USAAF Ground Control in the Pacific

Discussion in 'War Against Japan' started by ww2instc, May 6, 2020.

  1. ww2instc

    ww2instc Member

    Hi everybody


    I'm new to this forum, and this is one of my first posts.
    I hope somebody can help me with some questions I have:

    - How did the uniform of a pilot of a Grumman F4F Wildcat in the Pacific looked like?
    - How many people were represented at the Ground Control / Base Command (in the Pacific), and what is the exact chain of command?
    - What was the exact procedure when they received a Maydaycall from a fighterplane? How would a conversation go, and what information would the pilot have to sent to Ground Control?

    I know these are a lot of questions, but I would be very gratefull if someone can help me with this.


    Thank you so much in advance for answering!!
     
    canuck likes this.
  2. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    Your thread title is about the USAAF and yet a Grumman F4F Wildcat pilot would be almost certainly USN. Are you getting a little mixed up?
     
  3. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy it here.

    You will find the majority of folks here to be friendly and helpful. We have the odd exception who get a little mixed up with their manners and forget to extend a warm welcome to a new member.
     
    Tullybrone, ww2instc and Harry Ree like this.
  4. ww2instc

    ww2instc Member

    This is exactly why I'm reaching out to you guys.
    I know nothing about this stuff, and definitly want to know.
    Thank you in advance.
     
  5. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    It's a difficult question to answer, because the F4F Wildcat was only used in the early stages of the Pacific War, and was outperformed by the Zero, although it was capable of absorbing a tremendous amount of punishment, so could still fight despite being riddled, whereas only a few bursts could destroy a Zero. Much of that time, the US was fighting at a disadvantage, as land bases were swiftly overrun, leaving carriers to do most of the air fighting.

    But, having said that, "ground control" would be located at the home airfield, or carrier. If a carrier, they had a homing beacon that could guide a damaged aircraft or wounded pilot back. In the early stage of the Pacific conflict most combats would be at close range in defence, so whilst there "could be" conversations, they would tend to be brief, especially if the pilot were to lose control!

    You were directed to the US WW2 site as that would have many more people able to clarify your needs. but in closing I'd say there wouldn't be much ground control could do to assist, if they could get his position, they'd be able to organise a possible rescue, but if the airfield was also being attacked, the pilot would be expected to at least know how to return to base, if he could. There wouldn't be time for much conversation, especially in combat and then there'd be plenty of other pilots needing ground control for landing instructions etc to be concerned on one pilot.
     
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  6. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

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