Military Aviation Trivia #14 (1 Viewer)

[Beaufighter]

Forum Squadron Members:

Another one so here you go...

Q. In reference to some Consolidated B-24 Liberator Bomber Missions in WW II, what were "Carpetbaggers" and "Joe Holes"?

A. ?

Charge the Guns,
Beaufighter

 

[wayne556517]

New crew members...?

 

[Evzone]

I remember reading about this in a book about SOE and OSS during WW2. Is Carpetbagging some sort of slang for dropping or landing supplies to operatives and resistance movements in occupied countries? Early operations by SOE used Army Co-Operation Lysanders, and I think a particular squadron were known in informal colloquial terms as the 'Carpetbaggers' or 'The Carpetbag Express'

Joes are clandestine operatives, agents and alike - slang used by Americans. The Joe Holes ae the exit points in the aeroplane they parachuted out from.

SOE incidentaly called their operatives 'Jackdaws' a term more commonly attributed to female operatives.

 

[Spitfrnd]

That is pretty close. "Carpetbagger" was the code name given to the OSS operation which used B-24s to deliver supplies to resistance groups; to deliver operatives ("Joes") and even to pick up downed airmen and operatives from behind the lines. The "Joe Hole" was a metal-shrouded circular hatch, installed in place of the ball turret for the agents to drop through. The nose turret, if installed, was also replaced with a greenhouse to enable the bombardier to assist the navigator.

 

[Beaufighter]

That is pretty close. "Carpetbagger" was the code name given to the OSS operation which used B-24s to deliver supplies to resistance groups; to deliver operatives ("Joes") and even to pick up downed airmen and operatives from behind the lines. The "Joe Hole" was a metal-shrouded circular hatch, installed in place of the ball turret for the agents to drop through. The nose turret, if installed, was also replaced with a greenhouse to enable the bombardier to assist the navigator.

Pretty close Spit! Carpetbaggers were B-24s with dampers to suppress exhaust flames. They had no guns and were painted flat black-the rest of course is spot on as always!

Nice Shooting,
Marc

 

[Spitfrnd]

Pretty close Spit! Carpetbaggers were B-24s with dampers to suppress exhaust flames. They had no guns and were painted flat black-the rest of course is spot on as always!

Nice Shooting,
Marc

I love your aviation questions Mark but I must say that term Carpetbagger was indeed applied to the operation and the missions:
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1502
Perhaps the designation of the Liberators by that name was derivative. Anyway, keep them flying mate.

 

[trooper]

The carpetbaggers operated from Harrington, situated between Kettering and Market Harborough only a few miles from where I live. The airfield closed down in 1945 but was reopened in the 1960s to accomodate part of the RAFs Thor missile system. On final closure the area was returned to agriculture and today nothing is left of the original station and only one or two delapidated structures of it's later existance, but many of the more elderly residents of the surrounding villages remember the American fliers and their black aircraft. Gone, but not forgotten.

 

[Beaufighter]

The carpetbaggers operated from Harrington, situated between Kettering and Market Harborough only a few miles from where I live. The airfield closed down in 1945 but was reopened in the 1960s to accomodate part of the RAFs Thor missile system. On final closure the area was returned to agriculture and today nothing is left of the original station and only one or two delapidated structures of it's later existance, but many of the more elderly residents of the surrounding villages remember the American fliers and their black aircraft. Gone, but not forgotten.

Trooper:

Many thanks for the added historical information as it was much appreciated!

Cheers,
Marc

 

[Beaufighter]

I love your aviation questions Mark but I must say that term Carpetbagger was indeed applied to the operation and the missions:
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1502
Perhaps the designation of the Liberators by that name was derivative. Anyway, keep them flying mate.

Spit:

I hear you wingman! Yes, "the designation of the Liberators by that name was derivative..." was what I meant and or close to it.

Cheers,
Marc