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A Buffalo pilot at Midway

From the after-action report of 2nd Lt William Brooks of VMF-221 at Midway, 4 June 1942:

I was pilot of F2A-3, Bureau Number 01523. Our division, under Captain Armistead, was on standby duty at the end of the runway on the morning of June 4, 1942, from 0415 until 0615. At about 0600, the alarm sounded and we took off. My division climbed rapidly, and I was having a hard time keeping up. I discovered afterward that my ... wheels ... were about 1/3 of the way down. We sighted the enemy at about 14,000 feet; I would say there were about 40 or 50 planes. At this time Lt. Sandoval was also dropping back. My radio was at this time putting out no volume, so I could not get any messages from [Midway]. At 17,000 feet, Captain Armistead led the attack followed closely by Captain Humberd. They went down the left side of the [Japanese bomber formation], leaving two planes burning. Lt. Sandoval went down the right side of the formation and I followed. One of us got a plane from the right side of the Vee. At this time I had completely lost sight of my division. As I started to pull up for another run on the bombers, I was attacked by two fighters. Because of my wheels being jammed 1/3 way down, I could not out- dive those planes, but managed to dodge them and fire a burst or so into them as they went past me and I headed for the water. As I circled the island, the anti-aircraft fire drove them away. My tabs, instruments and cockpit were shot up to quite an extent at this time, and I was intending to come in for a landing.

It was at this time that I noticed an important feature in their fighting. I saw two planes, dog fighting over in the east,and decided to go help my friend if at all possible. My plane was working very poorly, and my climb was slow. As I neared, both planes turned on me. It was then that I realized that I had been tricked into a sham battle put on by two Japs, and I had failed to recognize it because of the sun in my eyes.... I turned and made a fast retreat for the island, collecting a goodly number of bullets on the way. After one of these planes had been shaken, I managed to get a good burst into another as we passed head-on when I turned into him. I don't believe this ship could have gotten back to his carrier, because he immediately turned away and started north and down. I again decided to land, but as I circled the island I saw two Japs on a Brewster. Three of my guns were jammed, but I cut across the island, firing as I went with my one gun. But I could not get there in time to help the American flier, and as soon as the Brewster had gone in the water, I came in for a landing at approximately 0715 (estimated).

It is my opinion that the Japs have a very maneuverable and very fast ship in their 00 fighters, plenty of fire power. They can turn inside the Brewster, but of course, on the speed I would be unable to say, as my wheels were jammed about 1/3 way down during the fight, causing considerable drag.

My plane was damaged somewhat, having 72 bullet and cannon holes in it, and I had a very slight flesh wound on my left leg.

It is my express desire that Lt. Sandoval, deceased, be logged-up with the bomber which one of us got in our first run.

(As published in The Yellow Sheet, Spring 1996)