" GERONIMO'S LUCKY STRIKE - MUSTANG "
Len Krenzler

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Ted Conlin of the 357th Figther Group shoots an experimental
jet bomber in it's hangar May 21, 1944

Signed by Ted Conlin
The Mission: Three P51 Mustangs of the 357th FG struck the
experimental airfield Tarnewitz in northern Germany on
May 21, 1944 including Ted Conlin in a Mustang named Geronimo.

They were led by Lt. Harry Ankeny with Lt. R. T. Ted Conlin and Lt. Rod
Starkey. Three or more aircraft were destroyed on the tarmac and Lt.
Conlin was credited with destroying a Arado 234 twin jet bomber sitting
in front of the hangar he attacked.

The jet was a highly secret new type and was of considerable interest
to US Intel. All three aircraft returned safely to England after encountering
heavy defensive firepower at the airdrome.

At the time Ted was a relatively new pilot. As Harry and Rod started their
attack run across the airfield they applied full power to their mighty Merlin
engines. Ted forgot and was soon left behind. As he crossed the airfield
he shot into the first hangar he saw, not realizing the value of the
target he had struck until later when Intel examined his gun camera footage.

A huge 88mm anti-aircraft gun was just to the right of his path and
Ted remembers the crew frantically cranking it around to shoot at him.
As he turned out over the ocean they continued to fire into the water
throwing up gigantic splashes in hopes of knocking him out of the air.
It was a terrifying experience that he will always remember, but the
results were more than he expected.

The Target: The Ar 234 was the very first jet powered bomber built in
the later stages of WWII by the German company Arado. It had a top
speed of about 490 mph and was almost impossible to intercept at the time.

Most were used in the reconnaissance role but they also played a role
in some important bombing missions which included the attempt to
destroy the critical Ludendorff bridge where Ar 234's attacked relentlessly
from March 7 to 17, 1945 with 1000lb bombs. The bridge finally
collapsed on March 17.

The unconventional skid landing system installed in early Ar 234's was
replaced with a tricycle gear with large tires adept at handling rough airfields.

Early jet engines were not what they are today. Although the performance
was a true breakthrough they suffered frequent flameouts and required
overhaul or replacement after only 10 hours of operation!

 

Geronimo's Lucky Strike - Len Krenzler

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