29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

Hello

I am looking for information about four B-25 of the 41st Bombardment Group victims of a friendly fire (Hellcat) near "Kwajalein" :29/01/44

Thank's in advance

michel

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

Nine twin-engine bombers were observed to be making what appeared to be a low level attack on Task Group 58.1, on the evening of 29 January. They were intercepted by a CAP from VF10, off Enterprise, and one shot down before being recognised as Army B-25s. Apparently all but one of the crew was rescued by a destroyer.

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

The B-25 shot down was 42-87284 41st BG, 396th BS piloted by Harris C Taylor. The man who died, apparently drowned , was the bombardier/navigator Daniel Kritz. He was seen in the water near the nose of the plane after it ditched. Fire on the water and the suction of the plane going under were apparently contributing factors to his loss. The other 5 crewmen were rescued.

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

My source mentions four B-25 shot down by VF-6 and VF-11 of TG 58.2

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

That source of yours is wrong. For example, in January 1944 VF11 was in training at Alameda.

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

exact for VF-11: TG-58.2=VF-6,VF-9 and VF-31

So,a single B-25 shot down

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

The 396th mission report for this day is available online at http://blkbrd0778.tripod.com/396thbo...dron/id19.html.

According to this source, several other B-25s were hit and another one (listed as "780" in the report) ditched before reaching base, all the crew surviving. So two B-25s were lost following this friendly fire incident.

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

The B-25s were spotted by Enterprise lookouts at 17.51, local, and identified as Mitsubishi Type 97s starting a torpedo attack. Almost immediately the identification was corrected, although the carrier fired two 5" rounds. Destroyers in the screen, closer to the aircraft, also opened fire.

During the period 12.00 to 20.00, TG58.1 was operating between 0815N and 0819N. According to the 396BS report, when the ships were sighted at 17.45 they were at 0810N, suggesting that the B-25s were further north than their navigation indicated.

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

Thank you all for the details and corrections.

michel

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

The deck log of Enterprise for Jan 29, 1944 reports that at 1748 9 unidentified planes were reported on the horizon, bearing 320 deg True. At 1751 the planes were identified as Bettys. At 1751.5 the report was corrected to B-25s. At 1752 2 rounds were fired at the planes by 5" guns, range 14,000 yards. Cease fire was immediately given; deck log notes that the command to commence firing was not given. At 1753 ships to starboard (not identified) were observed to be firing at the planes with both mg and 5" guns. Fighter from the combat patrol (pilot and squadron not identified) made several runs on the planes. One plane was smoking as the group passed ahead from starboard to port. At 1756 the smoking plane crashed in flames bearing 220 deg True, distance 20,500 yards. At 1822 the destroyer Gatling at the scene of the crash reported recovering five crew members, one lost with plane. Enterprise's position at noon was 08-19.2N, 170-36-1E; her 2000 position is not given.

The deck log for Jan 30 reports that Gatling came along side and transferred the following to Enterprise, and they were admitted to sick bay:

Cherrington, Don Carlos, 2nd Lt., minor contusion, left side of face and zygomatic arch
Taylor, Harris Coomes, 2nd Lt., shock and compound fracture, left femus, O-742386
Reynolds, Robert Hobson, Staff Sgt, #32467950, multiple lacerations and abrasions, shrapnel
Horton, Gordon Dale, Staff Sgt, #18060947, laceration and probable fracture right leg
Smith, Anthoney Francis, Sgt, #13052972, shrapnel wounds, left buttock

Gatling's deck log, which I do not have, might give the location of the crash.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

The book "The Big E" also mentions this incident

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

The War Diary for the USS Gatling describes the incident and names the men rescued. Also mentions that all but "Churington" had shrapnel wounds. It identifies the plane and the base it was operating from.
It mentions that the incident happened shortly before sunset.

At 20:00 it gives its position as: 07 49 00 N, 170 16 30 E. Weather was clear and seas were calm.

It mentions that several navy planes had crashed during takeoff at sunrise for the raids that day, due to rain. They had rescued a navy torpedo bomber crew at that time who were flying off the Yorktown.

The link for those with fold3 access:
https://www.fold3.com/image/251/272169842

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

Hi guys

I missed these postings earlier!

Do we know the identities of the VF-10 pilots involved? Are any reports available?
Cheers
Brian

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

Hello Brian and Others

Originally,my question was about the B-25 (s) victims of friendly fire,but looking deeper at one of my (French:Aero-Journal) source,the facts "would" be more complex and subject to interrogations.

I quote:
"in the afternonn (29/01/44-Kwajalein),the VF-6 "settle" their account what pilots indentify as BETTY of which 3 by Alexander Vraciu.

Always according to my French source !!,it would actually be B-25 of USAF!

"Incident officially not mentioned by US NAVY

"The Japanese don't report any Bombers casualties and don't claim B-25 in the region of Kwajalein".and still according to the same source!"the VF-6 "would be the only unit to claim twin-engines.....HUM! interresting story but who REALLY asks confirmation where DENIED!!

If anyone has the answer:WELCOME

Best Regards

Michel

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

Vraciu's claims are in the morning, between 0810 and 1005. The first S of Burlesque I, the second at Roi I Lagoon, and the third at 25 m W of Burlesque I.

The ACA report is dated Jan 29, 1944, with takeoff at 1915 GCT, and landing at 2325 GCT. They encountered six Bettys between 2010 and 2205 GCT, all of which were shot down, three by Vraciu, one by Klingler, one by Merritt & Hobbs, and one by Bullard. Also claimed a Topsy about 2150 GCT by Fairbanks & Robbins.

I don't see how this can be equated with the loss of the B-25.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
 

Hi Frank

For the moment,I have not found traces of Betty shot down in the vicinity.....BUT THE problem (and not the least) is the reliability of the Japanese archives!!

Michel