PBY “Catalina” Aircraft
PBY and PBY-5 "Catalina" Aircraft during Alaskan and Aleutian Service
Following the Japanese Raid at Dutch Harbor and the invasion of Attu and Kiska Islands in June 1942, PBY and PBY-5 "Catalina" patrol bombers were amongst the various aircraft sent to the Aleutian region by Navy Patrol Wing Four (PAT-WING 4). Flying through poor visiblity and under severe wind conditions, the aircraft raided the Japanese occupied islands. PBY's were also transported by seaplane tenders such as USS Casco (AVP-12) and USS Teal (AVP-5). Additionally, the aircraft were based on various Alaskan islands to be paired with destroyers in order to attack Japanese submarines resupplying Attu and Kiska islands.
To view images of PBY and PBY-5 "Catalina" patrol bombers during the Battle of the Atlantic, please click here.
Image: 80-G-K-15434: Consolidated PBY-5A "Catalina" patrol bomber on a patrol flight over Aleutian Islands, circa 1942-43. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
