90th Bomb Group 2015 Annual Reunion New Orleans

G.
Ford, Sec/Treas
Robert
J, Tupa,
May 2015
8320 San Leandro
Dallas, TX 75218
Phone 214-327-8796
[email protected]
[email protected]
Treasurer
273Dr,
Wellington
Cutoff, Wellington,
NV 89444 Fax 214E-Mail
Phone 775-465-2930
Volume 141
90th Bomb Group 2015 Annual Reunion
New Orleans, Louisiana
October 21-24, 2015
We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2015
National Reunion in New Orleans October 21-24.
This year, home base for the Jolly Rogers is the
Crowne Plaza New Orleans – Airport.
The Reunion will kick off with registration on
Wednesday in the Hospitality Room. True to Jolly
Rogers’ tradition, the Hospitality Room will be the
center of activity, open each day for your
enjoyment, relaxation, and refreshment.
Thursday, the Jolly Rogers will visit the National
World War II Museum.
Friday morning – October 23 – we will gather for
the General Meeting. That evening, we will return
to the National World War II Museum for food,
drink, and a tribute to the Bob Hope USO shows
that entertained so many during World War II,
including the 90th Bomb Group at Biak in 1944.
On Saturday, we will head to the World War II
Airpower Expo 2015 to see a fleet of fully restored
World War II aircraft. That evening, the annual
banquet will be held in the Crowne Plaza. While
many activities are scheduled this year, we have
built in ample time for rest during the events and
between the activities. (Registration form on page
3)
squadron, and had I flown with a navigator named
George Pracher.” I assured him I was. He is a
WWII history buff who won a coin toss to purchase
a diary at a garage sale in El Paso. It was the
wartime diary of George Pracher. He recorded
every mission and its results during his service in
New Guinea 1942-1943. He listed the crew
members and our Bomb Group, the Jolly Rogers.
Mr. Cervantes, being adept at internet research,
found our Jolly Roger newsletter online. In it I had
submitted an article in which I invited anyone to
call me to reminisce. I am the last surviving
member of the Faahs crew, so until that point, Rey
had not found anyone mentioned in the diary to talk
to. Rey was so excited, that he contacted the local
TV news station and they ran the story for Veterans
Day. Then, Rey flew out to California to visit with
me over two days and interviewed me. That story
also was featured on their website. He hopes to
write a book that features personal stories to bring
that period of history into high resolution, instead of
black and white. Because he knew so much already
about the Jolly Rogers, it was a delight to visit with
him about missions and the people that served and
the places we fought. So I just want to commend
you for keeping the newsletter going and for giving
me the opportunity to share my story with a
genuinely interested amateur historian.
(Herb Goodrich)
George Pracher Diary
Herb Goodrich writes, “This year I have an
interesting story about World War II history buffs
and the value of our newsletter in helping them
access original stories. Last October I received a
phone call from Rey Cervantes in El Paso, TX. He
asked if I was " Herbert Goodrich from the 320th
Correction
In the last newsletter I reported that Tom Baker
got Jim Bacca and Nick Barone in contact with each
other after 70 years. Barone contacted me to report
that his first name is John and that he was in the
319th. The article also stated that Barone was 94
years old. John reports that he is only 92.
model of Eager Beaver as part of their displays.
The model is fairly large at 25 feet and 300 pound.
Bob Simmons on UNBROKEN
I hope that you got to see the movie UNBROKEN
and maybe you got to read the book by the same
name that has been around for several years. This
movie, which is a real true story, tells just how the
war was fought by those who flew the B-24.
I was lucky on the day after Christmas that my
family was altogether so I took them to this movie.
It (the movie) told them the conditions that we had
to deal with much better than I could tell them.
Sign
New Book
Hi 90th Bomb Group Association members,
Just wanted to advise all members the book titled
"Aircraft Crashes of Northern Queensland
Australia 1943 - 1945" is soon to be released. It is
hoped that books will be available in late June 2015.
Following on from my first book titled "Iron
Range Air Base - Carved in the Cape York
Jungle 1941-1945" this book is dedicated to a
collection of 50 compelling aircraft crashes and
mishaps historically documented that occurred
throughout Far North Queensland, Australia during
World War II. The compilation gives a rare insight
into researched documents, official reports, witness
statements, veteran’s recollections, memories,
family histories and information from decedents of
the lost. Also included are a number of rare
photographs of the aircraft and many that lost their
lives in these tragic circumstances. Many of these
photographs have been found in family homes
never been released.
The severe loss of so many documented in this
book is a sheer tragedy to so many generations.
Every effort has been made to ensure their
memories live on for future generations to ensure
the Far North Queensland history is never forgotten
and they are all remembered with the utmost of
honour, respect and dignity. For they all paid the
supreme sacrifice for our enduring freedom. They
will be forever remembered.
Michael Musumeci
PO BOX 597
Mareeba Queensland
Australia 4880
[email protected]
I recently shared this picture that I found on the
Nebraska Historical Society website with the 43rd
Bomb Group website. This picture of a sign from
90th photographer Robert Merchant states:
HQ 90th GROUP
Buy A War Bond With Every Check
To Make Up For The Ships The 43rd Wreck!
The 43rd requested that I check with members to see
if anyone has any more information on the sign
such as when and where the sign was actually
posted.
I Get Notes
Ted Nelson, 321st Squadron, navigator on George
Ellitott’s crew writes that he just turned 95 along
with celebrating their 71st wedding anniversary.
Reminiscences of Balikpapan Missions
Due to recent interest in the Balikpapan (Borneo)
missions I am recording some memories of the two
missions flown with the Jolly Rogers 90th Heavy
Bomb Group. The dates were September 30 and
October 10, 1944. I have a fair memory, however
after 70 years some details are blurred and the two
missions may be blended. I will do my best to
refrain from rewriting history and manufacturing
heroics.
I had never heard of Balikpapan until a briefing
on September 29. The excitement started a day or so
prior to that when a crew member said there was
something unusual going on down on the line. He
reported that bomb bay fuel tanks were being
installed on the both sides of the front bomb bay
and one side of the rear. The obvious conclusion
was that somebody was going on a long mission. I
think that our wing tanks had a capacity of 2300
gallons. The temporary bomb bay tanks held 400
gallons each. The total capacity would be 3500
gallons, perhaps enough fuel for maybe 18 hours,
(continued on page 4)
Museum Display
The San Diego Air and Space Museum recently
notified the Association that they have included a
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REGISTRATION
90th Bomb Group National Reunion
New Orleans, Louisiana
October 21– 25, 2015
(PLEASE PRINT)
Name: Last
First
Spouse, guests:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Squadron:
___________
Emergency Contact: ______________________________________________________________________
REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE AUGUST 15
Wednesday, October 21
Noon - 9:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 22
9:30 a.m.
Friday, October 23
10:00 a.m.
5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 24
10:00 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
Check-in and Registration – Harry Lee B Room
Reception
#____@ $ 7.00=________
National World War II Museum, Lunch & Bus
WWII Veteran
Others
Dinner on your own
Annual Meeting
National WW II Museum Dinner, Show & Bus
Commemorative Air Force Show & Bus
WWII Veteran
General Admission
Active/Retired Military, Senior, Child
Lunch on your own
Annual Banquet
#____ Breast of Chicken
#____ Grilled Rib Eye
#____ Potato Crusted Atlantic Salmon
#____ Roasted Vegetable and Penne Marinara
ANNUAL DUES:
#____@ $15.00=________
#____@ $35.00=________
#
@$55.00=________
#_____@ $ 0.00= ________
#_____@ $20.00=________
#_____ @$10.00=________
#_____@ $45.00=________
#_____@ $10.00=
TOTAL:
Please send registration and check (payable to 90th Bomb Group Association) by August 15 to:
Jeff Smith, 2929 Myers Road, Springfield, OH 45502. Please contact the Crowne Plaza (Kenner, LA) to
book your room, using this booking link https://resweb.passkey.com/go/90thBombGroup, or call 1-888871-7402 using the group code BGZ. Our special group rate is $115.00 per night. This rate will be
honored three days before and after our event. A hot buffet breakfast can be added to your rate for the
3
week and it is $10 per person per day. This discounted offer is for the entire stay or not at all. Check
in is 3:00 p.m., check out is 11:00 a.m. Airport transportation is provided by the hotel. When you
arrive at the MSY Airport, call 504-467-5611. The shuttle will pick you up at the transportation shuttle
right across from baggage claim.
the mid point abort the takeoff, you won’t make it.
If you are not at 125 knots at the end lights take off
anyway you’re over water.” (The air speeds may
not have been those stated)
We were lined up for takeoff at about 12 midnight
on the 29th with tanks topped off at last possible
point. I’ve read the takeoff interval was 1-1/2 min.
but I remember 1 min.; this was close but there was
a need to reduce our “string out.” I remember our
strength at 84 or 14 squadrons. I am not certain if all
departed from Noemfoor. I know of no problems on
takeoff although there may have been aborts.
I don’t recall any details of the weather briefing
but for me, a navigator, the weather turned out to be
a big frightening factor. I recall being about 8,000
feet and in pitch black. Occasionally we felt
someone’s prop wash and changed altitude to avoid
collision. We experienced heavy turbulence and
extreme vertical drafts, both up and down. We were
flying into cumulonimbus clouds which we could
not see except when there was lightning which
would reveal what was in front of us. The worst
point was repeated vertical drafts during which I
remember the altimeter needle making a full
rotation (1000 ft.) in about three seconds or assent
and descent at the rate of about 20,000 ft/min. I
feared the wings would come off. We did a 180
until we cleared the thunderhead and then turned
90 deg. for a minute or so and then went back on
course. That worked OK.
Navigation was simple; just stay on the originally
established course. With no visibility down and
complete overcast there was no pilotage or celestial
aids. We flew out of the storm and when there was
daylight we found we were over the Celebes
Islands, which had distinctive shapes, and permitted
me to get a pinpoint position. We rendezvoused
with our designated formation and proceeded to
bomb the target with our scant payload.
Our plane was in the last flight. I had anticipated
that the Japanese Zeros would have exhausted fuel
and ammo by the time we arrived. Not so, I suspect
they had time to land and refuel, rearm and return to
the attack. By that time our fighter cover had
exhausted fuel and ammo and were on the way
home. I think we were at about 10,000 feet, or
thereabouts, on the bomb run and were in a fair
(Balikpapan continued form page 2)
or a bit more (without reserve) depending on a few
factors.
We were based on Mokmer Drome, Biak in the
Shouten Islands. About midday on Sept. 29 we flew
about 75 nautical miles West to Noemfoor Island
which was the departure point for the mission. I can
think of no reason for this action except it saved
about 27 minutes of air time to the target. This
doesn’t seem like much but after 17 hours of flight
time it could be significant.
Sometime later we had a briefing for a 12
midnight takeoff. We were briefed on the target, oil
refineries for aviation fuel at Balikpapan. We also
learned that our bomb load would be a mere 1500
lbs. Our normal load in the bomb bay was eight
1000 lb. bombs. On this mission the three gas tanks
of 400 gallons each weighed about 9600 lbs. plus
the bombs for a total of 11,100 lbs. or 3,100 lbs.
over normal. We were given doses of Benzedrine
to keep us alert during a night without sleep. I was
sufficiently keyed up and in no need of an upper.
Aside from the normal elements of a briefing
there were two special elements; fighter cover and
emergency recovery. The fighter cover, I heard
later, was all volunteer, due to distance. The
aircraft, P-38’s and maybe P-47’s were carrying
external fuel tanks which I understand contained
some portion of their “going home” fuel. A famous
ace, Major “Bing Bang” Bong was on the mission.
The emergency rescue was comprised of 13 PBY’s
stationed at intervals along the homeward route.
They were designated May Day 1 through 13. They
were much used after the strike. A pilot in trouble
would radio May Day 7, for instance, and they
would talk until the PBY pilot would see the
distressed aircraft. The PBY would instruct the pilot
to ditch after which the PBY would land and pick
up the pilot and/or the crew.
The briefing contained a bit of lame humor. The
officer giving takeoff instructions said that there
were three pairs of spot lights pointed straight up;
one set at start point, second at midpoint and a third
at the end of the runway. He continued, “Use short
field take off procedure – brakes on – full throttles –
release brakes and go”. If you are not at 95 knots at
4
amount of flak however we did not get hit. I think
the bulk of the Zero attacks occurred after we
bombed. They used a new weapon, burning
phosphorus bombs. They came in from 12 o’clock
high and would pull up as they dropped the flaming
metal on us. I saw one aircraft on fire. The crew
bailed out and our formation circled the area until
they were out of sight. The enemy straffed the
crewmen as they floated down. I think it was the
Kofsky crew from the 321st Squadron.
One of the official descriptions of the mission was
in a citation for an Air Medal contained in GO No.
1253, Hq Far East Air Forces, 23 June 1945; it read
in part:
“First Lieutenant Robert H. Cooper, (0-685547),
Air Corps, United States Army. For meritorious
achievement while participating in aerial flights to
Balikpapan, Borneo, on 30 September and 10
October 1944. Lieutenant Cooper was the navigator
in a B-24 aircraft which took part in history-making
mass formation strikes against the strongly
defended and strategically important Japanese oil
refinery base at Balikpapan. Carrying unusually
heavy bomb and fuel loads, these bombers had to
make flights, which were among the longest ever
performed by B-24’s in the Southwest Pacific Area.
In the Balikpapan area, swarms of aggressive
enemy fighters intercepted and pressed unrelenting
attacks. Flying through withering anti-aircraft fire,
and harassed by aerial phosphorus bombs, these
crews of these B-24’s on both strikes nevertheless
dropped their bombs with devastating results,
starting violent explosions and huge fires and
destroying or damaging oil refineries, storage tanks
and other installations… “ .
The flight home was anticlimactic, those four
beautiful 1200hp engines droned along without a
cough. My Form 5, “Individual Flight Record”
contains an entry for September 30 indicating flight
in B-24J, 1 landing, duration of 16hrs. & 50min.
For 10 October the time entry is 14hrs & 40min.
with one landing. On 11 Oct. the time entry is 2hrs
& 10 minutes with one landing for a two day total
of 16hrs & 50 min. I think that we stopped over
someplace for fuel on the way back from the second
mission.
After all of these years I continue to remember
those times with the Jolly Rogers; 10 young lads,
some 19 years old with a big machine and blessed
with the knowledge that our superiors had faith in
us to do the job. I have never since played so much
volley ball and hearts.
Robert H. Cooper
105 Ivy Ridge Rd.
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Tele.: (434) 978 2879
Email: <[email protected]>
TAPS
These buddies, wives, friends and comrades-inarms forever remain heroes.
Betty Judge notified us that her husband of 71
years, Alfred J. Judge Jr., passed away on
February 13, 2015. Alfred was the co-pilot on
Richard Hoffman’s crew in the 319th Squadron.
Russell Smith notified us that his father, Walter
G. Smith, passed away on February 18, 2015.
Walter was the flight engineer and gunner on the
Harter crew in the 400th Squadron.
Craig Bellamy writes, “I have some sad news I'm
afraid. I received a phone call yesterday afternoon
advising me that Dick Dakeyne died yesterday
morning (April 9, 2015) in his nursing home in
Toormina near Coffs Harbour in NSW. He had been
battling bone cancer in one leg for several years.
Dick was an early RAAF (Australian Air Force)
radar countermeasures operator with Field Unit 6
(380th BG USAAF), he later served with the 90th
BG on Biak and with 24 Squadron RAAF and 201
Flight RAAF. He was a great mate of mine.”
R. L. Hollingsworth notified us that her father,
John F. Price, passed away on April 3, 2015 at the
age of 92. John was a crew chief in the 319th
Squadron and a Life Member of the Association.```
David R. Richards passed away on August 16,
2014 at the age of 94. David was the First Sergeant
in the 320th Squadron.
R. Hugh Gilbert died peacefully at his home in
Seattle, Washington on June 22, 2011. Hugh was
the radio operator on the Singer crew in the 320th
Squadron.
DUES: Your 2015 annual dues of $10 are payable
now. The date shown on the line above your name
on the address label indicates when your
membership expires. Make the check payable to the
90th Bomb Group Association and mail it to:
273 Wellington Cutoff,
Wellington, NV 89444.
If the letter W, H, or L is on the line above your
address you DO NOT need to pay dues.
5
90th Bomb Group Association
273Wellington Cutoff
Wellington, NV 89444
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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