Today in World War II History
Japanese destroyer Chikuma being bombed bya USS Saratoga-based plane, 5 Nov 1943
(US National Archives)70 Years Ago—Nov. 5, 1943: Capt. Clark Gable leaves England, having flown 5 missions with the US Eighth Air Force, with footage for his documentary, Combat America. US carriers Saratoga& Princeton cripple 7 cruisers and 2 destroyers at Japanese base of Rabaul; first US carrier strike on Rabaul.
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Emily
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Nov 05, 2013 07:00PM
Gone with the Wind's Clark Gable? He was in the air force?
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The same :) He enlisted after his wife, Carole Lombard, was killed in a plane crash on a war bond tour. He was on the older side for the AAF and had to study like crazy to make it as an aircrew member. The AAF sent him to England to make Combat America, but he flew 5 combat missions in the process, shooting his gun and everything. He would have stayed longer, but the AAF didn't want the publicity disaster if he'd been shot down and killed or captured. Considering how few men survived five missions at that point in the war, Gable's service is no small feat.
Yes, what an honorable thing to do! :) He is a favorite of mine, and I just love Gone With the Wind! I guess he wasn't wounded in combat either?
