Dear Walt,

Your mention of Michales of the 408th and the raid on Timor in 1942 brought back some vivid memories.
[Throughout this name is spelled this way, but we feel sure that it is Capt. Walt Michaelis Other proper names are thought to be properly spelled.]

I had recently joined the group as a replacement copilot along with Noel Turner, Jack Lacey, Tom Walker, Leslie Skipper, Jerry Graves, Tony Morales and Jack Hancock When it was announced that I was to be Harry Patteson's co-pilot on the Timor mission, I was offered $100.00 by one of the other new pilots to take my place. It was my first mission and I was "gung ho".

We landed at Batchelor Field near Darwin and found that the Japs had recently raided the place. Every building had been hit, so when it rained water came through the holes in the tin roots. Since we were only scheduled for two days bombing, I assume that it was simply a show of strength to let the natives and the Aussie commandos on the Island know that we were still potent.

As we approached the Island, we could see a fire on the shore sending up a lot of smoke. As we flew to the north shore, we could see similar fires being lit just ahead of us. By the time we got to Dilli the fires had made their effect and we could see Zeros taking off as we made our bomb run over the town. (this was before radar)

After finishing the bomb run and turning south, lo and behold there was a Zero fighter flying alongside us on our righthand just out of gun range. Everyone seemed to, be calling "get that S.O.B. At that stage I wished I had brought a camera he was 90 clear. The next thing we knew, a pack of Zeros were coming out of the sun on our left. Charlie Hitchcock (an original member of the 2nd from Langley) was piloting the last plane on that side and took the brunt of the attack. Charlie got an engine knocked out and [elf behind with Zeros swarming all over him. The rest of the Plight was leaving him behind 90 J.T. Smith our old line army sat bombardier picked up in-is mike and called to Michales the flight leader and said "God damm you Michales get this flight turned around and go back and help Hitchcock". To his credit Michales immediately wheeled the right back to Hitchock and the Japs broke off.

Harry Petteson being the man that eventually made him C/) volunteered to stay behind and escort the shot up plane back to Darwin. About 100 miles off Melville Island the other engine went out and they had to ditch. They all got out on the wing and it looked like they could float to shore. But within seconds the plane went under. At that time Charlie performed the bravest most unselfish act of heroism I knew of during the entire war. Charlie, noticing that Campbell the turret gunner did not surface, dove under that plane while it was sinking, located Campbell and brought him beck out. Unfortunately Campbell had been shot and didn't make it. After circling and counting a full crew, we dropped them our own life raft which we later found had busted from the drop. We returned to the base with near empty tanks, gave Charlie's position to the command and an Aussie navy boat took off and nicked them up about midnight.

The next day on the second mission to the same spot, we all came back safely. The trip was highlighted by an Aussie voice over our radio from the ground in Timor. The Aussie commandos been monitoring our conversations the day before and wanted to know how Hitchcock was. As 8 Sequel to this, Salty Curtis tells me that some time later Harry Patteson and George Rath were at the bar in the Sydney Australian Hotel and they met one of the commandos who had been on Timor during the raids.

Salty Curtis was also on these raids, and when he visited me in Minneapolis after your Newsletter #143 came out, we recalled it all and wondered whtever became of Hitchcock It took about four calls to his hometown in Indiana and his cousin came up with his whereabouts. I called him, had a nice conversation and sent him #143. He is at 6121 Glade #420 Woodland Hills, CA, 91364. Telephone 818-348-4594. -He's had on interesting career, no see if you can get him to write in about it? Charlie is a man I'm proud to know and a terrific pilot.

The western half of Timor was in Dutch hands and they were forced out shortly after tile war. However Portugal kept 1-heir half for many years. When Indonesia finally took over there was much bloodshed which made worldwide news as the natives gave much resistance. Some years ago I ran across a young young fellow in Lisbon who had recently returned from e tour of duty with the Portuguese army. He had some very interesting information about Timor. Timor is also the place where Captain Thigh of the Bounty landed after being set adrift in a lifeboat after the muting.

With some editing perhaps you can use this in your Group History.?

Regards,

[Signed]

John Marcus I