Logbook Extracts



This page is for extracts from pilots and combat air crewmen logbooks in order to illustrate the types of missions flown by the SB2C. The first two extracts reflect the beginning and end of the Helldiver's contribution towards winning WWII in the Pacific. David Martin was a participant in the aircraft's first combat mission, against Rabaul on 11 November 1943, whereas John Freeman's extract is for the last full month of the conflict, when the carriers were cruising off the Japanese home islands.

Other SB2C veterans visiting this page are invited to contact me at the address below with a view to contributing further extracts. OTU, VS, CASU, Reserve, etc. assignments are as welcome as VB/VA.

Lt D.M. Martin:  November 1943, VB17(Bunker Hill), SB2C-1

  9 November  00024  3.4(hrs)  Tactical Exercises
11 November  00057  4.8  Attack Rabaul
18 November  00198  3.6  Attack Tarawa
18 November  00091  2.8  Attack Tarawa
20 November  00041  3.8  Attack Tarawa
21 November  00194  3.0  Attack Tarawa
26 November  00098  1.6  Inner Air Patrol
28 November  00046  4.0  Inner Air Patrol

Lt(jg) J.E. Freemann:  July 1945, VB6(Hancock), SB2C-4E

  7 July  65157  4.5  Tactical Exercises
10 July  65157  4.4  Strike Koizumi A/F
14 July  65157  4.8  Strike Kenebetsu A/F
15 July  65157  5.0  Strike Otaru, Hokkaido
24 July  82976  5.3  Strike Kure
28 July  20883  5.0  Strike Kure
30 July  20883  5.1  Strike Itami A/F

LtCdr J.D. Arbes:  June 1944, C.O. VB8(Bunker Hill), SB2C-1C

11 June  00349  3.5  Search/Attack Tinian
12 June  18405  2.5  Attack Tinian
12 June  18335  2.3  Attack Tinian
14 June  00302  2.1  Attack Guam
15 June  18384  3.0  Attack Tinian
15 June  18490  2.2  Attack Tinian
20 June  18588  5.3  Attack Jap Fleet
(water landing, out of gas, rescued 21 June by USS Hickox)
24 June  18342  2.8  Attack Pagan

Ens C.R. Draper:  October 1944, VB18(Intrepid), SB2C-3

10 October  19550  3.0  Okinawa
12 October  19256  3.7  Kiirun, Formosa (shot down Nick)
13 October  21312  4.1  Shinchiku, Formosa
14 October  19368  3.9  Shinchiku, Formosa
21 October  21267  4.4  Visayas shipping
23 October  21292  4.0  Clark Field
24 October  19442  5.4  Search
24 October  19170  3.5  Attack on Jap Fleet
26 October  19328  5.5  Attack on Jap Fleet
30 October  19550  4.4  Search

Ens. R.J. Barnes:  January 1945, VB20 (Lexington),SB2C-3

  4 January  19570  4.6  Okayama A/F, Formosa
(hit by AA, 2'foot hole in tail, elevator control lost)
  7 January  19224  4.5  Luzon
(recalled, bad weather)
12 January  19445  3.0  Convoy Indo-China
14 January  19644  6.4  Search Indo-China coast
15 January  18453  4.6  Shipping Pescadores
16 January  19570  4.5  Taikoo Shipyard, Hong Kong
17 January  21404  0.5  replacement A/C from CVE Altamaha
21 January  21404  4.0  Formosa
22 January  19473  4.5  Okinawa


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