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PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM: PAGE 2
ARRIVAL IN THE PHILIPPINES:
VMB-611 arrived in the Philippines on April 7, 1945 when Lieutenant
Colonel Sarles landed at Malabang Airfield to establish radio
communications with Filipino and Moro guerrillas in their defense of
the airfield against Japanese ground troops across the river from
the airstrip.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps
FILIPINO GUERRILLAS: Following
their arrival on April 7, 1945, the crews of VMB-611 were greeted by
jubilant Filipino and Moro
guerrillas.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps
BOMB DAMAGE:
When
VMB-611 arrived at Zamboanga, many of the buildings in the city had
been completely destroyed by bombing raids.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps
(Courtesy of Debbie Miller)
BUILDING MORET FIELD: Philippine and American engineers
building Moret Field, Zamboanga in the Spring of 1945. In the
background a pair of F4Us and an SBD can be seen.
SPECIAL GREETING: The severed tail of a Japanese fighter
plane hangs on display at Moret Field, Zamboanga. The sign
indicating "They have no tails in Zamboanga" is a humorous reference to a
song that was popular with troops in the South Pacific:
"The Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga."
DEADLY SERIOUS: An anti-aircraft hit over the port
side of the radio-gunner's station bears mute testimony as to the reality
of combat operations.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps (Courtesy of Dave Fish)
MIKE BAKER 3: A photograph of MB-3 in flight.
Note the addition of the radome for the AN/APS-3 search radar over
the bombardier's station.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps (Courtesy of Dave Fish)
SWIMMING HOLE:
Squadron members cool off at a swimming hole that was located about
five miles north of Zamboanga.
Photograph:
Raymond S. B. Perry Collection
(Courtesy of Robin Hill and the National Museum of Naval Aviation)
THEY HAVE NO TAILS IN ZAMBOANGA: A pair of unidentified VMB-611
officers check out the "They have no tails in Zamboanga" sign
at Moret Field.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps (Courtesy of Dave Fish)
UNWELCOME GUEST:
This
unwelcomed cobra was a typical example of the some of the unexpected
dangers squadron members were faced with on a day-to-day basis at
Zamboanga.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps
(Courtesy of Debbie Miller)
MORET FIELD: A general view of Moret Field just after Marine
operations ceased. Zamboanga City by the shore and Basalin
Island are in the distance.
ORDNANCE:
Technical Sergeant Donald B. Chubb sits atop a 500-pound general purpose
bomb prior to loading it aboard one of the aircraft in the background.
Photograph:
Raymond S. B. Perry Collection
(Courtesy of Robin Hill and the National Museum of Naval Aviation)
CAROLE LANDIS AND
JACK BENNY:
Actress Carole Landis and comedian Jack Benny arrive on Bougainville
to visit with VMB-611 as part of their USO
tour.
Photograph:
Raymond S. B. Perry Collection
(Courtesy of Robin Hill and the National Museum of Naval Aviation)
ANTIAIRCRAFT DAMAGE:
Operating from Moret Field, First Lieutenant John H. Coons' PBJ-1J received an
antiaircraft hit to its starboard rudder while flying a
reconnaissance mission over DelMonte.
Photograph:
Raymond S. B. Perry Collection
(Courtesy of Robin Hill and the National Museum of Naval Aviation)
JAPANESE BOMBER:
This Japanese G4M "Betty" bomber was shot down on May 3,
1945 by the crew of First
Lieutenants Wray E Bennett and Phillip J. Robinson.
Photograph:
Raymond S. B. Perry Collection
(Courtesy of Robin Hill and the National Museum of Naval Aviation)
CHURCH: This church was located at Zamboanga
and was just outside VMB-611's bivouac area.
Photograph:
Raymond S. B. Perry (Courtesy of Dave Fish)
BUZZING THE FIELD:
A pair of P-38 Lightnings of the 44th Fighter Squadron buzz Moret
Field. On the ground three USAAF P-61 night fighters can be
seen.
Photograph: National Archives
JAPANESE PRISONERS:
These lucky and dejected Japanese POWs await transportation to the rear area.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps
CELEBRITY GUEST: Lieutenant Colonel George Sarles, First
Lieutenant Ivin N. Samuels and other VMB-611 officers converse with comedian
Joe E. Brown. Brown was visiting VMB-611 while on a USO tour.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps
(Courtesy of Carl Samuels)
PREPARING FOR A MISSION: Lieutenant Colonel George A. Sarles
assists comedian Joe E. Brown with his flight gear. Brown had
been touring the Pacific and accompanied VMB-611 on at least one
mission.
Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps (Courtesy of Dave Fish) |
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