TRANSLATION
Mission No. 1: 4 June 1945
The area of Aritao was alerted. Four airplanes took off at 0645; flew
over the target from 0730 till 0750; and landed at 0845.
The controller directed bombing and straffing enemy positions situated
along Highway 5. Targets 19, 20, and 21 were bombed with the bombs falling in
the area of the target. The controller reported very good results from this
mission.
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Mission No. 2: 4 June 1945
The area over Aritao was alerted. Four airplanes took off at 0715 and
flew over the target from 0800 till 0830; landing at 0915.
The planes contacted the Controller from the Aritao region, who ordered
them to bomb and strafe South Aritao; the bombs covered 3/4 of the objective.
The Controller reported that the bombing and straffing had been good.
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Mission No. 3: 4 June 1945
To bomb and strafe the area of Vwacs. Four airplanes took off at 1115;
flew over the target at 1200 till 1230; and landed at 1315.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe the area of
Vwacs, to the West of Rio Santa Fe. Bombs fell in the target area, damaging
one building and wiping out a machine-gun nest.
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Mission No. 4: 4 June 1945
To bomb and strafe the Vwacs area. Four airplanes took off at 1145;
flew over the target at 1200 till 1230; and landed at 1300.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe the Vwacs area,
West of the bridge of Rio Santa Fe. The bombs fell in the target area but the
results were not observed due to heavy foliage.
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Mission No. 5: 4 June 1945
To bomb and strafe the Vwacs area. Four airplanes took off at 1215;
flew over the target at 1300 till 1330; landed at 1415.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe enemy troop con-
centrations situated to the North of the Vwacs area. Bombs fell in the target
area but the results were not observed due to heavy underbrush.
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Mission No. 6: 5 June 1945
The area over Aritao was alerted. Four airplanes took off at 0650; flew
over the target at 7,000 ft. from 0710 till 0750; landed at 0830.
The Controller had no support at the target and ordered the Squadron
leader to bomb the town of Dupax, flying from South to North and dropping the
bombs from an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet. The bombs were well dis-
tributed in the Western part of the town; two of them exploded in a good
position in a large building located just south of the intersection of two
principal highways on the NW side of Dupax. There was an explosion in the SW
corner of the building but it was not completely destroyed. Small fires were
produced instantly and black smoke was observed in the point of the impact.
The results were not observed due to the thickness of the underbrush.
Friendly troops and vehicles were seen on Highway 5 to the South of the
principal bridge which crosses the SW part of the town of Aritao.
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Mission No. 7: 5 June 1945
The area over Aritao was alerted. Four airplanes took off at 0715;
flew over the target at 6,000 feet, from 0755 till 0825; landed at 0910.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe enemy positions
on the Western side of the Canyon (? Canada), and on the North side of Highway
5 in Baganan, and at 4,000 yards over Aritao the bombs were dropped in the
target area and on both sides of Highway 5 between Baganan and Indiana. No
results were observed due to the thickness of trees and underbrush. The
Controller said that it had been a good mission and reported that our troops
had entered the town.
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Mission No. 8: 5 June 1945
To give direct support to the ground forces in the Aritao area. Two
airplanes took off at 0745; flew over the target at 6,000 feet, from 0830 to
0900; landed at 0950.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe enemy artillery
positions and possible tank concentrations in a ravine on the West side of
Highway 5, about 1 mile to the North of the town of Indiana, and enemy troop
concentrations on the West side of the Highway 5 in the same town. The
Controller reported that the target area was perfectly covered and very
difficult to observe due to the great amount of underbrush and dust over the
objective. The aircraft straffed both targets and after their passing, small
fires of short duration broke out; the small fire arms which were stationed in
the buildings of the town of Indiana were wiped out.
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Mission No. 9: 5 June 1945
The area over Aritao was alerted. Two airplanes took off at 1115; flew
over the target at 8,000 feet at 1215 till 1255; and landed at 1330.
This mission was made in the Aritao area and completed in the area of
Santo Domingo. The Controller assigned the target on the Southwest, in the
region of Bayombong; and the area was bombed to the NE of Highway 5 and
parallel to the main highway. The bomb passes were made from South to North,
dropping the bombs at approximately 1,500 feet the target was covered in an
excellent position by the bombs. Two straffing passes were made in the area
with the only visible result of the bombing and straffing being various weeds
on fire, which remained burning in the left area.
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Mission No. 10: 5 June 1945
The area over Aritao was alerted. Two airplanes took off/; flew over
the target at 6,000 feet from 1245 till 1345; and landed at 1415. at 12:15
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe enemy positions
on the East side of Highway 5 at 1,000 yards to the South of Bambang. The
bombs covered the area of the Southwest region and were dispersed in the
summit of the Hill. This region was heavily strafed and the results were not
observed due to heaviness of foliage.
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Mission No. 11: 6 June 1945
The area over Aritao was alerted. Three airplanes took off at 1215;
flew over the target from 1245 till 1330; and landed at 1420.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe artillery
positions situated 5,000 yards to the West of Highway 5, one mile SW of the
Bambang highway. They strafed opportune targets along the Main Highway,
setting one building afire and destroying an anti-aircraft position.
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Mission No. 12: 6 June 1945
The area over Bambang was alerted. Two airplanes took off at 0620;
flew over the target at 6,000 feet from 0650 till 0755; and landed at 0820.
The Controller instructed bombing and attacking enemy positions in a
canyon covered with foliage, situated on the West side of the Highway 5,
1,000 yards South of Bambang. Bombs were dropped in the target area which was
indicated to the aircraft by smoke. The buildings in the area of the
objective were destroyed and smoke was observed coming from the buildings.
This region was heavily strafed but damages were not seen due to darkness of
foliage; the only thing which could be observed were some lights like
explosions during the attack in Bambang. The ground patrols reported to the
Controller that the bombs fell exactly where they were needed.
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Mission No. 13: 6 June 1945
The area over Bombang was alerted. Two airplanes took off at 0620;
flew over the target at 0710 till 0740; landed at 0820.
The Controller directed bombing and straffing enemy positions along
the Canyon to the East side of Highway 5, at 1,000 yards South of Bambang. One
building within the target was destroyed, and debris and smoke were visible.
This same region was heavily straffed, but the results were not observed due
to the thickness of foliage. The bombing and straffing passes were made from
South to North at an altitude of 2,000 feet. Patrons of the ground forces
reported to the Controller that the bombs fell exactly where they were needed.
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Mission No. 14: 6 June 1945
To give direct support to the ground troops in the Bambang area. Two
airplanes took off at 0715; flew over the target from 0800 till 0830; landed at
0915.
They were directed by the Controller to strafe and bomb enemy troop and
artillery positions, on the East side of the hills about one mile West of
Bambang. The bombs were dropped in the area of the objective, this region
being heavily strafed, and numerous and small brush fires were started. The
Controller reported very good bombing.
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Mission No. 15: 6 June 1945
The area over Bambang was alerted. Four airplanes took off at 0750;
flew over the target from 0830 till 0900; landed at 0950.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb enemy troop concentrations
located in the East Hill in the decline of the mountain between 1,000 and
1,500 yards WSW of Bambang. The bombing passes were made from SW to NW,
releasing the bombs at an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet. The bombs
were well distributed in the target area. Stores of recent construction were
observed in the hills to the NW of Bambang. The Controller said that the
results were very good.
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Mission No. 16: 6 June 1945
The area over Bambang was alerted. Three airplanes took off at 1110;
flew over the target at 6,000 feet from 1140 till 1220; landed at 1300.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe enemy positions
located along the groves of the bridge on the South of Highway 5, 1,000 yards
West of Bayombong; all the bombs were released in the target area, covering
the bridge and the side of the hills, but the results were not observed due to
heavy foliage. The Controller ordered the straffing of a house hidden in the
same region, and after their straffing they saw that the house began to burn.
They also strafed the groves on the West side of Highway 5, at 4,000 yards
North of Zolano.
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Mission No. 17: 6 June 1945
The area over Bambang was alerted. Four airplanes took off at 1200;
flew over the target at 9,000 feet from 1245 to 1315; landed at 1415.
The target designated by the Controller was in the mountains Northwest
of Santo Domingo and in the hillsides of the Bayambang. The bombing passes
were made from East to West, dropping the bombs at an altitude of approx-
imately 2,000 feet. The bombs were well distributed in the target area but the
results were not observed due to heavy foliage.
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Mission No. 18: 7 June 1945
The area over Infanta was alerted. Six airplanes took off at 0615; flew
over the target from 0700 till 0730; landed at 0815.
The target was not attacked due to bad weather and the bombs had to be
dropped in the Lamut Bay.
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Mission No. 19: 7 June 1945
The area over Infanta was alerted. Six airplanes took off at 1400; flew
over the target from 1445 till 1515; landed at 1600.
The target could not be attacked due to bad weather and in view of this
fact the Controller indicated another objective in the slopes of the Rio
Anibongan, located 3,000 yards Southwest of the outlet of the river. The bombs
fell in the target area and the Controller could not observe the results of this
mission due to the objective being too far away.
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Mission No. 20: 10 June 1945
To give direct support in the Marikina River region. Seven airplanes
took off at 0710; flew over the target at 5,000 feet from 0740 till 0910; landed
at 0940.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb enemy positions located in
the waterfall West of the Panas Mountains. The bombs were perfectly distributed
over the target area but the results were not observed due to the heaviness of
the foliage covering the area. Two airplanes were directed by the Controller to
strafe the region where they had made bombing passes.
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Mission No. 21: 10 June 1945
To give direct support to the Marikina River basin. Seven airplanes took
off at 1220; flew over the target at 5,000 feet from 1250 until 1400; landed at
1430.
The mission was incomplete due to bad weather conditions; the bombs were
dropped in the sea of the Tabones Island.
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Mission No. 22: 11 June 1945
The area over Ozcariz was alerted and the River Lamut mission was
completed. Eight aircraft took off at 0800; flew over the target at 5,000 feet
from 0830 to 0945; landed at 1025.
The Controller directed bombing of the North region of Osacariz, in the
intersection of Highway 4 and Lamut River. The leader made an observation
flight over the target, and in the consecutive bombing and straffing passes
along the highway 4 and South of the River Lamut bridge, flew from NNW to SSE.
The results were not observed due to the heaviness of the underbrush.
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Mission No. 23: 11 June 1945
The area over Oscariz was alerted and this mission was completed
supporting the Payawan area. Five aircraft took off at 1130; flew over the
target at 7,000 feet from 1200 to 1300; landed at 1335.
The Controller directed them to bomb and strafe the enemy troop
concentrations which were blocking Highway 4, at approximately 2,200 yards WNW
of Payawan. The leader made a reconnaissance flight from SE to NW and then the
Squadron bombed and strafed both sides of the highway. The Controller reported
that the mission had been good.
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Mission No. 24: 12 June 1945
The area over the Marikina River basin was alerted; this mission was
completed at approximately 2,000 yards NE of the Mapatad mountain and 1,500
yards NE of the Campana mountain. Six aircraft took off at 0900; flew over the
target at 5,000 feet from 0930 to 1015; landed at 1100.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe enemy troop
concentrations in the Mapatad mountain region and Campana Mountain. The leader
made a reconnaissance flight from W to E and in the following flight the
Squadron dropped bombs in the target area with excellent results. After
bombing the enemy concentrations they strafed a position indicated to them by
an L-5 aircraft. They flew NE to SW and the pilots saw their bombs fall in
the region indicated by the L-5. One bomb exploded 400 yards NW of the target
between the East side of the Manadlan river. Friendly artillery observed fires
NE of the Peray River fork, in the Panas mountains, Cariba mountain, and the
Malac mountains.
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Mission No. 25: 12 June 1945
The Ballete Pass was alerted. The mission was not completed due to bad
weather. Seven aircraft took off at 1430; flew over the target at 6,000 feet
from 1535 till 1555; and landed at 1630.
When the leader was flying over the target he asked the Controller for
instructions but the objective was very overcast and as the Controller had no
alternatives, he ordered the bombs dropped in the Tabones Island.
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Mission No. 26: 13 June 1945
To give direct support in the Marikina River area. Five aircraft took
off at 0830; flew over the target at 8,500 feet from 0910 to 0930; and landed
at 1030.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb a ravine in the Marikina
River area. While they were bombing the objective, the second airplane of the
second element strafed the area during his pass. The bombs fell directly into
the target. One bomb fell 400 yards NNW of the smoke that was marking the
target. The results were not observed due to heavy foliage. One airplane
dropped its bombs in the Laguna de Bay because it could not release them over
the objective.
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Mission No. 27: 13 June 1945
The area over Infanta was alerted. Seven airplanes took off at 1240;
flew over the target from 1320 to 1325; landed at 1500.
The leader contacted the Controller and they notified him that there was
no target in that area. The Controller told him that the previous night the
command had been informed that said mission was ineffective. The bombs were
released in the Bogac Bay.
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Mission No. 28: 14 June 1945
The area over Montálban was alerted. Ten airplanes took off at 0730;
flew over the target at 6,000 feet from 0800 to 0845; landed at 0915.
The leader contacted controller "TROPHY" when arriving at Montálban
area. The Controller ordered that he contact the Controller of that area;
the leader contacted controller "TROPHY" 2, who indicated to them the target,
but the leader could not find the designation of the target. The leader tried
to contact controller "TROPHY" but radio contact was almost nill. Bombs were
dropped on Tabones Island.
One airplane was returned because of mechanical failure and its wing
accompanied it to drop bombs on Manila Bay.
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Mission No. 29: 15 June 1945
To bomb and strafe enemy concentrations, warehouses and munition dumps
at Tuguegarao. Nine airplanes took off at 0800; flew over the target at 5,000
feet from 0900 to 0930; landed at 1030. (One aircraft landed at 0830 due to
mechnical failure.)
They were directed by the Controller to bomb enemy concentrations at
Tuguegarao. The leader of the Squadron made two passes from East to West in
order to recognize the objective and on the following passes they bombed and
strafed said target; it was observed that one bomb fell directly on the West
side of the building, which was one of the designated targets, another bomb was
dropped on the objective and exploded approsimately in the Southwest corner of
the instersection point at some 400 yards. Five minutes later when they ended
the mission, the leader noticed blue smoke at approximately 1,500 feet. The
Controller reported two prolonged explosions in the target area. One aircraft
failed to release its bombs and dropped them on Lingayen Gulf.
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Mission No. 30: 15 June 1945
The area over Antípolo was alerted. Nine airplanes took off at 1230;
flew over the target at 7,000 feet from 1320 to 1400; landed at 1430. (Three
airplanes landed at 1315 without participating in the mission due to mechanical
failure. They released their bombs in the Laguna de Bay.)
The leader contacted the Controller in the Antípolo region, who directed
him to bomb and strafe enemy positions at approximately 1,200 feet. ESE of San
Andres the bombs fell on the target area. They strafed the East side of the
gorge of said town. The Controller reported good results from the bombing.
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Mission No. 31: 16 June 1945
The area over Infanta was alerted. Ten airplanes took off at 1145; flew
over the target at 5,000 feet from 1235 to 1315. They landed at 1350.
The leader contacted the Controller of the Infanta region, who informed
them that the assigned target was occupied by United States troops. The
Controller assigned them another target along Ikdan Creek, where there were
enemy concentrations. They made bombing passes from NE to SW along Rio Ikdan
creek. They observed two large explosions which produced brown smoke; they
made three strafing passes in this area. The Controller reported good results
on this mission.
They received enemy fire from mortars "MG" and from small fire arms; the
firing came from both sides of the river and along the beach. Two airplanes
were hit - one from mortar fire, and the other from small firearms.
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Mission No. 32: 17 June 1945
Bombardment of enemy concentration in the vicinity of Payawan. (North
and Center of Luzon). Nine airplanes took off at 1315; flew over the target at
5,000 feet from 1430 to 1500; landed at 1545. (One airplane returned due to
mechanical failure.)
Controller "BYGONE" with the help of Controller "DAYSI BLUE" directed
them to bomb and strafe enemy concentrations and a convoy, located approximately
6,000 yards NE of Payawan. The pilots saw the bombs fall on the objective.
After making strafing passes on the convoy they saw two trucks catch fire. The
airplanes were fired at by large mortars and close-range guns. Two planes were
hit but suffered only slight damage.
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Mission No. 33: 17 June 1945
Bombardment of enemy positions in the Zolanga area and in the vicinity of
Bambang. At 0730 six airplanes took off; flew over the target from 0920 till
0930; landed at 1000. (One pilot had an accident upon taking off from the
runway and was burned on the neck. The aircraft caught fire and the wing bombs
did not explode. Another airplane did not take off due to mechanical failure.)
The Controller directed them to bomb enemy troop concentrations located
approximately 6,500 yards WSW of Bambang. The leader made a pass in order to
familiarize himself with the objective, and on the following passes the bombs
were released in the area marked with phosphorous by the Controller; the pilots
saw the bombs fall in the target area but they were not able to observe the
results due to the thickness of the foliage. The Controller reported two long
bombs but in the target area, and that the other bombs fell directly on the
target.
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Mission No. 34: 18 June 1945
Bombardment of enemy concentrations along Lenatin River. Five airplanes
took off at 1200; flew over the target at 4,000 feet from 1245 to 1330; landed
at 1400.
The leader contacted the Controller in the Lenatin River region, who
directed them to bomb enemy positions in the bed of said river; an L-5 type
aircraft marked the target for them with a phosphorus bomb. The bombs were
released directly on the target. The pilots did not see the result of the
bombing due to the thickness of the underbrush. The Controller had ordered
that they were not to strafe the area which they bombed and marked a target to
be strafed a mile South of the bombing. They made two subsequent passes from
South to North, strafing both sides of the river bed beginning from the initial
point of the bombed area. Two machine-gun nests were destroyed on their first
pass, but when the airplanes began the second pass enemy machine-guns fired
again. The Controller reported excellent results on this mission.
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Mission No. 35: 18 June 1945
Enemy concentrations on Lenatin River were to be bombed. Seven
airplanes took off at 0730; flew over the target at 7,000 feet from 0805 to
0845; landed at 0945.
The leader contacted the Controller in the Lenatin River region, who
directed them to bomb and strafe enemy positions on the East side of said
river; the objective was perfectly marked by an L-5 type aircraft. They saw
all the bombs fall on the target but it was difficult to observe the results
due to the thickness of underbrush. The leader made two passes from South to
North, and on the first pass they bombed and strafed the targets; on subsequent
passes they strafed the area of the objective. The controller reported
excellent results on this mission.
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Mission No. 36: 19 June 1945
The area over Antipolo was alerted. Mission incomplete because the
radio on the L-5 was out of order. Six airplanes took off at 0800 and flew
over the target at 7,000 feet from 0845 to 0915; landed at 1000.
The Controller directed them to bomb enemy positions in the vicinity of
Antipolo. The Controller ordered them to contact an L-5 type airraft; the
leader tried to communicate by radio with the L-5 but the latter did not
answer. The leader of the Squadron saw the L-5 mark the target with
phosphorous, but the Controller ordered them to return to their base and
release the bombs in the Laguna de Bay.
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Mission No. 37: 20 June 1945
The area over Antipolo was alerted. At 0730 seven airplanes took off
and flew over the target at 7,000 feet from 0830 to 0850. They landed at 0930.
The Controller directed bombing and strafing enemy concentrations on the
East side of Montalban River. The objective was perfectly marked with white
smoke by the L-5; and they saw the bombs fall in the target area, but the
results could not be observed due to heavy underbrush. Strafing passes were
effected on both sides of the river. The Controller reported good bombing on
this mission.
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Mission No. 38: 20 June 1945
The area over Antipolo was alerted. At 1300 seven airplanes took off;
flew over the target from 1345 to 1414 at 3,500 feet; landed at 1500.
The leader contacted the Controller in the Antipolo region and was told
to wait for an L-5 which marked the objective for them with white smoke. The
leader made a reconnaissance pass over the target area and on subsequent passes
released the bombs over the objective to the North of Montalban River. These
passes were made from South to North. On orders from the Controller one plane
strafed said area passing from SW to NE. The results were not observed due to
the thickness of the foliage. One pilot reported that a machine-gun nest was
silenced. There was mortar fire and the Controller reported that the bombing
was good on this mission.
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Mission No. 39: 21 June 1945
The area over Malavito Mountian was alerted. Seven aircraft took off at
0830; flew over the target from 0935 to 1000; landed at 1030.
They were directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe enemy positions
approximately 150 yards from Malavito Mountain. The leader made a pass to
examine the objective and on the following pass they released the bombs on both
sides of the main highway and strafed the same area. The strafing passes were
effected from E to W. The pilots saw the bombs fall in the target area; the
Controller reported good results on this mission.
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Mission No. 40: 21 June 1945
The area over Ilagan was alerted. At 1300 seven airplanes took off;
flew over the target from 1400 to 1500; landed at 1600.
The leader contacted the Controller in the Ilagan region, who directed
the Squadron toward the town of Alcala, to the South of Tuguegarao. Controller
ordered the bombs released on an unidentified town, thinking that it was part
of Zalano. The Controller identified the town and told the leader that it was
not their objective. He directed the Squadron to Peńa Blanca and ordered them
to bomb it; the bombs were released on the target and the Controller did not
report the results of this mission.
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Mission No. 41: 22 June 1945
The area over Malavito Mountain was alerted. Eight airplanes took off
at 0800; flew over the target from 0840 to 0920; landed at 1000.
Directed by the Controller they bombed and strafed enemy positions in a
waterfall located approximately 120 yards Southwest of Infanta. After the
first test-pass they released the bombs on the target, followed by three
strafing passes. The Controller reported very good results on this mission.
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Mission No. 42:
The area over Agos River was alerted. Nine airplanes took off at 1245;
flew over the target from 1330 to 1350 at 4,000 feet; landed at 1445.
The Controller directed bombing and strafing enemy positions which were
marked for them with white phosphorous along Agos River. Bombs were released
in the target area but Controller did not report the results of this mission
due to the thickness of the underbrush. Enemy troops fired at the formation.
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Mission No. 43:
The area over Antipolo was alerted. Eight airplanes took off at 0730;
flew over the target at 9,000 feet from 0900 to 0930; landed at 1000.
Controller directed bombing and strafing enemy positions located East of
Kanan River. They made bombing and strafing passes from Southwest to
Northwest, but the pilots could not observe results due to heavy foliage. Four
large explosions were observed at one side of the alternate highway. The
Controller reported very good results on this mission.
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Mission No. 44: 23 June 1945
The area over Antipolo was alerted. Six aircraft took off at 1130; flew
at 7,000 feet over the target from 1220 to 1250; landed at 1330.
Controller directed bombing enemy concentrations located on the
topographical crest of a hill. They dropped their bombs on the target area and
the Controller reported very good results on this mission. The leader of the
Squadron received orders from the Controler to contact the special controller,
who in turn, ordered him to communicate with an L-5. The leader could not
contact the aircraft L-5 and consequently the Controller ordered him to check
with Controller #2, who designated the target for them.
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Mission No. 45: 24 June 1945
The area over Kanan River was alerted. Ten aircraft took off at 0730;
flew over the target at 7,000 feet from 0815 to 0945; landed at 1045. (One
airplane returned due to a high oil pressure.)
Controller directed bombing and strafing enemy troop concentrations
located on both sides of the Kanan River waterfall. Bombs fell in the target
area, and on subsequent passes they strafed both sides of the river from
Southwest to Northwest. The Controller could not observe the results as he was
far/away from the target area.
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Mission No. 46: 24 June 1945
The area over Infanta was alerted. Six airplanes took off at 1245; flew
over the target at 3,000 feet from 1320 to 1345; landed at 1445.
The Controller directed bombing enemy positions which were marked for
them in the Infanta area. Bombing was effected in close formation due to poor
atmospheric conditions; the leader led the Squadron through a small clearing in
the clouds, which was where they began the bombing passes. The Controller
reported that all the bombs and fallen directly on the target area.
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Mission No. 47: 25 June 1945
The area over Infanta was alerted. Twelve planes took off at 0915; flew
over the target at 6,500 feet from 0920 to 0945; landed at 1045.
The planes, directed by the Controller, bombed and strafed enemy troop
concentrations which were marked with white phosphorous; located on the South
side of Agos River. The bombing and strafing passes were made from South to
North. The bombs fell directly on the target and the Controller reported
excellent results on the mission.
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Mission No. 48: 25 June 1945
The area over Infanta was alerted. Twelve planes took off at 1300; flew
over the target at 6,500 feet from 1330 to 1345; landed at 1400.
The leader was directed by the Controller to bomb and strafe enemy troop
concentrations which were marked in the Infanta area, and bombs were released
within the target area. The Controller reported excellent results on this
mission.
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Mission No. 49: 26 June 1945
The Infanta area to the South of the Agos River was alerted. Eleven
airplanes took off at 0730; flew over the target at 6,500 feet from 0815 to
0850; landed at 0930.
The Controller directed bombing and strafing enemy troop concentrations
which were marked by phosphorous to the South of Agos River. The bombs fell on
the target area and the Controller reported good results on this mission.
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Mission No. 50: 28 June 1945
The area over Limutan River was alerted. Ten airplanes took off at 1300;
flew over the target at 7,500 feet from 1330 to 1345; landed at 1420.
The Controller directed the planes to bomb and strafe enemy positions
marked for them to the North of Limutan River. The bombs were released on the
target area, and they made three strafing passes from South to North, leaving
the target area in flames. The Controller did not report the results of the
mission, due to poor contact of his radio.
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Mission No. 51: 29 June 1945
The area over Limutan River was alerted. Ten airplanes took off at 0930;
flew over the target area at 4,000 feet from 1005 to 1050; landed at 1140.
Directed by the Controller, the Squadron bombed and strafed enemy
positions and concentrations located along the Limutan River. They strafed 25
Japanese lines which crossed the riverbed and were attacked by mortar fire and
anti-aircraft artillery. The Controller reported that the bombs had directly
hit the target, and also reported that the strafing had given very good results.
The Controller directed the leader to contact the special controller, who tried
to mark the objective with white phosphorous but obtained poor results. One
L-5 directed the leader by radio and the L-5 obtained good results in marking
the target for them. Passes were made from South to North.
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Mission No. 52: 30 June 1945
The Cervantes area was alerted. Nine airplanes took off at 0800; flew
over the target from 0830 to 0850 at 3,000 feet; landed at 0915.
The Controller directed them to bomb enemy positions located in the
Cervantes area, but due to bad weather the objective was not demolished. Since
the Controller did not have alternate targets he ordered the leader to release
their bombs into the sea south of China. (South China Sea).
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Mission No. 53: 4 July 1945
The area over Cervantes was alerted. Eleven airplanes took off at 0700;
flew over the target at 1,500 feet from 0800 to 0815; landed at 1000.
The leader contacted the Controller in the Cervantes region, who ordered
them to contact an L-5 at a town called Luna. The leader tried to communicate
with the L-5 but due to poor radio contact he could not communicate with the
L-5. The Controller ordered them to release their bombs into the southern sea of
China. (South China Sea).
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Mission No. 54: 6 July 1945
There was an incursion over the Island of Formosa; the purpose was to
attack aerial objectives. Eight airplanes took off at 0830; flew over Formosa
Island at 12,000 feet from 1100 to 1130; landed at 1300.
On this mission nothing was observed due to poor meterological
conditions. No enemies were encountered to attack.
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Mission No. 55: 7 July 1945
There was an incursion mission over Formosa Island. Its purpose was to
attack all enemy aerial objectives. Ten airplanes took off at 0900; flew over
Formosa Island from 1120 to 1140; landed at 1415.
At approximately 1045 they observed four aircraft, unidentified, flying
at 3,000 feet and 125 miles back and gained altitude but the leader could not
catch them due to the load of gasoline in the wing tanks. Over the Island of
Shokotosho they observed fires blazing on that island; and also four amphibious
airplanes flying at 10,000 feet; also observing that the airfield located
between Corondi and Tokyo had been repaired.
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Mission No. 56: 8 July 1945
There was an incursion mission over Formosa Island, the purpose of which
was to attack enemy aerial objectives. Ten airplanes took off at 0925; flew over
Formosa Island from 1105 to 1210; and landed at 1425.
When they were returning from Formosa Island at approximately 1300, they
saw four unidentified planes on the East side of Ryuku, flying North at 1,000
feet. The leader lost radio communication. One Squadron of P-38's and another
of P-51's were seen flying to the South of Formosa enroute to Luzon; one of the
pilots of the Squadron reported a submarine at approximately 22°10'N 120°30'E.
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Mission No. 57: 9 July 1945
There was an incursion mission over Formosa Island. Its purpose was to
attack enemy aerial objectives. Ten aircraft took off at 0900; flew over
Formosa Island at 12,000 feet from 1130 to 1200; and landed at 1415.
During the flight they encountered numerous B-24, B-33, P-51 and P-38
planes en route North, over the Southern part of Formosa. Two monoplanes were
seen at Heite Airdrome to the South of Takao. They observed two destroyers and
seven vessels of large floating surface, which were anchored in Toko Bay and
three hydroplanes alight in the same bay with all their necessary equipment.
The leader of the Squadron did not attack the ships in Toko, Formosa, because
his mission was only to combat aerial enemies or to intercept them.
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Mission No. 58: 8 August 1945
Bombardment of some buildings in the port of Karenko, Formosa. Eight
airplanes took off at 0745; flew over the objective at 12,000 feet from 1130 to
1040; landed at 1345. (Two airplanes returned due to lack of gasoline and
landed at Laoag at 1115 without participating in the Mission.)
Six airplanes bombed the buildings designated as primary target,
according to reference from a photograph of Karenko, Formosa. The bombs fell
between the river and the highway which runs from North to South, leaving two
fires and no damage to the buildings. Two airplanes after having participated
in the mission, landed at Lingayen base, due to lack of gasoline. The pilots
reported that the bombing was not effective.
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HOSTILITIES TERMINATED
Mission No. 59:
This was the last mission effected. Departed with a convoy to Okinawa
at six o'clock in the morning, until they were relieved by Black Widows at six
o'clock in the evening. This mission took place due to the fact that it was
feared there would be an attack of suicide planes based at Formosa.
"O"
Total number of combat missions: 59
Total time flown on combat missions: 846:45
Hours flown on escort mission No.59: 60:00
Total hours flown: 906:45
Total number of bombs used on combat missions:
Bombs weighing 1000 lbs. 538
Bombs weighing 500 lbs. 500
Total number of cartridges used on combat missions (0.50 caliber) : 152,668
Hours flown by the pilots of Squadron in combat zone: 1,290:45
NOTE: Flight in combat zone are training and adaptation missions for the
pilots to the combat systems which are used in war theaters, holding the same
risks and dangers as combat missions, since in the majority of cases they were
flown over enemy territory but without taking an active part in the missions.
Balbuena, D.F., 12 March 1946
2nd Captain, Pilot
Operations Officer and
Acting Squadron Commander
AMNADEO CASTRO ALMANZA
(259792)
(It will be noted there are various discrepancies in the spelling of names and
places; however, the translator copied them exactly as they appeared in
the Spanish original.)