Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Shane on September 21, 2004, 11:29:26 AM
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I'll post the daily Earl's in this thread. Hopefully, you weenies won't clutter it up too much, so I can keep them in one place....
Here's a few "back issues":
July 31
1944:
I flew a P-39Q on a maintenance test flight for 35 minutes,
and had my first flight in a P-47. I flew it for one hour.
1965:
I checked out the particular A-1H aircraft that I would be
flying on scheduled dive bombing missions into North Vietnam.
The flight time was 20 minutes
1969:
I retired from the Unites States Air Force.
-------------------------
August 3
1942:
I flew a Vultee BT-13 on two flights. One was solo for
1:55 hours. The other was a 40-minute check ride by Lt.
Barrett. All students were given check rides after 20
hours in the BT-13.
1944:
I flew a P-39Q on convoy patrol for 1:50 hours and a P-47D
on a familiarization flight for 1:05 hours.
1965:
We flew another A-1H dive bombing mission against a target
in North Vietnam for 2:10 hours, returning to Danang.
After refueling, we flew back to Nha Trang for 1:20 hours.
------------------
August 5
1943:
I flew a P-39N for 1:55 hours and a P-38G for one hour.
The official log Remarks column states that the P-39N
flight was "N-Taher-Beat Up". The "N" means it was not
an operational mission. Taher was the airfield at Djidjelli
(Jijel) where the 347th Fighter Squadron was based at the
time. The P-38G flight was listed as "N-Local-Patrol".
1944:
I flew a 1:30-hour formation training flight and a 1:45-hour
fighter sweep in the Florence area. Both flights were in P-47s.
2nd Lt. William E. Hardin, 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group was ferrying new P-47s from the depot at
Naples to Tarquinia. Returning after dark on the second
ferry flight, Hardin landed with the gear not fully extended
and it collapsed. He was not injured.
(This was the day after my group ferried new P-47s from
Naples to Tarquinia. We also landed after dark on our
second ferry flight)
1st Lt. Earnest D. Falberg, 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group was on a solo training flight at 35,000 feet
when his P-47 lost propellor control. While descending,
the engine caught fire at 12,000 feet. He bailed out near
Avezzano and hitchhiked back to Naples.
--------------------
August 11
1942:
I had a dual flight in a BT-13 for 35 minutes.
1943:
I flew P-39Ns for a total of 3:25 hours, of which 1:40
hours was on convoy patrol in the Algiers area.
1965:
I flew an A-1G (the two-place Skyraider) for one hour.
------------------------
August 16
1943:
I was scrambled in a P-39N and flew for 1:25 hours.
1944:
I flew a P-39Q for 3:15 hours. My logbook indicates that
one flight was to Naples and return. The last flight was to
Alghero, Sardinia to support the invasion of southern France.
A flight of four P-47s of the 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group that were on CAP over the invasion fleet
going into Southern France attacked a radar site on a hilltop
near the coast. They received intense machine gun fire
with about a dozen rounds striking one of the aircraft.
----------------------
August 18
1942:
I flew a BT-13 for 3:50 hours. Two were daytime flights
(one dual and one solo) and one was a solo night flight.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on convoy patrol for 1:05 hours and a P-38G
for 1:25 hours on off-shore patrol in the Algiers harbor area.
1944:
I flew a P-47D on sea patrol off the coast of southern
France for 1:55 hours.
2nd Lt. Charles H. Burgess, 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group, was unable to get one main gear of his P-47
to come down. After circling the field for two hours, he
made a belly landing safely. It is reported that the
tremendous audience that had gathered on the field and on
top of hangars, buildings, trucks and flagpoles was totally
exhausted by the long wait.
--------------------------
August 31
1942:
This was my last flying in Basic Training at Gunter Field.
I flew a BT-13 for 3:20 hours, including a solo formation
flight and an instrument check ride. My total flying time
at the completion of Basic Training was 132 hours, of
which 57 hours was dual and 75 hours was solo. Of this,
8:20 hours was night flying. In addition, I had 21 hours
of Link Trainer time (instrument).
1943: I returned to Reghaia airfield from the rest camp
near Fes, Morocco and flew a P-39N for 1:20 hours.
1944:
With the Allied capture of Livorno, the 345th Fighter
Squadron sent a detachment of eight P-47s and pilots to the
Rosignano airfield to provide intercept capability over
front line troop positions and conduct weather
recon/strafing attacks over enemy territory. The
detachment was released on October 1, when a detachment from
the 346th Fighter Squadron took over those duties at Pisa.
The 347th Fighter Squadron sent a detachment of 12 P-47s
and pilots to Ajaccio to provide air defense of the harbor
and escort convoys to southern France. It replaced the
345th Fighter Squadron detachment which had returned to
Tarquinia.
------------------------------
September 7
1943:
1st Lt. Ross T. Combest, 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group was patrolling a convoy of ships headed for
Italy via Sicily when he spotted a submarine periscope
"feathering" in the water and trailing the convoy. He
advised the controller but the submarine disappeared before
an anti-sub aircraft arrived on the scene.
Capt. Kitt R. McMaster, 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group was scrambled in a P-38 and vectored toward a
couple of bogies. When he came up behind two Me-109s in
echelon, he zoomed up, destroying the one on the left and
made a quick turn to finish off the second one. One of the
aircraft crashed in Djidjelli, the nearest town to
McMaster's home base at Taher airfield.
1965: I test flew an A1-G for 1:30 hours. That aircraft was
newly assigned to the VNAF detachment at Nha Trang, South
Vietnam.
---------------------------
September 20
1943:
I flew 1:05 hours in a P-39N on convoy patrol in the
Algiers area.
1944:
My Deputy Flight Commander came by to tell me that the
flight was returning to Tarquinia tomorrow. The doctors
in charge of my recuperation said I had not recovered
enough to go back on flying status.
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the 345th FS Flight that Earl commanded in 1944. He isn't in this photo but it was taken by one of his pilot's Art Schramm over the Po Valley in Italy in the Fall of 44.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1094943024_devilhawkjugs.jpg)
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September 22
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 50 minutes.
1943:
I flew a P-39N for 45 minutes of formation practice.
1944:
1st Lt. Leecroy Clifton, 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group had the engine of his P-47 hit by AAA while
attacking the Parma rail yard. He was able to reach the
foothills of the Apennine Mountains before crashing in enemy
territory. He was rescued by the Partisans and traversed
the rugged mountain terrain, crossing the front lines near
Massa on 31 October.
EARL
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September 23
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 2:25 hours of formation practice of
which 2 hours was night formation flying.
earl
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Don't say I'm not doing my part :)
Earl in front of one of the P38Gs assigned to the 345th FS, 350th FG to interecept high alt Ju88 recce birds. The 350th at the time was flying P39s as their main ride.
Earl and others sat runway alert in the 38s to try and get to the LW recce aircraft.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1095972648_earl382.jpg)
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September 24
1942:
I flew an AT-6 on a practice formation flight for 55
minutes and on a cross-country flight of 1:40 hours.
The cross-country flight was from Spence Field, Moultree, GA
to Bainbridge, GA to Tallahassee, FL and return to Spence.
1943:
I flew a P-39N for 1:15 hours on Dawn patrol in the
Algiers area.
1944:
I flew a P-47D on a dive bomb mission on a target in
Bologna. As usual, the flak was very intense. Flight
time was 2:55 hours.
earl
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September 25
1944:
I led a flight of P-47s to bomb and strafe targets in the
Mantova area. My flight time was 2:20 hours.
1st Lt. Hugh E. McCall, 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group was captured and sent to Germany as a
Prisoner of War. His flight of P-47s was on an early
morning bombing and armed recce mission. After dive
bombing the rail marshaling yard at Fidenzo, the flight
turned south on the Milan-Piacenza rail line looking for
targets to strafe. The flight flew directly over gun
batteries and McCall's aircraft was hit by a stream of
machine gun rounds and three 20 mm rounds and set on fire.
McCall zoomed up to 2500 feet and bailed out, landing on
the north side of the Po River while his aircraft had
crashed on the south side of the river. He was captured
immediately.
2nd Lt. Virgil B. Roush, 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group was a member of a flight of P-47s scheduled
for a dive bombing mission. Shortly after takeoff the
mission was canceled by higher headquarters. The flight
jettisoned its bombs in the sea and returned to land at
Tarquinia. As Rouse was turning on his final approach with
a full load of fuel, the tower changed the direction of
traffic due to a cross-tail wind. On his go around attempt,
the aircraft stalled in a turn, flipped upside down,
cartwheeled upon impact with the ground and disintegrated,
strewing engine and aircraft parts over a wide area. The
cockpit caught on fire, giving Roush burns on 35 percent of
his body. He was hospitalized for three months and returned
to the squadron in December.
earl
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A couple more Jugs from Earl's flight. Taken by Art Schramm
Gotta love those Devilhawk Jugs.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096098242_flakhappy.jpg)
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Sorry Shane, I'm cluttering it up :)
Earl "Dutch" Miller on the left.
Art Schramm on the right.
He's the one who took the inflight photos of those Devilhawk Jugs.
Note the USAAF pilots wearing RAF Mae Wests.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096099463_devilhawks.jpg)
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No, Dan, you're adding to it, not cluttering. Thanks :D
----------------------
September 26
1943:
I flew a P-39N for 2:50 hours on a squadron formation flight.
1944:
I led a flight of eight P-47s loaded with napalm on my
first L-5-directed Rover Joe mission. Our target was a
large masonry building just a little south of Bologna
which I later learned was a Nazi Headquarters and that the
ground forces were about to make a push to capture the area.
After the L-5 pilot pointed out the target to me, he flew
off to one side. When he did so, the whole place erupted
in both small arms and 88 fire. I called to him to return
to the target area. He said he was afraid we would collide
with him. I told him that if he stayed to the south of the
target, he would be safe. As soon as he came back, all the
flak stopped. The Germans were afraid to fire when they
could be observed by the observation plane. We covered the
entire building with our napalm and was amazed at the amount
of fire the sixteen canisters produced. A 5th Army report
the squadron received later stated that the people inside
had suffocated from a lack of oxygen. My flight time was
only 1:45 hours because there was no strafing involved.
1965:
I flew an A1-G for 1:10 hours.
Earl
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Just got this image yesterday.
It's enough to make us fictional P38 drivers weep. Earl in the cockpit of a P38G on strip alert for LW recce birds in North Africa
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096258563_dutch0003.jpg)
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September 27
1944:
I led a flight of P-47s and bombed and strafed targets in the
Mantova area. My flight time was 2:30 hours.
earl
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Earl's Jug "Viking"
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1094943074_earljug.jpg)
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September 28
1944:
1st Lt. Henry E. Tatum was a pilot of one of the sixteen
P-47s of the 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group
based at Pisa that escorted 72 B-26s to hit targets in the
Brenner Pass in northern Italy. His logbook entry at the
time states, "The bombers hit targets all through the pass
and I've never seen anyone catch so much flak. I surely
don't envy them. Our flight escorted a crippled bomber
from the target southwest to the sea. Five men bailed
out and the B-26 crashed into the sea ten miles west of
La Spezia. The crew hasn't been picked up yet. They
can't live through the night floating in Mae Wests. Too
damn bad!"
earl
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September 29
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 2:00 hours - dual instruction for 1:20
hours and forty minutes of solo formation flying. I don't
recall why I had no flying during the previous four days.
1943:
I flew a P-39N for 1:30 hours of squadron formation.
1944:
I led a flight of P-47s to dive bomb a target in the Milan
area. The flak was heavy, as always around Milan. We then
strafed targets of opportunity. My flight time was 3:00
Major Andrew R. Schindler, 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group was pulling up from dive bombing a target in
northern Italy when he spotted an Fw-190, six to ten miles
out and at 300 feet. Schindler gave chase, overtook the
aircraft and shot it down. He noticed that the Fw-190
pilot took rather feeble evasive action and seemed more
intent on bailing out than in dog fighting. The pilot and
chute were observed on the ground. D'Amico reported that
enemy aircraft were being delivered to Germany from a factory in
Italy.
earl
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Some wartime Devilhawks color shots from the time Earl was CO of C Flight.
From the son of one of his pilots, Keith Vizcarra
Tough bird that Jug
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096487456_fwgabor1.jpg)
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096487435_fwallen2.jpg)
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096487410_fwallen1.jpg)
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September 30
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 2:30 hours, one hour dual and 1:30 hours
solo.
1943:
I flew a P-39N for 1:30 hours on an Army Co-op mission. I
don't recall what an Army Co-op mission was, but that's
what it says in my logbook.
1944:
I led a flight of P-47s to bomb a target just north of
Bologna. We then strafed targets of opportunity. My
flight time was 2:30 hours.
earl
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Earl's P39 "Eloise" named for his sister.
For the bring the P39 to AH crowd, the 350th FG should be your poster child squadron. They flew the 39 in Europe against the Luftwaffe until August 1944 well beyond the point the most groups were in Jugs or 51s.
One of the storys of the Tuskeegee Airmen was that they got hand me down aircraft when the other groups got frontline stuff.
The 350th got the handme down P39Qs from the Tuskeegee Airmen who were in 51s long before the 350th finally got P47s in September 44.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096612092_eloise1.jpg)
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October 1
1942:
I was undergoing advanced pilot training, Class of 42-J, at
Spence Field, Moultree, Georgia. I flew an AT-6 on a cross
country flight for 2:10 hours, from Spence to Butler and
return.
1943:
I was with the 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group
at Reghaia Airfield, 25 miles east of Algiers in North
Africa. Our primary mission was air defense, especially
against enemy air attacks against Allied ship convoys. On
this day I flew a P-39N on convoy patrol for 1:35 hours.
1944:
I was with the 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group at
Tarquinia Airfield, near Civitavecchia, Italy. Our mission
was air defense, scramble alert, convoy patrols, CAP over
mine sweepers working along the advancing front line and
anti-recce patrols over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Tarquinia
Airfield was a "liberated" wheat field that turned into a
sea of mud each time it rained. On this day I flew a P-47D
for 2:15 hours on a dive bombing and strafing mission north
of Modena, Italy
1st Lt. Shuford M. Alexander (Big Al), 346th Fighter
Squadron, 350th Fighter Group was attacking gun positions
on a flak-suppression mission for B-25s when his P-47D was
hit by AAA. He tried to bail out, but his parachute got
hung up on the armor plate. He got back into the aircraft
and crash landed. He was rescued by Partisans and later
captured by the Germans. On the way to prison, he escaped
and was able to contact the Partisans again. He crossed the
battle line via an icy pass near Massa on 14th February,
1945 with 1st Lt. Earnest D. Falberg of the 346th Fighter
Squadron. Falberg was hit by 20mm while strafing near
Milan, Italy on January 12, 1945. When the P-47's engine
quit because of oil loss, he crash landed five miles
northeast of Vigevano, Italy. He hid in a manure pile
until contacted by Partisans.
1946:
I was with the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group
stationed at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas. On this day I
flew a P-51D on the way to Hamilton Field, California for
an air show. The flight from Biggs Field to Williams Field,
Arizona took 1:35 hours.
earl
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Earl in flight in his 79th FS, 20th FG P51D post war.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1095715854_earls51dflight.jpg)
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October 2
1943:
I flew a P-39N on two convoy patrol missions for 2:20 hours
and a squadron formation flight for 50 minutes.
1944:
We were unable to get to the target area because of bad
weather, so we jettisoned our bombs in the Tyrrhenian Sea
off the coast of Tarquinia. My flight time in a P-47D was
1:30 hours.
1946:
Continuing on our way to participate in the air show at
Hamilton Field, I flew a P-51D from Williams Field to
Hamilton Field in 2:55 hours.
earl
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Earl leading a flight of P47Ds after his return stateside in the Spring of 45. They were based out of Selfridge AAF in Michigan
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1095840743_earlp47d.jpg)
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October 3
1943:
I flew a P-39N on a squadron formation flight for 50
minutes.
1944:
I flew a combat mission for 3:00 hours in a P-47D. We dive
bombed and strafed targets in the Milan area.
1946:
Our P-51s were on static display all day at Hamilton Field
while we took turns standing by answering questions put to
us by the visitors.
earl
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Earl and his crewchief next to his postwar 79th FS P51D, 1946
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096871261_earl51d2.jpg)
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October 4
1943:
I flew a P-39N on a squadron formation flight for 45 minutes.
1944:
I flew a combat mission for 2:40 hours in a P-47D. We dive
bombed and strafed targets in the Milan area again.
1946:
I flew a P-51D from Hamilton Field to Biggs Field for 3:40 hours,
3:15 hours of night flying.
On the way to Biggs Field, I passed directly over Sky Harbor
Airport at Phoenix and reported my position and flying at 10,000
feet to the flight controller. Later, something dark loomed up
at me in the darkness. Instinctively, I pulled back on the stick
into a steep chandelle. By the hair on my chinny chin chin, I
had narrowly cheated Mt. Graham (10,717') out of a stupid victim.
earl
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Earl gets the DFC
Dan/Slack
who has lots more photos to go
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096925134_earldfc2.jpg)
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October 5
1942:
I flew an AT-6 on two flights - a daytime one for 40 minutes and
a nighttime one for 50 minutes.
1943:
I had three flights in a P-39N: A squadron formation flight of
55 minutes, a convoy patrol mission of 1:40 hours and a radar
calibration flight of 1:05 hours.
earl
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Earl in the cockpit of a P39 on Corsica in 1944
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1097006835_corsica442.jpg)
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October 6
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 2:55 hours, one hour of which was formation
flying.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on convoy patrol for 50 minutes.
1964:
I departed Saigon to Pleiku for my new assignment as Chief, Air
Force Advisory Team. I rode in a C-123 as a passenger and saw
first hand how we in the hinterlands got our mess staples. It
was awful hot and humid and the C-123 was loaded with rations for the troops at Pleiku and surrounding camps, including such things as butter, meat, and vegetables - none of it refrigerated. While waiting for clearance for takeoff, the juices from the vegetables were already seeping out of the back end of the aircraft.
earl
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One of the A1 Skyraiders that Earl flew while serving as an advisor in Vietnam in 1964 where is got in 125 more combat missions in Skyraiders.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1097006964_earlsspad.jpg)
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October 7
I flew an AT-6 for 2:55 hours, including one hour of formation
flying.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on two convoy patrol missions for 2:35 hours.
1944:
I flew a P-47D for 2:00 hours on a dive bombing and strafing
mission at Bologna.
1st Lt. Joe H. Canion of the 345th Fighter Squadron was climbing
out in weather as #3 (element leader) when he got in the prop
wash from #2 (wingman to flight leader) when the wingman moved from left to right wing unexpectedly during a left turn.
Canion's P-47D flipped upside down and into a spin. He bailed
out at 1500 feet over Valentano, landing near the aircraft. The
aircraft's bombs were not armed and the pilot was ok.
earl
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Earl with the RF80A Group he flew with postwar.
He's 4th from the right in the front row. Note the overseas hashmarks on the left sleeve and all that fruit salad on his chest.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1097006870_earlf80group.jpg)
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October 8
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 4:25 hours. 1:10 hours was flying in a
formation of 24 aircraft. 1:25 hours was spend flying during
ground strafing practice.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on convoy patrol for 55 minutes and squadron
formation practice for 45 minutes.
1946:
I departed Biggs AAF, El Paso, Texas for Shaw AAF, Sumpter, South Carolina as a member of the advance party for the 20th Fighter Group's move from Biggs to Shaw. I drove my old, beat-up 1936 Pontiac.
I'm not sure of the exact date, but it was sometime between the
7th and 17th of October.
earl
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Earl in the cockpit of the squadron CO's RF80
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1097006806_earlf80a.jpg)
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October 9
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 3:25 hours.
1943:
I flew a P-39N for 40 minutes on a maintenance test flight.
October 10
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 2:30 hours.
1943:
I flew a P-39N for one hour of slow time.
October 11
1943:
I flew a P-39N on two formation flights for 1:45 hours.
1944:
I flew a P-47D for 2:45 hours on a dive bombing and strafing
mission at Bologna. The three worse places for flak in Italy
were Bologna, Brenner Pass and Milan.
1965:
I departed Nha Trang for Saigon enroute to the CONUS.
earl
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Some of the very early P80As when Earl first started flying them.
Note the overall gray paint still in use and the P buzz number instead of F.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1097516595_earlp80s.jpg)
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1942:
I flew an AT-6 on a cross country flight for 2:00 hours.
1944:
I flew a P-47D for 1:45 hours on a dive bombing and strafing
mission at Bologna.
earl
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Just to keep up.
the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, 1946, stateside
Earl is second from left in the back row
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1097610359_earlp51d4.jpg)
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October 13
1943:
I flew a P-39N for 50 minutes of slow time.
1944:
I flew a P-47D for 2:45 hours on a dive bombing and strafing
mission at Bologna.
1965:
I returned to Nha Trang at the insistence of the VNAF so they
could give me a "going away" party that evening.
earl
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October 14
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 1:05 hours.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on two formation flights for 1:10 hours.
1965:
My last flight in Vietnam was spent giving flight instruction to
a VNAF pilot in an A-1G. Flew 1:30 hours. I then returned to
Saigon.
earl
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Earl in the cockpit of a T28A
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1097773856_earlt28a.jpg)
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October 15
1942:
I flew an AT-6 on a cross country flight for 4:05 hours.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on a formation flight for one hour and a PI (?)
mission for 30 minutes.
1965:
I departed Saigon for CONUS and arrived at Travis AFB, California
the same day because I had gained a day by crossing the
International Date Line.
earl
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Can't believe I haven't posted this one before.
Earl in flight in his P39 "Eloise"
Talk about a pretty picture
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1097901440_eloise2.jpg)
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October 16
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 50 minutes.
1944:
I flew a P-47D for 2:40 hours on a dive bombing and strafing
mission at Modena.
earl
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October 17
1943:
I flew a P-39N on convoy patrol in the Algiers area for 1:45
hours.
1946:
I flew a P-51D for 1:50 hours.
earl
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October 18
1943:
I flew a P-39N on dawn patrol for one hour.
1944:
I flew a P-47D for 2:20 hours on a dive bombing and strafing
mission at Modena.
October 19
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for one hour.
earl
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Photo from Earl's collection of a couple of 345th FS pilots by an abandoned FW190.
Wonder if any of the Luftwaffe fanatics can tell us anything based on the werke nummer on the tail
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1096828038_190tail.jpg)
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October 20
1942:
The class went to Eglin Field, Florida for formal ground gunnery
training in AT-6s. I flew 2:25 hours.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on dawn patrol for one hour and two squadron
formation flights for 1:25 hours.
1944:
I flew a P-47D for 1:35 hours on a dive bombing and strafing
mission at Imola, Italy.
earl
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Hope you don't mind my barging in
(http://www.worldwar2pilots.com/g-186and-done.jpg)
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October 21
1943:
I flew a P-39N on convoy patrol for 1:25 hours.
(From Hugh Dow's history of the 350th Fighter Group)
The overflight of the convoy off Algeria by a German JU-88 (and
possibly the receipt of an Elint report) caused the 345th Fighter
Squadron's Commanding Officer, Captain Charles F. Hoover, to
believe that an enemy attack on the convoy was probable. He and three other old-timers took off in a 4-ship flight of P-39Ns (in
place of the usual two-ship flight) to cover the convoy during
the last hour and half of daylight.
The convoy was attacked just about dark by a force of glide bombers (radio controlled) and torpedo bombers. Hoover managed to damage one of the glide bombers (Do217) before it escaped into clouds. 1st Lt. Edward J. Gabor, #2 (Hoover's wingman), got hits on the same bomber. Capt. Edgar A. Tharpe, #3 (element leader), engaged an He-111 torpedo bomber, scoring a probable against the enemy aircraft. 1st Lt. John S. Waterman, #4 (Tharpe's wingman), engaged another torpedo bomber, shooting it down. The pilots reported that they were blinded temporarily from the flashes of the cannon and 50 caliber machine guns.
1944:
I led a flight of 6 P-47s on a dive bombing mission to bomb the
Ferrara-Poggio Rusco rail line, but the target was obscured by
clouds. We dropped our bombs on the secondary target, the
marshaling yards at the southeast edge of Bologna, with 4 direct
hits and 8 near misses on an overpass over the railroad.
Strafing targets of opportunity, we destroyed two westbound staff cars and one truck that exploded. Another truck was left smoking north of Bologna. We strafed a haystack with doors at each end and a motor transport vehicle parked next to the haystack. Three people ran away from the vehicle which we left burning. My flight time was 2:45 hours.
earl
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Earl and the 345th FS Devilhawks Softball team.
Earl is back row far right, chomping on the cigar :)
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1098469745_softballteam.jpg)
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October 23
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 2:40 hours, most of which was ground gunnery
practice.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on two convoy patrol flights for 3:10 hours.
1946:
I flew a P-51D from Biggs Field, Texas to Shaw Field, South
Carolina in two flights. Biggs Field to Barksdale Field,
Louisiana in 2:55 hours and Barksdale Field to Shaw Field in 3:00
hours.
October 24
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 1:50 hours of ground gunnery practice.
1944:
I flew a P-47D for 2:40 hours on a dive bombing and strafing
mission north of the Po River.
1st Lt. Charles E. Thornburg of the 345th Fighter Squadron was
in-bound to the target when his P-47D was hit by AAA causing one
of his napalm bombs to explode while on the wing shackle. The
wing was scorched but, after an inspection by the wingman,
Thornburg decided to continue on the mission.
October 25
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 1 hour of ground gunnery practice.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on three convoy patrol missions for 4:00 hours.
earl
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Ok I give up. Never say I'm to proud to admit I don't know something :)
I looked up Capt.. Earl Miller on the web and I found a couple of web sights, mainly http://www.worldwar2pilots.com, but found nothing to tell me why he is obviously held in high regard by Shane, Octavius, Guppy35, so on.
Shane if you would please, Tell me the significance of posting His log entries on this BB. Was he a relative of yours? somebody significant to AH? I'm sure I'm not the only one who is wondering, just the only one who is asking.:aok
P.S.
Shane Thx for the log entries, they are interesting reading.
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Earl as far as we know was the only actual WW2 combat fighter pilot that flew Airwarrior. He hung out with us in the Bigweek newsgroup, occasionally joining in to conversations and commenting on flying topics.
As probably has occured in any flight sim, we also had lots of folks claiming to be WW2 fighter pilots, warbird owners etc. Most were proven to be fakes.
With my interest in history and doing the research, it kind of fell to me to find out if Earl was the real deal, as some folks wondered.
Turns out he lives a couple hours south of me and was in fact the real deal. And I've been lucky enough to visit him on a few occasions where he has been very kind in sharing his photos and stories, many of which you see here.
We got him to come down to the AW con in Indy a few years back and he's pretty much our hero.
He flew AH for a bit but hasn't in a long time.
I'd asked nopoop to do Earl's jug which he did wonderfully. Shane decided to post Earl's daily logbook, that Earl posts for us on Bigweek, here for the AH crew as he thought folks might be interested in the daily events of a career fighter pilot.
Earl's stuff on the worldwar2pilots home is also a result of bigweek as the webmaster for that site is an old AW squaddie of mine, who is also a huge fan of Earl.
Dan/Slack
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That is F-in COOL!! I did see reference to AW on one of the sights, and was starting to figure He had something to do with the Flight sim community. That is Awesome that he was a player. My obvious question is how good a stick was he online? My guess is he was either in the top 10 or he was only average. After all true fighter pilots rely a grate deal on the "feel" of the plane, and of course in Sims you don't get much in the way of "feel".
That is so cool to find out!!! I want to talk to him, andaskhimamillionquestions Pleasepleaseplease (<--Sled says fast like a little kid):aok
Well if you see him soon, please let him know I thank him for his part in "Saveing the world" And I hope I can talk to him soon.
P.S. I hope he is still in good health?
Thx Guppy S!
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Earl moves around pretty well for 85. He still tends to the 40 acres he and Mrs. Earl own and has a huge garden growing some really good sweet corn among other things.
I don't know that Earl ever took the sim flying that seriously. I remember him saying that in Airwarrior he had the most fun taking a TBF out and trying to torpedo carriers.
We did one scenario based in Italy where we put in Earl's wartime squadron, the 345th Devilhawks and Earl did fly in that one with all kinds of guys wanting to fly with him. But Earl flew with an old joystick with no hat switch and no pedals etc. And obviously it wasn't like the real thing :)
And he's been thanked many times. A bunch of us got together and commissioned a painting of his P39 flying over Anzio which we presented to him at the Indy AW Con. The original hangs on his wall.
http://www.randygreenart.com/devilhawks_at_anzio.htm
Image is Earl with a P80
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1098820114_earl46p80485303.jpg)
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October 27
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 2:05 hours of ground gunnery practice.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on dawn patrol for one hour.
1944:
I led a flight of four P-47Ds on an armed reconnaissance mission
in the Genoa-Turin area. We dropped two bombs on a southbound
steam locomotive, missing the locomotive but demolishing a
building adjacent to the railroad track. The locomotive was
destroyed by strafing. Spotting a northbound train entering a
tunnel, we hurried over, hoping to stall the train in the
tunnel. We got there a little too late. The six bombs we
dropped missed the train, but cut the tracks at the southern
mouth of the tunnel. We flamed two electric locomotives near
Alessandria, where we received intense flak. We destroyed a
northbound steam locomotive, two northbound trucks and two
stationary automobiles in the vicinity of Novi Ligure. I
observed that a bridge in the area was undergoing repairs and was
heavily defended by flak. My fligjht time was 3:00 hours.
earl
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Earl's DFC Citation won 60 years ago this month.
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/169_1098902718_dfc.jpg)
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October 28
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 2:10 hours of ground gunnery practice.
1943:
I flew a P-39N on convoy patrol for 1:35 hours.
earl
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October 29
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for one hour of ground gunnery practice.
1946:
I flew a P-51D for one hour.
earl
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October 30
1942:
I flew an AT-6 for 45 minutes of ground gunnery practice. This
was my last flight at Eglin Field. The class returned to Spence
Field, Moultree, Georgia.
1946:
I flew a P-51D on a maintenance test flight for 40 minutes.
October 31
1944: I flew a P-47D for 3:00 hours on a dive bombing and
strafing mission in the Milan area.
earl
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November 1
1942:
I was in Advance Pilot Training School at Spence Field, Moultree,
Georgia - only three flights (nine days) away from getting my
pilot's wings.
1943:
I was with the 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group
at Reghaia Airfield, 25 miles east of Algiers in North
Africa. Our primary mission was air defense, especially
against enemy air attacks against Allied ship convoys. I did not
fly on this day.
1944:
I was with the 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group at
Tarquinia Airfield, near Civitavecchia, Italy. Our mission
was air defense, scramble alert, convoy patrols, CAP over
mine sweepers working along the advancing front line and
anti-recce patrols over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Tarquinia
Airfield was a "liberated" wheat field that turned into a
sea of mud each time it rained. On this day I flew a P-47D on a
dive bombing and strafing mission in the Bologna area. My flight
time was 2:15 hours.
November 2
I did no flying on this date during the WW II years.
November 3
1942:
This was my first flight at Spence Field after returning from
gunnery practice at Eglin Field. I flew an AT-6 for 1:50 hours.
earl
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1943:
I flew a P-39N for 1:30 hours. I don't know what type of mission
it was.
earl
>Beer run!
>Pasha
No, dang it! There was no beer at the airstrip. The closest
thing to refreshments was the British NAFA Wagon. As I recall, it
was British and far outshone the Red Cross at providing comfort
for us pilots. However, no beer.
earl
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November 5
1942
I flew an AT-6 for 1:50 hours.
1944:
I flew a P-47D on a dive bombing and strafing mission in the
Parma area. My flight time was 2:25 hours.
November 6
1942.
This was my last flight in Advanced Flight Training at Spence
Field, Moultree, Georgia. I flew an AT-6 for 50 minutes.
1944:
I flew a P-47D on a dive bombing and strafing mission in the
Modena area. My flight time was 2:40 hours.
November 7
1944:
I flew a P-47D on a dive bombing and strafing mission in the
Bologna area. My flight time was 2:15 hours.
earl
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I'm slipping a bit in adding photos.
Here's Earl's Silver Star Citation earned in a Jug
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/810_1099902977_silverstar.jpg)
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There will be mention at times in Earl's daily logbook of his flights in his squadron's Hurricane.
It was a war weary Hurricane II obtained from the RAF. Each of the three squadrons of the 350th FG had one that was modified to two seat configuration by the ground crews.
Here's Earl in the front seat of the 345th FG Devilhawks two seat Hurricane
Dan/Slack
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/810_1099903003_097-5.tif-72dpi8x12.jpg)
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November 9
I did no flying on this date during the WW II years.
November 10
1944:
I flew two flights in a P-47D. One was a dive bombing and
strafing mission at Bologna for 2:35 hours. The other was slow
time for one hour.
November 11
1944:
I flew a P-47D on a dive bombing and strafing mission in the
Cremona area. My flight time was 2:30 hours.
November 12
1943:
The squadron moved from Reghaia Airfield, Algeria to Alghero
Airfield, Sardinia. Still suffering from malaria, I departed
Reghaia Airfield in a P-39N, flew convoy patrol for 1:20 hours
and landed the aircraft at Alghero Airfield. My total flight
time was 3:10 hours.
1944:
I flew a P-47D on a dive bombing and strafing mission in the
Parma area. My flight time was 3:00 hours.
2nd Lt. Garwin C. Pape of the 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th
Fighter Group was killed. First reports were that when he pulled
up from a strafing pass on a vehicle and he ran into a church
steeple at San Caterine in northern Italy. A subsequent report
from a Mr. Ferdinando D'Amico of Italy states, "All that I
learned is that probably Pape didn't really hit the steeple, but
maneuvered abruptly to avoid it (he probably noticed its presence
at the very last second) and lost control of his plane, crashing
on the ground. The cart of gypsies apparently escaped untouched
from the whole matter..."
Here is the part of Mr. D'Amico's letter that pertains to Pape:
In the meantime I have further news for you about another of your
KIA mates: this time I'm speaking of 2nd Lt. Garwin C. Pape,
crashed on 12 November 1944 reportedly after having hit a church
steeple while trying to strafe a horse drawn carriage (they
turned out to be gypsies!). The church was that of S. Caterina,
but the village's name is Diolo di Soragna (Parma).
I was contacted last year by a local amateur researcher who was
searching about that episode, not knowing who was the Allied
pilot crashed and I was able to help him retracing that it was
Pape's fatal accident...!
The enclosures are two photographs of the wing ammo panel of
Pape's P-47 still preserved in the church... hope you will enjoy
these further mementos of your unit's history.
Warmest wishes
Ferdinando
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/150_1100362974_pape1.jpg)
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/150_1100363060_pape2.jpg)
November 13
I did not fly on this date during the WW II years.
earl
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November 14
I did not fly on this date during the WW II years.
November 15
I did not fly on this date during the WW II years.
November 16
1944:
I flew a P-47D to dive bomb a target at the front lines. My
flight time was 1:50 hours.
November 17
1942:
My first flight at Cross City, Florida. Flew an AT-6 for 30
minutes doing acrobatics.
1944:
I led a flight of P-47Ds on a dive bombing and strafing mission
in the Bologna area. My flight time was 2:45 hours. We
"attacked an enemy occupied area southeast of Bologna, and scored
at least two hits in the area before smoke from white phosphorus
bombs obscured the target."
(Quote is from the War Diary 345th Fighter Squadron)
November 18
1944:
I led a flight of P-47Ds to dive bomb a bridge on the Po River.
My flight time was 2:30 hours. We "scored eight near misses on a
ferry and pontoon bridge at Ficorolo, and following the bombing
with a strafing flight which netted one locomotive and one
tender, one gas truck, 5 motor vehicles, and 2 trailers destroyed."
(Quote is from the War Diary 345th Fighter Squadron)
November 19
1942:
My first flight in a P-39. I flew a P-39F for 40 minutes.
1944:
I led a flight of P-47Ds on a dive bombing and strafing mission
in the Bologna area. My flight time was 2:00 hours.
"Three missions were flown today before weather caused a
cancellation of further operations." We "scored six near misses
which damaged the approach to a road bridge south of Bologna."
(Quotes are from the War Diary 345th Fighter Squadron)
I was promoted to the rank of Captain.
November 20
1942:
I flew a P-39D for 3:55 hours. How many flights? I would guess
that it was at least four flights.
1944:
I did not fly this day.
"Weather conditions forced the cancellation of all missions
except one, today, and that one was abortive as the pilots were
unable to reach their target in the heavy clouds."
(Quote is from the War Diary 345th Fighter Squadron)
1st Lt. Peter J. studmuffinan, 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter
Group, was ferrying a war-weary P-39 to the Naples depot when
the aircraft caught fire. He attempted to reach an abandoned
airfield at Furbare, but was forced to ditch just off shore.
Friendly Italians swam to his rescue and he managed to reach
shore with minor cuts and bruises. It was later ascertained by
the Italian locals that the airfield on which he tried to land
was well sown with mines left by the Germans.
earl
-----------------------------------
The de facto squadron historian, Keith Vizcarra, son of Gil
Vizcarra, a member of C Flight, sent me a CD a couple of years
ago of the squadron's daily reports which our Intelligence
Officer would prepare and forward to Group Headquarters. I never
looked at them until +Tiff came down and installed the CD on my
hard drive for me. homer's question spurred me on to take
another look at it and found it easier than I had thought. So,
if it is ok with you people, I will include pertinent text from
the War Diary 345th Fighter Squadron in my Back Then posts, which
I will enclose with quotes. I will always cite my logbook entry
also.
earl
when asked if it was "difficult to hit the target divebombing."[/i]
Yes, it was difficult for some pilots. One learned how to become
accurate with practice. That is why it was so important to be
able to dive bomb the same way each time - same altitude - same
angle of dive - same bomb release procedure.
I was able to find the daily operation report for November 16.
Only three missions were flown that day because of bad weather.
The one I led "scored six hits in a gun area and the target was
believed to be severely damaged."
When it looked like I had the right angle and aspect in relation
to the target. I don't have the slightest idea at what altitude
I released at - wasn't important to me, besides, the altimeter
was on the instrument panel, not on the windscreen. I know it
was below all the twinkling lights that we had to fly through.
Some targets are difficult to hit. They may be to small. The
weather may also be a factor. Rail bridges are very difficult.
One drops in the direction of the bridge lengthwise. Dropping
short or too long, the bombs miss the bridge, but may hit one of
the approaches, causing some damage. From today's report, you
can see that three of the four aircraft hit the bridge
approaches. Those were called (or miscalled) "near misses". I
don't know where the bombs from the fourth aircraft landed. I
wonder if they were my bombs - couldn't be - or could it be?
earl
whe asked if they knew where the front was, or was there a big dotted white line[/i]
We in the air had a good idea where the front lines were.
Intelligence maintained a situation map and we flew over the
front lines so much. In this case, we didn't need to know where
it was because I am sure we were directed by Rover Joe at the
front lines.
earl
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excised for copyright violation
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:salute
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:salute
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Earl was a great guy, really enjoyed chatting with him in AW and on Big Week. I think it's a good tribute that we have his P-47 skinned in the game. :salute
ack-ack
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ONALASKA — Earl “Dutch” Miller, 95, died April 9, 2014,
Oh man, not what I needed to hear this night.
But thanks for posting this, we've been wondering about Earl.
What a great guy.
- oldman
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:salute Fair winds Earl.
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Hearing him speak at our AW con was an education and fun. "Hell if we didn't have any holes in our 47s we felt like we weren't doing our job."
Earl, you did your job and then some.
God bless you and yours.
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A great guy. :salute
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I was privileged to call him a friend and will miss him <S>
Earl up in his P39 Eloise, named for his sister who is still living. This bird is in AH so if you get a chance, give her a spin in memory of Earl.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Beaufighters/Earlinflight_zps790526f8.jpg)
Earl did all the stuff we only play at. He only played AH briefly, but those of us who flew Airwarrior were lucky enough to fly with him. He never took it seriously and thought all the arguments back then about RR vs FR were silly as none of it was real. He told me one time if he had to choose, that RR was actually closer as it compensated for the 'seat of the pants' "feel" that was lacking not being in the plane for real.
We built a scenario around his 345th FS "Devilhawk" P47s and guys were falling over themselves to fly Earl's wing. He discoed more often then not but really enjoyed himself. He liked nothing more than to wander out in a TBM and try to sink carriers.
As he lived in Minnesota, I was lucky enough to drive down and visit him a few times and get to know him and his wife Gerry. Lots of folks in Airwarrior claimed to be WW2 pilots, but Earl was the real deal.
Earl by his P51D postwar. He also flew combat in Vietnam in A-1 Skyraiders.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Beaufighters/Earl51D2_zps01bd80c4.jpg)
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Wait, so Earl died? :( :cry
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Earl also had 38 time as the 345th was given a pair of 38s to use to try and intercept LW recce birds since the 39s couldn't get up that high.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Earl381.jpg)
And Earl won a Silver Star and DFC while flying Jugs with the 345th. He's in the lead 47 in this picture. This is Stateside after his return home. The photos are all from Earl's collection. He was kind enough to let me borrow and scan them years back.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Beaufighters/EarlP47D_zps85c3d1bc.jpg)
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Wait, so Earl died? :( :cry
Earl passed away at age 95 on April 9th.
A better picture of Earl. Earl was a little guy. He like to tell the story of how he was up in a P47 which had a very roomy cockpit compared to the 39s they had been flying. He was a little guy so he was able to scrunch down below the canopy. He'd fly up along side C-47s or bombers and it would appear there was no one inside his Jug :)
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Beaufighters/Earl1_zps9d3dccaf.jpg)
Earl towards the end of his USAF career when he was flying Skyraiders in Vietnam
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Beaufighters/EarlVN_zps77361052.jpg)
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Earl passed away at age 95 on April 9th.
Why didn't we hear about it? He was freaking amazing and helped everyone! Thanks for posting all this btw, its really cool. :salute
Sorry for the clutter
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Why didn't we hear about it? He was freaking amazing and helped everyone! Thanks for posting all this btw, its really cool. :salute
Sorry for the clutter
Different Earl. :salute
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Earl passed away at age 95 on April 9th.
A better picture of Earl. Earl was a little guy. He like to tell the story of how he was up in a P47 which had a very roomy cockpit compared to the 39s they had been flying. He was a little guy so he was able to scrunch down below the canopy. He'd fly up along side C-47s or bombers and it would appear there was no one inside his Jug :)
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Beaufighters/Earl1_zps9d3dccaf.jpg)
Earl towards the end of his USAF career when he was flying Skyraiders in Vietnam
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Beaufighters/EarlVN_zps77361052.jpg)
I never knew Earl but he sounds like my kind of guy! Crouching down in the cockpit to make it look like no one was flying it! :rofl :rofl :rofl
Fair skies!
:salute
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Been flying Earl's 39 "Eloise" since Fencer skinned it....Earl was a great guy in AW. I remember when Earl was posting the "daily's" himself and how we all would love reading them. I missed him in AH as I went on four year sabbatical after AW. I talked to Tiff about him a few years back and heard he was still ticking.
What a life!
Blue Skies Earl ,
:salute
Fin'E
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Different Earl. :salute
Oh, sorry. Anyway, he does seem like an amazing guy, so :angel: :salute