Z Square 8- "Mission to Albuquerque"
This colorized photograph is of the third Z Square 8, "Mission to Albuquerque." Notice the name is not yet painted on the fuselage. Major Fitzgerald and his crew were downed in this aircraft over Kobe, Japan on 17 March 1945. Nine crewmen were KIA and two were captured.
Fitzgerald Aircrew
This is the original crew formed in Kansas in May 1944 (Courtesy B. Copeland)
FRONT ROW- left to right; George Bauman, radar; D. Holley, CFC; R. Wray, tail gunner; A. Augunas, radio; J. Barry, right gunner; J. Cutler, left gunner
BACK ROW- left to right R. Fitzgerald, A/C; R. Copeland, pilot; H. Connor, flt. engineer; R.Nelson, navigator; V.Caufield, bombardier;
*Robert D. Cookson, radar, does not appear in this photograph.
BACK ROW- left to right R. Fitzgerald, A/C; R. Copeland, pilot; H. Connor, flt. engineer; R.Nelson, navigator; V.Caufield, bombardier;
*Robert D. Cookson, radar, does not appear in this photograph.
A/C Major Robert Fitzgerald and Pilot, Lt. Robert Copeland. Believe this photo was taken by Major Fitzgerald's buddy and Navigator, Capt. Herschel Connor.
Major Robert Fitzgerald shaking hand with Chaplain Davis of the 303rd Bomb Squadron. At the Christmas service 1944, Saipan.
The "Mission to Albuquerque" seventy years after leaving Kansas for Saipan. For us, She still lives on."
"Mission to Albuquerque"
Z Square 8
Pilot: by Major Robert J.Fitzgerald-KIA
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Robert E. Copeland-KIA
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Robert W. Nelson-Executed while POW
Bombardier: 1st Lt. Erwin A. Brousek-KIA
Flt. Engineer: 2nd Lt. James C. Bond-KIA
Top Turret Gunner (CFC): Sgt. David W. Holley-KIA
Right Gunner: Sgt. John T. Barry-KIA
Left Gunner: Sgt. John L. Cutler-KIA
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Ruben A. Wray-KIA
Radar: S-Sgt. Robert D. Cookson-KIA
Radio: S-Sgt. Algy S. Augunas-Executed while POW
*Lt. Bond transfered to the Z Square 8 from the McNamer crew as Flight Engineer when
Lt. Herschel Connor was promoted and moved to H.Q. Lt. Brousek, we believe, was still assigned to the Walter's crew on
Z Square 7 and was filling in on this mission for Lt. Caufield. Caufield was injured in his quonset hut when his pistol discharged and a bullet pierced his foot.
This aircraft was referred to by the crews as "St. Bernard" because she returned to base with many damaged aircraft in a support role. This is one of the three B-29 aircraft that were lost on March 17, 1945 in the bombing of Kobe, Japan.
This is the aircraft that our Uncle Bob was on as radar operator the night it was lost.
"Assuming your Uncle Bob missed no missions, he went on to fly with Fitzgerald on 15 Feb to Nagoya, 19 Feb to Tokyo, and 4 Mar to Tokyo. Then he particpated in three of the big incendiary missions -- 9-10 Mar to Tokyo, 13-14 Mar to Osaka, and of course the final one, 16-17 Mar to Kobe."
Robert Fitzgerald's promotion to the rank of major was on 7 July 1942, and he was a flight instructor on B-17s prior to his entry as an A/C on the new B-29 aircraft.
On Saipan in 1944, he was the most senior rated major in the 881st Squadron when their Operations Officer Major Mosier was lost on a mission. Major Mosier was replaced by Capt. Horace Hatch, indicating that Major Fitzgerald choose to continue flying a B-29 over Japan instead of "flying" a desk. Major Fitzgerald was highly respected in the squadron and had an exemplarary crew that was the "lead" crew on a high number of missions. According to Colonel Robert Goldsworthy, if Fitz had been promoted to colonel, he no longer would have been flying combat missions.
(J. Bowman)
4 Feb 45
While most of the Group were off today bombing Japan, 1/Lt Herschel Connor, flight engineer on the Fitzgerald crew of the 881st, was busy making arrangements to get Z-19 (42-63435, formerly Z-3, now back in commission and
redesignated Z-19) weighed. Planes were weighed from time to time because weight was a critical factor in determining exactly how much fuel had to be carried to get the plane to the target and back. A set weight could not be assumed for all
planes because B-29's were built at four different plants and in accordance with different modification schedules, so they could vary by as much as several hundred pounds. Z-19 was not the Fitzgerald crew's regular plane, and in fact they never flew her. Connor was overseeing the weighing of Z-19 in his new capacity as Squadron Flight Engineer. Finally, he got everything set up for tomorrow, or thought he had.
At some point today Connor and his friend copilot Robert Copeland went “up on the hill” to a local reunion of Texas A&M graduates. Plans were for these meetings to become a regular occurrence on Saipan.
Also today the Fitzgerald crew took their newly assigned replacement plane, 42-24849, now designated Z-8 (third), up for a test flight. Everything went well. Copilot Copeland got to fly her a little and even made the landing, which he rated as “the best I've made.” Flight engineer Connor rated 24849 as only “an average plane – nothing extra.” Some planes seemed to handle better or worse or fly faster or slower than expected, but apparently not this one.
While most of the Group were off today bombing Japan, 1/Lt Herschel Connor, flight engineer on the Fitzgerald crew of the 881st, was busy making arrangements to get Z-19 (42-63435, formerly Z-3, now back in commission and
redesignated Z-19) weighed. Planes were weighed from time to time because weight was a critical factor in determining exactly how much fuel had to be carried to get the plane to the target and back. A set weight could not be assumed for all
planes because B-29's were built at four different plants and in accordance with different modification schedules, so they could vary by as much as several hundred pounds. Z-19 was not the Fitzgerald crew's regular plane, and in fact they never flew her. Connor was overseeing the weighing of Z-19 in his new capacity as Squadron Flight Engineer. Finally, he got everything set up for tomorrow, or thought he had.
At some point today Connor and his friend copilot Robert Copeland went “up on the hill” to a local reunion of Texas A&M graduates. Plans were for these meetings to become a regular occurrence on Saipan.
Also today the Fitzgerald crew took their newly assigned replacement plane, 42-24849, now designated Z-8 (third), up for a test flight. Everything went well. Copilot Copeland got to fly her a little and even made the landing, which he rated as “the best I've made.” Flight engineer Connor rated 24849 as only “an average plane – nothing extra.” Some planes seemed to handle better or worse or fly faster or slower than expected, but apparently not this one.
5 Feb 45
1/Lt Herschel Connor's arrangements for getting Z-19 weighed today fell thru for some reason. Connor simply called it a snafu. The weighing was postponed until tomorrow, and since Connor had a Group class on malfunctions to attend
tomorrow, the weighty responsibility for Z-19 would devolve upon 1/Lt Robert Kraushaar, flight engineer on the Kappil crew.
Copilot Robert Copeland of the Fitzgerald crew attended a critique of yesterday's mission today. “The conclusions drawn were that we didn't do a bit of good.” Given the results, or lack thereof, this seems like an accurate assessment.
This evening Copeland taxied the crew's new ship, Z-8, back from the harmonization range, where she had been taken to harmonize the guns and gunsights.
1/Lt Herschel Connor's arrangements for getting Z-19 weighed today fell thru for some reason. Connor simply called it a snafu. The weighing was postponed until tomorrow, and since Connor had a Group class on malfunctions to attend
tomorrow, the weighty responsibility for Z-19 would devolve upon 1/Lt Robert Kraushaar, flight engineer on the Kappil crew.
Copilot Robert Copeland of the Fitzgerald crew attended a critique of yesterday's mission today. “The conclusions drawn were that we didn't do a bit of good.” Given the results, or lack thereof, this seems like an accurate assessment.
This evening Copeland taxied the crew's new ship, Z-8, back from the harmonization range, where she had been taken to harmonize the guns and gunsights.
10 Feb 45
The Fitzgerald crew of the 881st Squadron got up at 0630 and stood by in Z-8 during take-off in case they had to replace the Luman crew as second squadron leader but they weren't needed, so they took off at 0835 on a training mission to Pagan Island instead. According to copilot Robert Copeland, they made one practice radar run and returned, logging four hours in the air.
********
Later, 1/Lt Herschel Connor of the Fitzgerald crew of the 881st Squadron wrote in his diary that an SOS had been picked up from Z-13 on VHF but with no coordinates given. He noted the loss of fellow flight engineer 2/Lt Urban J. Schroder with this crew and added that one of McGuire's gunners had “used his beer ration the night before because he didn't expect to come back.”
The Fitzgerald crew of the 881st Squadron got up at 0630 and stood by in Z-8 during take-off in case they had to replace the Luman crew as second squadron leader but they weren't needed, so they took off at 0835 on a training mission to Pagan Island instead. According to copilot Robert Copeland, they made one practice radar run and returned, logging four hours in the air.
********
Later, 1/Lt Herschel Connor of the Fitzgerald crew of the 881st Squadron wrote in his diary that an SOS had been picked up from Z-13 on VHF but with no coordinates given. He noted the loss of fellow flight engineer 2/Lt Urban J. Schroder with this crew and added that one of McGuire's gunners had “used his beer ration the night before because he didn't expect to come back.”
09 March 1945-Cookson and Augunas promoted to SSgt.
09 March 1945-Cookson and Augunas promoted to SSgt.
Z-8 Albuquerque's Ground Crew
Albuquerque's Ground Crew - (courtesy J. Bowman)
Synopsis of the day to day life of the Fitzgerald crew (#115) of the Z Square 8,
#42-24692, "Mission To Albuquerque."
7 Oct 44-Walker Field, Victoria Kansas. Fitzgerald crew--one of the original crews of the 881st Squadron as flyaway members to leave Kansas for the Pacific. (Z-1 to Z-10)
17 Oct 44-Flew their new B-29 to Kearney, Nebraska for further instructions and training. Complete mechanical tune-up of their plane by base personnel. Kearney was their staging base for transfer to the Pacific.
2 Nov 44-Bad nri-ner solenoid leak delayed their dry-run today.
3 Nov 44-Weather delayed their dry run.
4 Nov 44-Departed Nebraska for Mather Field, Sacramento, California via Albuequerque.
5 Nov 44-Briefing for their flight to John Rogers Field, Hawaii. Practiced "ditching procedures."
6 Nov 44-Departed Mather Field at 0630 for eleven hour flight to Hawaii. Uneventful crossing.
7 Nov 44-Briefed on their flight from Hawaii to Kwajalein.
8 Nov 44-Departed Hawaii for Kwajalein. Ten hour flight.
9 Nov 44-Kwajalein. Flight to Saipan 1350 miles, approximately 6 hours.
10 Nov 44-Arrived on Saipan, the last leg of their journey.
11 Nov 44-Worked on plane.
12 Nov 44-The crew cleaned the Z Square 8.
14 Nov 44-The crew cleaned the airplane and all of the guns.
15 Nov 44-Test flight, 45 minutes. Copeland made take off & landing in left seat.
16 Nov 44-Briefing on bombing mission to: TOKYO.
17 Nov 44-Specialized briefing on mission to: TOKYO.
18 Nov 44-Bob Copeland writes: "I wouldn't miss being on it for the world" discussing the upcoming mission to TOKYO.
23 Nov 44-Z Square 8 to become a "lead" crew.
24 Nov 44-Target: TOKYO. Participated in the first raid on Japan by B-29's from Saipan. High explosive and incendiary bomb mix. Cloud cover, high winds, & poor results. Uncle Bob later wrote his mother he was "damned scared" on this his first mission.
27 Nov 44-Repaired bomb racks and defective blister. That afternoon Japanese attacked Isley and badly damaged the
Z Square 8, which would not fly again as Z-8. After repairs she was designated Z-12 and assigned to another crew.
28 Nov 44-Flew Z Square 1 of Major Robert Goldsworthy to Guam in case the Japanese attacked Saipan again.
3 Dec 44- Copeland reports with sadness about the loss of Major Goldsworthy and the Z Square 1 over Tokyo today. Colonel King was flying with the major.
8 Dec 44-Flew as "lead" crew on a practice bombing mission to Iwo Jima. Fitz's radar operator entirely missed the target and their bombs dropped in the ocean.
10 Dec 44-Fitz and crew received new aircraft, # 42-24743. Redesignated as the new "Mission to Albuquerque." Took it on an acceptance flight/bombing mission to PAGAN dropping 5 bombs by radar and visually.
11 Dec 44- Robert D. Cookson of the Z-6, "Draggin Lady" is chosen by Fitz to be his new radar operator. Cookson hit the target on Iwo Jima mission in deputy lead plane, after Fitz's radar operator missed the island.
Crew cleaned the guns.
12 Dec 44-Crew washed their new plane to try to get more speed out of it.
15 Dec 44-Took a look at new plane. Almost ready for mission to NAGOYA.
16 Dec 44-Cleaned the ship and guns.
17 Dec 44-Briefed for NAGOYA mission to the Mitsubishi plant.
18 Dec 44-Target: TOKYO. Was Deputy lead in 2nd Squadron, but "led" the mission when the Z-5 had mechanical problems. Cookson made a perfect radar run and 30% of the target was destroyed.
20 Dec 44-Cleaned guns.
21 Dec 44-Briefed for tomorrow's mission to NAGOYA.
22 Dec 44-Target: NAGOYA. Fitz' crew was the "lead" plane and designated tactical leader on this mission. Fitz increased altitude from 27,000 to 32,000 feet for this bomb run. (Actually flew Z-4, "Black Magic" on this mission.) Heavy fighter attacks.
23 Dec 44-Crew cleaned guns.
24 Dec 44-Uncle Bob on "guard duty" for Z Square 8.
27 Dec 44-Maintenance changing #2 engine.
28 Dec 44-Watched maintenance change #2 engine. Started engines #3 and #4.
1 Jan 45-Practice bombing mission to PAGAN. Flew from 0815 to 1415.
2 Jan 45-Cleaned guns and interior of plane. Briefed on raid to NAGOYA.
3 Jan 45-Target: NAGOYA. Had to abort this mission due to a fuel transfer system failure.
4 Jan 45-Cleaned guns and spent most of the day at the plane.
7 Jan 45-Briefed on mission to Target 357, Musashino.
9 Jan 45-Bob Cookson wrote to his mother: "Chances don't look too bright" of making it home. "Some of our ships have been rammed by Japs & I don't like that at all. Especially when we are the 'lead' ship."
Fitz and crew did not go on mission to Mushashino. Will fly a WSM tomorrow instead.
10 Jan 45-WSM #103. Successfully bombed the OGURA Oil Company in TOKYO. Dropped 19 M-18 incendiary bomb clusters. Searchlights blinded the crew as they followed the Z Square 8. Flak damage to stabilizer. Bob Cookson directed this bomb run by radar with good results.
12 Jan 45-Cleaned guns and practiced ditching and gas mask drills.
13 Jan 45-Removed de-icer boots from stabilizer. Put guns and equipment in the plane for the mission tomorrow.
14 Jan 45-Radar practice bombing mission to PAGAN in the a.m. Engines harmonized in the p.m.
15 Jan 45-Clean guns.
17 Jan 45-Clean guns.
18 Jan 45-"Lead" crew inspection. Ship stripped of some armor plating. Carrying one fuel tank in the rear bomb bay.
Will weigh 133,000 pounds at take-off.
19 Jan 45-Target: AKASHI. Fitz was "lead" plane of the 2nd Squadron of eleven planes.
Bombed the Kawasaki-Akashi Aircraft plant. Excellent results. One flak hit in the vertical stabilizer. Bob Cookson wrote about this mission: "We really blew up the plant and I don't think we'll have to go back here for a while. We had a few fighter attacks and some flak but only got one little hole in our ship."
20 Jan 45-Group critique of Akashi mission.
21 Jan 45-Wing critique attended by General LeMay, who spoke to the men.
23 Jan 45-Target: NAGOYA. Taylor crew flew this mission, and the Z Square 8 was heavily damaged from flak and fighter attacks. Four men on this crew were also badly injured over the target area.
24 Jan 45-Taylor crew had flown Z Square 8 on yesterdays mission, and gotten her all shot up according to Lt. Copeland.
26 Jan 45-Briefing for mission to either TOKYO or NAGOYA.
27 Jan 45-Target: TOKYO. Fitz again "lead" crew on this mission. Bad bombing results and heavy flak and fighter defenses. Fitz Flew Z-5 "They'll Always Be A Christmas." Almost rammed. Bob Cookson wrote: "We have led a couple of missions already. Almost wasn't here to lead anymore as we came close to getting rammed."
***Fitz and crew assisted Lt. Carrico in Z-24, "Pride of the Yankees," on the trip home. Z-24 suffered excessive battle damage from fighters, and flew all the way home to Saipan with two engines out on the same wing-at the time deemed "impossible." Fitz' crew and plane were nicknamed the "St. Bernard" because they escorted so many damaged B-29s home to Saipan from Japan. This practice was frowned on by the "brass" but didn't influence Fitz's decision to
continue to escort wounded B-29s home.
29 Jan 45-Wing critique of last mission.
30 Jan 45-Fitz and crew received another new B-29 today.
31 Jan 45-Examined their new ship. New modifications including a manual landing gear system.
3 Feb 45-Cleaned the interior of their new plane.
4 Feb 45-Fitz and crew's third (3rd) B-29 to be designated as Z Square 8, this one #42-24849. Taken for a test flight,
F.E. Connor rated her as "an average plane-nothing special." Fitz let Pilot Robert Copeland fly her and make the landing.
Engines were harmonized.
5 Feb 45-Lt. Copeland taxied new plane back from harmonization range.
7 Feb 45-Practice bombing mission to PAGAN using radar (Cookson). Instruments calibrated and guns cleaned.
10 Feb 45-Practice bombing mission to PAGAN. Spent four hours in the air.
12 Feb 45-Practice bombing mission to PAGAN. Three bomb runs.
14 Feb 45-Practice bombing mission to ROTA. Briefing on mission to NAGOYA.
15 Feb 45-Target: NAGOYA. Fitz again "lead" crew on this mission to bomb the Mitsubishi Aircraft Engine plant.
Due to very poor weather, he diverted to and bombed the target of opportunity, HAMAMATSU.
Carried 14 X 500lb. GP bombs. This mission he escorted the badly damaged Z-49, "Three Feathers" home to Saipan.
Fitz and his crew were the last plane to land. Radio operator Algy Augunas received his commedation on this mission for keeping communications open between himself, Z-49, ground stations and Air-Sea rescue and in keeping all informed of the damaged plane.
16 Feb 45-Mission critique.
19 Feb 45-Target: MUSASHINO. Fitz "lead" plane again against infamous Target 357, the Nakajima Aircraft Engine factory. Due to heavy cloud cover, Fitz diverted to target of opportunity in the dock area of Tokyo by radar.
Over 200 fighter attacks. Another B-29 almost dropped its bombs on the Z Square 8.
This time Fitz escorted home the badly damaged Z-11, "Holy Joe" of the Pearson crew. Fitz was again the last B-29 to land at Saipan. For his assistance of the "Holy Joe," Fitz received the Silver Star Medal. F.E. Herschel Connor was also promoted to H.Q. Connor did not want to leave his crew, but Major Fitzgerald convinced him he must do so, probably
saving his life.
20 Feb 45-Mission critique.
22 Feb 45- "Ditching" practice.
25 Feb 45-Target: TOKYO. Lt. Thompson's crew flew Z-8 on this mission.
28 Feb 45-Practice mission this time with Lt. Copeland in the "left" seat.
1 Mar 45-Training mission flown to Truk, Guam and Rota.
3 Mar 45-Practice mission to ROTA, dropping incendiary bombs on runway.
4 Mar 45-Target: MUSASHINO. Fitz again "lead" aircraft to attempt to bomb infamous Target 357, the Nakajima Aircraft Engine factory outside Tokyo. Again, bad weather forced Fitz to divert to target of opportunity in the urban
area of Tokyo. Bomb run done by radar (Cookson).
9 Mar 45-Briefing for first mass low-level, night-time incendiary raid on TOKYO. B-29s would carry no guns, and in some
cases no gunners. Would fly alone to the target and back. By order of General LeMay, who most crew members thought was crazy.
10 Mar 45-Target: TOKYO. Fitz bombed TOKYO from 7,800 feet carrying 40 M-18 incendiary bombs. Radar run by Cookson was perfect, and Copeland said the city looked like "Dante's Inferno." 83,000 Japanese were killed and 16 square miles of the city destroyed.
11/12 Mar 45-Target: NAGOYA. Taylor crew flew this mission. Good results. Z-8 had to land on Guam upon return due to bad weather at Saipan.
13 Mar 45-Cleaned plane in preparation for tonights mission to OSAKA.
Every crewman will go on this mission. Briefing for mission.
14 Mar 45-Target: OSAKA. Fitz and crew flew this low-level, night-time incendiary mission as one of twelve "Pathfinder" crews. Bomb run was done purely by radar (Cookson) with good results. 8 square miles of the city destroyed.
16/17 Mar 45-Target: KOBE. Fitz and crew flew this 4th low-level, night time incendiary mission.
Fitz and crew were lost on this mission when unintentionally rammed by Capt. Junichi Ogata flying a "Tony" fighter.
Nine men including Major Fitzgerald and our Uncle Bob were KIA, and two men were captured by the Japanese.
The Z-8 was not heard from or seen after they took off from Saipan.
(See the KIA-Flight and Collision page for complete details and mission summary)
#42-24692, "Mission To Albuquerque."
7 Oct 44-Walker Field, Victoria Kansas. Fitzgerald crew--one of the original crews of the 881st Squadron as flyaway members to leave Kansas for the Pacific. (Z-1 to Z-10)
17 Oct 44-Flew their new B-29 to Kearney, Nebraska for further instructions and training. Complete mechanical tune-up of their plane by base personnel. Kearney was their staging base for transfer to the Pacific.
2 Nov 44-Bad nri-ner solenoid leak delayed their dry-run today.
3 Nov 44-Weather delayed their dry run.
4 Nov 44-Departed Nebraska for Mather Field, Sacramento, California via Albuequerque.
5 Nov 44-Briefing for their flight to John Rogers Field, Hawaii. Practiced "ditching procedures."
6 Nov 44-Departed Mather Field at 0630 for eleven hour flight to Hawaii. Uneventful crossing.
7 Nov 44-Briefed on their flight from Hawaii to Kwajalein.
8 Nov 44-Departed Hawaii for Kwajalein. Ten hour flight.
9 Nov 44-Kwajalein. Flight to Saipan 1350 miles, approximately 6 hours.
10 Nov 44-Arrived on Saipan, the last leg of their journey.
11 Nov 44-Worked on plane.
12 Nov 44-The crew cleaned the Z Square 8.
14 Nov 44-The crew cleaned the airplane and all of the guns.
15 Nov 44-Test flight, 45 minutes. Copeland made take off & landing in left seat.
16 Nov 44-Briefing on bombing mission to: TOKYO.
17 Nov 44-Specialized briefing on mission to: TOKYO.
18 Nov 44-Bob Copeland writes: "I wouldn't miss being on it for the world" discussing the upcoming mission to TOKYO.
23 Nov 44-Z Square 8 to become a "lead" crew.
24 Nov 44-Target: TOKYO. Participated in the first raid on Japan by B-29's from Saipan. High explosive and incendiary bomb mix. Cloud cover, high winds, & poor results. Uncle Bob later wrote his mother he was "damned scared" on this his first mission.
27 Nov 44-Repaired bomb racks and defective blister. That afternoon Japanese attacked Isley and badly damaged the
Z Square 8, which would not fly again as Z-8. After repairs she was designated Z-12 and assigned to another crew.
28 Nov 44-Flew Z Square 1 of Major Robert Goldsworthy to Guam in case the Japanese attacked Saipan again.
3 Dec 44- Copeland reports with sadness about the loss of Major Goldsworthy and the Z Square 1 over Tokyo today. Colonel King was flying with the major.
8 Dec 44-Flew as "lead" crew on a practice bombing mission to Iwo Jima. Fitz's radar operator entirely missed the target and their bombs dropped in the ocean.
10 Dec 44-Fitz and crew received new aircraft, # 42-24743. Redesignated as the new "Mission to Albuquerque." Took it on an acceptance flight/bombing mission to PAGAN dropping 5 bombs by radar and visually.
11 Dec 44- Robert D. Cookson of the Z-6, "Draggin Lady" is chosen by Fitz to be his new radar operator. Cookson hit the target on Iwo Jima mission in deputy lead plane, after Fitz's radar operator missed the island.
Crew cleaned the guns.
12 Dec 44-Crew washed their new plane to try to get more speed out of it.
15 Dec 44-Took a look at new plane. Almost ready for mission to NAGOYA.
16 Dec 44-Cleaned the ship and guns.
17 Dec 44-Briefed for NAGOYA mission to the Mitsubishi plant.
18 Dec 44-Target: TOKYO. Was Deputy lead in 2nd Squadron, but "led" the mission when the Z-5 had mechanical problems. Cookson made a perfect radar run and 30% of the target was destroyed.
20 Dec 44-Cleaned guns.
21 Dec 44-Briefed for tomorrow's mission to NAGOYA.
22 Dec 44-Target: NAGOYA. Fitz' crew was the "lead" plane and designated tactical leader on this mission. Fitz increased altitude from 27,000 to 32,000 feet for this bomb run. (Actually flew Z-4, "Black Magic" on this mission.) Heavy fighter attacks.
23 Dec 44-Crew cleaned guns.
24 Dec 44-Uncle Bob on "guard duty" for Z Square 8.
27 Dec 44-Maintenance changing #2 engine.
28 Dec 44-Watched maintenance change #2 engine. Started engines #3 and #4.
1 Jan 45-Practice bombing mission to PAGAN. Flew from 0815 to 1415.
2 Jan 45-Cleaned guns and interior of plane. Briefed on raid to NAGOYA.
3 Jan 45-Target: NAGOYA. Had to abort this mission due to a fuel transfer system failure.
4 Jan 45-Cleaned guns and spent most of the day at the plane.
7 Jan 45-Briefed on mission to Target 357, Musashino.
9 Jan 45-Bob Cookson wrote to his mother: "Chances don't look too bright" of making it home. "Some of our ships have been rammed by Japs & I don't like that at all. Especially when we are the 'lead' ship."
Fitz and crew did not go on mission to Mushashino. Will fly a WSM tomorrow instead.
10 Jan 45-WSM #103. Successfully bombed the OGURA Oil Company in TOKYO. Dropped 19 M-18 incendiary bomb clusters. Searchlights blinded the crew as they followed the Z Square 8. Flak damage to stabilizer. Bob Cookson directed this bomb run by radar with good results.
12 Jan 45-Cleaned guns and practiced ditching and gas mask drills.
13 Jan 45-Removed de-icer boots from stabilizer. Put guns and equipment in the plane for the mission tomorrow.
14 Jan 45-Radar practice bombing mission to PAGAN in the a.m. Engines harmonized in the p.m.
15 Jan 45-Clean guns.
17 Jan 45-Clean guns.
18 Jan 45-"Lead" crew inspection. Ship stripped of some armor plating. Carrying one fuel tank in the rear bomb bay.
Will weigh 133,000 pounds at take-off.
19 Jan 45-Target: AKASHI. Fitz was "lead" plane of the 2nd Squadron of eleven planes.
Bombed the Kawasaki-Akashi Aircraft plant. Excellent results. One flak hit in the vertical stabilizer. Bob Cookson wrote about this mission: "We really blew up the plant and I don't think we'll have to go back here for a while. We had a few fighter attacks and some flak but only got one little hole in our ship."
20 Jan 45-Group critique of Akashi mission.
21 Jan 45-Wing critique attended by General LeMay, who spoke to the men.
23 Jan 45-Target: NAGOYA. Taylor crew flew this mission, and the Z Square 8 was heavily damaged from flak and fighter attacks. Four men on this crew were also badly injured over the target area.
24 Jan 45-Taylor crew had flown Z Square 8 on yesterdays mission, and gotten her all shot up according to Lt. Copeland.
26 Jan 45-Briefing for mission to either TOKYO or NAGOYA.
27 Jan 45-Target: TOKYO. Fitz again "lead" crew on this mission. Bad bombing results and heavy flak and fighter defenses. Fitz Flew Z-5 "They'll Always Be A Christmas." Almost rammed. Bob Cookson wrote: "We have led a couple of missions already. Almost wasn't here to lead anymore as we came close to getting rammed."
***Fitz and crew assisted Lt. Carrico in Z-24, "Pride of the Yankees," on the trip home. Z-24 suffered excessive battle damage from fighters, and flew all the way home to Saipan with two engines out on the same wing-at the time deemed "impossible." Fitz' crew and plane were nicknamed the "St. Bernard" because they escorted so many damaged B-29s home to Saipan from Japan. This practice was frowned on by the "brass" but didn't influence Fitz's decision to
continue to escort wounded B-29s home.
29 Jan 45-Wing critique of last mission.
30 Jan 45-Fitz and crew received another new B-29 today.
31 Jan 45-Examined their new ship. New modifications including a manual landing gear system.
3 Feb 45-Cleaned the interior of their new plane.
4 Feb 45-Fitz and crew's third (3rd) B-29 to be designated as Z Square 8, this one #42-24849. Taken for a test flight,
F.E. Connor rated her as "an average plane-nothing special." Fitz let Pilot Robert Copeland fly her and make the landing.
Engines were harmonized.
5 Feb 45-Lt. Copeland taxied new plane back from harmonization range.
7 Feb 45-Practice bombing mission to PAGAN using radar (Cookson). Instruments calibrated and guns cleaned.
10 Feb 45-Practice bombing mission to PAGAN. Spent four hours in the air.
12 Feb 45-Practice bombing mission to PAGAN. Three bomb runs.
14 Feb 45-Practice bombing mission to ROTA. Briefing on mission to NAGOYA.
15 Feb 45-Target: NAGOYA. Fitz again "lead" crew on this mission to bomb the Mitsubishi Aircraft Engine plant.
Due to very poor weather, he diverted to and bombed the target of opportunity, HAMAMATSU.
Carried 14 X 500lb. GP bombs. This mission he escorted the badly damaged Z-49, "Three Feathers" home to Saipan.
Fitz and his crew were the last plane to land. Radio operator Algy Augunas received his commedation on this mission for keeping communications open between himself, Z-49, ground stations and Air-Sea rescue and in keeping all informed of the damaged plane.
16 Feb 45-Mission critique.
19 Feb 45-Target: MUSASHINO. Fitz "lead" plane again against infamous Target 357, the Nakajima Aircraft Engine factory. Due to heavy cloud cover, Fitz diverted to target of opportunity in the dock area of Tokyo by radar.
Over 200 fighter attacks. Another B-29 almost dropped its bombs on the Z Square 8.
This time Fitz escorted home the badly damaged Z-11, "Holy Joe" of the Pearson crew. Fitz was again the last B-29 to land at Saipan. For his assistance of the "Holy Joe," Fitz received the Silver Star Medal. F.E. Herschel Connor was also promoted to H.Q. Connor did not want to leave his crew, but Major Fitzgerald convinced him he must do so, probably
saving his life.
20 Feb 45-Mission critique.
22 Feb 45- "Ditching" practice.
25 Feb 45-Target: TOKYO. Lt. Thompson's crew flew Z-8 on this mission.
28 Feb 45-Practice mission this time with Lt. Copeland in the "left" seat.
1 Mar 45-Training mission flown to Truk, Guam and Rota.
3 Mar 45-Practice mission to ROTA, dropping incendiary bombs on runway.
4 Mar 45-Target: MUSASHINO. Fitz again "lead" aircraft to attempt to bomb infamous Target 357, the Nakajima Aircraft Engine factory outside Tokyo. Again, bad weather forced Fitz to divert to target of opportunity in the urban
area of Tokyo. Bomb run done by radar (Cookson).
9 Mar 45-Briefing for first mass low-level, night-time incendiary raid on TOKYO. B-29s would carry no guns, and in some
cases no gunners. Would fly alone to the target and back. By order of General LeMay, who most crew members thought was crazy.
10 Mar 45-Target: TOKYO. Fitz bombed TOKYO from 7,800 feet carrying 40 M-18 incendiary bombs. Radar run by Cookson was perfect, and Copeland said the city looked like "Dante's Inferno." 83,000 Japanese were killed and 16 square miles of the city destroyed.
11/12 Mar 45-Target: NAGOYA. Taylor crew flew this mission. Good results. Z-8 had to land on Guam upon return due to bad weather at Saipan.
13 Mar 45-Cleaned plane in preparation for tonights mission to OSAKA.
Every crewman will go on this mission. Briefing for mission.
14 Mar 45-Target: OSAKA. Fitz and crew flew this low-level, night-time incendiary mission as one of twelve "Pathfinder" crews. Bomb run was done purely by radar (Cookson) with good results. 8 square miles of the city destroyed.
16/17 Mar 45-Target: KOBE. Fitz and crew flew this 4th low-level, night time incendiary mission.
Fitz and crew were lost on this mission when unintentionally rammed by Capt. Junichi Ogata flying a "Tony" fighter.
Nine men including Major Fitzgerald and our Uncle Bob were KIA, and two men were captured by the Japanese.
The Z-8 was not heard from or seen after they took off from Saipan.
(See the KIA-Flight and Collision page for complete details and mission summary)
Above and below: Night photos of the raid on Kobe on 17 March 45 when our Uncle Bob was KIA. (From the personal collection of F.E. Lt. Herschel Connor courtesy of his daughter Linda Connor Sledge.)
The attached two page letter was written by Alice Fitzgerald requesting information about the loss of her husband Robert who was MIA. Robert was my uncle's A/C on Z Square 8.
It was written to Mary Kay Curtis, the wife of well respected A/C Capt. Ferd Curtis who piloted the Z Square 12 ,881st SQ., 500th BG.
Our Special Thanks to Carl Curtis for sharing this document with us.
It was written to Mary Kay Curtis, the wife of well respected A/C Capt. Ferd Curtis who piloted the Z Square 12 ,881st SQ., 500th BG.
Our Special Thanks to Carl Curtis for sharing this document with us.
Aircraft the "Saint Bernard" - Mission to Albuquerque assisted back to Saipan...
-------------------
"Holy Joe"
This is one of the B-29's that the "St. Bernard" flew back with in support.
Our Uncle Bob was the Radar Operator on the Bernard.
Standing L to R: S/Sgt Jack L. Heffner (Radar), 2/Lt William A Shauck (Navigator), 2/Lt Edward Porada (Co-pilot),
Sgt Richard A. Landsman (Gunner), 2/LT Edward A Meeder, Jr (Flight Eng), 1/Lt James M. Pearson (AC)
Kneeling L to R: Sgt Glen A Doan (Gunner), S/Sgt Clifford G. Martin (Radio Op), S/Sgt Harold Danchik (Gunner),
Sgt Edward J. Gast, Jr (Tail gun), 2/Lt James D. Skinner (Bomb)
Here is a section from combat notes:
Combat Diary Notes of S/Sgt Jack L. Heffner
February 19, 1945
Mission #10. Destination - aircraft plant in Tokyo.
Pilot - Lt. Pearson - Ship #1
My position - Radar operator
Take off - 0647 Landed - 12:35
Total time - 17 hours, 45 minutes!
Bombing - some radar, some visual, on primary target and also docks of Tokyo.
Altitude 26,000 feet
Flak moderate and heavy, accurate. Thompson in #2 got one in the right wing large enough to put two barrels through. Got back OK, no one hurt.
Fighter opposition - moderate, heavy on our element, and very aggressive.
Strength - about 150 B-29's, including Tinian. I counted 87 in sight at one time.
Losses - Three over target, one ditched. Two of the three from our group, one from our squadron. Both in our four plane element. Bombing results unobserved. Our bombardier, Skinner, got an Irving, ring gunner Doan, a probable.
Longest and toughest mission for me as yet. We were lead ship of the extreme right element, low element, with Lt. Samuelson on our right (Evans, Radar) and Lt. Rouse (Johnston, Radar) as tail end Charlie, Calhoun on left wing. Picked up a few attacks after I.P., we being the first formation in. Right after bombs away, an Irving came in from the front and high, the ring gunner shooting at him. He went on back and crashed into Sammy on top, almost halfway back. We think it was a deliberate ramming. The plane broke in two and burst into flame immediately, the Irving going into smaller pieces with it. Six parachutes were seen to open from the 29, one was burning and collapsed This happened directly over Tokyo at 26,000. Evans was one of my closest buddies, he, Burkie, and I traveling together ever since Scott Field. He may have been one of the parachutists. He gave me his leather jacket to send home in case something happened. I knew every man on the crew very well, and it sure is hurting.
Rouse then pulled into Sammy's position on our right wing, and soon after was seen spiralling down to earth, no one knows what happened to him. Johnston was also one of my closest buddies since Scott Field. Taught me lots of songs. During all this, we were getting plenty of attacks and expecting any-thing. No. 3 engine was bad and it started throwing huge chunks of frozen oil. The prop then ran away and the engine started burning. Unable to feather it, we soon dropped back from the formation, losing altitude fast. Course took us out of the Mainland and Maj. Fitzgerald went into a dive to follow us down. We all expected a ditching or a crash off the mainland, but the ship leveled off at 3000 feet and the fire was put out. However, not knowing how long we'd last, everyone prepared to ditch and started throwing all loose stuff into the sea. We proceeded in ditching position for some time, Fitzgerald alongside of us (Cookson, Radar) and No. 3 whining at a high pitch. Later, the prop flew off and tore a huge gash in the fuselage, in the fore bomb bay section, tearing a bomb bay door off. We were down to 150 indicated, and limped all the way back, expecting to ditch at any time, or the nose to drop off. We steered clear of high islands by our Radar and our ETA seemed far beyond our gas limitations. After nearly 18 hours of flying, we came in sight of our base around midnight, a few hours overdue, Fitzgerald still aiding us. Can't commend him enough. We were leery of our landing gears and the nature of our landing, made a beautiful approach and soft landing. We were just a short ways up the runway, still clipping it off, when something happened, due to lack of hydraulic pressure for brakes, I think . We ran off the strip, smashed into a truck, hit a cleat truck, turning if over, tore through an embankment and smashed into a parked B-29 (Z9) on its hard stand. I was standing up in the Radar room, got thrown clen up into the CFC (Central Fire Control) compartment, not missing anything and nothing missing me. Got out with banged up nose. Two other gunners in back with me didn't get hurt either, nor the remainder of the crew in the front. Driver of the truck was seriously injured, cleat truck man killed instantly. I'll never know how the boys in the front got out, the nose was ripped off completely to the wings and twisted around, the fuselage battered on all directions, cowlings, landing gears and everything imaginable lying all over. The tail was at least 20-25 ft. in the air, the tunnel twisted, making it impossible to get thru. We had to wait for a rope to climb down. Z9 was knocked off its stand and into the embankment. It was also cut in two, the tail lying all over and the fuselage flattened By the time we got out, they were washing the blood away with a hose and a huge crowd had gathered. Our crew was intact, the pilot injured slightly and we got out of the scene immediately. Taken to the dispensary for slight treatment, received a double shot, wonderful stimulant, ate a meal and a very tired and jittery crew called it a day. Three planes out of the four in our formation, or rather element, will never fly again, but one of the crews will be back another day, less exciting, I hope.
Longest mission recorded (17 hours, 13 minutes), 1500 miles with 2 engines out on same side.
See the full story on this site:
http://b-29.org/73BW/500BG/heffner/tokyo-raiders/tokyo.html
Z Square 49, "Three Feathers"
Z-49, "Three Feathers"
Z Square 49 of Capt. Edward Feathers. Escorted home by Major Fitzgerald and the crew of the Z Square 8
"Happy 23" or the A-23 of the Abar crew of the 497th BG, reported overhearing that the 8V609 of the Fitzgerald crew on the
Z Square 8 was escorting home the 49V609, Z Square 49 the
"Three Feathers" flown by the Feathers crew. Z Square 49 had been badly damaged over the target and had lost 2 engines. She was picked up by our Uncle Bob's crew flying the Z Square 8.
The Z Square 49 was able to land safely back on Saipan but not
before one of the two remaining engines caught fire. Flying 16
hours & 15 minutes, the Fitz crew was the last aircraft to land,
but had successfully, and safely escorted home another badly damaged B-29.
Z Square 49, the "Three Feathers" , was another ship escorted home to Saipan by the "Mission toAlbuequerque."
Jump to the Algy Augunas page to understand why he earned a special commendation award for his work on this mission.
Jump to the Algy Augunas page to understand why he earned a special commendation award for his work on this mission.
Z-49 right side nose art (courtesy Bowman/Fine)
Edward Feathers flew his last mission on 24 July 45, but as one of the pictures shows, he was still around to see the "4th Marine Division" insignia painted on old Z-49. The crew had had so many close calls in Z-49, "Three Feathers", that the flight surgeon put them on Superdumbo duty for their last few missions.
In the 500th Bomb Group, crews were ordered to remove all art work from their planes and paint the winged barb, or ball and spear, or chicken on a spit, or whatever you want to call it on the left side of the plane. However, it appears that some crews by hook or crook managed to maintain the original art work on the right side. I don't know if the Feathers crew was one of those... until the "4th Marine Division" went on the right side, anyway.
(J. Bowman)
In the 500th Bomb Group, crews were ordered to remove all art work from their planes and paint the winged barb, or ball and spear, or chicken on a spit, or whatever you want to call it on the left side of the plane. However, it appears that some crews by hook or crook managed to maintain the original art work on the right side. I don't know if the Feathers crew was one of those... until the "4th Marine Division" went on the right side, anyway.
(J. Bowman)
Above and Below: Z-49 Three Feathers now as she sits at Marsh Field Museum in Riverside, California
Lt. Carrico A/C of Z-24, "Pride of the Yankees", also assisted home by the Saint Bernard on 27 Jan 45...
Here is a link to radio operator Sgt. Bob Wallace site:
http://donmooreswartales.com/2010/06/11/robert-wallace/#comments
Here is a link to radio operator Sgt. Bob Wallace site:
http://donmooreswartales.com/2010/06/11/robert-wallace/#comments
A Square 52, "Irish Lassie"
The Log Mission 2 of the Irish Lassie, (http://www.old-new-orleans.com/Mission_Log2.html), indicates that the aircraft was assisted by "The Mission to Albuquerque" (St. Bernard"), as well. Attempt to contact source author went unanswered.
While somewhat tucked away on the web, our hope is that the author will not mind our republication here.
(If you are the author or source of this material and you do not want this republication, please contact us via our
"Contact Us" page and we will promptly remove it.)
If you go to the Introduction page and scroll down the list of links, on the bottom right on the linked site, there are two links directly relating to the Marianna's and the 73rd wing.
Below are the pdf files linked there:
While somewhat tucked away on the web, our hope is that the author will not mind our republication here.
(If you are the author or source of this material and you do not want this republication, please contact us via our
"Contact Us" page and we will promptly remove it.)
If you go to the Introduction page and scroll down the list of links, on the bottom right on the linked site, there are two links directly relating to the Marianna's and the 73rd wing.
Below are the pdf files linked there:
| mariannas.pdf |
| 73rd_pamphlet.pdf |
The "Irish Lassie" was escorted home by Major Fitzgerald and the crew of the
Z Square 8. Badly damaged over target and barely made it home to Saipan
A Square 52 "Irish Lassie" crash landed back on Siapan. Ship was a complete loss
From the war diaries of SSgt Jack L. Heffner, 17 March 1945. (Z Square 7)
Comments: Very long land run, had a beautiful Radar bombing, dropped in the heart of Kobe. We got caught in the heat waves and smoke on the bomb run and got tossed all over, the floor boards being ripped up and me flying off my seat. Osaka is only 10 miles or so away, and fires could be seen still burning from our recent mission there. Major Fitzgerald's crew failed to return, believe they blew up over target. Bond (our old engineer) was the engineer. (Cookson was radar (his third baby was just born). All other ships got back O.K., Thompson throwing a prop, and a bomb that "hung up" in our ship let go and crashed thru the bomb bay doors, tearing them in two. This was the heaviest tonnage ever dropped in the Pacific, also the heaviest per plane. Eight and a half hours! Distance to target was well over 1500 miles. (Courtesy of Mike Heffner)
Comments: Very long land run, had a beautiful Radar bombing, dropped in the heart of Kobe. We got caught in the heat waves and smoke on the bomb run and got tossed all over, the floor boards being ripped up and me flying off my seat. Osaka is only 10 miles or so away, and fires could be seen still burning from our recent mission there. Major Fitzgerald's crew failed to return, believe they blew up over target. Bond (our old engineer) was the engineer. (Cookson was radar (his third baby was just born). All other ships got back O.K., Thompson throwing a prop, and a bomb that "hung up" in our ship let go and crashed thru the bomb bay doors, tearing them in two. This was the heaviest tonnage ever dropped in the Pacific, also the heaviest per plane. Eight and a half hours! Distance to target was well over 1500 miles. (Courtesy of Mike Heffner)
'Z Square 8 preparing to take off on an early mission'
Aircrew positions... (Courtesy R.Cookson)
These are the positions of the crew that night. Pilot Ogata's aircraft impacted the B-29 in the area of right gunner Barry's position. |
**David W. Holley, CFC. Was in charge of the gunnery system on this
B-29 and may have been in the right gunners postion and John T. Barry may have been in the upper rear turret the night the "Mission to Albuequerque" was lost. This change occurred on some crews because the CFC gunner usually outranked the other gunners, and he would switch positions with the right gunner to avoid sitting in the uncomfortable upper rear turret position. We have not been able to confirm this. (R. Cookson) |
Crew positions
Pictured above is Rex Parsons, RG, in blister. Joe B. Heaton, TG, in middle, & Angelo Menna, CFC, on the right. Our good friend and LG, Frank "Bud" Farrell took the photograph. Angelo is leaning against the Amplidyne/Dynamotor Gunnery System Bulkhead or panel. Our Uncle Bob sat directly behind this panel with his radar equipment.
Although over the target the tail gunner would not have been in this section, this photograph gives a precise indication of how cramped the other three gunners were in this small space. Three men and their gunsights, personal gear and safety equipment, all crammed into the space the size of a small bathroom.
Captain Ogata's fighter plane impacted our uncle's B-29 directly in front of the blister where Rex Parsons is seated.
The following is the ICR of Captain Herschel Connor, the original Flight Engineer on the Z Square 8, "Mission to Albuquerque." It is self-explanatory and an example of how missions and hours were credited for flight crews of the B-29s during WWII, especially for the awarding of Air Medal to crew members. (See following pages.) After the 19 February 1945 mission, Captain Connor was promoted for meritorious service and assigned to H.Q.
Individual Combat Record (ICR) (courtesy Herschel Connor)
Air Medal awarded
Airmedal Letter page 1 (Courtesy Herschel Connor)
Airmedal Letter page 2 (courtesy Herschel Connor)
(courtesy Herschel Connor)
(courtesy Herschel Connor)
Diary of SSgt Bill Eilers
Eilers Diary pg 1
Eilers Diary pg 2
Eilers Diary pg 3
Eilers Diary pg 4
Eilers Diary pg 5
Eilers Diary pg 6
