380th Bomb Group Association
NEWSLETTER #22 -- March 2005
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380th Bomb Group Association NEWSLETTER #22 -- March 2005 |
THE 380TH IN THE PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGN -- PART II
In the December 2004 issue of THE FLYING CIRCUS, Newsletter No. 21, we outlined the Philippines Campaigns of the Southwest Pacific Headquarters and noted briefly the place of the 380th Bomb Group in these. We promised to elaborate on this in the present issue.
As noted before, the first Operation, called GOSSIPMONGER, was to take place on the Talaud Islands with the invasion there scheduled for October 15, 1944, one month after the invasion of Morotai in the Halmaheras (Operation INTERLUDE). The next Operation (KING I) after ours was to be November 15, 1944, and attack Sarangani Peninsula (Davao Area) Mindanao. The 90th Bomb Group was to be sent there. The Leyte Invasion was then to follow on December 15.
However, as the world knows, these first two were cancelled because of the success of the Navy sweeps of August and September, and the Leyte Invasion was moved up to October 20, 1944.
Map I shows the relationships of Talaud to the Halmaheras and the Philippines. Map II shows planned airfields. We have added a set of tables to show where the 380th fits in this.
Exhibit I shows the Air Units and when they should arrive. Exhibit II, the Communications Channels involved. Exhibit III, overall air unit strength. Exhibit IV, shipping instructions for ground personnel, and Exhibit V, air field construction.
This would have been a violent period for the 380th, although the Second Landing on Mindanao proper would have already happened by the time we arrived at Talaud.
MAP I
TALAUD IN RELATION TO MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES
|AND MOROTAI IN THE HALMAHERAS
MAP II
380th AT WESTERN AIRFIELD
EXHIBIT I
REVISED AIR GARRISON SCHEDULE
S E C R E T
ANALYSIS OF GARRISON LIST FOR GOSSIPMONGER
1. Revised garrison list dated 25 August.
2. Analysis of major service units
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1 |
Service Group Hq |
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6 |
Service Squadrons |
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3 |
Airdome Squadrons |
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6 |
QM Trk Co's |
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6 |
Ord S & M Co's |
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2 |
QM Co's (SG) |
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3 |
Sig Co's (SG) |
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2(-) |
HP Co's |
3. Analysis of major combat units
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1 |
Medium Bomber Group |
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2 |
Fighter Groups |
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1 |
Nite Fighter Squadron |
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1 |
Photo Rcn Squadron |
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2 |
Heavy Bomb Groups |
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1 |
Emerg ASR Sq |
4. Designation, location and requested arrival date of combat units:
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D - 4 |
3rd Emrg ASR Squadron (0A-10As) |
HORLICKS |
(NOEMFOOR) |
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345th Bomber Group (B-25s) |
HORLICKS |
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D - 7 |
421st Nite Fighter Squadron (P-61s) |
HORLICKS |
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348th Fighter Group (P-47s) |
TABLETENNIS |
(SANSAPOR) |
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D - 9 |
26th Photo Rcn Squadron (F-5) |
HORLICKS |
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D - 11 |
475th Fighter Group (P-38s) |
HORLICKS |
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D - 25 |
380th Bomber Group (B-24s) |
THUNDERSTRUCK |
(DARWIN) |
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D - 45 |
22nd Bomber Group (B-24s) |
HORLICKS |
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EXHIBIT II
COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS FOR GOSSIPMONGER
EXHIBIT III
AIR UNIT STAFFING - GOSSIPMONGER (TALAUD)
EXHIBIT IV
GROUND UNIT TRAVEL SCHEDULE
EXHIBIT V
AIRFIELD CONSTRUCTION IN RELATION TO FOLLOWING OPERATIONS
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