Site last updated: 15 April 2012
To see a simulation of the mid-air crash of Z Square 8 on 17 March 1945, click here:
http://youtu.be/ZgFUUPGbti4
Robert D.Cookson, Senior - Radar Killed in Action 17 March 1945
Robert Dean Cookson was not born to become a radar operator, and from what we have been able to learn, never considered military service at all as a career. World leaders and events were forming that life for him and he didn't even know it, just like millions of other young people in America. Like millions of others, he perservered, made the best of what he had, and tried to enjoy everyday as best he could without complaint. That is what is so outstanding about that generation. They were honest, forthright, hard working people who dealt with difficulty, overcame it, and moved on, never asking for a hand out.
Uncle Bob was the son of Russell and Gladys Cookson, the second of four children. His older brother Rich was born in 1920, Bob in 1922, sister Lois Eileen in 1924, and youngest sister Jane in 1928, in the small, rural town of Goshen, in Northeastern Ohio.
Goshen was small. It had a couple of independent coal mines, a clay-pipe plant, a grocery store, and a couple hundred residents. Most of whom, like Uncle Bob's dad, worked in the coal mines, ran heavy equipment, worked in one of the local plants or mills, or farmed for their livelihood. They were depression era people, trying to make ends meet and provide for their families the best they could, with the resources available. They raised vegetable gardens, had fruit trees, and canned these items to store in the cellar. Many, when they could afford it, had chickens, pigs or cows, which they butchered. Nothing was wasted, and nothing was forsaken, yet everything was shared. It was a close knit community and no one was ignored.
Uncle Bob grew up typical of youngsters in his day without money. They made their own fun. In the summer, they hiked in the woods, picked berries, built forts, swam and fished in the Tuscarawas River, and carved their initials in the rocks on Cookson Hill behind their house. In the fall, their passion was hunting rabbits and squirrels-for food, not for fun...both Bob and his brother Rich were crack shots. They would gather walnut and hickory nuts. In the winter, they would sled-ride or ski down over Goshen Hill, and try to ice-skate (usually without the skates), and try to find a warm place to gather. Spring time brought welcome relief and they were back in the woods seeking mushrooms, and enjoying the warmth of the outdoors again. Both boys loved the outdoors.
Uncle Bob and his brother Rich spent a lot of time with their grandpa, Jimmy, who lived in a log cabin without electricity or plumbing down the dirt lane from their house. Grandpa Jimmy came to America in 1893 and was a coal miner. He was well educated, religious, and loved to listen to his radio that was hooked up to a car battery for power. The boys adored him and stayed there frequently, much to "Gramps" amusement. He enjoyed their company, and appreciated their companionship.
Bob's brother Rich was almost universally known as "Hoss" because he would ride anything. Horses, mules, cows, it didn't matter. If he could get on it and control it, he rode it. Later in Rich's life, that passion turned to motorcycles, cars, and speed. Most people that knew him said they never saw anyone who could control a car the way he could.
Not all was fun and games. Uncle Bob and his brother would seek out any kind of work they could get for any amount of money they could earn, just to have a few cents in their pocket. Mostly, they found work on local farms doing chores, making hay, or cutting and husking corn. That few cents they earned enabled them to buy some candy, go to a "picture show" up town, go roller skating or to the arcade at New Philadelphia Park. Maybe buy a new shirt or some pants. Simple, yet important.
Uncle Bob graduated from Midvale High School in 1939, a proud moment in his life. But, not much promise for a good job as the country was still suffering the effects of the depression. He joined the National Youth Administration Camp, a work training program based on citizenship and need for youths between ages 16 and 25, that trained unemployed, out of school youths. It wasn't much, only 70 hours per month maximum, and $10.00 to $25.00 per month. But, he was working, and earning.
He also met his future wife, Daisy Frances. Along the way, they had three beautiful children, Bob Jr., Carol, and Lois Jean. Luckily for Uncle Bob and his new wife, with children on the horizon, in March of 1941, he was hired on at Republic Steel in Massillion, Ohio. He was making a very good wage at that time (76 cents an hour), cutting plates-and was extremely thankful. His life had finally turned a corner in such a positive way, and he was happy. He and Daisy rented a house in Goshen, and even bought a 1936 Ford from his dad for $100.00.
December 7, 1941, would alter the lives of our family forever.
Uncle Bob was inducted into the Army in January of 1943, leaving his wife, young son and family behind. All with a second child on the way. I don't know what that feeling must have been like, to stand on a train moving away from the station watching your pregnant wife and little boy disappear in the distance behind you. The uncertainty filling your mind about what you were about to embark on, not knowing when you would see your loved ones again, or if you would see them again.
It didn't matter. A job needed to be done, and he had to help see it through. Uncle Bob did that and much more. Living his life with dignity, and with a profound love of his family, he went off to war.
With emotions that cannot be put into words, we dedicate this website to our Uncle Bob, with fondness for a man we never knew but who has captured our hearts.
We can only imagine. We invite others to join us.
We have made great efforts to ensure the accuracy of the content herein. If we have presented information regarding the 500th BG incorrectly or have you additional information on our Uncle Bob, please let us know via our Contact Us page.
We are eternally grateful to our family and friends Bill Copeland, Jim Bowman, Bob Mann, Ken Fine, Mike Heffner, Frank Grube, Tim Cookson, Bob Cookson, Frank Farrell and the Bulloch, Gerson, Burgess, Connor, and Maples families for providing information and resources.
We would also like to thank all those who have made relating information available by hard copy and the net. Your efforts are appreciated greatly.
Uncle Bob was the son of Russell and Gladys Cookson, the second of four children. His older brother Rich was born in 1920, Bob in 1922, sister Lois Eileen in 1924, and youngest sister Jane in 1928, in the small, rural town of Goshen, in Northeastern Ohio.
Goshen was small. It had a couple of independent coal mines, a clay-pipe plant, a grocery store, and a couple hundred residents. Most of whom, like Uncle Bob's dad, worked in the coal mines, ran heavy equipment, worked in one of the local plants or mills, or farmed for their livelihood. They were depression era people, trying to make ends meet and provide for their families the best they could, with the resources available. They raised vegetable gardens, had fruit trees, and canned these items to store in the cellar. Many, when they could afford it, had chickens, pigs or cows, which they butchered. Nothing was wasted, and nothing was forsaken, yet everything was shared. It was a close knit community and no one was ignored.
Uncle Bob grew up typical of youngsters in his day without money. They made their own fun. In the summer, they hiked in the woods, picked berries, built forts, swam and fished in the Tuscarawas River, and carved their initials in the rocks on Cookson Hill behind their house. In the fall, their passion was hunting rabbits and squirrels-for food, not for fun...both Bob and his brother Rich were crack shots. They would gather walnut and hickory nuts. In the winter, they would sled-ride or ski down over Goshen Hill, and try to ice-skate (usually without the skates), and try to find a warm place to gather. Spring time brought welcome relief and they were back in the woods seeking mushrooms, and enjoying the warmth of the outdoors again. Both boys loved the outdoors.
Uncle Bob and his brother Rich spent a lot of time with their grandpa, Jimmy, who lived in a log cabin without electricity or plumbing down the dirt lane from their house. Grandpa Jimmy came to America in 1893 and was a coal miner. He was well educated, religious, and loved to listen to his radio that was hooked up to a car battery for power. The boys adored him and stayed there frequently, much to "Gramps" amusement. He enjoyed their company, and appreciated their companionship.
Bob's brother Rich was almost universally known as "Hoss" because he would ride anything. Horses, mules, cows, it didn't matter. If he could get on it and control it, he rode it. Later in Rich's life, that passion turned to motorcycles, cars, and speed. Most people that knew him said they never saw anyone who could control a car the way he could.
Not all was fun and games. Uncle Bob and his brother would seek out any kind of work they could get for any amount of money they could earn, just to have a few cents in their pocket. Mostly, they found work on local farms doing chores, making hay, or cutting and husking corn. That few cents they earned enabled them to buy some candy, go to a "picture show" up town, go roller skating or to the arcade at New Philadelphia Park. Maybe buy a new shirt or some pants. Simple, yet important.
Uncle Bob graduated from Midvale High School in 1939, a proud moment in his life. But, not much promise for a good job as the country was still suffering the effects of the depression. He joined the National Youth Administration Camp, a work training program based on citizenship and need for youths between ages 16 and 25, that trained unemployed, out of school youths. It wasn't much, only 70 hours per month maximum, and $10.00 to $25.00 per month. But, he was working, and earning.
He also met his future wife, Daisy Frances. Along the way, they had three beautiful children, Bob Jr., Carol, and Lois Jean. Luckily for Uncle Bob and his new wife, with children on the horizon, in March of 1941, he was hired on at Republic Steel in Massillion, Ohio. He was making a very good wage at that time (76 cents an hour), cutting plates-and was extremely thankful. His life had finally turned a corner in such a positive way, and he was happy. He and Daisy rented a house in Goshen, and even bought a 1936 Ford from his dad for $100.00.
December 7, 1941, would alter the lives of our family forever.
Uncle Bob was inducted into the Army in January of 1943, leaving his wife, young son and family behind. All with a second child on the way. I don't know what that feeling must have been like, to stand on a train moving away from the station watching your pregnant wife and little boy disappear in the distance behind you. The uncertainty filling your mind about what you were about to embark on, not knowing when you would see your loved ones again, or if you would see them again.
It didn't matter. A job needed to be done, and he had to help see it through. Uncle Bob did that and much more. Living his life with dignity, and with a profound love of his family, he went off to war.
With emotions that cannot be put into words, we dedicate this website to our Uncle Bob, with fondness for a man we never knew but who has captured our hearts.
We can only imagine. We invite others to join us.
We have made great efforts to ensure the accuracy of the content herein. If we have presented information regarding the 500th BG incorrectly or have you additional information on our Uncle Bob, please let us know via our Contact Us page.
We are eternally grateful to our family and friends Bill Copeland, Jim Bowman, Bob Mann, Ken Fine, Mike Heffner, Frank Grube, Tim Cookson, Bob Cookson, Frank Farrell and the Bulloch, Gerson, Burgess, Connor, and Maples families for providing information and resources.
We would also like to thank all those who have made relating information available by hard copy and the net. Your efforts are appreciated greatly.
9 January 1945. Uncle Bob wrote his mother that he felt his "chances don't look too bright" of making it home.
"Some of our ships have been rammed by Japs and I don't like that at all. Especially, when we are the lead ship."
22 January 1945. Uncle Bob Wrote his mother, "We really blew up the plant and I don't think we'll have to go back there for a while. We had a few fighter attacks and some flak but only got one little hole in our ship. A lot sure goes through my mind though and I do a lot of wondering and worrying. NO future."
**(Regarding the mission on 19 January 1945 to Akashi, led by the his crew, Fitzgerald)
3 February 1945. Uncle Bob wrote his mother, "We have led a couple of raids already. Almost wasn't here to lead anymore as we came close to getting rammed."
**(Referring to the 27 January 1945 mission to Target #357, Tokyo, again led by his crew, Fitzgerald)
17 March 1945. Our Uncle Bob was KIA when his B-29 was unintentionally rammed by a Japanese fighter.
Fate took a cruel turn when his premonitions turned out to be true.
"The day your Uncle Bob saved us and our B-29"... according to Doug Bulloch.
We were to fly a non-stop practice mission from Salinas, Kansas to Batiste, Cuba.
(Two missions were flown: One on 25 August 1944, & the second on 29 August 1944 -R.Cookson)
On the return trip we ran into extremely bad storms and the formation was scattered "all over the place. Planes were landing anywhere they could due to the storms and fuel shortages."
Flying Northwest towards Kansas, Captain Field come on the interphone and made the announcement that we were almost out of fuel, and we were to make preparations to "bail out."
Doug said while he and the other gunners in the rear of the airplane made ready to bail out, our Uncle Bob continued to concentrate on his radar equipment. He said he and the others then heard Uncle Bob say into the interphone,
"Captain, I found a runway and a place to land" and directed his A/C to the coordinates he would need to get the plane down safely and quickly. (Doug said when they landed they found out Uncle Bob had located Tinker Field in Oklahoma City, and had directed Capt. Field to it's location. -R.Cookson)
Upon approach, Capt. Field broke the rules and ignored the pleas from the control tower to get into a pattern. He made a
bee-line for the runway and landed the plane safely. Thankfully he did so, because as they were taxiing the engines began to sputter and shut themselves down. They were out of fuel.
Doug said that thanks to our Uncle Bob, "no one had to make their first parachute jump, the men were all safe, and the government saved $600,000.00."
"Some of our ships have been rammed by Japs and I don't like that at all. Especially, when we are the lead ship."
22 January 1945. Uncle Bob Wrote his mother, "We really blew up the plant and I don't think we'll have to go back there for a while. We had a few fighter attacks and some flak but only got one little hole in our ship. A lot sure goes through my mind though and I do a lot of wondering and worrying. NO future."
**(Regarding the mission on 19 January 1945 to Akashi, led by the his crew, Fitzgerald)
3 February 1945. Uncle Bob wrote his mother, "We have led a couple of raids already. Almost wasn't here to lead anymore as we came close to getting rammed."
**(Referring to the 27 January 1945 mission to Target #357, Tokyo, again led by his crew, Fitzgerald)
17 March 1945. Our Uncle Bob was KIA when his B-29 was unintentionally rammed by a Japanese fighter.
Fate took a cruel turn when his premonitions turned out to be true.
"The day your Uncle Bob saved us and our B-29"... according to Doug Bulloch.
We were to fly a non-stop practice mission from Salinas, Kansas to Batiste, Cuba.
(Two missions were flown: One on 25 August 1944, & the second on 29 August 1944 -R.Cookson)
On the return trip we ran into extremely bad storms and the formation was scattered "all over the place. Planes were landing anywhere they could due to the storms and fuel shortages."
Flying Northwest towards Kansas, Captain Field come on the interphone and made the announcement that we were almost out of fuel, and we were to make preparations to "bail out."
Doug said while he and the other gunners in the rear of the airplane made ready to bail out, our Uncle Bob continued to concentrate on his radar equipment. He said he and the others then heard Uncle Bob say into the interphone,
"Captain, I found a runway and a place to land" and directed his A/C to the coordinates he would need to get the plane down safely and quickly. (Doug said when they landed they found out Uncle Bob had located Tinker Field in Oklahoma City, and had directed Capt. Field to it's location. -R.Cookson)
Upon approach, Capt. Field broke the rules and ignored the pleas from the control tower to get into a pattern. He made a
bee-line for the runway and landed the plane safely. Thankfully he did so, because as they were taxiing the engines began to sputter and shut themselves down. They were out of fuel.
Doug said that thanks to our Uncle Bob, "no one had to make their first parachute jump, the men were all safe, and the government saved $600,000.00."
(Courtesy N.Krahe)
Rich Cookson (on left) and his younger brother Bob in Goshen, Ohio, circa 1924
(courtesy R.Cookson)
Enlistment Record
The lower right corner image of the postcard above is the train depot that Uncle Bob departed from in Dennison, Ohio.
Training
(Image courtesy of Tim & Bob Cookson)
On 10 October, 1943, Uncle Bob attended six weeks of intense Flexible Gunnery School training at Tyndal Field in Florida. Starting with BB guns, the men also fired shotguns and then machine guns at stationary and moving targets, and finished their training firing a 30 caliber machine gun from the rear of an AT-6 trainer. They had to strip and reassemble a machine gun blindfolded wearing gloves, pass a test on Morse and Blinker codes, learn to identify Axis and Allied aircraft, and pass a High Altitude test in a pressure chamber, as well as much more. Tyndal became famous because actor Clark Gable attended this gunnery school.
Flight Crewmen Wings
Radar Operator Wings
Radar Operator
According to Bob Crowther (radarman, 39th Squadron):
"Actually it was radar that guided the plane to the target on all but the clearest days, and sometimes actually dropped the bombs by directing the bombardier. And there were very few clear runs because both night and cloud cover were our friends - normally the best choice for safety reasons whenever possible. * * * Radar was always used as an adjunct to navigation because of its ability to measure direction and distance to key land marks whether or not they could be observed visually. It was generally more helpful than any other tool, such as LORAN, or directional radio. It was also used sometimes for air to air observations as well as air to land or air to ship, and was even used to direct landings to within yards of final touchdown when landing in thick fog."
"Actually it was radar that guided the plane to the target on all but the clearest days, and sometimes actually dropped the bombs by directing the bombardier. And there were very few clear runs because both night and cloud cover were our friends - normally the best choice for safety reasons whenever possible. * * * Radar was always used as an adjunct to navigation because of its ability to measure direction and distance to key land marks whether or not they could be observed visually. It was generally more helpful than any other tool, such as LORAN, or directional radio. It was also used sometimes for air to air observations as well as air to land or air to ship, and was even used to direct landings to within yards of final touchdown when landing in thick fog."
The Radarman was seated in the aft part of the aft pressurized compartment
Radar station is on right side, and you are looking back through un-pressurized compartment to rear tail gunner entry door. (courtesy F. Farrell)
Photo of the K-22 at Udvar-Hazy. It has adjustable clamps on the lens to attach to the radar scope. (courtesy B. Copeland) The following explanation of a "Mission Strike Camera" was provided to us by Mr. Marvin Demanzuk, radar officer, from the 39th Bomb Group. Marvin flew his combat missions from North Field, Guam. See his story at www.39th.org The navigator had a repeat radar scope at his station and the camera was attached to his scope. Displays were originated by the radar operator and information communicated to the bombadier verbally. The camera recorded the bomb run images, especially of pathfinder crews. So, your Uncle Bob provided the slant range marks to the bombadier and the navigator did the recording.
Radar station image (Courtesy D.Bulloch)
Radar station image (courtesy D.Bulloch)
Tom Del Signore trying to re-start the 'putt-putt' 60 years after the fact. 'Putt-putt' was in rear of plane and usually started by tail gunner. It provided auxillary power to start the engines on the B-29s. (Courtesy of Frank Farrell)
"Flimsy" radar operator mission instruction report/3 Dec 1944
(courtesy J. Bowman)
"Flimsy" radar operator mission instruction report/28 July 1945
(courtesy J. Bowman)
Post-mission radar report. 19 Jan 1945
(courtesy J. Bowman)
The following hand-written documents from the Queen air crew of the 882nd Bomb Squadron, were provided to us courtesy of Leigh Grant, the daughter of Ground Maintenance Officer John Grant who also served in the 882nd.
The first document indicates destination, flight hours and dates, plus the mission type and bomb load data. Please note that the last notation in each section dated 8-29-45 indicates this was a POW supply drop mission to Hungnam, Korea.
(**According to research by Jim Bowman, John Grant flew on this POW mission on 8-29-45 to Korea with the Queen crew when their plane was shot up by Russian fighters and forced to crash land near Hungnam. Fortunately, all crew members survived.)
The second and third pages are handwritten notes regarding Japanese targets in or near Tokyo, and are believed to be from Marion Sherrill, the bombardier on the Queen air crew. They include target numbers and the personal self-recognition bombadier notes to himself to locate those targets. In some instances he even noted the area measurements of the assigned target. (**Number 357 is the infamous Musashino Aircraft factory complex near Tokyo that the high-level bombing missions could never destroy. Finally, after approximately ten bombing missions, we ultimately reduced it's manufacturing capability to rubble.)
The first document indicates destination, flight hours and dates, plus the mission type and bomb load data. Please note that the last notation in each section dated 8-29-45 indicates this was a POW supply drop mission to Hungnam, Korea.
(**According to research by Jim Bowman, John Grant flew on this POW mission on 8-29-45 to Korea with the Queen crew when their plane was shot up by Russian fighters and forced to crash land near Hungnam. Fortunately, all crew members survived.)
The second and third pages are handwritten notes regarding Japanese targets in or near Tokyo, and are believed to be from Marion Sherrill, the bombardier on the Queen air crew. They include target numbers and the personal self-recognition bombadier notes to himself to locate those targets. In some instances he even noted the area measurements of the assigned target. (**Number 357 is the infamous Musashino Aircraft factory complex near Tokyo that the high-level bombing missions could never destroy. Finally, after approximately ten bombing missions, we ultimately reduced it's manufacturing capability to rubble.)
courtesy of Leigh Grant, daughter of John Grant, 882nd bomb squadron
courtesy of
Leigh Grant, daughter of John Grant, 882nd bomb squadron
courtesy of
Leigh Grant, daughter of John Grant, 882nd bomb squadron
Make sure you check out our Links page for some very cool stuff and sites! : http://www.cooksontributeb29.com/links.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5DLTqSplY8- "Waddy's Wagon" clip titled "First Mission"...shows in flight footage of what it was like to be a B-29er. **MUST SEE**
Unique Site visitors since 24 December 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
