Slept most of the day. Catching up for last night. Still a lot of heavy bombers in the air. Today Good Friday.
Category: Diary of John P. Burns
April 2, 1942
Did not do much all day, but was up all night, bringing in and sending out ships. The 21st and 34th are now officially in Australia. Don’t know what that makes us.
Other sources indicate that it was the night of March 31/April 1, rather than April 1/2, when it was like “Grand Central Station” at Bataan Field, with the Beechcraft Staggerwing of the Bamboo Fleet flying in from Mindanao and back out again, the Stearman 76D3 taking two passengers south, and the Grumman Duck taking three of the Detachment pilots to Mindanao where two of them were to fly the two P-35As–flown down to Mindanao on January 11th–back to Bataan.
April 1, 1942
No April Fool joking this year. Alert at C. again. Wish they would get over it. Had an earthquake just after I got in bed, sure was a funny feeling.
March 31, 1942
Still bombing, but little damage. Pilots food pretty good, poor for others, everyone hunting. Will have this place really cleaned out of game when we leave.
March 30, 1942
Spent day at C. on alert. Saw a large Jap bomber hit by AA. Spun from about 25,000. Was an awe-inspiring sight. Sure feel sorry for poor devils in it. The nights sure are beautiful, moon and a few clouds.
In response to a report on March 28th that the Japanese were planning a landing on the east coast of Bataan, Dyess was maintaining three pilots on alert at Bataan and Cabcaben fields, day and night, ready to move the remaining two P-40s down to Mariveles if a landing materialized.
March 29, 1942
Sun. Got things in better shape for leaving today. About suppertime learned that the rock has a bunch of men to go so I’m screwed. Just another thing to hate the rock for. Guess the men are need (sic) though. I go Wed. maybe.
The “rock” was Corregidor, where rumor had it the food conditions were much better than on Bataan.
March 28, 1942
Food fine today, didn’t do much, gaining back strength. Dyess told me I was going south with Brad. before dawn. Engine trouble so didn’t get off, will leave tomorrow night. Darn the engine.
“Brad” was Capt. William “Jitter Bill” Bradford, the 47-year old engineering officer of Bataan Field and Bamboo Fleet pilot. Dyess had ordered Burns, Rowe, and a third pilot south, but then unaccountably canceled the order. The old Bellanca “Skyrocket” left two nights later after repairs.
March 27, 1942
Got up for awhile this afternoon but so weak I had to lie down pretty quick. Started in evening feeding the pilots special food. Must be fattening us for the kill. Something brewing.
The flight surgeon of the detachment had reported to Maj. Gen. King, commander of the Luzon Force on Bataan, that if the pilots did not get extra food, there would be no more flying. A ‘training table” was established for 25 of the pilots, beginning March 27th. Extra food and vitamins were to be sent from Corregidor to provide three full meals for ten days to build up their strength.
March 26, 1942
Feel a little better, but very weak, can’t eat, would like some fruit. Heavy bombing raids continuing, don’t know what damage they are doing, uncomfortable to lie here in bed and wonder if they will go over us.