America Stunned Japan with the B-24 Liberators Aircraft Which Destroyed Japanese Air&Sea Power inWW2
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- #america #history #ww2stories #audiobook #japanesenavy
The U.S. 11th Bombardment Group organized B-24 Liberator bomber crews on Hawaiian airfields during the first three months of 1943, flying practice and patrol missions throughout the islands. The group's officers briefed the crews behind closed doors, ensuring they knew where and when to fly. The Marines were unaware of Funafuti's location until pilot Lieutenant Joe Deasy provided them with the details. After refueling, 23 Liberators flew 1,900 miles southwest of Oahu to the atoll of Canton Island and another 740 miles to Funafuti, located in the Ellice Islands group. The planes were parked side by side along the runway, and the Japanese would remain unaware of their presence. On April 19, 1943, an officer took center stage on Funafuti's outdoor stage, explaining the locations of antiaircraft guns and the type of fighter interception they would encounter. The aircrew prepared their aircraft for the mission, fueling them with 2,700 gallons of gasoline and loading eight 500-pound general purpose bombs onto the bomb bay racks.
On April 20, the Liberators, led by Lieutenant Joe Deasy and copilot Lieutenant Sam Catanzarite, took off from Funafuti's moonlit runway. The B-24s, each carrying 4,000 pounds of bombs, advanced towards an afternoon attack on Japanese locations on Nauru, a far-off island with a unique distinction of having been assaulted by both German and Japanese forces during the war. As the Liberators approached Nauru, almost 220 air crew members pledged their allegiance in an unbreakable way. With sixty minutes to reach their goal, the American bombers prepared their weapons and positioned themselves in the bomb bay. The Japanese defenders would be able to prepare for the bombers' approach due to the beautiful and bright day. The Americans, including the Japanese, aimed to deflect bullets and charge the Japanese defenders, ensuring their safety and the safety of the Japanese.
In the Battle of Dogpatch Express, the Japanese B-24 Liberator was attacked by the Mitsubishi Zero fighters. The Japanese fighter pilots were surprised to see the Hickam Air Depot fitted the Liberators with tail turrets installed in their noses. The Zero fighters launched head-on attacks from different angles, causing fear among the crew. The Zero fighters, equipped with formidable 20mm cannons, were capable of producing devastating strikes. However, the Zero's armor protection and self-sealing fuel tanks were weak, making it difficult for the Zero to push home an attack against a Liberator. Bombastier Lieutenant Shorty Schroeder prepared to take command of the aircraft for the bomb run while aboard Dogpatch Express. As the bombers raced ahead, nine Zeros circled at a distance, chasing each other's tails in an oval that grew in size.
A Japanese aircraft, Dogpatch Express, was a crucial part of the American bombing mission on Nauru. The aircraft was able to maintain a steady height of 7,500 feet during the bomb run, but faced challenges due to the flak. The crew had to wait 45 seconds before breathing again, and spent flak rained down on the plane. The plane was hit by a bomb, causing damage and causing the crew to evacuate. The plane then resumed its higher cruise altitude and headed for Funafuti. The crew required proficient navigators to navigate the small island base, and celestial navigation was used in conjunction with dead reckoning. Local disruptions and cloud shadows also contributed to the difficulty of navigation.
Twelve hours after takeoff, Dogpatch Express crashed on Funafuti, causing extensive damage to the aircraft and causing casualties among the crew. The aircraft was heavily damaged, with rips in the elevator fabric and a jagged flak hole. Lieutenant Russell Phillips's side was severely damaged by a Zero's 20mm cannon blast, nearly causing the plane to roll out of control. The crew of Lieutenant Russell Phillips was injured, and Harold Brooks, a close friend of Scearce, was rushed to a field hospital. Scearce collected spent.50-caliber machine gun bullet casings and disposed of them in a bucket. The final report, approved by Maj. Gen. Willis Hale, reported a successful mission, with every bomb dropped hitting target, extensive material and installation damage, and many casualties among the personnel. The damage was attributed to Japanese fighter aircraft that had targeted American bombers. The missing B-24 landed at Nanumea, where it refueled and made the short jump back to Funafuti.
The Japanese defenders of Nauru executed 191 British Phosphate Commission workers who had been left behind when their coworkers withdrew before the Japanese invasion. The 11th Group crews on Funafuti were preparing for the next strike operation, while repairs to planes destroyed in the Nauru raid continued. Maintenance and repair operations were haphazard and delayed, with the base unable to repair some damaged aircraft.
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Part of the 11 Bomb wing was the 307 Bomb Group of which my father was a member of he was the flight engineer on “Superman”. They originally formed up at Ephrata, Washington. On this raid the Bombardier was Lt. Louis Zamparini. The book “Unbroken” is about him. They were called “The Long Rangers” because their normal missions were between 12-15 hrs in the air. They flew with only a compass, map and sighting for miles across open ocean. They very seldom had any fighter escorts. Landing with 15 minute or less fuel left was a normal operation. While in Hawaii they made a raid on Wake Island and returned to Hawaii for Christmas of 1942 the longest bomb run of any aircraft in any war at that time. The were based at Kahuka Point, Hawaii. The B-24s were D models and did not have a nose turret. They had nose guns but no turret.
B 24 Jets. I bet the Japanese were surprised to see them!
Major Jen? General? Lots of errors by the voice.
It was the US ( Country) of the Continent of America, not the whole Continent.😢😢😮
AI narration really stinks!!
Bad pronunciation and talking about jets!