . ,

<.4

. ~. " " " ~ , . . , ::;,L7miii-",+.*,;+w d..~ %, L. i.".. .. ... s Z 1 : , 2 ~ a F a ~ ~ ~ g ~ y : - ~ ~ : ; . x 9 ; & ~ ~ ' ; %@;fie e:& iiwIf%h: ~~prqg:-a;.nd:: .-Naavy o$.f.&cial s. . there . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,s&~G>I **s.,;.;:iiiiiiiii~~~~ 3::. .,.; Y . . . 1

for tkie purpose of discussing current anti-submarine warfare % - - I - - - "A

pr~b.1-ems. An e f fo r t was being made t o coordinate Lighter-than-

A i r , Heavier-than-Air (hrmy and ~av-y) and surface c r a f t i n to

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :: . . ::. .:.. ..<, .-.,::: + z . . .-@:- a~&.sipr .-.&at ....?$..eas7.. :.:,, c,"0gba4~ sub-myine a c t i v i t i e s i n the >. _._:, .. , . . . . . . . .... .. ............ ..... ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -----+..-a- -- l.U." i... .-..l~~d~lr;.r;.~~r;*..~.*nw..~l.l.i *; *: : *.: +,. . . . . . . . .: .. . . . . . . . .,,7i...:,1;, ; + . ,~ . . :,

. . .. - . . . . . . . . . . . . . L & , ~ * C ~ -.-,+... .-., '~5c,.rr..rrc @ a T ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Y . ~ p e a P C C C C . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i..;-:.,;.,;*n,*.:,.-. .:. - ,, . . - . ,

. . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . i.. - "

Q. on Narch 2, 1943, a B-1SB of the 9 t h ARON

. , z e re'turm~xg from a sweep, pic up a radar ta rge t

seventeen miles away, ~ i~~h lch was subsequently revealed t o _ ............................. " -

. * , -- be- a fully surfaced U-boat. An attack'was madej posit ion

I

" 10593 &'?oh, with four depth charges being dltopped. 1% ?as . ed t h a t the submarine suffered damage, however, no

. . %- . ,-gqn-cire from a pa r t i a l ly surfaced submzrine. The landing -. ., ~ , , l ighks were turned off immediately; and the plane circled, t o - .

. , "

located immediately; however, a short search was c l i m i e d by

-.. v i s i b l e signs of damage t o the submarine were noted. T$g.tJ:-.,+ ,.-a " .*" - , > . , ' - -. .-

.. .- ... - ............. -, . . . . . ... .----...-..-. .L&@zt~:dfa:a~pap-ed.:.3n .-the . darknes-s-. :-.-k1-_11;. sh ips --and- ai:rcraft;-..in- - . . > : . . . . .... - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. - . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . * :$~ . .< :~C".x- . . -? : r r ' r r%~<":<; -y .~n;U~"~~,?L:++: , - .T ,TCi i ! I~~ .~ . i . - z.1. b...... h. <,; *.... . . ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., . . 8 . I - ., . . .

sight,ed, an. o i l . , s l ick, t ~ o or three miles lRrg :. at,-. 1110 . fl ,6150,. W... . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . ..i.. ..... ... i . . . , . ". .,-$ i:

: " . ~. . . . . . . . . . - . . .~ *~C.~<.X'ILI.YZ.L:~L. ;..L; ..:~:ir$.~~m~;$~i~kk<z~pp~~~&.~t;~- .be moV-i;ng . in-- a. northee s erly direction . I . ., .:-

........... .<..) ',._--I... " ....:.. ,.<.%.,' ................................... . .

k t 1039 Q;, a f t e r fol1ov;ing the s l i c k fo r tvro hours, three " ., ,. .

.... . . . ,,, .,- .... $. . :,. . -~d.$$@b: ,;,.a ,.-,-en- A..-r.:. charges .-. ....7..;r.....4. .. (. were .A dropped; but ng ,.y,nusual . . . . . r e s u l t s . . ..-,~~iFrrk3~,~~~iriri',i~~d~~~,"d&x~~~8bi~3i~4',tii:2~~i.~Q:il~li~T-'4~~~iiii~~.,.~~,..~ ~~;;~i;~~49~iiiiiiiii.. .. .; .,<. rt., ... -r .-. -..: . . . .-.- --.;. . - . , . . ~ ,. ,.; :.:. :.); : f;.'..,..; .: :' 5 . .. . 7 - L . .., 7. :, Bl*., ...-.ir-.i ... :.<_ .-. ....- " --w7a.s,b " * --... -T --..."':." s-. -.-I ... . . . . . . . . . . . . .,.* t ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.. ..;: ..>..2z.2-.. - . , ........ ..-. .. ----n-.-,%&,& ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . I $ ~ ' ? & ' -i;dit*iif .fed .6 . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . , - ~ . ,. ., . . > .

...... . . . . . . . . . . . 1:. -............7...-..;;+,a,** ,.,* : L < - ~ . C > , ~ : ! ; ~ < > ~ & . ' : ~ . ~ , " . ~ . ~ + , ~ ~ + " ~ ~ ; ~ ~ s 2 ~ ~ > ~ , ~ . 3 ; ~ " ~ . ~ p ~ : ~ ~ i ~ > + ~ * ~ ~ L. ?V... -. . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .:... . . . ?<... . . . . - - a&-.-M&&&i.&.emef& iqer e ordered to t h e sc-ene.; .From .~>., . . . . . . . .

iit:;ri::"i_:. .. ;.- . . . . . . . . . . . - 7-

were ob- . . . . , , . - . . . ".* '.* ,... i., .;-* ,".<,3S

, - and cburses reported by t he pii ~ t s of t he two srmy planes

and from Lthe s ight ing of t he o i l s l i c k by the K417,, Zt pas i I

dedu'ced t h a t the submarine had suffered damage and was my . -+-+"A .*.-....... 1 \1 h6mewaid ijound. This assumption v:s.s bols tered by a

. I . . . , A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . .. . . . . ...... .*." .. .;;. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I. . . . . . . . contact-. by,%.the. U.S S. NELSON seventeen hours l a t e r a t ..1~~.3~7-,.-?3 -

................ :. . . , . ~~. " . ............ .-...... ..- % ........ +.,. . - . - . . . .-;.* ............- -, ... ........... “........ ..c.-r.g ....*-. .................. ..-... :* -.--.-.,. ..*:.,dmr ............. ., ........ r- -,- .... , .......... ........ - . . . ........... - . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . ~ ........ ~ , . ........... . . . . . . . - .

3.

.- , , . . . ,. ........... i:.:::. ::;;<.E&a&$&:+&$:4$&;&;;&Lq&~;4;3g;$~:L:2:$:;2;i:g:$;i >:,: i,; :.: .$.i :i7 :.:f :i~;;~~2~it;4~iF~~i~~i&b<zz;4i~~:i:j: <;:>.,:- ::;$<-& ;<->,-.$z2:,: 2,;-. , .- -,,;: $.<i i;:?; *g*.t53g*5v2*g ;**$;:*+ ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . .... . ,:*~t~*.>~a<..**>..~~?*q*~,.~: 2,s :>i>>,-z.g,*..p *=*>:cs .:, ,> -1 :. .# ' .,:, , . . . . . . . . a, , :, :y,, ,,;.;{,.y-;;$*>y:?: y. ;..< .,

*.s:*.+<;: ;..a$-, . . . ........ u , . , . tg~;; ,U ..s ,.s, , . :.. .. NZLS - o N heard . . . . s ou . . ids, .F a ~ , g ~ ~ ~ r i i g : ~ , , >;, . - ,; .<.L., Az,Y;aszs*---,-3 .. .... . - , ~ : @ ~ @ . . ....... . . . . . < ..

*..-.; .... 8E.c ... .. .......- ..... B r : o p ~ ~ ~ ~ . e r - ~ r : n ~ i i ~ i S e s .-&ti.. 1600. Q,:. ,.A . ~ w n d . search.,l:fas i%titut,ed,:. a* !*.;:~~.:g,q,*;<.<>+- .*s.,:.<;:,. %> ,-. ,.,.=-,; ,>.?. "+ :*v. *,-*.* <:*..< [,A" .%...%*.$.. >> .A+."...' .'.. . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , c - . : . . . . . . . . . . . ... . - . . . . . . . . - . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - -. . . ~ , . 5 . ,

..-..A

harge pa t t e r ,$&> 'by.. . .-, . . . . .- aM a- la rge oil slick was observed-to come to t h e surfaces--- : *5 -*% ( . ; - . . ,*\ - , , % * . ?

I , - ir c.(

- .. - - -----Nohi far the^,^ contact.- with the harr ied submarine was made wail &. ,- > * . 2 ,.

= . . * , > . . * 5 8 ,t.*,.4*-*." 3s I: , % - - 3 - * , . - & a * ? " - , . w 3 "

7 . , * ~ " ",. "2. ': . March- 8.

- - .. .-.. ..:, . . ..:. - . . . . : .. 2- . ,.- .',>,,& *,. -- - .... - . -. . - . - -. - - - . -. . - .. - .... - B-a.ec.ordance with ins t ruc t ions received with the ,bas ic ! . . . . ....... ... : . . . . . . . . .- ....... - .. c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ;G"2:A:.sL7 - - 2 S & 7 . . . Y ~ < < , ~ "<:.;:~.~.'~:2<;<=:~2.d:"~;..>~-::-~:::'~;;.'. .< .- .. . ;ii ;.:.-.,. -.

. . . -.:: ;.::. ----..--------.I.----..- .. .. - .. . . . . . . . . .". ........... - . .- 1 I orders commissioning Airship Squadron F-IFTY-ONE, Detachment OM?, I

.> ..rL. , -r- ," = > % - ,-- .*- , * - ,, ,. . 3- - - i

I .......... ... _ - . . . ., . \ . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . . . . . . . ,. ..:.r7.. ,:, ,-.;. . . , .. , - . . . . - . . . . . -A&$-: ~ & & s h ~ - fj'ri~,dad. made co&aot -wi th &jy'efieq subm2rine,' as- . ~ * ~ . : p & & ~ < > L 4 ~ , " -axs2kz- - --,.&= =z4.::%-2=*."-.ts=,eb" "l-..IC-I*III-I.~"̂ _,C~ eL**.-n-T..&l. .:**-* .? .....8...7.A.. .-- ... .: .,,,. - , . -..3-. - : .- . . . . .-- -. % ,*.*

- " s~-mietlE"ta-B e' th"eV same t h a t hrd! received. concerted puni'shment from-

Tq$ad,ad, Sec$or c r a f t e a r l i e r i n the month. Four Torpex loaded ,- , - , - . - - - -

- - r ~ 3 r i s e > ~ w - ~ @ i ~ ~ i ~ d - - % ~ i s r ( ~ ~ - W ~ ~ s . ~ ~ * n . t > 1 v . . - - - .- *"h --a<:-. . . . ~ ' - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ l ~ i 5 ~ ~ t . i m m e d i i l t e l y ; Although .survivors of' t h e e x p l ~ s i o r i -.--- --** - w w - - . . - v --" -",.- -----,c- - -. -- I. ..- . - xe-xe ggen.&x t i2e P-boat c remen who dropped a rubber r a f t j 2-11

hands of the i l l - f a t ed submarine Irvere l o s t .

19&3 and Detachment ONE, with one s t i c k mast and o m mobile

mast began f l i g h t operations.

The K-24, piloted by Ensign C. C. Clarke, while on a

rout ine patrol f l i g h t out of Detachment ONEy sighted an LCT

50 miles south of the base. The Navy vessel had been separated

from i t s cdnvoy because of engine.'trouble. AFter exchanging I

c a l l s with the. LCT, the K-24 remained i n the v ic in i ty , giving- +

coverage to the dis t ressed vessel, and then escprted it to

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on ldarch 18, 1943.

Operating from Detachment Om, with Lieutenant J. D.

LAUTBRET as pi lot , t h e K-24, while covering a convoy rendezvous

on March 26, 1943, f i v e miles from Guantanamo Bay, obtained

strong OdAD contaCts a t 0730 Q. Surface craft were calk-d to +

t he scene, and a tracking plan i n s t i t u t e d . Several more MAD

.. c~~~,a$+-ss;,,ve,re ~ e g ~ s t e r e d , . with flares bei% dropped to indicate . s x -. .. .<.". .*<~ ...,*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . :. -ii: .....--- r i i ..r...zr~.%iiii.. .- ................. . . ......... t h e i r position. i t 0 8 0 Q., one f'..v.tkg -PC --wdz-ts.PPri.ch. had -3 bimd. s~

i n the hunt, dropped a pa t te rn of depth charges on i t s own con- -- - t ac t ; there were no apparent r e su l t s . After a th i r t een hour

search, the K-24 was ordered t o return t o base.

On April 3 , 1943 the K-16 arrived a t Edinburgh Field t o

become . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . t he second a i r sh ip assigned t o Airship Squadron FIFTY- , ,.., .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . ". . . . . ............. .---. .^

. . h e . . t , . Lieutenant Commander 3. B. RIEXER, USNR, as- . .

sumed t h e duties of Executive Officer as per orders of Commander -9-

The maii? top ic o f convers;:,tion ~t t he da . i ly ~ 7 i l o t s '

rneetlng on A p r i l L;, 3.943 WE.S t he poss ib le ~~~3l ic : i JL t ion of t h e

i m t r u c t i o n s l a i d 8-own by the Trini5-ad Sector Anti-subms.ri.ne

Combet Board concerning t h e a d v i s a b i l i t y of u s ing t h e selvo

method of de3th charge release u d e r s ~ e c i f i e d cord i t ions . The

Boz-rd consicere?- t h i s method zs 2 r e s u l t of t h e a t t z c k on a

submerine mzde by n out of Trinidad on

re:<ultec! i n ~ o s i t i v e l y destroying t he subor.rine a f t e r r e l e s s ing

t he bombs i n s ~ l v o ; Facts brought out by the Bosrd, snd con-

s idered by t he p i l o t s , emnhs.sieed t h e streiigth of t h e U-boat

h u l l ~ ~ h i c h seemed t o be ab le t o vfithstand the fo rce o f a s ing le I

depth charge. This p r ac t i c e of d r o p ~ i n g depth charges was

adopted i n order t o provide a gl-ekter spre.z,d on the depth cha.rge

p a t t e r n thereby taking care of bo~nbi-ig e r ro r s i n raage. One of

1 t h e s trong po in t s i n favor of t he s a l v o r e l e s s e u ~ s t h e f a c t th2.t

the bornhzrd* ~i~ov.ldi have a s ing l e d e f i n i t e point of aim r a t h e r

t hen an im2ginzry cne some 100 f e e t shor t of t h e submerine, t o .

take care of. t he t r a v e l of t he bomb through the a i r 2nd water,

and. tflaciCierin~" uar, u n t i l aheae of t h e t a rge t . Another favorable

point ~ ~ 2 s t h e a b o l i i b n of t he ~ r o b l e m of mznual spacing which

accounts f o r s. gree t marly of the poor r e s u l t s obtained i n a t -

tacks on submcrines. Foints , pro z.nd con concerning this idea, . ..

I . .. - . vcere ca re fu l ly discussed s t t he meetiw; and i t was decided t o try out both nethods during the next t r t ~ i n i n g f l i g h t ,

-10-

I n accordance ~ : i t h i n s t ruc t ions included i n the bzs ic

c rders c o m i s s i o n i ~ ~ g Airship Sc:u%dron FIFTY-CiW, t h r e e o f f i c e r s ,

snd for ty - f ivs men der~ar ted f o r B r i t i s h Guia-m,, South Lmerica,

on Apri l 9, 1943 t o form Detschment TFFT0 a t lLtl.rinson F ie ld .

Lieutenant H, S. Graves mas made Officer-in-Charge ancl pre

para t ions -risere begun t o rece ive the f i r s t a i r s h i p a t t h a t - locat ion.

From 0130 Q, , u n t i l 0645 Q. on Apri l 21, 19L3, U.S.

i-lrw troo7s s ta t ioned a t i:.'r-,lier Field, eighteen miles from

Edinburgh, conducted 2- mock invzsion of TriniZad. Staged

a s r e ~ ~ l i s t i c c i l l y zs possible, the ~ ' invedersn swept i n t o

Edinburgh a f t e r o v e r ~ ~ v e r i ~ the s e n t r i e s s ta t ioned a t t h e

msin gate. nZneqyff p l ~ n e s successful ly bom3ed Xeresl Runvrcy,

shooting up t h e protect ing a i rc re . f t before they beczme a i r -

borne. Because t h i s w a s so l e ly zn ''Army s h ~ ~ i ? ' , Naxrgi. barracks

and personnel were grsnted zlthough m5.n.y anerr-

ca sus l t i e sn resul ted . The Owerstions Duty Officer , ~ r o c e e d i n g

from h i s barra.cks down t o t.he blimg rumrziy, was given s a f e pas-

sz.ge through t h e "enemy l i nes" a f t e r he successful ly convinced

the eager troo?s t h a t he 172s lla gentleman from the New York

Tirnestf. D e s ~ i t e the zooming plsnes i n t h e area, the hot ~Tflz.k:ll i n

t h e sky, and the cha t te r ing machine gun f i r e on the ground, the

K - 1 7 e f fec ted a tc?.ke-off i n time t o begin a rout ine pz t ro l .

Detzchment TKO l a d e d . end moored i t s f i r s t c i r s h i p K-16-

on Apri l 25, 1943. A11 preparat ions t o make t h i s base sui ta?

for ~ l g h t e r - t h e n - ~ i r operations hed been completed: t h e of.,"ice

w a s f i t t e d out; a mooring c i r c l e had been wide; helium, water,

and_ power l fnes t o the mooring c i r c l e hzd been l a id ; the run-

way had been made adequate. The Squadron Commander despatched

a "?Tell ~ o h e " t o Lieutenant Graves an2 h i s men f o r the record- , - . .

breakia-*+job they had' adci)mg3i-she8 ; ., . A - k

' -a, " *. -. *

I . .-- - * * - a - " 'GK"Aprrfl;' 2 6 , 1943 a f t e r commencing operet ions, Det~elm~fie"~Y~- . - SF

I*. . - . . --- ~--G;.-2-w ?%Ocz~erved ---s..r-.---- as- +".,v- -- a .~,, salvege - s t a t i o n when Gn firmy B-26 made 2t crash

_ landing,on the blimp runway. No personnel were injured, nor

were Lighter-than-Air operations , in ter rupted. hlinor damages _ &_ ...*L. ._I

hiw b. - - . , ta.;-thK'run~~sy.;.g@re, , , -- .lrX-T - .- v~.vrl-*. .mion repaired, and $he wreckage cleared <:in a ;

time t o Land the K-16.

enemy subm&rirme a c t i v i t y rx:as noted. , No pos i t i ve s i g h t i n g ~ of. A

. - "Y L". . ' ,

. . . . . .- .-";;;;*;* --.- .I+.,. . - -a . ~ i - ~ ~ ~ : ~ & : ~ ! ~ ~ % C ~ B ? ~ i ~ - ~ = % - ~ " ? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i , P ~ ~ ; ~ ~ ; F ~ & ; ; r ~ r ' ~ ~ - ? i ; i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ] i _ I ~ 1 1 ~ g ~ ~ ~ ~ + ; ~ ~ - ~ , s i5G-z~Tii~;xs5s~d~&itI were registered. ... .-.- ...... ,- ". ..&

a- d i s t i nc f ; fac tor qhich brought about t h i s condition. r- .--- - - -,- d -----'--The -mohthly- -summary f o r t h e squadron shbwed t h a t a t o t a l

of 13,467 miles nad been flov,n by the K-16 2nd K-17, covering . . . .

. . . . - 2"71,.flightk.-of yhich 19 w e r e patrok,ana 8 w e r e t r a in ing . .... , \; ,.... . ,, ,., ;L?2~r.-?<;.,<*~>'--$ ?.:$.+<--!.. .!*.-k2%2$**:\e-*,~*;~k+i<*e*3p$ . . . . . . . . :,:. *t,~p<w*~~2:,z*?~~~i2.~i&~&:~~;;;~;;;i;~&~2~~$~>~~~~;&~i ;;;;; ;.;;+:.7;;.:;+i5Jc b<>-;. -:." 7iJ , ?>>, ;.<: ;: :: ,:: : , :;a, . . , . '. ~ .,., , . . . . . . ., .

:.:-:A > ........., ; ..',T ... .>,:. < . A . . . . . . , *..... <. .,Y L-.

................... .:. . . . . . . -"-+:. >~ *. - .&&a +.*- - a+,, ,9-+G-sFm ,x :, ... +. ............ ........ . . -. ......... . . :~G?,iTB> .(comag9a.nc e . - . T & . $ ~ ~ . ' ' : ~ ~ tFij6Ef f'ogc' 'f-k gi ?''HH$&b<~ar t ep s , I(gval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... .;., ,'searr,.i, :rb..-*r:-a- .:biu.iu.~.p;#*+4~.%+ .- - . . ~ ~ U * ; W ~ C ~ C ~ = ~ ~ , * - ~ , . . . . . . . . . . <:. > . - . . . . . . " . . . ..,i-- . ; -... ; i. . . . . . . . .. . . ... ......... .'-,*,.:,.. .,." ...... * :,.*.+,,Fa-,~*~-*~y.~,d>~~~+., +-<,-~%<,~ye>&y,q>:- ..?. 3.d.. a % .A .. ..; .. . . . . ........ ' - 4 . . ' > , .......... __ . : . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .a,.. . . -.A +. ,-..- - -,.. 4-ne~.&&8&@~-...B&55e..- .T.Fi.~d-ad. . s aecia-1. ernphks&s- wa;s $0 be placed on i . , .. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . - * "qe . .d n .. -87- .- I. 2. .z.?" fo r subm?.rine cletection during t he month o f

1

. . . . . . . .; . . . . . . .a May,, 1943. k specia.1 memorandum on t h i s sub jec t s t ressed t r ~ ~

I . tremendous value of ASG rader, t h a t type ca r r ied i n a l l a i r -

ships, because of the i n a b i l i t y of German radar detectors t o

p$ck up s ignals t ransmit ted by. t h i s type radar. . Unfort,unately

i n previous f l i g h t s , radar has been'usedi r a the r i n f r e ~ u e n t l y by

t h e Blimp Spuadron FIFTY-ONE blimps because of the lack of spare . .r... . .

p a r t s . . . I and current i ,~de :quacy q f . ., tpaintenance . , . f a c i l i t i e s . It ,has

bein the policy of t he squadron t o opera.te radar only whep. . . .

ac tua l ly needed, or o n l y enough each day t~ "dry it outn and t o . .

ilisure t h a t i t was i n commission. The purpose of t h i s policy

was t o conserve the equipment while p a r t s were scarce and. main-

tenance d i f f i c u l t . However, e f f o r t s were being made t o assure

an adequate supply of spare pa r t s a s soon as possible.

On May 7, 1943, a B-25 of the A r m y Transport Command spotted - .

a d e f i n i t e wake a few miles off Galera Point, Trinidad. A secord

plane, a half-hour l a t e r , reported s igh t ing what appeared t o be . %-

. I . . . . ... , . ,.I . ...he..~.og=i.ii~~.:. g ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , r ~ . n e ~ . .brs&i~.-.wa.i?Lt-er forax. .. rui~.e.q due East of the ' . . . . . . . ~. .:,

o r i g i n a l contact. No supers t ructure was seen; no f ea tu re s of

the object were observed t o ident i fy i t as a submarine. However,

t he co-pilot of t he second plane claimed t o be f ami l i a r with sub-

mzrines and t o have recognized the ob jec t sighted as such. Planes

and the E-17 maintained day and night coverage of t he area fo r . . ...... ....... .............. ................... -- ... .....-... severa-3 .. +. . .,. ... ..,~r.--.-.-....-.-.--.k - ',days; .... w i h h .-*-".I -.-. . . . . the: zirship.be%ng . . . . . . a l o f t twenty out of twenty- ................... ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ... .. . .. . . . :.... .: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,.-.-..*-,. ,..,-, ,,r< ..*. ...- ..g .&.... .L . . . . . . . . . . . . . * ......... .................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

four hours. owever, the re were no d e f i n i t e resu l t s .

+.A>& . ... F. Ti

l i The following dJstinguished off 3ers v i s i t e d Ai r sh ip

Squadron FIFTY -ONE on 23 May l.943: Vice-Admiral J. 8. HOOVER, I i

USN, Commander Caribbean Sea Frontier; Rear-Admiral A, G,

ROBINSON, USN, Commandant Naval Operating Base, Trinidad;

Brigadier-General C. 8. BORN, USAAF, Commanding Anti l les Air I I I

Task Force; and Lieutenant-Colonel £3. K. MORRISON, USAAF, the I new C o p d i n g Officer a+ Edinburgh Field. A n informal inspec- I t i o n was held, and general approval expressed over the l igh te r - I

t than-air f a c i l i t i e s avai lable i n t h i s area. During a discuss ion

concerning fur ther anti-submarine warfare strategy, Commander ! I I

Carfbbean Sea Front ier praised highly the e f f o r t s of a l l hands

i n beating the U-boat menace, and c i t e d the d r a s t i c reduction i i I

i n merchant-ship losses as indicative of the exert ions of a l l I !

forces i n h i s area,

On Uay 24, t he K-49, Lieutenant (junior grade) B, F.

BOGREN', USNR, p i lo t , while covering a convoy rendezvous out of ! i

Gua.&fiaa@~.8a5.,..Cuba, obtaimd-st~ong-WD-contaacts i n the '

vicinity of the convoy. MAD tracking procedure was ins t i tu ted ; i r I

and the PC-568, one of the escort vessels, was not i f ied. lork- i i ing i n cooperation with each other, the surface c r a f t and the

blimp established fur ther contacts; a.nd a pat tern of depth

charges was l a i d by the PC-boat. Resul ts of the a t t ack were not

. "." . - . 'TEe first squadron dance f o r o f f icers and enl is ted personnel

-1 5-

was held on May 28, 1943 . a t a t h e spaciolzs A r m y r ec rea t ion

building, a.ppropriately, ca l led Madison Square Garden.

~ w i c was -provided by t h e Admiral's Band from Naval 0uerating p = - - , , Base, Port-of-Spain, Maw guests from t h e neighboring com-

munities were invi ted , making i t a very co lo r fu l a f f a i r i n

., , 8

,- - -,.--.-.-- - - .-- - - z :: - *. -- --- ... - b&&ik&. 5h supposed s igh t ing o f a submariqe during t h e

-ea r9y-pmt ,of t h e month, i t was estimated t h a t t he re was no

Stib'"hctii@ty i n t h e Trinidad sector a r ea during t he month of

,- - Bad neather hsmpered f ly ing, necess i t a t ing t h e c a f i ~ e l l a t i o n o f - 8 .. i; a 2.. C . . . ; :. . " . :x,,; : . J;+js~.d .‘... :.j.<;,";; >... . . . . - - ---.- -.- . . - - . - . _ . ........ _ .... .... ..":;' -. . . Cn_.r ..... , .- . . . . . . . ;. ,'A.,a~,z<~~,;i;.,,::42,&?;:.,: ,,.-.. . , : , ~ = ~ < ' . ~ ; ~ ~ ~ - : ~ ~ r A < ~ : ~ , ~ x 2 < s-,." ...*..-*...... . . . . . . . . . . . .... ...- -mjess~onsE-.~s - .f i~~:@~.~i*,r .~o&y k 9 -two e-anc e:~~at&o&:~..a& . . bJ&np.:lpi~-,~ig,g - , ;--.

. . . , 8. , .; . . . ,. . .

.-- ;p:r 2: ' ' ; - ' . . . . . . . ....-. .,*s ..,.,: " I & . .

.,,, . we$e+necessar$; , - t o t a l time of the . two a i p s . h i p s being ,702 hours,,. . . . . . . :.<;...;!?::,:.:::...?; *,:.: .'.: ;', .. z .... r , . . . . . . . . . ~ . ~...~. . . . . . , . . .

...... -. . - . . .... .... ..... . . . . . . . . . . . ...j--.._. ;_ _..*._ .... .-.- . - .. ...- I-'--.. "..? ...% .... C3'.G0 . . . . . . . . .. +>$.,=.2\7T~a-.; , . . . wi;.g&-.:F~~;ofi , ., . zw7 ,prT.*i;.+c?p..+ :,v,N4.,:.-2:d-.- -me othrr-::air- ; . :.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . commands -comingclose- - t o this - count, :

. . . . : . . . . . .I...... : . . . . . . . . . . . . , ~ ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ ; ~ - ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ a ~ v ~ ~ ~ ~ * - ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : * . ~ ~ + - ~ - ~ - . ~ - - >r7.. ".*<,-"*.--.-.; -.--.-.-.<?x-?n-= :: ~*-..v..m~---v-*.a "--. .*.Z" . .~ . ' .a,.., , , ..\ -. *... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . ." . .. . ... , ......... .....+.. .,,,, '.A- . . . ,....... per u n i t . -&:3<i'z . . .. - .. - . . . . . . . . ..... ... . . . . . - . . ,, .?.*$$-: 2. ....= <.%<-.. ..>* , . . - ... L . . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . ' . .'... ..i....-......-.- : .: I - ....-.....,-.,.._... "; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , ...... J<..(

. . . . .-.%*a,:

. . . . . . ..... . . 3. i ; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i *rm:<.T.x,<A<5%,.z~*a,*~:.<~.*-,--:d-.. *+a-,* ,.. ................. <................ . . :,:.. i- -, :- -l.:: :-, -..r:-.:~~:~;:.+~~:~ge~g~~~t"i-~p;~; . . . . . . . . . ~.Q~~c~;;~&,~@~~~-.KIJx .r, ..**. ...... ~ d z w a J T o n .llllll,.ii: a'-.. , J.uhe.2 .............. ... 1943 - : a _

.. . . . . . :.'. :%".:*aw. +..+ .,.> ..,.,.z,+...,y ".;*.:"w..,~?%~*>*>.>;" *-*<:-: E.&~:**.~ :" :.,,.c. $2 :, , , .. - .. , . , .- ..i : 1 ,:"

+ parade was. held-.at Georgetorun, B r i t i s h G u i e y . The United *C& -; - . " - - 7 -s*,

*:>i:..-.i I>...... '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . "&**.z+:,+';-. I. .*.a c*,: i-i+.:.-<-* ..l., % .I,I.I..,-.,-.--~ ... , ...... T~~ -. % a'*. s ..." repriseited .-A by Ensign C t I!. Shoaf, USNR, and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - .~ll i . '~l j .rrr-wc~-:. l .~.I . ,,..., ,,*-...... . .. * . , . . - .". .~ . .- . , . .+. ..... > ........ .?

3 d&>gi l of t ae lve bluejickets from the blimp detachment there. -, . . . .

Lieutenant ~ h a l l d e r P. V. Dilts, Mc-v(s), DSNR, report . I fa- du ty as Squadron Medical Off icer on June 8, 1943 and m d e

" , * *.

' prepnpations fo r s e t t i n g up a Base Hospi ta l f o r Navy personnel. - *4n Army A-29, enroute from- Duracao t o ~ r i n l d a d , *si.ghted a' - .

folly surfaced submarine a t 1120 N 6430 Z. A s t he plene -lost . . ...a p.bft;w& ;a .c&.' , .

. . . . . ............ ............ 1 . . . . . . . . .II.-. ............ .......... .- . . . . . . . ........ .......... ..... .. . . . - . . . . .

inv'es%Kgate, t h e U-boat submerged-, 1 e a v - i ~ a bTrk$d ,, . . . . % . /._...........- . . . . . . :^.." _ I . . . I . . . - '.I.. -I ............. -.. . . . . . . . . ,

. . . . "

........ . . . . . . .

........ ... . . ........... ........ iL."..'. :.; T.r : : ~,~,;~w4;~2<s~~ik;~<~~2~,~i~;2~T~c &@~.&gv+$53,5a c-e-~~&,;@:~;;.g~~~.*.~~.:;<@:f<T5*-*'5~~~@p~~~&j$;~$kj~& --::/Jgz g;;;-$;6i~g??z~f:;y::r;+: ....

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Y *.-' . . . ... . . . . . . . . .- . . . ,,,.*: ... .-- , . -- ... .--. . ,-;&+&3&+. *< . . . . . ,:--..; . . . .; . . .' . . a ..; .::..> 1 . . -. - .........

, . -..^ ,. .*; ,,..% 2 . I'

'., ::. .,>.*,,.;:l.

..m...p... "."" -.*=* <;.&,&.~.p-%.$:&$~ - ,?'.. --; .-. c . - . p y ~ ~ * . ~ ~ ~ m I ' ~ f - ~ i v $ g d e S ' ' , - ~ :a:nd Z p 51 bl.fmns ,were ord &- ed' 6 the c+gfig..~id 5,z : . . . . . .

- . , ., . .'.".> , ~ , . . :;$~,f@i%@t ,:._ l 9 4 3 - s ~ t 6 . - oa&ct a 'search . fo r th& '$g&m, v$gsel,.. . . .;.,

'

, , z e-4 .-. ; ..Lc4-'1L'L' :>c2:~+Lit;r.II:--:::~:4i~~&:~:2ii :,rrr:- 3: --. < .. .hov&.ii& y ; , .: ; -.

no fuyther c&ontact was effected, though t h e sea rch continued for- < \ -$ *. -. \, *--.- I

twerrty-seven hours. One P B ~ w a s --lost during t h e hunt and never.; I r* 2

v\ter e%* *, w-4

C-W t r a c e s of the plane o r crew discovered, i n s p i t e of

1 . <

-. = " - -. - i blips. Thegbsence of iny c l u e as-*to t h e - p l a n e r $ fa te 3 ~ g & $ t e 8 * C" < a - - P " - - a T A . " -

~* * > . A . * * i , . . +c-. - . , -. - . t h e @ ~ - & b $ & & $Y ofy$&. - -havinp: ;be SBX- a &cn:~ s& . T ~ ~ ~ F t $ ~ g ~ ' i ; ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ; ~ ~ ~ --..--. . -., "-. f;ifil-'. prY---5. ..-.-*i *-".*a. :,.':--C^-:-. . * ", . .,-% --,,-*.-> '.. -.-A,-,+--' .+"k.--*..-- a ..-......,.......... ... .. >..... .dmpw ~ r & ~ I L Z L ~ & ' l j - ~ . 4 ~ ~ & i ; 7 4 ~ ~ , ~ ~ d & ~ L m ~ ~ p & ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~ ~ + ~ . ' $ 1 ~ ..>. J..L.' rl: . ; . . . ..i,-i;:~.-~.:. .i c-r ... - ....... . ( . . . .............. *,yii:.y. , ,.-:"; .n...* . .

rFwe*z*,* r-*?**-F7;7" *.F---. -.7-.7z.T.y -;-- i.vz-. --x%-:-.-:T.*v---'-.-.- "7;& .>*J,&. - ;< <:;- -"% <L&%.. :;%~-! +: 2: :&*S , 1 . . . . . , :".&.:*.

..-.......... ."-s...?

. . . . . . . . . .. ..... ..-...... ~. .... . ‘ . . . . . . ............ .... . .-.........* . .s-i-,.r:+...' .., Fi,i~:<"i.,:'... + r..",r. 2-,, ....-.....*..a. *-..r-..--

.-, ,.*. ~: -;: -.,..: %&:2:: I . ..?.L,i .. ' ...

. - . <.25z-,, ,%%. d.; * t

, , . ... : .-.~~~~.y:~~.vz~~3:.7tr.h;~.p2, . 9 J ..., ..li-l jp ........ e - . _ . [ . t : $&fin . . . . . .G - &iekeP%&*.%.-i..i.: :-:=* .~ . . . . . 9 . . ........-.. .:- .a.sc. &'r;.-.r,~~iijrk&.A,~I.rn.~,wiiii, -L.-T,.n: .,r.r. .:- ., .

. . > .......*.... ..*a ...

, ; ! .... '-'c~) a* -.,." ..,:*,,.,,, ,.,... Y . . . USl"JR ..,.,:. j ...... +-‘.... this r i . ......... date ,a r e l i e v e d Cormiander Gena.ld D; zurmueuen, . . -..$ i ... . . . . . , . - . . .

...... . . .? ' . . ---..:; .:..,, &&~&s,e&Q&&B~~:l~EOmmE-~~rLP ... . of er. . of ZP 51

___IX__"_ Lli . . . . . . . .............I...._ . . . Commsnder ~ur~u$G~k. f i

. " .-C..&..-,

^ ,. .F ,.-?- ..?

Fas to r e t u r n to t h e State. for f u r t h e r r e e s s i . g m e n t y a f t e r seeing : . . . . . .

Squadrons 51 and 21 opereted Det-1 a s of June 15, 1943

i n order t o acciuaint ZP 2 1 w i t h t he type of operat ions carr ied

on a t t h i s Base. ' After a shor t period of indoctr inat ion, Det-1 /

vias t o be turned over t o the Richmond squadron.

Lieutenant 8. S. Graves returned from h i s temporary duty

a s Off icer i n Charge of Det-2, and assumed the d u t i e s of

Squadron Executive Officer on June' 17, 1943. i

For experimental purposes, a P u b l i c Address System w a s

i n s t a l l e d a b o ~ r d the K-49 on June 27 t o t e s t i t s useful lness

during convoy operztions. This wp-s t he f i r s t tiroe i n t h i s w e r

t h z t such gear Ivrs p l ~ c e d aboard s n a i r sh ip , and except f o r

minor defects , it was qu i te s a t i s f sc to ry . Hor~ever, more experi-

mentetion along these l i n e s would be necessary before the System

would be benef ic ia l t o blimp o ~ e r s t i o n s i n convoy re&-ezvous.

June r . e ; f o r t he m6st par t uneventful from the point of

vie^-" of operations. The so le submarine contact could not be

followed u~ f o r the k i l l ; but no a l l i ed ship2ing was molested

during the en t i r e month i n t h i s area. A t o t a l of 77 missions

riere handled by the four ZP 51 blinlps, with 875 hours being

flown. No operational d i f f i c u l t i e s viere encountered.

Detachment ONE, a t Naval A i r S ta t ion, Gyantanarno Bay,

Cubs was t h i s date, July 1, 1943, turned over t o Airship Squzdron

TFJENTY-ONE of Richmond, Florida, t o operzte as a d.etachment of

-18-

t h a t Squadron. Because of i t s closer proximity t o t h a t squ~dron ,

i t v;as f e l t t h a t t h e change i n conrlcnd vlould ~ l l o w b e t t e r zd-

m i n i s t r a t i o n aa6. funct ioning of the detachment. Personnel from

Ai rsh ip Sciuadron TbiEWY-ONE, who had been f ami l i a r i z ing them-

se lves , during the cast trio weeks, wi th the procedure and

p o l i c i e s i n e f f e c t i n t h i s area, o f f i c i a l l y took over.

At Edinburgh Field, because of t he increased a c t i v i t y of

Nzvel fo rces operat ing from t h i s base, a Naval Air Auxilizry

F a c i l i t y ( N A , ~ ) o rganiza t ion was es tabl ished. This f a c i l i t y ,

falling urder t he j u r i s d i c t i o n of t he Na.val A i r S t a t i on ,

Ghagauramus, Trinidad-, was t o assume the d u t i e s of servic ing

land-based Navy planes working ou t of Trinidad.

I n compliance with recommendations previously submitted,

ia;ork KELS begun i n a s ~ h a l t i n g t he blimp runweys a t Atkinson

F ie ld , home of Detachment TNO on July 2, 1943. USED employees

%ere t o do the ~ork, an6 i t was expected t h a t t h e *job would be

completed wi th in two veeks.

Independence Day a t Edinburgh was ce lebra ted by the f i r s t

1 successive 3 sh ip take-off f r o m any base ou t s ide t h e con t inen ta l

I l i m i t s of the United S ta tes . The K-17, K-49, and 8-68 took off

f o r routine(3pekational f l i g h t s .

I The e n t i r e Trinidad Sector was a l e r t e d t o subma-rines i n the

a2ea when it was reported on J u l y 8, 1943 t h a t a U.S., f r e i g h t e r ,

t h e SS ELPENA and the Norwegian Tanker, E. P. NEi'iTONh&d been

torpedoed off Dutch Guiana. Heavier a i r corerage of ell ship-

~ i n g lanes was ordered, elthough fou l v:eather hampered operat iom.

A t 0130 Q. on July 14th) the Rest Imlian schooner, HARVBRD,

wzs ordered t o heave t o a t a pos i t ion 0958 N 5922 W by a- sub-

marine which f i r e d two s h e l l s across the schooner~s bow. The

sub commander ordered the Captain and crew t o abandon ship; end

then proceeded t o sink the vessel with gun f i r e . Anti-submarine

a i r c r a f t i n the area were cautioned against what appeared t o be

newly adopted t a c t i c s on the p a r t of enemy U-boats, i , e . , t h e

poss ib i l i t y of t h e i r e lec t ing t o f i g h t i t ou t with a t tack ing

planes.

A Squadron Dispensary, with ample f a c i l i t i e s ava i lab le t o

a11 Nzvaz u n i t s a t Edinburgh .Field, w a s opened on July, 15th

under t h e supervision of Lieutenant Commander P. V. D i l t s , MC-v@)

USNR, who had reported as t h e f i rs t Squadron Medical Off icer on

June 8, a d had commenced preparations fo r a Naval Dispensary a t

t h e Base immediately. Heretofore, Naval personnel were t r ea t ed

a t t he &my dispensary, but because of t he increased a d t i v i t y of

Naval u n i t s t h i s arrangement was no longer considered f eas ib l e .

A t 2120 G . on 1 5 July, 1943, a PBM on an A/S sweep ENE of

Trinidad drove home an a t t ack on a p a r t i a l l y surfaced submarine,

which opened f i r e when t h e a i r c r a f t vias 300 yards o f f t h e beam

of t h e U-boat. &chine gun and l fgh t s h e l l f i r e w a s employed by

*he sub which did not crash dive when attacked, Although bombs

-20-

....:. i:.: .>;-:-:.:-:.-.-. :c::s::s:> ......... ......... ........ ..-.......,.. 5 ........ ,. ............... ......... ........ ......... ................ 2 ............... ......... ......... . . . . . . . . ........ ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. .

. . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . were dropped, no estimate of the damage sustained by the sub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

- .- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . could be determined because of the darkness. The plane suf- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :::::::: / . . . . . f ered s l ight damage, bu t no personnel were . injured. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , ; ..:: :: .: I . . . . . . . Off Zandery, Dutch Guiana.; a similar incident occurred . . . . . . . . .:- . . . ' . . ; . . 1

. . . . . . . . a>:.-.*..... .... :*:::~:~.~~:? . ......... . when an Army B-24 attacked a submarine which immediately opened _......... ........ -.. ... ........ .> . . . - ,.. ................ (. .... ,.".Y i.,-..:;::<s: :9>: :<.;:>:<.>?>:.?, .... .,.*A. .....-.... ............... ............... ............ f i r e with AA guns. Despite damage to the props and tail-planes, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . t he B-24 pressed home a depth charge attack, re leasing four ddK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 depth charges. Bowever, no damage t o the sub was observed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Later i n the day, a .B-18, a l so operating out of Zandery, ex- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . _ _ -. changed gGn f i r e v i t h a sub, presumed t o be thesame one which

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . crippled the B-24. Bombs were again dropped b u t with no material ::::..: . . . . . . . : . . . ::: 1 . . . . . . . . . : . : : . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . damage suffered by the U-boat which mmged t o : slip away. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . , ' " . . . i . . . . . .

I . . . P i l o t s of A i r s h i p Squadron FIF!l!Y-ONE were cautioned as to . . . . I

. . . . 1 . I . . . . . . . these new tac t ics - of enemy boats, and i n l i g h t of , t h e very in- . . . .

i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a d e q u a t e f i r e poiier of a blimp, were warned. not t o exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

. . . . . . . . . . . : I . . . . i . . . . fire w i t - h the enemy except i n d i r e emergency. The d-octrine of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. : ~: ,. , . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . .

i : .: 1 . : : . . . . . . . . . . . remaining out of effect ive gun range was re i te ra ted ; b u t many ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "r . . . . . . . . . i

problems were l e f t unsolved. The ques t ion o f i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a t : , n i g h t or i n periods ,of l o w v i s i b i l i t y presented a d i f f i c u l t . . . . . . = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \

. . . . . . . . . - i

. . . . . . . . . . . '

s i t u a t i o n t o the blimp on phtrol. In the various incidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :. . . . . 1 i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...:.:.:.. :.. I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

recorded. above, f i r e from the U-boat was withheld u n t i l the .... ............. ..... t. '.. . ......... . . . ....... --, .,..,-...-. sc::;z:;:<:; ...,....... . ,... ....... . ... ............. . r...,.. r .. .'.;: . - ......... * .. .,. .. .... aircraft was i n the immediate v i c i n i t y of the vessel. .. . ......._. .... - .... ..,-. ." k;;.;:<#>:.>:.>>: . ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * . .

I An advance u n i t under Ensign W. C. Ford, A-Y(N) USNR ar-

. . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r ived a t Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana on July 20, 1943 t o arrange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I

f o r the formation of another detachment a t t h i s location. With

.. , . .; . . . . \ ', '?, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . %he completion of t h i s t h i rd detaciiment, plzns or ig ina l ly in- / . ,

: . c' .: cluded. fm the basic orders commissioning Airship Squadron FIFT

ONE would have been executed.

Because of the increased submarine a c t i v i t y i n the area a

- night, d-usk t o dawn f l i g h t s xere begun fo r Airship Squadron

FIFTY-ONE airships on July 21, 1943. An extensive t ra ining

program i n machine gun, . f i r i n g . . . , _ I t W ~ S ,. . . i~s,t tu$e.d. , and all .-ha.&r*er

. . . . . . . t d be ' required t o check ou t i n this phase- of combat operak.ions, . - 7

-.

A t 2221 G on July 24th, a PBN out of Trinidad made contact . . . ~,zt;han- &66& U-beet 40 ai1e.s due eas t of the Island. Three

a t t acks were made on the surfaced boat, and all three times the

PBM was met wi th heavy maohine gun f i r e . Another indicat ion of

the daring t a c t i c s of the U-boat commanders V J ~ S revealed when

t h e sub l - f i r ed star s h e l l s i n an e f f o r t t o find the .-__ _ . a t t a c k i x __ _._-.-- I -.. - - - ,

plane. The presence of a heavy o i l s l i c k seemed t o indicate

t h a t the boat had suffered some damage; however, i t managed

Extensive BBAD sweeps by Airship Squadron FIF'fl-OME blimps t h e

next &x~ning fai led t o establish f u r t h e r contact with the sub-

marine . In an e f f o r t t o combat the increzsed sub a c t i v i t y , greater

a i r coverage of a l l sea lanes was ordered on 26 July 194,3. As

a ......a re.su-&k 9 for . the - f i rs% time; f o u r ' ~ a % x ~ h i p ~ . departed dinb burgh ..:. . . . . . . .^ ^_."... * -."-.. *--. -...- ...--.' ... . ... a *, ., a ,G.n #:*gEc =. .@ t-~**~ Missions extended the ent i re l eng th .

. . . . . . .

of the B a u x i t e Lane, around the is land, and through t h e island

. . : . : . :;. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . passageviays a s f a r North a s Dominica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :.:: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I n s t a l l a t i o n of a drainzge system a t the Atkinson ~ i e l d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . landing mat was completed on July 28, 1943. Because of t h e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . heavy ra infal l i n this e n t i r e area, c lose supervision!of run- ........... .._ .......... _.... i$z-&iOi5*,

.r:s.:+:cxey, ...... .....,. ... ............ m y conditions was necessary. Deep r u t s were noticed i n the ........ ...... ........... ..,. .... w- ........ .- ..-/..-..%.-. x--.>-.z *

.:-:.:.z."'<C.IC:C ................... ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . runways a t Edinburgh and at t h e detachments; constant r epa i r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . appeared t o be the so l e solut ion t o the problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A t .z . jo in t conference i n Paramaribo, Dutch Guiam, on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July )Oth, it was agreed that, naval personnel at tached t o t h e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . blimp detachaent there were to be governed by Army regulations, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and t o use Army f a c i l i t i e s whenever necessary. The mess h a l l , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and the enlisted men's barracks f o r the blimp squadron personnel :;::::.. . . ..

. .

vcere complet.ed and a l l ha 'ds began the process of rnoving gear . i . . . .

,:. 1 i n t o .new quarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . . . . Emphasis mas placed on an a t h l e t i c , progrem f o r all Airship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Squadron personnel. Volley b a l l and s o f t b a l l tournaments were . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arranged on July %st, contesta 'nts t o compete by crews whenever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

. . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ ..:,-:;:. I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . possible; A t Atkinson, the Army pzaced t h e i r swimming pool, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : : I 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . ..: .:..:. .:-:. i t enn is and volley b a l l courts, basebal l dinmonds, and bowling . . . ' : L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :.. : . . . . . . . . . a l l e y s a t the disposal. 'of Navy men. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ;. i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. A s the .month of J u l y drew t o a close, t h e major problem .............. -..

..*T-Y-'.r-ri, .>:c>:c2=-X-.y

.<A,--- .-.- - -.-- .............. .-- ,----..--..-A- ............. -A ..--, ..>.. -..,-..-- ............... confronting the anti-submarine forces i n t h e area was brought - - - - ---.--. m2 .................. ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . about b y . t h e sudden, daring new t a c t i c s employed by enemy U- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . boats. The decision on the pa r t of the enemy t o f i g h t i t out . . . . - . . . . . . . , .. . . . . . .

. . . . . . . with a i r c r a f t indicated that t h e i r boats were, i n a l l probabil i ty, ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . being f i t t e d out wi th more h/A guns and with be t t e r t ra ined . . .

. . 1

cretzs t o man them.

The increese i n submarine concentration, however, wzs not

accompanied by a proportionate increzse i n a t t acks on a l l i e d

shipping. Gnly four ships were sunk during the month, two of

those being s t t s c k e d ' a t the junction of the areas of responsi-

b i l i t y of the TriiaZd~-d Sector, and Conmandant' FOURTK F l e e t .

The laclc of offensive s c t i v i t y agains t shippins was expla.ined

by reescns, not considered too adeq,uate, t h a t . the submarines

were confining t h e i r operations l a rge ly t o rnineiaying, t h a t

enemy U-boats were u s i n g t he Caribbean a r e s f o r the purgose

of shalfe-down cruises , thk t t h e i r presence i n the areas were

l a rge ly motivated by z d e s i r e t o ga in inf'ormztion, e t c . I n

any case, a c t i o n w a s tzken t o provide: g rez te r a i r coverage of

a l l shipping lanes , Airships att2ched t o Airshi;3 Squadron

FIFTY-ONE f l e ~ i :i totz.,L of 1643 hours, once again surpassing a l l

other u n i t s sh ip bas is) i n number of hours flown.

Pursuant t o orders of ComFairshipsLant of July 1943, in-

cluded i n d ispatch 292349, Co-mlander J. D. Re~uy , USN, foriner

Com~landing Officer of Sciusdron i5,. assumed the du t i e s of Com-

mander, FLEET R I R B B I q %?ING FIVE, a s well as of Command-ing O f -

f i c e r of . t h i s Squad-ron. L t . Cornrn~-wier Rieker b-ecame Corn-a.nding

Officer of t he nealy formed HEDRGn' FIVE, v i t h Lieutant C o m n d e r

J . D. Lautaret a s h i s Executive Officer . These cha.nges were

brought about by v i r t u e of e. widespread reorganizat ion of LTA

adminis t ra t ion i n t o ?&TNGS, SQUADRONS, 2-x-d HEDEO3TS on 1 August. -24-

P-t 0025 6 en August 3 , 1943, a PBhf operating -out of

Trinid-ad . -.,*-- % sighted - a. submariae a t 1135 N 5405 TJ. A contact

repor t was transmitted t o the Base, followed by an a'ttabk i repor t . No fur ther transmissions were received from, th-e. p l a ~ e ;

nor did the plane ever r e tu rn t o the Base, An extensive ,search I ,. : 7->> ~ .<',,,. a:;,-. ?js.z~ . . . . . . ............ ........... ........... . ...... .... w a s , lns~~~tu , t ' e&, - 3 i t h planes and ZP '51 blimps par t ic ipat ing, .......... .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . : - -~ ..........

'but"' . . . . . . .. : . . . . . . . . ....... ..... .......... - ,

::::::: .,, -, . - - - + , +; +.,:. ..,?: ;.. ;!. . -;.- . . . . ;- , ,), .G~z>e~dgaj&gdijg'e b$'t ~$a~$~+,~3v~r-S~7.WeeP ez $6-~~&~i{ia.;7Q~2z2rviig 3 ;. ,.Be:l;s+ePed .;:-%hat: ,>:*&&!+&; . - . . . . . : .... .... . . . ?. . . . . . > -. ... . . ~ ,(,, .,:,! .<%*& ' ,'. , . ....... " . . . . . . . . . . . : . . ,; . . . ,x .~-,>?$:<.x~~..~@~**;;~~+>' ...... k 7 . . ..., .* , , ". .%% > .,,.- z..

.. , .. , . . ....... .... . . ,<L2&~pp~.: - :..~ < . . ..... . .~ .,.

..;<-- ' .~.:-. ,: .,: ~:%:--, ...... ..... ~. , . .. 1 -P&$F~@2 ,. l*Bi-s+i.i:!dibwc .by . ant i-a~rcraft fire whi le .. it$.ii:aat-ta+6w . , i, _.,_ . *j-

-.-+ I . -- ... - -x-.y-.-c.,-c-----7b.*-,7-d*-m. -*+='-$n-~zttack .... on an enemy U-boat occurred a t 2015 Q on 5 Aug. I - + I

. a"q a~w.dga . 1.90 off ~Janquilla Island. L i t t l e damage w a s sustained by the, I .A . 1

submarine during the f i r s t few at tacks; and it sl-ipped away intg, a , --., - . i

- -'%he iiight A t 1221 Q gn the folloz~5.w day, ,the s g e sub !!as L=;".";

I - ,. - , * " - - - " " - .," . . - . I sighted running on the surface a t 1238 N 6415 W. It had ap- I esking only 2 knots. The PBP, which made t h i s contact, gegt - . 1

. - - v

I pespages ..- were he,crd from the plane, and'no personnelwere ever [ - " i -1,

<- c - -: Cs.5 - - I ~~--~~o~-y=--=-§orne-~ dehPs,.b-identified as pzr t s of a PBN, were located . . . . . . . -...I...> ....................... -...... >x ..-....L.-.+.s. <.>....=<*.-s.!'. ~:":, ........... ! - -. - ., . :---

... several days l a t e r . 1 . I .......... .' . r ,.:*;h.4! ;~..& g., . . 2'. :; , : , , . . I

. - -. . , . . .............. - on patrol,; Wasordered. t o t he scene of t he battxe, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - <

, . - .................. , .... , ............ . . ................................ 2 . i . ..-.. ,-.. .. .>. ...... .. ....... .=.,..r.*ei";, . . . . . . .............: ...._.....I.. - . . ... t . . . .. ? :*<, --.......... , , ..:: ? ~- ,".* .&.... ...V*.~...&+.U%%. ........... ............. .,- , . .- ,. - . ~ . --, . .,. . . j

................. .......... .. , , - , - ~ ~ P e n ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ w ~ ~ v h $ mt E~Bi'"Egyg$ddgc:w5iii-b ... i f .. pds . ...t ... :.... . ..: ::.<,; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . ..... . . . . . . . . . : ........ ~ ( ~ ~ . ~ - ~ p * ? ; ~ . i ~ p ~ x ~ ~ ~ i y c i y c h " 1 * i i % ~ ~ ~ ~ - illp.~ FF iiii*,"I,< .; ....* li. ..c.li.. ..C. ... ..: . . . 9- . - . . ........ .... - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :.,.< c-+ ;.-+ q.-~ . . . . .. ........ ..-.... , , ....................... - ............. - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i. .,:.-

. . . . . ......... - ....... . - . ._., ~. y-2- --: ,ha ,*.. &.< . . . . . . . . . . . . . *,&L-~. *< ,~- .. - .., ~ . . -

- . - . . . . . , _ . .

- i ---i, F~---~~.a.p~hk-.k$~.p-F~-trfpfi+ops- of the i13,.-..f a+-& ~Xane. - A t 153 7j Q a s e c f ~ d . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . ~ ' .%..

. ~

+ - -- -. - -. .- ......--. ...... .>. . .. . . . . * e . . . . . t . . . . . . the again, d r o g z i n ~ ~ G T O demolition., ' !

bombs from 1500 fekt. Little damage t o the sub was observed-; ,- -3-

but aachine gun f i r e r u ~ t u r e c - the. p l a n e t s f u e l l i n e , s e t t i n g - " -.

f i r e t o the s t ~ r b o a r d wing. Despite t h i s czsualty, the PBld

pressed home another a t t ack , strafing the sub from stem t o

s t e r n . A t 1635 Q, reenforcements ~ r r i v e d , t h i s time a PV but .... .... ._ : ?. .-/ ,.,c.,e:: c.:: . ' L ....

. . 1 ;. ....... i: ... 2$..iir.,. of .<% ~ ~ i n b u r g h . , ~ , i e l f l . fi.T6Tu;;....r.7 ..... .,... . rihile t he ' PBM strsf ed, the PV came i n off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -" ...? ................. . . :, . , . . . . .......:......... . _. . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > --,-,,:. , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................... ;=;,tL'. . . . . . . . . . - -thk:,quar€G$. .. nd k t g~,her:'depth .chargi32j .,. &,f,f.~.at,,$~g&,a,; ,$,$,&~,dd;l.~:;,,; .. ... ... .. .......-. ..,.,....,......... ............ ... ............... . . . ..* .... -, .,. ,.:- *, r.. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..: :ca~$J:ixl ~ ~ ~ i : 4 k ~ : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ! ~ ~ ; ~ I ~ ~ i ~ ~ W ~ i e . ~ ~ P P r , ~ ~ 9 ~ t ~ f i r ~ : . : ~ : ' t c ~ ~ ~ i ~ . :is;t 5:-2-,. :P. :r:r,~;x-i~~:-mi i.~5~.i-.:L;~~;~~+2;i;;4~3;g ::,=7.i:i:i: .$;,+ .\?, ,:$. 2;:.-. i. .?. .c:..,~, , .-,..?.- -. . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .: ...- . ,

? . . . . . . .:. < : . . . ........ .t ..-+, :,: . =. . %. '.-,-L~ . . . ~ . , .. <*:*..>:> L, .. ..>:..,. :.~ . , , . ..- i;.. 3: -,:;

, . %,&~u,gh. badly, c r i p ~ ~ l e d , t h e U-bgrt ' continued t o . f idh t ofp -th&.=&~&. , .... , . . ... : ? : ; ; . ; , . . . , . ... ...- ., ~ , ~ % :., .a,.. , ~ . . , ,, .., 7,- , . . . .. ,b~ ;; w.,^. --T;;:*.-,"-. ..:py+@q$ . . . . @rg& *

. . . . *...-.......... - : 8. s.e$o.nd . ?E$?, c u e t o assist. the .o$,her planes; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . agd,a. . . : ......... ;. .. $. .s,3,* $$+\:,2:;?r:;>: .,.c' ,... :* . ,:* . . ,-<. . ,:-.=.%-?<<.~: ." .-.: . . . . . . . . . . . . , . , ". .,:, ,. . ., . , . . . . . ; ,--:- :z,<LL.z & - . ~ ~ ~ ~ . l ~ + . ; . , - : - .;-+.v*4w-:.&A.-;& -..., >.. I . ._ . : , . , . - , . .

concerted. a.ttack with depth charges and mhchine gun f i r e vv'as .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. .

; ..,. :. . .,;..i <sitz ,.$r;r:..-r . . , . - . r7.-;' . . ' - :.r.-,,. :..';;;:o . . . . . . . . . . . *,on t h e -U-;boat which returned the f i r e , f z t ~ l l y ~ j o ~ ; l l d i ~ . , t h ; e . , . . ... . . . . . . . . . ,

, . t ' . . ' ". . . . . ' . . ;=: .; . . . . . . . . * . . - .

..... z . . :..@Z3t . d..+one o f t h e pla.pes.,, . % . . . ~. . . . . . . , i,w;pacitatingpiti . .~ . , . . . one, . . of t he crewmen,, . . . ,, : , . v ' , , . ' ... . , , , . . . . , .... , - .. , : . : . %. . . . - . r ',;- - ...........-..... ,' ., :.-i,, . . . : :>.. ............. = ' ..... .-.. . " . , " ...... . a. , :."y'. . ".'.."""'.' ".-.:...' . . . . "'i" -" ..x.r,;

a* p u t t i n g the radar, instrument pznel, and autdmatic $l.& .oije . . , . . . .

....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : , . J ~ ~ < : . ~ ~ - Q I . ? I I & S S ~ ~ ~ , ... A th i rd PBM xas ordered t o j up fo r . theiki.2-1;- . . . . . . . . _.._ _,. . _ . . . . . . . . . . -_.-. ^" ,- .-,.. . -. ........,. .̂, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __., ............... _".._,__ ...... .-.- .......d...---.-.. ---.-...-....---.- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .,,- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - .:.= .;_ __.___._r____l_ ...??- "--- - . , .- . . . . .

but ;;it.bZ,s. one,. , too . suf f e@ d.amage f ram the very. ee&niy; -:-.: . . . . . . .............. . . . . ,.., . . . . . . , , , . - ... .: ,.,..L ........ :,,, . . . . . . :':>,~?~,'2?:..~.$~>.:.>.>:~f'=~~ .............. . , - .. ., . . . . . . , , . : . . . . . . . . . . . . ~. .

' , . Lp.f4ye+,3c :,- A. - ...... . s t P i i l i g h t descendea t.he K-68 with L,ie*tenznt (j>),.' ;i,::7' ...... ...... .. ......... ... .. ......... ... ...... ... . ... ..-....- ..: . ... . ... ..... , . -.-.- .,-,-+. --*?,*.. f ..;, .>$-,u.r*.. -. -:+.$:7"-7:*" m,,7. ..-- ,--,*" *. .+:-* ":; >.,+...- ?. .,~.., ,., -... ,.,. *%....?.-........L.-*>~.~........*.~~ i . *:,< *?*' :,z.=. ..,\.L *: <,: .a:*;*? . . . . . . .... -.F-'iw: ---. &r.-+&e&~*i;>:" r+-.-i-.* Crr .+y.rcI:";. .'..,.,* . . ..I .. '!-!:I. i ~ . . . . . . /i __-_ -- ....................... ... ,. :,

, . . ~

. . . . . . . . .~ ~ ,..*.&. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. ..................... .......... .-. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . ......... r-J..,~L._fis i ...-A .--. ZL... .:. :<. -. .,.-. ,:::.!?:: .--T-. $g:j+*;% y'. .-.-

me..: ;.-& ,>, <,. .,*.: ..,: E : & s ~ = @ & L ! ~ L , ~ a : ~ ~ ~ g ? ~ $ ~ ~ a ~ ; ; ~ ~ ~ s s e . a % ~ ~ ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . m.$T :..a. :;.

. . . . . . ... . .z.;BTe.eT7y-p-c+ _..l. :%: .... .. Ke-:j,zrp3.;n%;i-E.,;yga:f6 .._ ........__. ;.ag.gg5,g..$. %" 6.2.*Ki-. -; g.gx .....f5@g... Aih%6 7 ~*;4g:;g @?-;:: .. , .: <&~&.~~:.*,';~r?~ % * .-.-.. lj) ~ , . . , ,". . ,, , .. ~.~ -~

- . ....... ... ..... ..... ....... .. , : : > ? : . , . &:." -" .*..* r.: ? .-ri i,.=c*..-.. :i " - . ... .....- .....h .... ................................................... , . ,=ru: ,>.T;': &;:,, 2,,.;;e,. ii.r;- ,.,.;-" ...--,,.,, hx-i -,..; - r. :;=%.>e-:%;~~~.~~~?~~+:.~.?*.:%$s*+&~&*&* ...... ........ ....... ,Gf y-., ,*.. *.&kg ..... .. -.; .,-<,:::; ,<: .,, 7. : V.,'. ~.. .# ~ ' , , . . ,- ~ , . p ~ ~ ~ : e n ~ ~ ~ . ~ ~ ~ &me nt ., I........... .-.i;a.: Id:. - * .. - Notifying the baSe df his intent&&E

.............. ... . . . > . . _ . . ,. _.. ... - ..Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . : z .

. . R p k e k ora&e%ded t o the are- a r r iv inz sirgultaneously with an. ..sila,,-v --... -.,.. ...s-l>:uF%w iFY-2e~7'-7'-~3ie~+,:~i;~-i?.aw~t;t;~*~~:im~:.: . .:- 7: . . . . . . - . G-' . . . . . . . . . ., .

, - >i

< . -&??my B*W.k---T he .K-68, protected by the h e a v cvercast and -the - - -

I ?.. ,*. . , . ? .

.... . . . . ~:aa~;E;-G?:r~czLCas.:~ *,..-. :.. ...-. . . . .~ .t~~...~g~aa~kp~esss, ....,.. .located the sub, which--was lying- -dea.d.-.-a . . . . ' . ... . . . . A . . . .

. ..*-;; ............... . . . . - 7. ; ' " " . . .. 2 : ' !

.L.,<,., 7n *.<... \. ,&c,G:.+. 3 *. . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . i ........ , . > f : , -n-g- . - >: . - , , :

L = =

$ , ;-$;$j$&;,$, ; :<:, , : > , , . : . , ,..~c:;:.:. >, - >,. .%, , , . \ .'." *;. ' '- '

.! '3 . . . . . . . . 1 . ; . ... .... ; .. - .

, .:, ., . . . . . . . . _ I ' .

- . . j .: . .: ,, $ 2 . ". .... ... I 1 : ; ,. :.;:- , ..

. . . . ! . . . 1

3-18 was 'not if ied ,of the U-boat's pas i t ion, and went , i n f o r

k i l l , A ,* A drop-oing -. - three bonbs on the i l l - f a t e 6 bozt. No accurate . . . . . . 8

estiillate as t o the e f f e c t of tliis attack was hoted because of

t h e darkness; and contact with the sub was l o s t . 1 I (On the following day, the USS WALKER sighted a conn ing I /

. ,

o u e k l y . Fop$y-three survivors were picked up.) ss,< ,,:.., !"&. <?.: :e:>.c: .A>.-. ,*.. -:. , . . 44 . .,: *~

I . .

$>:.:::.&..: ... . A . . . - . . . .,> . . . ,..,. .... The K-68, a f t e r attempting t o - r e g a i n contact ~ i t h t l ~ e . : .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .;&r,zY:,;*.,L.* .... ;~:::&+. s~:- : :~. '+*- .... r i ... :s ..... ..*.*.. I?. ." ... 1 :-All :

i . . . . . . . . . . . e8caping submar-ineon, August 6 t h s e t c ~ u r s e ' . : ~ f o ~ . . t h e Base.. ..>$......... : . : : ; . 5 , : : : . , .................. , .. : : : ;., ? : : : . " ................... .,.. ...J ..,? ?&?l ;:.- ;= ; : .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :

having reached her PLE. However, unfavorable ninds were en- i I . . . . st - , . : ........ :. , ......... .A. ---_ . . . . ..._..__.._.._ . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................ - . -.A ......ma T."..... .............. . . . . . . . . . .:~.Q-unte??ed$.?affd . the . .a i rship ran. low i n f u e l , . some-;-t.hr.@--b~~&~e~ . i . .

i . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . I

> . < ;:.. ~:. . ,. . . miles, from Trinidad. - . . . - . . J u s t p r i o r . to running ~omplet~lx.~o~.t::.o.f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , A.

. . . . , . -- >. .- . .~ . . . -. .;, . ', . " . ' . . . - - . . . . ., ' . . . . . . ... :.. .; - *: ......... . . . 7~z;TgL~~Ti~$&g.;;$~~~;:~5:-B-la~g~.i:X-1-a:r'~~ - - , , . ,.. a::Xp ., ne . z w a - p o . . . . s sess&o.m-~=~~was~y"ij:--i~~ ....... ... . . . . . . . .....-.. . ,. ~ ., ~ ..k 9 ' - --.-.--... -- - -

, : , , ' . . , ; , , , ;. ,,- ; ..... ..". ,..,*,..e . . =.* ... -. ' :,.* .,:. .li%.).l"l - .r:;,:.. .. A . . - 5 . . ~. . ...? .. > .:;- ............. - :. . . . . . ' ...................... ..'I~> : :$::-?.:>-;. : ,C h C---- . .;-*:fb j . . . . . . . . . - . . & w + z ~ ~ ~ ~ ? w + ~ ~ ~ ~ : ~ ~ ~ g ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ y f l ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ g : ~ ! ~ ~ - - : : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ f ~ q ~ - ~ ~ - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : g ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ; , . ?. ..z.x.&

1 -z' . . . . - - ................. - - . . --. . . . . . . -2 . . . . ."... . ........... . .....I.( ........ . ; . .. . i. ;- . .':. ... ;-- ' -.-... - . . . . . . . . . . .

1 . r . - 1 -7 .; ...................--. "..... *-,. .,,...-. .., -..,,..- ,L .....-.. - .....,, ......a. ,,;i,i;.,: ,:,:.s;"?*?<..i3...:' . .*- .-A. I.,. " I

.... ,, .. ,..+ . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . .. . . .......... ?*.! --r.."l.. ::$-..-: .._ &:-&!&&&&& . 7...w:e; ",,* i% ........ ,;;. ,%:-+ : :,.:, :;i~J-nd ~ ? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ y ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ i : ~ ~ + ~ , z a ~ ~ U h a u t ..$be .<,?,- ~ ~ z ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : , , ~ . ~ ~ , ~ - ~ ~ T ~ , ~ ~ . ~ ass,$s t.adc:ewr~o~$.~,ground~ ... ., ,,.. s;ii ... .,s--ihR-.~e-~.-,~. n.$e&& -:~s7--.-,FAl ._.,: -, . . . . I ' ~,, ,, ,> % ...%,.. -.., ,::.* . . . , , L , , . . . . .............. i The blimp was lashed to some. shor t trees; a.@ a message \?as 1

+. ..*.~.... .;.. .>, : . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . , . 7 . . I . .- . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : ' . . - - .

i i

ss-;zs,,;.~= _irz~il;.%;- :-pad+.@& ~.~pi~~~eceB~:s~eei~.-jL.&~~mily5 the cormnad,ing Officer of the . . . ... , ^ - ............. ..^.. - ,'.... .- -:.- -:.. ..A". ............. . . .... . ~ . , . .

1 ;. ]

p l igh t of t h e airshipi Durins the &&t, stronger r inds 4

. . . . . . , ,.3, --, --,--,- - ,,,1":;&g$&~~2$;tt&;,63~a P-i;l.zq&w Of the r ' ~ p Eord .- a - 'M ' the ship gas 1

. . . i:..".=.&7$&-v>,;:,-&- ..,L. :; ;- .+j* c-+:*<,z;$&&i~!:;$+~% . .,..? :. - .: ....'<".% .... ?. . <..>..-. . . . . . .,.&.....~..,. ..L.,pe-- .-f - . + ~ ~ q i t c p ~ , ~ - . w ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 4 . h , - S ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ i ~ b ~ . ~ c & ~ i f ~ ~ ~ ; & - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ; ~ ~ ~ i 5 ~ ~ i ~ F ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ f .:<!?;:::;-.::6i:;>: ... : .... :;:. . . . . . . . . ..;. . . . ;',. .-:. ..... +.. ,,. .,,. -+;.,::. ;. . . . . . . :"-*>-iii . * .. .-..--iii- ............... . ... . . ............. . . . . . . . .; r. . . . . . . . . . . . ............. _. . . . .... ~- ..... . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... - '.hT*: r,z~,>rAam7*%::G>.*,>,- .,,,,. .:. ......*.-.....+a .< -.,t.*&m. .8 .,. 6. .! .>,T, ..... . . . --1.*-gfaaw, -. .......... : .............. , . .

: . I ........... , . . . . . .: . . . . . . . . . . . . i ....... 1 .... ..; ..;-. 'lP iF*-mz+99 ...:.. a:;;.. .,+&&---...- I&&&*.& *m&a .&. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,*++&&&. ,- $qPwAq=P#. iW.~~*.*"*.. E i .i L . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ^r.-.f.>l%r.

....... -", -.<*> ;.+,.:;,* *,t<"<z*.>w~$+.L>,$B<+ j:'i:i:&~rpF*&*w*-.*:<* ... :.- r .i.... 5 -,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " ...-... . ',, . . . . . . <: :. i ................... ......... .......... . . . . . . . . ,. ,.

. . , . . ..".. :., I . . ....-.... ........ . . .,..- .-131F, ,mwzml*-r - - L ; : ~ : . ~ ~ ~ Z & 3 B ~ e . - h u r r i . e d '~rqara.&-;idns.: .... ~ f a ~ - ~ . ~ s a l v . a g e of t h e . s h i p . 1

...... .. *.-...*',.."..a. ... ..,.... *. .. , ~. , . :., ' , . . a - .-. .~ .,,. . , ,. . . . . . _--*--- -rje*.e--.$q:&g Be"eabSe the isl-.;'

G . ~n8'beIo'ngerf t o a neutra l power, t h e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.... . ..: ...-. .... -. , ." . . ..,... .,.> >----- .A-IJF1;. ..s.--.-.c. .-.* ...4...r̂ .. --r--r.. . . . . . . . - -2 7-

- . .

.EET AIRSHIPS ATLANTIC NAVAL MESSAGE

NAVAL AIR STATION

. - ... ,..., ',.>. .. .............. . . . .. :.:., :. :_ ' . . . , . , . . . . ._. i>. ...... ......... LAKEHURST, N. J. , ~. . . . . . . . . . . .

COUTAIRS~IPV IruG 30 . o m ............. O . O U ~ . & ~ I T .......................................- 8 . . . . . . . . . . I a Released by .................... .......: ..................................... (Signature)

Date ............................... ......7....................... .................. z . C IIY CLBiJT DEFERRED ROUTINE ........ Y...:... ...... 1 COLiC;AIiIaS&AE'HO&i

z VIGXOTP~AV PRIORITY .......................... 0 t'-PRIORITY ................... COklIti(;H k BUUBO CODED ............................ PLAIN ................... .. ....... . .

. DATE-TIXE GROUP

TEXT

REPORT BY W L G W THF: COidMII SSIONING DATE X CIi\lGLBNY 151535

. . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMDR. ::.. . . . . . : ; - . . . .

( HTA

I ASR

- -. Confidential' u ' - -

--

Phils. Na. Yd.-$149-2-8-46-5000

. . ....... .-.. ... ............ ........................ ............ ELECT. s;;zl;;;; ............ ........ ............. ........... ,.:-:...>; .-.. 5-1.- .. ............. ........... .. -*-. ...... L.................. :..

PHYSi-,,.K. .... '>. -.:. .. :.- . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

-: . . . .

3 . - NAVAL MESSAGE FLEET A l R S H lPS ATLANTIC NAVAL AIR STATION L A K E H U R S T , N. J .

I::.: : , - / . . .

idAILGW TO: CISJCLBT VICE !3P1\JAV COMX6CB BUAE Rs BUPXBS B U S A BUOIU) BULgD COMJ?AZASHIPWI~~ 31

.... .From ....... ..Cto&fl?dImiif ~ ~ I N G O . J a ----+-.-. ...... . . . . .- . , . . . . .

" Released by Gr H.z .... gJ.L.&$ ................ :.-I -.----.-a-

(Sfgnatare)

Date ......... ..If.Q. ...?!$!.%!K..-1941 ...........-.. .-.-.---------.-

DEFERRED ROUTINE

PRIORITY .......................... OP-PRIORITY ............ : ......

. CODED ................................ PLAIN 2

.,. .. \.. . .

. .

WITH CODR G D z ~ I F ~ ~ K ~ H L E N ,@ COMMANDIIG OFF1 CER AIRSHIP 9.1UADBOki

51 BAS C O ~ I S S I O ~ D AT NAS LAKEHURS'P IS DATE

. . . . . -t- .: ...,.. _.._ -. - . . - - - . , . - -c:n?:::;::::::> ELECT. <~:ziz>:;~; -... . .-. .... - .................... . . . - - - . - . ..-.... ..I.... :.;:+c;.':.>:..'.'.>:. ... ...-....... - .....,.. ....... -. ....... pHy'.. y.- ::'. .....:...... :: : . . . . . . . . . . . .

I I - . > - Confidential - r

DATE-TIME GROUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

' / !

8. a g

--

-

Phila. Ns. Yd.-$149-2-8-46-6000

. . .... . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C0XAIRLrn.T . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

To COBBCARIi3 SEbFRON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CObBNOB TRIXIDAD . . , . . . . . . .

COUZEDRON 21 '. ... ., ....A

. co N S RICiiiOM) ........... .... . <0:33:.t.l-> .--.il... .-.... .- .- ::-. . . . . . . . . . . . ... .,.- ;:.-.:c:.,:.: ..-.- --.-. -. ............... ... .. - r.......... I. - ..- - - . - . .......... . ............. ..-...-... ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . COMDR. . :.. . .

. . , . . . . . . .

cso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . : . . . STAFF SEC. :':.. . . . . . .

. . . . . . . 231949 . (PARAP~BASED) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > .

. . . . . . . . . . . . TEXT . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . : COMDR. . . (jOuIlqCfi COiqB'IBiqTIA3; %HI& mko ymu. TfiRr;P ZE;& mk() OF 19 S P S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CSO . . . . . . . . .

U G W I a c ; ASSIGNUMT Ou' ~1ktStlIPS IS MUUlb.IED AS WLLUliiS ir BLIWBON \ - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NAVAL MESSAGE '-EET AIRSHIPS ATLANTIC NAVAL AIR STATION LAKEHURST, N. J. I 8 -

GINCLUT

CINWAC' C O ~ ~ O U I ~ ~ nr COUI-IILB~ '7 c ; o ~ r ~ i ~ ~ S T S E ~ ~ C O W BPAC COU??AIBSki IPSLAtU COk@.4,SBBFRO~ COWAIXSHIPSPAC CO&iGULTSAl?mM CO~BIHSH~P'~JING 2 Cobi(;~wliiSAEidOi~

- - . . .3"v . . . . . . . .om ........... ...G !?.@.XB. liH-.-m...C.IiQ ............................. ...... I .

. . . . . . . . . . . . ....................................................................... . Released by

(Signature)

...... ........................... Date ............................................... .. z

DEFERRED ........................ ROUTINE .......................,

................... PRIORITY ...... I OP-PRIORITY ................... .

CODED PLAIN .............................. ...............................

-. JSLEBEld X T'WELVZ X: IP;'I'E~vT~~-FOU& X F ~ & ' ~ & & L u b ZIP EBGH X 3 L W R O M !CwYil %Y-

ONE - T~ELVX ZiW X IU~IF~PM)IY FORTY TWO - POUfi ZrJP Ar.rlj BLI~P.ROIS FORTY

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ! TO POIriT Z ~ E S I Z ~ V & ~ D ar C I ~ ~ C T A U E,mIdS.t P W ? ~ I C M u D93% x ASSIGe4 . . . . . . . . . TRAIN. . - . . . . . . . . . . . .

D A T E - m E GaODP

x D 4 ,

8 4 " z fi . g

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, .- 1 :3:i' SEC. . :j . . . . . . . .-: .,. : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

-

' Y ~ O s :BZN ZNP x D3C@k;.;:ISSiOfi ZP 23 ALJD 51 x B'EPO%T DEGOMISSIONII~G' . .

. . . ' . . . i j ~ E A I L ~ ~ W TO ma XTBBMSFXREL:'VZ~~,LT~PS A I A ~ ~ S ~ ~ I P S TO WEST COAST

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . COMM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

r'B0M P 21 T$@ . ZNP TO Om:kPIO~Al , CilNT$OL COMPASZAYKUw X ASSlGi ! DX-

TACliPdn.ns TO CAlIIIISEMjiOiq M U P U W SEA FRONPLXR FRO1.G lillj TYTU FOB

I I -

C\ ' Confidential - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUPPLY

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . PERS.' . . . . .

SUPpOfip 2j;W ;liqi) .%pU%LIfiB Stops X acPSS&fy ACTION 10 T

i 5 Y >ill!&AiJS &JD OJj'E'ImS QF BATf I)3PA&?l1iiir;l!f

APPE;cbDIX B

. . . . . . . . . .................... ................. . . . . . . . . . Phila. Na. Yd.-tlA9-2-8-46--5000 . . . . . . ... . , . . . . . . . . . . .., . .

--

-.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAT.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .- . - . ., , . .. ..--.... -.--.<- .. .--,-:-.-Au- --.- --____ _ ELECT.' ;?:?--<% .- --.._ _^__. .,..<..- ..<-- - .., ." ..-. . --.---.-- -,..-...--. :cccCi i2?~ . : pHys ,,,.R ;.$.::;.:':!.:{;:

. . . . . . . . - . . . . .

NAVAL MESSAGE FLEET AIRSHIPS ATLANTIC NAVAL AIR STATION I < LAKEHURST. N. J. :. '

. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . Philn. Na. Yd.-S14P-2-8-46-5000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . %om ......... .W.~.*.!?.il,S.I.W~ITOt3: .... ............-........ . . :. .> . . . i . . . .

. . Released by ...................... ... .... ......... ................... i Sionntnre)

Date ............................................... .............................

DEFERRED' ..................... ROUTINE .......................-

PRIORITY ......................... OP-PRIORITY ................... , CODED PLAIN .... 2 ........ : ............. --"I

231932 (PWiBASED)

TEXT

YOU l&?I TO DECOMIAISSICN Ii'AIRSHI~ING FIVX X FROM C H I E F O F NAVAL

O P Z U T I O N S &D COhUANDER IN CHIEF X ASSICK TO .E'I&&TAIRSIIPWI$G

TifO BLIW SQUADROEI FIFTY OME AND DECO~ISSION BLIMP mDRON

FIVE X REPOHT EY iulBILGW TO T B Cti IEF OF NAVAL OPPUTIOEiS THE

DE(;OMi~ISSIONIHG X COdI&WIIE;K C B R I 3 . E A N SEA FBONTIEp ESTAIhS

O P I I i A T I O M S COiJTROL BLIMP SQUADROli PIPTY OEPE

AE!PICUDZX B

. . -

DATE-TIME GROUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

---.. . . . . .

z

-Confidential u I

--

. .

. . . CII?ICLIWT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COMDR.

CSO

STAFF SEC.

OPER.

HTA

COMM.

ASR

TRAIN.

SUPPLY

PERS.

MAT.

-. .-. - * ..... ,._. ..-. --... ELECT. ;'-.:.:.:.::.>:.:.:.. .............. . . , .*. - - 0 - - - . ..: r. 2. :. .Y=. . ,.. >. . . . . - :. K.. :<.: :.- - ............ .. .S%V. ........I -. .-. PHYS.TK - .-

-

c : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

z 0

2 h h

-- . . . . . . .

. . . Cowam . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COidl?BI l?% IP SLmT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . COKE'AI RSBIPN ING 2 . . -,.-..

C O ~ A I 8 S H I P W I I G 5 ~-.;:.,.,.---* ..*.,.. <*:.:-:.f.J. ............. ...... ........... , .. _.___.. ........... .... ..... COMCARIB8aFRON , .-/ -.-,..-.- ..- -5 .._ *. - - /..-,.. -..,: ............... .:.:.:.:-I.:.Ii.:~,: ............... . . . . . . . . COMGULFSEAFRON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

- - , CEET AIRSHIPS ATLANTIC NAVAL MESSAGE

NAVAL AIR STATION . .* LAKEHURST. N. J.

..... :Prom .......... C.@iBLI@RQll.... 51 .....-.................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " Released by ............................... 2 ...... A ....... (Signature)

Date ................................................................................ 1.

DEFERR,ED ........................ ROUTINE ......... X. .........

PRIORITY .......................... OP-PRIORITEE ................

CODED ................................ PLAIN ................... ....-. . . . DATETIME GROUP

- U? FIFTY ONE DECOWISSIOlED D E C X m R 20 IB ACCOXt?&uCE

COMDR. 1-1 . CObbFAIHSHIPWING !TWO 201335 AND COW?)EB IN CHIEF AW

G.HO 231949 NOVEMBER

1-1 COMM.

TRAIN. i-I . .

. . . PERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAP. . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I ' I -

Confidential - Philn. Na. Yd.--:149-2-R-46-50OD

SCORT FLIGHTS HOURS

r9 PATROL FLIGH!CS

HOURS

,~?$~~~~3)31JER FLI G m S ?,:..<..,.,' .... : HOURS ..

PATROL & ESCORT FLIGHTS HOURS

FERRY FLIGHTS BOURS

TRAINING FLIGHTS HOURS

NIGHT ESCORT FLIGGZ'S , HOURS

1.

NIGHT PATROL FLIGHTS : ....... ....... HOURS ,f .: .,<

. . i , . .; ,',P f'. .:r ,:.. ,

,AIRSHIPS ASSIGNED FLT. HRS. Pm SHIP .

AIRSHIPS OM LINE FLT. HRS, PER SHIP

TOTAL FLIGHTS . TOTAL HOURS

SQUADRON 51

1943 TOTAL

1944 COMBINED TOTAL TOTAL

5.5 Avg. per Month Assigned. 268.7

4.6 Avg. per Nonth on l i ne 328.6

SHIPS ESCORTED 1222 1790 3012

Bmm-iam ESCORT FZIGHTS ' HOURS-

c.3 PATROL FLIGHTS HOURS

OTHER FLIGHTS HOURS

x. :;*,::. . ;.; I".@ATROL & ESCORT JELIGBTS

HOURS , FEERY F'LIGHTS

HOURS'

TRAINING FLIGHTS HOURS

NIGHT ESCORT F'LIGHTS HOURS

NIGHT PATROL FLIGRTS HOURS

.t:s::.;~AIRSHIPS ASSIGNED .p; :< .q".:,'FLT, Horns SHIP

AIRSHIPS ON LINE FLT. HOURS PEFi SRIP

TOTAL FLIGIES TOTAL HOURS

SHIPS ESCORTED -- -- 193 62

. . , ;, . . . . ..., . . . , . . . , . . , . . . . . . . . . , <;:,,:: ,::,,:,.,, ,::, ,,,.,: :.:; ,;., ..,..,, . . , ., : . :, . . 0 " , > 1 1 ~ / ' " ' , . , . , : : ,::,,:::.. . : . . : . . ' " ' " ' "' ' '. , , . . . , , . . . . : < : : , : ~ ~ . ; : , , : , . : , , : : ; : : : : . , ;;:..:,;:..;;. :' y;/;yy:::; .:;, : . ;.;;~~;;.~::;:~:~~.." " " : , ,..,

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: , , : : " : : " . <, ', " . : '.. , . . . , . . , , ,. . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . , . . . , . . . . , , .;, . , , , , . . . ,. . . . , . . . . ..:... , - !>, "<...'.., .... . . . . ;,:..,.. . . . , . . . . ( .. . . ,.: :,., . ...., . , . . : : . '.".,.'.,:;:;";;:'.'".. . . . . , ;(;;;!.:;;;::'

.;;;,j:,. ,>;;,,, :::;::,::.:. '. : . . . ., . , . . , . . ,: . , :.,, . . . ' .:, . . . '., .. . , , ,; ,. ., .:;,;:, ;~j~;~;;;~~%~:~~,;.,.:,.;;:~{,:,:.: .................................... :::,::.: ;,:. ;;:;:.,, . . . . . .. . . , . . I . .... . . ' . . I . . . . . . . . . . , . , . . . . . , ..,,...,....., . , . . . ) . . , , I...... ., , . > , ,,;$;<,>;)';?;:. " ":..":. '

- i '. . . <.,;;;:;.',\Y . . , . . . . - - . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . ., .$, . . , , l , i ( ; ::: . , : . : . . . . ...' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ( . . :. . , . .... , , . ,.. . . . .>., . . ' . . . . .. .$,, ,,,, t,.,, .;:,: ;;:.;:.,,:,: :.: k . . . ,, , , ,,. L;;;:

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i d , . . , . :,. .; :.,, , , :,. , <.?,,. ,,;..,.:;*..:-.,.,, 4 ,~Lzzx : .L~ .,,, :.:,;;;?;.;.,:[: /;.,:~::.~:::~.::.;:..:,::::~ -- . . ::,.:: L A . , ,::..: _....L_ ,.., . . . I , , ,%' . I " ,,,.,:,:,.:: .'~~:~:L~~-:~~L~.:..:~L::;L:~~.: L:-::.~:. ...,.<::G-:-, Li...L~;?.::;-..:taib!:;.: ,,L...::;2: .,..:A.-....,.,-,.-,. ... ..: . . . A .~

m&En -ESCORT FLIGHTS .. . HOURS

OTKER FLIGHTS ., . 3 ,

HOURS ,. 1%

SQUADROII 51

a$x AUGUST SEWc OCT , NOV DEC,

'*&ATROL & ESCORT FLIGHTS -- 4 2 4 6 -- HOURS 3

48.7 23.6 50.9 . n .2 96.0

FERRn FLIGBTS ' 13 4 10 14 8 6 HOURS s 187.9 52.9 $4267 238.5 107.7 73.8

TRAINING FLIGHTS 8 9 10 9 HOURS 112.8

40 45 79 . 5 104 9 86.71 318.8 436.3

NIGHT ESCORT FLIGHTS. -- -- .- -- --. -- HOURS -- -- -- -- -- --

MGW PATROL FLIGHTS 4 2 2 20 31 32 HOURS , 49.1 16.8 21 02 227.9 329 82 337.6

: AIRSHIPS ASSIGNED 5 4.8 3.8 4 -3 4.2 5 i' FLT . IlOURS PER SHIP 328.7 285.0 419.2 245.9 404.4 337.5

AIRSBIPS ON 'LINE 4.5 4.3 3 04 .2-.-5 - 4 3.8 FLT* HOURS PER SHIP 365-2 318.1 439.0 W . 8 e4.6 44 .1

1

TOTAL FLIGHTS 13 8 117 86 96 16 5 . 163 TOTAL HOURS 1643.6 1368.1 1494.1 1057.$ 1698.7 1687.6

SHIPS ESCORTED

SCORT FLIGHTS \

BOURS

TROL FLIGHTS HOURS

OTHER FLIGHTS 1

HOURS ,4;:: .;:, ;.\. !,. \:;.. , .!! . , . PATROL & ESCORT FLIGHTS

HOURS

' FERRY FLIGHTS HOURS

JAM, FEB. MARCH APRIL &gg J U N E -

TRAINING FLIGHTS 23 57 45 27 40 . 3 2 HOURS 166,l 541 9 431.6 256.3# 375.0 112,. o

HOURS

NIGHT PATROL FLIGmS 26 27 56 50 60 ' 55 '

HOURS 2740 5 300.5 611J.3 558.1, 664.9 581.0 , ,

i':: ~"AIRSEIPS ASSIGNED 5 . 3 8 9 8.8 8, 5 8 FLT. HEIS* PER SHIP 315*0 319 3 285.1 266.6 310.8 265.9

AIRSHIPS ON LINE FLT. ERS. PER SHIP

TOTAL FLIGHTS 168 244 272 219 245 199 TOTAL HOURS 1669.7 2565.7 2566.2 2346.5 2641.9 2127.4

I - SHIPS ESCORTED 51 290 1 53 265 200 - 196

SQUADRON 51

JULY AUGUST SEPT, OCT A NOV . DEC , W S a

ESCORT FLIGHTS BOURS

PATROL FLIGHTS Horns

OTHER FLIGHTS _::: ;:, :.:;., .:!

BOURS

PATROL k ESCORT FLIGHTS BOUPIS

FERRY FLIGHTS HOURS

TFJlINING FLIGHTS HOURS

NIGHT ESCORT FLIGHTS HOURS

ITIGHT PATROL FLIGHTS HOURS

- , ' ' AIRSHIPS ASSIGNED 5.3 5- 6 7 7 6 03 1.0

FLT. HOURS PER SHIP 3 56.4. 288.5 225.8 219 4 178.0 92-8 AIRSHIPS ON THE LINE 3 . 7 4.6 6 7 6.3 1 , O FLT. BGURS PER SHIP 510.5 351.2 263 .A 219.4 179.0 92.8

TOW-L FLIGHTS TOTAL HOURS

. SEIPS ESCORTED .2 55 75 33 108 164 --

...... ,. . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . ..... ~ u g u s t 7. 1 9 ~

................. ,::2.-.-.- ......... ./.,:.,. -.-. .')?:.? ......... ...... >..... .: :-:;;.. ...:. y. ... ... ........ . I. ; ..- . , . . . . . . . ......... ..... .............. L . ' .

......... ....... ..-. ..... .,.:.:,. +; * "...'.' * ..... ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RESCUE OPERATIONS . . . . .

. . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The K-68, Ensf gn W, A. WYDEEN, pilot , while searching fo r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. ,. . . . . . . . . wreckage and survivors of a sunken enemy. submarine and also for - ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... ........ . .

a missing A-20 which had go'ne out' t o join the at tack on the sub- . C:C:C::Yy? =- ........... s7:y,:!. ...... .,.. .. .............. -2--8-.-. . ::+:a:*:-:. .;:*:.:.>:.>: ................ mrine, ran ou t of fuel on August 7, 1943, and made a forced ......... .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . landing on BLANQUILU ISLAND. This i s a vir tual ly uninhabited . . . . . . . . . ,.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . s t re tch of neutral VENEZUELAN t e r r i t o ry two hundred (200) miles . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . NW o f EDINBURGH FIELD, (now CBFILSEB FIELD), Trinidad, B.I.I. . .

, . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On. receipt of the K-68's message at 2200 Q., August 7, 1943, . . . . . . . . . . . ?:.: .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tha t she had been forced down on an fsland believed t o be XARGARITA, :::.:::..:.:;.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (60 miles SE of the actual landihg place), Commander J. D. REPPY, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commanding Officer of,Blimp Squadron FIFTY-OME, diverted the $016, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . Ensign D. NUSSBAUM, pilot t o search and investigate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O n t h e f olloving morning, Ensign D, MUSSBAUBS i n t he K-16, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . a f t e r sighting on MAR GAR IT^ ISLAM) the missing A-20 which w a s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l a t e r able t o effect a take-off and re turn t o base, flashed word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : .. at. 0745 Q., tha t the K-68 was sighted on BLANQUILLA with her en- ,: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : ..: >.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . . . . . . .

v+eloge . . . ripped but still . i n cammunication. After , a successful landing, '-:;:':Y:::::) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the ' Hz68 had been lashed to trees, but ripping had eventually become :: . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... :. ... :.:..:

..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . necessary. The K-24 departed EDINBURGH immediately t o survey the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. , . .---.

,.-..-..a >:ex.: ;;:>;:z$;-? .- ..-.., - ,.,<..,. ............ s i tua t ion and t o drop food, water, and jungle rescue k i t t o the ................. .,,=-.. .............. ................... ............. ., 3-..:;.:-:+:;.-. ......* ....... ........... i..- ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . marooned crew. On receiving theK-24's reports that the ki t , etc., . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... ........... had been dropped t o the crew, and tha t the ship was secure fo r the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , .. ,:. . . . . . . . .,. . . . . . : . . . . . . . night, the Squadron Commander ordered a salvage crew t o be organized. :::::::::_;:,. ..... -. . . . . . . . ........... . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . ..!'>. . . . . . . At 0600 Q,, on August 8, Lieutenant Commander J, B. RIEKER, . . . .

" . . . . . . . . . . . .

i n charge of a Eedron d e t a i l of six people, l e f t the Section Base . . . . . . . . . .... >. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <,' . .:. :: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... .... Pier,, Trinidad, i n an Army- crash boat, arrived i n the v ic in i ty of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BLANQUILLA ISLAND a t sundown and lay t o i n a small bay. A t sun-

r i se , next day, Lieutenant Commander RIEKERls party took Ensign . .

..... WYDEENf s crew aboard the crash boat, fed and doctored them, f o r . <. .,, .- -,=:> v~.r.~~*: .- ....-...-. .'.... .. . .... ....-. ......... .-...... " ................ ..... ...... '..., L...... . - . . *.. -*. ,. _. -.- -. . - small cuts and bruises and then began salvage operations on the ........ ..,-h. ......... .. . .%. ....:. i.. -. . ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a i r ship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

I n the early mornfng of August 10, the crash boat, Erisign.

ODYDEEM aboard with an infected leg, headed f o r Trinidad leaving

the salvage party and members of the K-68 crew a t work. Progress of the salvage operations was r e l ~ y e d t o EDINBURGH during the fol-

lowing days by a i rsh ips f l y i n g over BLAMQUILLA ISLAND, - and, on . I August 15, Lieutenant Commander RIEKER and the K-68 salvage ex-

pedition returned t o base with transportzble a i r sh ip parts .

. .

Three Army enl is ted men who had been reported missing f o r . . . . . , . .

. . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . , . three days were found a d r i f t i n a 'small f ishing boat ' by the K-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . commanded by Lieut. (jg) Francis D. Verdery USNR, Blimpron 51, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . while on a ' routine anti-submarine. mission on 15 August 1943. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . 8 . . : : : . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The a i r sh ip crew spotted an unidentified object i n the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . distance and upon investigation found a disabled small f i sh ing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. ... - .... ..a .... >:+:;,>:C.$y boat with three men aboard.. Hovering low over the c r a f t , the -.., _. ..-_.... ... ..,_..._...... .._ ..... . _ .. ..... _ _ __., .... ...-. .... _, ......,.-. .--...-- .......... ..,..< -,,- :+:c*>:s>:e:*: .-* \ -..... ".. Y. . - 1. - ... - ... .............. . . . . . . . . . a i r sh ip lowered an emergency Red Cross k i t and ascertained t h a t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . ..... , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the men were those reported as missing by the Army. Radio contact ! . . . . . . . . . . ........... . ... _. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .': . ?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1 . . : : , y.G . . . . . . . . :.- was established with the base and inshore p t r o l boats were dis- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... ..... pstched t o the scene and rescued the soldiers. . . . . .

. .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 10. 1943 . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . _ . . . . . . . . . .

<.: - . . . . . . I..:-:.- . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The K-100, under' the command of Ensign Joseph J. Woods, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jr., USNR, operating from Blimpron 51-3 (~aramaribo, D.G.) on

10 November was ordered on a rescue mission i n search of two

survivors..reported i n a l i f e r a f t by another PV i n the area.

Arriving at the apprdmate location, the crew of t h e K-100,

sighted the two men and hovering over them a t a low a l t i tude ,

dropped food and water and notified the base of the i r exact

location, requesting rescue c ra f t be dispatched immediately. - Ensign Woods, continued t o search t he area and found four more

survivors from the same plane,

A PBM arrived on .the scene i n answer t o the a i r sh ip t s ca l l J

fo r assistance and landed on the water and took the s u ~ v i v o r s

aboard. Smoke bombs had been dropped by the K-100 t o give the ' .

flying boat wind direct ion and exact locat ion of the iurvivors. . . . -

After t h e PBU took the six men aboard, the mission was secured . . .

and both plane and ai rsh ip s tar ted fo r t h e i r home bases,

Enroute the crew of the K-100 sighted an unidentified ob-

ject i n the water, close investigation proved i t t o be another

crashed W e ReportSng this t o -. i t s base, the 'a i rsh ip remained

over the spot. Surface c r a f t had been requested' because of the . .

condition of the wrecked plane. Indications were t ha t no one

had survived. Resdue surface craf t , upon arrival, put over a small boat ' . . - -

g:.;::; "<;;' and close inspect ion revealed tha t t he ent i re crew of the FV had

-3-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . perished. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . ..'- :..: . . . . . . . .

,_. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -. . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... Investigation of the second crash revealed t ha t it was the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W that had reported the sightfng of tpfo survLvors of the- first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : i . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . W. No other report had been received from tha t PV and it had . ............ .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . , . , . .

been assumed tha t it was s t i l l on search fo r other survivors.

11 February 1~4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On ..-: 11 .,. February st J610, we received a c a l l from Uajpr .- . W i l l i a m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,..- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . P. BbcIl~vain, .Jr., B.S.A., the post' enginner, requesting t h a t we . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dispatch a blimp t o search for a missing Army launch which vias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . .

& , . . . . . . . overdue a d ' presumed t o be i n dis t ress . The K-124, Ensign Sidney . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .,- . . . . . . . . . . A. Verier, pilot, w a s immediately made aware o f . t h e s i t ua t i on by ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . , . . . . . ' .. : . :. ?. . . . . . . . . . .

.voice and,directed to.proceed t o the area and conduct a search and . . . . . . . . ::..:. , . ., :.., .............. . . . . . . . . . . . > ..... . . . .

. . . . . . report resu l t s . Our hopes were not too high for our fellow service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . men as it was ge t t i ng l a t e and , the i r chances of being swept out - to :::::.,:-..:: . . . .

. . . . . . . . ........... .......... I. i:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . sea .or onto a neutral shore during the night were excellent. A t , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . 1640, a message was receivec! that the K-124 had the A r m y i n tow and : : . . . . . . ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . :... . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . : . . . . . . <: .:. . . . . . . was proceeding t o Port- . ., . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The airship had given i t s posit ion .: : : .. : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and requested the assistance of a surface vessel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . I . : . .' .. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ens. Verier statement: "After having -been on patrol a l l

day, we were 'c i rc l ing the f i e l d . awaiting our tu rn t o land, when . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a message from'the base, at- . - 1615 ordered u s t o search f o r a .forty- ................... , . . . . . . . . . . . ~ ~ . $ s ~ $ : ~ ~ ~ $ ;5$T;,z$$?;$ .... 3?. --. ..... .. ...,..., ........... foot, eight-ton Army launch tha t bad been reported overdue for :.~zc.:.~:.:o::) S:2:OLC ....... px:r*j;$ .............. ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . several hours. . . . . . . . -. . . . . . - :

. . . . . . .............. ......... > . > . ................ ............ ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #From the degar-ture time .of. the boat, i t s probable course and . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #. . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ......: . . . . . . . . .< . . . ...... .. . . . . . = the length of time i t had been missing, be estimated its posit ion ...... ..... .... ..... . . . .

. , . . , . - . . . . . . . . . -4- . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

and located t h e c r a f t and crew z t 1640. I t s engine mas dead

and the current and wind were causing it t o d r i f t i n t h e direc-

tion of a neut ra l country.

'"With the a id of a megaphone we spoke t o the men aboard and

learned t h a t they had no warm clothes, l i f e jackets o r supplies.

These conditions plus the f a c t t ha t the sea was choppy, darkness

approaching, and no surface vessel i n the v i c in i ty made us decide

t o tow them ourselves. We informed them of our in tent ions .

"The K-124 was on t h e l i g h t side and there was a steady w i d

of twelve knots t o give u s good control. A t no time i n the sub-

sequent operations mr;s the safety of the a i r s h i p i n doubt,

- "We proceeded to r i g our towing gear i n the following manner:

a rope b r i d l e w a s rigged from the number two frame. By put t ing a

serving of six inches length, four inches from the middle we made

an eye to which aur tow l i n e (drag rope and grapnel line) was

. bent. A piece of twenty-one thread approximately th ree f e e t i n - length mas rove through both the shackle on the a f t e r outboard

end of the c a r , and the eye in - the b r id l e so as t d *revent' the

tow l i n e from damaging the rear doors of the car if and when the

ship made e turn. A man wss de t s~ i l ed t o stand by t o .cut t he tow

l i n e a t once i f i t became necessary t o drop the tow. Two marker

buoys and a weight (fruit can) was secured tb the other end of

the tow l ine . Rags were used on a l l places i n the car t h a t the

rope came i n contact with t o prevent chafing.

pu t Ensign John A. Hautman, a senior. p i lo t , on the elevator

with orders not t o go below 150' a t alry time. Ensign James W.

Sweeney was on the rudder and Ensign Bernard Czarkowski stayed

forward i n order t o co-ordinate the controls and relay my orders

and directions. When a l l preparations had been made we began . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . our approach. When we mere almost over the boat we began t o . - . . .

j $ g & g . ,>...--.. +.." , . . - - - - . - , ,..,.* -.. ........ lower the l ine , but because of the w i n d they fa i l ed t o get it. we .... .... ..-. ,,.< ..--..,...

..-..-a :<<A?ys$ -... -.. - ..--- -..- ... ... -..... .......... ..... >.. ... ........... .......... We went around again and t h i s time lo~vered the l i n e when we

were a l i t t l e forward of the launch. They took the l i n e and

secured it t o the king post tha t was forward i n the boat. Be-

s ides securing it, they wound the l i n e around the post two or I

three times. I was directfng operations over the I.C.S.

" A t 700 r.p.m. we began t o tow the boat steadily and gradu- I

a l l y worked up t o 950 r .Fern. a t whf ch time we mere making twenty 1

knots ground speed. We towed them for seven miles with ease. I

A t t h a t time the men on the boat attempted t o lengthen the line

by l e t t i n g out the t u r n s they had taken around the king post.

They did th is , and the sudden snub t h a t followed caused the lane

t o part . We would have repaired it and continued the operations,

but a surface c r a f t had used tbe K-124 as a v i s ib le homing device

and was now approaching. We decided t o stand by and,let i t take

the launch the r e s t of the way i n t o port. A t 1735, when the surface .:.. .:...

c r a f t had-the launch safely i n tow, we departed. A l l hands did a n !2si;2:5:..33 U-_*5Y.5..5. i.z:.::::cz2:: p:~~;:;,~;~~; .. --....%. ,..-\.-_1-__._

excellent job. g:::.~~~~&;c~ >:::::::.ya :y< .............. ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ :..: . . . . . .

&:,;.:.>...;:: ........ .......... -.- .. ....... .......... ........ : , , _<< 1

'.'.... I.'.! .............. ...: .;.. > ....... -.,-- : C ,. . - . . . . . . . . ........... .............. ......... b. ,s .............. . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Commanding Officer wzs of the opinion tha t * . t h e co-

ordination of the crevf, the ingenuity displayed, and the prompt

and decisive ac t ion taken are a l l very commendab.le, and a r e the

r e s u l t of Combat Crew Training. However, it% f e l t tha t this

ac t ion should be praised with cautian and should not be accepted

as the normal ac t ion taken i n rescue of boats ad r i f t . Due t o ap-

proaching darkness, the condition of the sea,,and the f a c t t h a t

no surface vessels were immediately avai lable and the motor launch

was s teadi ly d r i f t i n g t o neutral shores, and fur ther t-hat it would

have been very d i f f i c u l t t o maintain contact during t h e night i f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . surface vessels d i d not come up promptly, towing of the boat ap- ............. :.. .......... . . . . . . . . . . .

8 . ..........

. . geared t o .be the indicated recourse i n this insta'nce. It i s

cer ta in ly grat i fying t o know it can be done under c e r t a i n con- I

d i t ions and with proper precaution need not involve t h e safety

of t h e ship.%

> March 23, 1944

After completing its mission fo r the day, the K-108, Lieptenznt

Jack ROVNEB, p i lo t , on March 23, 1944, during her f l i g h t t o base

came across an eight hundred (800) ton vessel PALEYRA, d r i f t i n g out .............. . . . . . . . . . ............. of control i n the Gulf of PARIA, toward the ,coast of a neutral ............... ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . .................... . . . . . . . . . . . ..... .............. ............ . . . . . . . . ............. .... . country. Although the ship was df Britigh regis t ry , i t flew. the .... - --... ....-.. ,. ..........., "

:G:O>::>>>::x .I.WI<TU'." r....., ...,,,, Z. .- .....,,,.,,,. ... , - ............. >:.;.>>y:>>>>;*,< ... . United s t a t e s Ensign upside down on the starboardyardarm. L. -,.. -. --. .,,......-.-.r .... ...- * .....- ,....., Zd -.-,-. < ... ...... - ......., ,- ............... .............. ............ . . . . .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Having t r i e d for t h i r t y (30) minutes t o es tab l i sh visual- corn- .............. . . . . . . . . .

munications with the ship, t he K-108 held d i rec t ly over t h e vessel p.:.. : <, g.: . .I ..... *...< . ....-. and made inquiry as t o the trouble thru use of megaphone. Hone o f .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Naval Officers aboard- the .vessel .were able t o take blinker, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ - ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nor were t he i r voices strong enough t o be uladerstood by anyone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . .

. . . . . . . . . .

aboard the blimp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ...... After. another f i f t e en minutes delay, cre-ti members of the , . . . . . . . . . . ,

disabled c r a f t printed HNEED TOWN signs on several c lear spaces ............. .......... . . . . . . . . on the deck and forward canopy. A Bri t f sh patrol boat %as sighted . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . . . . . . approximately ten miles t o t h e east; and was contacted by the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . blimp. A l l pertinent information was transmitted aisually t o the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... !:, . . . . . . .

- ' rescue sves'sel while emoute.. Rendezvous between disabled .boat and , . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . 1.. ;

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?'.:;.: :: . . 5 . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . ...... rescue vessel was accomplished some forty-five minukes later,with- . . . . . . . . . .... .... . . . ._._: . . +:: .-- - -

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

o u t - mishap and t h e str icken vessel taken i n tow.

. . . . . . On 28 .April 1944, the K-68, while on a routine pa t ro l f l i g h t . . . . . . . . . -.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . out of Guantznamo Bhy, Cuba, intercepted a d i s t ress message f ram a '

: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . / . . . L . . r,.<;.;--,:,:..; PBY forced down a t seat ' ~ i e u t e n a n t (jg). Sidney A . Verier, then an , . . . . . . . .

.... ,.., .. :;: :-. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ensign, in charge of the K-68, ordered his radioman, Koenig, B.R.. , !:...:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :.. : . . .. . . . . . . . . - .

. - ARM3c, t o guerd the d i s t ress frequency i n the hope of picking up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L f O t s from t'ne disabled plane. Shortly before 1100 Q, f a i n t MO <,.+...:: ........... . . . . . . . . ........ y x . . . . . . . . . . . .,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . signals were picked up, and RDF bearings taken. The posi t ion of . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . ..... /.: :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... / _ < ....... the crashec? plane was fixed approxima.te.ly . . 80. miles West of Windward a ............. ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,-: ..:.;..;.. - ............ Passage. . . . . - This .. p o ~ i t i o n was reported : t o the Base; and the a i rsh ip .,. -...- .... ..,-. --..-. i--*. .,-.

. . . . $=$-?<$<.?,%? ..... 3:5.::.::4:$:

.A* ,.- -..-.. i,::.:::.::>::2: ,>:::-.;yz-2 w a s directed ta,rendezvous with a nearby surfkce craf t , and- lead r5s-p50ycg ,.. ......... .... _... - ....... . - .. . . . . . . . . . . . I: '. '. :.:. ? . . . . . . . . . . . . .

it .to the scene of the accident. 1: :-:-.: : :: .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . These instructions were modified shortly thereafter, a d the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

$ 2 . :.. <. . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . . . .... . . \! , ...... %:.:' K-68 w a s directed . to proceed alone t o the scene, and take charge of . . . . ., . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . rescue operations there. A t 1230 Q , the airship was on s tat ion; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ /..:..: : . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . I.........:.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and a search pat tern inst i tuted. The PBP w a s finally l oca t ed . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . some 20 miles Vtest o f the RDF f i x . . Though both engines were . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inoperative, the PBY w a s afloat, and a l l hands appeared t o be safe. ,;:-: ..:...

i . . . . . . . . . .-.-

, ., , :<.=::y.-:.=; -*-,-,.A, :.:.:.:.>'.:. ':.:c?>;.>; he K-68 y a s notified tha t an ARB had been dispatched from the base :::::::;$:< trs.:.:.:.I.>z ..:+.-2>>F .... . . .-.... .,.. ......... ........... . . . . . . . t o take the PBY i n tow; snd a f t e r assuring himself- that the PBX ........ ......... ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . ?.. ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ was i n as safe a condition as could be expected, L t . Verier pro- . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . ceeded t o search fo r the ARB i n order t o lead it direc t ly to the i ..., .. . . ............. ., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . plane. A t 1525 Q.., contact was 'made w i , t h t h e ARB, and led by the . . . . . . . . . . . - : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a .: :, . . . . . . . K-68, it headed i n the direct ion of the d is t ressed plane. ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I n the meantime, t h e p i lo t of the, i l l - fa ted PBY was able t o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .t . - . . . . . . ;: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. s t a r t . one engine, and had taxied i n to , the shel ter of point Mata, ........ . . . . ........ ........ . . . . . . . . I - ,.. . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... small . . but protective harbor. The approach t o t h i s harbor w a s by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . way o f . a very narrow, shallow channel, studded with sharp coral . . . . . . [ . . . . . . . . . . . . .- . . . ..' -

.. . . . . . . . . . . . - (. ;'?: :.'::'..: . . . . . . ) .............. . . . r ee f s . It was thought unwise f o r , the PBY t o attempt another passage I:::::-::,:.: .......... 1: I . .

through t h i s channel under its own power; and the ARB was directed - t o enter the .harbor and take the plane i n tow. The channel was un-

marked with buoys; and no charts were available f o r the rescue

vessel. Surmising the d i f f icu l ty tha t the Commanding Officer of : .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ............ the ARB was confronted with, Lt.(jg) Verier,, flying low, dropped I : : _ : : : - : . .......... . . . . . .

... - . . . . 1::: ....:-, I.:. .r: -: .:: .::. .. .. smoke f l o a t s a t close int'ervals along the l i n e of the.channe1 where c.:c.:.:.sz+:.3. w.. , . ............... ....;:,

.... t:.>:.>:.:,>>>: r...:$T::5--.; -..< .. ..;..; ......... ..................... ........... the water was deepest. By s a i l i n g from f loa t -to. , ,float, the ARB ,-.......,.....,.- :;:.:.>:<.:.:<.:* ......... ............ r*...,... ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :. : . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . made a successful' entrance into the harbor, where the PBY w a s taken ............ . . . .......... ........... . . . . . . . . . . .......... ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i n tow. ' The K-68 repeated the cha&l-marking performance; and i: )( ........... . ....... .:.. ....... .....

C ' : : :: . . . . . . . . . > . . . . .: r ..: ..:: :: :

s. ;: \ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \ ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . -9- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i : : : : :: ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

another successful passage through the dangerous waters was ef-

fected. A t 1720 Q., the K-68 l e f t the sceze of these operations.

June 13. 19L4

~t 1100 Q., o n ~ u n e 13, 1944, the K-124, Ensign U.

TALBOTT, p i lot , while on routfne patrol (upper BAUXITE), sighted

a sai lboat , s i x and one half miles northeast of WAINI POINT,

B r i t i s h Guiana, The boat held six men, most of whom were i n

s t r iped uniforms and berets ,

TALBOTT took two photographs of the occupants, who indicated

t h e i r hunger by violent motions and sent the following message t o

the base: =,..SIGHTED S I X NEN I N OPEN BOAT X SUSPECT CONVICTS X

COhTINUING PATROL. . *"

The p i l o t f s suspicion proved correct, and on orders from the

base, K - I 2 4 rejoined the sailboat , a t l245 W. TALBOTT again photo-

graphed the scene, and dropped the emergency k i t t o t h e men on

fur ther signs of the i r hunger, a t 1343 Q. They removed t h e i r

bere ts and bowed low t o indicate gratitude.

The position, estimated course and speed were passed t o

control and a surface c r a f t was immediately despatched..

g-124 kept the sai lboat i n s ight u n t i l ordered a t 1600 Q.,

t o r e t u r n t o base. The ship lanaed a t CARLSEN FIELD, T r i a d a d ,

B.W.I. a t 1913 Q.

Late that night a YMS succeeded i n effecting a rescue,

July 15, 1944

A t about 1310 Q on 1 5 July w e were notif ied by the control ler

,:.:.:.:.:.y.:: ....... ..... ..... ......... ..i.. .... >2 ......... ........ ........ ....... . . . . . . . . . . '. . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .... ........ .. i. .....-.. r.. ........... .......... . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :.. . . . . . . . . . . .- a t NOB t ha t a. PBPJ was i n d i f f icu l ty . We were requested t o . . . . . . . . .:: : .. ... . . . . . . . . ... , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' r l e ~ ' ~ a t c h our closest a i r sh ip t o the scene. The best est iaate 'd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

position and all. information available w a s obtained. L t , ( j g ) . . . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . Richerd D. b r o l d lnrith Combat A i r crew jf2 i n the K-32 was so ,. ,

... -. :i;;;-x,,:i. " . .:.:.:.:,>:;,:< ........ ... ............ <....I ............. .......... ....... ......... ....-,.-. informed. and directed t o . . tlie area. ,..-.-,..--..-,,. .................. ..zir.-, .--.---.. .... ,.d ................ .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The K-32 received .our; message a t 1321 and proceeded on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mission assigned. The base was informed a t 1340 & t h a t 360 . . . . . . . . . .

. . , . . gallons of f u e l remained. A t 1540 Q t h e K-32 reported the weather , '. : .,

. . . t h a t she w a s non station11 and had commenced her search plan. The. , . . . .

. . .

base was fur ther . informed that both scene of act ion-and the .di.s- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

t r e s s frequencies were being guarded. I i

The following i s quoted from Lt. ( ~ g ) Haroldls statement: 9 -

wFrom an intercepted message a t 1705 Q., we learned the posi- . .

t i o n of su rv ivo r s was (approximately ten, miles 13 50 from or ig ina l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

estimate) and assumed a course for t h a t position, which was on a 1 . . . . . . .

. . . . . $.. : 1.' : . . . . . . . . . . . d i r ec t course for the base. A t 1800 Q the base ofdered us to . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . i . . . . . . . r e t u rn at .best economical speed., but a t 1830 & on base course, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . i . ' ' ' ' ' ,.: . . . . . . . . . . . three survivors were sighted i r T a r a f t about one mile west of an . . . . , . . . - _ . . - . . . . . . . ,.. . . . . . . . .

o i l s l i ck , A t t h i s time six PBRIts were c i rc l ing the scene, An. , . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . = - . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . : ' empty r a f t was sighted about two miles west of occupied r a f t ; The . . . i . . . . 1 - : / . _ . : .: I . . . .:,:.: . . ........ ............... ;;+: . -,.--... . condition of thLe survivors was. apparently serious. . W.e questioned %-,.::x,.:;.;.s ;.;:.:,;:.>>>2> :.. 15.- -.,-.. s... . - -. - .->5.*. :*:::y.5:;:.:.:: ... -.*-. ..-... .......... - rj:g>:<.:.:c.:< them oral,ly, if anyone was seriously injured and the o f f i ce r i n ................ :.:,>:.'.:.>'<.>z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. the. center,. who appeared to.. be i n a l i t t l e be t t e r condition than . . .......... ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-. , . . . . . . . . . . . .

.. ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the two m i s t e d men on ei ther end, answered 1 yes . We informed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..,. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the base of the s i tua t ion and asked if we should attempt rescue. .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . -11- . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The base replied to use our own discretign. The emergency rations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >.'..'..'.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and f i rs t a id k i t were dropped one a t a time, b u t although the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lines struck the r a f t , the men were i n such a weakened condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as t o be unable t o grasp them. Four photographs were taken of . - . ........... . .. .

.........- - - p;$s::z;k ;{.:.:.>:<?:c: ,- ,>>:.y..y>: .. r a f t a t 1850 Q. (Squadron Comment: It was dark by t h i s time and .:.;:.>:+:2y. :.:.x.:C=<.‘ ...._. ...._..._ z >:--.:.:<.y>:: ............ . . . . . . ... ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . the resul t ing pictures were o f no value), could see t ha t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rescue w a s impossible due t o the weakened condit.ion of the men. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We were ordered t o re turn t o base burning l i g h t s a t 19029. A t . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . t h i s time two PBMts were s t i l l circl ing. Whiie returning t o base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . < . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a radar f i x was obtainedj and by plott ing the reverse of our . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . : present course the position of the surviyors was def in i te ly fixed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The new;positi0n w a s sent to, the base. The information was also ........ 3 . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . .

. . . - . . relayed t o surface craft a t 20309 by flashing l ight . A t 2035 Q . . . . . . . . .

2 . . . . 1.::: . .

. . . . we received word from the K-108 t h a t he w a s f ly ing 300 feet enroute ::.:. _ . . . _ . . '.. ':: ........ / . . . . . . . . . ;. ............ ;:: L . _ . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to the scene.." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > . . . . . . . . . . . . I n t he meantime the ~ a s e had not been id le . The K-108 ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . _.. . . . . . . . . . . . c . : : : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . was recal led from h e r mission., , After landing, and i n all respects ,:.:.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ready. f o r f l i gh t , a take-off ha& been effected a t 17599. L t . (.jg) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clyde A. Lineberger and h is Combat A i r Crew #27 proceeded a t flank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .a . " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . speed t o the r e l i e f of the K-32. ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - ,.-- -.,. _... . The amount of fuel. aboard the K-32 was the d e c i d i x fac tor .-. .:i.i:5--5-,5-5-5-. ..,-...,f2~5.:~ ......-...._ /. - . >::.=:c.:.>>:.>: .:': :<.:.:>2:.::2

:2?.7?:<>.-?:.?,-. O.......?. *- -. ...;

i n the decision t o r eca l l her a t 1902Q. A t tha t time 220 gallons ,-.:.>:.y-..."..,- f2:7?:5:${p,::;: ............ ................ ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of f ue l remained. The position.of the survivors w a s approximately ............. . . . . . . . . . ........... .............. .............. . . . . . . . . ; . : . ,"> ."..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 miles from the base and the. r e tu rn course would be upwind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *.'. ..! ..; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . Lz.: ..2 . . . . . . -. Aerology advised u s t h a t the wind would increaseto 20 knots a f t e r .... .... . . ..... . .

dusk. Inasmuch as the PBMs were on the scene and .%ere capable

of re l ieving each other on station, surface c r a f t were rapid ly . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . ........ approaching the a r e a and a re l ie f a i rsh ip enroute , it w a s not . . . . :.; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . considered wise t o unduly jeopardize t e n lives and a valuable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 3 .:..-.:.: :.: .:.: : , .. - .. - - . . . . . . :+2:*:9:<cx

a i r sh ip t ha t had already contributed much t o the' rescue ef for t . ............... W.W%:33'=2. .......-...... .., ............. .......... ..A>..

.... , p::.::*:c:.::: ........... .,...,.--- ............ , .. --r.r-r.-.. ................ ................ .......... The ~1 .108 proceeded t o the scene, and 'arr ived i n the'arcia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a t 214.0 Q. ' The .PBMS had temporarily.lost. contact with- the raft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Communications were established with the PBM c i rc l ing . the ' scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . 8 .

. . . . .- . . . . . . . . . . . . . and .a crash boat i n the area. .The combined e f fo r t s of the PBM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

, and- t h e airship resulted i n the l a t t e r relocating t h e . r s f t with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . , .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :. , _ . . . . . _ . . . . . . t he surviv6r.s. The landing l i g h t a& spot l i g h t were focused. , . . . . . . . . . . . . : I . . . . .......

. . ,. ,.: .. ,: _,. . . . . . . . I... I-.. ,.:..-.:.. ... on the r a f t . a@ the crash boat informed' by blinker. A t 2330 Q '

I.<,-..:,'..,. I.',: ,~';'.::.::.;.;~:.,'.>. ; ..:., ..: , ,. . .............. . . . . . . . . . " " ..'_" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the crash boat sent the airship the following mes.~age:~These . , . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . .. .; :

. . . . . . . . , . . . . . > . I.., .:. . "

. . . . . . . . . . m e n a r e i n c r i t i c a l &ond$tion we would l i k e t o re tu rn t o base.. @ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1: :.:;:,;,., .,::..::: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What i s course?" The t rue course was given and the boat departed. , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............

The K-108 searched for additional survivors the r e s t of t h e night.

None were found, and it was l a t e r determined tha t the three

survivors were the only ones able t o leave the plane. . .. :. .: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Commanding Officer received the following message from 2 ,:..:: ::. :::: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... ............... the Sector Commander:- SIt 'was plezsure t o . o b s e r ~ e the ablve .......... ........... , . . . . ..; ... I:;,?:: .?...>. , ;:., ,.>..:..,

........ 1. ............. :....:.. ............. ............. manner i n which the units of your commslld aides ' the recent rbsiue . ,.- + -..... .~ . ....... v ~ .-.... .. - <I>:*:<,'*-* v*"*-:3.G:2 - :<:;,;:.:.:<::9 ..... ...-..- "...-*.. .... . . --..-... operations ." . . ,- -..- -.- ... -... b.<." ...-,,.-.... - -.--*.,...-A - .-,.-, =...A-.\.-c. ;:Gx<.zC:<O: f 2:::: ?>...C .............. ........... ,... .............. ..... . . ,.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HISTORY- OF THE DETACWEUTS

AIRSHIP SQUADRON FIFTY-ONE

I n writing the history of the three Detachments belonging

t o Airship Squadron FlEJZ Om, every effort was made t o avoid

repeating data already included in the main history of the

Squadron. Although it was the policy of the Squadron Commander to allovi the three Detachments freedom of action, within cer tafn

limits prescribed by t h e Squadron Doctrine of Operation, i n order

t o cope with the problems peculiar to t h e Bases fron which they

were operating mare earpditiously, there was considerable simi-

- l a r i t y betweeh the types 'of operations conducted at the four LTA

stations, Hence, the s i z e of the histor ies of the Detachments,

when calculated i n actxal number of pages, i s hardly proportionate t o the imyortance of the work carried on a t those Bases, and to

the efficiency with which t ha t work was carried out. O n l y the

more im,portant highlights of the records achieved- at these De-

tachments -- highlights where the act ion involved was dif ferent

from that vrhich might have been taken a t t h e Home Base -- a re

here presented.

DETACHMENT ONE based a t hantanarno B a v . Cuba

On the first of February, the blimp detachment stationed at

the Naval Air Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, was transferred from

the command of Squadron21 and passed into the control of Commander,

Airship Squadron FIFTP-WE. The LTA ~ a c i l i t y assumed the name,

DETACHXENT ONE, which it had originally held p r io r to befng taken

over i n t o Wing TWO; an3 Lieutenant Daniel Id. Hc IWfOSH, AV(G),

USm, assumed command as Officer-in-Charge, During'the latter

part of April, Lieutenant Roger PUTT, AV(G), USMR, relieved

Lieutenant McINTOSH when the l a t t e r was ordered back t o General

Service. The main problem which the Detachment had t o contend with

at t he beginning was the aEute shortage i n man-power, partioularly

i n the matter of ground hardlers. On several occasions, landings and take-off I S were delayed because of insuff ic ient men. tledron

ELEVEN, though unassociated with the LTA organization a t Guan- . . . .

. . : : ' . . I ' . -tanaxno, proved most cooperative, le.nding men for operational needs I I

i - whenever the new 0-in-C requestea such help, ' Three times, how- l

1 ever, Bedron ELEVEN personnel. could not be spared; and the problem i

I was solved only through the assistance of 'the Marine Command of I . . . I . . . . . . . I the Base. Supervised by the Operations Duty . . . .Officer, who in- . . . . . . ; . . . . . : . . . . 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . structed them briefly -prior t.a commencing operations,.'the leakher- . . . . . . . : . i . ~. . . . . . . . . .:..:..:. I ,ne&s performed as temporary "ship pullers= with characteristic

IX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine efficiency. During the l a t t e r part of t h e month, the Bed- . . . . . . . : ; 1

. . . . . !

ran complement was augmented suff ic ient ly t o prevent zny further

3borrov~ingn of men from other units stationed a t that Base,

The question of quarters for all hands, which had been a

source of considerable trouble during the early days of the De-

1 tachment, was answered as fa r as the enlisted personnel were con- 1 . . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . cerned when an eighty-two man barracks was given t o the LTA u A t . . . . . . . . 1

-.2 - ; ::; :.. ;.?. ..:

j I ........... ............ i ..... ......

bf t h e Station Administration. The s i t u a t i o n ss concerned 4 ..

@$?f Zeersvf, rqaarters was neatly met, when several small houses,

1,rnrioukly .. Furnished, and 1ack.i-w , o a y 1 , +the servlces of a Fr.e.%h - % , .i ;'- - , * maid, weze placed a t the disposal oQthe blimp pilots. . - . Q f f l p q . . . . .

3pg.sei.n . . . . , . the . landplane hangar was likewise, - generously offered t o . . . . . . ... -.>::,?.; ......... ..- . . . . . . . ‘ . . . . . . . . . * ......, :...-.- .; . . . . .......- :>. y;.. .... . . . . . . . . . . .... :.(; ,, . . ........... . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . ................... .:; . . . : . _.> ......__ ........ . . . ......... ithe +.E~,&:p@X$t..::-- : and ,to . . . . a & . . i,gne&s , a*, purposes, the whole pro- ...:.;. ... :...:.:: ........ . . . . . .......-.. ?".-.:.:.-.:.::<A%. :G:- ;,... ..-. .:;,;',iyr_...b: * ...L?..>...c... ;- . , . ...... ... .'.....I.'.. .. ..,.-'. ;* (..*" ;.- ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ...:.. . . - . . . r +z+7,.:: : : ~ 2 ~ ~ ~ > $ ~ ~ . ~ ~ ~ % $ . ~ ~ i ~ + . : ~ ~ : ~ ~ ~ - ~ ~ : ~ : ~ ~ ~ ...... ;I -:;{&>z.<7;.~;-.3-&$*&~~ . . ,,: .,,. -<-.b+p++< &--* ,...,. &&la<? ; :L:y..:, ,l~.----.'*i-y+r.':.-'-,. ;.:;!;$i<: ;- +%%,>" ' -.'" ..' v,,.,:~~v.:,*;,T-rrL:c~:*>~~~~,<,&~ ' ,\;p,,<h<p,,.c, ::- -*-.,*- $%.

. . . . . . -

. .> . ., ..... >\.,, . . :. : .. :xbaama,,o$$ :&!&~i - and work space s , ,ap$e:gtea: .:-r&; %erg :-been ....... ' ~ ~ ~ n & d ~ @ f i ~ z . .. "2:A.S .....>.. i" ... >... . .'-..,.? .. * . .*.., _ _ . ., ..: -.,,,,- d . a . . . ..,.. 3 . .......... . .

4 . . . . . . , - .%.,.",*,*c, .;,*<~:<$T~.+*:-;-. s ' . . . ... . . . . . ,. y... .: ,>-':,' .>", . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . ........ ,. . . as, the : operatio% of the De ta cbej-& e$@fi~a;l.~~~g*$~~p~;~F: . . . . . . -

. . crB&$ea a$&vj.ty had caused. . . . . . . .. -

. . .

. . &lj&&t ions at , the ~ u a n t a ~ m o ,-LTA-- base were .-gi@i:lar,, . , for. :$R . . . . . . . . . : ; ,

. , . ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..&............ . . . . . . . . , .: * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . - . . .. ,

..& > me~s~:~.:-par~~~t;a.-~~B5'e ..me C-..-. I( -i--Fi ;.,. .oa$&.w&abn,-& , ~ : ~ & ~ , ~ ~ ~ ; & ~ & ~ P i . i . ~ s , ~ , & ~ ~ ~ ~ m .:along jEbhe ..:. A. . - ..

............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I.. ,': j; ; t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~" .- , . .....- >;..yn ', .:a :,,.,*:, ,< .%,.& +.,,;,.,, &*" ,."" . . . . . . . . . . . . *. . . . . . . . . .

q~$c.st@o~rd. Gince the &xr1wry function of the a$r.shi& ': .*.. ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . , .,T?&.&,>* *:.>. ... . , ....................... . . . . . l_. .__,.~l._ .-..-.. .__l. . - . _ , ........ ................... . . . . . . . . . . .-' < . . : . . < . . . _ . . . . . . .. .... . <a$~- -,;:A ... ,z:,T:~;;".eiik<p --L7 *..*** ...... *Ad.... ......%. -," .....-.. . . _ : '. . . . . . . . . . . . .

~ *---,*.- ~.~~~>~z~::~~:~,-:-&-~~~~;~~,~~i;?:~?. ~ ..z,7-:. ... :,;-.: . . . . . . ... wi s. a t>c ~a e~a:..~ VS~I~W" $gg+i-s&Bf -3 ii;l@mg:pf a e . - ~ . ~ l f & & e ~ ~ ~ . : + .. . ?.. . , .sr",'-:<y:, '::., ...-.. %"A. : .j .,.~. , ,, ", . .?,,. 3 . ,, ,, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

@ h a u l s of tr,affic to am8 from' Guentanamo by air and sursace -

. . . .. "'A- -:-. -. . . . . . .............. - .. .-. .... - .- .... ,,& . . . . . . . . . . . ..........-- , 7 . w . s . . . . ::. .:. < ' . On the. 12th of $me, the K-93, w i t h Ens ign Sidney VERIER '

. . . . .... > .< : --- -- -.-.T.>.C-.*.,.,.YI. .-*.*.

. , ...I_ . . .. .............. .--3.0 ..

7319 Westl where Ehe ind.idir%ed. d*€h of" the w&~&T. was. 76B' fk%h&s. 9 - -

1 1 2 knots from the first to last W+D eontact. - . . -

( 0pe~at i6& QcjmiiaM at N89, Guiintanaim direbted that . - = search A ,- -- s be <I

1 - eo&inubd u i i t i i Bark. in s B ~ and two h a s t ~ b a r i " ves$eis were' 1

gpssible,m -<. _ - and Coanch as "oubtf 1.112 Submarine intelligence " w y - , 2 . f l " **" , < , * "

-A . " 4 ? - - (.+- . * " 4 ) -

$ndicated tue deffiwte ......... , $&ge$$e- . . , 61 +- a-3&bb&r-i$e I..r iii: tl@"Mbp~~. i s # T w k g g 4 %.

I . , r I r - s . i 6

ob ;that 5th' of th& m~.neh 5 ~ - ' '$hC*^%&*. Ai;6$&4cUg8$96 a$e& on tfii 11% h. - , .... ..-""* .. . . 4" . -." , 2

I : There was no fur ther submarine acbivity in %ha WindwBrd Wssage

i area since the date of the rewrted sighting. The cousse of the A

4

target om in i t ia l sighting, the resul tant S @ X ~ ~ S of contaets I i

I e

..: . i nd i ca t ing the same course, and the uderwater speed of the

. . . . . . . . . . .

target ~ :ould seem t o indicate some plausibi l i ty i n the me-

liminary evaluation of "probablen. However, it was d i f f i c u l t

t o gfve full credence t o the sighting, under existing wind and

sea conditions.

Guantanamo has been called the mcrossroads of the Carib-

beann -- and justly so; fo r through t h i s famous port passed hun-

dreds of allied ships yearly, both merchantmen, loaded heavy with

v i t a l supplies needed across the seas, as well as the men-of-war

which were sent fo r th t o guard the convoys. The LTA soon learned

that the *crossroads of the CaribbeanU applied i n yet another

sense t o them, for t h i s Base was the final terminal stop fo r a l l

a irships being fer r ied from the South, The route taken by ships - which were-returning t o the States for overhaul invariably in-

cluded a l l the ZP-51 Bases; and hence the Detachments as well a s

the Home Base became familiar stops t o the pi lots of Fleet A i r -

ships, Atlantic,

An LTA ins ta l l a t ion had .been established a t San Juan,

Puerto Rioo under the cognizance of Wing FIVE; however, ships

moving Morth would not lay over a t t h i s Base because w i n d s favor-

able t o a north-easterly f l i g h t prevailed, Consequently, a f t e r

und.ergoing a complete pre-flight check a t Carlsen, the ships

would take off for the long haul t o GTMO, some 1050 miles away,

The track of the a i rship was almost a s t raight l i ne from the I

BOBAS t o the f i r s t landfall , off the southwestern t i p of Elaiti.

-5-

. . . . . . . . . . . . Take-off time was regularly se t for2200 Q, . i n order t o allow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the ship t o complete the f i n a l part of the flight i n daylight

and a t the ssme time t o prevent the sh2p from arr iving a t

Guantanamo too early t o land, f o r unfavorable landxng conditions prevailed during t he early afternoon.

........... . . . . . . . . . . The LTA o u t f i t a t t h e Cuban A i r Statdon w a s more than cap- . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I: . . : :

able t o handle these t ransient ships. However, because only

three masts were available, and because there were t w o ships

assigned to the Detachment, it proved d i f f i cu l t when more then l one ferry ship came through a t the same time. Such a s i tua t ion

generally resulted i n putting one of the FIFTY-ONE ships i n the I

a i r fo r a special flight a t night, while the visiting crew rested i up f o r the last phase of the f l i g h t t o the United States. This i !

mas not the most desirable arrangements, however, on occasioli it I

. . . . . . . . . . . of. the inconvenience t h a t i t entailed. . . . . . . . : , . . . . . ( I , : : :: ' : : : 1

. . . . . . . . Ships being fe r r i ed t o the Squth presenw less of a problem . . . . . . . . . :- :,., . 1 . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . returning. v ia San Juan, f o r on the southerly run stronger winds . . . . I . . . . . . 1 . . . i

. . . . . . , . . . . . . . . , . . . could.not be avoided -- and the Det-1 personnel responded ad- . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mirably, making the v i s i t i ng crew feel r ight a t home, regardless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . :. 1 . . . . . . . . . . from de.ad ahead were the rule, making the shorter flight necessary, : : . . . . . :._.: i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The additional point of landing helped avoid anry pile-up of blimps a>.X- ........... ........... .......... ............ ....... ... ........... ..........A,... ............ ................... .ii'.. - * y - .-..-.. ..................... ................... a t Guantanamo. ........_..._ ................ .............. .>* .......... . . . . . .

~

Early i n the year, airships operating out of Detachment ONE I were assigned the task of assisting fn the formation of convoys

I I #

and. supervising sorties. In constant rzdio communication with \

the Escort Commander, the blimp pi lo t relayed information con-

cerning the formation, the where-abouts of s t ragglers , and other

data pertinent t o the lead-ships. On many occasions, Comoy

Routing Instructions were dropned t o the various ships i n t h e

convoy from the airship, which came i n over the Wts , lowering - .

a water-proof pouch containing the instruct ions, I n t h k s un-

usual manner, considerable time was saved i n forming up,

The a b i l i t y t o lower gear from a hovering a i r s h i p was,

utilized i n yet another manner. The Detachment had, during the

l a t t e r part of December, voluntari ly taken on the task of de-

livering mall to the Coast Guard unit stationed on the island of

NAVASSA, si tuated between lIalti and Jamaica. Because of the

lack of dock f a c i l i t i e s around the island, provision ships put - i n with supplies a t this isolated Base only once a month, bring-

ing with them m a i l and other small luxuries t o the lonely Guard-

smen. The blimps provided the solut ion t o the all-important I

problem of m i l by making at l e a s t two trips a week t o this tiny

island, and delivering t h e mail, The m a i l sacks were lowered from the ship as it flew slowly, a t a low al t i tude, over the

one small clearing i n front of the Navassa Lighthouse, Eager

hands would quickly untie the sacks; and when the s h i p came

around on another approach with the l i n e down, out-going bags

were bent on, If nothing e l se can be said i n praise of a l l the

operations ever performed by the Det-1 ships, the act of deli-

vering m a i l t o and from these Coast Guardsmen on the lonely

- 7-

i s lend of Navassa would be s u f f i c i e n t t o warrant the applause

of 211. So enthusiastic and gra te fu l were the men of t h i s

Base, tha t they suggested -- qui te seriously -- t h a t a st ick

mast be placed on the island which would then be used as an

emergency landing s t r ip f o r blimps, where they could s t o p f o r

f u e l and minor servicing, as well as to del iver mail and other

l f t t l e nodds-and-ends" that t he inhabitants might des i re . It

was f e l t , however, that the men were influenced i n making t h i s

suggestion by something more than the earnest d e s i r e t o add

yet-another LTA Base i n t h e Csribbean a-rea. Bi-weekly de l i -

v e r i e s continued . O n e other special service, peculiar t o Det-1, was insti-

tuted i n ]May. For many months, the Naval Operating Base a t

Guantamm had been losing e q u i p e n t valued a t a s much as

$50,000 per month. Every effort W B S made t o apprehend the

criminals, or a t l e a s t t o prevent further loss of any more

such equipment. Base police were assigned the task of polic-

ing and. patroll ing the s t r e e t s of the Stat ion, and small picket

boats skirted the h ~ r b o r . To complete the coverage, blimps

were asked to conduct morning and evening patrols over the

naval reservat ion boundaries while maintaining d i r e c t radio com-

munications with a roving Base police car, This proved t o be

an e f fec t ive measure i n combatting the %heft of automotive

par t s and other Navy n-aterial; for the combined efforts of all

these forces resulted in the cessation of any further losses.

A s has been suggested elsewhere, the weather condit ions

a t Guantznamo demanded extreme caution whenever ground hand-

l ing ships. Ground Handling Officers were constantly reminded

tha t they must be on the a l e r t a t a l l times for wind sh i f t s ,

and air turbulence brought about by the mountains mhich ski r ted

the LTA sect ion of the Base. Landings, whenever possible, were

avoided during the early afternoon; and fo r the most part , were

scheduled fo r the early morning or l a t e afternoon. Sometimes,

however, operational demands made t h i s routine impracticable,

A s a safety measure, the Squadron Commander ordered t h a t e i the r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Officer-in-Charge or h is assistant pers&ally d i r ec t the

evolution,

Accidents were kept a t a minimum, but not ent i re ly avoided. 7'-

Several t a i l wheels were carried away on take-offs and on other

occasions minor damage was sustafned t o the landing gear. I n March, one of the members of the hound Handling Party, Charles

Cromer COADY, M 3 c , OSM1, was seriously injured during a landing

operation, when a sudden gust carried the car down hard, catching

COADY before, he had a chance t o clear- out. After. several weeks

i n the hospital a t NAS Guantanamo, the injured Squadron man was

transferred t o the Great Lakes Naval Hospital where complete

recovery w a s reported.

This unfortunate incident brought home, more strongly than

ever before, the ever-present necessity fo r extreme care i n air-

ship operations. Not until the 9th of August was any very great I - !.- A trouble experienced i n handling ships on the ground. On tha t

. . . . . . . . . . , ; : : 1 1 . . . . . . . . day, the dangers of operating from a s t ick,mast was c lear ly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . .

brought home t o Det-1 administration, A s the K-124 was being . . . . . . . . . > . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . removed from the st ick, a gustforced the bow down, causing the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9 .bat ten t o s t r ike the mast operations platform. The bat ten . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . ........ .......... <.-.-<.:-:.:-:.:.:I> .i- ,.. .......... ... .... - was crushed and four sheaves were damaged. suf f ic ient ly to'neces- ................... <.. :: 2.: .:.:.:.:>;.z::.::.: . ...i.......... ............ ..,.. .............. .:.-.:.::::5::::2y; :.:.:.>:<.:-:.:-:.; .........: .._.i_.,< .............. si- ta te t he i r replacement. Luckily, no personnel were injured i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the mishap. Temporary repai rs were made and the ship was able . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . t o 'fly on several missions before t h e replacement ba t t en arrived . . . . . . . . . , .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from Richmond, Florida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , ... . . . . . . . - . .< . . . . . . . . . . . . One week la te r , the^ K-124 was again involved i n a ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . handling accident which resulted i n the destruction of the bag . . . . . . . . . : . : : .: / . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

,. .:.. :. ::. ,.: I and extensive damage t o the car. .This was the third. sh ip t o

have been l o s t i n the History of ZP-51, the K-91, having exploded

i n f l i g h t almost a year ea r l i e r w i t h t he loss of a l l hands and

the K-68 having been deflated i n August 1943 a f t e r a forced land-

ing on the island of Blanquilla. This time fortunately there was

no injury suffered by personnel. This ship was being made ready

for a f l i g h t a t noon, when a sudden gust carried i t out of the

I , . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . : I hands of the Ground Handling Party, Despite the e f fo r t s of the ; : . . . , . . . . . .

. . . . . . . ! . . ' . . . . . . . . . . . : - i . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . p i lo t , ' t h e ship struck the mast some 200 feet away, receiving a ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . long t e a r i n t h e bag. The ship def1ate:d almost Immediately. Con- . . .

. . ..................... .......... ................. .-,.-.. ...................... ..A. -..- -.. - -. - - :.?-,-.-.;s-.-.:-: ..i ......... ............ ..,....;:.: .x siderable equipment . . was salvaged and l a t e r transferrec! back t o the ' T~;$$5;i~i!$; ........ ..., -.-< .... .i.v----. - ̂ -<..; ....................... ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . States 2nd the ship was -- rebui l t . Although responsibi l i ty for the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mishap was attr ibuted by . the Board of Investigation prirna.rily t o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . - personnel error, the weather conditions d i d . enter i n the matter

. . and received a port ion of the blame. Not f o r a moment could . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... t h e Ground Randling Officer slack off; the prevai l ing gusty

condi t ion demended constant a t ten t ion ,

Twice, the f i r s t time i n July and again i n August, it

was necessary t o evacuate the blimps from Guantanano and fe r ry

them t o Richmond because of hurricane warnings. Although the

hurricanes did not reach the proportions tha t bere anticipated,

t he evacuation was thought a t the t i m e t o be the wisest -- be-

cause t h e sefest -- course of action, a . lesson learned from . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..: . .; past. . . experience.

, Just . as a t the Borne Base, t ra in ing of personnel w a s an im-

portant par t of the da i ly routine. Because of operat ion require-

ments, f l i g h t s devoted solely t o t ra in ing were not a s frequent

as would have been desired; b u t t h i s s i t u a t i o n w a s aleviated

: considerably by devoting a port ion of every f l i g h t t o t ra ining

needs. m i l e emphas.is was placed on the proficiency of every a ' : : .., . . . . . . . . . >... .:: , _ . . man i n the particu1a.r du t ies assigned h i m aboard ship, each man

a l s o had an opportunity t o l e a r n the du t i e s of h i s shipmates.

I n t h i s manner, the v e r s a t i l i i y of the man w a s increased; and

i n the event 'of a casualty t o aw one of the crewmen, another

member CAC could adequately subs t i tu te . During flight too,

emphasis w a s placed on emergency d r i l l s , and frequently during

a l u l l i n the patrol , a d r i l l would unexpectedly be ca l led away.

Nat only did t h i s procedure keep the. crew constantly on t h e i r i. :. .~ 0. ..... , . . . ..... i.'. ... -11-

toes, but it aided immeasurably i n r e l i ev ing the n;onotoq of

a par t icular ly long f l ight .

A training program somevihat similar t o tha t arranged a t

the Home Base was put i n to operation, although on a much smaller scale because l e s s equipment was evailable, Af te r

much campaigning, the CO-Det was able t o arrange f o r short

periods of training with the Link Trainer a t the Naval A i r

Station, A course s imi lar t o tha t prepared for the pi lots

stationed a t Carlsen w e s provided; and consequently all hands

had an opportunity t o do some *ground flyi*, making use of

a l l the r ad io a i d s provided i n the Link .

During the early p a r t of the year, an opportunity was af-

forded t h e Det-l crevrs t o nork out w i t h a tame sub, t h e S-15.

Eegular schedules about twice a month gave the p i l o t s excellent

t r a in ing i n procedures tha t would be employed i n the event of

actual contact w i t h an enemy U-boat. I n November, this form of

t ra ining reached i t s climax, when the S-12 (which had relieved

t h e S-15) simulated sn a t t a ck on the aescort carriera, PC-l.262,

outside the gates of Guantanamo. The words of Lieutenant PRATT,

the Detachment CO, though wr i t ten i n h i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c humorous

s ty le , bespeak the efficiency of the blimp crew:

"The S-L% attacked the escort carrier, PC-1262, which

promptly called out the l o c a l coordinated k i l l group of one

PBN, 3 PCts, and as you may have guessed - 2 ZWts w i t h t h e i r

bomb bays chock-a-block w i t h bad news f o r t h e enemy. The PBBB,

being the first t o arrive, located an o i l s l i ck and debris, but

-12-

. . from then on it was everyone for himself. The net r e s u l t s *..' :: ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the search can best be summed up by quoting one of the

survivors, Kommandur Robinson aus d i Unterseenboten, who for-

tunately spoke excellent English: 'Every time I upped the

periscope, there was the goddam blimp looking down the pipe,

A subsequent comparison of logs revealed a h igh degree of ac-

curacy i n the pilotts slick patterns, although the surface craf t

were causing consideration interference with MAD 0perations.n

Training of a more physical nature w a s l e f t to Lieutenant * . John HAMAN, D-v(S), USNR, the Athletic Officer. Be would run

the of f icers and men through mili tary drill. and the manual of

arms u n t i l they became a crack ou t f i t , wcomparsble to the

Marines11 (according t o Lieutenant PRATT) . Having a swimming

pool close by, the men at this detachment were dble t o check

out i n the Navy Department swimming requirements with l i t t l e

trouble, and also receive frequent, pract ical demonstrations <

i n the rigging of a l i f e r a f t . The a r t of ridding one's se l f

of heavy clothing i n the water was rehearsed quite r ea l i s t f ca l ly ,

despite the high temperature.

Training of the minds was l e f t t o the ACI off icers , who

lectured the p i lo t s daily on the many subjects tha t a well-

rounded aviator is supposed t o know. A Visual Quizzer was made

available t o the blimp o u t f i t on occasion; and t h i s form of ed-

ucation was greeted at Guantanamo in the same enthusiastic . . . ...... .- . . . . . . . .,.. v:..; manner - as a t Carlsen.

The same type of gunnery t raining was carried on a t

. . . . .... . . Guantanamo - a s a t other of the FIFTY-ONE bases, with t w o ex-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ceptions . Through the cooperation of the Anti-Aircraft Train-

ing Command, the LTA personnel were given, a short comprehensive

course in^/^ weapons. The men had ancpportunity t o get familiar w i t h and t o f i r e such pieces as t h e .50 caliber machine gun, the

20 mrn. and 4 O mm. Oerlikonrs and. 3"50 caliber semi-automatic A/A

gun. I n addi t ion t o these weapons, the men were lectured on

chemical warfare and instructed i n the means of deteceing poisonous

gases, how t o counteract t he i r effects, and how t o decontarninzte

clothing. A s a climax t o - t h e course, the now-indoctrinated

students would don gas masks and enter a gas chanber fox a

practical demonstration of the theory presented i n the class room.

I n every respect, steps were taken t o make c e r t a i n that

a l l hands were occupied i n self-improvement. The grea ter portion

of officers were engaged i n courses offered by the Naval R-eserve

Education Centers, as well as the correspondence courses pro- I

vided by various American unLversities. The enlisted men, li$e-

wise were encouraged t o take f u l l advantage of these opportunities.

Surrounded by a pleasant, semi-tropical environment; a l l hands

found it easy, and pleasant, t o learn.

During the year, Detachment ONE played host t o several

distinguished guests, who stopped over for ei ther formal or in-

formal inspections. Besides frequent v i s i t s by the Squadron

Comw~nder, v~ho believed tha t gersona.1 contact between the Officer

i n Charge and himself would do much i n improving the administra-

tion of the Squ2,dron as a whole, Captain BAILEY, and la ter h i s j

I i

I I

successor 2 s L i n g FIVE Cornlander, Comnender KERTS on severa l

occasions dro2.!?ed. i n t o see how things ;;;.ere progressing. I n

Novelxber, t h e annuz-l mi l i t a ry inspection f o r t h e e n t i r e Sc;u;ldron

brought t h e i;?ing FFJE s taff , and the Commanding Officer of the

Squadron t o Detachment OWE, where a comprehensive inspection of

all equipment, personnel, and o p e r a t i o ~ l procedure mas made,

I n March, during landing operations of the K - E 4 , t he

Officer-in-Charge was infforrned t h a t several h igh ranklng o f f i c e r s

were watching the maneuver from the s idel ines , and were in te res ted

i n going through the a i r s h i p a f t e r the landing operat ions were

completed, Lieutenant ~~cILWOSB, then Detachment OW, O f f icer- in-

Charge, w a s more than mildly surprised t o learn t h a t the *higher

ranking off icersJ1 included Rezr-Admiral George D. IlURFAY, Cog-

marder of a l l a i r training i n the At lant ic Fleet , Rear-Admiral

George L. WEYLER, CO~~-?JDBIVT of the Naval Operating Base a t

Guzntammo, and a British A i r Marshsll, whose name Pias overlooked

i n the excitement. Vith them was the Assistant Secretary of the

Mavy ( ~ i r ) , the Bon~rable Arteaus GATES. Lieutenant fdcIlV!TOSR

took t h e sudden v i s i t in s t r i d e , and conducted t h e gar ty on a n

inspect ion tour through the e n t i r e LTA s ec t ion of t h e S ta t ion ,

H e l a t e r took them aboard the K-124 and explained the var ious

equlpnent carr ied i n the z i r sh ins , ans~iering t h e many quest ions

asked by the dis t inguished gues t s . It K a s intended t o arrange

f o r a short hop, however, o f f i c i a l functions elsewhere required

en e a r l y departure of the party,

I n July, Rear-Admiral Charles RCSEMDAHL and Commodore

-1 j-

George MILLS made a very brief visit t o the Detzchrnent. \

On the 23rd of September, Rear-Admiral Frank BRAISTED,

Cominander Guantanamo Sector presented ECKERT, Garnet, Jr,,

3 s 20 56, AR2c, OSN, (LP_)(cA) the Purple Heart medal f o r wounds received when the K-74 was shot down by an enemy sub-

mmine during the l a t t e r part of 1943. Immediately after the

presenta.tion, an insgection was held of all personnel and eyuip-

sent , w i t h the Admiral expressing complete sa t i s fac t ion with the

LTA installa-t ion.

In a l l these v i s i t s , t he Detachment tried in every way to

make the g u e s t s feel as much a t home as possible; and with

Lieutenant frRATT as host, they departed the Detachment ONE with

the desire t o pay another v i s i t a t a l a t e r date. I n many cases,

repeat v i s i t s were possible; but i n any case, the visit l e f t

the fine impression with the party that blimp operations and LTA

hospi ta l i ty a t Guantarmamo were equal t o anything t ha t could be

provided or desired a t any of the many LTA. bases aqywdhere.

DETACHBQENT TIVO based at Atkinson F i e l d , British Guiana. B.TJ.1,

Operations froin Detachment TWO, more so than i n the case of

the other two detachments, were closely a l l i ed with the ac t iv i ty

of the Borne Base a t Carlsen. For the most part the i r assignments

were continuations of missions assigned the Trinidad blimps; es-

pecfally i n the na t t e r of the Bauxite Lane patrol , The Lower

Bauxf t e route, from Georgetown, Br i t i sh Guiana, t o Paramaribo,

Dutch Guiana, was patrolled by the Detachment TITO ships i n co-

operation w i t h blimps, from Detachment T m E . %hen t h e latter

-16-

base was decommissioned, the responsibil i ty of patrol l ing t h i s

v i t a l route rested solely w i t h the Atkinson s ta t ion.

A t the t u rn of the year, l i t t l e confusion existed a t the

Base which had been i n operation for over nine months and had

achieved a very smooth-running 'schedule. Lieutenant Morton

S I M I ~ ~ N S , A-v(G), WNR, was Officer-in-Charge when the new year 's

operations commenced; but he was relieved i n March by Lieutenant

Stanley J. TREGILLIS, A-v(G), DSNR, who served as CO-Det u n t i l

he received orders back t o general service i n the ear ly par t of September. Lieutenant George REICEERT, A ~ V ( G ) , then took over

the Detachment, remaining i n charge the rest of the year.

Because ~ t k i n s o n Field was a terminal s top fo r a l l heavier-

than-air t r a f f i c , planes of every type iould conduct temporary

a c t i v i t i e s . i n the v ic in i ty of the bllmp section. This gave r i s e

t o numerous occasions when the blimps were cal led upon fo r special.

tasks. During the very first month of the year, the LTA s t r i p

served as an emergency landing f i e ld for two Brazi l ianBeechcraf ts

which were forced down because*of part icularly f o u l weather. The

f irst plane effected a landing without mishap, but the second nosed

up near the end of the runway. No personnel were inJured, although

the plane received minor damage. The blimp o u t f i t turned out t o 6'

clear the damaged a i r c r a f t from the runway, and assisted i n the

repairs thht were necessary.

Frequent searches were ins t i tu ted from Detachment TKO, fo r ,

because of the heavy a i r t r a f f i c , it was inevitable t ha t some

planes were forced down i n the jungle lands tha t surrounded this

large a i r s ta t ion. On the Z n d of the f i r s t month, the K-96

v ~ s engaged i n a search fo r a missing B-17. Hours of search

revealed no t races of the B-17, though the area surrounding

ATKINSON was combed very finely. It was l a t e r learned t h a t the

B-17 had never departed Amapa; and consequently, the e n t i r e

operat ion had been unnecessary. On several other ~ c ~ c a s i o n s , needless searches were ins t i tu ted f ~ r planes, and i n some case,

ships, that had never l e f t t he i r home base; but rather than run

the risk of overlooking an opportunity of rendering service t o

unfortumte airmen forced down, the blimps would eagerly respond t o a l l requests of this nature. That same week, a B-24 d i s -

eppeared i n the swamp lands some t h i r t y f i ve miles east of the

Field. The wreckage was seen from the air; and a search p r t y

sent out t o the scene t o render a l l possible a id t o the survivors.

A blimp wzs requested t o work i n cooperation with the ground party

bringing them supplies as needed, and directing them t o be t t e r

paths which might lea6 t o the scene of the accldent. P ic tures of the

cracked up plane were also taken from the blimp and sent t o the

Army author i t ies who were fmest iga t ing the si tuatfon. Personnel of the B-24 were never recovered.

Most of the search operations were pepformed as an extension

of operations carried on from Carlsen; consequently, l i t t l e more

need be said on the subject of search ac t iv i ty which has been

covered more f u l l y elsewhere. However, mention must be made of

the e f fo r t s exer ted t o locate a C-87 which crashed i n the jungle

-18-

during August. The K-100 was assigned t o search i n the area

ahere the plane was thought t o have been forced down. Lieut-

enant (jg) Arthur JELLIS, A-v(N), was the p i lo t . A t approxi-

mately 0520 W 5751 Vd t h r e e parachutes were sighted i n the trees.

Close inspection from the airship showed that the 'chutes could

. -not be recovered by grappling. About 1/2 a mile t o the South-

west was a sevannah some three miles square, spotted intermit-

W t l y by shrubs and bushes. There were several su i table spots for a landing, so the ship, with the Command P i l o t on the elevator

was set down and Lieutenant (jg) Jack ARBdSTRONG, A-v(N), dlsem-

barked. On another approach, CAP Richard WE, 201 7l 21, USN

likewfse disembarked. The two aviators attempted t o hike back

t o the locat ion of the parachutes, but t h e brush w a s so thick as

t o m a k e t h i s impossible, so they returned t o the clearing t o be

picked up again. The author i t ies were notified of the locat ion,

azld for several days, low-flying b'limgs searched the area. Effor ts

t o disentangle the chutes w e r e t o no ava i l . Further search for the

l o s t C-87 mere finally discontinued.

Searches of t h i s nature brought ZP 51 ships over lands seldom

seen by white men, lands of unususl tropical beauty, though treach-

erous t o planes forced down in t he i r swampy jungles. The blfmp-

rid-e over t h i s country was alwzys rough because of the air

turbulence brought on by the heated swamps below; and it required

constant a l e r tnes s t o keep the ship under control at a l l time.

Ons: one of these f l i g h t s , the blimp flew close t o the v;-orld-famous

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . .,. . . . .

Kaieteur F a l l s which was discovered back i n 1870 by a Brf t i sh . . . . . . .

expedition, and which has been comljared for rugged beauty t o

the well-known Victoria Falls in South Africa. Some 1100 fee t . ,.

above sea level, the falls drop 822 feet into a deep, verdant

valley below. Before 1870, s to r i es of the mighty f a l l s were

carried t o the coastl ine by primitive Indians, but the s to r i es

were discounted un t i l BARRINGTOM BROWN, a renowned English

geologist and h i s party discovered it by chance, While many

have heard of the Kaieteur, f e w have seen it because of i t s wild

and inaccessible locat ion a t 0508 North 5919 West, some 200 miles

from the nearest point of civi l izat ion.

Legend has it that, long ago some aboriginal Indisns who

lived near the fa l l s decided t o sacr i f ice one of t a r old men t o

the spirits who dwelt there, so they put the victim i n t o a canoe

and shoved him out in to the swift running river t h a t feeds the

Falls. However, the s p i r i t s intervened just as the old Ban came

t o the brink of the drop, and turned him and his canoe i n t o stone,

To t h i s day, the Indians c l a w tha t when the waters are low one

can see the old Indian and h i s canoe perched on Che edge of the

Falls. From this legend comes the name of the Fal ls -- Kaieteur,

~ h i c h means i n the native tongue "OLD W M FALLSm.

One of the more unusual missions assigned the Detachment !l%O

ships was very similar t o the %ai l runs conducted by t h e Detach-

ment OESE ships a t Guantanamo. Three miles or so south of Waini

'oint, along the Venezuelan Coast, an emergency landing f i e l d w a s

being constructed for heavier-than-air c r a f t which frequently

flew along t h i s route. The s t r ip was located on a sandbar

about a mile off the coast, and consequently was not a t all 'ac-

cessible overland, nor were ships able t o come i n close because

of t he shallow water, The Atkinson ships were asked t o del iver

supplies as needed, and t h i s soon became a regular assignment,

with t he blimp bringing i n everything from w a t e r , medica l supplies,

and food t o small machines, tools , aldi on several occasions per-

sonnel. The maneuver involved no danger t o the shf p, even though

all approaches had t o be made crosswind; and the pilots in charge

of the f l i g h t s enjoyed t h e i r novel ro le of good samaritan t o the

workers engaged i n building the air s t r i p ,

Another special service was rendered by the blimp detachment

i n June when Detachment TBFO blimps ass is ted the A r m y in the ca l i -

b ra t ion of a new dathode ray Direction Finder. The blimp, while

on patrol, sent hourly posi t ion reports; and the Army- too* bearings

on these transmissions. Upon completion of! the f l i g h t , the ac tua l

positions derived from the Direction Finder. The new gear was

found t o be very accurate alad expected t o be of great value i n t he

case of l o s t a i r c r a f t ,

Further D/F t e s t s were made from airships operating out of ATKIFJSON as well a s out of Carlsen and Guantanamo i n October. The

Army had established a high frequency D/F net covering the en t i r e

Carib'aean area xith stations a t TRINIDAD, CANAL ZONE, SAN JUAN and

GUANTANAMO. All u n i t s i n t h i s area were assigned certain hours,

during which time the a i r c r a f t i n f l i g h t was t o transmit i n accordam e

. .

. . . . . . . . with a prearrarged procedure, while a l l the D/F stations took

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. ' I . . I

bearings, This new net was found t o be of excellent value; aml

use of the system wzs incorporated i n the ZP Lost Ship Wocedure,

Just a s a t a l l other FIFTY-Om Bases, heavy emphasis was I placed on the t ra ining program a t Detachment Tbf1'O. No extensive schedule could be arranged because of the fac t tha t there were i frequent exchanges of crews between Carlsen and Atkinson w i t h I the resu l t that most of the actual t ra ining was conducted a t

Carlsen. However, for those who were more or l e s s permanently

s t ~ t i o n e d i n B r i t i s h Guiana, the Off icer-in-Charge worked up an ! adequate program t o take care of a l l phases of operations, I

i Frequent t ra ining f l i g h t s were carried out, where the lessons 1

I

lear~er.3 on the pantograph and from required reading were pra.ctically 1 I

demonstrated. After night patrol f l igh t s had been discontinued, in \

accordance with Commander A i r Force, Atlantic instructfons, a t least 1 I

I i

four n i g h t training flights a month =ere scheduled i n order t o i 1 t ! refresh the pilots i n the procedure t o be used for such flights. 1

Practice landings under conditions of artificial l i g h t received i particular attention, and a l l hands were required t o make at least I . . .

. . . one such f l i g h t per month. : : : . . . . : 1 - - . - .: - . f

The Ground Bardling operation a t ~tkinson, because of limited

officer personnel, served as an excellent training ground for the

members of the Squadron, inexperienced i n t h i s type of operztions,

Under the supervision of the Operations Duty Officer, t h e junior t

off icer would take complete charge of the operation, landing and I 8

masting the ship, determining the gas, bomb load to be placed Z D

aboard f o r the next f l i g h t , and supervise the ac tus l loading

t o assure himself tha t a l l current ins t ruct ions xere being

complied with. In t h i s manner, a l l hands soon became very

prof ic ien t i n the a r t of good ground handling, as evidenced

by the excel lent record i n safety achieved by the Detachment,

In t h i s area where continuous summer-like weather prevailed

it was inevi tzble tha t out-door sports occupy most of the spare

t i m e of t h e per.sonnel attached t o FIFTY-ONE. The a t h l e t i c of-

f i c e r s a t the various Bases energetically provided every.pos- . . .

s i b l e means t o keep the men physically perfect; and a l l s o r t s

sports contests anit tournaments were ins t i tu t ed . Detachment

TWO was par t icu lar ly for tunate i n having a swimming pool close

t o the LTA establishment, and afternoon s w i m s became a regular

fea ture of the daily routine. This form ot? re laxa t ion was a l s o

u t i l i zed , a s a t the other Bases, t o i n s t r u c t a l l hands i n swim-

ming and l ife-ssving procedure; and everybody a t the Detachment

checked out i n the sximing requirements established by the Navy

Depsrtment . Soft-bal l teams were formed, fo r the most par t of the CAC

playing a s a unit , and an almost unending tournament begun, The

scores achieved by the various teams, which had names as fanc i fu l - F

a s the wild imaginations of enthusiast ic men can concoct, were

followed a s closely as any b ig league record; and t he champion-

ship of the Base was well fought fo r by everyone. The LTA unit

a s a whole p u t ' a team i n the f i e ld , t o take on a l l challenges

-23 -

from the other units stationed a t Atkinson, and a very l ive ly

league w a s forned.

When the rai* season s e t in, making outdoor diversion al- - m i s t impossible, exercise and relaxation was acquired i n the

well-equipped Recreation . , , Halls provided fo r all hands. Here,

pool tables, books, games, and pingi$ong tables, as well as

bawling al leys and card tables, helped the men pass away t he i r

a f t er-working hours mid pleasant surroundings. An outdoor cinema

likewise proved most helpful i n bredking the momtoq of routine

act ivi ty , and brought a touch of home t o t h i s remote Base. In

every possible way, ef fo r t was made t o rnai'ntain the personnel a t

a high pi tch of morale and keenly aware of the part they were

playing. in the t o t a l war effort.

DETACEBIEWT- THREE based a t Paramaribo. Dutch Gu iam

The operations conducted a t t h i s detachment from the begin-

ning of the year until i t s decomissioning i n August, 1944 were for t he most part routine, w i t h little of the spectacular involved.

The Base conducted its assignments vie11 i n every respect; however,

the inac t iv i ty of submarines i n the area and the a b i l i t y of Detach-

ment TWO t o handle a l l necessary operations generally carr ied on by Detachment THREE just i f ied the discontinuation of the l a t t e r

Base. A t the s t a r t of the year, Lieutenant Malcom R. BARFIELD,

A-V(N) , USNR, was Officer-in-Charge; however, he was relieved i n - June by Lieutenant George REICHERT, A-v(G).

The routine ,patrol of the lower Bauxite Lane, both day and

night, occupied the at tent ion of Det-3 for the most part. Weather

-24-

conditions, hovtever, being of very unstable nsture, provided

many special missions i n search of l o s t a i r c r a f t which were

bound for the Army Field at Zandery. Closed i n conditions fre-

quently occurred with l i t t l e warning; and consequently, maw emergency laadings were effected on the blimp strip. In March,

a D M Cargo Bdariner made an unannounced landing a f t e r running

low i n fue l , Bad weather made the going f a i r l y rough, and when

the p i l o t sav the blimp s t r i p , he decided t o set dotsn. B i s pas-

senger l i s t included thirty-f ive men, including eleven off icers , a l l of whom were quartered and fed, t o take off on the following

morning. A very t i ck l i sh forced landing w a s made during the latter

p r t of the sane month, when a BUTS DC-3 took advantage of the

1800 foo t runway a t Paramaribo rather than t o attempt a landing

a t Zandery where v i s i b i l i t y mas so poor as t o make such an

operation dangerous. A beaut i ful ca r r i e r landing w a s mde with-

out mishap, despite the length of the runway; and once again

Det-3 played host t o the crew- u n t i l weather conditions allowed

continuance of the f l i g h t ,

Hot so fortunate were other aircraf t caught i n the mids t '

of foul weather, In by, the blimps were aler ted t o the loss of a W-1 based a t Zandery. The plane had become l o s t i n the

adverse weather, and the radio gear went out of commission

shortly a f t e r a d i s t r e s s message had been transmitted, This

enforced radio silence prevented the taking of RDF bearing; and

consequently, only a rough idea of the location of the downed

-2 5-

. . . . . .. . . . ..:I / : . i . . . . . . I . . . plane could be furnished t h e rescue ships. The K-96 conducted . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .::-: .::... 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . ::.:.:..,.; . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . a search of the area 1 5 miles wide along the. coast between . . . . . . . . .:.. .../..: 1 . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paramaribo and Cayenne, French Guia.m. Other a i r c r a f t conducted . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . similar searches; but all r'eported negative results . The follow- :z:&.:-:.i.:*i .............. . - - - - . - - . .... L........--L ................ . . . . . . . ................ .. ing day the blimps were asked t o sweep within a r a d i u s of 60 ..... .....,. .-_...-._. .................. ......... :-:-:cccc.K...i. ........... f. ....... .......... ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . miles of Cayenne, b u t agBW resu l t s were negative. For two more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . days extensive operations of t h i s nature were conducted; and it . . . . . ... . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . w a s only af ter the survivors of the W were reported t o have been . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . found i n a small town i n Brazi l t h ~ t the search w a s discontf nued. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . $

. . ... . . . . . While conducting the search described above, the K-96 re- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . .

. . . . . . ported sighting a wrecked plane a t 0 9 1 North 5307 l e s t . Closer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

i . . . . . . . . . . t . . . . . . . . . i

investigation revealed this t o be the wreck of a B-25 named BABE . .

BUi\lTY which had been l o s t dur ing the l a t t e r psrt of 1943. In crm- I . . . . . . . 5

. . . . . . pliance t o - instructions received from 'COMBLIWRON FIFTY-Om, t h i s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 : : : : i

wreck was l a t e r marked Tit-lth conspicuous coloring t o prevent fur- : i

. .

. . ther investigation. and report by other a i rcraf t .

Beyond these special missions, however, operations were . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . purely of a .routine character.' Coverage of the Bauxite w a s , . . . .

dras t ica l ly reduced during the summer; and i n July, Lieutenant . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . . . . REICHERT received o rders . to commence the process of decommission- . . . . . . . ! . . . . . . . . . . ..............

I "

i ng the Base. On the 14th of the month, Lieutenant (jg) Joseph

NOUMNAN, A-v(N), had the d i s t inc t ion of taking the l a s t sh ip out . . . . . .

.............. of Det-3. A f e w days l a t e r , personnel-2 except f o r a small de ta i l , .......... . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ..... i

l e f t for the home Base. . . . .... . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . A s t i ck mast was erected at Zandery Field t o take care of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

1 . . . . . . .

any emergencies which might a r i se as far as ships corning North from ! J

Brazil; and on t h e f i r s t day of the month, Detachqent THFiEE wzs

of f i c i a l l y closed. - Crevs returning from ferry flights t o t h e S ta tes i n November

brought x i t h them reports tha t ac t ion wqs imminent i n the matter

of decommissioning the Squadron; but these reports were, fo r the

mast part, discounted as pure scutt le-butt , It w a s obvious that I

, - the blimps were not needed arrg longer i n th i s ares -- at least not the number that was assigned t o FIFTY O N E . Even the mine

search pa t ro ls were novr regarded as of secolldary importance; an3

consequently most of the flights originating out of Carlsen xere

of a t ra tning nature. Atkinson, likewise, were coauc t ing only

training operations, with an occasional Bauxite Patrol, which

wzs more of a token gesture than aqythiw else, A t Guantanaao,

the ships were still performing operational f l igh t s , but of a

very minor nature. On the 9th of the month, substant ia t ion t o

the scuttlebutt was presented. in a airmailgram from the Commander

Caribbean Sea Frontier, t o the' Chief of Naval Operations notifying

him that the a i r sh ips were no longer required i n h i s area.

Fourteen days later th i s information brought action, and i n a c o d i d e n t i a l dispatch, dated the 23rd of the month, t h e Comnder

in Chief, U.S, Fleet and the Chief of Naval Operations ordered the

Comnander i n Chief, Atlantic Fleet, t o i n s t i t u t e ac t ion i n the

decommissioning of Fleet Airship W i r g FIVE, and Hedron Fm,

t ransferr ing the Syua.di?on under the cognizance of Wing !ITO. Later

in the day, another order came through indicat ing t h a t ZP 51 would

l i l r ew i se be decommissioned.

Preparations were begun inmediately t o execute these orders,

with the Hedrontaking on the heavy task of crating equipment for

shipment t o other LTA bases, On the 29th of the month, the. K-30

and K-93 deparM from Guantanamo fo r Richmond, leaving mast room

for the on-coming ships from the South. The K-77 left Carlsen

that same day f o r Guantanamo, with the K-32 following t he next

da>r, The R-108 was fer r ied from Atkinson, and after a pre-flight

check, departed from Carlsen on the 1st of December, This was

the l a s t of the FIFTY ONE ships t o f l y i n the Trinidad sector.

The IC-124 which was a t San Juan as a part of a photographic

mission was ordered t o remain a t that Base until i ts assignment

was completed.

Word was received and ZP 51 was decommissioned oi 20

December 194.4, thus closing a memorable tour of duty fn the

Caribbean area i n Korld War 11,