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Japanese and Allied Air Forces in the Far East Please use this forum to discuss the Air War in the Far East. |
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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 |
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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.
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George Kernahan |
#3
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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.
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#4
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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
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#5
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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.
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George Kernahan |
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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 |
#7
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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. |
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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.
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George Kernahan |
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Re: 29/01/44 :B-25 victims of Friendly Fire
Thank you all for the details and corrections.
michel |
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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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Civilization is the most fragile ecology of all. Last edited by Frank Olynyk; 9th March 2017 at 23:56. Reason: add service # for Taylor |
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