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Crew
8 was selected as lead and pathfinder crew during training
in Salina, Kansas. A persuasive reason for their crew being
chosen was the extensive B-17 combat experience that Airplane
Commander Leo Lewis had compiled in Europe. A further consideration
was the overall impressive background of the other crewmembers.
The
Group's, first mission to Koriyama was led by P-8. Accompanying
them was Colonel George W. Mundy, Group Commander. Though
it was the unit's first taste of anti-aircraft fire and
fighter opposition, the leadership demonstrated by Captain
Lewis and his crew was exemplary. Bombing results were outstanding.
Airplane Commander Lewis, Captain Becht, Lt. Edwards, and
Lt. Wingo were all awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for their participation in this mass successful mission.
For
the Otake mission, 10 May 1945, the 39th Bomb Group was
chosen to lead the entire 314th Bomb Wing with P-8 acting
as lead aircraft. Bombing results were spectacular. Our
intelligence determined that the first bomb hit within ten
feet of the aiming point. This was followed up by succeeding
formations choosing aiming points to the right and left
of this primary aiming point. It was estimated that 96%
of all bombs fell within the target area, and 90% landed
within 1,000 feet of the three aiming points. This particular
mission was judged as one of the most successful precision
bombing attacks of the Pacific Air War.
The
Group received a Unit Citation for this raid; Lt. Asa Edwards
and Lt. Douglas Wingo each were awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross.
Crew
8 flew Pathfinder on most of the 17 night raids they participated
in. They would often find themselves alone and undetected
over the target until their first bombs fell on the designated
objective. This resulted in intense concentration of flak
and searchlight beams on the pathfinders.
During
one of the night raids on Tokyo, Crew 8 was in the midst
of its bomb run when Lt. Edwards, bombardier, looked up
and spotted a Baka coming head-on into them. He shouted,
"Pull up, Leo!!" If Lewis had hesitated long enough to inquire,
"Why?"- It would unquestionably have been the demise of
P-8 and her crew. After leaving the target area, Capt. Lewis
queried, "Why'd we do that during the bomb run?" When given
an explanation by Edwards, Lewis' only retort was I figured
you had a good reason." This was an example of the trust
and respect that the crew held for each other.
In
May of 1945, the 314th Bomb Wing selected Crew 8 as instructors
in the first Lead Crew School conducted. Student crews were
enrolled from each of the Bomb Groups. Their graduation
flight was to the island of Truk with members of Crew 8
dispersed among the various aircraft. Intelligence had declared
the island safe. NOT SO!! Substantial flak was encounter
resulting in some damage to each B-29. Even so, all returned
safely having earned the designation - Lead Crew.
Although
Crew 8 had its serious moments, there were lighter ones
too. One of these occurred on the Kobe mission, 5 June 1945.
Again P-8 was lead aircraft and Group Commander; Colonel
George W. Mundy was aboard. It was Colonel Mundy's practice
to hang over the bombardier's shoulder during the bomb run
and bomb drop so he could better observe results of the
bombing. At the moment of release, Lt. Edwards turned the
squadron into the smoke column, but unfortunately misjudged
its intensity. The thermal updraft bounced Edwards from
his seat striking Mundy forcibly in the chin. It threw the
Colonel several feet backwards where he landed beside the
Flight Engineer.
Colonel
Mundy picking himself up and commented "That will teach
me to get in the way"
Another
incident, both amusing and serious, happened to P-8 on a mission
to Yokohama, 29 May 1945. (Mission # 9 for Crew 8) Captain
Becht, radar observer, for the first time, decided to leave
his "darkroom" and observe the bomb drop from the right gunner's
position. Suddenly, a burst of flak exploded beneath the aircraft
inflicting severe damage to the right wing area as well as
knocking out # 4 engine. Some harm was also done to the radar
compartment. The right wing smoldered all the way back to
Iwo Jima. After moments of apprehension, Capt. Lewis landed
the crippled bomber safely. No one could offer an explanation
as to why the burning wing had not resulted in an explosion.
Crew 8 left the aircraft at Iwo, and was assigned another
upon return to Guam. Possibly Becht decided that wandering
out of his "cocoon" had brought on ill luck, but whatever
the reason, Joe stayed tucked away in his "hole" after that. |
