PTO - Waking the Sleeping Giant! - 8th December 1941 (Marechallannes)
The USAFFE's aviation arm was the Far East Air Force (FEAF) of the U.S. Army Air Forces, commanded by Maj. Gen. Lewis H. Brereton. Previously the Philippine Department Air Force and Air Force USAFFE, the air force was activated on 16 November 1941 and was the largest USAAF combat air organization outside the United States. Its primary combat power in December 1941 consisted of 91 serviceable P-40 Warhawk fighters and 34 B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, with further modern aircraft en route. Tactically the FEAF was part of the Reserve Force, so that it fell under MacArthur's direct command.
It was December 8th when Japanese Navy planes started an attack on two heavy US cruisers which anchored in the Manila Bay. Most of the crews were on shore leave and the ships undefended versus attacks from the air.
When the first cable messages dealing with the Japanese surprise strike versus Pearl Harbor reached the Philippines Island, combat air patrols were sent up in the air to provide air cover for important targets.
The USAAF pilots 2nd Lt. Stanley Ribek and his wingman 2nd Lt. Andrew Deluca started with their P-40 Warhawk fighter planes when the first incoming Japanese planes were reported.
Ribek announced the enemy dive bombers for the main target via radio.
Deluca confirmed and the split up to attack the bombers the same time.
Ribek hit the leading Aichi dive bomber with a salvo from his six 50. Cal machine guns.
Smoke poured out of the bombers engine.
Deluca and an enemy Mitsubishi Zero escort fighter missed and passed each other with high speed.
So Ribek had enough time, to aim at the second dive bomber.
“Andrew” , he yelled via the radio, “care for this white one. The yellow bomber has nearly reached our ships. I try to catch him”
He turned his P-40 around in a half loop and headed for the other bomber.
Continuos fire from the Jap rear gunners pierced the US fighters bit by bit.
Andrew inflicted a fatal hit with his machine guns and the first dive bomber went down before it reached one of the cruisers.
With a trail of white smoke the Jap went down to the blue sea of the Manila Bay.
Unfortunately the leading bomber had reached his target and a precise hit of its 550 lb Bomb sealed the fate of the heavy cruiser.
Ribek did n’t want to let the enemy bomber escape and dived after it.
The Jap rear gunner strafed his Warhawk with a steady stream of bullets.
So it was only a question of time, when a couple of 7,7 mm round penetrated his pilot cabin, and wounded the US pilot at his chest and left arm.
Ignoring the pain, Ribek closed in on the bomber, pushing down the fire button on his control stick the whole time.
Finally the heavy firepower of the Warhawk’s armament did the job…
…and the last bomber with its brave crew went down.
Ribek told his wingman via radio about his injuries and broke off the fight.
A devastating salvo from the Zero and a lack of ammo showed Deluca that it was the better decision to fight those agile enemies another day.
Don't ask me why I forgot to pay back the Jap's fire...
He used the better high speed of his P-40, dived away and escaped.
Reply With Quote
(It was so devastating, that Deluca forgot to return fire and fled from the battlefield. 
) 
Bookmarks