Friendship After Bombing Davao
Here is a close-up personal look at what occurred during one of the countless missions I mention.
Two 63rd Squadron B-24 Snoopers took off from Owi Island on the night of September 4, 1944 to bomb Matina Airdome at Davao, Mindinao. One of the B-24s soon turned back due to radar failure. Captain Roland T. Fisher, pilot of the other B-24, “MISS LIBERTY,” continued on alone. Fisher had flown night missions with the Royal Air Force in 1941 and would soon be needing every ounce of skill he had acquired over the last few years.
Twenty-one years after this mission, Fisher recounted his experience: “I could see again the bright moon in the clear night sky and the green shadow of Cape San Agustin below. I had entered Davao Gulf by crossing from the Pacific over the peninsula into the head of the gulf and made nearly a straight-on approach over Samal Isle to Matina air strip. I remember thinking perhaps this would allow me to enter…
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Posted on January 14, 2017, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, Air Force, Army, aviation, History, Military, Military History, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 57 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
Absolutely great reading gp, it’s always interesting to read any material that highlights the meeting of former enemies long after the war is over.
Great post.
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Thanks, Ian. I thought this was a good ‘current news’ article.
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Amazing update
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Thank you very much.
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I recently came across a book titled WORLD WAR II FROM ABOVE, by Jeremy Harwood. I don’t own it myself, but it contains reconnaissance photos, flight maps, aerial combat photos, and related text. Just thought I’d let you know in case you’re interested in checking it out.
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And I will do exactly that!! Thank you for coming by to let me know.
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Just another example of how tragic war is. Two men compelled to kill each other who under different circumstances were quite happy to live peacefully.
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So true, Lloyd. I can only hope that one day the politicians will understand that.
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Great story thank you for sharing and respect
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My pleasure.
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Oh my gosh, what a story of survival, of heroism, and of descency! Thank you so much for sharing
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I love the stories fro the IHRA. Their research is so detailed and their books so complete!
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This is a great story, GP. I am glad these two men went on to become friends. Someday, perhaps war will not exist. We all need to live in peace.
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It is a great dream, isn’t it?!!
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What a fascinating story. Thanks for sharing.
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You can’t beat the IHRA for great crew of researchers! Their books are more than anyone could expect!!
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First time I heard of war story on that part of the Philippines. Great one.
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I can always count on the IHRA researchers to come through!!
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For more Southwest Pacific stories, subscribe to our blog. 🙂
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Wow. What a story and amazing example to us all.
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I’m very glad to hear you say that, Mark. Thank you.
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Is it too much to expect that those against whom we fight today, those we are told to hate, will tomorrow be our friends and prove what a stupid waste it all is!!
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The people we fight today have ingrained war into their daily lives over too long a time, (IMO). I continue to try and understand their reasoning, but find too many lies and fallacies. I don’t know what the answer is there.
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So terribly true
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This is a very touching story indeed. I always moves me deeply twhen I read hat former enemies can come together after the war and be kind and forgiving, even though the winds of war once forced them to fight each other.
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We aren’t that much different country to country. I believe that’s why so many feel we should stuff the politicians in a ring and let them battle their differences out! haha Wouldn’t THAT be a sight?!!
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I still get angry every time I read about the young Japanese pilots being forced to fly suicide missions, G. Beyond that a great tale of courage and humanity. –Curt
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I understand what you’re saying, Curt. Obedience and honor had taken a dire twist.
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I understand that many (if not most) of them chose to do so, and force didn’t enter into it … ?
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Thank you for bringing that point up. That was in the beginning, pilots running out of fuel or didn’t hit their target chose to fly the plane in rather than return to face their superior officers. But by the time the program was actually put into place – no one had a choice.
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I was driven around a Japanese city by a kamikaze taxi driver—he told me in very rough English that he was in line to be ‘fired’ when the war ended so he wasn’t used.
It was he who taught me how to drink saki, and I still have no idea how I got back to the ship … good driver, though.
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Good one. I can’t seem to get used to work wine, but what can I say?!! At least he got you back in one piece.
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Yes, G. Obedience and honor both have roles to play. But extreme in either case can lead to dire consequences. –Curt
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Moderation is the key in everything when you think about it.
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nice story, Hey i like your Blog, check out my Blog as well🙂, it is for a school project so please do leave criticism and comments,thanks !
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I’ve checked out the About page and one post. I hope you approve of my comment.
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important remembrance
of relationships during wartime 🙂
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Yes, it is important. I wish we saw more of this type of reasoning today.
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What an amazing story! I was thinking recently how difficult it is for us these days to realize that 70 years ago the Japanese were our mortal enemies. This story is an example of the healing that has taken place.
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Now, if only we could convince more people to be like the true men of this story.
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I continue to be surprised at how quickly things can change.
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Isn’t that the truth! Thank you for reading this story from the IHRA today, Jacqui!
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Exciting reading!
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These men always do such a great job in their research.
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Thank you! We have quite the collection of exciting stories. You can read them on our blog or in our books.
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Fantastic story.
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Thank you, I thought so. It sort of gives for hope for humanity yet.
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I had read it but had forgotten about it.
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It was a pleasant reminder, then. 🙂
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Amazing that the Japanese pilot was able to continue flying after his prop had struck the B-24. Also that Fisher was able to skillfully get back to base. These first-hand accounts really bring home the daily horrors of the war, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, they do, Pete. That’s why I feel it necessary to include them when I can. War is not to be romanticized or ignored.
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I agree, a very uplifting story. The friendship between our two countries is amazing given the terrible war we fought. The human spirit is resilient and forgiving.
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Some can do it and others can not. Thanks for reading, Will!!
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Thanks for bringing us this great story.
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The researchers of the IHRA have a multitude of these stories and more in their books. Always a great find!!
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Quite amazing and strangely uplifting
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They are a great generation, we could learn much from them if we listen. Thanks for reading here, Derrick.
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