The 'Black Sheep' of the Pacific War in color (TR)

UK Daily Mail ^ | 02/08/2018 | ALASTAIR TANCRED

[DFG]

Fascinating pictures of America's famous WW2 Black Sheep Squadron whose efforts helped win the war in the Pacific have been released in vibrant color.

The series shows the squadron's commanding officer, Colonel Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington who received the Medal of Honour and the Navy Cross, briefing his men on strategy and tactics before the 17 October 1943 attack on Kahili airdrome at Bougainville island, Papua New Guinea.

In this raid 'Pappy' and 24 fighters circled the field where 60 enemy aircraft were based to goad them into sending a large force. In the ensuing air battle, 20 enemy aircraft were shot down and the Black Sheep (VMF-214) squadron suffered no losses.

[DFG]

Full title: The 'Black Sheep' of the Pacific War in color: Legendary fighter squadron who shot down 203 Japanese planes in WW2 are brought to life in colorized photos

[MeganC]

That was awesome! Thank you for posting it!

[Rummyfan]

I believe Col Boyington is third from the right in the first row.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Todays WW2 vets are at a point where Civil war vets were in the 1930s. Very few of them left and probably in the next 10 years there will none. I’m glad a lot of them are still around though to have seen the career felon Hillary Clinton and her cabal thwarted and the country saved. If Trump does nothing else, beating her in my mind was probably the greatest single act any politician ever did for this country, maybe only 2nd to George Washington refusing to act as King, but Trump winning, my God we didn’t dodge a bullet, we dodged Armageddon.

[laplata]

Yes!.

[ltc8k6]

Probably Kodachrome, look at it pop off the screen.

[AFreeBird]

Yup. That’s him.

[2banana]

No diversity, no trans, no queers, no women, no disabled...

How the heck did they win the fight?

[rlmorel]

bfl

[MayflowerMadam]

If Pappy were alive now, he’d be in Mattis’ job, probably. Trump loves that stuff.

[ltc8k6]

Hmmm...I did think some of them were colorized, but are they saying all of them are?

[Wilderness Conservative]

According to a Marine Corps biography, 'Pappy' Boyington got his nickname because at 31 he was older than most of the pilots he commanded. He was shot down in his Corsair in January 1944, but not before downing two enemy planes, and went on to survive internment at the Otami prison camp. Boyington released his memoirs, entitled Baa Baa Black Sheep, before his death in 1988.

[4yearlurker]

My dad,who was in the Army Air Core in WW2,told me stories about these guys. He said they would get liquored up,take off and go hunting Japs.

[Snickering Hound]

The series of pictures, most originally taken in the South Pacific between September 1943 and January 1944, were brought into the 21st century by colorist, Craig Kelsay (54) from Pearland, Texas.

The equipment and artists that use it can make stunning pictures. Do a Google search for colorized pictures of the Civil War.

[ltc8k6]

It’s amazing work.

[ltc8k6]

With the Civil War you know it’s colorized, though.

By WW2 we had Kodachrome, which looks amazing compared to today’s digital photos.

[Fresh Wind]

Wait, there are no women or trannies in that group. How could we possibly have won the war?

[SkyPilot]

Great post. I met Col Boyington in the 1970s. He was re-married then and sober, but still feisty. Some WW II vets who were in the Pacific theater took issue with the television show and its “liberties” with reality (beautiful nurses, etc.). Boyington shouted back: “I just told you! That Hollywood crap is pure fiction! I don’t write the F-cking script!”

Lol.

[billyboy15]

No Blacks!!!!

#@$&% Raciss’ mofo’s!!!

[Snickering Hound]

Boyington himself sitting in the bucket of his F4U-1 with 'birdcage' cockpit.

The poor forward visibility from the low seat kept the F4U from deployed on carriers until 45' when it was corrected.