With the National Guard in China
Text: Jan Bobek
Illustration: Piotr Forkasiewicz
Cat. No. 82108
World War II gave rise to many unusual situations, events, and units. Among these was the Connecticut National Guard's reconnaissance aviation unit, which ultimately achieved over 70 confirmed aerial victories on the Chinese battlefield.
The first U.S. aviation unit with the number 118 was the 118th Aero Squadron, formed on August 31, 1917, at Kelly Field, Texas. After moving to France, it was redesignated as the 639th Aero Squadron in February 1918 and served as a transport and supply unit.
In 1923, the 118th Observation Squadron was established as part of the Connecticut National Guard. Initially equipped with Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" and Curtiss OX-12 aircraft, it assisted during floods and worker riots. Gradually, it began using O-17 Courier aircraft, Douglas O-38 and O-46, O-47 medium planes, and Stinson O-49, among others.
In March 1941, the 118th OS was placed under Army command and moved to Jacksonville Army Airfield in Florida, where it participated in anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, it continued this mission from Charleston, South Carolina. Its equipment eventually included not only L-4 and L-5 observation aircraft but also P-40, A-20, and P-39 combat aircraft. In the first half of the year, however, it was ordered to relocate to India and later to China.
By June 1944, this unit, now designated the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS), became the fourth fighter squadron within the 23rd Fighter Group, carrying on the legacy of Chennault's "Flying Tigers." Under the command of Maj. E.O. McComas, the squadron began flying combat missions with P-40Ns from Kweilin Airfield, China. In late 1944, it rearmed with P-51B and especially C versions. The squadron's first two victories came when 1/Lt Oran Stanley Watts shot down two Oscars near Anking on July 7. The main adversaries of the American pilots on this battlefield were Japanese Army aviators flying Ki-43 and Ki-44 planes, with some Ki-84s appearing later in the war. Watts went on to achieve five victories, becoming one of the unit's three aces, Maj McComas and 1/Lt Russell D. Williams also achieving five kills each. Members of the 118th TRS returned to the U.S. after completing 100 combat sorties, typically after about six months of operational intensity.
When the 118th TRS arrived on the Asian battlefield, Chinese and Allied forces were facing Japan's Operation Ichi-Go, aimed at establishing a land link between the occupied eastern part of China and present-day Vietnam. The second goal of the operation was to seize Allied airfields from which the U.S. Air Force was launching raids on Japan. For the 23rd FG, this meant operating under extremely difficult logistical conditions and undergoing several evacuations of their own bases.
By October 20, the 118th TRS had flown nearly 6,000 operational hours, shot down 24 aircraft, probably destroyed 15 others, and damaged 22 in aerial combat. Its pilots had also destroyed 14 bridges and damaged 27 more, destroyed 296 vehicles and damaged 422, sunk 404 cargo vessels and damaged 1,439, and killed over 3,000 soldiers and 1,500 draft horses.
In November 1944, the 74th FS and 118th TRS found themselves in an extraordinary situation, tasked with operating from areas surrounded by Japanese forces. Maj McComas' brightly colored Mustangs flew from Suichuan Airfield. Until January 1945, the pilots attacked enemy logistics on land, sea, and rail, scoring numerous additional aerial victories and destroying aircraft on the ground.
By 1945, Japanese Army aerial activity in China had dwindled, with anti-aircraft fire becoming the main danger to Mustang pilots. During one such action in the spring of 1945, a Mustang was photographed bearing the names "Dottie N' Butch" and "Roxie" on its nose. This aircraft's chief mechanic was R.D. Anderson, and it was assigned to two pilots, Lt. L.D. Monaghan and Lt. G.J. Kaplanek. The final commander of the 118th TRS, Maj Martin Lubner, who had six confirmed victories and three probable ones from his time with the 76th FS, was photographed in his flight gear with this aircraft.
Central European readers may find it interesting that Gerald J. Kaplanek was the son of a Czech father and a Polish mother. Another pilot with Czech ancestry, Edward J. Vanecek, also served with the unit. He died in April 1944 in a crash in India. More details about this unique unit can be found on the website www.118trs.com.