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Patrol Bombing Squadron 52
VP-52PBY-5Black Cats,December 1943
Active15 September 1941 – 11 January 1950
CountryUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Navy SealUnited States Navy
Typesquadron
RoleMaritime patrol
EngagementsWorld War II
Aircraft flown
PatrolPM-1
P2D-1
PBY-1/2/5

VPB-52was aPatrol Bombing Squadronof theU.S. Navy.The squadron was established asTorpedo Squadron 3D15 (VT-3D15)on 12 July 1928, redesignatedPatrol Squadron 3-S (VP-3S)on 21 January 1931, redesignatedPatrol Squadron 3 Base Force (VP-3F)on 17 July 1933, redesignatedPatrol Squadron 3 (VP-3)on 1 October 1937, redesignatedPatrol Squadron 32 (VP-32)on 1 July 1939, redesignatedPatrol Squadron 52 (VP-52)on 1 July 1941, redesignatedPatrol Bombing Squadron 52 (VPB-52)on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 7 April 1945.[1]

Operational history[edit]

VP-52 PBY-5 atNAS Jacksonville,October 1944
  • 12 July 1928: VT-3D15 established atNAS Coco Solo,Panama Canal Zone,as a torpedo bomber squadron flying theT3M-2twin floatplane. The squadron's primary mission was observation and protection of Coco Solo zone against hostile forces.
  • 21 January 1931: VT-3D15 was redesignated Patrol Squadron 3 (VP-3S), Scouting Force, at NAS Coco Solo, with 18PM-1aircraft. Training and patrol operations were the order of the day.
  • 1 July 1931: NAS Coco Solo, home port for the squadron, was redesignated Fleet Air Base (FAB) Coco Solo. The redesignation of both the squadron and its home port indicated a change in mission from coastal defense to fleet aircraft. VP-3S participated in operations with the fleet in concert withVP-8S,off the coast of Cuba, in a portion ofFleet Problem XII.USSWrightprovided tender support. VP-3S returned to FAB Coco Solo on 30 July 1931.
  • 17 July 1933: The squadron came under the control of the fleet Base Force Command and was redesignated Patrol Squadron Three Base Force (VP-3F) with 12 PM-1s supported byUSSSwanandUSSLapwing.
  • 21 April 1934: VP-3F conducted massed flights in exercises with VPs2F,5F,7Fand9FduringFleet Problem XVheld off the coast of Panama. The squadron's participation in the problem lasted through 28 May 1934.
  • 1 January 1935: VPs 3F and 5F conducted exercises with tenders USSWright,USSLapwing,USSTealandUSSGannetto test the ability of surface vessels to support flying boat operations at remote locations.
  • 21–22 June 1937: TwelvePBY-1 Catalinasof VP-3F under the command of Lieutenant Robert W. Morse flew nonstop fromNAS San Diego,California, to FAB Coco Solo, completing the 3,292 miles (5,298 km) flight in 27 hours and 58 minutes.
  • 1 October 1937: The squadron was redesignated Patrol Squadron Three (VP-3) and became part of the new patrol wing organization under PatWing-3.
  • 20 February 1939: VPs 3, 5 and2participated inFleet Problem XXconducted in the Caribbean and coastal waters of South America. PatWing-3 aircraft were part of Black Force, taking part in bombing attacks against White Force vessels. The exercises clearly demonstrated the extreme vulnerability of the slow-moving patrol flying boats against organized antiaircraft (AA) fire of support vessels. An attack on a flying boat base also demonstrated the vulnerability of the aircraft when on the ground or in the water, as compared to dispersion with tenders at remote sites.
  • 14 April 1939: Aircraft of VPs 3, 2 and 5 mapped 1,076 miles (1,732 km) of South American coastline fromNicaraguato the Colombian border. The achievement was significant given the prevailing state of the weather during this period and the poor conditions for aerial photography.
  • February 1940: VP-32 relievedVP-33ofNeutrality Patrolduty, flying out ofNAS Guantanamo Bay,Cuba. The Neutrality Patrol was created in response to the German invasion of Poland in August 1939. This invasion set the stage for global conflict with the potential for Axis surface merchant raiders and submarines to prey on British vessels in U.S. territorial waters. PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltissued his first proclamation of neutrality on 5 September 1939, declaring waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the U.S. off-limits to military operations of belligerent powers. The Neutrality Patrol would extend east of Boston and south of Trinidad in the Caribbean. VPs51,52,53,54and 33 were the first squadrons to be assigned to the Neutrality Patrol, supported by four tenders.
  • 29 Jun 1940: VP-32 was relieved by VP-33 on Neutrality Patrol duty.
  • 1 June 1941: After VP-32 was relocated to its home port atNAS Norfolk,Virginia, the squadron turned in its well-used PBY-2 and PBY-3 aircraft, obtaining six new PBY-5s at NAS San Diego. Six more aircraft were flown to NAS Norfolk on 7 July 1941.
  • 17 July 1941: VP-52 personnel and material were loaded aboardUSSCurtissfor transport to NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to relieveVP-81.Using NAS Guantanamo as a base of operations, the squadron conducted an aerial survey of Bermuda, Cuba andGreat Exuma Island.During these operations tender support was provided byUSSAlbemarleandUSSGeorge E. Badger.VP-52 returned to NAS Norfolk in August 1941 to prepare the squadron for redeployment to South America.
  • 23 August 1941: A six-aircraft detachment was sent toNS San Juan,Puerto Rico, for Neutrality Patrol duties.
  • 5 November 1941 - March 1942: All of VP-52's well-worn PBY-5s were turned over to VP-51 in exchange for its new PBY-5 patrol planes. Commencing immediately after the exchange, the squadron deployed toNAF Natal,Brazil. After five months of operations from NAF Natal,VP-83relieved VP-52 of patrol duties and returned to NAS Norfolk in March 1942.
  • 23 April 1942: The VP-52 administrative staff remained at NAS Norfolk, while the aircrews and support staff deployed toNAS Bermuda.Once on station, the squadron conducted convoy protection andAnti-submarine warfare(ASW) patrols in the central Atlantic.
  • May 1943: VP-52 turned over six crews and six PBY-5 aircraft toVP-31atNAS Pensacola,Florida, and the remaining members of the squadron were sent to NAS San Diego. Upon arrival, the crews and support personnel began preparations for a trans-Pacific flight, while the crews with VP-31 at NAS Pensacola participated in ASW duties in Caribbean waters.
  • 31 May 1943: With the squadron reunited, the support staff, ground crews and material departed aboardUSSLong IslandforNAS Pearl Harbor,Hawaii. Two days later the aircrews began the trans-Pacific flight from San Diego to Pearl Harbor.
  • 9 June 1943: Five aircraft and six crews were deployed toKanton Islandfor training and patrol duty, with a three-aircraft detachment sent toJohnston Atoll.
  • 2 July 1943: Seven aircraft and seven crews were deployed toMidway Islandfor training and patrol duty.
  • 30 July 1943: The squadron was reunited atNAS Kaneohe Bay,Hawaii, to prepare for deployment toSeaplane Base Nedlands,Perth,Australia.
  • 7 August 1943: VP-52 arrived at Perth, Australia, and commenced reconnaissance patrols and operations from advanced bases in the southwest Pacific. Detachments were located atExmouth Gulf,Geraldtonand Perth.
  • 16 October 1943: VP-52 commencedBlack Catoperations fromPalm Islandand New Guinea.
  • 22 November 1943: The squadron was transferred to Namoai Bay, New Guinea, where it conductedBlack Catnight anti-shipping patrols at masthead levels.
  • 25 November – 23 December 1943: Lieutenant Alex N. McInnis Jr. led his crew on night missions against enemy combatants and convoys in theBismarck Archipelagoduring extremely adverse and hazardous weather conditions. During this period of operation from 25 November to 23 December 1943 he successfully carried out a low-altitude attack on a large merchant vessel. He encountered heavy AA fire, but was able to drop his thousand-pound bomb on the merchant ship, leaving it in flames and still burning three hours after the attack. For his actions during the attacks between 25 November and 23 December 1943 he was awarded theNavy Cross.
  • 26 November 1943: Lieutenant William J. Lahodney and his crew conducted a night attack on an enemy task force consisting of a cruiser and three destroyers in the waters offRabaul.Lahodney's bombs heavily damaged the enemy cruiser, but his own aircraft sustained severe damage with over 100 holes in the wings and fuselage from the intense AA fire. Lahodney managed to fly the perforated Catalina over mountainous terrain and stormy seas for four hours to arrive safely at his home base. For his heroic actions and skillful flying he was awarded the Navy Cross.
  • 10 December 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Rudolph Lloyd and his crew made an attack at night on a large enemy freighter in the Bismarck Archipelago under extremely adverse weather conditions. After dropping their bomb on the target, Lieutenant Lloyd returned and made strafing attacks on the ship until it sank.
  • 14 December 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Lloyd and his crew conducted a night attack on ships inKaviengHarbor during adverse weather conditions. A bombing run was made on what appeared to be a small enemy cruiser or large destroyer and two hits were observed. Lloyd returned to make a strafing pass, but was forced to retreat by intense AA fire and the arrival of enemy fighter aircraft. For his courageous actions on the nights of 10 and 14 December, Lieutenant Lloyd was awarded the Navy Cross.
  • 13 May 1944: VP-52 conducted missions from Humboldt Bay,Hollandia,in the area of New Guinea, New Britain and in the Bismarck Sea.
  • 15 July 1944: The squadron was transferred toWoendi Lagoonwhere it conducted ASW patrols andDumbo (air-sea rescue)missions for downed flyers in support of the bombing ofWoleai,TrukandYapislands.
  • 18 September 1944: VP-52 operated fromNAF Manus,with rotation of detachments toTreasury,GreenandEmirauislands.
  • 9 December 1944: VPB-52 was reunited for transfer to the United States via NAS Kaneohe Bay, arriving at NAS San Diego, aboardUSSBretonon 31 December.
  • 7 April 1945: VPB-52 was disestablished.[1]

Aircraft assignments[edit]

The squadron was assigned the following aircraft, effective on the dates shown:[1]

  • PM-1- July 1928
  • P2D-1- 1933
  • PBY-1- August 1937
  • PBY-2 - February 1940
  • PBY-5 - June 1941

Home port assignments[edit]

The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.

  1. ^abcdRoberts, Michael D. (2000).Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 4 Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories (VPB-33 to VPB-54).Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 469–76.Retrieved19 June2016.
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