Margaret Kincannon Margaret Kincannon

Kweilin Falls to ICHIGO

B-25s assigned to the 3rd Bomb Squadron crossed “the Hump” and then made their way to Kweilin. The planes arrived at their new base on September 8, 1944—the same day the Japanese 11th Army overran Lingling, both the town and the airfield, as part of their massive Operation ICHIGO offensive. Then began their advance toward Kweilin, about 125 miles farther to the southwest. The 3rd Squadron's bombers flew only four missions before Kweilin was evacuated, all against towns in the path of the enemy drive. Final evacuation and demolition procedures began on September 14, as 3rd Squadron personnel began their move to Peishiyi by air transport, railroad, truck convoy, and the squadron’s B-25s.

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Margaret Kincannon Margaret Kincannon

“Smilin’ Jack” in “Unflyable Condition”

Beginning in mid-April 1945, about two hundred 14th Air Force fighters and bombers attacked Japanese targets in areas from southern China to the northern China plain, hitting numerous targets that included bridges, river shipping, town areas, trucks, railroad traffic, gun positions, storage areas, and general targets of opportunity. Among the attack planes were those of the Chinese-American Composite Wing. The 3rd Bomb Squadron’s A/C #714, “Smilin’ Jack,” named in honor of the squadron’s popular commander, Capt. Jack M. Hamilton, was a victim of the raid against Loyang on April 16, when a tire blew out on takeoff.

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