ADS NOT DISPLAYED TO REGISTERED USERS.
+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 31

B-29 Haley's Comet under research

Aircraft Markings and Camouflage Discuss B-29 Haley's Comet under research in the Technical forums; Does anybody know exact colors of the nose art "Haley's comet" of B-29? The right one is my guess. This ...

  1. #1
    Senior Member Shinpachi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Osaka
    Posts
    3,361
    Country
    Japan

    B-29 Haley's Comet under research

    Does anybody know exact colors of the nose art "Haley's comet" of B-29?
    The right one is my guess.

    This is said painted on a Superfort A sq 22 870SQ 497BG 73BW 20th Air Force stayed on Saipan during 1944-1945.

    On January 27, 1945, Haley's Comet got a flak hit on her bomb bay to fire above Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. She dropped back the formation, released bombs on the forest of Shizuoka city and finally rammed by Nick(Ki-45) to crash on Inba County, Chiba Prefecture east to Tokyo.

    Three or four crews jumped into the air.
    1/Lt David C. Williams, Copilot's paraschute did not open and could not survive.
    Lt. Vere Daw Carpenter, Radar Operator and Sgt Olinto F. Lodovici, Tailgunner captured as POW and returned to U.S. after the war though I find no their own testimony about the incident at the moment.
    2/Lt Joseph Bena, Navigator was regarded as KIA (Killed In Action).
    I do not know if the KIA means he parachuted.

    I and my friend are trying to visualise the rammed scene finally as precise as possible by CG on Web.



    You can check more details at -

    Zero_fighter_instruments_panel_BBS
    Nagakura's_BBS
    Shinpachi's BBS
    January_27_1945
    Ki-45 Nick Manufacture Number 4067

    Any advice will be appreciated.
    Thank you.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails B-29 Haley's Comet under research-haleys_comet01ss-monochrome.jpg  
    Last edited by Shinpachi; 02-18-2008 at 07:59 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Shinpachi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Osaka
    Posts
    3,361
    Country
    Japan

    Image

    It might have looked like this.

    I was born in Sendai city, northeast of Japan, in 1953.
    There was a US base camp at Kawauchi which was located neaby my old house.
    No military anymore because they left for the Korean War.
    Only American style houses and gardens remained.
    They were painted in shining white with window frame in fresh green.
    Very beautiful. I missed American culture and studyed English much harder than any of my friends in the class.
    My English teacher used to be working for the US Military as a translator. It sounded so fantastic.

    Sorry this has nothing to do with the thread.
    I happened to recall my old days.

    Yes, everything was really exotic there!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails B-29 Haley's Comet under research-b29_14_shining_blue-rivetted-a_sq_22.shdimage00rs.jpg  
    Last edited by Shinpachi; 02-19-2008 at 12:19 PM.

  3. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    3
    Country
    United States

    Lightbulb January 27, 1945 - Sgt. Olino F. Lodovici & Crew

    Hello,

    My Grandmother passed on some genealogy documents to me recently, and within the package was a letter dated November 10, 1940 from Sgt. Olino F. Lodovici. The letter is addressed to "Attn: Lt. Col. John T. Burns" in regards to a request for information regarding the members of his crew. I am interesting in finding family members that might want this information. My tie is to First Lt. David C. Williams. He did not have children, but his father, another David C. Williams is my 2nd great grandfather, making 1st Lt. David Williams my great grandmother Helen's brother.

    Below I am transcribing the document (typed on VERY thin paper, so some spots are unreadable).

    Braun Hotel
    Victoria, Kansas
    Nov. 10, 1945

    Status Review and Determination Section
    Casualty Branch
    War Department
    Munitions Building, Room 4601
    Washington 25, D.C.

    Attn; Lt. Col John T. Burns, OIC

    Gentleman:

    In reply to your request of Nov, 6, 1945 concerning the members of my crew, the following statement is submitted:

    We took off from Saipan on 27 January, target Tokyo. There were about fifteen ships in our formation that day. Fighter opposition was very heavy. We lost our number 4[?] man about a minute away from the target. We were flying number 6 position. Over the target we dropped all bombs except one. We were trying to kick the remaining bomb out, and because the doors were open they probably through we were crippled. The majority of the fighters concentrated on our one ship.

    The first pass we had was made on the nose -- I think there were three or four fighters in that attack. They hit our bombardier Pleus, copilot Williams, and pilot McDonald. Pleus was hit pretty bad and may have been killed. Williams was hit through the chest and head. I remember Williams calling over the interphone telling the copilot he was hit in the head and had blood in his eye and couldn't see and wouldn't be able to help him. He asked McDonald if they got him. McDonald said they got him but thought he could probably make it. I believe the radio operator, the navigator and the engineer were hit with this same pass.

    Fighter opposition was so heave at this point that some of the positions ran out of ammunition. I was riding tail gun and I ran out of ammunition and had my gun knocked out and sight shot out of my hand. I was hit in the back of the head and was out of the picture. I tried to call over the interphone for help but the interphone was out.

    I looked out the window then to see what was going on. We were hit all over and burning in about three different places. I looked out the left window when the ship started to do a slow roll. We were diving into two fighters. I realized then that the ship was in such bad shape that the pilot had evidently been killed or passed out from his wounds.

    At that time we were quite a ways from the rest of the formation. It was a hell of a formation, and the only fellow that stayed with us was the commanding officer.

    I then looked out the right window and saw that about four feet were burned off the wings. Fuel cells were sticking out in the open and I knew it wouldn't be long before the ship blew up. I put on my parachute and opened my escape hatch and bailed out. As I bailed out I heard the ship explode. Altitude at that time was 24,500 feet.

    I hit the ground and was immediately taken captive. I was placed in solitary confinement for a little better than two months. While I was in solitary confinement I was interrogated quite a few times. During the first interrogation I found out the only other crew member that got out was radar operator Carpenter. On April 3 I was removed to a special category at Camp Omori. I saw Carpenter but couldn't talk to him until April 7.

    The rest of the story is what Carpenter told me. He said about five minutes before we left the ship our left gunner was hit pretty badly. He tried to give him blood plasma but [unreadable due to fold in paper that has torn] oxygen Carpenter had to go get his oxygen, but when he returned Carpenter was unconscious again. [odd, but it does say, "Carpenter was unconscious again"]. The ship was burning so badly that he realized he had to get out. The only two other living members of the crew in that compartment were the CFC gunner and the right gunner. He told them that they would all have to bail out, and to put on their chutes and get ready. Connell was still firing his guns at the time. He couldn't tell whether Connell was much injured but Preisser looked to be in book shape. Carpenter then went back and put his chute on, assuming that the others would do the same. He then opened the door to bail out and that's all he remembered until he hit the ground. We know for certain that the ship blew up and no other member of the crew got out. We were both put in special category until August 15, and liberated August 29. We were made prisoners of war on August 19.

    Respectfully,

    Sgt. Olinto F. Lodovici, 6,999,883


    There is also an image, this is what is on back:

    Our Crew – September 5th, 1944

    Standing Left to Right:

    1st/Lt. Pleus – Bombardier
    2nd/Lt. William – Co-pilot
    1st/Lt. Audevich – Navigator
    2nd/Lt. Bennet – Flight Engineer
    Major Haley – Airplane Commander

    Kneeling Left to Right:

    Cpl. Lodovici – Tail Gunner
    Cpl. Campbell – Left Gunner
    Sgt. Carpenter – Confidential Equipment Operator
    Sgt. Connell – Top (Senior) Gunner
    Sgt. Hassell – Radio Operator
    A/Sgt. Baggett – Crew Chief

    ________________________________

    I also have some newspaper clippings (probably a Rochester Michigan newspaper) about David C. Williams death.


    Please contact me if you have any information on First Lt. David C. Williams
    angelique (at) porphyrins (dot) org

    Thanks!

  4. #4
    Pacific Historian syscom3's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Orange County, CA
    Posts
    12,112
    Porphyrins

    You should post that on the B29 website.

    There might be some squadron personnel that are still around and remember the mission.

    http://b-29.org/
    "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

  5. #5
    Senior Member Shinpachi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Osaka
    Posts
    3,361
    Country
    Japan
    Hi, Porphyrins!

    Thank you very much for your precious information about Haley's Comet.
    It would be a hardship for you to type all those sentences.

    The testimony by one of the survivors Sgt. Olino F. Lodovici is sure what I have been looking for. Please let me write you later again as this is early morning here and I must go to work now, regretly.

    Attached image I made show Haley's Comet and Ki-45 fighter which rammed Haley's Comet finally. Pilot was Sgt. Yuuichi Kobayashi(20yo) with radio crew Corporal Natsuo Koibuchi(18yo).

    Please tell my best wishes and gratitude to your kind Grandmother too.

    *******

    Hi, syscom3.

    I am also a member of b-29.org for a couple of months
    My nickname is fm2829hj2008.
    I'm receiving a dozen of mail information everyday
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails B-29 Haley's Comet under research-a_sq_22-ki-45.jpg   B-29 Haley's Comet under research-ki-45kai_c12image04r.jpg  


  6. #6
    “Archive” Micdrow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    6,085
    Country
    United States
    Dont know if this will help but found this in the book B-29 by John M Campbell.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails B-29 Haley's Comet under research-b.jpg  

    "Valor does not mean Hero."

  7. #7
    Pacific Historian syscom3's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Orange County, CA
    Posts
    12,112
    *******

    Hi, syscom3.

    I am also a member of b-29.org for a couple of months
    My nickname is fm2829hj2008.
    I'm receiving a dozen of mail information everyday
    Lots of great information, isnt it?

    "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

  8. #8
    Senior Member Shinpachi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Osaka
    Posts
    3,361
    Country
    Japan
    Thank you Micdrow for such a clear noseart image of Haley's Comet.
    I always admire your huge data stock!

    Yes, syscom3. There are lots of great information about the Superfort and crew. Data seem being updated hour by hour.
    It's amazing for me sixty three years after the war! You told me the site first. Thank you!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails B-29 Haley's Comet under research-b29_14_shining_blue-rivetted-a_sq_22_shdimage03.jpg  
    Last edited by Shinpachi; 09-29-2008 at 11:08 AM.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Shinpachi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Osaka
    Posts
    3,361
    Country
    Japan
    Hi, Porphyrins!

    The followings are my research results in Japan about your Great Grandmother's brother.


    First Lt. WILLIAMS, David C. Jr ID#0-683933
    Incident on January 27, 1945.
    His parachute did not open and he fell on the ground of Kamishiro, Ooaza, Wada Village, Inba County,
    Chiba Prefecture nearby Tokyo.
    His remains was buried at the Imperial Japanese Army Cemetery of Sakura-cho, Inba County,
    Chiba Prefecture with respect as a military man and returned to the U.S. in postwar.

    Haley's Comet herself crashed on Sisui-cho, Inba County, Chiba Prefecture.

    Reference site:
    A B-29 rammed by a Ki-45 Nick over Funabashi

    Key word: Lieutenant Walter S. McDonnel
    ttp://mypages.cityhighflash.com/flakalley.html

    Former Army Cemetery of Sakura
    ttp://blog.goo.ne.jp/mercury_mori/e/

    Porphyrins.
    Would you mind if I may ask you to post the old photograph of Haley's Comet with crew, and the newspaper clippings if possible here?
    I am interested in them very much because the relating photos and records are very few.....

    Thank you again Porphyrins for your fantastic informaion.
    If any new finding coming up here, I shall let you know time to time.

    May his soul rest in peace.
    Shinpachi
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails B-29 Haley's Comet under research-former_sakura_army_cemetery.jpg  
    Last edited by Shinpachi; 09-29-2008 at 12:05 PM.

  10. #10
    “Archive” Micdrow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    6,085
    Country
    United States
    Quote Originally Posted by Shinpachi View Post
    Thank you Micdrow for such a clear noseart image of Haley's Comet.
    I always admire your huge data stock!
    Thanks Shinpachi, though I really dont think I have a huge data stock. I just told my wife the other day I was wishing I had more info.

    "Valor does not mean Hero."

  11. #11
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    3
    Country
    United States

    Image for Haley's Comet and Lodovici's Crew

    Thank you very much for your information as well

    Here is the image of the men and the plane:



    Thank you again for this information. I will have time to review it today, it is all very new information.

    Take Care,

    Angelique

  12. #12
    Senior Member Shinpachi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Osaka
    Posts
    3,361
    Country
    Japan
    Thank you Angelique!
    I have met real Haley's Comet and her crew now!
    Many thanks

  13. #13
    Senior Member Shinpachi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Osaka
    Posts
    3,361
    Country
    Japan
    You are welcome, Micdrow.
    You are modest

  14. #14
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    3
    Country
    United States

    Talking Your Welcome Shinpachi :)

    You are so welcome Shinpachi!

    I am glad we are all able to put pieces together so many years later. I am new to all of this information and am learning quite a bit!

    We all want to know what we are doing here and where we have come from, my genealogy research is helping me to understand not only my medical history, but also the history of all of our cultures. I did not know so much about my own family history. It is my feeling that when we put pieces together like this, that it helps later generations to know who we were and help them understand where they came from and hopefully to make a much better future.

    Here is the image of the newspaper copies from Rochester Michigan that speak of David Williams death and some other details. I am sad to say that some of the text is unreadable



    I hope that this image can be "saved" easily and then when opened possibly easier to "zoom" in on to see the text.

    I will be sharing these posts on the forum that was recommended here as well

    Thank you again for your help! I appreciate it very much!

    Angelique

  15. #15
    Senior Member Shinpachi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Osaka
    Posts
    3,361
    Country
    Japan
    Dear Angelique,

    Thank you for your post the newspaper copies.
    Almost contents are readable. That is enough.

    I have been researching the war and warefares for my own curiousity but
    you are thinking about the later generations. That is great and right.
    We must consider them.

    Thanks for your very educational opinion.
    It will be my great pleasure if my information may have contributed to your genealogy research somewhat.

    Wishing happiness of your family,

    Fumiyuki Nagakura alias Shinpachi

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91