9th FS Unit History - May 1945
May was a month of historical importance the world over, an
outstanding month in the history of the "Flying Knights", and one
which will not soon be forgotten. The daily news from Europe was watched
intently, for various signs of the crumbling German War Machine were evident in
each new dispatch. The Americans and Russian Armies were closing in on the last
bastions of Nazi resistance, Hitler was reported, by German radio, to have died
in Berlin and Admiral Karl Doenitz declared himself official head of the German
Government. The Australians landed on Borneo, and Yanks steadily pushed the
Nips back on Okinawa, the ground fighting Yanks on Luzon continued their slow
laborious advance, and the 9th Squadron's work-horse P-38's continued their
steady pounding of enemy installations on the island. Mussolini was killed by
Italian patriots in Milan, Italy; Berlin fell to the Russian Army after a
twelve day siege; President Truman confirmed the death of Hitler; and on 2nd
May, all German Forces in northern Italy, southern and western Austria,
surrendered unconditionally to the allies. In this background of world shaking
events, the "Flying Knights", operating from the shores of Lingayen
Gulf, joined other units of the V Fighter Command in a relentless attack on the
entrenched Japanese Army in the Balete Pass, Baguio, and Ipo Dam areas.
The summer squall season was setting in, with the first
really bad rainfall and accompanying windstorm occurring 4 May and lasting only
a few minutes. These infrequent cloudbursts were to continue through the entire
month, accompanied by hot, sultry days and nights relieved only by the
proximity of the bathing beach.
Jerry Thorp, correspondent for Daily
News Foreign Service, was a guest of the 9th Enlisted Men's Club early in the
month and wrote a brief story about the men in the 9th.
The surrender of German forces in Holland and Denmark was
announced on the 5th, as well as the fact that Hitler's once famed hideout at
Berchteagaden was in Allied hands. Captain E. Stumpf, Squadron Communications
Officer and 1st Lt. Bellan flew down to Biak island to observe a demonstration
of Ground Controlled Approach, a radar set-up used in the European Theatre to
guide aircraft through weather to a landing at their home base. They returned
the following day. Then it happened. The news the world had been waiting for,
the surrender of the last German Forces. The news of the cessation of
hostilities in Europe was received joyfully but with very little celebration.
All men in the organization realized that a very big job still lay ahead of
them and there was no relaxing in the destruction of the enemy in the Pacific.
The same day, 2nd Lt. W. Koby, returned to the squadron from an eight-day
sojourn with guerilla Forces after he bailed out near Santiago, North Luzon, on
27th April. He was none the worse for wear and the boys were "Damned"
glad to see him.
Around 1500, 11 May, the boys were treated to a little
excitement in camp when a battery-charging set-up in the Motor Pool ignited a
can of gasoline nearby and the resulting conflagration burned the roof off the
"garage". It was quickly extinguished, however, with no further
damage. Major Petrovich and Captain Davidson, journeyed to Manila for a day or
so of rest. The Enlisted Men of the outfit have been enjoying three day passes
to the Manila area, about five or six going at a time. Apparently Manila is a
very satisfactory rest area for all reports indicated the men have a thoroughly
enjoyable time.
The softball league broke into prominence when members of
the 9th's Red Noses, leading the group league, joined with players from the
other two squadrons to make up an all-star team, challenging any comers. The
first challengers were from the 35th Fighter Control Squadron and all hands
gathered at the ball diamond to watch the show. M/Sgt. Blackwell, Assistant Flight
Chief, and first baseman for the All-Stars, hit a home run with the bases
loaded in the first inning to start the game off royally. The opponents scored
four runs in the following inning by a fluke play at second base, but the
All-Stars forged ahead in the remaining innings while the King-Newmann
combinations of pitcher and catcher held the Fighter Control boys down to four
runs. Final score - 8 to 4.
Although the 9th Squadron, as part of the 49th Group
received many commendations during the month of May, including letters of
commendation for operations on Leyte, particularly activities over Ormoc Bay,
one commendation was directed at the 9th alone. In recognition of bagging 274
Nips, top score in the Army Air Forces in the Pacific, a civilian organization
presented an unusual gift for military achievement, a $500.00 rod and reel.
Brigadier General Smith, Commanding General, V Fighter Command, made the
presentation to Major J. Petrovich at Fighter Command Headquarters, Clark
Field. As a representative of General Kenney, Commanding General, FEAF, General
Smith passed on the following letter from General Kenney: "It is with a great deal of personal pride and pleasure that I
present your squadron with this prize rod and reel. The Fishing Tackle
Committee of the San Francisco League for Servicemen donated this rare outfit,
to be awarded to the highest squadron of the FEAF. Your unit has been
outstanding in that you have achieved more victories in aerial combat than any
other squadron under my command. Best wishes for continued success and good
fishing." Captain H. Norton,
Operations Officer, was put in the throes of creative endeavor in writing a
thank-you note to the San Francisco League for Servicemen's Fishing Tackle
Committee. The result was worthy of the gift in the mind of this narrator, even
if it was a "fish story".
The point system for discharge published immediately after
V-E Day, with the film "Two Down, One To Go" was being shown to all
personnel two days after the surrender. Naturally the system became the main
topic of conversation throughout the organization and the orderly room was busy
preparing the required cards on each individual and getting them to initial
same. Captain Gorham, Squadron Executive Officer, had a busy couple of days
explaining why this person didn't get that campaign star and why not. When the
smoke and dust had cleared the squadron had thirty enlisted men and eight
officers above 85 points.
The one bad factor in the system was, as General Arnold
pointed out to the boys in his moving speech, the Air Corps was number one
priority for staying in, points or no points. Also there was the conjecture
that rotation would cease when the system went into effect, but at this
writing, higher headquarters had not committed itself as yet.
The article above taken from Ken Clark’s Unit History
posted on www.flyingknights.net
NOTES:
- V-E Day: May 8, 1945 the Allies celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany. The previous day, in France, the German General Alfred Jodl had signed an unconditional surrender. By this date most of Germany had already been taken by allied forces. On April 30, 1945 Hitler had committed suicide as the Soviet forces took Berlin.
- Film- "Two Down, One To Go": https://youtu.be/do1-nBjYjdY
