PBM-5 at seaplane Base 1945
During World War II, the US Navy’s patrol (VP) and observation (VO) squadrons played vital roles in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, contributing significantly to convoy protection, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue operations. The mission requirements for these squadrons evolved as the war progressed, particularly in response to unique challenges faced in each theater of operations.
VP Squadrons in the Atlantic
In the Atlantic, VP squadrons primarily focused on antisubmarine warfare and convoy escort duties, working closely with the lighter-than-air blimp squadrons. Their primary task was to close the notorious “Black Gap”, an area in the mid-Atlantic where German U-boats had been able to operate with relative impunity due to the lack of Allied air cover. With the introduction of long-range aircraft like the PB4Y-1 Liberator and the PB4Y-2 Privateer, the US Navy was able to extend its patrol range, closing this gap and diminishing the effectiveness of the German U-boat campaign.
Search and Rescue in the Pacific
In the Pacific, VP squadrons were increasingly tasked with search and rescue missions, known as “Dumbo” missions, to recover downed Allied airmen. Operating amphibious aircraft such as the PBY Catalina and PBM Mariner, these squadrons operated from forward bases in places like Guadalcanal and Tulagi. These rescue operations, though difficult and unsung, were critical in saving the lives of American pilots. The rescue of 183 aviators during the Okinawa campaign by a single VP squadron exemplifies the importance of these missions. By 1945, VP squadrons had rescued over 2,000 flight personnel across all services.
The effectiveness of these rescue missions was further improved by the introduction of jet-assisted take-off (JATO) during the Iwo Jima campaign. JATO rocket packs allowed flying boats like the Martin Mariners to take off more quickly from short distances, enabling them to land near enemy-held areas, perform rescues, and escape before coming under fire.
Combat Operations: Black Cats
The patrol squadrons’ role wasn’t limited to rescue operations; they also played an active role in combat. The development of night bombing capabilities became crucial in 1942 during the Guadalcanal campaign, where the Japanese employed nighttime resupply runs, known as the “Tokyo Express”, to avoid daytime attacks by US Marine squadrons. To counter these operations, VP-12, the first “Black Cat” squadron, was deployed to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. These PBY Catalina flying boats, painted in non-reflective black paint for night operations, used their radar altimeters to perform low-level bombing raids on Japanese shipping. The success of the Black Cats in disrupting the Tokyo Express and similar operations was a key element in hindering Japanese resupply efforts.
Patrol Bombers: Strangling Japan’s Merchant Shipping
Starting in 1944, the patrol bombing (VPB) squadrons in the Pacific took on a more offensive role, conducting long-range bombing raids on Japanese merchant shipping and land targets far beyond the reach of carrier-based aircraft. These patrol bombers operated from bases in the Philippines, targeting Japanese-held territories in Indo-China. By the war’s end, VPB squadrons had effectively brought Japan’s merchant shipping to a halt, cutting off vital supplies and further crippling the Japanese war effort.