Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
8:08 | Flying the B-25 Bomber to his duty station with the 341st Bomb Group, Chapman Hale describes flying over the Himalayan Mountain range. He visits the Taj Mahal and tells about the precious jewels embedded into its facade. He also mentions a difficult crew member who drinks too much.
Keywords : B-25 Mitchell Bomber Taj Mahal Bangalore India Agra India The Hump Himalayas C-46 341st Bomb Group
After Pearl Harbor, Chapman Hale enlists in the US Army Air Corps. He is sent to Maxwell Field near Montgomery Alabama for Pilot Training.
Chapman Hale is introduced to the B-25 Bomber as he begins Pilot training for low level bombing Missions. He is assigned to the 341st Bomb Group
Upon completion of B-25 Bomber Training, Chapman Hale begins a trip to his duty station in China, Burma and India. He is assigned to the 341st Bomb Group. Chapman describes the number of refueling stops required to reach his final destination. In addition, he describes the various cultures he encounters.
Arriving at his duty station at the 341st Bomb Group, Chapman Hale is assigned to the 22nd Bomb Squadron. Chapman, discusses how poor food caused weight loss and diarrhea among the troops.
Chapman Hale tells stories about some of his 50 missions bombing the Japanese in China. He describes a mission he flew over the Gulf of Tonkin. Out of a 4 plane formation, his plane was the only one to return.
Chapman Hale describes bombing missions over China using low altitude tactics during bad weather. Dangers associated with low altitude bombing includes debris being thrown up and damaging the B-25 when the bombs detonate.
After WW2 ends, Chapman Hale tells stories of coming home. He talks about the transport aircraft C-87 and C-46 that were used to fly soldiers home. He tells about a C-87 that hit a mountain and killed 29 of the 30 passengers on board. He remained in the Reserves and rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel.
B-25 Bomber Pilot
