Evening star., 1942-09-29
Gen. Chennau!t's Son
Leader in Kiska Raid
On japanese Sub
Fighter Squadron Strofed
Croft After Forming
Combat Circle Around 1t
BY WILLIAM l.. WORDEN.


Associated Press War Correspondent
ALASKAN DEFENSE CON-
MAND, Sept. % Delayed Two
enemy submarines in Japanese
held Kiska Harbor were believed
damaged by United States Army
flyers who caught them on or
near the surface, Air Force off,
GERS disclosed today.
One submarine came up directly
underneath a squadron headed by
1t. Col. Jack Chennault. son of
Brig. Gen. Claire l.. Chennault, for
mer leader of the American volun-
teer group Flying Tigers who fought
In China.
Col. Chennsult, whose squadron
few planes with tiger shark jaws
painted on the sides, proceeded to
strafe the submersible himself
Meanwhile, he ordered his fighter
squadron into combat circle
around the surprised submarine.
Each of nine planes made three
strafing attacks on the undersea
ship which rolled on the surface,
apparently afraid to dive because
Of a number Of holes In it.
"a Washington Navy COM
munique in announcing the Fri
day raid said yesterday that in
addition to the submarines, two
transports or cargo ships were
attacked at Kiska and one was
beached. 1t said the attack was
carried out by strong force of
bombers and pursuit planesD
Uses Similar Tactics.
A second squadron of fighters led
by Maj. Wilbur Miller used similar
tactics after sighting another sub
marine. Although results Of this
attack were not definitely known,
the submarine was seen to be sink
ing slowly and may have been
mortally hit.
Chennault also got one Of the
Japanese float plane fighters which
rose to greet the raiders. CThe Jap
snese. apparently unable to carve
airports out of Kiska's rocky hills,
have been using fighter planes based
on the water)
Both Americans and Canadians,
who have been itching for action
during months of patrol and guard
work over Alaskan posts, took part
In the raid.
1t. Gerald r. Johnson Of Eugene,
Greg, got another fighter, shooting
it down just as 1t came out of the
clouds on the tail of the plane
piloted by Maj. Miller.
Squadron Comdr. Kenneth Boomer
Of Ottawa, leader of the Canadians,
sent a third fighter spinning into the
bay. In addition the raiding force
struck at seaplanes on the water.
Airforce reports said at least five and
possibly more were destroyed.
Shore Installations Hit.
Shore installations also were hit,
with fighter planes going in low
ahead Of the bombers and strafing
positions violently ssSsF
fridays raid was a continuance 4
of a series of aerial attacks on
Kiska which began during the first
week Of September when fighters
first strafed the astounded japanese
occupants Of the island.
The first large scale raid was
made September IA when it was
estimated at least 500 Japanese were
killed.
Preceding the heavier attack Fri
day, a smaller raid was made on
Kiska Thursday, but the results
were not known.
Air force officers said they were
using large and varied personnel
in this series of attacks, seldom
sending the same men over tar
get more than twice. They ex-
planned their purpose was to give all
possible flyers in Alaska actual COM
bat experience and said the expe-
rience was already proving highly
valuable as a morale builder for men
who have been stymied by weather
all summer.
Fridays raid was led by Col. Chen
nault and 1t. Col. Charles McCorkle,
San Antonio, Tex, both group COM
manders. Squadron commanders
included Comdr. Boomer, Maj. Mil
Ter and Maj. Charles Alton Gyles,