The U.S. considers the Panama Canal a key strategic location and has always defended it accordingly. In 1940, this meant squadrons of ultra-modern Curtiss P-36 pursuits based at Albrook field.
The 16th Pursuit Group was one of these units and would play a key role as events unfolded.
The Axis was looking for opportunities to take over or at a minimum, close the canal. This would disrupt trade and the ability of the U.S. Navy to transit quickly between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. U.S. forces were on guard for any shenanigans.
The Axis found the opportunity they were looking for in the person of that famous raconteur and international man of adventure, Panama Jack.
Panama Jack had contacts all over the world and was more than willing to use them to seize the canal for the Axis for a price. Fortunately, U.S. intelligence had an ear to the ground (and the door, walls, etc.) so Panama Jack's efforts on behalf of the enemy did not remain secret for long.
Once he realized his perfidy had been discovered, Panama Jack went on the lam and the 16th Pursuit Group was tasked with hunting him down over the vast expanses of the central American isthmus.
The 16th Pursuit Group flew innumerable sorties searching for the fugitive, often operating from rough, forward bases. Every lead, no matter how thin, was followed up but Panama Jack remained elusive.
This was no reflection on the herculean efforts of the 16th Pursuit Group or their aircraft. The Curtiss P-36s performed flawlessly in the fruitless search under harsh tropical conditions.
While Panama Jack never faced justice for his double-dealing, the swift reaction of U.S. forces made the Axis wary of making any more serious attempts to take over or close the canal, at least until the
Japanese sen toku or secret submarine attack plan in 1945.
The experience was a boon to the 16th Pursuit Group as it prepared them for the war-footing they'd be put on after the sinking of the
U.S.S. Reuben James.
As for Panama Jack, it was rumored he'd been spotted running a sun tan oil stand on Miami Beach but this was never confirmed.
The 16th Pursuit Group would trade in their P-36s for more advanced aircraft and continue to defend the canal zone until disbanded in 1943 when its men and aircraft were reassigned to combat units.
Still, for one brief moment, the 16th Pursuit Group and its Curtiss P-36 Hawks would be the sole force to check Axis ambitions in central America.
Brian da Basher
