Operations Operating conditions are ideal. There is unlimited space for flying, no one to interfere, and a grand airdrome to use. We made regular patrol flights during the day and training flights of short duration for tactical & gunnery practice. I would call Midway an ideal spot to train a new squadron and truly hope to get back there if I draw a full complement of airplanes and new pilots.
The members of our squadron became very familiar what with eating, sleeping, & living inseperable each day. There were no petty dislikes of any kind. A remarkable set up.
We held a few practice air-raids to indoctrinate all hands and the results were very encouraging. We felt that if we ever rec'd as much as six minutes warning we could have our Fighters in the air. We rushed work on airplane shelters and had them quite well protected and dispersed. Camouflage was practically impossible. Any disturbance of the natural landscape or vegetation stood out like a sore thumb.
The ground defenses were very good as well as quite adequate. We all had a feeling of security and further felt that the Japs would not be able to capture Midway with less than 2 carriers, 4 cruisers, 8 destroyers, and a landing party of at least 10,000 men. This requires a large number of small boats and several transport and supply vessels.
The pilots of our squadron had to consider themselves on the alert from 0530 to 1800. He could not be anyplace where the sirens weren't audible nor could he be at a distance from his airplane that would not allow reaching it in 2 minutes after an alarm was sounded. A mechanic was with the airplane at all times and it was his duty to start the engine & have the pilot's flight gear ready by the time the pilot arrived. This way--there was no lost time. The engine requires about 2 minutes to warm up sufficiently for take-off.
I received two good surprises while on Midway. One was concerning my promotion to Major which I didn't expect until the middle of the year. The other was the word to return to Honolulu. Six of the Fighter pilots and 6 of the Scout Bombing pilots received orders to return so naturally there was considerable conjecture over the reason for this change of station. We even let our imaginations get the better of us and thought that we might be going back to the mainland to form new squadrons. Another view point was that we were needed to fill up a Navy Carrier Squadron. Still another was that we might be going to Singapore or Australia. We were really ready for anything but slightly disappointed when we learned we were slated for Johnson or Palmyra. Johnson is even smaller than Midway and certainly less prepared for occupancy. I understand there aren't even any Gooney Birds--which by the way offered untold amusement for us on Midway. These darned birds went through the craziest rituals anyone could imagine. Too bad we couldn't take colored movies of their carryings on. The American public would become hilarious watching them. I have personally stood for several minutes totally absorbed in their antics. As a matter of fact--all the bird life was a matter of considerable interest. There were quite a few different kinds that frequented the island--each having its points of interest. The Gooney Bird was especially famous for its comical love making, large quantity present, and their graceful flyings. They would make an almost unlimited supply of "down" for pillows, blankets, mattresses, etc. One has to go a long way to find anything as cute as the newly hatched baby Gooney. It looks like nothing but a ball of fuzz.
I can't say that we were never under fire at Midway 'cause we were on three seperate occasions after the initial attack on December 7th. In each case the attack was initiated by a single enemy submarine at dusk. He would wait until our patrols had landed--then would surface and fire about 7 or more rounds. Of course he at no time hit anything or even got the aviators excited and he had no sooner fired about 3 rounds until the shore batteries were throwing 5" shells right back in his lap. The batteries thought they got one of the attackers but I seriously doubt it. On yet another occasion soon after we left a sub surfaced just before two Fighters were about to land. They spotted him, drilled him with 50 cal., and dropped their 100# bombs. They also think they might have got that one.
Oh yes--there was one more occasion when a scout bomber pilot thought he saw a submerged sub. He dropped his 500# bomb but it didn't explode.
I personally believe that subs are being constructed much more ruggedly than in the last war and that in order to sink one with a depth charge or bomb one must come about twice as close as was necessary in World War I. A lot of aviators have just been kidding themselves if they think they have been sinking subs. I'm thinking their mortality rate is comparitively low. This is a comforting thought what with my Young Brother John going into that branch of the Navy.
I often think how far I've been since the war started and the little action I have experienced. Me thinks the day will come when fate will make up for lost time. Just think--from San Diego to Pearl Harbor to (near) Wake to Midway and back to Pearl Harbor. As I say--all I have seen are a few insignificent submarine shellings and two large bombs dropped in Honolulu.
Oh yes--I forgot to mention how & when I traveled from Midway to Honolulu. A PB2Y (four engined Navy patrol plane) departed Midway about 0630 on 9 February with 12 pilots aboard. We arrived here about 7 1/2 hours later.
These 12 pilots were the nucleus for 2 new squadrons VMSB-232 and VMF-212.
The breaking up of our squadron was a very sad event. We had all become quite attached to each other and truly hated the parting. Of course there will soon be more divisions for the forming of new squadrons but that still doesn't help our feelings in the matter.
We will hold many a fond memory of Midway and the Gooneys. I can close my eyes now and visualize a noisey group playing pitch, Bob Haynes or Smitty striking down Gooneys with a long rope. Lord--they would do this hour after hour. We all got the biggest sort of kick out of it.
I mean it when I say it was with a sad heart that I looked out the porthole of our PB2Y and watched Midway grow smaller until it finally faded out all together. March 1, 1942 The new squadron organization went into effect today. I am now the squadron commander of VMF-212. My pilots consist of J. L. Smith-Exec., F. R. Payne-Flight, R. J. Morrell Jr.-Eng., C. J. Quilter-Mat., H. E. Ellis-Ord. & Gun., L. D. Everton-Pers., R. F. Stout, C. M. Kunz, I. W. Carter, J. C. Musselman, & Lee Roberts. We had an air raid alarm today at 0936. It was good practice and a lot of our deficiencies will be improved upon. The raid turned out to be a false alarm, due to some planes from the mainland getting off course. March 2 This is moving day. We transfer all our spares, maintenance gear, and other equipment to a new building. Things are a bit crowded when two squadrons are forced to operate from one building which is built for one operating squadron. I received several letters from the States today. 3 from Harriette, 1 from Mother & Dad, & 1 from Dale and Jean. I certainly have no complaint to make about communications with my people. March 3 This is our first day of operating with the Hawaiian Intercepter Command (Army). They seem to be quite pleased with having us to help them. When we get the opportunity to do our stuff I feel that they will be doubly pleased. Today is Bill's birthday and I've been thinking of him all day. It is hard to realize that we've had him for six whole years. March 4 We started this day off by being called at 0100. We did some rapid scampering and were all set for anything--but--no soap. We got back to bed about 0245. One of my pilots damaged a Fighter this A. M. during F.C.L.P. He, 2nd Lt. Carter, ground looped on his final landing and wrecked a wing. He, of cours, was not hurt. March 5 This was another bad day for us. Carter took off and barely got clear of the ground when his engine quit cold. He landed straight ahead as he'd been taught and escaped injury. The plane, on the other hand, was a complete washout. We will salvage what we can the throw the rest of the mess in a junk pile. March 6 Nothing much to report other than that I rec'd word from the Group Commander that my squadron would very shortly be moved along with a Marine Defense Battalion to a small Island near the Fiji group. We are given only a few days to get our gear packed, crated, painted, & loaded. I will be given 21 planes & pilots with an enlisted strength of about 175. On the surface this plan doesn't look too good. Another Wake situation can easily ensue unless there is more surface vessel & nearby air support than I know about. All I can say is "I hope we do half as well as they did at Wake." March 7 Well, we had another air raid alarm the A.M. about 1030. The weather was almost zero-zero so nothing came of it. Several enemy subs surfaced around the Island--so apparently they meant business. Scuttlebutt is overflowing with data that an air raid is imminent within the next few days. Here's hoping we get some live target practice pretty soon--I'll be getting stale shortly. I'm getting my personal things packed & will probably store them here until I get back from the Fiji mission. March 8 Another fruitless day goes by. I am, however, expecting an air raid any day now. There is too much activity around here to expect anthing different. I don't want to boast but I do feel that the Japs will get their bellies full of Pearl Harbor the next time they come. March 9 We are working furiously trying to get ready for our forthcoming "movement." We have little or no equipment and insufficient personnel even for the little amt of equipment. Oh Well! March 10 Same thing today! Trying to get something done without anybody to do it. There is still a great bit of confusion and indecision over our "movement" and what we will take in the way of equipment. Heard tonite that Midway had had its first aircraft vs aircraft engagement. Four of our fighters worked on a 4 engine patrol boat. Needless to say--they got him. Well done-boys! March 11 We started loading our gear aboard the transports today. We are sending everything except our airplanes and spare parts. That will go along with us on a carrier (we hope) at a later date--not far distant (we also hope).
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