B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (pmurphy521)

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:25:05 GMT

To Eric E: Thank you for the last post. The Lt. was my father, Thomas Lavelle Murphy. He was not quite 22 at the time. He retired from the air force in 1971 as a Col. He had a glorious career as a B 52 pilot, Vice Wing Commander and a Base Commander.

I am staring at a picture of he and his crew from that time and have the D ring from another time he was shot down during his tour.

I frequently research the web for my dad's information and this is the first reference I"ve found to the CBI theater. I am grateful. I'll pass this along to my sister and two brothers.

He passed away in 2003 in Shreveport, Louisiana but his presence is always felt. Again thank you and thank the internet. If you have any further information, please contact me directly at pat.murphy@lptoday.com

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Eric E)

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:44:47 GMT

Yeah, I think it's very unlikely that McCool was on the plane. I would suspect he would have had something to do with the 11th at that time, otherwise where would they pull his name from to include in the report?

I noticed too about the heavy bomber reference. The article doesn't list a specific plane model, so the reporter probably was just guessing as to the type.

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (tonystro)

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:31:57 GMT

Eric,

The only part of the article I am certain is wrong is that a B-25C is not a "heavy" bomber. And, in my mind provide second point of evidence the "unlisted" gunner was a member of the R.A.F. Regardless of his reason for being on board (intel, weather, photographer, etc.), I am certain he would have been listed as "gunner" or "gunner-observer."

As you know both the 11th Squadron's History "Summary" comments, and the overview in the 7th Bomb Group published history report Ted Joffe as the navigator. McCool does not show up on the July 31, 1942 roster for the 11th, although his Raider pilot, Holstrom, and copilot, Youngblood. And bombardier, Stephens, and engineer-gunner, Jordon, are assigned and reached the 11th Detachment at Dinjan on/about 28 June at the same time that Johnston is. These four Raiders would continue in the 11th until May 1943.

I have read in a brief biography that McCool served in the ETO from August 1942 until April 1945. So, if he was on Johnston's plane (possible), he must have left the CBI quite soon after.

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Eric E)

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:19:19 GMT

Here's another article about the crew, which also refers to an RAF Sergeant, but doesn't name him. It adds a little bit about their time between ditching and being rescued. Note that it lists Doolittle Raider Harry McCool as navigator instead of Joffe.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17805470

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (tonystro)

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:19:05 GMT

Eric E
Would this mission have been flown out of Dinjan airbase in India? That's where the ill-fated B-25 mission led by Major Leland took off from only three days earlier.

Eric,

I have encountered no documentation about Johnston's takeoff point. At that time Dinjan was where 7th Bm Gp and 1st Ferry Gp were stationed. It is a bit far north for a B-25 mission which would end in the Bay of Bengal. I have communicated with three 11th/22nd B-25 pilots who flew armed reconnaissance and weather observation missions from Calcutta across the Bay and over central Burma, during Jun-Oct 42. I believe it is most probable Johnston flew from Calcutta, or a nearby base, on the 7 Jun mission.

(edited to add) On 28 Jun 42, a 2-plane detachment of 11th was ordered to be established at Dinjan. Until November, when they were replaced by planes and crews from the 22nd, they would fly armed reconnaissance and bombing missions into north Burma, averaging 3 bombing and 11 recon missions per month.

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Eric E)

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:41:59 GMT

Would this mission have been flown out of Dinjan airbase in India? That's where the ill-fated B-25 mission led by Major Leland took off from only three days earlier.

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Eric E)

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:00:13 GMT

Leendert, thanks for the rafcommands.com recommendation. I have not been to that site before, I'll check it out. I have posted on ww2talk.com hoping to find resources for RAF specific information.

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Leendert)

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 02:17:44 GMT

Eric, Tony,

Thanks for the updates about the 7th BG and Sgt Keithley. I wrote the post unkowingly of the news that a RAF member is likely to have been the only victim.
Perhaps our colleagues at rafcommands.com may come to the rescue here?

Regards,

Leendert

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Eric E)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:39:12 GMT

I checked a couple of different web sites, and Sgt William C. Keithley is listed as having died on February 7 rather than June 7. " />

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (tonystro)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:33:37 GMT

Leendart, Eric;

11th BmSq (M) combat personnel between 16 May and 10 July 42 were all drawn from Project 157 and those Tokyo Raiders still in CBI. I have personnel orders for Project 157 and listing of Tokyo Raiders, and Sgt Keithley is on neither. Some ground support personnel (15) had been drawn from 88th Recon Sq, and from 51st Fighter Gp, but none of them are named Keithley.
It might be possible that Keithley was in a follow up or replacement B-25 for 11th, which departed Florida, later than the 2-5 May departures of the Project 157. If so, he may have become ill or injured as they passed through the central-western Africa portion of the ferry route. Or, because of the situation in North Africa at the time, his plane may have been diverted to a North African unit as happened to the B-24's of Halverson Project (diverted) and he became a casualty prior to "recorded" re-assignment to such unit. In either of these cases, the 11th Squadron admin would not know of him.
Now you have me wanting to know... will add to my list of mysteries!!

@leendart - Gen. Brereton was ordered to take himself and all Tenth Air Force heavy bombers, equipment, air crews, transport aircraft and support personnel to North Africa, and he departed on 28 Jun 42. I believe the 9th Squadron aircraft, and transports with equipment and personnel followed two days later. That left the newly arrived B-25's of the 11th and 22nd Squadrons, temporarily assigned to 7th, as the only American bombers in CBI. So, for a brief period in 1942, until the 9th returned to India at the first of October, the 7th had aircraft in both theaters.

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Leendert)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:39:03 GMT

Eric,

Just a wild assumption and open for any suggestion: on ABMC you can also search by unit and there is one casualty with 7 June 1942 under 11 BS/7 BG: Sgt William C. Keithley from Maryland.
However, this needs further investigation, since Sgt Keithley is commemorated at the North African American Cemetery in Tunisia.
But didn't 7th BG have dispersed squadrons (both MTO and CBI) at that time?

Regards,

Leendert

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (tonystro)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:37:47 GMT

Eric E
Ok, I found something interesting here: http://chronicle.augusta....06/17/met_456236.shtml
(---- snipped ---)

So is it possible that an RAF Sergeant might have filled in as a gunner on a US bombing mission?

Quite possible. Since the 11th support personnel had not yet arrived, it makes sense to me that a British forces weather observer or intelligence photographer might be aboard. This would also explain why whoever was trying to develop 7th Bm Gp and 11th Bm Sq histories a few months after the fact had more than normal difficulty in getting the name.

Anecdotes from Project 157/11th Squadron veterans suggested he was severely injured when removed from the ditched plane and died during the days awaiting rescue. No one I spoke with knew if his body was buried at sea or brought back to base. I certainly hope that the man's family were made aware of what occurred to him.

Other than a cursory internet search in 2000-01 time frame, I had yet to put any effort into solving this mystery. Thanks for finding that news article! I can now remove the unknown man from the Squadron Roster.

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Eric E)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:21:13 GMT

Thanks, Leendert. You posted while I was composing my message. " />

Yes, it makes it complicated searching ABMC when you don't have much info to go on.

What I was able to do, however is get a copy of the Manila American cemetery database from findagrave.com. Most of the data they have for the cemetery was imported from the military listings (plus whatever memorials have been added to the site by findagrave members). Then I was able to sort the data by date of death. unfortunately all that's included is usually the name and rank, date of death and the state of residence when he entered the military.

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Eric E)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:06:11 GMT

Ok, I found something interesting here: http://chronicle.augusta....06/17/met_456236.shtml

JUNE 17, 1942
A young Midville, Ga., bombardier missing since June 7 when his heavy U. S. bomber was forced to land at sea after being damaged in a raid on the Burma port of Akyab, is safe in New Delhi, India, according to Associated Press dispatches.
He is Lt. Troy Drew, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Drew of Midville and a brother of W. E. Drew of Augusta and E. H. Drew of North Augusta.
Lt. Drew was one of six American airmen and an RAF sergeant who were in the bomber that raided Akyab.
Flying low over the port, their ship was struck by machine guns but got away.
When forced down at sea, members of the crew sailed their rubber rafts up the Bay of Bengal to a tiny Indian village, where they were fed by friendly Indians.
They returned to their base at New Delhi Sunday in a rescue plane.

So is it possible that an RAF Sergeant might have filled in as a gunner on a US bombing mission?

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Leendert)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:44:26 GMT

Eric,

If indeed the missing Sergeant is commemorated at the Manila American Cemetery, then one possible way to find by date (and hoping he's listed with 7 June 1942 and not a Finding of Death date, which may be a year + 1 day later), is to go to the ABMC website, search by cemetery and (I can't help it either) start looking by every US state if a sergeant shows up with 7-Jun-42.
Some big states (CA, NY...) take a lot of time to open fully by the sheer number of casualties listed.

Unfortunately the ABMC website doesn't allow to search by date, nor does the otherwise interesting website usaafdata.com

Regards,

Leendert

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Eric E)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:19:40 GMT

Tony,

Thanks very much for all the detailed information. It's much appreciated. How easy to access are the Tenth Air Force and India-China Ferry Command files? While I would like to figure out who he was, it's not that big a deal and there's a limit as to how complicated a project I want it to become. " />

Re:B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (tonystro)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:03:50 GMT

Eric,

I know the records of the 7th Bomb Group for the period Mar-Sep 42 are sketchy due to the turmoil of the activity in Java and East Asia, then General Brereton's being ordered on 28 June to take the planes to Africa. For those and other reasons, the early 11th Bm Sq (M) documents are apparently non-existent, and no monthly reports show up until spring of 1944.

I believe if a record of who the missing man is exists, it would be in Tenth Air Force files or in India-China Ferry Command files.

Among the 11th Bombardment Squadron (M) documents on microfilm, for the period 28 Mar - 15 Sep 42 there is only a "history summary", which was compiled after the Squadron's assignment to the newly formed 341st Bombardment Group (M) on 15 Sep. The summary was compiled from notes and personal diaries. In that summary no mention is made of Johnston's incident. The first mention of Dinjan, is that a 2-plane detachment of the 11th was established at Dinjan on 28 Jun 42, and attached to Ferry Command, LtCol. J. R. Joplen for operational control. The crew member's reported do not include Johnston or his crew.

Johnston's crew, ordered to India as part of Project 157, was supposedly part of 22nd Bomb Squadron air echelon. According to anecdotes from many of the men involved, Johnston, along with four other crews, were left without orders when the Project commander, Col. Leland crashed into a mountain on June 3. So, those crews had dispersed to three bases in the Dinjan area and began to fly combat reconnaissance and weather observation missions, along with the 11th Detachment. With the exception of Murphy, Johnson's crew are all on the personnel 31 Oct 42 roster of the 22nd Bm Sq.

BTW - Other than anecdotes and the brief mention in 7th Bm Gp book, the only other reference to this incident I have encountered is in August 5, 1943 “CBI Roudup” -- Lt. Thomas L. Murphy awarded Soldiers Medal: Murphy probably saved the life of the bombardier of his plane after it had been shot down into the sea by enemy anti-aircraft fire. As the plane crashed, the bombardier was thrown through the nose of the plane and rendered partially unconscious and helpless. Murphy, though suffering from shock himself, swam through the rough water to the rescue of the bombardier, gave him his own life belt because the bombardier's had been blown off, and helped him gain the shore.

B-25C ditched in bay of Bengal June 7, 1942, Pilot Clarke E Johnston (Eric E)

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:28:39 GMT

From the book '7th Bombardment group/Wing 1918-1995':

Johnston's Aircrew B-25C XX-XXXXX 7 June 1942 11th Bombardment Squadron (M)

Ditched in the Bay of Bengal after a combat mission against Aktab, Burma. Aircrew picked up by Colonel Necrason with a CNAC aircraft and crew. One fatality on Johnston's crew.

P - Johnston, Clarke E   2nd Lt, O-421112 Rescued
CP - Murphy, Thomas L 2nd Lt, O-436790 Rescued
N - Joffe, Theodore H    2nd Lt, O-789111 Rescued
B - Drew, Troy                2nd Lt, O-724157 Rescued
RO - Cowan, Hiram M    CPL, 19016616     Rescued
G - Ayoub, Joe A            PFC, 18015736     Rescued
*G - ?                            SGT                       5/6 (M-P.I.)? [This means Killed in Action / body not recovered, memorialized
                                                                                       on the Tablets of the Missing, Manila Cemetery in the Philippines]
*(Unidentified Sergeant from another aircrew)

I'm trying to determine the identity of the Sergeant who was KIA. The author presumes he's listed on the Tablets of the Missing in Manila, which would make sense. But without a name it'd be pretty much impossible to figure out who he was. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Perhaps someone has the monthly reports or other paperwork from the squadron the would indicate the man's name. It doesn't appear that there's an accident report or missing air crew report for the incident.

Thanks.