“The Luck of the Draw” (pt 1) - A Story from the Catalina Archives
Philip Cooke shares a story from one of the detailed logbooks his father kept during his WWII service as member of a Catalina flying boat crew.
“My father’s name is Allan George Cooke and he was a 1st Engineer on Catalinas in 20 Squadron. He passed away in February 2000 at the age of 82. I just wish he was alive today as I have so many questions to ask him!”
Originally titled ‘The Luck of the Draw’, this two-part story was more recently re-titled ‘I Will Remember Them’ – a personal account by Allan George Cooke (unedited with additional comments added by Philip Cooke).
19th April 1944, a date I shall never forget! It was our third night over this target. Along with other “Catalina” flying boat crews, we were mining the channel entrance to Woleai Harbor, laying 1000Ib acoustic mines, (a devilish device which by it’s nature of construction did not necessarily activate at the first overpass by enemy shipping as a soluble washer had to completely dissolve to arm them). Woleai was a Japanese held atoll some 650 miles north of the Admiralty Island Group.
Additional to their shipping harbor, there were shore installations and a fighter airstrip; prior to this third night, there was no evidence of Japanese presence. We knew they would not disclose their position unless provoked or visually exposed.
Our aircraft “A24-63” carried additional to our usual crew complement an intelligence officer who required to confirm the actual existence of the fighter airstrip. When instructed our Armourer released a parachute flare which owing to our slow speed and altitude (~ 1,300’?), lit up like day, and were an easy target, therefore at this point, “all hell broke loose”. We “copped one” amidships; the Japanese “ack ack” had found its target. Our perspex blisters were blown out, and we were holed through the hull. Two crewmembers were killed and the intelligence officer severely wounded. As we were still flying, it remained to attempt a return to base - base being USN “Tangier”, a seaplane tender victory ship anchored in Seeadler Harbor, Admiralty Island Group.
When the projectile (estimated later to be a 75mm Bofors type) penetrated our aircraft, the first thing following the sound of the explosion was that the aircraft was filled with an acrid odor. The explosion was in the blister compartment where Ron Ely, Norm Phillips and Paul Lachal were performing their tasks. They were all hit and we helped them into the bunk compartment. As I was removing Ron’s flying boots he died! We lifted Paul on a bunk; he was severely wounded in a leg (later amputated) and lower body. We helped Norm onto the floor in the navigation compartment, some hours later he died, having said to me there’s a taste in my mouth like I’ve been drinking plonk (his sense of humor remained to the end).
What with the smell of cordite, blood, burnt flesh, medication and hydraulic oil, I unashamedly vomited!
Our skipper was able to follow the signal of the I.F.F. (indicate friend or foe) of a Catalina ahead of us; after 6½ hours tenseness owing to our dead and wounded, plus my duty to monitor engine performance and fuel usage, also the large hole in the hull which our 2nd engineer capably repaired, thus enabling us to land alongside our mothercraft.
(PC: Post was official advice discloses that aerial mine laying by “Catalina” flying boats was highly successful.)
The Americans were quick and thorough, their shipboard mounted crane picked our aircraft out of the sea and within 24 hours was repaired and airworthy, however we (crew) were returned as passengers to Cairns, (Catalina operational base 11 & 20 squadrons), my sad duty then being to sort the belongings of my two mates Ron and Norm.
Being young we recovered our composure and after a break resumed our flying duties which later on Air Sea Rescue with 113 ASRF turned out to be just as hair raising as our earlier exploits. They belong to further stories. Perhaps as compensation we were posted to “Ferry Detachment” (the purpose being to return new Catalinas USA to Australia!)
All events stated in my true story can be verified by reference to my logbook. Signed A.G. COOKE.
Part 2 of Allan George Cooke’s personal account of time as a member of a Catalina flying boat crew during WWII will continue in our next Summer edition of Contact. You can also read Part 2 now on our website.