Photo: Cpl. L. M. Ashman, USMC via NHHC

HISTORY

Photo: via autor

The wreckage of a Wildcat after one of the Japanese raids on Henderson Field.

Capt. Joe Foss (left) became the most successful ace of the Southern Solomons campaign and the first American

aviator to match Eddie Rickenbacker’s World War I score of 26 victories.

April 2023

The Ryūjō force approached Guadalcanal

from the direction of Florida and Malaita

islands at 10,000 feet. Lieutenant

Murakami led the six Kates along with

the six escorts led by Warrant Officer

Shigemi in one formation, while the

formation of nine “attack” Zeros led by

Ryūjō’s Hikōtaichō (air group commander)

Lieutenant Nōtomi, flew about 1,600 feet to

the right of the bombers.

Carl spotted the force over Tulagi. As he

wheeled his four Wildcats into position,

he radioed a warning to Henderson Field.

When the “Condition One” flag went up in

response, the r pilots scrambled to man

all the available Wildcats, followed by

a further scramble down the main runway.

While they were supposed to take off in

order of divisions and sections behind

the flight leader, in practice everyone

rushed to get airborne to gain the altitude

advantage over the incoming bombers.

Because of performance differences

between the individual planes, the system

of elements and divisions broke down,

and everyone joined up on whomever was

closest. Leading the dash was Captain

Rivers Morrell, VMF-223's executive

officer.

At 1423 hours, Carl peeled off and led

the way as the four Wildcats dived on the

Ryūjō force. Carl lined up on six airplanes

in the larger formation that turned out to

be Shigemi’s six escort Zeros. Firing from

overhead and diving through the formation

with Technical Sergeant Lindley glued to

his wing, Carl was certain he had set one

of the “bombers” on fire for his first victory

over Guadalcanal and second of the war.

Close behind, Hamilton and Gutt fired at

the same formation. While Hamilton was

drawn into a protracted dogfight with

three of the “escort” Zeros, Gutt was able

to shoot one of the Kates and dive through

the formation behind Carl and Lindley,

who became separated as they zoomed to

regain altitude for a second attack.

The Kates came directly over the beach

and lined up on the four 90mm antiaircraft

guns of Battery E, 3d Defense Battalion.

At 1428 hours the guns opened fire while

the Kates released their 36 60-kilogram

bombs in a group drop at 1430 hours.

A “Betty” was claimed by the overexcited

gunners, who actually hit nothing. The

Kate’s drop was equally ineffective, with no

damage inflicted even though the bombs

detonated on either side of the guns.

Nōtomi’s attack formation had more

success. The three shotai formations

attacked from three directions just as the

bombs were dropped, strafing the runway

with impunity. Nōtomi’s threesome caught

INFO Eduard

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