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Jumps to Safety from Flying Fortress When Engines FailA thrilling parachute jump to safety from a disabled Flying Fortress and a grueling walk through swamp growth in Louisiana was the experience Sergeant Alexander Justus, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Justus, 119 South 14th avenue, told about in a letter to his parents this week.Sergeant Justus, who graduated from Proviso high where he played football for three years, was one of ten army fliers who parachuted to safety near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when the Flying Fortress they were in developed engine trouble and lost altitude rapidly. The plane crashed and burned about four miles from the spot where the flyers came to earth with their parachutes.In his letter, Sergeant Justus told of an uneventful takeoff with the majority of the bombers crew taking a nap, when motor trouble developed in one of the motors. Soon afterward two more motors failed, and the plane was losing altitude at the rate of 1,000 feet per minute. Sergeant Justus and another crew member were throwing clothes and equipment out of the windows, while two more men dumped the emergency gas tanks in -the bomb bay, all in an effort to lighten the load.With the plane still continuing to lose altitude, orders were given for all the men to bail out. Sergeant Justus was the second man to jump and he tells of being forced to pull his rip cord twice before the 'chute opened. All men jumped within 60 seconds, some from the bomb bay, and othersfrom the door. As he floated earthward, the co-pilot of the plane was near by enough, for them to carry on a conversation.Several of-the fliers, including Sergeant Justus, landed in trees. He landed in a tree about 20 feet above ground, while another man was in a tree 60 feet above the ground. Three men landed in a group and “shinnied down the trees after cutting themselves free from their 'chute cords and then had the experience of fighting their way through the denser jungle-like growth in the swamp.The men took jungle knives from their emergency packs and hacked their way through thebrush, using their compasses toguide them towards the Mississippi river. They crossed creeks, waded through streams, and hacked away until they found a road. Soon the entire group was re-assembled and a search was made for the personal belongings and equipment which was jettisoned in mid-air. Much of this equipment was found, including pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Justus which the youth had aboard. Only one man was injured in the leap, and he suffered a sprained ankle.A table showing -point values of meats and other items which will be rationed, starting Monday, will be found on page 12. Clip it out and haveit handy for ready reference.
Newspaper Details
Bellwood Proviso Township Herald
Bellwood, Illinois, US
Thu, Mar 25, 1943
Page 23
Full Page
Clipped by
James O.
USA 04 Jan 2020
Other Publications Near Bellwood, Illinois
Bellwood Proviso Township Herald
Bellwood Star Sentinel
Bellwood Star Progress
