The Vought F4U: Corsairs in the RNZAF

Men of RNZAF Base Depot Workshop Unit 60 on Espiritu Santo island prepare a newly arrived shipment of Corsairs for disbursement to RNZAF units.

     There are few who would argue against the Vought F4U Corsair being one of the premiere carrier fighters of World War Two. The distinctive gull wings were required to permit clearance for the propeller attached to the powerful 2,000hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8 radial piston engine which moved the Corsair through the air at a maximum speed of 417mph. Development of the Corsair began at Chance-Vought in June 1938 when the company signed a contract with the U.S. Navy to produce a single-engine fighter based on their specifications. By May 29, 1940, the XF4U-1 prototype had taken its first maiden flight. Impressed with the results, the U.S. Navy issued a purchase order on April 2, 1941 and the first unit to receive the new fighter was VF-12 in October 1942. The first unit to take the Corsair into action was VMF-124 of the U.S. Marine Corps where it provided air support for the battles in Bougainville starting in February 1943. For armament, the Corsair was equipped with six 12.7mm machine-guns, three in each wing. For ground support missions, it could carry 4,000lbs. of bombs and/or eight 5” air-to-ground rockets. In aerial combat, the Corsair was well able to deal with the best of Japanese fighters, such as the Mitsubishi A6M Reisen (better known as the “Zero”). The only time the Reisen could best the Corsair was in low speed dog fighting and so Corsair pilots sought to not engage in such battle since doing so played to the Reisen's strengths. All told, the Corsair racked up an impressive 11 to 1 kill ratio against Japanese aircraft during World War Two. The U.S. was not the only user of the Corsair as both the British Royal Navy Fleet Arm Arm operated some 2,012 Corsairs of various makes, the Royal Netherlands Navy flew 35 Corsairs, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) equipped thirteen squadrons with the Corsair.

     The photograph shows a line-up of F4U-1 Corsairs on the island of Espiritu Santo which is part of the nation of Vanuatu which is 1,090 miles east of northern Australia. During World War Two, the island was used by the U.S. Army Air Force and the U.S. Navy as a supply and support base, harbor, and airfield. The Corsairs shown here were shipped from the U.S. on May 14, 1944 aboard the freighter USS Steamer Bay. The ship arrived at Espiritu Santo on June 2, 1944 where RNZAF Base Depot Workshop Unit 60 began the assembly of the aircraft. After assembly, the aircraft were test flown before being dispersed to units. Visible in the photograph is a F4U-1 with the code “50” on the cowling and underneath it is the inscription “Struggle Buggy”. This particular Corsair had the U.S. Navy serial 49960 and the RZNAF code NZ5350 and was initially issued to No.31 Squadron RZNAF on September 3, 1944 though why this was so is unclear given the unit was primarily a torpedo bomber squadron equipped with Grumman TBF Avengers and sometime in August 1944, the unit was deactivated. By December 1944, “Struggle Buggy” was allocated to No.14 Squadron RZNAF for a brief period before it was directed to No.21 Squadron RZNAF on December 18, 1944. At this time, the unit was commanded by Squadron Leader L.R. Bush who led the unit through the Guadalcanal and Bougainville campaigns. In March 1945, the squadron received a new commander, Squadron Leader W.J. MacLeod who remained with the unit until its disbandment in September 1945. Following the war, this Corsair was returned to New Zealand and on March 2, 1948, it was sold to one J. Larson who lived in Palmerston North, New Zealand. It is unknown if this Corsair remains today. 

The 8.8cm Flak 41 (Sf) mit Panther I Bauteile: Drawing Board Flakpanzer

Armin Hage's excellent model of the proposed 8.8cm Flak 41 (Sf) mit Panther I Bauteile.

     If one examines the many German self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAGs) produced or designed during World War Two, two of the production medium tank chassis were utilized for mounting anti-aircraft guns and these were the Panzerkampfwagen PzKpfw IV, and not surprisingly, the PzKpfw V Panther. Of the two, the PzKpfw IV had the only SPAAG variants that saw production and combat use and these included the Möbelwagen (single 3.7cm FlaK 43), Wirbelwind (four barrel 2cm Flakvierling), and the Ostwind (single 3.7cm FlaK 43). Several experimental designs emerged as well, to include the Gerät 556 (Kugelblitz) armed with twin 3cm MK 108 cannons, a variant of the Möbelwagen mounting the same 2cm Flakvierling as the Wirbelwind, the Ostwind II equipped with two 3.7cm FlaK 43 guns, and the Flakpanzer IV (Zerstörer 45) armed with the four barrel 3cm Flakvierling 103/38. All of the experimental PzKpfw IV SPAAG designs made it to at least a single working prototype. The same cannot be said at all for the SPAAG variants of the Panther.

     The image shown here displays a nicely done “what if” model by Armin Hage of the first of what would become several Panther based SPAAG designs. The vehicle had the very long name of 8.8cm Flak 41 (Sf) mit Panther I Bauteile which translated as 8.8cm Flak 41, Self-Propelled, with Panther I Components. The designer was Rheinmetall-Borsig and the first draft of the new SPAAG was completed by October 24, 1943. As the name suggested, the basis of the vehicle was the Panther already in production. Thus, it kept much the same components to include the suspension, drive train, driver controls, AK 7-200 transmission, and the Maybach HL 230 engine. There was one major change and that was a lengthening of the chassis due to the expansion of the wheelbase to 13.2 feet. The standard Panther had a wheelbase of approximately 12.9 feet. The draft drawings showed that the on each side of the hull were two outriggers so that once the SPAAG was in position, all four outriggers would be deployed to provide for the stability of the gun platform. In addition, Rheinmetall-Borsig envisioned that the Flak 41 gun could be removed from the turret and placed onto the ground and utilized in the more traditional manner. This had some precedent as Rheinmetall-Borsig had an experimental design using the PzKpfw IV chassis which was fitted with a 10.5cm leFH 18/40 field gun mounted in a rotating turret in which the gun could be dismounted. In fact, the trailing arms and the wheels for the field gun were carried on the rear of the hull.

     Rheinmetall-Borsig struggled with the turret design and a report dated January 13, 1944 showed they still had not satisfactorily come up with a workable turret. In any case, it was the end of the 8.8cm Flak 41 SPAAG as on that same day, German military planners decided that the idea of mobile heavy anti-aircraft guns accompanying tanks was flawed. The main flaw was that heavy guns like the Flak 41 were designed to combat high flying aircraft, not low flying fighters or fighter-bombers seeking to attack tank columns. Such guns simply did not have the rapid fire capability nor the ability to quickly track fast moving targets. In addition, it was surmised that regular flak batteries would be able to handle the high flying bombers while smaller caliber cannon would be better suited against low flying aircraft. This, then, was the emphasis for the PzKpfw IV SPAAG developments and the Panther chassis was to be the backup if the PzKpfw IV was not viable. As discussed earlier, three models of SPAAGs derived from the PzKpfw IV were put into production and issued to panzer divisions as part of their anti-aircraft unit composition. Various designs were put forward using the Panther chassis, armed with varied turrets and weapon fits as small as the 2cm MG 151/20 autocannon up to the 5.5cm Gerät 58 gun. Only one design, the Gerät 554, better known as the Flakpanzer “Coelian”, advanced to a mock-up stage when the 1:1 scale wooden mock-up of the Flakpanzer 314 turret with twin wooden 3.7cm gun barrels was fitted to a Panther Ausf D chassis. As for the 8.8cm Flak 41 (Sf) mit Panther I Bauteile, all that that we know of it comes from the existence of single wooden model that was constructed by Rheinmetall-Borsig during the design phase.

     There are no known specifications for the 8.8cm Flak 41 (Sf) mit Panther I Bauteile such as dimensions, performance, and the like. Assumptions can be made but they would be merely that, guesswork. We do know the performance of the Flak 41, which, in its towed form, used a horizontal semi-automatic sliding block with rounds being electrically fired. The gun's elevation was 90 degrees with a maximum gun depression of 3 degrees. With a muzzle velocity of 3,281 feet per second, the maximum ceiling was 9.3 miles, an effective ceiling of 6.6 miles, and maximum horizontal range of 12.2 miles.

Virginia E. "Ginny" Kirsch: Justice Still Not Received

     Virginia E. Kirsch, best known by her nickname Ginny, graduated from Brookfield High School in Brookfield Township, Ohio in 1966. That same year, Kirsch enrolled in Miami of Ohio college in Oxford, Ohio where she joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and became a cheerleader. A good student, Kirsch graduated in 1970 at the age of 21 but rather than enter into the workforce, she decided to join the American Red Cross (ARC) and chose to serve in the ARC's Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO) program. Women in the SRAO program were known by U.S. troops as Donut Dollies.

     The SRAO program traced its roots back to the ARC's Clubmobile Service which began in late 1942. A clubmobile was a converted bus or GMC truck that contained a doughnut maker and primus stove with the kitchen side of the bus opening outward for serving food and drinks. In the rear of the clubmobile was a lounge with bench seating (that doubled as beds), a Victrola record player, speakers, a record collection, books, snacks (such as candy and gum), and cigarettes. Each clubmobile had a British driver and was manned by three ARC women. By June 1944, some 100 clubmobiles were in the European theater following the invasion and traveled within the rear area of each U.S. Army Corps. Clubmobiles remained in service until 1946. The SRAO program itself began in 1953. While the ARC had clubs within Korea during the war, they were not mobile which meant soldiers in posts outside of divisional and corps areas could not partake of the clubs that troops in those areas enjoyed. Following the armistice in July 1953, the SRAO revived clubmobiles with the first clubmobile arriving in South Korea on October 3, 1953 and commencing operations near Inchon as part of ASCOM (Army Support Command) though the majority of SRAO operations finally wound down by 1960 although some services remained open. In May 1965, the U.S. Army officially called on the ARC to provide recreational support to U.S. forces in Vietnam as, at that time, only two USO clubs were operating (one in Saigon, the other in Danang) and the U.S. Army's Special Services (sports, film exchange, and mobile library) were mainly confined to the Saigon region. By September 1965, the first clubmobile was set up in Danang, a second operating at Bien Hoa by October 1965, and a third clubmobile unit in Nha Trang by December 1965. As more U.S. troops poured into Vietnam, the SRAO stood up more and more clubmobile operations to support them. By the time 1970 came, the women had to contend with poor morale in the men they served and not only did they have to maintain their own cheerfulness in order to help improve the mood of the soldiers they interacted with, but also to keep up their own morale.

     After receiving her training, Kirsch was deployed to Vietnam for her one year hitch, arriving in-country on August 2, 1970. Her clubmobile unit was based at Cu Chi, the home of the 25th. Infantry Division. Cu Chi was sixteen miles to the northwest of Saigon. Kirsch quickly took to her mission and adjusted to the environmental conditions of the region, to include enemy fire. Kirsch and her fellow Donut Dollies often flew in helicopters to firebases and outposts which the clubmobiles couldn't reach, bringing with them refreshments, doughnuts, recreational materials, and their smiling selves to lift up the spirits of the men manning those posts. Except, it wouldn't be enemy fire that took Kirsch's life on August 16, 1970.

     At 1:45am, Kirsch retired to her room. At 3:30am, one of the other women in the billet had been unable to sleep and was washing dishes when she heard a commotion. As she went down a hall to investigate, a man in civilian clothes exited Kirsch's room, ran past her and out the door behind her. The woman looked into Kirsch's room and found Kirsch dead, covered in blood, a knife on the floor near her. Military Police (MP) and U.S. Army medics soon arrived and while the medics fought to save Kirsch's life, she was pronounced dead at the base's hospital, the cause of death being hemorrhage caused by the multiple stab wounds. MPs, had, in fact, seen the man running from the billet at 3:40am but could not catch him. The MPs locked Cu Chi down and the ARC evacuated all of their women personnel from the base. Two suspects were questioned. One was caught with property stolen from one of the ARC women though he denied killing Kirsch. The other suspect claimed that, while under the influence of heroin, he stabbed someone in a dark room and with this confession, the soldier was charged on November 6, 1970 with unpremeditated murder under the USMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) and was shipped back to the United States to stand trial. Unfortunately, the case was dismissed in 1971 for insufficient evidence as the man could not be identified in a line-up by one of the eyewitnesses.

     The first suspect was investigated by military authorities for larceny for the stolen property but nothing came of these charges as the man was declared unfit for duty (mental disability) and was discharged from the U.S. Army. Returned to his home state of Wisconsin, the man was charged with murder of another man and while in custody, confessed to having killed Kirsch. The U.S. Army CIC (Criminal Investigation Command) sent an agent to Wisconsin and took a statement from the man on June 22, 1972. However, on September 6, 1972, the authorities holding the man were informed the U.S. Army had already closed the Kirsch case as the man had been discharged. The man was eventually found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity and was committed to a mental institution. To this day, Virginia Kirsch has not received any justice for her murder.

     The photograph shows Kirsch (on the left as you look at the picture) and a fellow Donut Dolly on a M48 Patton main battle tank, likely belonging to the 1st. Battalion, 69th. Armor which was under the 25th. Infantry Division. She is wearing the usual ARC in-country uniform which consisted of a pale blue short-sleeved dress. On her left collar is a red enameled cross while on the right would be a pin with the letters A.R.C. There does seem to be something above the A.R.C. pin but what it is cannot be determined. On the left sleeve of the dress is the round ARC patch which was white with a red border, a centered red cross with American Red Cross in red around it. On Kirsch's right sleeve is the “Tropic Lightning” unit patch of the 25th. Infantry Division. The name plate was standard U.S. Army, being black with the last name in white with a white border. Footwear was typically sneakers, tennis shoes, or in some cases, casual loafers. Kirsch's companion is wearing the ARC boonie hat, also in pale blue to match the uniform. The dress uniform was a pale blue two-pocket, button-down blouse and skirt, black low-heeled pumps, and a pale blue cap.

Oberleutnant der Reserve Karl Buckel: Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277

     Born on June 12, 1920 in the Mörzheim district of Landau in der Pfalz in the Rhineland, Karl Buckel first entered service with the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD; Reich Labor Service) in 1939. He was assigned to the 4th. Kompanie, 84th. Bataillon (RAD.-Abteilung 4/84) from the VIII Brandenburg-Ost District and held the rank of Arbeitsmann. His unit was involved in the construction of fortifications along Germany's western borders, known as the Westwall (or the Siegfried Line to the Allies), and for this, he was awarded the Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen (West Wall Medal) on March 15, 1940. Sometime in 1941, Buckel was called up for military duty in the Heer (Army). His first posting was with 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 (2. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 189), the unit having been formed on July 10, 1941 at the Jüterbog Truppenübungsplatz (Jüterbog Military Training Ground) in the south of Berlin. Following training, the unit deployed for the Eastern Front on August 5, 1941 where it was initially part of IX. Armeekorps, 9. Armee, Heeresgruppe Mitte but within five days, it was shifted to XXXX. Armeekorps (mot.), 9. Armee where it remained, seeing combat between August 10 through September 2, 1941. On November 19, 1941, Buckel's unit, 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189, was ordered to detach and report to XXVII. Armeekorps, where it continued to see action. It was during this time that Buckel, now holding the rank of Unteroffizier (equivalent to Corporal in the U.S. Army), earned the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross, 2nd. Class) on December 16, 1941. Beginning on January 3, 1942, 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 was placed under 9. Armee (Reserve) along with the headquarters unit of Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 and both remained there until Januay 11, 1942 when the entire unit reformed at Olenino, Tver Oblast, Russia. Through January 22, 1942, the unit engaged in operations around the Olenino area but on February 18, 1942, 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 was again detached and subordinated to another unit, this time VI. Armeekorps. It was during this period that Buckel was awarded the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen (General Assault Badge) on January 20, 1942. This decoration was usually awarded to non-infantry units that participated in or supported infantry or mechanized infantry assaults on three different occasions. 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 was transferred to the 6. Infanterie-Division, VI. Armeekorps on August 24, 1942 and the rest of the unit soon joined it on August 26, being deployed along the Rzhev Salient. From late August to October 19, 1942, Buckel saw further combat before the unit was shifted to XXVIII. Armeekorps, 9. Armee. It was during these engagements that Buckel earned the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross 1st. Class), being officially awarded on October 15, 1942. At some point in 1942, Buckel became a Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier (Officer Candidate) though his rank remained Unteroffizier. 

     Given there is a bit of a gap in Buckel's decorations, it could be surmised that sometime in 1943 he attended officer candidate school (Kriegsschule; Military School) that encompassed eight weeks of intensive training. After his graduation, he then went to one of the Truppenschule (Branch of Service School) for continued training, this time as an assault gun (Sturmgeschütz) unit leader. Perhaps a validation of this was that on December 27, 1943, Buckel was awarded the Ehrenblattspange (Honor Roll Clasp) which was received for further distinguishing acts in combat. At the time of this award, he now held the rank of Leutnant (2nd. Lieutenant). Buckel was assigned to a new unit, Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277, which had been formed on February 11, 1944. Specifically, Buckel was with the 1st. Battery (1.Bttr). Buckel's ability as a soldier and officer saw him quickly promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st. Lieutenant of Reserves). The unit was assigned to 6. Armee (Reserve), Heeresgruppe A and spent several months being refitted and crews trained. In June 1944, the unit was sent to the Cholm region of operations on the Eastern Front under 4. Panzerarmee, Heeresgruppe Nordukraine. On March 21, 1944, Buckel received further accolades by being decorated with the Nahkampfspange (Close Combat Bar or Clasp) in Bronze and the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen III.Stufe (Grade III; meaning, he had engaged in at least 50 assaults with or in support of infantry). On July 2, 1944, he received the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (German Cross) for repeated acts of bravery or outstanding achievements. Buckel was made the commander of the 3rd. Battery (3.Bttr) and on July 15, 1944, Buckel earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) for actions in support of the 212. Infanterie-Division. The division was positioned near Lepel along with Buckel's unit when it came under attack by Soviet forces who broke through near the village of Durilowitschi, the main area of operations for the division. Buckel's 3rd. Battery deployed and succeeded in destroying several Soviet tanks that stalled the Soviet advance. After rallying German forces nearby, Buckel was able to initiate a counterattack which ousted the Soviets from Durilowitschi. Further actions saw Buckel earn the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen IV.Stufe (for participating in at least 75 assaults total) on October 31, 1944. By this date, the unit was under the XXVI. Armeekorps and in December 1944, the unit was renamed Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 277. Buckel was also decorated with two Panzervernichtungsabzeichen (Tank Destruction Badge) though the exact dates of when they were earned and how is not known. He was also awarded the Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal), better known as the Ostmedaille (Eastern Medal), for his service on the Eastern Front. 

     As for Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 277, it remained with Heeresgruppe Mitte until the end of the war when the general surrender of Heeresgruppe Mitte forces was issued on May 8, 1945. Buckel was taken prisoner by French forces but he would later escape from the POW encampment and was never recaptured. In time, Buckel returned to military service, this time with the West German Bundeswehr which was formed on November 12, 1955. He would retire from the Bundeswehr in 1976, having attained the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-Colonel). Buckel passed away on September 2, 1997 at the age of 77.

     The photograph of Buckel shows him with the majority of his awards and it also shows him with the rank of Oberleutnant der Reserve. The ciphers on his schulterstücke (shoulderboards) are difficult to identify but may be the unit number of 277. Given he is wearing the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes around his throat, the photograph can be dated on or sometime after July 15, 1944. The two tank destruction badges can be seen on his right sleeve, the Deutsches Kreuz is on the upper, right pocket, and through the buttonhole on his feldbluse is the ribbon for the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse and beneath it, the ribbon for the Ostmedaille. Above the left pocket of his feldbluse is the Nahkampfspange and above that can be seen two stitched thread loops, often used to secure a ribbon bar which he is not wearing. Typically, this is where he would have worn the ribbon for the Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen. Beneath the Nahkampfspange is his Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse, Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen, and another unidentified medal. Not seen is the Ehrenblattspange which would normally have been pinned through the ribbon for the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse. This was because the actual clasp was not produced until after January 30, 1944. Before that date, it was only a paper award and noted in the soldier's soldbuch. At the time the photograph was taken, Buckel may not have had the opportunity to obtain the clasp.

Char B1 (n° 269) “Tonnerre”: Standing Their Ground in Hannapes

 

     The remains of Char B1 (n° 269) "Tonnerre" lay abandoned along Rue d'Etreux in Hannapes, France. The tank, built by FCM, was delivered to the 508e RCC (Régiment de Chars de Combat) early in 1939. Later, in September 1939, the tank was transferred to the 2e Compagnie, 8e BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat). By mid-May 1940, the 14e RCC had been deployed to the Aisne region of France with orders to defend bridges which crossed the Oise River. One of these bridges was along Rue d' Etreux in the Aisne commune Hannapes. It was defended by the 13e RI (Régiment d’Infanterie) and elements of an artillery unit. "Tonnerre" was detached from the 8e BCC and provided to the 14e RCC to bolster the defender's strength in defense of the bridge. On May 18, 1940, elements from the German XIX Army Corps pushed on Hannapes and the situation quickly became untenable due to overwhelming German forces and the French units had no option but to retreat. The crew of "Tonnerre", however, refused to withdraw and stood their ground. "Tonnerre" was quickly surrounded by the Germans and brought under anti-tank gun fire at close range which knocked the tank out for good. However, before succumbing, the crew inflicted significant damage to the Germans who had the misfortune to have run up against the tank. Amazingly, despite the heavy damage to the tank, the crew was able to escape without serious injury and they sought to make their way back to the French lines. This would not happen as the French were unable to hold back the might of the XIX Army Corps and with much of the area quickly occupied by German forces, the crew were ultimately captured on May 23, 1940 in the vicinity of Tupigny.

     The soldier posing with the wreckage of "Tonnerre" holds the position of Hauptwachtmeister which is equivalent to the U.S. Army position of First Sergeant. This can be determined by the two rings of silver tress around his feldbluse's sleeves which had the nickname of "kolbenringe", or "piston rings". Another sign of this position would be the meldetasche (reporting pouch) that would be tucked into the front of the feldbluse. The pouch contained forms, duty rosters, and other documents needed for the position but in this photograph, he is not carrying it in the usual position. The Hauptwachtmeister was better known to troops as the "Spieß" ("Spear") or less commonly as the "Mutter der Kompanie" (Company Mother). This soldier belonged to a cavalry unit as denoted by the spurs on his boots and given the lack of equipment outside of the pistol holster and what could be a map case, this photograph was likely taken sometime after the action. It should be noted that the duty of the Hauptwachtmeister was solely at the squadron level for cavalry and was a position more of administration than combat and so such appointed men were not usually deployed into combat with the squadron.