Rather than further extend the two Keokuk-related topics, I'm starting a new one as a home for scattered Keokuk info. F/O Harold O. Axelson, pilot of Chalk #28. Here's the link to his YouTube interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxDtzhvLGEs Summary of clues: -- Horsa lost left wheel after takeoff -- Axelson decided to drop right wheel over the Channel and land on the skid and front wheel (Horsa had a manual release for rear wheels) -- Axelson recognized the loss of braking inherent in landing on the skid, so he decided to look for a field with nobody else in it. Note that as Chalk #28, he was near the rear of Keokuk - plus LZ 'E' had already been used by Chicago's Wacos, so those fears may have been well founded -- He chose a small pasture with cattle present -- The Horsa dropped onto its right wingtip before stopping, which spun the glider 180 deg -- As it stopped, the glider rolled onto its left wingtip. The glider was intact -- They removed the tail and set up the ramps to unload two jeeps; his passengers were three paratroopers without chutes (Pat Elie's list says the cargo was vehicles for the 501st) -- Axelson said he never saw Hiesville from the air -- He seemed to say that finding the CP was rather easy (but did he mean Div HQ - COL Johnson of the 501st was not accessible when Axelson landed as he had his hands full at La Barquette - or did he mean 3/501st HQ at Hiesville? Elie's list shows four Horsas carrying 501st vehicles - maybe one load for RHQ and the other three loads for Bn HQs? So, any good candidates for Chalk #28 based on this? The 74th TCS map that Bob Brown furnished shows Chalk #28 near the Pond Field, but I don't see any obvious choices there. Could this Horsa be closer to Boutteville and later missions landed nearby, thus obscuring Axelson's solitude? Chalk #28 should be on the right end of a four across formation, so that could move it a bit to the north.
Hi Don, I think you are correct to look for this glider in locations north. Have you found any good candidates on 8010? Regards, Pat
Hi Pat, No suspects yet. With the fuzziness of 8010, it would be difficult to spot any of the interesting physical attributes described by Axelson. Tempting to consider white blobs in a couple of small fields in Boutteville area, but that's a reach (even for me). Probably take a ground level shot to spot the furrow plowed by #28's skid doing a 180 before stopping or the absence of the main wheels. A clearer recon photo if shot on a clear day might provide useful shadows to show tipping direction. By noting the Axelson attributes, could help eliminate other Horsas from consideration as #28 if new photos turn up. I think it's safe to eliminate all visible Horsas in Hiesville/Pond Field area - what is that count 21 or 22? Same for Field 'E' neighborhood.