A-26 Invader Units of World War II by Jim Roeder

Author:Jim Roeder
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A-26 Invader Units of World War 2
ISBN: 9781427800299
Publisher: Osprey Publishing Ltd

Groundcrew work on an Invader from the 416th BG at Laon in the early spring of 1945. This is a late production A-26B with the revised ‘bubble canopy’ which was also known as the ‘clamshell’ canopy. Delivery of the first A-26s with this revised canopy began in December 1944. Interestingly, this A-26 has had D-Day stripes applied to the underside of its rear fuselage

‘“As the bomb-bay tank was full of gas, I didn’t think there was too much danger of an explosion from the vapour, so I decided to stay with the flight back to our base or until I saw a field. After about 30 minutes I saw our field, so I peeled off and called in for an emergency landing. I could hear ‘Boat Deck’ control very faintly but could not understand them. Once I was sure of making the runway I cut all switches and cut my gas off. As soon as the wheels touched, Sgt Raccio opened the hatch. I let the aeroplane roll on at the end of the runway so as to be clear of other A-26s, after which we climbed out. The fire department was at the aeroplane as soon as it stopped rolling. I believe the bomb-bay tank being full of gasoline is all that prevented an explosion, as the vapour escaping from the flak holes in the top of the tank was burning. The gas vapour apparently caught fire from electrical wiring inside the bomb-bay that had been severed by pieces of flak.”’

The 671st BS suffered its worst single mission losses with the A-26 during this mission, as detailed in its combat history;

‘The 416th BG encountered another “Bloody Sunday” on 18 March with the loss of four ships and crews over the target area. The A-26s were despatched in the morning with a PFF lead, but the skies were clear over the target and bombing was done visually as the flak gunners threw up everything but the kitchen sink. The 671st BS suffered on the morning mission when Lt W R Jokinen and his gunner, SSgt E J Creeden, were shot down over the target. No ’chutes were seen and the ship was followed to the ground. This was Lt Jokinen’s 17th mission and Creeden’s 10th. Capt Cornell, Lt Vars and Lt Kinney and their crews were also lost.’

Jokinen and Creeden were duly captured after performing a textbook belly landing.

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