The 8th Attack Squadron
After the second world war began, the Eighth Attack Squadron was mobilized to fight. They left Savannah Air Base in January of 1942, arriving at Oakland, California with the purpose of secretly preparing for a mission. They boarded the “Ancon,” which sailed for 25 days before reaching Brisbane, Australia. They set up camp in Brisbane, and moved to Charters Towers, another camp that had been set up in a rush, on March 6th. On the 31st of March, the Air Echelon flew to Port Moresby, and began the 8th’s involvement in the war.
In 1942, the 8th led the first combat mission of any bombardment squadron in New Guinea on April 1. Over the course of April, many Japanese bases were destroyed, and planes arrived at their base. Most of April of 1942 revolved around destroying the Japanese stronghold at Lae. In May, the squadron was on standby to break a Japanese convoy when they were attacked first, losing six planes and one lieutenant. In June, there were mostly practices. In July, the A-20s were fitted with new nose guns, and the squadron was on higher alert, with three planes out at any time. July ended with numerous bombings against Gona Mission Compound and Buna road.
On the 29th of July, the 8th suffered a tragedy. After it was revealed that a convoy of eight ships was 50 miles north of Buna, seven A-24s took off with escorts of P-40s. They sunk a 6000-ton ship and damaged many of the freighters. Only one pilot survived the attack, Lt. Wilkins. The loss to the squadron of many of its best members, including the beloved Cpt. Schwab and intrepid Major Rogers, was devastating.
From August of 1942 to May of 1943, pilots were trained, planes were brought in, and small missions were carried out. For the remainder of 1943, many bombing missions were carried out. Nearby villages and supply posts were destroyed with mostly successes. There were many scouting missions in this time, accompanied with bombing missions and strafing missions on following days. In this period, the squadron began to report how much ammunition and bombs were used as a measure of battle length or bombing success. At the end of 1943, in November, there was a disastrous mission to Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. This was the final mission of the B-25 era of the squadron.
The successful bombing of villages and supply posts continued, as did battles with ships, through 1944. The squadron became adept at routine bombings, as their victories increased daily.
In 1942, the 8th led the first combat mission of any bombardment squadron in New Guinea on April 1. Over the course of April, many Japanese bases were destroyed, and planes arrived at their base. Most of April of 1942 revolved around destroying the Japanese stronghold at Lae. In May, the squadron was on standby to break a Japanese convoy when they were attacked first, losing six planes and one lieutenant. In June, there were mostly practices. In July, the A-20s were fitted with new nose guns, and the squadron was on higher alert, with three planes out at any time. July ended with numerous bombings against Gona Mission Compound and Buna road.
On the 29th of July, the 8th suffered a tragedy. After it was revealed that a convoy of eight ships was 50 miles north of Buna, seven A-24s took off with escorts of P-40s. They sunk a 6000-ton ship and damaged many of the freighters. Only one pilot survived the attack, Lt. Wilkins. The loss to the squadron of many of its best members, including the beloved Cpt. Schwab and intrepid Major Rogers, was devastating.
From August of 1942 to May of 1943, pilots were trained, planes were brought in, and small missions were carried out. For the remainder of 1943, many bombing missions were carried out. Nearby villages and supply posts were destroyed with mostly successes. There were many scouting missions in this time, accompanied with bombing missions and strafing missions on following days. In this period, the squadron began to report how much ammunition and bombs were used as a measure of battle length or bombing success. At the end of 1943, in November, there was a disastrous mission to Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. This was the final mission of the B-25 era of the squadron.
The successful bombing of villages and supply posts continued, as did battles with ships, through 1944. The squadron became adept at routine bombings, as their victories increased daily.