This was the day Elizabeth was referring to in comments of 1/19. I don't know what "Buttons" means, but assume it is a code name for some location.
December 16, 1942
"Flew with Capt. H. P. Hinsley. 6 - B17 took off (from) Buttons, went to Minga Point and bombed each ship. Dropped 20 - 100 lb fragmentation bombs, encountered many Zero fighters. Our crew shot down 3 - I manned twin 50's in radio operators gun - used up both cases of ammunition - think possible hit a Zero - at least he didn't come in and peeled off in other direction.
Capt Hyalind plane was shot down, made a good water landing - I saw it. All men got out onto life rafts. No. 1 and 2 engines were shot up bad, gasoline pouring out. PBX picked up all men on life rafts about 30 miles from Minga Point and were down at Guadacanal by 7 PM. None injured seriously - just minor contusions and lacerations.
Flying time 6 hours.
... Hyalind plane broke in 5 pieces at junction of fuselage and radio operators room, at ball turret and in bombay.
5 bullet holes were put in Capt Hensley's plane - no one injured - one engine on our plane ? run away prop and was feathered. Zeroes do not show up when our bombers have fighter escort."
I know my dad could do this because he had a lot of internal strength, but it is hard to imagine because he was such a sweet, gentle man. Of course, being in this situation he didn't have much choice. An interesting point is that he did not have to go to WWII - he had previously fulfilled his military obligation - he enlisted in the Army.
Comments (4)
I think the word that should replace the question mark is simply "had". Would you agree with that, Mom?
I loved reading these last night & was v. pleased my papa scanned the whole thing in and sent them to me; lots of work for him to do.
Posted by Elizabeth | January 20, 2003 8:41 PM
Posted on January 20, 2003 20:41
I'm enjoying then entries from your father's diary as well.
I can imagine how fascinating it must be for you. You're getting to meet the man who became your father. Even if he had been a loquacious person, you probably still wouldn't have gotten the portrait of him that his journal leaves behind.
I'm looking forward to reading more.
Posted by Jfer | January 20, 2003 7:41 PM
Posted on January 20, 2003 19:41
As I understand it doctors automatically went in as officers - I think he ended up a Lieut. Colonel.
Thanks for reading them - it is a treasure to read the diary since he never talked about his war experiences; however, he didn't talk a whole lot anyway. Too bad I wasn't mature enough before he died to get him to talk about that part of his life.
Posted by Cynthia | January 20, 2003 4:11 PM
Posted on January 20, 2003 16:11
I think the memoirs of your father's war-time is a real treasure. I anticipate more of his entries; they are interesting. I'm assuming your dad was in the Army Air Corp? Enlisted or Officer
?
Posted by Leah | January 20, 2003 9:28 AM
Posted on January 20, 2003 09:28