"You've gotta go after them"
The Corsair enters combat
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It's early 1943 and the Allies have established a
secure toehold in the southern Solomon Islands.
The Allies intend to continue their push up the
Solomon chain. The Japanese having conceded
Guadacanal and the Russell's are determined to
stop any further advance by the Allies.
This is a pivotal time in the Southwest Pacific.
The US Navy's frontline fighter, the Wildcat has
seen its design capabilities pushed to the limit.
New aircraft designs and tactics are needed for the
next phase of the conflict. Enter the F4U-1.
VMF-124 with pilots like Lt. Kenneth Walsh flying
aircraft number 13 would take the Corsair into
combat, learn how to employ it and develop tactical
doctrine.
Shortly after arriving at "the canal", Lt. Walsh
asked a very experienced Wildcat pilot how to go
about combat with the Zero. All he said was "You
gotta go after them". Corsair pilots of VMF-124
soon learned it would take a lot more than that.
The 69th Bombardment Group (M) is also operating
from Guadalcanal flying B-25's and B-26's. The 69th
flew over 40 combat missions from Guadalcanal and
over 300 missions in the SW Pacific. They bombed,
torpedoed, strafed, skip bombed and searched for
downed pilots. Their courage and determination
helped insure Allied victory in the Solomon’s.
Allied (Bishop)
Vox-218
F4U-1
F4F-4
SBD-5
TBM-3
B-25C
B-26B
M-3
M-16
M-8
M4A3
LVT
Elco PT boat
Axis (Knights)
Vox-220
A6M3
D3A1
B5N2
G4M1
M-3
M-16
M-8
M4A3
LVT
Elco PT boat
Cross channel vox-223
