On March 31, 1943, while stationed in British India, Baggett's squadron, part of the 7th Bombardment Group, was ordered to destroy a bridge at Pyinmana, Burma.
Before reaching their target, the 12 B-24s of 7th BG were intercepted by 13 Ki-43 fighters of 64 Sentai IJAAS. Baggett's plane was severely damaged and was set on fire by several hits to the fuel tanks, and the crew was forced to bail out.
The aircrew escaped the crippled B-24 merely seconds before the bomber exploded. Japanese pilots then attacked U.S. airmen as they parachuted to earth. Two of Baggett's fellow crew members were killed. (Contrary to sources stating that the pilot, Lloyd K. Jensen was "summarily executed", Jensen survived the war.) Baggett, who was wounded, played dead, hoping that the Japanese pilots would ignore him.
One Ki-43 fighter approached close to Baggett, slowed and the pilot opened his canopy. Baggett drew his M1911 pistol, fired four shots at the pilot and watched as the plane stalled and plunged toward the ground.
Greatest generation, indeed. .45 ACP does the job. Bravo, sir. Take a lesson, snowflakes......never surrender.
ReplyDeleteI knew fighter pilots were issued snub-nosed .38's. I didn't know bomber crew carried .45's.
ReplyDeleteStory discredited by Christopher Shores in "Air War in Burma" (2005) at page 76. No Japanese pilots reported lost in fight. Capture of Baggett described in some detail.
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