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James Chafin

WWII | 370th Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Group, 13th Air Force

The flight had just begun when the bail out bell rang on the B-24. Explosion was always a danger with a full fuel and bomb load, so James Chafin wasted no time snapping on his chute and he was ready, straddling the open trapdoor. (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (2:36)
B-24 gunner James Chafin tells what happened when his squadron came out of a fog bank and found itself face to face with another squadron headed straight for them at the same altitude. Also there was the time two planes collided right overhead, prompting some morbid humor. His only injury during his tour was kind of embarrassing. (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (4:15)
When B-24 gunner James Chafin got a Dear John letter from his girl back home, he immediately began drinking. He was still sloshed when they got up at 3 AM for a mission, and he had to sneak around a bit. The crew got a small whiskey ration but the enlisted men saved theirs for barter. (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (3:48)
It was early in the tour for James Chafin's crew when his pilot suffered a mental breakdown. He was immediately shipped out because flying a B-24 requires a steady hand and mind. The gunner points out that, since they were all volunteers, they could request not to fly anymore. (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (2:46)
B-24 gunner James Chafin says that the Japanese fighter planes had the edge in terms of maneuverability, but that ours had the advantage in speed. This was due to a fundamental difference in philosophy. (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (1:43)
On leave in Sydney, B-24 gunner James Chafin and his buddy Mac went to a place where they heard they could find girls. That didn't work out so well but they met some nicer girls a couple of days later. That presented some problems as well. (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (5:07)
The bomber crews were playing basketball between missions and James Chafin learned a valuable lesson after an argument on the court. (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (1:43)
There were several takeoffs where the crew wondered if they were going to get off the ground. B-24 gunner James Chafin describes two near disastrous takeoffs and one equally scary landing. (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (3:30)
When you attack naval vessels on a bombing run, the amount of anti-aircraft fire can be overwhelming. B-24 gunner James Chafin felt, after his most dangerous mission, that the Man upstairs had saved him for a higher purpose. This helped him face the strain of postwar life, something the rest of the crew was unable to do. (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (3:21)
Corregidor and Japanese installations around Manila were main targets for James Chafin's B-24 squadron. On one flight, they did a flyover of the prison camp where the survivors of the Bataan Death March were held. The Articles of War were ingrained in the Americans during their training. Why was the enemy ignoring these rules? (This interview made possible with the support of MSG RONALD M. CAREY, U.S.A. (RET).) (4:41)