Torpedo Squadron 11: Photo

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June 1st, 2012 (Introduction)

Hello, my name is George Retelas. I was named after my grandfather, and 70 years ago he wrote a journal and took photos during his time in the Pacific (he's the one with his arms on his hips and sleeves rolled up in the group picture). After going through all the material, I wanted to share it for family members of this squadron and any history buffs who may be interested.

There's public domain photos I've included, as well as photographs my grandpa George took on his 4x5 Graflex camera; along with trinkets and articles he kept. I started this project a couple of years ago, and I'm delighted to finally share it. Here's a sample of some of the slide film which he had stored in his dry socks to avoid the heat in the tropics at Guadalcanal.

Journal - Slide Film
© Retelasfilm

Journal - Guadalcanal Island
© Retelasfilm

I do hope you enjoy this, as it's been a very exciting project to put together. The blog begins with the first entry and ends with the last known one, followed by a surprising article in the newspaper some 40 years later as the final post. For any questions you can reach me at contact@georgeretelas.com

Also, the following is a scroll he created with the signatures of VT-11 and a poem he inscribed on it. This original document was on display at the Treasure Island Museum before it closed in 97'.

Torpedo Squadron Eleven - Scroll
© Retelasfilm

"Here's a toast to the widening host of Americans serving the nation. To those millions of lads, and their brothers and dads, who are saving our civilization. To the men from the mills, and the farms and hills, and the cities and mountains and plains. To the workers and miners and airplane designers, and the crews on the ships and the trains. Where ever they are, be it near, be it far, on the land, in the air, on the sea. With a stoutness of heart, they are doing their part, to keep this the land of the free. So good luck Torpedo Eleven, may nothing impede you all, nor make you delay or digress. May God find you with power behind you, to roll up a final success."

October 23rd, 1942 (First Entry)

Journal - pg. 1
© Retelasfilm

Climbed aboard the converted Aircraft Carrier, U.S.S. Long Island at 0930 on North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, CA. This is the first U.S. warship I’ve been on since my enlistment in the Naval Service and I wasn’t very thrilled. I stepped aboard, saluted the flag, officer of the day, and checked the register for my name. I then proceeded below for my sleeping quarters. Weighed anchor at 1030 from North Island Pier, with two Navy tugs alongside. In the harbor were twin Troop transports. The ship loaded with forty-eight marines, but did not follow us. I stood on the flight deck and watched the last speck of the California coast fall from view. Our ship was loaded with over sixty-two planes and hundreds of men. We set out into the Pacific alone, with only one U.S. Destroyer as protection. As we kept steady course, our escort would circle around and patrol the area.

With no more sight of land, my memories were drifting to my perfect love and the fun I had with all the friends and shipmates I left behind, perhaps not to be seen for a long time or ever. But there are things I wish, no matter what happens to me, I pray that God look over my mother, dad, kid brother, and my little Dottie.

I was assigned to general battle station. Ships lights were out at 1830. Found bunk in 2^nd and 1^st class officers sleeping quarters. Turned to at 1900, for first night’s sleep aboard ship.

October 25th, 1942

0600 Working detail. 1200 Another U.S. Destroyer over took. 1430 Sighted seven of our convoy on the horizon; two Oil Tankers, four Troop Ships, and one Destroyer. Our Destroyer turned back for the States. 1600 Took load off the convoy. 1615 Set all watch time ahead fifteen minutes. 2000-2400 Stood flight deck watch, no moon visible due to dark overhanging clouds. 0100 Turn watch time back fifteen minutes.

Journal - Press News

October 27th, 1942

1030 Fire drill. News of the U.S.S. Wasp Aircraft Carrier lost by the Jap Submarine. I wrote mother and Eddie, and didn’t sleep a wink all night.

Letter to Mother (pg. 1)
© Retelasfilm

Letter to Mother (pg. 2)
© Retelasfilm

Letter to Mother (pg. 3)
© Retelasfilm

U.S.S. Wasp - Aircraft Carrier
Image courtesy United States Library of Congress

October 29th, 1942

Routine – Just Sea.

LT(jg) Richard Batten: Buzzard Brigade at Guadalcanal

Journal - News Article

November 1st, 1942

Journal - Plan of the Day

0600 Land finally sighted the island of Maui. 0700 Two P.B.Y. planes fly out and patrol the area. 0720 Secured. 0820 Went topside on flight deck. The day was perfect, and the water was clear and calm as glass. The islands are beautiful and Diamond Head was first seen as we entered the harbor. 0835 Two U.S. Destroyers and five Troop ships meet up with us. 0915 Entered Pearl Harbor. Some of the “Old Timers” pointed out to me when the U.S.S. Nevada was sunk in 10 ft. of water. Remains of the U.S.S. Arizona were still there, and the scrap of the U.S.S. Oklahoma, with a floating dry-dock still in use. Much of the harbor has been built up since last year’s bombing on Dec. 7^th.

USS Arizona - Battleship
Image courtesy www.history.navy.mil

USS Oklahoma - Battleship
Image courtesy National Archives and Records

Nearly the whole U.S. Fleet was in Pearl Harbor today. Five U.S. Battleships: U.S.S. Idaho, California, Mississippi, North Carolina, and New Mexico. The Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Saratoga was undergoing repairs due to the three torpedo hits in the Solomon Islands. Two Heavy U.S. Carriers, as was the U.S.S. Salt Lake City, which was also in for repairs. Two U.S. Submarines came in on the surface. What a mess, they really needed a paint job. The U.S. Destroyers were many in number and undergoing repairs and supplies. Now the work began on unloading all the planes and equipment. O’Malley, really glad to see the old boy. His trip was on the S.S. Tyler, really rough and rotten. Two meals a day, no showers, and above all, no liberty to San Francisco, only the officers. O’Malley jumped ship anyhow and saw his wife for a bit. Aboard the Tyler was Hal Caroll, as a merchant marine seaman. This really is a small world. Met some of my 9-42 class from Alameda, what a reunion.

A U.S. Aircraft Carrier was reported sunk, no name as of yet. Took all day to unload the planes from the Long Island. Simmons “Hollywood”, a fellow from Santa Ana, and ex-Lexington survivor, took me around Ford Island. The whole island is really swell, and everything has really green scenery. The overturned hull of the U.S.S. Utah is still in the water in the back of our barracks. Nothing has been done to it since last year. 2100 Really beat, turned to.

Ford Island - Attack on Pearl Harbor
Image courtesy U.S. Navy

November 2nd, 1942

Worked all day completing three T.B.F.'s to become flyable. First work I ever did!

Grumman TBF Avenger
Image courtesy www.ww2aircraft.net

November 4th, 1942

Jumped ship on Liberty with Simmons. Visited Mr. Abrou, and was taken to the well-known “South Sea” for lunch. Later, he drove us around to the different views on the island and to the foot of Diamond Head. Saw the U.S.S. Long Island making its way back to the States. It had a load of bullet ridden airplanes. I wish it the best of luck and a safe return. Mr. Abrou took us to his home for a drink. Saw many of the homes and stores that were still burned down since last year. What a place. White people are very few, the servicemen, plenty. Took a bus and boat back to Ford Island. Couldn’t buy anything, cost too darn much. Had a very nice time, regardless.

South Seas - Dinner Menu Cover
Image courtesy www.arkivatropika.com

November 5th, 1942

Tested T.B.F.’s for check-up and for flying. Payday: $44.00, went to the Beer Garden with the boys on island to a show.

Journal - Movie Pass

November 7th, 1942

Packed sea bags (a little rain). Left all my blues on Ford Island. No use for them where we're going. Simmons also left for Maui. He sure was a swell fellow (all Hollywood). Loaded on Navy trucks and arrived (20 miles away), at Naval Air Base Barber’s Point. This air base is just being built, no hanger, roads. Army style barracks, good chow, perfect weather.

On this point were ex-9-42-10-42. Fellows, little Mahoy was here, Danny Roberts and also Robby. Glad to see these boys. Found out Nelson was at Moffet Field for Commando’s School. Four Army B-24 (PBY-4) are stationed here. Along with two C.A.S.U.’s, three S.B.D.’s and two T.B.F.’s. Army also brought a squadron of Q-40’s. We, being transferred here brought ten T.B.F. planes. Four were left behind, including mine. I haven’t a plane as of now. Later I went swimming on the coral reefs, plenty good. 2000 Turned too with a big fight of mosquitoes.

S.B.D. Dauntless - Dive Bomber
Image courtesy U.S. Navy

Gunner’s Theme Song:

I wished to be a pilot, and you along with me.

But if we were all pilots, where’d the Air Force be?

It takes guts to be a gunner, to sit out in the tail.

When the zeros are a coming, and the slugs begin to wail.

The pilots just a chauffeur, his job to fly the plane.

But it’s we who do the fighting, tho’ we do not get the fame.

If we all must be gunners, then let us make this bet…

We’ll be the best damned gunners, that have left this squadron yet!

November 9th, 1942

Bomber Squadron Eleven arrived with sixteen S.B.D. planes. Went swimming all day today, and gathered sea shells to make a necklace for my Dottie. Torpedo Squadron Eleven is going to raise hell.

Journal - News Article

November 21st, 1942

Routine hops. O’Malley and I went up in my T-17. Flew to Naval Air Station to deliver some laundry for a gunnery school. From here we flew around and circled the island near the mountains. Oahu is really small from the air. Check my plane and turned too. Listened to Cal vs. Stanford game, 26-7.

Journal - Entry

November 26th, 1942

Went up on a hop. Had a perfect turkey dinner. Afterwards, had I.W. Harper whiskey with O’Malley, Ramson, Reams, Maloy, and five others. The class from Alameda gave a toast to the ending of the War, and for all to return home for a happy life. Note – The whiskey was borrowed from Officer Flyers.

Journal - Dinner Menu

May 12th, 1943 (Last Entry)

Nine T.B.F.’s and ten S.B.D.’s – Fighter escort raid on Munda airstrip. Another pilot flew my plane. Ensign Swootser, gunner Whitelead, radioman Cramer. Plane return shot to hell. Cramer was wounded in the back, not serious.

Journal - Last Page

"The story of Rattle asses plane, T-15"

She played an important role bombing Japanese bases at Munda, Regata Bay, Vanga Vanga and Kelili Field on Bouganville. After her crew were killed when flying in a DC3, she was being flown back to New Hebrides, but crashed at sea, some where between Guadalcanal and Esperito Santos.

She flew twenty seven missions and had 78 holes in her, personally counted by George Retelas. George was with her from San Diego, U.S.S. Long Island, Honolulu, U.S.S. Altamaha, Figi Island, New Hebrides and Guadalcanal.

Rattleasses plane - Letter
Courtesy: San Diego Air & Space Museum
"Michael O'Malley Special Collection"