|
In October of 1945, with his new Marine Aviation wings earned, Second Lieutenant Collins embarked to Tientsin, China with the VMO-3, First Marine Air Wing, Captain J.V. Booker, CO. Collins flew the Convair OY-1 "Sentinel. The Marines' mission in China at this time was a little murky. There are not many publications on this subject. As far as I can tell, our mission there was an auxilary one. Our Marines guarded trains loaded with shipments of supplies bound for Nationalist troops. The VMO-3 was an observation squadron. Apparently, our planes would fly missions to assess battle results, produce maps, and spot artilery in support of the Nationalist Chinese or Kuomintang.
Naturally, the communists were not pleased with this. Our forces were considered friendly to their enemy, the Nationalists. Hence, there were instances of capture of our forces by the communists. Anyone who served during this "peacetime" occupation of Northern China is welcome to Email me with stories or information to shed light on the subject which I will post. The VMO-3 was redeployed in July 1947 to Marine Air Group 24 at Orote Field, Guam, Marianas Islands.
"The United States Marines in North China 1945-1947"
Chinamarines.com
Northchinamarines.com
Fouthmarinesband.com |
|
