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| BALANACAN BOMBING NOVEMBER 25, 1944 |
JOHN FORSYTH BOMBING SQUADRON 18, USS INTREPID
A scout had reported four Jap ships in a protected bay off the island of
Marinduque, in the North Sibuyan Sea, south of Manila. They were warships,
long and sleek, destroyers of some type. The mission of such ships was
to transport men and ammunition from Luzon to the Japanese forces
fighting our men on Leyte. Their tactics were to wait for dark, then run
down the island chain to reinforce and supply their troops. They chose not
to move in daylight, when we were in the area.
Often, the destroyers used for these missions were old or obsolete, but
they were still fast warships; they had to be to make the run to Leyte,
unload and be safely away from the battle zone by dawn. During the day,
they'd seek a sheltered cove or even tie up to an island and cover
themselves with camouflage and nets if possible. According to Japanese
records, these four ships had left Ormoc Bay near manila on November
24,1944. The first night they reached Marinduque Island and hid in a bay.
The record shows that there were 3,470 soldiers and sailors aboard. The
record further states that, of all those men, only ten survived.
Two of the four ships had been attacked and sunk by VB-18's first
strike of the day. Now, an hour later, we were after the remaining two. We
had six 1,000 pound packages to deliver to each ship. There were 1,670 men
on those two ships-not one survived.
Our scout plane had reported the correct position and we navigated
right to the island. The day was clear and the sun was high in the sky. We
came over the island at 14,000 feet and flew slightly past the ships to be
directly up-sun from them. The ships were slender, not easy to hit, but they
were at anchor.
Six bombers attacked each ship. At the chosen point, the first bomber
pulled up in a smooth, soaring, graceful wingover; rolled inverted; and
started down. Each following bomber pulled up, over and down, almost in
cadence. We came directly out of the sun. The AA fire was minimal. After
the first thousand-pounder went off, either on or right beside the ship, the
AA fire, if anymore came, was ineffectual. A 1,000 pound bomb exploding
on a light ship destroys the ship and disables its crew.
This day each ship took six 1,000 pound bomb hits or near misses. The
ships disappeared in the smoke and fire of the bomb blasts and the 100 foot
tall geysers of water from the near misses. When the smoke and spume
cleared away, the ships were gone. They had been blown to pieces and sunk
in about one minute! There was no trace of the crews. They died, all of them.
1,670 men died without even a chance to radio they were under attack. As
far as the Japanese knew, they just disappeared.
Once more I was appalled at the devastation of the ships and the
complete annihilation of so many men. Yet, I felt like cheering each time a
bomb hit home. But then I shuddered as bomb after bomb exploded with
fearful intensity, sending forth shattering shock waves and flying shrapnel
that churned the water. In a sense it was unreal and impersonal. I saw the
ships being blown apart but I couldn't picture the violent deaths of the men
aboard them.
As the bombers completed their dives,they met to the north to leave for
home together, but I had a job to do. My rear gunner carried a camera to
record the results of our attacks. So when I pulled out of the bomb run, I
circled the targets while he took pictures. It was the only way the Air
Combat Intelligence officers could be sure that we had done what we said.
We took four pictures. They were graphic and are now part of Navy
archives.
After the photo passes, I caught up to the group as it started back for
the Intrepid. Twenty minutes later, the radio squawked, we were ordered to
change course and proceed to Leyte Island and land at Tacloban airstrip
there. No reason was given,but we knew. Our ship had been hit or sunk, and
we were on our own.
Passage from the book "Helldivers, US Navy Dive-Bombers at War" by
John F Forsyth, Motorbooks International Publishers Wholesalers
A scout had reported four Jap ships in a protected bay off the island of
Marinduque, in the North Sibuyan Sea, south of Manila. They were warships,
long and sleek, destroyers of some type. The mission of such ships was
to transport men and ammunition from Luzon to the Japanese forces
fighting our men on Leyte. Their tactics were to wait for dark, then run
down the island chain to reinforce and supply their troops. They chose not
to move in daylight, when we were in the area.
Often, the destroyers used for these missions were old or obsolete, but
they were still fast warships; they had to be to make the run to Leyte,
unload and be safely away from the battle zone by dawn. During the day,
they'd seek a sheltered cove or even tie up to an island and cover
themselves with camouflage and nets if possible. According to Japanese
records, these four ships had left Ormoc Bay near manila on November
24,1944. The first night they reached Marinduque Island and hid in a bay.
The record shows that there were 3,470 soldiers and sailors aboard. The
record further states that, of all those men, only ten survived.
Two of the four ships had been attacked and sunk by VB-18's first
strike of the day. Now, an hour later, we were after the remaining two. We
had six 1,000 pound packages to deliver to each ship. There were 1,670 men
on those two ships-not one survived.
Our scout plane had reported the correct position and we navigated
right to the island. The day was clear and the sun was high in the sky. We
came over the island at 14,000 feet and flew slightly past the ships to be
directly up-sun from them. The ships were slender, not easy to hit, but they
were at anchor.
Six bombers attacked each ship. At the chosen point, the first bomber
pulled up in a smooth, soaring, graceful wingover; rolled inverted; and
started down. Each following bomber pulled up, over and down, almost in
cadence. We came directly out of the sun. The AA fire was minimal. After
the first thousand-pounder went off, either on or right beside the ship, the
AA fire, if anymore came, was ineffectual. A 1,000 pound bomb exploding
on a light ship destroys the ship and disables its crew.
This day each ship took six 1,000 pound bomb hits or near misses. The
ships disappeared in the smoke and fire of the bomb blasts and the 100 foot
tall geysers of water from the near misses. When the smoke and spume
cleared away, the ships were gone. They had been blown to pieces and sunk
in about one minute! There was no trace of the crews. They died, all of them.
1,670 men died without even a chance to radio they were under attack. As
far as the Japanese knew, they just disappeared.
Once more I was appalled at the devastation of the ships and the
complete annihilation of so many men. Yet, I felt like cheering each time a
bomb hit home. But then I shuddered as bomb after bomb exploded with
fearful intensity, sending forth shattering shock waves and flying shrapnel
that churned the water. In a sense it was unreal and impersonal. I saw the
ships being blown apart but I couldn't picture the violent deaths of the men
aboard them.
As the bombers completed their dives,they met to the north to leave for
home together, but I had a job to do. My rear gunner carried a camera to
record the results of our attacks. So when I pulled out of the bomb run, I
circled the targets while he took pictures. It was the only way the Air
Combat Intelligence officers could be sure that we had done what we said.
We took four pictures. They were graphic and are now part of Navy
archives.
After the photo passes, I caught up to the group as it started back for
the Intrepid. Twenty minutes later, the radio squawked, we were ordered to
change course and proceed to Leyte Island and land at Tacloban airstrip
there. No reason was given,but we knew. Our ship had been hit or sunk, and
we were on our own.
Passage from the book "Helldivers, US Navy Dive-Bombers at War" by
John F Forsyth, Motorbooks International Publishers Wholesalers
THE BACKGROUND
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS
THE PHOTOS
THE MEN OF VB-18
THE SB2C HELLDIVERS
THE JAPANESE SHIPS
On November 25, 1944, Bombing Squadron Eighteen (VB-18) flying
SB2C-1 & SB2C-1C Planes from the United States Carrier Intrepid
(CV-11) were responsible for destroying the Japanese fast
transports T.6 and T.10, and damaging fast transport T.9 and the
escort destroyer Take, at Balanacan Harbor, Marinduque Island.
Unfortunately while they were away the Intrepid was the victim of
Japanese Kamikaze attacks.
SB2C-1 & SB2C-1C Planes from the United States Carrier Intrepid
(CV-11) were responsible for destroying the Japanese fast
transports T.6 and T.10, and damaging fast transport T.9 and the
escort destroyer Take, at Balanacan Harbor, Marinduque Island.
Unfortunately while they were away the Intrepid was the victim of
Japanese Kamikaze attacks.
| NOTE THE PLANE FLYING LOWER RIGHT CORNER |
JOHN F. FORSYTH
GUNNER DICK SHIPMAN
GUNNER A.V. DASCHKE
VB-18 PILOTS
FRONT ROW: DUCKETT CHAUVEL, EHRKE
MIDDLE ROW: EMGE, KEANE,CHANEY, ANDERSON
BACK ROW: MCINTOSH, SHERRELL
FRONT ROW: DUCKETT CHAUVEL, EHRKE
MIDDLE ROW: EMGE, KEANE,CHANEY, ANDERSON
BACK ROW: MCINTOSH, SHERRELL
| TWO PLANES ON THE GROUND AFTER LEAVING BALANACAN |
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF SB2C'S FROM THE USS INTREPID. PLANES
FROM THE INTREPID BORE THE "+" SIGN ON THE TAILS AS WELL AS
THE PLANE NUMBER.
FROM THE INTREPID BORE THE "+" SIGN ON THE TAILS AS WELL AS
THE PLANE NUMBER.
The President of the United States takes
pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to
John F. Forsyth, Lieutenant, Junior
Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for
extraordinary heroism in operations
against the enemy while serving as Pilot
of a carrier- based Navy Dive Bomber of
Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN (VB-18),
embarked from the U.S.S. INTREPID
(CV-11), during the Second Battle of the
Philippine Sea, on 25 October 1944. The
action, in which he was an integral part,
successfully accomplished in the face of
intense and accurate anti-aircraft
barrages, removed a serious threat to our
ground forces in the Philippine Islands.
His outstanding courage and determined
skill were at all times inspiring and in
keeping with the highest traditions of the
United States Naval Service.
pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to
John F. Forsyth, Lieutenant, Junior
Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for
extraordinary heroism in operations
against the enemy while serving as Pilot
of a carrier- based Navy Dive Bomber of
Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN (VB-18),
embarked from the U.S.S. INTREPID
(CV-11), during the Second Battle of the
Philippine Sea, on 25 October 1944. The
action, in which he was an integral part,
successfully accomplished in the face of
intense and accurate anti-aircraft
barrages, removed a serious threat to our
ground forces in the Philippine Islands.
His outstanding courage and determined
skill were at all times inspiring and in
keeping with the highest traditions of the
United States Naval Service.
Fast Transport Ships
Displacement 1500 tons
Armament 2 × 127mm & 15 - 26 × 25mm
Speed 22 knots
T-6 Built Kure Navy Yard, Commissioned August 19, 1944 Sunk
T-9 Built Kure Navy Yard, Commissioned September 20, 1944 Damaged
T-10 Built Kure navy Yard, Commissioned September 25, 1944 Sunk
Displacement 1500 tons
Armament 2 × 127mm & 15 - 26 × 25mm
Speed 22 knots
T-6 Built Kure Navy Yard, Commissioned August 19, 1944 Sunk
T-9 Built Kure Navy Yard, Commissioned September 20, 1944 Damaged
T-10 Built Kure navy Yard, Commissioned September 25, 1944 Sunk
The MATSU class encompassed all of the above requirements in a most robust
and successful, if Spartan, design. Usually referred to as "escort destroyers" and
named (after trees) as 2nd-Class Destroyers, their displacement of over 1,000
tons nonetheless earned them the Empire's rating of 1st-Class Destroyer.
While similar to Allied destroyer-escorts in form and function, the MATSUs were
both 50-70' longer and more heavily-armed, especially in the AA role, with 5" guns
that could be elevated to 90 degrees and scores of 25 mm. machine-guns. A
quadruple bank of the deadly Long-Lance torpedo tubes and Types 13 and 22
radar outfits were also shipped.
Very important in these times of deteriorating fortunes for the Empire were their
sturdiness and survivability: a unique boiler-engine, boiler-engine power plant
arrangement helped insure that no single hit would be crippling. Their top speed of
just under 28 knots was less than desired, but adequate for most tasks assigned.
Displacement: 1,262 - 1,289 tons
Dimensions: 328 (length) by 30.5 (beam) by 11 (draught) feet
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines: 19,000 SHP; 28 knots
Radius: 4,680 at 16 knots
Armament: 3 x 5"/40 cal. DP guns (1 x 2, 1 x 1); 24 x 25 mm. AA guns (4 x
3, 12 x 1); 4 x 24" torpedo tubes (1 x 4); 36 - 60 depth charges.
Complement: 211
Take - Commissioned: 1942/43? Damaged
TAKE was the star of the class, operating as far afield as Palau and the
Philippines, sinking an enemy destroyer and possibly a submarine, and surviving the
war to tell about it.
and successful, if Spartan, design. Usually referred to as "escort destroyers" and
named (after trees) as 2nd-Class Destroyers, their displacement of over 1,000
tons nonetheless earned them the Empire's rating of 1st-Class Destroyer.
While similar to Allied destroyer-escorts in form and function, the MATSUs were
both 50-70' longer and more heavily-armed, especially in the AA role, with 5" guns
that could be elevated to 90 degrees and scores of 25 mm. machine-guns. A
quadruple bank of the deadly Long-Lance torpedo tubes and Types 13 and 22
radar outfits were also shipped.
Very important in these times of deteriorating fortunes for the Empire were their
sturdiness and survivability: a unique boiler-engine, boiler-engine power plant
arrangement helped insure that no single hit would be crippling. Their top speed of
just under 28 knots was less than desired, but adequate for most tasks assigned.
Displacement: 1,262 - 1,289 tons
Dimensions: 328 (length) by 30.5 (beam) by 11 (draught) feet
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines: 19,000 SHP; 28 knots
Radius: 4,680 at 16 knots
Armament: 3 x 5"/40 cal. DP guns (1 x 2, 1 x 1); 24 x 25 mm. AA guns (4 x
3, 12 x 1); 4 x 24" torpedo tubes (1 x 4); 36 - 60 depth charges.
Complement: 211
Take - Commissioned: 1942/43? Damaged
TAKE was the star of the class, operating as far afield as Palau and the
Philippines, sinking an enemy destroyer and possibly a submarine, and surviving the
war to tell about it.
TA was the designation assigned to Japanese naval operations aimed at
getting reinforcements, supplies and munitions to their troops fighting the U.
S. invasion forces on Leyte, in the Philippines.
TA No. 5's first echelon, landing ships T.111, T.141 and T.160 escorted by
Subchaser No. 46, got underway from Manila on 23 November and had
reached Port Cataingan on the island of Masbate by early the next morning.
They were to hole up there during the day to avoid detection, but the
Americans found them anyway. Shortly after noon bomb-toting P-40s roared
in to the attack and left the three beached landing ships and their cargos
blazing beyond salvage. The subchaser had little recourse but to remove
their crews and head back towards Manila. The second echelon fared little
better. Comprising the trusty trio of T.6, T.9 and T.10 escorted by TAKE, it
cleared Manila on 24 November and put in at Port Balanacan, Marinduque,
on the 25th. But that morning the fast carriers of Task Groups 38.1 and 38.2
once again returned to their launch positions east of Luzon and flew off
flights of heavily-armed aircraft to blanket the area. Some of these found
TAKE's little convoy and struck savagely, sinking T.6 and T.10 and
damaging T.9. Others found Subchaser No. 46, fleeing homeward from the
previous day's ambush, and sank her as well. TAKE and T.9 were fortunate
to make it back to Manila on their own bottoms. TA No. 5 was thus a
complete and costly failure.
getting reinforcements, supplies and munitions to their troops fighting the U.
S. invasion forces on Leyte, in the Philippines.
TA No. 5's first echelon, landing ships T.111, T.141 and T.160 escorted by
Subchaser No. 46, got underway from Manila on 23 November and had
reached Port Cataingan on the island of Masbate by early the next morning.
They were to hole up there during the day to avoid detection, but the
Americans found them anyway. Shortly after noon bomb-toting P-40s roared
in to the attack and left the three beached landing ships and their cargos
blazing beyond salvage. The subchaser had little recourse but to remove
their crews and head back towards Manila. The second echelon fared little
better. Comprising the trusty trio of T.6, T.9 and T.10 escorted by TAKE, it
cleared Manila on 24 November and put in at Port Balanacan, Marinduque,
on the 25th. But that morning the fast carriers of Task Groups 38.1 and 38.2
once again returned to their launch positions east of Luzon and flew off
flights of heavily-armed aircraft to blanket the area. Some of these found
TAKE's little convoy and struck savagely, sinking T.6 and T.10 and
damaging T.9. Others found Subchaser No. 46, fleeing homeward from the
previous day's ambush, and sank her as well. TAKE and T.9 were fortunate
to make it back to Manila on their own bottoms. TA No. 5 was thus a
complete and costly failure.
| T-6 IN CENTER AND T-9 RIGHT HAND SIDE As depicted by Takeshi Yuki, "Color Paintings of Japanese Warships") |
The Evening Independent , Massillion, Ohio Nov 28, 1944
Aboard A US Carrier off Luzon, November 25 (Delayed) AP
Four old destroyers and a concentration of troop transports were found
anchored off the little island of Marinduque off southern Luzon. All four of
these destroyers were damaged in the first attack. Lt. R.M. Golling
reported two of them sunk in a later strike.
Aboard A US Carrier off Luzon, November 25 (Delayed) AP
Four old destroyers and a concentration of troop transports were found
anchored off the little island of Marinduque off southern Luzon. All four of
these destroyers were damaged in the first attack. Lt. R.M. Golling
reported two of them sunk in a later strike.
Neri Layag 9 year old boy in Balanacan:
I remember it was early in the morning. The first I knew that something was
going on was that the trumpets started sounding on the ships. We went outside
and looked to the east and you could see planes in a "V" formation coming
towards the harbour from out of the sun. People were yelling and pointing at the
ships " There they are" trying to help the pilots of the planes. The ships started
firing their cannons but this stopped after the first bomb dropped. It was a large
explosion and I hide under the table with my father. We could hear the planes
using their machine guns when the sound of the bombs weren't heard. After the
bombing stopped my father went to see what happened and he said that all that
was left was part of a ship near the shore. The Japanese that had been at
Balanacan prior to the bombing left afterwards toward Boac and there were
never any Japanese after that at Balanacan.
The ships had made a mistake when they entered the harbor and I think this is
what led to them being found. Normally when the Japanese ships came into the
harbour they got close to the pier and covered the decks with nets and palms
branches from the shore as a disguise. These ships failed to do this, maybe
because they arrived late and didn't have time.
I remember it was early in the morning. The first I knew that something was
going on was that the trumpets started sounding on the ships. We went outside
and looked to the east and you could see planes in a "V" formation coming
towards the harbour from out of the sun. People were yelling and pointing at the
ships " There they are" trying to help the pilots of the planes. The ships started
firing their cannons but this stopped after the first bomb dropped. It was a large
explosion and I hide under the table with my father. We could hear the planes
using their machine guns when the sound of the bombs weren't heard. After the
bombing stopped my father went to see what happened and he said that all that
was left was part of a ship near the shore. The Japanese that had been at
Balanacan prior to the bombing left afterwards toward Boac and there were
never any Japanese after that at Balanacan.
The ships had made a mistake when they entered the harbor and I think this is
what led to them being found. Normally when the Japanese ships came into the
harbour they got close to the pier and covered the decks with nets and palms
branches from the shore as a disguise. These ships failed to do this, maybe
because they arrived late and didn't have time.
Aurora Layag (Natolla) A young girl in Nangka (Next to the Mogpog River)
We heard and saw the planes flying north along the east side of the island. We
watched as they flew towards Balanacan and could see the bombs dropping from
the planes. The bombs disapeared behind the hills but we could hear the
explosions and it scared us. At first we hid under a coconut tree. Later my
brother put me on his shoulders and we went into the hills to hide, afraid the
Japanese would get us.
We heard and saw the planes flying north along the east side of the island. We
watched as they flew towards Balanacan and could see the bombs dropping from
the planes. The bombs disapeared behind the hills but we could hear the
explosions and it scared us. At first we hid under a coconut tree. Later my
brother put me on his shoulders and we went into the hills to hide, afraid the
Japanese would get us.
