Ben Deatherage Combat Cargo

‘Combat Cargo’ was the American General’s Hap Arnolds special baby. He wanted a cargo wing that was mobile and flexible enough to be able to move in and set up operations overnight. Four combat groups were formed. Three groups served in the C.B.I. Theater. The Second Combat Cargo Group was sent to the South Pacific.

My airplane was #876, "The Biscuit Bomber". She served us well, that winged chariot of cargo. I wonder if she still flies today. Lots of C-47s do.

Our Pilots were young. These lads were eager to join the fray, and eager to establish their reputations as seasoned pilots. At that time co-pilots could become first pilots and command an airplane. War and weather, such as the monsoon, matured pilots faster than any stateside flying was able to do. Of course every squadron had a couple of hotshot flyboys. We had two. But I must give them credit for guts and flying skill. Their depth perception was something to marvel at. In India we flew with the cargo door removed. These two, one an ex-bell hop from Chicago, the other a wild Texan, would fly formation with their wings overlapped. As the wings slapped each other, the vibrations reverberated throughout the airplane. Another precarious maneuver these two were fond of was to place the wing tip of one airplane in the others open cargo door in flight. These two had been pilots on B-26s, real hot twin-engine bombers. They tried to treat the C-47 likewise.

Our C-47 was a cargo version of the domestic DC-3, a most reliable aircraft, stable in every respect--one that forgave mistakes and let you live. They were called the workhorses of the air. The C-47 was one of four weapons singled out by General Dwight D. Eisenhower as the most instrumental in helping the United States win World War ll. (The others were the bazooka, the jeep, and the atomic bomb).

These airplanes were already de-bugged when the war came along and were ready for production. First built by Douglas in 1935, the DC-3 was an improved version of the DC-2. Two Pratt and Whitney R1830 radial engines 1200 horsepower each provided the power. Wing span was 85 feet, length 64 feet and 6 inches. Some called them "Gooney Birds" A goofy albatross, but I never called 876 a "Gooney Bird." I had too much respect for her.

New pilots were assigned to the 4th Squadron, mostly from B-25 and B-26 outfits, most with limited flying time, only a few with combat experience. The enlisted men came from all over. Many were experienced mechanics, some just out of mechanic school. We Trained At Bowman Field during the summer of 1944.

In August the big brass decided we were capable enough to fly across the big pond. Fort Wayne, Indiana was our staging point. 25 brand new C-47s were assigned to each squadron. I almost didn't get to go. I was released only two days before from the hospital at Bowman Field. I recently had my appendix removed. When the doctor spotted that red scar, he said, "You are not going anywhere. How long have you been out of the hospital, soldier?" " Two Days" I answered. "Two days isn't enough" he replied. "But Doc! All my buddies are going overseas, and I don't want to be left behind and have to start all over again with a new bunch". After much pleading with the doctor and assuring him that I was okay, he reluctantly agreed, against his better judgment, to let me travel.

Sometimes soldiers say crazy things. What was wrong with my head? I wondered about those words many times later.

T/Sgt. Ben Deatherage from his book 'Silhouettes of Fear' 1998. See Recommended Reading Page for information on purchasing this book.

I am looking for former members of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group, 1st, Combat Cargo Group, 2nd Combat Cargo Group and the 4th Combat Cargo Group. In fact I would like to hear from anyone who flew over the Hump during WW II, or flew any Combat Cargo Missions at any time (Berlin Air-Lift, Korea, etc.)

Please e-mail comment, suggestions, corrections,etc to: bill@comcar.org

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