MISSION 514 ROUTINE RADAR RECONNAISSANCE OF THE TONKIN GULF AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AROUND HAINAN ISLAND 27 JAN 1945 “On 27 January 1945, four radar equipped B-24s took off from bases in the Kunming area for a routine radar reconnaissance of the Tonkin Gulf and the South China Sea around Hainan Island. Reconnaissance of this area is in coordination with the Navy. The 1800 hour recon dropped 25,000 OWI/CA-12 propaganda leaflets over Canton. “One plane cut the last leg of its course because of a blown cylinder, but the others completed the course as briefed and although search radar worked well, there were no sightings of shipping. However, there were three separate radar sightings of unidentified aircraft as follows: At 0415Z, two blips at 17:30N-110:20E; at 0505Z, two blips at 19:20N-111:20E; at 0510Z, three blips at 19:40N-111:30E. “Fortunately, an overcast prevented visual contact, but from the manner in which the blips moved on the scope, it is quite certain that they were aircraft at a lower altitude than the observing plane which was at 8,000 feet. All of these blips were travelling on courses of approximately 225 degrees which may indicate an enemy air patrol between Hong Kong and Tourane [now: Da Nang], and could possibly point to the reason for plane No. 441’s being missing. “Three of the planes landed safely at their home fields, but one plane, No. 441 Lt. Bobek, has not been heard from since takeoff and is considered missing. “Loading list of Plane No. 44-41441, 375th Bomb Sq. Lt. S.J. Bobek, pilot Lt. F.J. Guili, copilot, Giulli in report of 4-Mar-1945 Lt. Beecher, navigator Lt. D.Y. Hee, bombardier Sgt. R.A. Marchant, engineer Sgt. W.J. Wade, radio operator Sgt. P.S. Carusi, radar operator Sgt. M. Cessarelli, ass’t. engineer, Ceccarelli in report of 4-Mar-1945 Sgt. A.W. Rowe, ass’t. radio operator Sgt. K. Briley, gunner Sgt. J. Vrabel, photographer “Plane No. 788 blew No. 13 cylinder on No. 1 engine. 373rd Sq: Plane No. 446 [44-41446 DRAGON LADY] Capt. Bacalis 374th Sq: Plane No. 788 [44-40788 no known nose art] Lt. Newton 375th Sq: Plane No. 441 [44-41441 IMPATIENT LADY] Lt. Bobek 425th Sq: Plane No. 823 [44-40823 HEAVENLY BODY] Lt. Watson Plane No. 446 Takeoff: 2335 hours Landing: 1110 hours Plane No. 788 Takeoff: 0530 hours Landing: 1700 hours Plane No. 441 Takeoff: 1146 hours Landing: missing Plane No. 823 Takeoff: 1751 hours Landing: 0640 hours
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 06:52:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015