Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Photon on September 21, 2006, 07:50:36 AM
-
I'm doing some research on the Battle of Okinawa and am looking for a definitive list of aircraft involved in the Battle.
So far I have been able to dig around on the net to put together the list below;
Does anyone have any information that will clarify if this list is correct or complete? Also what squadrons were involved in the battle?
Thanks
TBF Avenger
F4U-5 Corsair Vought Corsair with No. 1841 Squadron FAA on HMS Formidable
Seafire
Sea Hurricane Mk 1A-C or IIC
Wildcat
F6F Hellcat No. 1844 Squadron FAA
P-47D
B29
B24
P51
P61
A26
Nakajima B6N2 (Jill - single engine torpedo-equipped attack aircraft)
A6m2 (Zero)
Kawasaki Ki-45 Kai Hei (Nick)
Mitsubishi G4M3 Model 34 (Japanese Betty Bomber)
Kawanishi N1K2-Ja Shiden Kai
-
I haven't any information that would assist you other than the following information... the XF4U-5 first flew in April of 1946; that's a bit late for Okinawa.
According to "Warbird Tech Series, Volume 4, Vought F4U", and I'll quote:
"Beginning in January 1945, F4U-4Cs were produced with four 20mm cannon as standard armament. The first of these 300 aircraft reached Okinawa with Marine Air Group 31. Launched from the escort carriers Breton (CVE-23) and Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86), they flew ashore on L-Day plus seven (7 April) in time to intercept inbound kamikazes."
Another quote from the same source may be of interest: "The dash four probably had more variants than any Corsair model. Early on, the Royal Navy version was given the designation F4U-4B, but the war ended before the Fleet Air Arm aquired any such aircraft. Similarly, Goodyear was to have begun production of the equivalent FG-4."
I hope this information helps, sir.
Patches
-
Pretty sure the A6M5 was the most common Zero there.
Also the Ki-67 'Peggy' was used as well, first use of it by thye IJN.
-
Patches: I think that should be F4U-1C. The F4U-4A (what we have in the game) was the only variant of the -4 to see action in WWII. The 4B was the first to permanently introduce cannon to the Hog, and didn't enter service until after the war.
I don't believe there was a special designation for exported F4U-4s. The F4U-1B WAS the US designation for F4U-1As built for British service. The two were more or less indistinguishable, except I think the 1B had clipped wings. I think the -4 was JUST the -4, whether built for the US or the Brits.
-
Saxman...please refer to my quotes. Each Quote is direct from the book...not my personal preferences, or feelings.
The book is not expensive...and I gave its' title.
Here it is again: "WARBIRDTECH SERIES, Volume 4, Vought F4U CORSAIR", and my qoutes came from page 45.
Sir,
Patches
-
I know. I think that BOOK is either wrong or just misprinted the designation.
The description the quote gives of the 4C matches the 1C almost perfectly. The F4U-1C entered combat in early 1945, was armed with 20mm cannon, and had a production run of 300 aircraft.
Anyone seen WW or DOA?
-
Ki-43 was an in service kamikaze type at that time.
-
Dunno if this helps -
Both the Seafire LIIc (Merlin 32) and LIII were used.
You could work out the squadrons by cross referencing here -
http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net
-
Good point about the BPF birds, add the Firefly too
-
Thank you very much everyone for your comments
Anyone else have any comments or have any books/references on the battle of Okinawa that may provide some clues?
I'm surprised that this information isn't already listed somewhere on the net, I've looked long and hard.
Regards,
Photon
-
If you do a search on the U.S. Navy historical website...
I found a by-month list of aircraft. All aircraft in the U.S. Navy inventory broken down by squadron and location. I'm not sure about the RNAF aircraft, but I'm sure there are some books out there that cover the air portion of the battle in detail. That battle has probably the most books written on it than any other U.S. campaign in the Pacific.
-
Stoney74
Thanks for your post, there is a lot of useful information there.
Regards,
Photon
-
I believe the 80th also took part in the early stages of the battle in their P-38s.
ack-ack
-
The Fleet Air Arm used the Corsair II ( F4U-1A) and the Corsair IV (F4U-1D) at the time of Okinawa. They also used the Seafire L. III, and Hellcat. The Royal Navy did not operate the F4U-1C or the F4U-4 in WW2.
Strike a/c were the Barracuda and the TBF Avenger.
The Sea Hurricane was long since retired, and took no part in the battle. It never served with the British Pac Fleet.
The USN "Wildcat" was the FM-2, not the F4F.
The Japanese also used the A6M5 Zero on Okinawa as well as the types listed in the 1st post. Not as Kamikaze, but as regular fighters.
-
Privateer going down over Okinawa
(http://www.navylib.com/ContributedPics/S.Hawley/59563.jpg)
-
Originally posted by Squire
The USN "Wildcat" was the FM-2, not the F4F.
Squire,
In the FAA - did they have any F4F-4's operating off the CVE's of the British Pacific Fleet?
!
-
somewhere out on the 'net is great, comprehesive PDF about the British Pacific Fleet.
i read it a few months ago, but it ain't in my bookmarx:mad:
-
Originally posted by Debonair
Privateer going down over Okinawa
(http://www.navylib.com/ContributedPics/S.Hawley/59563.jpg)
Lordy is that a huge freeking hole over the wing spar / fuselage area?
-
Originally posted by Squire
The USN "Wildcat" was the FM-2, not the F4F.
F4F was the "Wildcat". FM-2 was the General Motors version of the improved F4F-8. FM-1 was the GM version of the F4F-4.
Grumman stopped building Wildcats in '43 in order to pump out Hellcats. So, GM picked up the production, so when the XF4F-8 went into production, they were all identified as FM-2.
Martlet I and II were FAA names for the F4F-3 with different engines for the two designations. Mk I's were originally French Wildcats. The Martlet Mk III were originally Greek F4F-3's. The Mk IV was the RN version of the F4F-4 with 6X.50 cal instead of 4. The Mk V was the RN version of the FM-1, and the Mk VI the RN version of the FM-2. There are some references to the Mk II having 6X.50cal, but I don't know if this was a change that occured during acquisition or if they were ordered with the greater armament.
-
Originally posted by zorstorer
Lordy is that a huge freeking hole over the wing spar / fuselage area?
hit by archibald-san
http://www.navylib.com/Flak59563.htm
BTW i dont see any float or sea planes listed, nor C6N "Myrt"
also, wtf kinda name is "Myrt"?:huh :huh :confused: :confused:
-
Regarding "Okinawa USN Wildcats". They were all FM-2s. If you start saying Wildcats then folks get the wrong impression. No F4F-4s were in service in the battle.
No Jester, the BPF did not operate any Wildcat versions (F4 or FM) in the 1945 campaigns, the Fleet Carriers and Light Carriers did not operate them.
Its possible the BPF had a few CVEs in 1945 that did have "Martlets" (Wildcats or FMs of some version), but none saw action that I am aware. If there were any they were not in the Okinawan campaign.
-
Originally posted by Squire
Regarding "Okinawa USN Wildcats". They were all FM-2s. If you start saying Wildcats then folks get the wrong impression. No F4F-4s were in service in the battle.
No Jester, the BPF did not operate any Wildcat versions (F4 or FM) in the 1945 campaigns, the Fleet Carriers and Light Carriers did not operate them.
Its possible the BPF had a few CVEs in 1945 that did have "Martlets" (Wildcats or FMs of some version), but none saw action that I am aware. If there were any they were not in the Okinawan campaign.
"In March [1944] British names for American aircraft were standardized along U.S. lines, so Royal Navy F4F and FM's also became Wildcats..."
--Wildcat Aces of WWII--
813 and 835 Squadron still flying Wildcats in Feb 1945 in North Sea
882 Squadron still flying Wildcats in March 1945 in North Sea
882 Squadron only squad still flying Wildcat Mk VI's on VJ Day
No FAA Wildcats in the Pacific during the Okinawa campaign
110 BPF Corsairs participated in the Okinawa campaign. 270 total FAA aircraft. BPF combined with USN ships as part of TF 57. Corsairs performed flak suppression, attack, and kamikaze intercept. Began operations on 27 March, 1945. Claimed 10 victories between all 6 squadrons during the campaign.
HMS Illustrious--1830 and 1833 Squadrons
HMS Victorious--1834 and 1836 Squadrons
HMS Formidable--1841 and 1842 Squadrons
-
This list is incomplete, and may have a few errors on squadrons or aircraft assigned. If I couldn't look it up, I just put a question mark indicating squadron, number assigned, type aircraft or variant. This may get you going. I think I'm missing a couple of VMO squadrons that were ashore flying observation planes for Marine units. I'll do some looking online and see if I can find a better air order of battle. Pretty amazing how many Essex class carriers were involved...
USN and USMC units
AFLOAT
USS Bunker Hill
VF-84 36 F4U-1D
VMF-451 18 F4U-1D
VMF-221 18 F4U-1D
VF(N)-76 4 F6F-3N
VT-84 ?? TBM
USS Hancock
USS Langley
VF-23
USS Bennington
?VMF-112 F4U
VF-82 ?? F6F-5
VB-82 ?? SB2C-4
VB-1 ?? SB2C-4
USS Belleau Wood
VF-30 ?? F6F
USS Hornet
VF-?? ?? F6F
VT-17 ?? TBM
USS Cabot
VT-29 ?? TBM
USS Yorktown
VT-9 ?? TBM
USS Intrepid
VF-10 ?? F4U
VT-10 ?? TBM
USS Randolph
VF-
VBF-12 ?? F6F-5
VB ?? SB2C-4
VT ?? TBM
USS Shangri-La
VF-85 ?? F4U
VBF-8 ?? F4U-1C
ASHORE
VMF-311 ?? F4U-1C
VMF-323 ?? F4U-1D
VMF-222 ?? F4U-4
VMF(N)-533 ?? F6F-?N
-
Fantastic,
Thank you all very much for your time and effort in responding to my post. All this information is very useful.
Stoney74, you had qustion marks against "VMF-311 ?? F4U-1C"
FYI
"The F4U-1C in Aces High carries the markings of VMF-311 during the Okinawa campaign".
http://www.hitechcreations.com/ahhelp/models/f4u1c.html
Photon
-
Yeah, the question marks in front of the aircraft type mean I didn't know how many aircraft were assigned...
I also wasn't sure about VMF-112's participation. I know they were assigned to the ship shortly after the battle, and I know they are listed as a squadron involved in the battle so I just assumed.
-
Hey Stoney,
In reference to your list above:
VF-10 GRIM REAPERS flew two models of the Corsair while assigned to the USS INTREPID CV-11. Dates below:
VF-10
Feb.-April.45 - F4U-1D "Corsair"
July-Sep.45 - F4U-4 "Corsair"
! :aok
-
A little errata...
BPF consisted of the Indomitable, Victorious, Illustrious, Indefatigable. Not the Formidable as I listed above. Formidable was refitting at the time...TF 57 was the BPF. TF 58 was the U.S. carrier task force. They didn't combine, although there were some pilot/squadron exchanges between the 2 countries Corsair squadrons.
More units ashore:
VMF-441
VMF(N)-542
VMF-312
There were 2 VMTB squadrons (TBM's) but I don't know the designations.
-
(http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9450/okinawauv4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(MAP NOTE: Dates on map show day unit arrived at location - not comminced combat ops.)
USMC AIR UNITS ASHORE: OKINAWA
(Along with base of operations and dates units started combat operations)
TACTICAL AIR FORCE: TG 99.2
AIR DEFENCE COMMAND: TU 99.2.1
MAG-31 (Yontan, Chimu) April 7
VMF-224
VMF-311
VMF-441
VMF(N)-542
MAG-33 (Kadena, Awase) April 9
VMF-312
VMF-322
VMF-323
VMF(N)-543
MAG-22 (Ie Shima, Chimu) May 21
VMF-113
VMF-314
VMF-422
VMF(N)-533
MAG-14 (Kadena, Awase) June 8
VMF-212
VMF-222
VMF-223
ANTISUBMARINE UNIT: TU 99.2.3
VMTB-232 April 22
VMTB-131 May 30
(NOTE: Though an ASW unit, VMTB-232, due to lack of equipment and USN units able to cover her role was pressed into Day/Night troop support bombing and para dropping suppies.)
BOMBER COMMAND: TU 99.2.2
VMB-612 July 29
(NOTE: Only a few missions flown.)
AIR SUPPORT CONTROL UNIT: TU 99.2.5
VMO-2 (2nd MarDiv)
VMO-3 (1st MarDiv)
VMO-6 (6th MarDiv)
VMO-7 (III AmphibCorps Artillery)
(NOTE: Flying L-4 Light Planes to provide spotting for air support and artillery.)
USMC AIR UNITS AFLOAT: OKINAWA
(NOTE: Not counting TASK FORCE 58 units.)
TASK UNIT 52.1.1 (Later 32.1.3)
MCVG-1 (USS BLOCK ISLAND CVE-106) May 10
VMF-511
VMTB-233
MCVG-2 (USS GILBERT ISLANDS CVE-107) May 21
VMF-512
VMTB-143
(NOTE: Each "Marine" CVE carried 8x F4U-1D, 8x F6F-5N, 2x F6F-5P & 12x TBM's.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope this helps you out. :aok
If pressed, I can give you the type of aircraft for each squadron - but it will take some time.
I can also give you a similar list for the ARMY AIR FORCE Units ashore and the day they started combat ops.
Let me know.
!
-
Good post, thanks for clearing that up. I was trying to piece together stuff from a couple of books and some websites...
-
NP Stoney - glad to help. :aok
I got a little time on my hands so I will go ahead and post the AAF Units. It might help anyone trying to track down the exact plane types.
There were also some USN units ashore but I don't have much info on them.
!
-
USAAF AIR UNITS ASHORE: OKINAWA
(Along with dates units started combat operations and aircraft.)
TACTICAL AIR FORCE: TG 99.2
28th RS April 22 (F5A - P-38 Lightning Photo Recon A/C)
AIR DEFENCE COMMAND: TU 99.2.1
\/
301st FIGHTER WING
\/
318th FIGHTER GROUP May 13 (P-47 Thunderbolt)
19th FS
73rd FS
333rd FS
548th NIGHT FS (P-61 Black Widow)
413th FIGHTER GROUP June 20 (P-47 Thunderbolt)
1st FS
21st FS
34th FS
507th FIGHTER GROUP June 30 (P-47 Thunderbolt)
463rd FS
464th FS
465th FS
BOMBER COMMAND: TU 99.2.2
\/
41st BOMBBARDMENT GROUP (M) June 26 (B-25 Mitchell)
47th BS
48th BS
396th BS
820th BS
494th BOMBBARDMENT GROUP (H) July 1 (B-24 Liberator)
864th BS
865th BS
866th BS
867th BS
319th BOMBBARDMENT GROUP (L) July 8 (A-26 Intruder)
437th BS
438th BS
439th BS
440th BS
11th BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) July 12 (B-24 Liberator)
26th BS
42nd BS
98th BS
431st BS
NOTE: This is just a list of squadrons that took part in the invasion that ended up being based on Okinawa. It is also "possible" that P-51D MUSTANGS based on nearby Iwo Jima took part in strikes on the island just before and during the Invasion but I have yet to find any record of it.
!
-
Found a list also of what the USMC units ashore were flying.
MAG-31 (Yontan, Chimu) April 7
VMF-224 (F4U Corsair)
VMF-311 (F4U-1C Corsair)
VMF-441 (F4U Corsair)
VMF(N)-542 (F6F-5N Hellcat)
MAG-33 (Kadena, Awase) April 9
VMF-312 (F4U Corsair)
VMF-322 (F4U Corsair)
VMF-323 (F4U Corsair)
VMF(N)-543 (F6F-5N Hellcat)
VMTB-232 April 22 (TBM Avenger)
MAG-22 (Ie Shima, Chimu) May 21
VMF-113 (F4U Corsair)
VMF-314 (F4U Corsair)
VMF-422 (F4U Corsair)
VMF(N)-533 (F6F-5N Hellcat)
VMTB-131 May 30 (TBM Avenger)
MAG-14 (Kadena, Awase) June 8
VMF-212 (F4U-4 Corsair)
VMF-222 (F4U-4 Corsair)
VMF-223 (F4U-4 Corsair)
MISC.
VMB-612 (PBJ - B-25J Mitchell)
VMO-2 (L-5 Stinson)
VMO-3 (L-5 Stinson)
VMO-6 (L-5 Stinson)
VMO-7 (L-5 Stinson)
With the exception of VMF-311's F4U-1C's and MAG-14's F4U-4's I imagine all the other Corsairs were F4U-1D's.
!
-
The only exception to USMC a/c type is that most VMF squadrons had 2 or 3 F6F for photo recce work assigned. They flew them on occasion, but I don't know how regularly or whether they were present during the battle.
-
THANK YOU!!!
Stoney74 and Jester, you two are legends!
This is exactly what I was after.
Do you have any references for where your information came from?
Where did you get the map? from a book or on the net somewhere?
I really appreciate the time and effort you have put in to answering my post.
!!
Photon
-
My source was the book:
HISTORY OF MARINE CORPS AVIATION IN WORLD WAR II
By Robert Sherrod
Combat Forces Press - Washington, D.C. 1952
First Edition
Library of Congress # 52-6344
One of the Top 5 best sources ever written for ANYTHING haveing to do with Marine Corps Air in WW2.
It has several maps and the whole OOB for both USMC & USAAF units ashore during the Okanawa Campaign.
Best $40 I ever spent when I grabbed it up. :aok
!
-
I was using a couple of the Osprey books, Wings of Gold by Gerald Astor, and a whole bunch of websites I googled (except for wikipedia). More websites than the above books...