These are some of the stories my Dad used to tell me and also some from the local newspapers.

The Rangoon Drop Tanks
| Shooting Down Bombers 1 & 2 & China Weekly | Getting Shot Down
Chinese Felon | Officer Wounded | Second Tour | Low on Gas

 

The Rangoon Drop Tanks
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The story of the Rangoon drop tanks is related in a letter to my grandmother (below) from Rev. Clement J. McKenna after my fathers death. The story I was told by my father was very similar except that the tanks were not filled with candy, they were filled with booze! Whether the good Reverend knew the 'real' story or not remains a mystery.

The following is a transcription of the actual letter.
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ST. VINCENT'S SCHOOL FOR BOYS
P.O. BOX M, CIVIC CENTER BRANCH - SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA 94903 - PHONE 479-8831

Rt. Rev. Clement J. McKenna
Rev. James P. Keane, M.A.
Rev. Aloysius B. Sullivan, MA

12-19-66

Dear Mrs. McGuire,
It was my privilege to know Eugene during one long journey by boat from Hampton Roads Virginia to Bombay. I would occasionally meet him in the years that followed.
In those days he was blessed with a keen sense of humor, and gave every evidence of a brilliant mind. He was fearless - perhaps reckless in his flying. I remember once when he 'flew the Hump' in a fighter plane, and it's wing tanks had holes cut in them. He had them filled with candy, coke & cigarettes for his friends in China. Once on board the ship, we, the Army, were awfully hungry. He disappeared, and managed to steal a ham from under the noses of the US Navy.
I am sorry I couldn't visit him in the more recent years. I am telling these tales about him, because they are nice memories for his children to have. If any of them should come west, please drop in to see me.
The news of his death saddened me. I will offer Mass for the repose of his soul tomorrow, and for you & the family as well.


Sincerely yours
Msgr. C.J. McKenna

 


Shooting Down Bombers
(Click for full size view)
If you would like a copy of the painting please visit http://www.aviationarthangar.com/p40warhawk.html

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News Article 1 of 2
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(Picture used for article)
(Click for full size view)

The following is a transcription of the actual news article.

Astoria Flier Downs
Two Jap Bombers

      Lieutenant Eugene McGuire of Astoria is credited with
two bombers shot down in an American and Chinese raid
which bagged 44 Japanese planes and inflicted one of the
heaviest blows of the war on the Japs. Originating at
United States Air Force Headquarters in China, the news
just arrived here.

Targets Attacked
      The Japs were apparently attempting to wipe out airfeilds
at two advanced United States posts from which the 14th
United States Air Force has been launching attacks on targets
in central China and northern Indo-China.
The Japs sent over about 150 bombers and fighters, but the
greatly outnumbered Americans and Chinese intercepted the
raiding formations. Lieutenant McGuire broke off his part in
the engagement only after half a dozen cannon shells had hit
his Warhawk fighter plane.

Jettisoned Bombs
      Most of the undamaged Japanese bombers were forced to
drop their bombloads before reaching their objectives. Only minor
damage was caused to American ground installations.
Lieutenant General Joseph W. Stilwell's headquarters in China
disclosed yesterday that the bases attacked by the Japanese were
in Hunan province.
      Lieutenant McGuire is the son of Mrs. James McGuire
of 23-33 31st street, Astoria.

 

Click here to see the Flight Log entries for this skirmish!

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News Article 2 of 2
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The following is a transcription of the actual news article pictured on left. (Click for full size)

U.S. Fliers Win Victory in China
By Darrell Berrigan

   THE 14TH U.S. AIR FORCE, China July 25 (UP).- American and Chinese fliers have dealt the Japanese Air Force in China one of its worst defeats of the war by destroying or damaging 44 planes in day-long battles against powerful enemy formations that successfully raided two advanced U.S. bases.
Only one American plane was lost in the air combats which took place Friday and cost the enemy at least ten fighters and six bombers shot down, 12 fighters and seven bombers probably destroyed, and six fighters and three bombers damaged.

OUTNUMBER AMERICANS

   Attempting to wipe out airfields from which the 14th U.S. Air Force has been launching attacks on targets in central China and northern Indo-China, the Japs sent about 150 bombers and fighters against the two bases, but the greatly outnumbered American and Chinese airmen intercepted the raiding formations.
Most of the Jap bombers were forces to jettison their bombs before reaching their objectives, and only minor damage was caused to American ground installations.

   (Announcing the great air victory, a communique from Lieut.-Gen. Stilwell's Headquarters disclosed Sunday that the bases attacked by the Japs were in Hunan Province, south of the Yangtze River. A broadcast by the Tokio radio identified them as the Hengyang and Lingling Airfields in Southern Hunan.)

   The Japs started their attacks early Friday morning, sending two strong formations in simultaneous raids against the two bases. Lieut. Truman Jeffries, Winters, Tex., leading one of the flights of intercepting Warhawks, scored one of the first American victories of the day by shooting down a bomber.
   Lieut. Lloyd Martin Starkville, Miss., had a narrow escape when his plane was attacked from all sides. He dove into a cloud bank and eluded the enemy.
   Although the wing of his Warhawk had been hit by a cannon shell, Lieut. Eugene McGuire, Long Island, N.Y., attacked a formation of bombers, probably shooting down two of them. He only broke the engagement after four more cannon shells hit his plane.
The Japs renewed their attacks in the afternoon, this time sending waves of raiders from several directions.
   Col. Casey Vincent, Natchez, Miss., forward echelon commander, officially became an ace by destroying a bomber, his fifth air victory in the China theater.

Here is the Account from the China Weekly

China Weekly
The NEWS, OF, BY And FOR The AMERICAN FORCES In CHINA
VOLUME L NUMBER 4
Page One APO 627 Saturday July 24, 1943
JAPS OPEN OFFENSIVE WITH NEARLY 150 PLANES,
LOSE 14 CONFIRMED AND 18 PROBABLES
AMERICAN AIRMEN THROW BACK ALL-DAY ATTACK, LOSE ONLY 3 PLANES AND NO PILOTS

_________________________________________________


HEADQUARTERS, 14th U.S. AIR FORCE, July 23. – Nearly 150 Japanese bombers and fighters opened an all-day, clear weather offensive against advanced American bases in China today and American pilots threw it back in their teeth by shooting down 14 confirmed bombers and fighters, probably 18 others, and damaging three with the loss of only three American planes and no pilots. Broken down, the score for the Americans reads: 9 Zeros, 5 bombers confirmed, 11 Zeros, 7 bombers probables.
The fight began early this morning when the Japs threw two simultaneous attacks against two advanced American bases. Lt. Truman Jeffries led one flight of intercepting P-40’s. With his wing-man, Lt. Thomas Bennett, Jeffries caught a Zero and bomber away from their formations. Jeffries poured a burst into the bomber and watched it explode and disappear in flames in the overcast. Bennett on his wing caught a Zero turning into Jeffries. “I didn’t have anything else to do,” Bennett said sadly, “but shoot him.” He saw the Zero fall to earth flaming. Later, Bennett got a probable Zero and Jeffries damaged another.
Lt.’s Phil Kinsley and George W. Lee together filled a Zero full of holes, but were unable to confirm him. Lt. Jess Garrett and Lt. Lloyd Martin were surprised by Zeros who had superior altitude. Martin dove and escaped, but Garrett, his plane riddled with holes and his windshield covered with oil, had to land. He was uninjured.
One of the advance bases was bombed with only temporary damage to the runway. At this base Capt. Lee Manbeck told how he shot down a Zero in flames and saw a bomber explode under his fire. Lt. Morton Sher attacked a flight of bombers alone and left two smoking through he was too busy to confirm their crashing. Lt. Eugene McGuire caught a Jap cannon shell in his wing but continued to fight. He attacked a formation of bombers and probably shot down two before four more cannon shells hit his ship. “Then,” he said, “I thought I’d better get out of there.” Flying on McGuire’s wing Lt. C.H. Yang, Chinese pilot flying with the American Air Force, poured a burst into the Zeros but was unable to tell the results. Lt. Steve Bonner “put three good bursts into a Zero, but I was too excited to look.” Later his Zero was confirmed.
This afternoon the Japs again attacked, sending in waves from different directions and giving Colonel Casey Vincent, Forward Echelon Commander, an opportunity to destroy a bomber, making his fifth enemy plane shot down. The Colonel is now an ace.
Colonel Sam Knowles, flying Vincent’s wing, also shot down a smoking bomber. Major Norval Bonawitz, a squadron commander, got a probable bomber. His wing-man, Lt. Cheng Tun-yung, a Chinese Air Force pilot, fired a burst into a bomber, returning with a cannon hole in his rudder when Zeros jumped him.
Group Commander Colonel Bruce Holloway attacked a flight of Zeros alone and shot down one, his ninth victory. “I didn’t,” he said, “use up enough ammunition to re-load.”
In the afternoon the score mounted as follows; Lt. Sher 1 Zero confirmed, 1 probable; Lt. Bonner 2 Zero probables; Capt. Manbeck 1 Zero confirmed, 1 probable (3 confirmed in one day); Lt. Martin Lubner 1 Zero confirmed, 2 probables; Lt. John Stewart 1 bomber – 1 Zero confirmed, 1 bomber – 1 Zero probables; Lt. James Williams 1 Zero confirmed, 1 Zero probable; and Lt. R.W. Masters 1 Zero probable.

Click here to see the Flight Log entries for this skirmish!


Getting Shot Down

Dad was shot down three times during his two tours in China, and luckily was able to walk back each time. (Otherwise I wouldn't be here!) The story he told the most though, was when he was shot down over Nanchang. This was because it was the first time he was shot down, and he also injured his left arm while crash landing his P40 on a Japanese airfield!! Once safely on the ground, he quickly retrieved his .45 handgun to; "take as many of them with me as I could!". He immediately discovered that he could not cock the .45 because of his injured arm. He had to hold the weapon between his knees, and then using his 'good' arm, chamber a round into it. That was about the time that a Chinese fellow yanked open his canopy and pulled him out. (Almost getting shot in the process too!) The Chinese man ended up saving his life by getting him back to his unit safely.
The Japanese were hot on his trail and he had to evade them, as well as keep his injured arm free from infection. (Neither one a simple task in the jungle!) It eventually took him about a week to get back to his unit. (See the telegraphs sent to the McGuire family below. Or click here)

While going through the box of memorabilia to create this website, I came across a newspaper article that had been saved. I cross-checked the location and date in the flight log and it is almost exact! (Click logbook below) It is off by one month and one day. Could this be a different flier or is the Chinese guy off by a month? Or maybe the newspaper got it wrong? I have noticed several bad typo's and incorrect information while researching for this website. (Many of the clippings on this site are proof!) Anyway, the two stories have very strong similarities for it not to be 'the one'!
I have no idea if he ever followed up on this. It came to me as a complete surprise! But knowing my dad, I'm pretty certain that he did something about it, It's just the way he was. Besides, why else would he have kept the clipping?

UPDATE!!! (06/10/2005)
My Uncle Pete, (dad's brother), just confirmed the story above! He also added some missing pieces about the news article!! And now... here is... the REST of the story!

Gene was going to work on the subway and picked up a discarded N.Y. newspaper (not the Times, maybe the NY Post?) to pass the time and came across the article about the Chinese felon. He read the story and realized that he was the only one who was shot down in that area during that period. He said to himself, "That has to be ME!!"
So he sent a Cablegram to Chiang Kaishek, who was still in power at the time, and got the charges dropped against the accused.

(Wow!! Thanks Uncle Pete!!)



Logbook                            News Article

The following is a transcription of the actual news article shown above.

Chinese Felon Seeks U.S. Flier Whom He Saved
    SHANGHAI, May 6 (AP). - A Chinese convict appealed by letter to Maj.-Gen. Claire Chennault today for the name and address of an American pilot whom the convict says he rescued from Japanese in 1943.
    Ling Chen-Min, serving a life term as a highway bandit, wants the former 14th Air Force flier to intercede for him by mail, as a character witness. His appeal to the Kiangsu Supreme Court is pending.
    Ling's letter told this story:
    On Aug. 15, 1943, three U.S. planes bombed enemy gun positions at Nanchang, Kiangsu province. One plane was hit, and crash-landed.
    "One American pilot got out. His left arm was injured. In his right he held a white flag as he ran for cover. Two Japanese were chasing him. My friend, Chow Fen-Chi and I led the pilot hurriedly to safety, and later smuggled him to the 12th division, First Army group of guerrillas." Ling later was falsely accused as a bandit, he said, by a traitor.



Officer Wounded

Lieutanant McGuire, officially reported as wounded today, was listed by the Army as missing in the Asiatic area Oct. 16.
Lieutenant McGuire was credited last August with having shot down two Japanese bombers in an American and Chinese raid which bagged 44 enemy planes and inflicted one of the heaviest blows of the war on the foe.
The raid in which the Astoria lieutenant took part was in retaliation against a Nip effort to wipe out United States airfields at two advanced posts in Hunan province. Although greatly outnumbered, the American and Chinese fliers blasted the enemy to bits, and little damage was done to the American installations.
McGuire was commissioned following graduation from the Advanced Flying School at Lake Field, Proenix, Ariz.

Note: many errors appear in the above article, such as the date (Oct 16?), 'Lake Field' s/b Luke Field, and Proenix s/b Phoenix.

The two telegraph's received by the McGuire family back home in Astoria N.Y.

WMUA7 44 GOVT=WMU WASHINGTON DC SEP 23 1943
MR JAMES J MCGUIRE= 1943 SEP 23 AM 8 33
2333 31ST STREET ASTORIA LONG ISLAND NY=

THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON FIRST LIEUTENANT EUGENE MCGUIRE HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE FOURTEEN SEPTEMBER IN THE ASIATIC AREA IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFIED=
ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL.
(49).

WMUA7 44 GOVT=WMU WASHINGTON DC OCT 2 1943=
MR JAMES J MCGUIRE= 1943 OCT 2 PM 12 54
2333 31ST STREET= ASTORIA LONG ISLAND NY=

REFERENCE MY TELEGRAM TWENTY TWO SEPTEMBER CORRECTED REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES YOUR SON FIRST LIEUTENANT EUGENE MCGUIRE WAS SLIGHTLY WOUNDED IN ACTION ON FOURTEEN SEPTEMBER IN THE ASIATIC AREA AND NOT MISSING AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU REPORT FURTHER STATES HOSPITALIZATION NOT REQUIRED=
ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL=

Note: 1LT McGuire was shot down on Sept 14th. but the telegraph was not sent until the 23rd. It is unknown exactly when he made it back to his unit, but the next telegraph wasn't sent until Oct. 2. The 10 horrible days of uncertainty were interrupted by a phone call from 1LT Mcguire from the Aid Unit in China letting his parents know he was OK. He got into a bit of trouble for the phone call but he didn't care!


The second Tour

IN EASTERN CHINA - Veteran of one tour of duty with the 14th AAF "Flying Tigers" during which he flew 47 combat missions, Captain Eugene E. McGuire of 23-33 31st street, Astoria, today is credited with 16 more aerial flights on his second tour.
During aerial combat he has received credit for the probable destruction of one enemy bomber and damaging two others and the probable destruction of one fighter and damaging two additional. He also destroyed one Jap fighter on the ground.
Wounded in action, he holds the Purple Heart Medal. For his aerial exploits McGuire has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
Between his two tours of duty, he was an instructor at the AAF Flight Training School at Lake(sic) Field, Arizona.



Running Low on Gas
or
How to fly a P-51A for 7 hours

The following is an excerpt from "Sharks Over China" by Carl Molesworth. ISBN 0-02-881094-5

On March 10, three Mustang pilots were assigned to fly to a small island off the coastal city of Foochow and strafe a cable station. Captain Ken George, having recently returned from his crash in the Kiukiang area, led the flight southeastward on the long haul toward Foochow. With him were Capt. Eugene McGuire and Lt. Ed Burbank. Unbeknownst to them, a strong wind had blown their Mustangs southward, far off course. This was first time that fighters had ventured in this direction since the Formosa raid on the previous Thanksgiving, so the pilots did not expect to recognize the territory beneath them.
George's flight reached the coast near Amoy, an area that looks similar to Foochow from the air, and found an island that matched the description given during their briefing. They strafed some buildings that looked like they might be the target, then headed westward along the coast and strafed some oil tanks. Finally, they circled over an airfield for awhile in hopes of stirring up some response, but the field appeared to be deserted, so they took up a course designed to send them back to Suichuan.
The Mustangs flew for a while but were unable to make radio contact with anyone. George's wing tanks had failed to jettison when he tried to drop them, forcing him to use a higher power setting to overcome the drag they created. Eventually George began to get low on gas. He belly-landed his plane near the town of Linhsien, well south of Suichuan, and suffered minor cuts on his face. Friendly Chinese quickly took him to safety. Captain George returned to the base later in the month.
When McGuire and Burbank began to run low on gas, they found a tiny glider field with a twelve-hundred-foot runway and put their
Mustangs down there. They were toasted that evening by the Chinese station personnel while gasoline and ammunition were being trucked south from the auxiliary field at Namyung. The next afternoon, the two pilots gunned their fighters down the short airstrip and headed north for the hour's flight home to Suichuan. During their debriefing by the 76th's intelligence officer, the two pilots agreed that a P-51A could remain in the air for seven hours if it was;
          (a) equipped with twin fifty-gallon drop tanks,
          (b) flown at settings of twenty-two inches to twenty-three inches of manifold pressure and 2050 revolutions per minute, and
          (c) its fuel-air mixture was set on "auto lean."

They knew this was true, because they had done it.

Check out the Log Book entries for these dates.


 

 

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