C-O-N-F-I D-E-N-T-I-A-L
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
February 1 through February 7, 1945.
Patrol Bombing Squadron SEVENTY-ONE continued long range night searches from Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, P.I. during this period. The squadron was based on the U.S.S. TANGIER and the U.S.S. BARATARIA.
Eighteen search missions were flown and while only two attacks were made on enemy shipping each of these resulted in a definite kill.
Lieutenant (jg) Albert J. LEHMICKE, Jr. with Crew 14 flying PBY-5A Bureau Number 46529 failed to return from patrol the night of 2-3 February. His assigned sector was 350-360 degrees true from Lingayen and out 600 miles which includes Formosa. The last contact with the plane was a routine radio check shortly after take-off.
Members of the plane crew were as follows:
Lieutenant (jg) Albert John LEHMICKE, Jr., USNR (l76440).
Ensign Ernest Albert NICHOLSON, USNR, (346745).
Ensign William Edward SARATH, USNR, (337810).
HARMAN, Melvin Earl, (SSN deleted by webmaster), AAM2c (CA), USN.
SELL, Wilmar Phillip, (SSN deleted by webmaster), AAM3c (CA) SV, USN.
MARTIN, Carl Coleman, (SSN deleted by webmaster), ARM1c (T)(CA), USN.
MADISON, William Thomas, (SSN deleted by webmaster), ARM3c (CA) SV V6, USNR.
TYBOR, Philip Clement, (SSN deleted by webmaster), AOM2c (T)(CA), USN-I.
WHITE, Charles Hamilton, (SSN deleted by webmaster), ACOM(AA)(T)(CA)(AB), USN.
Special searches for the missing plane were sent out on February 3, 4 and 5 with negative results. Unfavorable weather with high winds and low visibility hindered the special search planes.
Action highlights for the week were as follows:
February 1-2 - Lieutenant Arcia O. TURNER, USN covering the west coast of Formosa found a small Jap freighter (Sugar Charlie) near Tainan.. Due to the murky weather it was necessary to make three approaches on radar before visual contact could be established with the result that the ship was alerted and taking evasive action when the first bombing run was made. Two 500 lb. bombs were dropped on this run one of which was wide. The other landed 10-15 feet from the stern of the vessel which immediately stopped dead in the water. The second bombing run was planned from starboard bow to port quarter but due to visibility conditions and the 40 knot wind Lieutenant TURNER found himself coming in directly across the beam of the target. His two 500 lb. bombs straddled the ship enveloping the entire after part in a geyser of water. Lieutenant TURNER went into a tight turn and came
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