Japanese naval bombers and fighters took off according to their revised schedule and approached Luzon in two well-separated forces, both of which were detected by the Iba radar detachment just before 11:30 am. Despite an hour's warning, only the P-40 squadron at Iba took off, and it ran low on fuel in futile response to confusing instructions from the 24th PG that resulted from changing analyses of Japanese intents. The Iba P-40s were in their landing pattern when the Japanese struck. The aircraft at Clark and Iba were caught on the ground when the attack began at 12:35 pm. One hundred and seven two-engined bombers80 Mitsubishi G4M (Navy Type 1) "Betty" and 27 Mitsubishi G3M (Navy Type 96) "Nell". divided into two equal forces bombed the airfields first, after which 90 Zero fighters conducted strafing attacks until 1:25 pm (the fighters strafing Iba concluded at 1:05 pm, after which they flew to Clark and resumed attacks). Nearly the entire B-17 force at Clark, one-third of the U.S. fighters and its only operational radar unit were destroyed.12 of the 17 B-17s at Clark were destroyed on the ground and three others damaged. Of the four that were unscathed, two were destroyed in ground accidents on the following two days. One of the damaged bombers was later captured and rebuilt by the Japanese. The 3rd and 20th PS—38 P-40s—were completely destroyed at Iba and Clark fields respectively. (Bartsch 8 December p. 442; Doomed p. 133) The Japanese lost only seven fighters and a single bomber to combat.The Japanese also lost three "Claude" carrier fighters and a "Kate" attack bomber in its attacks at Mindanao.
Japanese naval bombers and fighters took off according to their revised schedule and approached Luzon in two well-separated forces both of which were detected by the Iba radar detachment just before 1130 am Despite an hour's warning only the P-40 squadron at Iba took off and it ran low on fuel in futile response to confusing instructions from the 24th PG that resulted from changing analyses of Japanese intents The Iba P-40s were in their landing pattern when the Japanese struck The aircraft at Clark and Iba were caught on the ground when the attack began at 1235 pm One hundred and seven two-engined bombers80 Mitsubishi G4M (Navy Type 1) "Betty" and 27 Mitsubishi G3M (Navy Type 96) "Nell" divided into two equal forces bombed the airfields first after which 90 Zero fighters conducted strafing attacks until 125 pm (the fighters strafing Iba concluded at 105 pm after which they flew to Clark and resumed attacks) Nearly the entire B-17 force at Clark one-third of the US fighters and its only operational radar unit were destroyed12 of the 17 B-17s at Clark were destroyed on the ground and three others damaged Of the four that were unscathed two were destroyed in ground accidents on the following two days One of the damaged bombers was later captured and rebuilt by the Japanese The 3rd and 20th PS—38 P-40s—were completely destroyed at Iba and Clark fields respectively (Bartsch 8 December p 442; Doomed p 133) The Japanese lost only seven fighters and a single bomber to combatThe Japanese also lost three "Claude" carrier fighters and a "Kate" attack bomber in its attacks at Mindanao