Talk:George Varoff

Uncited war narrative

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Captain George D Varoff, of the 40th Bomb Group, had an experience that was typical of that undergone by the remainder of the crew. He parachuted into an agricultural area pocketed between cliff-like mountains, studded with small farm houses and paddies. Regaining consciousness after a blow on the head, Capt Varoff carried his chute and harness with him and made his way to a small farm building. Chinese farmers came out of the house and at first, seemed apprehensive in greeting Varoff. The pilot smiled forcibly, shouted 'mig-way', and attempted to show one of the farmers his Chinese blood-chit. The farmer disappeared into the house, and shortly thereafter, Varoff was confronted with quite a number of local inhabitants. A young chap who apparently comprehended the chit left the party, and later returned with representatives of the Communist Eighth Army, who quickly assured Varoff that he would be treated as an ally and would be aided to escape. After three days of walking and waiting the entire crew was assembled. Using available channels of communication, the Communists dispatched information regarding the crew members to Communist Government headquarters in Yennan. The information was relayed by United States Army observers to the forward echelon of the XX Bomber Detachment at Hsin Ching, China. Reports were also received indicating that the crew's immediate situation was not critical, although certain medical supplies were required. Japanese forces were in their area; their strength forming in triangular perimeter around the location of the Superfortress crew. It is also known that the enemy attempted, in five successive engagements, to capture the remains of the bomber. On all occasions they were repelled by Communist forces. In meeting with Col. Monteith and Lt Col. Wilson of Bomber Command, Capt Kunz volunteered the squadron's services in performing a dropping mission for medical supplies, food and clothing, and also offered to investigate the possibility of an actual rescue operation. The Communists, utilizing a stretch of road between Dichang and Shehsien, converted some 4,000 feet of road into a runway 50 feet wide. A stipped down B-25, then assigned to Brig Gen Randall of the 312th Fighter Wing, was borrowed. THis was crewed by Capt Kunz as pilot, who was aided by two enlisted men, Sgt John Flaherty as aerial engineer and acting co-pilot, and by Sgt Edward Boatright as radio operator. The aircraft was not armed. A flight aircraft, also a Mitchell, fully armed, was to be escort and drop 400 pounds of supplies. This aircraft was piloted by Lt James Malin; with Lt Charles Pardee as co-pilot; Lt Robert Bittner as navigator; Lt George Bump as photographer and weather observer; Sgt John T Flynn as radio operator; and Sgt Paul E Grand as aerial engineer. On 27 January 1945, both aircraft left Hsin Ching for Hsian. On the following day, the aircraft, with an escort of four P-51's furnished by the famed "Yellow Scorpions", flew to the designated area-which was located in the general area after an hour was spent performing a square search for the airstrip. After the strip was located, the escorting fighters were forced to return to Hsian because their gas was running low. Capt Kunz landed his aircraft on the strip, narrowly missing a mule team, and in the midst of a cheering crowd. Sgt Boatright later commented that the three crew members were apprehensive at stepping out of the aircraft onto the runway. Eventually they dismounted and were noisily acclaimed. An English-speaking Chinese informed Capt Kunz that the 11 Superfortress crew members were safe, were not in the immediate vicinity. The threat of Japanese air and ground forces necessitated an immediate departure. With a great deal of regret, Capt Kunz turned the plane around and took off. Both aircraft, now unescorted, flew back to Hsian - flying over seven vacant Jap airfields. On 6 February, escorted by two P-51's, one of which was piloted by Col Jack Chennault, took off again. This time the 11 airmen were waiting on the airstrip, and the meeting was highly emotional. The rescue mission had been accomplished.

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