U.S. Navy VPB-118 – “The Old Crows”

January 17, 1945

Binning and Lodato did 900-mile patrols, uneventful.

January 18, 1945

Weller and Pettes flew 1,000-mile patrols, with Pettes making close visual contact with Iwo Jima. Luehman went out also, but had to return one plane for a gas leak, then another for an oil leak, before getting a solid plane and took it on a patrol that took it past Chichi Jima.

January 19, 1945

On a regular 1,000-mile NW sector patrol, Keiser dropped out of the cloud cover to investigate a radar target and saw that they were over a previously unknown Japanese position on Oagari Daito. Startled, they left quickly and returned to base low on fuel, with only 20 minutes' worth left in the tanks. Montgomery was also on patrol and as well as Keiser sighted a submarine. Montgomery was able to make a positive ID and start a run on the sub but it slipped away. It is believed that this sub was on its way to Ulithi with kamikazi torpedoes, based on Japanese war records.

January 23, 1945

On 1,000-mile patrol going past Haha Jima, Chichi Jima, and Muko Jima, Binning sighted what he estimated as a Sugar Charlie Sugar 100-ton Japanese freighter, which they strafed and showered with cluster bombs. The damaged ship apparently did not sink. On the return trip, they strafed a motor launch and set it on fire. (Note: I will add a glossary for the ship classifications soon.)

January 24, 1945
Start of Fleet Coverage

Lloyd and Keiser flew the first of fleet coverage patrols in preparation for the invasion of Iwo Jima. During fleet coverage patrols, VPB-118 planes would report to the fleet Air Control Officer to be assigned patrols using visual inspection and radar to look for enemy ships or surfaced submarines. Patrols were frequently at night and lasted about twelve hours. However, since the round trip from Tinian was about eight hours, the patrols usually lasted about four hours. Other squadrons participated in these patrols to give as close to round-the-clock coverage as possible.

During these fleet coverage patrols, Dodson, Weller, and Pettes flew 1,000-mile patrols beyond the fleet. No enemy was encountered. During this time the Task Force fleet shelled and bombed targets on Iwo Jima to soften up Japanese defenses before the coming landing.

January 29, 1945

VPB-118 has been flying four patrols per day, and all crews have been out on patrols. There have been no enemy ships sighted. Navy Task Force raids are about two weeks away, with the invasion of Iwo Jima to take place about three weeks in the future.

January 30, 1945

The Fifth Fleet, commanded by Admiral Spruance, took over operations from the Fifth Fleet, commanded by Admiral "Bull" Halsey. Spruance was considered more conservative by VPB-118 personnel; Halsey's leadership style was appreciated for its recognition of acheivements by fleet crews.

February 1, 1945

A few miles NE of Iwo Jima Finley crew intercepts 1200-ton Fox Tare Dog. They broke off attack because of "accurate moderate to intense AA fire." Although no bombs were used, the crew strafed the ship, starting fires on the stern and causing an explosion amidships. After four minutes, there was a second explosion on the aft of the ship. Despite calling for help, none arrive after 40 to 50 minutes. Degolia was out and responded, but was intecepted by a Japanese night figher which succeed in diverting his plane. The Fox Tare Dog was left dead in the water, outcome unknown.

In retrospect, VPB-118 crews had not yet become accustomed to the capabilities of their planes and crews. The authors of the VPB-118 book note that only weeks later, the Privateers would have dominated in these engagements.

First Week of February, 1945

Since PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bombers were unfamiliar aircraft, Weller and Pettes flew a "recognition flight" patrol past the ships of the fleet on 4 February. Lt. Commander Farwell did another on the 12th. The profile of the PB4Y-2 bore somewhat of a resemblence to that of a Japanese "Betty" 2-engine bomber, so concern about "friendly fire" was a real concern. Bettys were fairly common, which added to the problem.

On 5 February, the Leuhman crew was about 25 miles north of Iwo Jima, headed outbound on a sector patrol, when they were attacked by two Zeroes (Zekes) which were by then based on island airstrips, since there were no operational carriers at that time. One Zero attempted to hit the Privateer with a phosphorous bomb, but it missed. Then they made runs on the PB4Y-2 from in front and broadside, firing 20mm cannons. However, both Zeroes fired from "extreme range" and broke off their runs as soon as the gunners on the PBY4-2 fired their .50 cal guns. After that, the Zeroes ended their attack and flew away, with one plane smoking.

On 7 February Degolia was on a patrol passing five miles east of Iwo Jima, with Hollywood actor Leif Ericson onboard. Ericson had enlisted for the war effort and was serving as a war photographer. While Ericson was photographing several small ships near Iwo Jima two Zeroes took off from #2 runway and came after the Degolia plane. One attacked from 5 o'clock but broke off when gunner Brooks fired a burst back. The other Zero flew alongside from 600 yards out then came around and started a run from 1 o'clock but was dissuaded by gunner Ransom in the forward top turret. Another phosphorous bomb was dropped, but apart from a little nervousness on the part of the crew, no damage was done to the Privateer. By this time the Japanese fighters were starting to be seen by VPB-118 crews as cautious and their phosphorous bombs as dramatic but ineffective. In fact, no damage was ever done to a VPB-118 plane by a phosphorous bomb.

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