mission with 9 P-40's, 6 Brewsters and 5 Hurricanes, 2 of which came back very badly shot up. There were 4 or 5 airplanes still ready to be used. The Japs found our field on the 28th, but a heavy rainstorm prevented much damage. When we came in from the morning mission, we put airplanes in dis- persed position, but they came in with bombers and strafers and burned up everything that was left. They finished up the P-40's and we loaded all our personnel we had and fled to Singaradja. The fields had been attacked all day. We got out about a day before the Dutch blew up the flying fields there. Gen. Moses: Was there anything at all there when you left? Major Fisher: We had absolutely nothing. The fighter outfit was wiped out. The bombers had about 5 or 6 left -- B-17's but we could not protect their airdromes. Gen Moses: Going back to high-elevation bombing. How about the accuracy of the enemy bombing from that height? Major Fisher: It was not very good. They did not hit our fleet. Their bombs were dropping in the water. The Japs bomb in formation only-- string bombing -- V formation and wide out as far as they can stretch it -- 24 planes wide. The Japs are accurate with that tactic when they are unopposed. After interception, they were not so good at this game. Col. Hoag: Have you seen any indication of other than Japanese personnel? Major Fisher: Yes. Germans. I have seen one body that was apparently German -- tall, blond, etc. You run into quite a few white men in their crews. It's hard to tell much about the men though after death as they are usually pretty badly smashed up and also we shot down Japanese women pilots. Col. Hoag: What about our own bombing? Major Fisher: Our bombing has been more accurate than peacetime, due to the - 4 - |