The WWII combat history of the US Army Air Forces includes the following for the Southwest Pacific Area (Fifth Air Force) for 9 June 1944: "B-24s bomb the airfield on Peleliu Island, Palau Islands. In New Guinea, A-20s bomb shipping in Manokwari harbor; B-24s, A-20s, B-25s and P-39s, along with RAAF planes, drop about 140 tons of bombs on various targets in the Wewak area; and 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Gusap to Nadzab with P-47s. B-24s of Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Alet Airfield and targets of opportunity in Truk Atoll." Business as usual.
This page describes the 10 hour flight from Wakde Island to bomb the airfield at Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands on 9 June 1944 from the perspective of the crew of one of the aircraft involved (two aircraft did not return). The description is based on a citation - however the medal was not approved as the mission was considered to be "business as usual" for a B-24 crew in the Pacific.
Lloyd Bunting's Crew
Lloyd Bunting was a member of a B-24J crew in the 2nd Bombardment Squadron, 22nd Bombardment Group (Heavy), Fifth Air Force, South West Pacific Area.
A B-24 has a crew of 10 and 12 stations (roles): Pilot, CoPilot, Navigator, Flight Engineer, Radio Operator, Bombardier, Nose Turret Gunner, Top Turret, Ball Turret, 2 Waist Gunners, Tail Gunner. On this flight, Lloyd was in the role of nose gunner / armorer.
Peleliu Island is one of many islands in the Palau Group. Peleliu Island is 5½ miles long, 2½ miles wide, and 5sq miles total area, with an airfield in the south and a swamp in the east. Four months after Bunting's flight, 13,000 people were to die in a battle for this island. These included 98% of the 10,900 Japanese defenders.
Wakde Island
Wakde Island was one stepping stone along the North coast of New Guinea. The airfield was being bombed by the 5th AF as recently as 5 May 1944, and Japanese targets on Wakde Island were being bombed up to 1 June 1944. The 5th AF began moving to Wakde on 22 May 1944. On the night of 5-6 June 1944, just 4 days before the cited flight, an air raid by two Japanese G4M Betty bombers destroyed six 5th AF aircraft at Wakde: one B-24 bomber, four P-38 Lightning fighters and one L-4B Grasshopper spotter. 80 other aircraft were damaged.
The seizure of Wakde Island
Lindbergh in action at Wakde
Charles Lindbergh (of Spirit of St Louis fame) was stationed at Wakde Island a week after Bunting's 10 June flight. Lindbergh was trying to increase the range of P-38 fighter aircraft to provide escorts for B-24 missions to Palau. On 1 August 1944 he and 3 other P-38s managed a round trip from Wakde to Palau, but Lindbergh was nearly shot down by the Japanese. More about Charles Lindbergh's war.
Risks in Pacific aerial operations
One of the greatest problems for Pacific aerial operations was the weather. On 16 April 1944 (Black Sunday), just 8 weeks before the cited flight, a weather front blocked the return of 170+ B-24s, B-25s and A-20s from a raid on Hollandia. Bad weather and accidents closed all available fields as a line of thunderstorms blocked access to landing sites. By the time it was over, 37 aircraft were destroyed or missing and another 9 seriously damaged due to navigational errors, the weather and consequential confusion (incl collisions in the air and on the ground). Aircraft types included:
P-47D: 348th Fighter Group: 1 (parked, but victim of a collision)
51 lives were lost
A-20G: ditched: 2 survived the ditching but were lost at sea
A-20G: ditched: 2 did not escape the plane before it sank
B-24J: never seen again (last sighted over mountains or sea): 20
B-24J: crashed: 7
B-24J: bailed out: 2 were never found
B-25D: never seen again (last sighted over mountains or sea): 1 complete crew
B-25D: collision in the air: 1 complete crew
F-5A: collision in the air: 1
P-38J: collapsed after successfully avoiding a collision on the ground: 1
P-38J: never seen again (last sighted over mountains or sea): 3
P-38J: execution by the Japanese: 2
P-38H: crashed into the sea: 2
Only 2 days before the mission referred to below, only 10 out of a flight of 48 B-24s managed to beat the weather to hit targets on Truk Atoll.
The risks were many, including mechanical failure anytime from takeoff to landing, enemy aircraft, anti-aircraft defences (flak), weather, pilot and navigation errors, fuel shortage, collision, sticky runways (preventing planes from reaching takeoff speed), and even prop wash, gunfire, or bombs from other friendly aircraft. A whole world of further risks awaited the crew of any aircraft that did not complete a mission, including injury or death from battle or the impact, drowning, shark attack or exposure at sea, execution or other consequences of imprisonment by the Japanese.
Examples of risks realised (being added as time permits):
Flak: Kelly's Cobras, 494 Bomb Group, 7th AAF
Lost - ditched at sea: Galvanized Goose, 11th Bomb Group, 7th AAF
YouTube video of B-24 action in SWPA YouTube video of B-24 action in Europe and SWPA
Here are some more pictures of the consequences of damage in action:
As President, LBJ often wore the medal, but never discussed how he earned it.
A future President has a close shave with the 22nd Bomb Group
Lt Cmdr Lyndon Johnson (later President of the United States) was personally awarded an Army silver star by General MacArthur for a flight with the 22nd Bomb Group on 9 June 1942. At the time LBJ was a VIP on a study mission. He wanted to obtain personal experience of combat action, and was one of a party of 5 observers on a combat mission from Port Moresby to Lae in New Guinea. The intention was to make LBJ's flight a 'picnic', with decoy B17s to lure fighters away from the VIP flight. However the Japanese Zeros attacked the VIP flight hitting 6 of the 11 B26s. LBJ had been scheduled fly on #40-1508 "The Virginian" but lost his seat to another member of the VIP party. He therefore took a seat in #40-1488 "Heckling Hare". After leaving the target "The Virginian" tried to outrun the Japanese fighters at full throttle at 30 feet above the water (to prevent attack from below) but, with a badly smoking left engine, "The Virginian" crashed into the sea at 300mph, cartwheeling and disintegrating with the loss of all on board. There is a report that it crashed into the sea because it was boxed in by 3 other B26s. 30 minutes into the mission LBJ's plane, the "Heckling Hare", had aborted the mission due to engine (generator) failure.
This picture shows the end of the mission for Lt PG Powell's B26 (#40-1363, "Flying Cross"), one of the aircraft in the 9 June 1942 mission. The plane had been badly shot up by Japanese Zeros at Salamaua. It is about to be belly landed at Port Moresby's 7-mile airstrip. At this moment it is being flown by the Group Commander, Lt Col Divine, who had been in the plane as an observer because of the VIP presence. The plane was repaired and flew again as "Rum Runner". Video of this landing Video of B-24 belly landings
The mission to Peleliu on 9 June 1944
HEADQUARTERS
2ND BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON
22ND BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
AFO 713 Unit #1
AC 201 - BUNTING, Lloyd H. (Fol)
20 June 1944
SUBJECT:
Recommendation for Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
TO:
Commanding General, Fifth Air Force, AFO 925 (Thru: Channels).
1. Under the provisions of AR 400-45, War Department, Washington, D.C., dated 6 August 1932, as amended, it is recommended that S/Sgt. LLOYD H. BUNTING, 11010818 (Nose turret gunner), 2nd Bombardment Squadron, 22nd Bombardment Group (H), be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight over Palau Island on 9 June 1944.
2. At 1030/K on 9 June 1944, five B24J type airplanes of this squadron took-off from Wakde Island on the longest continuous over water mission yet performed by the 22nd Bombardment Group (H). The mission was to be flown entirely without fighter escort despite the fact that enemy interception was probable from take-off to landing. The most reliable reconnaissance of the target and vicinity was months old and there was no current information regarding the weather to be encountered. S/Sgt. LLOYD H. BUNTING was flying as the nose turret gunner in the number "2" plane of the lead flight.
After encountering instrument weather on three separate occasions enroute to the target, and having one airplane turn back due to mechanical failure, the target was sighted at 1545/K. Within the next fifteen minutes, the formation was attacked by sixteen enemy fighters. The first "Tojo" came in from 11 o'clock low. Sgt. BUNTING from his big nose guns scored hit and the fighter broke away over the formation. A second "Tojo" attacked from 12 o'clock high. This fighter pressed the attack to within 600 yards and then passed under the formation. Sgt. BUNTING and the nose turret gunner in the lead plane caught this fighter in their cross fire scoring several hits in the fuselage and tail. The next fighter to attack also came from the front and passed under the formation. At one time during the flight, a gun jammed on Sgt. Bunting. This running fight with the enemy fighters continued for more than thirty minutes with attack after attack coming within range of Sgt. BUNTING's guns. By 1630/K the formation had reached the first weather to be encountered on the return trip and at this point the enemy fighters turned back.
For the next hour and a half, Sgt. BUNTING's plane proceeded through rain and sleet. At 1800/K a severe cold front was entered. The rain and sleet were so intense that it was no longer possible for one to see the lead ship of the formation, so the pilot altered course to avoid a possible mid-air collision. The weather was so turbulent that it took the full physical effort of both the pilot and co-pilot to keep the plane under control. By this time the pilot had the plane down to 1500 feet over the water trying to escape the turbulence. Here the number three (3) engine cut out because the gas was very low. By turning on the fuel booster pump, the engine was started again. At 1930/K Sgt BUNTING's plane broke out of the front about ten miles east of Wakde Island. Proper recognition signals were made and permission to land was obtained. The landing was accomplished at 2020/K on 9 June 1944.
For his extraordinary achievement while participating in this aerial flight and for the excellent manner in which he continued to carry out his duties in the face of extremely hazardous conditions, S/Sgt LLOYD H. BUNTING is recommended for the highest honor.
3. The mission cited has not been used as the basis for a previous award, and will not be used as the basis for a future award.
4. The service of Sgt. BUNTING subsequent to this mission has been entirely honorable.
5. At the time of these services, Sgt. BUNTING was an enlisted man in the armed forces of the United States.
6. The undersigned, flying as pilot on this crew was an eye-witness to the above deeds.
7. All the crew members are being recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for their participation in this mission.
8. Home address:
Mr. Lloyd H. Bunting (Father)
72 Midchester Avenue
White Plains, N. Y.
(Signed) ROBERT W. HULME
1st Lt., Air Corps.
AC 201 - BUNTING, Lloyd H. (2nd) 1st 1md. 23 June 1944
Headquarters, 2nd Bomb Sqdn., 22nd Bomb Gp (H), AFO 713 Unit #1.
TO:
Commanding General, Fifth Air Force, AFO 925 (Thru: Channels).
Approved.
(Unsigned)
RUSSELL G. ALLAN
Major, Air Corps,
Commanding.
Some didn't make it home
Several of the aircraft involved in the mission to Peleliu on 9 June 1944 did not return.
"B-24J 42-100180 (MACR 13285): Damaged by enemy fire during an attack on Peleliu, the aircraft ran out of fuel while returning and ditched about a mile from Aitape Point, New Guinea. S/Sgt. William J. McCrosky was killed by gun fire during the attack. The body of another unidentified crewman washed ashore on the following day; four others disappeared after reaching shore. Lost were Lt. Francis J. Washington, navigator; Lt. Elden E. Hamilton, bombardier; T/Sgt. Warren J. Carstens, radio operator; Sgt. Warren R. Brunn, asst. radio operator; and S/Sgt Carmen Barreca, gunner. Pilot: Capt. John N. Barley."
"B-24J 42-100328 (MACR 5870): Became separated from formation by weather while two hours from target, an airfield on Peleliu, and was never heard from again. Lost were Lt. Howard F. Vierling, pilot; Lt. Eugene W. Sengstake, co-pilot; Lt. Albert E. Carpenter, Jr., bombardier; Lt. William H. Crockett, navigator; Sgt. Elmer C. Richardson, engineer; Sgt. Jewell C. Spicer, radio operator; Sgt. Garland L. P. Grant, asst. engineer; Pvt. Dilworth P. Lund, asst. radio operator; Sgt. Felix B. Lezynsli, gunner; and Sgt. Stephen Lilak, gunner."
The subsequent Battle of Peleliu, Sep-Nov 1944
The Battle of Peleliu, September 15, 1944 - November 25, 1944, was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Pacific War. In the battle to capture this speck in the Pacific, US losses were 2,336 killed and 8,450 wounded. The Japanese refused to surrender, and as a result their losses were almost total: 10,695 Japanese were killed, and only 202 were taken alive. In April 1947, years after the end of the war, 26 Japanese soldiers were encouraged to surrender.
Online book: The Seizure of Peleliu, Maj F. O. Hough, 1950.
The battle for the nearby island of Angaur was shorter: 17 September 1944 to 30 September 1944. US forces were constructing an airfield as the battle was being fought, and the 22nd Bomb Group moved to Angaur on 26 Nov 1944.
The 22nd Bomb Group also participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest and greatest naval battle of all time: 23 - 26 October 1944. In this battle the Japanese Navy was effectively destroyed.
The second paragraph of the order to deliver the two "special bombs" reads as follows:
"Additional bombs will be delivered on the above targets as soon as made ready by the project staff. Further instructions will be issued concerning targets other than those listed above."
Thos. T. Handy, General, G.S.C. Acting Chief of Staff 25 July 1945.
[Declassified: 18 Jun 1948]
Ending the war with air power
The massive losses involved in invasions such as Peleliu, Angaur, Guam and others up to Okinawa, led to a desire to avoid an unacceptable loss of life involved in an invasion of Japan. The strong preference was for Japan to surrender before an invasion became necessary. In the last months of the war, the 20th Air Force was destroying major Japanese mainland cities and facilities on a daily basis but there was no indication that this was leading to a surrender. These circumstances led to the use of the atomic bomb to achieve an end to the bloodshed on both sides. The two atomic bombs used were delivered by the 20th Air Force on 6 and 9 August 1945. However, until the Japanese surrender was announced on 15 August 1945, the 20th Air Force continued conventional bombing of Japanese mainland cities and facilities up to and including the day of the surrender.
And then, less than 4 years after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941, peace in the Pacific was achieved.
Peace lasted for less than 5 years: on 25 June 1950, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) Army attacked and then declared war on the Republic of Korea (South Korea), and it all started again. America was now at war with countries it had recently liberated from murderous Japanese occupation: China and Korea. America had imposed economic sanctions on Japan in protest against its occupation of China since 1931, and this had led to Japan's infamous attack on America in 1941.
Aircraft serial numbers - comment: good but not comprehensive (e.g. 100230 "Island Queen" is missing, and 100328 lost on 9 June 1944, but in the Pacific, not Germany)
References to this mission. In these sources, find the date (9 Jun 1944) and then find 5th AF, or SouthWest Pacific Area. They all just have a brief mention of the mission "B-24s bomb the airfield on Peleliu Island, Palau Islands".
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