Strana 13
HISTORY
During the ensuing battle, pilots from the
9th Fighter Squadron claimed one Zero each:
2nd Lt. I.B. Jack Donalson, 2nd Lt. John Dave
Landers, and 2nd Lt. Andrew Jackson Rey-
nolds. Additionally, Capt. Nathaniel H. Blanton
from the 7th Fighter Squadron claimed one
Zero as definitely shot down and another as
probably destroyed.
Over four days of intense fighting, the 49th
Fighter Group claimed 13 Zeros certainly shot
down and one probably destroyed, as well as
one bomber confirmed, one probably downed,
and three damaged. The Americans lost nine
P-40s, with one pilot not surviving.
The Japanese officially lost only two Zero
pilots, who went missing on June 13, though
it is possible they lost their bearings while
returning to base. During the three bombing
raids, approximately 20 G4M Betty bombers
were damaged, and two crew members were
killed. Meanwhile, Zero pilots claimed 19 con-
firmed victories and 12 probable victories in
these engagements.
After a six-week pause, the Japanese launch-
ed another raid on July 30, 1942. Takao Kōkūtai
sent 26 bombers to attack the RAAF base at
Darwin, approaching the target at 26,000 feet.
They were escorted by 27 Zeros from the 3rd
Kōkūtai. After receiving a warning from Aus-
tralian radar operators, 36 aircraft from the
49th Fighter Group took to the air to intercept.
Once again, the Japanese crews struck their
target with precision. One Australian aircraft
was damaged, and hits were recorded on the
runway, fuel supplies, and water pipes.
Pilots from the 9th Fighter Squadron clai-
med several victories. 1st Lt. I. B. Jack Donal-
son, 2nd Lt. John Dave Landers, 1st Lt. Andrew
Jackson Reynolds, and 1st Lt. Clay Tice Jr. each
shot down one Zero. 2nd Lt. Clyde L. Harvey
Jr. claimed a bomber as destroyed and was
also credited with the probable destruction of
a Zero. Their colleagues from the 7th Fighter
Squadron claimed two Zeros and two bombers
confirmed shot down, as well as one Zero as
a probable kill.
The battle was apparently chaotic once
again, as only two Zeros were lost. One was
shot down during the engagement, and its pilot,
PO1c Shigeru Mukumoto, was killed. The other
was lost near its base in Koepang due to an
engine failure, forcing its pilot, PO2c Masashi
Tomita, to ditch the aircraft. Japanese fighters
claimed 16 victories, including three probable
kills, but in reality, only one P-40 from the 7th
Fighter Squadron was shot down.
Within the 49th Fighter Group at this time,
it wasn't just pilots who were achieving vic-
tories. Among such airmen was a certain 2/
Lt. George Earl Preddy, Jr. who served with
the 9th FS "Flying Knights". During air combat
training on July 12, 1942, Preddy was flying
in a formation of four aircraft led by 2nd Lt.
John Sauber. He piloted his personal aircraft,
P-40E "Tarheel" (41-5509), number 85. During
a practice attack on Preddy, Sauber misjudged
the distance, resulting in a mid-air collision.
Sauber likely lost consciousness upon impact
and perished in his aircraft. However, despite
his injuries, Preddy managed to bail out of his
Warhawk, and his colleagues guided an ambu-
lance to the crash site.
Fortunately, he was found before nightfall.
He suffered multiple fractures, and the doc-
tor later stated that he would have bled to
Lt. Robert Harry Vaught and his plane "Bob´s Robin“.
INFO Eduard
13
March 2025