Non CV/CVE naval aircraft heroics unusual deeds

[gjs238]

I'd love to hear about unusual, heroic and other non-routine deeds performed by non-aircraft carrier ship-borne aircraft.
"Daring exploits"
Not thinking so much of land-based planes, but land-based use of aircraft normally used from ships could be interesting as well.

For example, the Wikipedia page on the Vought OS2U Kingfisher describes a couple of interesting events:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_OS2U_Kingfisher

* Recovery of World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacker and his crew from the Pacific in November 1942.
* LT John A. Burns' use of the aircraft in April 1944 to taxi airmen rescued from the Truk Lagoon to the submarine USS Tang which was serving rescue duty near the atoll on that date. In all, LT Burns rescued 10 survivors on two trips and was awarded the Navy Cross for his efforts.

 

[fastmongrel]

All the CAM fighter launches were pretty heroic the pilots must have known the odds particulary in winter.

CAM ship - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hurricane V7504 on CAM ship IN Halifax May 1942 by tormentor4555, on Flickr

 

[oldcrowcv63]

According to Lundstrom, During the Coral Sea Battle, USN Cruiser float planes (Curtiss SOC Seagulls) were (somewhat ineffectually but undoubtedly heroically) used for scouting and five (5?) were temporarily lost. I believe all (or their crews) were eventually recovered. While the IJN gets high marks for its use of float plane recon, almost nothing is typically heard about the USN's embarked cruiser and battleship float-aircraft which I believe were most commonly used for gunfire spotting.

 

[oldcrowcv63]

While the IJN float planes get great credit for their work during the big early carrier vs carrier battles of the war, perhaps not as well known but more successful missions preceded the August 9 1942 night engagement known as the Battle of Savo Island.

Mikawa used his cruiser float planes to great effect throughout the battle:

From: HyperWar: Disaster at Savo Island, 1942

"Through the day of 8 August, he sent numerous organic reconnaissance aircraft (float planes) to compile a picture of the Guadalcanal and Tulagi area. By the time of the attack, he had nearly perfect intelligence on the disposition of the Allied force."

and

"At 2313, he launched two of his scout planes for a final look at the disposition of the Allied force. These scout planes were also responsible for dropping parachute flares at the proper time to illuminate the transports at Guadalcanal and Tulagi."

One source (Frank) says he launched four float planes at 2312

Some sources suggest that IJN float planes assisted in the destruction of the USN cruiser screening force by dropping flares but I haven't got confirmation. Their primary mission was apparently intelligence gathering to locate enemy ships and to reveal the location of the US amphibious forces which they did accomplish.

 

[davebender]

Most German seaplanes operated from seaplane tenders at least part of the time. Do-18, He-115, Bv-138 etc. Should have some combat stories as well as air-sea rescue missions.

 

[oldcrowcv63]

To second Dave's comment, the capture of the RN sub Seal would seem to be a good topic for an exciting Das Boot-like film and a chance to resurrect some Kriegsmarine float planes: two Ar-196s and an He-115. According to Wikipedia, the 196 was employed to intercept Whitley bombers on a number of occasions… use of a float plane as an interceptor seems pretty impressive for the type and is only matched by the use of floatplane interceptors by the IJN. To be fair the USN, impressed with the IJN success, attempted to duplicate the application with the F4F-7 Wildcatfish but that a/c evidently was never fielded. Those completed of the total 100 F4F-3 airframes meant for conversion were apparently sent to the training command.

 

[N4521U]

Now I wonder if that second picture is before the First test launch from a CAM ship?????

 

[gjs238]

A Scrappy Plane

Apparently, a Vought OS2U Kingfisher downed a Zero! See link above.

 

[GrauGeist]

Japanese floatplanes operated successfully out of bases in Alaska, too.

 

[parsifal]

The most successful ship based floatplane of the war has to be the Walrus from cruiser HMAS CANBERRA

On the 4th. of March, 1941, KETTY BROVIG had been alongside the DKM supply ship, "COBURG," receiving fresh water. They were in the NW corner of the Indian Ocean, when discovered by the Walrus aircraft from H.M.A.S.CANBERRA. The ships had quickly separated, COBURG setting a course North, and the KETTY BROVIG headed Sth. CANBERRA went after COBURG and the Walrus, trying to slow down KETTY BROVIG dropped 4 bombs, the last two falling close by, in the ship's wake. She stopped, and then unexpectedly scuttled.

The walrus then switched her search pattern south to support CANBERRA's search. The Walrus located the Coburg was spotted by the Walrus and CANBERRA directed by radio onto the German supply ship. CANBERRA kept her distance, at about 9.5 miles, but brought the COBURG under fire. During this process COBURG was set on fire by some 8" hits into the superstructure. At that point COBURG set off scuttling charges, and subsequently sank. It was Capain Farncomb's belief, that COBURG was, in fact, a Raider, His Walrus had so described the ship on its first sighting from the air. He stayed well clear to avoid any possible use of torpedoes against his ship, a very prudent action, one would have thought.

Some 215, 8 inch shells had been used, this drew some comment after his report of proceeding arrived at Navy Office, and C in C East Indies, also put in "his two bob's worth." In general, it was thought that if Farncomb had gone closer, he would have identified COBURG much earlier, and saved a lot of expensive 8 inch shells.

At that time, Captain Burnett, was Deputy Chief of Staff; at Navy Office, he had seen, and appended his initials to the correspondence about CANBERRA and her Captain's actions, and knew what Board members had thought and said. Later he took command of HMAS SYDNEY and was faced with the same sort of situation when meeting "KORMORAN in November. SYDNEY in that action did the reverse of CANBERRA and was lost.