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Old 9th March 2017, 23:45
Frank Olynyk Frank Olynyk is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ohio
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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.
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Last edited by Frank Olynyk; 10th March 2017 at 00:56. Reason: add service # for Taylor
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