Warbird Information Exchange

I recently acquired a copy of "The Wing-ding", a newsletter from the 91st Photo Reconnaissance Wing from WWII, and it has an article in it about some L-5's in New Guinea rescuing 25 Indian POW's and a P-47 pilot. In one of the pictures is an L-5 with the nose art "16 Lucky L.E.G.'s". It was flown by S/Sgt James L. Henkle and T/Sgt Lionel "Pappy Gleason". Does anyone have any information on this aircraft or it's pilots? Also, does anyone know of a close-up photo of the nose-art? Or can anyone make out what's painted to the left of the writing? I thought it would be an interesting/historical paint scheme for a current L-5!

Keep 'em Flying!
Taylor Stevenson

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Taylor Stevenson

Well Lucky Legs was a movie from 1935. I tried to find a movie poster or picture from it...what I found doesnt resemble whats on the airplane.

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Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly!!

http://www.390th.org/
www.LSFM.org

Trae

Does anyone have any good info on the 91st's L-5's?

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Taylor Stevenson

is it maybe the wing insignia??

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Taylor Stevenson

The L-5 "16 Lucky Legs" was assigned to the 25th Liaison Squadron, also known more popularly known as the "Guinea Short Lines." Manned entirely by NCO pilots, it was the first liaison squadron in Air Force history to enter combat, and pioneered many techniques used by today's forward air controllers and aerial medevac units.

The guy in the photo is SSGT Gilbert "Whitey" Pease. There isn't anything 'whited out' next to the aircraft name - I believe that's the 'nose art' lady's frilly dress. Unfortunately, this is the only photo I've found of a close-up of this artwork. I have a collection of over 300 photos from the unit's records and its veterans, as I set out 25+ years ago to write a history of the unit; still looking for a publisher.

Contact me on 'discrete' at gmasher@netzero.net if I can be of any further help.

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Gerry Asher

Taylor,

I sent a different reply to your regular email address. Basically Gerry is right on with his comments, except that the 25th Liaison Squadron was NOT the first to see action, it was the second. The 71st Liaison Squadron was sent to India and started flying combat missions in Burma several months before the 25th started flying in New Guinea.

The 25th LS was attached to the 91st Reconnaissance Wing. S/Sgt Jim Henkle's nickname was "Lucky", so perhaps ""16 Lucky Legs" was his airplane. The men were part of Flight D, operating out of Saidor, New Guinea. Five other pilots from "D Flight" assisted in the rescue besides Pease, Gleason and Henkle, and they all received commendations for their efforts. Gleason and Henkle were the two who found the POW's and the P-47 pilot however. The P-47 pilot was Capt. H.L. McMullen from the 58th Fighter Group.

It's quite a story, but typical of what the "Guinea Short Lines" pilots did. The 25th LS borrowed a couple artillery L-4's to supplement their L-5's. Four of the Indian POW's died of disease before they could be flown out, but 27 others were saved along with the downed fighter pilot. Due to very difficult weather conditions this particular rescue operation required 84 flights and 162 flight hours to accomplish over a 2 week period, in addition to D Flights other flying duties.

Jim

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Sentinel Owners and Pilots Association
www.sentinelclub.org
"All things L-5"

Hi, Jim -

Are you sure about your dates? Maybe I should have framed my comment a little better: the 25th arrived in the combat theater, New Guinea, in November of '43 - I don't have their records in front of me right now, but I don't think the 71st was already operating in June of that same year.

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Gerry Asher

Hi Gerry,

Yes, I checked the dates on the 71st Liaison Squadron. I have a copy of the microfilmed records from Maxwell AFB (along with records of all the other Liaison Squadrons). I myself was quite surprised to find out that the 25th LS wasn't the first to be deployed or to go into combat. The 71st's pilots trained in Texas at Alamo Field, by the way.

A brief review of their operations shows 300 hours flown at Karachi in proficiency training, 1200 hours at Ramarge training with ground troops and doing administrative flying, and 800 hours on tactical (combat) and administrative missions at Ledo...all before the 25th LS arrived in Australia from the U.S. on 19th November, 1943. Among other things, the 71st supported the famed "Merrils Marauders" commando group and the squadron built a record equally as impressive as that of the "Short Lines"

I sent a more explanatory note to your private email address.

Cheers,

Jim

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Sentinel Owners and Pilots Association
www.sentinelclub.org
"All things L-5"

Thanks for straightening me out - I stand corrected.

All my best,

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Gerry Asher