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Introduction

Early in the war, the United States Army Air Corps and the U.S. Navy came to an agreement that allowed the Navy to operate land-based bombers. The Marine Corps was also looking for a long-range bomber to be used for aerial support of amphibious operations and heckling missions.

In February 1943, the Marine Corps began to receive its first North American Aviation B-25 Mitchell medium bomber models. These aircraft were given the designation PBJ-1, the Navy designation for the B-25 Mitchell. Out of a total production run of 9,816 B-25s produced during World War II, the Marine Corps was assigned 706 of them.

On October 1, 1943, the Marine Corps commissioned eight Marine Bomber Squadrons from Cherry Point, North Carolina: VMB-413, VMB-423, VMB-433, VMB-443, VMB-611, VMB-612, VMB-613, and VMB-614. All VMB squadrons were assigned to the Pacific Theater (the war ended before VMB-614 could see combat action). While overseas, the seven VMB squadrons suffered combined operational losses of 18 aircraft, combat losses of 26 aircraft, and 195 men Killed in Action or Missing in Action.

VMB-611 was the last Marine Bomber Squadron to arrive in the South Pacific and the first and only to be based in the Philippine Islands before the end of the war.

VMB-611

Marine Mitchell Bomber Squadron VMB-611 was commissioned October 1, 1943, at Cherry Point, North Carolina. Captain Prescott D. Fagan served as Commanding Officer 1 October to 15 November 1943; Lt. Col. George A. Sarles from 16 November 1943 to 30 May 1945; Major Robert R. Davis 1 June to 19 June 1945; and Major David Horne 20 June to date of surrender.

Immediately after commissioning, the assembly of officer and enlisted personnel that would eventually form VMB-611 flight crews was started. These crews would train together, be deployed overseas together, fly combat missions together, and some would die together.

VMB-611 Flight Training

VMB-611 flight training was conducted October 1943 until deployment overseas in August 1944. Training was accomplished at:

MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina – October 1943 to December 1943 MCAS Parris Island, South Carolina – January 1944 to August 1944

Additional training, including torpedo and depth charges, was conducted at NAS Boca Chica, Florida – February and July 1944. VMB-611 Deployment to the South Pacific

VMB-611 deployment of personnel and aircraft from the West Coast to the South Pacific occurred in two stages; half of the flight crews with their PBJ aircraft in the first stage, the second half of flight crews and entire ground crew in the second stage.

In August 1944, VMB-611 was transferred to the MCAD, Miramar, San Diego, California. Selected flight crews flew their PBJ-1D and PBJ-1J aircraft from Parris Island to San Diego while remaining personnel were transported by rail. The PBJs were loaded aboard the Escort Carrier U.S.S. MANILA BAY, and the echelon sailed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. At Barbers Point NAS, Hawaii, the PBJs had rocket launchers installed and Lt. Col. Sarles spent considerable time developing a technique to use rockets during medium altitude missions.

On October 22, 1944, the squadron left Hawaii, flying their PBJs and island hopping to Emirau, St. Matthias Group, South-west Pacific Area, arriving October 27, 1944. Lt. Col. Sarles put his flight crews together and began operations.

In the meantime, on September 26, 1944, the second half of the flight crews and entire ground crew of 36 officers and 416 enlisted men departed Port Hueneme, California aboard the “rust bucket” freighter ZOELLA LYKES.

Because of various “snafus,” the voyage took five months, sailing via Hawaii, Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, Ulithi Atoll, Palau Islands, Leyte Islands, and Mindoro before the 380 ground crew members disembarked at Zamboanga, Mindanao on March 17, 1945.

Because of concerns about his flight crews, Lt. Col. Sarles started looking for his men. In mid-December, he received information that they were at Ulithi. He flew an echelon to Ulithi to at least retrieve his flight crews, flying them back to Emirau.

VMB-611 Combat: Emirau, St. Matthias Group (Solomon Islands Operations)

At Emirau, VMB-611 was assigned to MAG-61, 1st Marine Air Wing. With only half a complement of flight crews, which also performed maintenance on their aircraft, the squadron was ready for combat. VMB-611 made its combat debut, led by Lt. Col. Sarles, on the evening of November 18, 1944 with a night mission to heckle Kavieng.

As part of MAG-61 and with the return of the remaining flight crews from Ulithi, VMB-611 and her sister squadrons conducted numerous missions in the Rabaul area. Daily strikes were made on Vunakanau Strip, Kavieng, and Rabaul itself.

VMB-611 also suffered its first “war zone” casualties at Emirau. On January 17th, while flying PBJ-1D MB 5 and trying to land in bad weather, 1st Lt. Charles H. Lawrence’s aircraft crashed in the jungle on approach. 1st Lt. Lawrence and four of his five crew members were killed.

In February 1945, Lt. Col. Sarles got his wish to conduct low-level missions in support of ground troops in the Philippine Islands. In late March, VMB-611 departed Emirau to join MAG-32 and reunite with its “missing” ground crew at Moret Field, Zamboanga, Mindanao.

VMB-611 Combat: Zamboanga, Mindanao (Philippine Islands Operations)

VMB-611, as the only PBJ squadron to operate in the Philippine Islands during the war, served under command of Marine Air Groups Zamboanga (MAGSZAM), 1st Marine Air Wing. MAGSZAM included MAG-12, MAG-24, and MAG-32. As a note, VMB-611 flight crews were not assigned a specific aircraft but “shared” the PBJs with other crews. It was not unusual for a PBJ aircraft to be flown on a day mission by one crew, and the same aircraft flown on a night mission by a different crew.

As part of MAG-32, VMB-611 immediately began flying missions in support of elements of the EIGHTH Army. The squadron’s initial operations were against Japanese troops in the Sulu Archipelago, South-west of Mindanao. On March 31, 1945, Lt. Col Sarles led the first strike with a four-plane night bombing attack on Bongao Island. Numerous day and night strikes were conducted on both Bongo Island and Jolo Island. Three days of intense bombing made the Japanese ineffective against the attacking American troops.

The next offensive began on Mindanao itself with daily bombing strikes and close air support of ground operations. During the first two weeks of April, strikes in the north central part of Mindanao, including Malabang and Cagayn, the squadron dropped over three tons of bombs on enemy gun positions. Close ground support helped in capturing Malabang Airfield.

During late April and early May, strikes continued in central Mindanao, including Maramag and the region known as Del Monte (yes, large areas of pineapple fields), including Del Monte Airfield. Missions also included day and night PT support in Davao Gulf.

VMB-611 suffered its second war zone casualties on a strike near Del Monte airstrip. On May 2nd, while flying PBJ-1D MB 8, 1st Lt. Robert B. Mason’s aircraft was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire. 1st Lt. Mason and seven of his crew members, including two ground crew passengers on the flight, were killed.

During the rest of May, VMB-611 made medium and low level bomb, rocket, and gun strikes against Tagaloan Airfield, Dalwangan, Tupiai, Davao, Davao Gulf (PT support), Piso Point, and the Kibawe Trail between Kibawe and Davao.

Between April and May, VMB-611 flew 173 sorties, dropped approximately 245 tons of bombs, fired 800 rockets, and used a considerable amount of machine gun ammunition. The squadron had contributed to the success of ground forces by causing heavy causalities to Japanese troops; disrupting Japanese ground movements; destroying supplies; destroying transportation; destroying artillery and positions; and damaging the morale of the Japanese. The total losses to the squadron during this period were nine dead, nine wounded, and four aircraft lost. VMB-611 continued to strike the enemy but, in doing so, lost additional men.

For VMB-611, the worst was yet to come.

VMB-611 Combat: Zamboanga, Mindanao (Philippine Islands Operations)

On May 30, 1945, Lt. Col. Sarles led an all day multiple PBJ sweep of the Kibawe Trail. The first pair of PBJs made their strike at 0800 hours. The second pair of PBJs, led by Lt. Col. Sarles, made their strike two hours later. While flying PBJ-1D MB 7, Lt. Col. Sarles flew directly over concealed anti-aircraft positions, and his PBJ took a hit in an engine. He hit a tree, and his aircraft smashed into the ground. Lt. Col. George A. Sarles and three of his eight crew members, including a passenger, were killed.

The loss of Lt. Col. Sarles and his crew members were not the only causalities that day. The third pair of PBJs arrived over the area in the afternoon. Having been advised that Lt. Col. Sarles’ PBJ had been lost, both pilots began a search of the area but to no avail. The flight then began making runs on the target. While flying PBJ-1J MB 11, 1st Lt. Doit L. Fish’s aircraft became missing and was never seen again. 1st Lt. Fish and his seven member crew, including a passenger, were officially declared Missing in Action on May 30, 1945.

May 30th was a dark day for VMB-611, and they were never the same again. Not only did they lose their respected leader and Commanding Officer, they lost 12 fellow members of their squadron and two aircraft, their highest single-day loss in their short history.

(A Footnote: In November 1956, the aircraft wreckage and skeletal remains of Capt. Doit L. Fish and his crew were discovered near Davao, Mindanao. The eight Marines were given a common grave burial, with full Military Honors, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado on July 15, 1957. As noted by surviving fellow pilots, the book on VMB-611 could now be closed…All planes are in.)

With the death of Lt. Col. Sarles, Maj. Robert D. Davis briefly held command of the squadron before he fell victim to the enemy. June saw a change in the squadron’s missions with flights to Borneo to harass the Japanese before the Australians landed at Brunei Bay. Additionally, VMB-611 PBJs flew escort for fighters of MAG-14 to Okinawa serving as navigators to get them there. After the landings at Borneo, the squadron resumed its mission supporting ground troops in the Philippines. However, VMB-611 continued to see its list of causalities grow.

On June 19, Maj. Davis led a strike of two, three-plane groups against Japanese positions and ammunition dumps north of Sarangani Bay. The first three aircraft made a low-level bomb attack near the village of Clinan. Maj. Davis continued from the initial bomb run to strafe enemy troops when his PBJ was hit by anti-aircraft fire, knocking out one engine and setting the hydraulic system on fire. With the aircraft engulfed in flames, Maj. Davis successfully crash-landed in a field. All six crew members suffered varying degree of injuries and burns, with Maj. Davis’ face and hands suffering severe burns. Despite their injuries, all six were able to exit the aircraft and escape making their way through chest-high grass and thick jungle to the coast. The next morning they were spotted by a flight of SBDs who alerted a rescue PBY. Shortly afterwards the six men were aboard the seaplane. Maj. Davis’ and two other crew member’s injuries were so severe that the three were immediately flown to the hospital at Leyte while the others were placed in the Army hospital at Zamboanga.

VMB-611 Combat: Zamboanga, Mindanao (Philippine Islands Operations)

Flying in the same group with Maj. Davis, 1st Lt. Robert A. Griffith’s PBJ was hit by enemy gunfire and flying on only one engine. The aircraft could not maintain altitude, and 1st Lt. Griffith radioed that he would have to ditch. The PBJ hit the sea about a mile offshore in Sarangani Bay sinking just three minutes after ditching. 1st Lt. Griffith and three of his crew members could not get out of the aircraft and went down with the PBJ.

With both Lt. Col. Sarles and Maj. Davis gone, Major David Horne assumed command of VMB-611 and remained so until the end of the war. By mid-June, the first replacement crews arrived, and combat veteran pilots, radiomen, and gunners started to pack up for their return to the States. However, bombardier/navigators stayed behind as there were no replacements for these men, and they had to continue flying. The veterans viewed the new men suspiciously and, in some instances, questioned their ability. One veteran commented: “The replacements were members of 611 in name only, not the spirit. When the first set of orders for rotation came, that’s when the squadron known as 611 began to die.”

In June, VMB-611 flew 98 sorties with about half being reconnaissance missions and the rest almost equally split between night bombing and formation daylight attacks. Large formation strikes were flown at the end of the month for the benefit of new crews being slowly introduced to combat.

During July, there was not much left for VMB-611 to do on Mindanao in regards to combat operations except for mopping-up operations until the end of the war. The intense combat operations of the squadron were replaced by the unglamorous ones of dropping leaflets urging the surviving Japanese to surrender; occasional night heckling missions; weather flights; and transport and ferry flights.

In August, VMB-611 participated in one of the most unusual and bizarre missions of the Pacific War. On August 10, captured Japanese Army 2nd Lt. Minoru Wada voluntarily guided VMB-611 PBJs and VMF-115 F4U Corsairs to the headquarters of General Harada’s 100th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, located in the mountains near Kibawe-Talomo Trail in Mindanao’s Davao area. While 2nd Lt. Wada watched from his PBJ waist-gun position, the pilots pounded the headquarters and billet area with fragmentation bombs, napalm, rockets, and heavy machine gun fire, devastating the area.

Of course, a few days later the war ended. VMB-611’s combat actions during the Philippine Campaign were duly recognized by the Commanding Officers of MAW-1 and MAGSZAM. The vision of using Marine multi-engine bombers for close air support had been realized. Unfortunately, such tactics resulted in the loss of Lt. Col. Sarles and other brave men of VMB-611.

As part of MAGSZAM and MAG-32, and for their efforts in the Philippine Campaign, VMB-611 was awarded the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.

VMB-611 Post-War Operations

For VMB-611, the end of the war did not mean coming home for the squadron. As part of the 1st Marine Air Wing, VMB-611 would be assigned to fly escort for MAW-1 aircraft to China for occupation duty and a show of strength. Already it was the beginning of the “Cold War” that would sometimes get hot as it did five years later in Korea.

VMB-611’s primary role during this strange period was to fly navigation escort to 1st MAW’s F4Us and SBDs across the China Sea from Okinawa, and by early October, the squadron was ready for their China deployment. Since the assignment was to be a temporary one, most of the ground crews were left behind at Zamboanga. Those that did go were charged with ensuring proper maintenance and refueling of the aircraft between flights.

On October 21, the PBJs departed Zamboanga for Okinawa. All the pilots and most of the crews were post-war replacements, with the long-suffering bombardier/navigators being virtually the only combat veterans left. The trip took two days with a stopover in northern Luzon. Over the next several days, each PBJ left with a clutch of fighters and dive-bombers, each group making its way individually westward across the China Sea and landing with their charges at Shanghai.

After a short period of R&R, VMB-611 finally left China on October 30 to return to Zamboanga. All that remained was to service the PBJs for the return flight on the homeward trip across the Pacific. In early November, VMB-611 took off from Moret Field, Zamboanga for the last time. With stops at Guam, Wake Island, and Midway, the PBJs finally landed at Ewa MCAS, Pearl Harbor, on November 8, 1945.

Upon arrival at Ewa, the squadron’s PBJ aircraft were turned over to guards who had orders to dump them in the ocean. That was a particularly hard decision for some of the veterans to understand, but, on reflection, they came to terms with the fact that the war was finally over.

During their Solomon Islands and Philippine Campaigns, VMB-611 suffered a total of combined operational losses of 2 aircraft, combat losses of 6 aircraft, and 34 men Killed in Action or Missing in Action.

On November 30, 1945, VMB-611 was decommissioned.

Credits: Alan C. Carey, “Leatherneck Bombers”; Personal memorabilia from surviving pilots and other veterans of VMB-611; Personal memorabilia, Military Personnel Records, and the Aviators Flight Log Book of Capt. Doit L. Fish, VMB-611 pilot.