MISSION REPORT - RESCUES - 02
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18 APRIL 1945
 Second Lieutenant Earl Hutchings, pilot of "Playmate Four Six", departed Zamboanga (Mindanao) at 0624, arriving at his orbit point off Cotabato at 0725. One hour later, he received a radio message to proceed to a point 15 miles Southwest of Bongo Island and standby for further instructions. He arrived at his destination at 0900 and was instructed to land along side the Destroyer, USS Robinson and prepare to take two airmen aboard. The airmen, Staff Sergeant D.W. Glave and Sergeant Thomas N. McKey, members of the Marine Air Group 32, were transferred to the Catalina without difficulty. Lieutenant Hutchings then proceeded to his orbit point and landed on the water to conserve fuel. At 1620, he departed for his base. At 1645 he received a message to search for two P-38 pilots reported down in the vicinity of Bongo Island. He searched until 1745 when a destroyer radioed that they had rescued one of the pilots. Due to a diminished fuel supply, the search was abandoned and he returned to his base at Zamboanga, arriving at 1929. The two marine airmen were transferred to the Station Hospital.

MISSION: Cover strikes at Cotabato - timeline documented by the crew and submitted with Squadron History:

0624:

Take-off, Zamboanga.

0725:

Over orbit point.

0825:

Received message that an LC M was missing between Malaband and Zamboanga. Contacted Magpie who informed us that LCM had been located.

0855:

Magpie requested us to pick up 2 men aboard destroyer located 15 mi SW of Bongo Island.

0900:

Circling destroyer.

0915:

Contacted Magpie who said we should procedd to another destroyer and that we should proceed on a course of 240° from present orbit to reach that destroyer which had the 2 men aboard.

0928:

Landed in rough sea near destroyer USS Robinson. Small boat came alongside with 2 men. Picked them up.

0940:

Took off and proceeded to original orbit point.

1220:

Landed on water near orbit point to conserve gas.

1355:

Took off again and proceeded to orbit point about Bongo Is. per instructions from Magpie.

1620:

Departed orbit point for base.

1645:

Received report that 2 P-38s from 347th Fighter Grp, APO 719-1 were lost. Magpie located them SW of Malabang. 1 bailed out, other landed safely. Proceeded on reciprocal course to original orbit point at Bongo Island.

1730:

Finally contacted Magpie who informed us that the pilot that bailed out went down about 10 miles due North of Southern most tip of Bongo Island, off west side of island.

1735:

While searching on northerly course from southern end of Bongo Island, Magpie informed us the correct position was 200° from southern tip of island and about 20 miles.

1740:

While proceeding to new location, Magpie again informed us that the most probable position of bail out was due West of southern tip of Bongo Island. Patrolled that area.

1755:

Contacted destroyer who stated they had one pilot aboard.

1756:

Magpie informed us that another pilot had gone down about 23 miles from southern most tip of Bongo Island, bearing 220° from that point. Proceeded in that direction.

1830:

Departed for base after search proved futile and gas was running low. Instructed by Magpie to return to base.

1929:

Landed Zamboanga. Personnel picked up: McKey, Thomas H. MAG 32 VMSB243; S/Sgt D.N. Glave MAG 32

Download the actual mission report taken from the microfilm


AIRCRAFT: OA-10A* 
USAAF SERNO: 44-33880 (CV-332)**
CALLSIGN:  "Playmate 46"
CREW: (Pilot) 2nd Lt. Earl Hutchings


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 The narrative of these rescues was compiled and published in April 1946 from logbooks of pilots, notes, letters, and other
information by secretary Marina G. de Guzman in Pampanga, Philippines.

  * Aircraft produced at Canadian Vickers Ldt, Cartierville, Quebec, Canada
 ** Canadian Vickers contract number that was unique to each aircraft produced by at the Cartierville, Quebec plan
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