Subj: Re: 319th BG
Date: 2 24 99

We were at Decimomannu (?), Sardinia. For some reason I had changed the left engine and needed some slow time on it before combat missions.

My request for pilots was filled by a pilot and co-pilot fresh from the states who needed time also. As we readied for the flight, two Merchant Marine men asked for a ride. I was the Crew Chief and the pilot OKed the sight seeing mariners.

We all had the required parachutes, etc. and away we went into the Wild Blue Yonder. After a while, when everything was checking out OK, I left my position between the pilot and copilot and turned to the passengers to spread the Bull. Altitude, speed, armament and all that stuff about the Best Airplane in the Air Corps. After touring the plane and back to the NavigatorŐs Compartment, they asked about single engine operation. The pilot obliged by a demonstration by shutting down the left (new) engine as I didnŐt want to strain it without more time on it. I so indicated to our passengers as they observed the rigid prop.

I returned to my position in front of the pedestal watching instruments and the scenery. I donŐt know how long we had been flying or how long on single engine, as the pilot wanted some single engine time anyway. We were just killing time, when BANG ! ! Like an explosion! Instantly the pilot countered the yaw from the dead right engine, fighting the controls and hitting the feather switch.

We had her at 5,000 feet and now it was down to 4,000 or so when the Big Bang sounded. My first thought was my parachute - barrel type - the pack was at the bomb bay bulkhead. Looked like it was too far for expedience so I turned back to the instruments. No RPM, about 3500 feet and rate of climb a negative 2500 feet per minute.

I began to toggle the prop switch on the left engine and got the prop turning - then faster and faster until I pushed the mixture control to full rich. The engine started. The pilot had his hands full controlling the aircraft. I eased open the throttle and the manifold pressure started to increase.

Now the copilot finally realized the right engine was feathered.

We were down to less than 2000 feet.

So I guess a B-26 will fly for maybe a minute or so for about 1500 feet down on 2 feathered engines. This had taken place quite close to the field and we made a 180 and lined up on the runway for a perfect touch down.

I told the lieutenant it was my first single engine landing. He said, ŇYeh, itŐs my first one too.Ó The irony of this whole thing is that we coasted to the end of the runway near our engineering shack. We were met by the engineering officer and my assistant Crew Chief who I instructed to take the plane to our hard stand while gesturing toward the cletrack So what did he do? He crawls up in the plane and starts both engines and taxies to our space. Talk about embarrassment!!!

We worked on that plane for a whole week and never found anything.

The marines thanked me for the ride and left completely thrilled and dumb. After all we had PR to uphold. This is honestly a true story, so help me.

Dennis M. Wolff
319th BG, 439th Sq.