. ,.. .•, ' ' ... . . ~· • . . . . . UNITED ST.•. TES P' CIFIC FLEET • AIR FO!lCE • CVG-19/Al6-lJ(l) CARRIER AIR GROUP NINETEEN Serial: 023

2C April 1951

From: C omm11nrter Carrier Air Group NIN""'f!'.TEEN To: Commandin.e- Officer, U.S.S~ PIUNCETON (CV-37)

Subj: Acti0!1 Re9ort for period 26 February 1951 through 2 April 1951

Ref: (a) CNO restricted letter Op 345, ser 1197P34 of 3 Aug 50

Encl: ( 1) Chart of A-ction (2) Ch~rt of DAS, Night Heckler, and Fighter Action (3) Chart of Jet Recon;_,aissance Action (4) Chart of Bridges Damaged

1. The follo~ing action report of Carrier Air Group NINETEEN for the period 26 Februnry~951 through 2 April 1951, as required by reference (a), is fo~arded for inclusion in the report of the U.s.s. PRINCETON (CV-37), I Mission and Composition of Own Forces.

1. During the above specified period Carrier Air Group NINE~ operated aboard the u.s.s. PRINCETON (CV-37), having as its primacy mission the close air support of ~he United Nations Forces in and as ita second­ ary mission the interdiction of enamy supply lines throu~hout the eastern half of •

.2. The Air Group commenced \his ph.qse of ope~ration with the following air­ craft and pilots assigned: No. aboard No .. Available Pilots aboard (a) F9F -21J - Panther 17 16 28 (b) F9F-2P -Panther Photo 3 3 3 (c) FW~·olf • Corsair 30 30 44 (d) F4U-5N - Corsair Nipht 4 3 6 (e) AD-4 - Skyroider 17 15 . 26• (f) AD-J.N - Skyraider Nipht 2 2 5 (p) \D-4'< - Skyraider Queen 2 2 2 (h) \D-4W - Skyraider William 2 2 5 ( i) H03...S - Pinwheel 1 1 2 II SumJn.cy. ·

During the first eight days of oper&tion (26 Feb to 5 Mar) after returning to the Task Force the F4U-4 and F4U-5Ns of VF-193, VF-192, and VC-3 ranged over the peninsula of Korea attacking rail and highway bridges, houses, supply dumps 1 wareho-uses, vehicles, ox carts, tunnels, railroad cars and locomotives and sidings,. tanks, gun emplacements, and troops in close air support missions. Durin€' this period these squadrons flew one hundred thirty nine sorties com;;rised of NGF" CAS, Liaison, Rec.eo, Pre...da1rn and

COI!FlDENTIAI ENCLOSURE).. . ' '"'-/ ·-' .• ·' f • . . CVG-19/A l&.lJ( l) •·Serial: 023 ZC April 1951

night hecklers and pre-briefed tunnel and bridf!'e st~ikes. The loads were varied from ATARs• HVARs• 100/1 GP, 26ril Frags, 5rxil GP 1 lGrxi/.GP and Napalm to .suit the mission.· •

Also during this eight day period the ADs of VA-195 .and VC-35 flew ninety thre6 combat miSsions agAirist enemy forces.- They destroyed bridges, big~ wa.ys 1 .. railroads,._ tunnels, entrenched troops,. gun positions, banks, and supnly art?as. The pl.:!.nes were flown on armed recco flights covering the supply lines in NE Korea with excellent results achieved; close air support fll~hts all along the battle line; and on a large number of "bridp:e and tunnel buSting'' missions.- ·

While the F4Us and ADs were wrecldnp- hl"tvoe on the bridges and troops of the enemy the F9F-2s of VF-191 flew forty seven sorties comprised of armed recco nnd nhoto escorts fli,11hts covering most of NE Korea •. During- these fli?hts the F

Durinp the nine day period of 6 March to.l4 March the F9F Panthers of VF-191 flew twenty four· sorties on armed recco attacking houses, warehouses. barracks, railroad cars, locomotives, ox carts~- and troops with excellent results. The jets carried ATARs and; HVARs over the NE supply routes to seek out targets to dest'r~. • The AD-411 and F4U-~s of VC-35 and VC-3 were launched on 36 pre-dawn and night heckler missions tha.t carried them over the suppJy routes of North Korea•. They carried their varied bomb loads to· numerous targets including tanks,,troops, trucks 1 supply'dumps1 w~rehouses, trains,_ ox carts, bridges, and turinels with outstanding success.

The ADs of VA-195 continued their very successful 11 bridge and tunnel busting'' campaign as well as ~ttacking troops in close air support missions. Other targets attacked in their eightysix sorties for the period were-. marshalling yards and supplies. The ADs reoorded excellent hits on all tar~ets attacked ~md their activities should be consi"dered highly success- ful. '

F4U-4s from VF-192 and VF-193 flew one hundred sixty two sorties. during this period Md corried napalm, lOOri/ GP, 40ri/ GP; lOri/ GP end HVIIRs on their CAS, NGF, Recco, brid_ge and tunnel strikes. The F4Us inflicted heavy dam~pe and casualties on the enemy troops on the battle front in the C~S missions. They also took a heavy toll of bridpes, vehicles, tanks and supplies on the reeco and NGF .fliE?hts and contributed a g-reat deal to the success of the interdiction pro,Q'ram by destro:ying several bridges and tunnels with their lCOO/I GP bombs.

Durin_g the period between 15 March and 22 March the F4Us flew a total of one hundred seventy one sorties. This includes F4Us assigned to VF-192, VF-193 and VC-3. Assi!'Tled missions included naval !'lllltire spot, rail.raid .I>.._. z . ?f. ,-_~ff_·:~ , ' ·' • • . , ' .•• . CVG-19/Al6-lJ( l) • • Serials 023

20 Aprll 1951

and highWay bridges, turmels, traoks, supply dumps, marsholling ysrds, close air support, ~d lumber concentrations, The ordnance crews loaded the planes with varied types of rockets and bombs depending upon the rrdssion, The use of napalm a~aitist lumber concentrations .further impeded the repair of bridges ?enera~ly the tar@ets for the F4Us, located all along the East Coast of Korea or inland up to .fifty miles.

The prima.ry mission of the F9F jet aircraft during this· period was recon.t naissanee. Forty sorties were flown during thi's period, six being escort assipnments for VC-61 photo pl~nes• Covering the major routes which extend­ od on some nights to the Yalu Riv.ir to the NW and also to the Yalu River to the North, the F9Fs augmented the interdiction pi-ogrn.m by supplying !ntor­ mtion on· enemy activity, Roe_kets and 20 MM Ordnance were expended on roll­ ing stock, buildings, trees, ox. carts, ~nd troops along all routes.

This same period saw the ADs of VA-195 and VC-.35 flying a total of one hundred twenty missions. For the most part the ADs- concentrated on pre­ briefed bridge strikes. Other assignments were CAS# reconnaissance routes. lumber strikes, and the seeding of railroad tracks. Flying inland and along the length of the Korean Coast the ADs effectively disrupted communi• cation lines at all key points cluring this period, Hecklers proved their ·versatility by accomplishing many difficult as~ignments successful~~

During the period 23 Morch through 25 llarch 1951 the F9F-2B aircraft. of. VF-191 carrying ATIIRs and HVARs went on armed reconnais-sance on the NE coaat of Korea. Four sorties were flown. Four railroad cars were damagcr-d and ', three tracks were destroyed. Buildings, ox carts, a railroad station" and a sawmill were also hit.~ith undetermined damage. ' The FIJ]s of VF-192 and VF-193 flew six NGF spot, fifteen railroad breaker, eight bridge destruction, .1nd eleven close air st\pport sorties. Napalm,; bonbs, and rockets were carried• The NGF spot aircraft struck ta:rgets in the tlrin~ area. All F4U fliphts were considered successful and good destruction was ztecorded. The AD-4 nircraft of VA-195 carried napalm- .Mld bombs and flew four railroad bre~ker, eleven buidge destruction Rnd tWelve CAS aOrties with reported good results at all points.

The AD-<.11 and F4U·5N night planes carryinp bombs, rockets, and flares flell four heckler sorties in the l~te evenin~ against trains, trucks, supplies• etc. in NE Korea. Dama~e reports were excellent and included two tre.ins 1 seven tracks 1 and troops and supplies. One AD-M>J and one F4U-5N were dama~d over enemy territory. Cause of damage was unknown and light and the planes were repairabie aboard ship.

Durinp the two day period of 27-28 M"'eh. 1951 the AD..l, aircraft flew nine C4.S sorties -and one special CAS sortie in conjunction with·the Air Group from the USS BOXER (CV-21), Napalm and bombs were Mrried, and excellent coverage reported althC~Ugh actual dam.-"lge was unobserved. The F'4U-4 air- \ c.rafti carrying rockets, Mpalm, and bombs, flew nine CAS sorties and one specia CAS sortie with a flight fran the USS BOXER (CV-.21), $ix buildings '30 ---""""' •-,·· --- ':f·:,"~F"'!~If!fJM!';~::.<-.'"' ---·, ""N-"-\'·: \- -~--\')) . ' ,_, ' ;. • • ! • • CVG-19/.\16-13( 1} . ' • . . • Serialt 023 ~ 20 April 1951 were burned a.nd good coverap-e of the ~rea was reported. One AD-4 was llE!'htly damaged by bomb blast and -was repaired aboard ship. Durinp the period 30 March throlll'h 2 April 1951 the'F4U-5N and AD-J,N night pla.nes flew eighteen heckler sorties c·fl.rrying bombs, rockets, Excellent and flares. · results were reported. Trucks, troops, railroad tracks buildines· and Cars, And ':lridges "Were rtttaoked and· moderAte t-o complete destruction W1l.S reported. All flights were launched before dawn ;'3,nd enemy movement durin,e: this time is great. One IID-.4N, four AD-4, three F4U-4, and F4U-5N "lircra.ft, three carryin@' 8-15 second d~lay and VT fused bombs, flew a specf.'!l mission Against railro::~d tunnels '!n:i tracks, anti boxcars in an 'U'ea. approxi.m.

The AD-4s of VA ..195 cnrrying bombs, ·Mpalm, "'nd rockets flew twenty six CAS., len railroad breaker, twenty eight bridge, .md one special CAS mission in, conjunction with the Air Group of the USS BOJCER (CV-21). AU flights were reported successful with good destruction. The F4Us of VF-192 and VF~l93, c~rrytn~ naplam, rockets and bombs, flew thirty four CAs, fourteen railroad breaker, twenty seven bridge destruction rund one special CAS sortie in junction with con­ the USS BOXER (CV-21) Air Group. One ASP escort (F4U-4) attacked a r:lf't with sail 1nd severly damage it. A !Ik"ljor RESCAP operation was ·flown on 31 March 1951 over an intelligence team which W!!s surround~d enemy forces about by· fUty miles so~th of . Six AD-4 and ten F4U4 , sorties were flown over the target during the dny. Although operation the rescUe was not completely successful, rescued persons were helicopter token out by despite high winds ~nd terrain difficulties. The surrounding troops were kept under cover by bombs, nr::tp-llm, nnd strafing !!l.t'tacks of the RESCAP. Five IJJ-4 and one F9F-

VC-61 Det•chment EMJ', the photQ!'raphic unit, new n tot.,l of sorties fifty eight this period.. This activity w'"'s still nv'lintained in the furthermce of the T1.sk Force SEViLNTY SEVEN interdiction pro,n-am which h!~!.d been cul1.ted to en.l­ cut o.nd slOl'i down the enemy's supply lines through a complete 1.nd system~tic procGdure of destruction Of their railway ~nd highway

' -,;;; '\ • ·• . • • • • ..• ' • .! • CVG-l9/Al6-l3( J:) -·- f" . . • Serial< . 023 20 April 1951

bridges. Their photographic oetivity included all necessary scales o~ photo­ graphy for planning purposes. - The brid~e strikes were briefed from photo­ graphs and the pilots were given target pictures with complete assessment of ,llUil emplacements,_ etc. Also dflm:J.ge ~ssessment photogrnphs nt'lde accurate strike evalu~tion possible.

It is still felt llnd with grea.t.er conviction tmt our photographic opera­ tions durinr this period justify the two following conclusions:

(a) Th"lt "l properly planned "lnd executed areial photography is necessary to nny l~rge scnle sustained pro~am of interdiction.

(b) Th"1:t the F9F-2P aircraft represents A. definite improverrent over prop driven Aircraft. IV Ordnance Equipment.

Satisf~cto~ - no add~tionnl comments.

1. Own

Type Failed to Drun1.ged beyond Jettisoned or Damage from A/C Return to loc.'ll repair, salv~ged after missi.on re­ friendly tr.1.ns. or held return t'o psired on base. for repair else- b~se. Po:1.rd. where.

F4U 2 0 0 0 . AD-4 1 0 1 a F9F-2 l 0 1 0 2. Enemy Probably Destroyed Destroyed

Ox cnrts 105 4 3 Trucks 59 43 24 R.!tilrood c~rs 50 13 19 Tanks 5- 7 0 Brid~es o 0 85 Wnrehouses 8 8 9 Vilh~ee ll 0 0 Gun Emph_cements 9 5 0 Buildings 122 217 54 Jeeps 3 1 2 R!ilrMd tr:tcks 91 3 4 Locomotives 2 1 5 Troops 735 48 0 -. '. 5 3"·~ '"-' .··~ ._.• ,. .. , ..•-., k __,_,,,,_ • ·- -' ' • • ' • • Cm_l9/Al6-U(l)• -­ • SerialJ 02J 20 April 1951 l Pr<>!>nblY Destroyed Destroyed Da,m,1ged LUj!ger boots 0 0 5 ._:~ Tunnels 0 0 22 Hor~es ·25 0 0 Oxeb 3 0 0 ' Trains 5 0 0 Supp].y,Dumps 2 6 0 Other Vehicles 10 0 0 Pipelines 1 0 0 Railrond switches 5 0 0 'VI Personnel.

1. C~suriltiea._ i LCDR John J •.M~GDA, USN,· ~as killed iri "Ction when his pl-me crashed into the sea off fanehon. His bOdy was recowered. 8 M~rch 1951• ' L"JG Baxter H. COOK, USN, W1l..s reported missing in ~ction when his plane (F4U•5N) was seen to cl"'sh into the sea at Lat. 39•5'1!1, Long 128-5/li:. 9 March 1951,

ENS William E, P:,TTON, USN, wns repOrted missing in action when his F4U-4 orashed ot r:v 639477, 10 M,rch 1951.

Mr, Willi<'llll H, GRIJ!IJ! 1 CiVilian War Correspondent was killed following a water crash after take-off from carrier. 3 March 1951.

2 •. Performance .'lnd Training.

Mr. William H. GrC~.hnm, Avi,tiOn Editor of the New York Joumal of COln!l.eree, who recently lost his life in a carrier accident, contributed 1'l.n excellent idea during the time he was assOci 1t6d with this corrvrumd.: Using the "Ampro" tape recorder, he conducted discussions in eaoh RMdy Room to solicit pilot's CO!!IIOOnts on Whet they liksd and didn't like "lhout the· aircraft they were flYing. The discussions were l'ipprov.. ed by Coatr..,vFE, subject to subsequent censorship by that comtmnd. The ultim~te purpose of these forum$ was to provide BuAer with ~ unbiased source of "consumer'1 inform."ltion rel1.tive- to the plnnes oper'lting on the front lines. It is impertant to obtain comments on aircr,ft operations or upkeep 'While "ln incident is fresh 1n 1'1. pilot's or mecb­ anids mind. The tape recording is hi?hl:r advan~geous here.· for too often important peints 're overlooked or forgotten in the, prepar•tion of dry, formal reports on typewritten ~~es.

The foregoing idea has high merit, and it is recommended th>t each Air Group in the o-pel"'ltinp 1\rea be supplied· with a tape recorder and directed to submit, direct to Comt\irP•c, periodical pilot interviews on subjects Which that '"""""nd de- of immedi>te interest and on Which live comments ~re quickly desired.

'_, _.; "'' ', . ··'" '-''' •.' ,' .. . ' . • ' • . ' . • ~19/Al6-13(1)' ••• • Serial: 02:3 20 April 1951

Pilot response to an ~udio interview is enthusi~stic, and this system would eliminate the necessity for so m:my 11 visiting firemen" on field trips to the front lines a:t considerable expense to the N:wy.

VII Operations, Tactics, General Topics~

Tw of Mission No. of Sorties FJ.1ght How Hours(Sorttas Reccot lOS 167,8 TarCap 68 124.4 Photo & Escort 107 195.0 Courier 6 5.4

2. Summ~~ of VF-192 Oper~tions. CAP 89 253.1 2.84 ASP 12 35.0 2.90 CAS 101 311,8 ;.os Pre-Briefed t~rgets 163 454.9 2.80 Test 7 16.7 2.40 NGF 22 60,2 2.70 Courier 9 11,1 1.30 S earcb & Rescue 6 17.7 2.95 Ferry 1 2.9 2.90 3. Summ~ry of VF-193 Operations.

CAP 62 178,8 2.90 Bridge St:r;ikes 119 352.3 3.00 CAS 96 310,7 J,10 Misc. 119 346.9 2.90 4. Summ•ry of Vll.-195 Oper-1tions.

CAS 96 318,0 3o30 Bridge Strike 217 635.9 2.90 Tunnel Strike 20 58.6 2.90 ResCap 4 13.4 j;3o Arl)led Recco 37 97.9 2o60 Escort 12 39.6 3.30 5, Summ1ry of VC.UOperotions,

ASP (Ni!ffit) 12 38.5 3.20 ~SF (Day) 37 114.5 J,lO Fer~ 2 2,7 1.35

81·•rr1mn • 3$ 7 . . • • • CVG-19/Alb-13\IJ ... 023 • Serial! • 2C April 1951 of climttic conditions of the pilots recommend, bec.:mse used. Most be .1.dopted thn.t would fonn·Jf quick rele'lse h :rness in this ~rea, some chute in cases of WRter pilot to rid himself auickly of the permit the type used by the Air Force or Some thourht the Chest Button l;mdinps. Two pilots of this Group, who su~ the British would be·accept~ble. by the cold reported their hAnds were so numbed vived ~'lter l~ndin?s, the harness snaps nnd the se'l.t th"l_t they were un;.ble to unhook w!lter, up .'lnd fnce daVin. This b.tter tended to m~ke them flortt se'it p1-Ck factor were the pilot even slirhtly would be an extremely important 11 pqddle" thoughts quickly enoup'h to dog

R. C. MERRICK.

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