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 30 SEPTEMBER 1944 - First Lieutenant George A. Barnes, pilot of "Daylight 11",
departed
Middleburg Island at 0345
to cover a B-24 strike on
Balikpapan,
Borneo. He flew through
several thunder storms and reached his orbit point in the Gulf of Toronaldo in the central
Celebes at 1000 hours. After circling the rendezvous point for three hours, a B-24 in distress
was sighted coming away from the target. One engine was on fire and the ship was rapidly
losing altitude. The B-24 pilot sighted the rescue ship, proceeded to its area where the
entire B-24 crew parachuted into the sea. Lieutenant Barnes landed his ship about
one-fourth mile from the first two survivors who were in a one man life raft, picked them
up and taxied two miles down the line of survivors until the entire crew of ten were taken
aboard. This operation required one hour and forty minutes. At 1330 all were aboard, but
the swells had increased in size and take-off was delayed. At 1400, take-off was attempted
but due to heavy load the ship was unable to rise from the sea. All guns and ammunition
and 150 gallons of fuel were jettisoned and after four more attempts at take-off, the
heavy ship rose on the step, bounced from swell to swell and finally after many an anxious
moment, took into the air at 1455. A course was set for their base at Middleburg Island. As
"Daylight 11" approached its base, an air-raid was in progress and Lieutenant Barnes was
forced to circle 20 miles North of the island until the all clear was given to land at
2110. The elapsed time of the mission was 17 hours and 25 minutes. The rescued crew were
all in good condition with the exception of the bombardier who sustained a wound of the
eye from enemy flak. First aid was given to the wounded man who was made comfortable, and
transferred to the hospital upon arrival at their base.
RESCUED MEN:
10 members of B-24 crew
AIRCRAFT:
OA-10A*
USAAF SERNO:
44-33875
"Axel Ass Annie" (CV-325)**
CALLSIGN:
"Daylight
One One"
CREW:
(Pilot) 1Lt George A. Barnes
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*
Aircraft produced at Canadian Vickers Ldt, Cartierville, Quebec, Canada
** Canadian Vickers
contract number that was unique to each aircraft produced by at Cartierville
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