A26 Invader 43-22644 and bouncing bomb trial

[spitfireman]

A26 Invader and bouncing bomb trial
You've all probably seen the film clip as an Invader dropped a bouncing bomb at a mere 12ft and lost his tail.

There are many sites on the internet that show this amazing footage, however, I am unable to find a single photograph showing what she looked like.


This is what I have:

A-26 43-22644 (42nd BG, 100th BS) lost May 5, 1945 near Tagalinog Island
on a practice skip bombing mission. Practice bomb was an inert 'highball'
dropped over water, approx 12ft, bomb bounced off surface
and hit the plane, destroying the aircraft and killing
the entire crew.

Crew:

Lt Bryce L Anderson
Sgt Russel L Boyer
S/Sgt Dale T Jackson
Cpl Burton J Naberhuis

Any help appreciated

Baz

[Khorat]

I had for this accident MACR 16225 place and reason the same but it was a B-25, serial
44-30165, pilot 2ndLt. Alfred Weston ?

The 42nd BG was in action in the Philippines area and only equipped with B-25 this time ?


khorat
Michael Balss

[RSwank]

These are two different accidents that happened the same day. The skip bombing as done by the 42nd bomb group used conventional bombs and was used against shipping (and ground targets). The bombs did not bounce great distances along the water with multiple bounces but were "skipped" with basically one bounce into a ship.

It is discussed many times in the book "The Crusaders" about the 42nd BG which can be read on line here;
http://harrydole.com/42nd/

B-25s practicing skip bombing:

http://www.fold3.com/image/#56728406
http://www.fold3.com/image/#56728413

Here is a photo (A-20s not B-25s) of a skip bomb attack in the Pacific, which shows the technique was common.

http://www.fold3.com/image/#47648859
http://www.fold3.com/image/#47648876