A “celebrity” from the 19th Bomb Group was the Suzy-Q.

One of the newer B-l7Es. It had been flown to the Pacific over the South American-African-Indian ferry route to the Pacific and landed at the Singosari air base in Java in February 1942 to join the 19th Bomb Group. The Suzy-Q arrived in Java just in time for the bitterly demoralizing last ditch stand. The Japanese were “running wild” through the Netherlands East Indies in a massive, seemingly inexorable amphibious blitzkrieg.

When it became necessary for the 19th BG to leave Java, evacuation began in earnest by February 27th. On this day the Langley was speeding toward Java with a deck load of thirty-two P-40s and was sunk. During the evacuation process, the 19th Bomb Group had transferred some members of the 131st Field Artillery to be aircrew gunners. The Artillery Unit was fighting a delaying action battle with the Japanese invaders in an effort to assist the 19th BG to leave Java.

As they pulled away from the airdrome the place blew up under them as the Dutch detonated the mines which had been placed under the runways, ready for the inevitable day when the enemy would arrive. Great fires filled the air over Java with black, oily smoke as the Suzy-Q raced for Broome. Australia - the new base for the 19th BG...

Next...Epilogue

Continued...

To read the whole story, Contact Us for more information.