"Preserving the memory of their sacrifices!"
Fully Developed
( Jul - Dec 44 )
- Missing In Action, 17 Oct 44 (status changed to KIA by end of war); 490th Bm Sq:
1Lt. Robert D. Drummey (p), 1Lt. Franklin J. Stom (b/n), Pvt. Michael F. Foley (e-g), Sgt. James S. Nara (r-g), SSgt. John Andrews (a-g). Part of a three-ship combat mission launched from Jorhat, India, against Nawnghkio AB, Burma, with 1Lt Harry A. Fisher, Flight Leader. About 5 minutes from target all aircraft entered a cloud with mild turbulence. When the lead craft cleared the heavy cloud, some twenty seconds later, Lt Drummey's aircraft was not visible. The area had approximately eight-tenths cloud coverage. About 15 minutes after departing the target Fisher was radioed by Drummey, who was informed the FLight was on its way home and that if he still had bombs he should salvo them and also head for home base. His "Ok." reply was the last heard from the crew, which could not be reached by radio just five minutes later. A later air search of the area failed to find the downed aircraft
The 14th Air Force, assigned the 341st Bomb Group the vital task of interdicting railroad and highway bridges in Indo-China. This new undertaking was tackled with the same enthusiasm which prevailed when the Group moved to China. For this tasking the Group developed a new tactic, derived from the components of 'skip' and 'glide' bombing, which they labeled 'glip bombing'. A tactic which had been successfully employed, and perfected by the "Burma Bridge Busters" of the 490th. The effectiveness depended upon an approach along the axis of the bridge, from one end or the other of the bridge. The double glide angles of the attack compensated somewhat for this headlong flight into the jaws of the enemy. Nevertheless to successfully ‘glip’ a bridge, a deliberate passage thru the concentration of small arms, machine gun and automatic wapons fire, and sometimes blossoming white puffs of time fused mortar shells was essential. The amount of enemy opposition was not the same at every bridge, but its intensity could be relied upon at the big ones, like Phu Lang Thuong, Hai Duong, Yen Xuang, Phu Ly, Ninh Bibh, Dap Cau, Ba Trung, Song Rang, etc. And, of course, some opposition was likely at every bridge attacked. In addition was the ever present hazard of being caught on the deck by enemy fighters hovering overhead.
But the airmen did not falter. With sustained gallantry they trained against the enemy, they practiced on the enemy, and they became experienced bridge busters at the expense of the enemy’s lifeline overland.
