56 Years Ago Today

During the night of 8-9 September, Japanese bombers attack headquarters, parked planes and stores at Chengtu/Hsinching Airdrome. One B-29 and a C-46 are damaged and two U.S. soldiers are injured.

42-6212 444th BG Baker Crew Crash landing China 11 rescued
42-6234 444th BG MACR 8593 Overton Crew 4 MIA 7 rescued
42-6360 462nd BG Sullivan - Damage, belly landing China 11 rescued.

"We went in on our belly in an emergency fighter landing field (just a grass pasture--we called it a cow pasture). After our radio operator located this spot on his books and contacted our weather reporting radio station there we took a vote in the rear compartment on whether to jump or trust out pilot to get us down safely. We reasoned that rather than jump and be scattered or stay with the crew and take our chances. It was stay together or chute down in unknown territory alone.

"As I have stated before, we walked (ran) away from the crash safely. There was no explosion and all were well. Jap zeros bombed and straffed our downed plane early the next morning. Then they circled around looking for us as we hid in fox holes. The native (friendly) Chinese hauled off 33 humored gallons of gasoline from our tanks before the Japanese came in out of the sun and did figure 8's over our plane. We crashed (wheels up) in a drizzling rain and that night some Norwegian missionaries had us over for coffee and cake. I remember very well because the sugar was not well refined (it had sugar cane straws in it), but it was good to be with friendly people. We landed in a cleared area (a pasture?), to our left was a hill with an anti-aircraft gun emplacement on top, never used while we were there. A short distance to the right was the farm house (or houses) where the Americans had an outpost mentioned in my earlier description. They had enough room to accommodate our entire crew for the eight days until we were evacuated. This house was on the outskirts of the village. I am sure we did not come to LaoHoKow by chance. I was not up front with the Navigator but no doubt this location was a designated "safe-haven" for the B-29's in trouble. We headed for there as soon as we turned back.

"Also, the clearing was good enough for the rescuing C-47's to land and take-off. The C.O. of the Americans was Captain Kebric; Captain Tocci was a medical officer. Also, there was Major Franklin Metcalf, a very interesting travelling S-2 man. He had lived in China since 1923; taught pre-med botany in Fukien and Canton. I never did find out the purpose of the American outpost; probably Intelligence gathering.

"We ate eggs, rice and chicken; tried to use chopsticks exclusively. Learned that you don't always try to pick up food but rather hold the bowl of rice up to your face and shove the rice into your mouth with chopsticks. Went to the Norwegian Lutheran Mission for tea, etc. The host was Dr. Nordland (female) of Chicago. Met Father Benoit of Glen View (Illinois?) a Catholic Miissionary.

"As I said, I can't picture the town of LaoHoKow despite the fact that we wandered around for about 8 days. I recall slaughtered chickens covered with flies hanging outside of a butcher shop. There certainly were other stores because I bought a few souvenirs."

Jim Icenhower

"Intercepted by Jap fighters about 4 hours out. Shot out # 3 and # 4 engines. Salvoed bombs, gas tank, and everything that was loose in the plane. Made crash landing in a pasture at LAOHOKOW, HUPEH Province. Japs 60 miles on 3 sides of us. 2 hours after landing came a Jap recon. There was an outpost of a few Americans at this place and the Headquarters of General Lin, V war area.

"The Chinese officials presented us with gifts; I received a piece of white shantung silk and a small bath towel. The officials were:

Major General Lu Teh ---Head of political department of 5th War area
Chia Hoh Son ---Head of LaoHoKow Chamber of Commerce
Hsu Weh Tze ---Head representative of northern part of Hupeh Province
Chu Wen Pu ---Magistrate of Kurangha District
Pai Hung Chin ---Secretary in Chief of Kuangha District

"Salvaged instruments, etc. Stayed with Americans at farmhouse where they had their Headquarters. Next morning Japs ( 3 fighters) bombed and strafed the old RED ASS. All the front end burned up. The next few days were spent by our blowing up what was left of the plane and diving into slit trenches to avoid almost daily visits from the Nips.

"Sept. 16, 1944. Evacuated from LAOHOKOW by 2 C-47s with P-40s from General Chennault's Flying Tigers as cover. The planes landed-- unloaded---loaded---took off in 25 minutes. We took a helluva lot of B-29 salvage. Landed at PEISHIYI 2.5 hours later (outside Chungking). One hour later took off in C-46 from PEISHIYI to HSIN-CHING and landed in about 1 hour.

"Sept. 17, 1944. Truck ride 3.5 hours ( 30 miles) HSIN-CHING to KUNGLAI---finally dumped our salvage junk which we had been toting all over"

Mel Rosenfeld

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