[Back][Next] The survivors, members of the 100th Bomb Squadron, 42nd Bomb Group were as follows: 2Lt W.C. Dunbar, 2Lt S.C. Deen, 2Lt F. Bernardo, S/Sgt V.C. Webster, and S/Sgt C.I. Digidvanna. The radio operator went down with the ship. The bombardier sustained a fractured ankle, while the others suffered only minor bruises and shock. The pilot stated that while on a low level bombing and strafing run over the target, their ship was struck by automatic weapons fire, knocking off one wheel and setting the ship on fire, making immediate ditching close to the shore imperative. AIRCRAFT
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OA-10A
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27 FEBRUARY 1945 - First
Lieutenant William F. Weisbruch, pilot of "Playmate 42", departed Morotai at
0628, arriving in the vicinity of San Rogue on the Northern coast of Mindanao at 0945. He
remained in the area until 1040 when he received a radio message that a B-25 had just
landed in the water just inside the reef close to Zamboanga. Lieutenant Weisbruch
proceeded to the designated point, arriving at 1055. He circled the reef in order to find
a passage through the reefs. He landed well offshore and taxied through the reef to the
survivors, taking them aboard at 1120. During the rescue, a Jap barge was circling just
outside of gun range and when Lieutenant Weisbruch cut the motors to take the survivors
aboard, the Jap barge headed toward them. However, a B-25 circling overhead drove them
off. Lieutenant Weisbruch lifted his ship from the water at 1130 and proceeded to Morotai
arriving at 1620. The crew was transferred to waiting ambulances of the 155th Station
Hospital.