Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Grumman F4F Wildcat: Holding the Line After Pearl Harbor” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/grumman-f4f-wildcat/.
Grumman F4F Wildcat: Holding the Line After Pearl Harbor
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Talyn
Emissary
Good article but Mr. Suciu sorely missed mentioning what was that the "Wildcats" (mostly the FM-2 model) last greatest glory was during the Battle off Samar on Oct. 25, 1944 (During the Invasion of the Philippines) on the CVEs of the "Taffy" Groups supporting ground forces on Leyte. Notably, the Sacrifice of "Taffy 3".
en.wikipedia.org
In my very early career I worked with a survivor of CVE-73 USS Gambier Bay which was sunk at the Battle off Samar.
en.wikipedia.org
Note: Japanese warship circled in the right. (most likely the heavy cruiser Chikuma)
FM-2 Wildcat fighters launching from USS ''Kitkun Bay'' (CVE-71) during the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944, while the USS Gambier Bay is bracketed by Japanese shellfire in the background.
laststandonzombieisland.com
Good CVE write-up with P-47s & Battle off Samar.
laststandonzombieisland.com
Battle off Samar - Wikipedia
In my very early career I worked with a survivor of CVE-73 USS Gambier Bay which was sunk at the Battle off Samar.
USS Gambier Bay - Wikipedia
Note: Japanese warship circled in the right. (most likely the heavy cruiser Chikuma)
FM-2 Wildcat fighters launching from USS ''Kitkun Bay'' (CVE-71) during the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944, while the USS Gambier Bay is bracketed by Japanese shellfire in the background.
Eastern General Motors FM-2 Wildcat
BONUS's
Taffy 3 – laststandonzombieisland
Posts about Taffy 3 written by laststandonzombieisland
laststandonzombieisland.com
Good CVE write-up with P-47s & Battle off Samar.
Warship Wednesday, March 4, 2020: The Saipan Jug Carrier
Here at LSOZI, we are going to take off every Wednesday for a look at the old steam/diesel navies of the 1833-1946 time period and will profile a different ship each week. These ships have a life, …
laststandonzombieisland.com
Talyn
Emissary
More...
warfarehistorynetwork.com
www.usni.org
Survival off Samar
In an epic stand against overwhelming odds, Taffy 3 held off a powerful Japanese task force during the battle of Leyte Gulf.
warfarehistorynetwork.com
“So Beautifully and Bravely Fought”
In the end, a furious and seemingly futile countercharge by overmatched U.S. forces won the day in the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944.
Naval Engagement off of Samar Island, Philippines, Oct. 25, 1944
Map of the American Navy naval battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy off of Samar Island.
onwar.com
General Motors FM-2 Wildcat Beauty shots
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hawkeye52
Elite
During my dad's first enlistment he was a AM3 and was assigned to a light bomber group stationed at Pensacola and they were attached to the USS Lexington CV2 bit later on he crossed rated over to become a TMC on board the USS Ringgold DD 500 during the war then retired in 1958.
Attachments
RalphLong1
Alpha
I believe the Marine Flyer awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary valor at Wake Island was Cpt. Henry (Hammering Hank) Talmadge Elrod. The excellent article listed the aviator as "McElrod."
