During the Allied invasion of Sicily the Liberty ship Robert Rowan (K-40) explodes after being hit by a German Ju 88 bomber off of Gela, Sicily, on 11 July 1943.

4s0gw2gehxg61.webp


Robert Rowan was built at the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company, Wilmington, North Carolina. She was laid down on 3 March 1943, launched 6 April, and delivered to the Isthmain Steamship Company on 13 April. Her maiden voyage started on 14 May 1943 at Hampton Roads, Virginia, to Oran, Algeria, as part of convoy UGS-8A. She was sent on to Gela, Sicily, to support the invasion of Sicily ("Operation Husky"). She arrived at Gela 11 July 1943 with a cargo of ammunition and 334 soldiers of the 18th Infantry. She also carried 14 U.S. Navy personnel, 32 U.S. Navy armed guards, and 41 crewmen. Just before 14:00 hrs German Junkers Ju 88 bombers appeared overhead and attacked the ships in the bay. During the attack the Rowan was hit by three 500 kg bombs. One bomb passed through the ship, but the other two exploded in the holds. Because of the nature of the cargo the ship was abandoned without any attempt to put the fire out. All 421 men on board safely evacuated the ship and were picked up by PT boats and transferred to nearby destroyers. Within twenty minutes the fire reached her munitions with a tremendous explosion tearing the ship in half. The burning ship came to rest on an even keel and burned for two days. The destroyer USS McLanahan (DD-615) tried to sink the ship because the fires lit up the area during the night, but this failed as the water was too shallow. The hulk lay in the waters off Gela until 1948 when it was sold and scrapped.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
US Army MP John Kovalchuk smiles amidst the rubble of Anzio, April 1944.
The fact that he is wearing a wool knit cap beneath his M1, an OD wool muffler and leather gloves illustrates that Italy could be a cold place...even in Springtime!
The chain of his MP's whistle can be seen hooked to his field jacket with the whistle itself in its slash pocket.
His helmet MP markings are interesting and difficult to de-code in a monochrome image such as this.
WHITE helmet bands were for Divisional MPs and MP Corps.
YELLOW helmet bands were for regimental MPs
BLUE helmet bands were for Army Corps MPs
RED Bands were for Army Group MPs
So you can make up your own minds on that one!
(LIFE / George Silk)

150574188_2821425528073337_3115687432579667105_n.webp
 
Operation Hailstone
In mid-February 1944, Operation Catchpole, the invasion of Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, was imminent. To clear the way, Task Force 58 would attack Truk, Japan's major anchorage in the Carolines. Marine PB4Ys (B-24s) reconnoitered Truk on February 4th. Because Truk was becoming untenable as a base, most major naval units soon withdrew to the Palaus. Over 300 aircraft still based there, although many were not operable. A good number of merchant vessels and warships remained, as well.
Three TF 58 task groups, based on nine carriers (five fleet and four light) with over 500 planes, attacked Truk beginning 17 February. TG 58.4, the other carrier group, went on to support the Eniwetok invasions.
Knowing Truk's radar wasn't effective against low-flying aircraft, the initial fighter sweep approached at daybreak "on the deck." The Japanese weren't operating a combat air patrol, so surprise was complete, their pilots scrambling into cockpits as the attack started. By mid-morning, most aerial opposition was over. Although Truk had over 40 large-caliber anti-aircraft guns, an American sub had sunk a ship bringing fire-control radar, so defensive fire was less effective than it could have been.
Attacks continued another day, including a night bombing strike by twelve radar-equipped TBFs from USS Enterprise. Nearly 500 tons of ordnance were dropped during 1250 sorties. About 4500 Japanese died. About 250 Japanese aircraft were destroyed, and Truk's seaplane and submarine bases, airfields, supply dumps, and port facilities were heavily damaged. Nearly fifty ships were sunk, including two cruisers, four destroyers, several naval auxiliaries, and more than two dozen merchant ships, some sunk by American surface ships as they fled port. The day prior to the attack, submarine USS Skate had sunk IJN Aganoand killed about 175 of her crew (not included in the above losses) after departing Truk. Destroyer IJN Oite rescued 523 of Agano's crew and turned back, but all died when Oite was torpedoed and sunk by TBF Avengers as she arrived at Truk.
This was the one time USS Iowa and USS New Jersey used their main batteries in surface action. American losses amounted to 40 dead and 25 aircraft lost, plus damage to USS Intrepid, torpedoed by a B5N Kate, and to USS Iowa by a near miss.
Future president Gerald Ford served as assistant navigator and anti-aircraft battery officer on USS Monterey (CVL-26) during these actions. USMC Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, who had been shot down and captured the prior month, was on Truk, preparatory to transportation to Japan. The aircraft that had brought him to Truk had landed just as the attack began: Boyington witnessed its destruction from a nearby trench.
NOTE: Captions are from the original site, with minor variations in some cases. Some original captions incorrectly place these actions as being on 16-17 February 1944.






Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands.
Aerial reconnaissance photo of Japanese facilities at Truk, taken by a Marine Corps PB4Y-1 patrol bomber, from Bougainville, on 4 February 1944. Dublon Island is at bottom left, and Fefan Island is in lower right. In center is the Eten Island Air Base. Two aircraft carriers are visible at right, and several other warships and merchant vessels are present.
Catalog #: 80-G-208972
150535238_2888810367997350_8196065892799432013_o.webp


Marine aviators who made the first reconnaissance mission over the Japanese naval base at Truk on 4 February 1944. The men are posed with their PB4Y-1 patrol bombers, probably at Bougainville soon after their two-thousand mile combat mission.
Catalog #: 80-G-208975
NOTE: The nose turret is an Erco model, not the standard turret seen on Army B-24s.
150446542_2888812811330439_3286495083337051393_o.webp



USS Cowpens (CVL-25) Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters warming up on the flight deck, while the carrier was operating with Task Group 58.3 during raids on the Marshall Islands, circa January 1944. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Catalog #: 80-G-K-100
150828398_2889067064638347_5897325574841683237_o.webp




A VF-9 "Hellcat" (Grumman F6F-3) is given the go-ahead for takeoff from USS Essex (CV-9) on the first day of operations.
Catalog #: 80-G-217587
150613399_2889056224639431_3349596586972415433_o.webp
 
Eten Island Airfield, Truk, photographed from a USS Yorktown (CV-10) plane, 17 February 1944. Note large number of Japanese planes on the field, and numerous bomb craters. Dublon Island is in the background, at top.
Catalog #: 80-G-216891
150855108_2889021231309597_2608908235383730539_o.webp




Airfield on Eten Island burning at left, as seen from a USS Intrepid (CV-11) plane on the first day of strikes, 17 February 1944. Dublon Island and town is in the middle background, with several merchant ships offshore, and one large tanker tied to the fuel pier in left center.
Catalog #: 80-G-215153
150443146_2889030784641975_5587282181432605470_o.webp




Smoke rising after bombing attack on Dublon Island, Truk by carrier based planes.
Catalog #: 80-G-45465
150749459_2889023604642693_7504282703244846847_o.webp





Japanese shipping under air attack in Truk Lagoon, as seen from a USS Intrepid (CV-11) aircraft on the first day of raids, 17 February 1944. Dublon Island is at left, with Moen Island in the background. Four of these ships appear to have been hit by this time.
Catalog #: 80-G-215151
150923816_2889020264643027_8892440931851230413_o.webp
 
Japanese ammunition ship explodes following a dive-bombing attack by a U.S. plane. The pilot and crew of the aircraft are presumed lost, since their plane was caught in the terrific blast. Dublon Island is at right and Eten Island Airfield is in the middle distance. Facilities on both are afire. Photographed 17 February 1944, the first day of raids.
Catalog #: 80-G-215155
150911372_2889028297975557_1536645210367828548_o.webp




A Mark XIII aerial torpedo hits a Japanese cargo ship, during the first day of U.S. Navy carrier air raids on Truk, 17 February 1944. Note the several torpedo wakes, including one very erratic one ending with the torpedo broaching. Photographed by War Correspondent Smith. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Catalog #: 80-G-217624
151013222_2889029697975417_8349431340488506990_o.webp




Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher is recovered by USS Baltimore (CA-68) after she had rescued Lieutenant (Junior Grade) George M. Blair from Truk Lagoon, 18 February 1944. Plane's pilot is Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Denver F. Baxter. His radioman, ARMC Reuben F. Hickman, is on the wing, preparing to attach the plane so it can be hoisted on board. Blair's F6F Hellcat, of Fighting Squadron Nine from USS Essex (CV-9), had been shot down during the dawn fighter sweep over Truk. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Catalog #: 80-G-218123
150449380_2889025201309200_8600689494334595977_o.webp





Japanese destroyer Akikaze maneuvering while under air attack off Truk, 17 February 1944. Note wakes, indicating that she is following the motions of another ship, and strafing splashes in the water. Her wake has her deck awash amidships. A Grumman TBF is overhead. Photographed from a USS Intrepid (CV-11) plane.
Catalog #: 80-G-216899
150687741_2889022027976184_887265235885434593_o.webp
 
A Grumman F6F-3 "Hellcat" flies over the beached Japanese destroyer Tachikaze during Task Force 58's strikes on the enemy naval base at Truk, Caroline Islands, 17-18 February 1944. Photographed from a USS Essex (CV-9) plane.
Catalog #: 80-G-216889
150667299_2889022751309445_5987585685852896716_o.webp





Japanese cruiser Katori under attack during the U.S. Navy raid on Truk, 17 February 1944. Note torpedo wake beyond the ship.
Catalog #: 80-G-215147
151178635_2889017207976666_5968355869289577888_o.webp






A Japanese ship blows up under fire of the guns of TG 50.9 during the group's sweep around Truk on 17 February 1944. USS New Jersey (BB-62) is at far right, shooting with her 5" guns. Photographed from USS Minneapolis (CA-36).
Catalog #: 80-G-218602
150859382_2889078067970580_207209546729758275_o.webp





Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat fighters landing on USS Enterprise (CV-6) after strikes on the Japanese base at Truk, 17-18 February 1944. Flight deck crewmen are folding planes' wings and guiding them forward to the parking area. The original caption gives date as 16 February. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Catalog #: 80-G-59314
150585085_2889026964642357_5891402592041458959_o.webp
 
USS Cowpens (CVL-25) in 1944, showing flight deck scene. Note details of island (L); part of crew at muster; Grumman F6F and TBF/M aircraft. Also note radar and crewman painting deck in center.
Catalog #: 80-G-K-664
150530086_2889068621304858_4146071603891783768_o.jpg
150573200_896676684496243_252653533439015411_o.webp
150432174_896676724496239_8562575043448298614_o.webp
 
President Franklin Roosevelt makes a nationwide speech from USS Cummings DD-365 at Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton - August 12, 1944
FDR had been on a visit to Pearl Harbor, the Aleutians, and Juneau Alaska on USS Baltimore before transferring to USS Cummings for the trip to Seattle
It was observed that FDR looked gaunt and even weak, Time Magazine called the Bremerton speech "rambling and folksy", FDR speechwriter Samuel Rosenman considered it a "dismal failure"
FDR won a fourth term that following November, but his health continued to deteriorate, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945, less than three months after the inauguration, and just four months before WW2 came to an end
LIFE Magazine Archives - George Skadding Photographer

149067554_3801666603252126_2648099879435988579_n.webp
149283608_3801666733252113_2849625192801268636_n.webp
149319345_3801666373252149_99133313311816967_n.webp
149391156_3801666773252109_7054301741572714045_n.webp
 
One of the little-known stories of the start of WWII, was that of the fleet of Pan-American Airlines flying boats, which were about the only non-military way you could travel long distances over the Pacific and Atlantic.
At the start of the Pacific War, in 1941, they were scattered over much of the Pacific. The Philippine Clipper, a Martin M130, for example, was flying from Guam to Wake Island. It landed at Wake and, before it could take off underwent an air raid. The plane, loaded with Pam-American employees, was slightly damaged and took off for Hawaii.
The Hong Kong Clipper, a Sikorsky S-42, was moored at her name city, and wasn't so fortunate. It was caught in a bombing raid by Japanese aircraft and destroyed. The crew managed to get hold of a DC-2 and more or less disappeared before showing up in New York almost a month later.
The most interesting to me was the Pacific Clipper, a Boeing B314, which was in Auckland, New Zealand. Robert Ford, the captain, was told it was too dangerous to go back to the US via the Pacific route, and was ordered to "take the other way", i.e., through the Indian Ocean, and Africa, back to the U.S., some 23,000 miles.
1) They started out with a side trip to Noumea to pick up Pan American personnel there
2) They flew to Darwin, where they spent the night, expecting a Japanese attack at any time, and went through a tropical storm.
3) They were forced down by Dutch fighters over Java, almost having been shot down. They had to refuel with automobile gasoline, no 100 octane aviation gas being available.
4) A 21- hour flight followed with the engines pinging and knocking over the use of inferior gas. Along the way, they flew over a Japanese submarine, but hightailed it before they could be fired on. They landed in Ceylon (as it was called then).
5) They took off for Karachi but had to return to Ceylon shortly after with a bad oil leak in one of the engines. The crew spent the next two days fixing the engine without special tools or parts and took off again.
6) After landing in Karachi, they again took off, barely able to clear the trees (they were overloaded with extra passengers) and flew along the Gulf of Oman, landing at Bahrain. Again, they faced the problem of no aviation gas and had to fill up with lower grade gas.
7) Following next was a flight to just below Khartoum on the Blue Nile. Next, was a flight to Leopoldville, The Congo. Next stop was Natal, Brazil. Problem was, there was NO wind for take-off and Bob Ford was able to only get inches off the water, gradually gaining altitude. Ford found he had no aileron control (later, he discovered that the heavy fuel loads the plane had had to carry had actually BENT the wings and locked the ailerons!).
8) At Natal, they refueled and fixed a balky engine and took off for Trinidad in the West Indies, where they slept for the first time in 40 hours.
9) On January 6, nearly a month after setting out, the Pacific Clipper set down at the Marine Terminal in New York after a 23,000 mile flight and nearly circling the globe (counting the flight the plane had made originally from California).
(This account is taken mainly from Robert Gandt’s great book, “The China Clipper: The Age of the Great Flying Boats”.

150523510_10159208889782210_6563323573135555800_n.webp
150572090_10159208896082210_5201844434571846353_o.webp
 
Aerial picture of USS Houston CA-30 - undated
Caption: "Aerial Photograph by Southwest Air Services, 403 Union National Bank Building, Houston, Texas”
University of Houston Digital Collections

149862383_3800827696669350_1943797589651408045_n.webp
 
As I'm sure any tanker...past or present...would attest, if your tracks aren't right then by extension your tank isn't right!
Here, a then new M3 Medium undergoing trials at Aberdeen PG gets a track inspection from one of its crew...circa 1941.
Note that because of the relatively early date he is wearing blue denim fatigues and the so-called "donut" tanker helmet.
(LIFE / Strock)

149823392_2820502248165665_7455298172666687418_o.webp
149761484_2820502251498998_1994431070988155824_o.webp
 
Major David Schilling was a P-47 fighter ace with the US 8th Air Force's 56th Fighter Group...the legendary "Zemke's Wolf- pack", named after their commander, Colonel Hub Zemke.
USAAF fighter pilots routinely carried .45 autos as their personal firearm.
Major Schilling took things a step further and created a one off "machine pistol" based upon an M1911.
As can be seen here it had an added front grip and an extended magazine.
How effective / controllable it was is a matter of speculation, but the basic Colt .45 was not known for its accuracy at the best of times!
One thing we can be sure of...it was obviously no Skorpion Vz. 61 or Mac 10...but an interesting experiment nevertheless.
This would have made an ideal subject for one of Ian McCollum's "Forgotten Weapons" videos!

150406147_2820371011512122_1243159858636196654_n.webp
 
In 1944, the US Navy worked with Hollywood to produce a propaganda movie entitled 'The Fighting Seabees'. It stared some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, namely John Wayne, Susan Hayward and Dennis O'Keefe. While the movie was set in the South Pacific, it was entirely filmed at military camps in California - for obvious reasons.
The first shot is of construction shacks for civilian workers on the set of "The Fighting Seabees" at Camp Pendleton. Whilst the second shot shows Susan Hayward, Dennis O'Keefe and John Wayne on the set of "The Fighting Seabees". Photos, Seabee Museum.

148200554_3975579169148674_5986502980898030265_o.webp
147513916_3975579149148676_4477556364184937300_o.webp
 
USN/USMC PBJ-1H in 1944
The PBJ-1 was a Mitchell B-25H with eight forward facing .50 cal MGs and a 75mm cannon
LIFE Magazine Archives - John Florea Photographer

150131871_3798253113593475_4024949745750064707_n.webp
148594705_3798253016926818_3639262530534586782_n.webp
148658562_3798252936926826_8649297452936289473_n.webp
148275965_3798254596926660_4128580228233731663_n.webp
 

Similar threads

Back
Top