Shown here is a TBM Avenger torpedo-bomber that lost its wingtip to flak over Chichi Jima heads for its carrier (USS Bennington) on 17th February, 1945. The aircraft crashed when its landing gear was lowered.
Here is what happen in reference to this picture. My cousin Robert Cosbie was flying the plane that crashed into the plane in the picture flown by Lt. King's back on February 18, 1945 over Chi Chi Jima.
As they were approaching the waterfront installations on Chi Chi Jima at 9000 feet they came under heavy anti-aircraft fire. The pilot in the flight behind my cousin's plane, Jesse Naul, saw Robert's plane get hit by the anti-aircraft fire and his right-wing was blown off, then his plane flip upside down and crashed into Lt. King's plane. The propeller on Robert's plane took off about four feet of the left-wing and damaged the fuselage back of the turret gunner on Lt. King's plane. Jesse said the plane then broke free and spun down and crashed into the sea. Jesse said he saw no parachutes from Robert's plane as it went down. He and his crew, John Louis Gerig and Gilbert Reynolds were presumed lost and later listed as Killed in Action.
Starting to lose control of his plane, Lt King ordered his crew to bail out. As he started to lose altitude he was able to regain some control of his plane and was able to make it back to the task force and made a water landing and was rescued. His crew Grady Alvah and James Wesley were captured by the Japanese and never heard from again. The Japanese on Chi Chi Jima executed any airmen they captured. After the war, the commanding officer and members of his staff paid for their crimes
There is a memorial at the Punch Bowl National Cemetery in Hawaii to honor all those lost at sea during World War Two. On it you can find Robert's name alone with his and Lt. Kings crew. More detail can be found at www.cosbie.net.
