Pacifica Military History Free Sample Chapters.pmd

Free Sample Chapters 81
12,000 feet to intercept a second wave of fighters and dive-bombers
should any appear. Since I was in Yellow Flight, I would remain with
the high group.
In our brief absence from the beachhead, low clouds had formed
against the hills and over portions of the beach. Although thin and
scattered, these hindered our view of the coast. Several naval vessels
were firing at low-flying enemy aircraft, and I observed sundry
ex-plosions in the beach area.
Red and White flights had left our altitude and were closing rap-idly
with the land. When Blue and Yellow flights arrived over the beach at
our assigned altitude, we placed ourselves above the ridgeline to serve
as a shield against any attacking force. I could not see either Red or
White flights due to low clouds. Blue Flight was then directed to support
our first two flights at low altitude. Yellow Flight was to hold our patrol
altitude.
We had no more than reinitiated our patrol than my radio receiver
went dead. All sound ceased. I hit my mike button to call my wingman,
but I received no response. He could easily see me in the cockpit, so I
informed him of my predicament by pointing to my headset and shaking
my head. He got the picture and indicated that he could not hear any
transmission from me. I intended to follow the flight from above and to
the rear. That accomplished, I checked my headset and various channels
on my radio, but to no avail. I was kaput as far as communications were
concerned.
This was for the birds. I wanted to join in whatever was going on
beneath me, not fly around looking for enemy aircraft that I had no
means of reporting should any arrive. I pulled abreast of my flight leader,
waggled my wings, and waved good-bye to signify I was going to leave.
He grinned and stuck his thumb up to bid me well. I peeled off and
started down to find something to shoot at.
When I arrived below the clouds, I found eight or nine P-47
Thun-derbolts engaged in a dogfight with four Oscars north and east of
the beachhead and about two miles away from my position. No P-38s
were in sight. I decided to help out the 47s. As I headed toward the
fracas, three of the Oscars broke off and headed southeast—the P-47s