Pacific Counterblow - Air Force Historical Studies Office
Pacific Counterblow - Air Force Historical Studies Office
Pacific Counterblow - Air Force Historical Studies Office
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On instructions from Marine headquarters, officers of the 67 th went<br />
through the two derelict B-17's, destroying radios, maps, charts, and<br />
confidential papers, and biding the Norden sights. For the time<br />
Henderson was useless as a heavy bombardment base.<br />
In fact, Henderson was very nearly useless for any type of aircraft.<br />
Pistol Pete-actually a number of guns-went into action again. His<br />
range, short at first, improved with practice, most of the shells landing<br />
in the area where the 67th's planes were parked. They came irregularly,<br />
about two every quarter-hour. As fast as the Seabces tackled a<br />
crater, another shell would whine over and dig at the same spot, scattering<br />
men and equipment. Still the Seabees tamped, filled, and laid<br />
mat, and for a time kept part of the field in operation. Providentially,<br />
back in September, they had laid out a grass strip 2,000 yards distant<br />
from and parallel with Henderson; although rough and short, this<br />
strip supported the light planes during the critical mid-October days.<br />
In an effort to silence Pete, four P-4oo's were hung with ioo-pound<br />
bombs. The pilots, parachutes strapped on, crouched in nearby foxholes.<br />
One at a time, between the bursts, they ran for their planes.<br />
Drunkenly, they taxied out, careened down the runway with new<br />
craters pocking the surface behind them. All got off but failed to<br />
silence Pistol Pete, who was numerous, concealed, and frequently<br />
moved. Lack of fuel precluded further raids against him; every<br />
drop was saved for fighter defense.<br />
Enemy pressure was relentless. At 1154 and again at 1303, enemy<br />
bombers and fighters struck, without warning or interception. Bomb<br />
craters could be filled, but the Seabees fell behind in their race with<br />
Pete. By afternoon of the i4th Henderson Field was knocked out.<br />
Down from headquarters, shortly after noon, came a Marine colonel.<br />
His words were reminiscent of the Philippines:<br />
We don't know whether we'll be able to ho!d the field or not. There's<br />
a Japanese task force of destroyers, cruisers, and troop transports headed<br />
our way. We have enough gasoline left for one mission against them.<br />
Load your airplanes with bombs and go out with the dive bombers and<br />
hit them. After the gas is gone we'll have to let the ground troops take<br />
over. Then your officers and men will attach yourselves to some infantry<br />
outfit. Good luck and good-bye.<br />
At 1425, then, 4 P- 39's, each with a 300-pound bomb, and 3 old<br />
P- 4oo's with ioo-pounders took off with the 4 SBD's. Henderson<br />
had few teeth left to show the Express. One hundred and fifty miles<br />
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