Pacifica Military History Free Sample Chapters.pmd

Free Sample Chapters 147
VB-102 in 15 PB4Ys, VB-104 in 12 PB4Ys, the 5th and 307th Heavy
Bombardment groups in 48 B-24s and four SB-24s, VS-54 in 14 SBDs,
the 18th Fighter Group’s 44th Fighter Squadron in 25 P-38s, 3 RNZAF
Squadron in 15 PVs, VP-23 in 12 PBYs, VP-54 in six PBYs, VP-71 in
15 PBYs, VS-64 in eight OS2Us, VS-68 in eight OS2Us, SCAT in 21
C-47s and R4Ds, VD-1 in seven photo-reconnaissance PB4Ys, three
17th Photographic-Reconnaissance Squadron F-5s, 10 reserve P-39s,
and 10 reserve P-40s; at Munda—VF(N)-75 in six F4U night fighters,
the 18th Fighter Group’s 12th Figher Squadron in 25 P-39s, VC-24 in
24 SBDs, VC-38 in nine SBDs and nine TBFs, VC-40 in nine SBDs and
nine TBFs, VMSB-144 in 24 SBDs, VMSB-234 in 10 SBDs, VMSB-
244 in 24 SBDs, VMTB-143 in 10 TBFs, VMTB-232 in 20 TBFs, and
three 17th Photographic-Reconnaissance Squadron F-5s; in the Russell
Islands—three squadons of the 42d Medium Bombardment Group in
48 B-25s, VB-138 in 12 PVs, VB-140 in 15 PVs, VMF-211 in 20 F4Us,
and VMF(N)-531 in five PV night fighters; at Segi—VF-33 in 26 F6Fs,
VF-38 in 12 F6Fs, and VF-40 in 12 F6Fs; at Ondonga—VF-17 in 36
F4Us, the 347th Fighter Group’s 70th Fighter Squadron in 25 P-39s, 15
RNZAF Squadron in 21 Kittyhawks, and 17 RNZAF Squadron in 21
Kittyhawks; and at Barakoma—VMF-212 in 20 F4Us, VMF-215 in 20
F4Us, and VMF-221 in 20 F4Us.
During the night of November 1–2, two 394th Heavy
Bombardment Squadron SB-24s locate an IJN surface task force
speeding toward the Empress Augusta Bay invasion fleet. They sound
the alarm and attack the IJN flagship, a heavy cruiser. This action
precipitates the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, a decisive night naval
surface engagement that forces the IJN force to retire following the loss
of a light cruiser and destroyer to gunfire from USN surface warships.
* Task Force 38 [RAdm Frederick C. Sherman, Commander, Carrier
Division 1]: USS Saratoga (Fleet Carrier Air Group 12) and
USS Princeton (Light Carrier Air Group 23).