What did squadron code VBM mean?

Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:42 am

I was given some photos this week from the collection of a late Air Gunner who served with No. 3 (BR) Squadron, RNZAF at Guadalcanal and Jacquinot Bay.

One of them shows some chaps form the squadron outside a quonset (sp?) hut, not sure which base it was at, but the sign on the hut is in full view and it reads thus:

R.N.Z.A.F.
No. 3 Sqdn (VBM-1)
Commanding Officer
Adjutant
Intelligence
"Operations"

So it was obviously the HQ building for the squadron. I noted the wierd abbreviation of VBM-1, which must have been a number allocated to the squadron by the US command under their US system I guess. I have tried to look up what the designation VBM stood for and cannot find any reference to it. Has anyone got any ideas? The squadron was flying either Lockheed Hudsons or if later in the war then Lockheed PV-1 Venturas, not sure of the date so it was one of the other.

Thanks.

Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:19 am

I don't think the US Navy used three letter squadron designations until after the war for anything other than Marine Corps squadrons. Regardless, that designation doesn't appear on any list I've ever seen. The closest I can think of right now is VPM which was used for a weather reconnaisance squadron very briefly right after the war.

James

Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:44 am

Thanks James. This is what I feared when I couldn't find this abbreviation on online listings. I'm wondering if VBM was a little known designation made up specifically for RNZAF units for the US guys used to that sort of system?

The role of No. 3 Squadron was initially General Reconnaissance (long range coastal and seaward patrols to loacte and report enemy shipping or submarines, plus things like search and rescure, navigation escort to fighter squadrons and US dive bomber and bomber squadrons, etc.) Later in late 1943 the role changed slightly to Bomber Reconnaissance, which encompassed all the same work as before but with the added role of doing bombing raids, often as the whole squadron in formation but sometimes only in pairs, etc. Weather reporting was a very small part of the squadron's role, and was not a major enough thing to be given a designation relatng to weather reconnaissance. I checked again and it's definately VBM-1.

I don't suppose perhaps it was just something like the hut number, though the placement of where it is on the sign certainly indicated it's a squadron designation alternate to the proper RNZAF title.

Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:29 am

VMB seems to have been a formal code for US Marine bomber squadrons during WW2, and two such squadrons fought along side 3 Sqn RNZAF in New Ireland attacking Rabaul.

http://www.vmb433.com/

http://www.vmb611.com/

I suspect VBM may have been a similar or locally developed code to describe the RNZAF squadrons within US Marine operations, as there were many joint operational bases?

regards

Ma

Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:59 am

Dave,

As you probably know, in the Navy i& Marine's squadron designations the V stood for Heavier Than Air. This is just a guess on my part, but could it be possible that the rest stood for Bombing, Medium. You said that they were flying Hudsons & Ventura's, which I think would be classified in the medium range. Like I said, just a guess.

Mac

Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:24 pm

http://www.history.navy.mil/books/OPNAV20-P1000/V.htm

VMB -- Marine medium and heavy patrol bomber squadron (land-based and seaplane)

Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:08 pm

Thanks very much chaps.

Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:19 pm

VPB sqns flying PBY's and PBM's. That's an easy one for the VP Navy guys. 'Heavier than air-Patrol-bombing.' My dad flew in VPB-2 out of Jax in 1945. PBY-5A radio/gunner.
Doug