Oral History Interview with W. A. Henderson, 2007 Page: 12
33 p. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this text.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Mr. Henderson
Yeah, had radar on board, but we didn't know how to operate it, and on
it's very fist mission. So we came back around, I came back and set it up
for two bombs, and I thought sure I had another hit. But the anti-aircraft
was a lot heavier and we didn't get any hits, however. But, the gunners
were reporting some awful close misses there. And I missed it to one side,
I would estimate 20 feet, but it did no damage to the wooden bridge. So
we came back around on the third run and I set up to release the final three
bombs on the third run. And I had another what looked like just a perfect
run. And, of course, we were flying through the auto pilot and just the
aircraft was just responding beautifully. Had bombs away, and I just knew
I had another hit and I told the pilot hold the heading, hold the heading,
let's get pictures of this one, we're going to have another hit, it just looked
so good. Well, I missed just to one side again, I gave him the okay to turn,
he turned the wing up for a short turn at that time, they blew out our
radios, they cut our ? cables, they shot holes in one of the wings
and I thought we were going down right there. Getting ready to bail out,
and the pilots could not get the aircraft upright because the ? cables
were cut. They were jockeying engines and they ? to list there
everything that happened. And my first thought was, well I guess I'll have
to repair the bridge I just got through destroying. And there's another
story to this a little later on. They finally, after we made one and one half
turns around, the aircraft supposed to bomb the anti-aircraft got there.
And he was very accurate I found out later on in bombing, because he
killed 13 of their gunners because they were still shooting at us as we
parted. They didn't get to the slick trenches, they didn't know that there
weren't, they didn't think anybody's coming into bomb the anti-aircraft
that day. Anyway, we finally got straightened up after one and one-half
turns around, they got it up straight and level and by using excess power
and flying at a very fast air speed he could stay straight and level. We did
not want to bail out and have to walk out of the jungle, so we headed out
to sea and thought we'd rather ditch than to try to walk out. We, things12
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This text can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Text.
Johnson, Kep & Henderson, W. A. Oral History Interview with W. A. Henderson, 2007, text, 2007; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth193881/m1/12/: accessed June 9, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation.