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Drawings - Copyright - according to actual photos |
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Missions Bush was assigned to, additional
remarks |
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Avenger flight techniques.
"FT" shows that it is a torpedo bomber,
stationed at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. Because a drawing
signed by Bush in the Ft. Lauderdale Museum shows an Avenger with the
number 42, it's highly probable that he indeed flew a plane marked
in this way. For Ens. Bush first station after
having received his wings.
Ft. Lauderdale Avengers aircraft still in Blue
Gray over Light Gray paint scheme.
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Further flight techniques
incl. carrier landings.
Belly landing on Nov. 01,1943 at NAS
Chincoteaque, following a "landing gear malfunction" (Bush).
Letter "C" denotes "VC-51" (Composite Sqn. 51,
TBF and SBD aircraft). After detachment of the Dauntless contingent the designation for
the leftover torpedo bombers was changed to "VT-51" on Nov. 08,
1943. |
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Shakedown cruise of Air
Group 51 on CVL-30, "San Jacinto"
"Shakedown Cruise" was a fixed expression for making a squadron fit for combat. The 24 F6F-3 Hellcats
and 8 TBM-1C Avengers of AG 51 also had to prove the required number of
successful carrier landings.
The number 2 of VT-51 (radio call "Tare Two") had brackets for three F-56
cameras installed in the bomb bay for alternative reconnaissance missions,
a K-20 was to be operated by the radio man in the lower crew compartment.
It was therefore obvious that Ensign George H.W. Bush, already appointed "Squadron
Photo Officer", could fly this aircraft more often than usual. In general,
as Commander Melvin again emphasized orally, the Navy principle applied
that aircraft were not assigned for personal use and personal decorations
were prohibited.
In radio communication the No. 2 was called "Tare Two".
But Bush baptized her "Barbara", the name of a girl who would become his
wife on January 6, 1945. According to Navy rules, however, this was not
visible externally. |
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1th combat tour in the Pacific, Wake Island,
Marianas. In April
1944, the light aircraft carrier "San Jacinto" reached the Pacific and
on May 8 joined the fleet of 15 aircraft carriers (plus support ships)
lying in Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The fleet's mission was
"Operation Forager", capture of the Marianas (first Saipan in June
1944) and, to deceive Japan, bombing of Wake Island on May 23. Tare 2
in a dual role as bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.
The target of his first attack on June 12 was the radio station of the
Aslito airbase on Saipan, but not with his "Barbara". She
again had engine
problems.
On June 19, 1944, - mass attack by Japanese planes to prevent the
capture of Saipan - the fighters of the CVL-30 were also called upon,
the deck had to be kept clear, "Tare 2" had to be catapulted from the
deck at 11.57 hrs. On its way away from the carrier suddenly black
smoke and falling oil pressure, return to the carrier no longer
possible. The "Barbara" had to make an emergency water landing. But
Bush and his two crew members could be saved by the destroyer DD-668 "Bronson".
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No personal aircraft in the US Navy.
Because "Tare Two" was prone to engine problems,
Bush inevitably had to fly other planes too (see BuAer numbers).
Even more so in June 1944, 6
out of 13 flights not in the Barbara (BuAer 16928, 16935, 25137, 16931, 25305, 48103).
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Photo reconnaissance of the Palau
Islands.
At the urging of the Marine Corps in preparation for
the landing of troops, photographic coverage of terrain and Japanese
positions on Peleliu.
The exact appearance of this replacement aircraft is unfortunately not
photographically documented, but there is some evidence that no new number
was assigned, but the previous one was kept.
It is unlikely that Bush again called this plane "Barbara".
It was still a TBF-1 (previous version of the improved TBM-1C) and had
been in service with the VT-24 on CVL-24 "Belleau Wood". According to Bush
an old clunker.
In August 1944 (date unknown) replaced by the new "Tare 3", again a
TBM-1C.
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Silencing the Chichi Jima radio
relay stations.
| The new replacement aircraft came
just in time for the planned switch-off of the central radio relay
stations on Chi Chi Jima in the Bonin Islands at the end of August (why
"Tare 3" was chosen is no longer known). |
| Probably because it was also
equipped for photo missions and Bush - now Lieutenant (j.g.) - could
assume that he would be able to fly it more often, he named it
"Barbara" again. |
| The "Tare 3" did not live long,
however. On Aug. 2, 1944, in approach to radio station #6 on the Asahi
mountain the motor was hit. Although a significant plume of smoke
could already be seen, Bush bombed nevertheless*, but due to loss of
speed, he had to order "bail out" as soon as he reached open sea (crew
members Delaney and White lost). |
| Although he was soon rescued by a
waiting submarine, he had to stay on board the "Finback" until it
arrived in Midway on September 24. Bush, however, who wanted to return
to the VT-51 as soon as possible, had to take a rest leave in Hawaii
by order. |
| *
Distinguished Flying Cross for this action. |
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Manila Bay, Luzon.
Because of his involuntary rest leave and subsequent interim
assignment to VT-100 Bush missed a
participation in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and reached the "San Jacinto" only by
a detour on November 2, 1944 in Ulithi Atoll.
After photo missions in the Manila Bay area, the last take-off with the number 2
(now "The Genuine Barbara"), which had been re-marked especially for Bush, took
place on Nov. 13, 1944, 13:00 hours. A Japanese supply ship was shot on fire and
photos were taken of Corregidor.
On Nov. 30, 1944, Air Group 51 ended its combat tour and was replaced by Air Group
45 until the end of the war.
A photo showing Bush in civilian
clothes in a TBM-1C with "Barbara III" inscription, was probably taken later
because of the ban on lettering during the period of operation and the unusual
placement on the right side. Perhaps a press
photo with the usual request for decoration.
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Last flight from CVL-30 Intrepid
VT-45 on a parade flight, Japan, 09/02/1944.
Late variant of the Avenger (rocket stubs, lower crew
station faired over, external landing hook and radar pod). Official letter "B" for CVL-30 instead of former informal "X"
of AG-51, no side number.
CVL-30 in WW II: http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/30.htm |
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