The lulling sound of the water lapping against the seawall, the bright moon in the cloudless night, the warm, light breeze coming off the ocean, all made the moment so special. He wondered if his senses were heightened because of the setting or because he was with a woman he hoped to express his love for. It didn't matter, it was all so perfect as they strolled hand in hand along the seawall of Cavite Bay. Along the seawall were low lights, far enough apart as to only cast individual glows along the bay. The young couple, Michael Bradford and Mary Hayden, slowly came to the next light, and without a word from either of them, they stopped and gazed over the bay...
Pointing to a map on the wall of the location of the prison camp, Captain Ford said, "The drop zone is right here," putting his finger next to the camp. He added, "It's important we get as close to the camp as possible, but not on the camp." ... "Drop altitude between 400 and 500 feet, no higher. I don't want my men in the air too long; they can be shot and killed before hitting the ground if they are dropped at a higher altitude," said Ford ... "Oh... and ask your flight crews not to mention the low drop altitude to my men. They will have enough to think about without knowing that, too," said Captain Ford.
Pointing to a map on the wall of the location of the prison camp, Captain Ford said, "The drop zone is right here," putting his finger next to the camp. He added, "It's important we get as close to the camp as possible, but not on the camp."
"On the DZ, next to the camp, not on it. Got it. Next? said the Major.
"The aircraft need to fly over the DZ, three to a 'V'; each of the three 'V's" in trail, not to the left or right. I want my men to land as tightly as possible, " said Captain Ford.
"Three 'V's' in trail, tight formation. Got it. Next?" said the Major.
"Drop altitude between 400 and 500 feet, no higher. I don't want my men in the air too long; they can be shot and killed before hitting the ground if they are dropped at a higher altitude," said Ford.
"Drop altitude between 400 and 500 feet. Got it. Next?" said the Major.
"Oh... and ask your flight crews not to mention the low drop altitude to my men. They will have enough to think about without knowing that, too," said Captain Ford.
"Got it, Lieutenant. Anything else?" asked the Major.
"Yes, the whole timetable centers around us parachuting at exactly 7:00 a.m. Can that be done?' asked Captain Ford.
The Major responded, "Sure," as he stood up and went over to the map of the operation. Major Anderson then said, "Captain Ford, Captain Parker and I have already worked on our portion of the operation. If you take a seat, we'll run it by you to see if you are in agreement."
As Captain Ford sat down, Major Anderson pointed to the map and described his operation. "Here is Nichols Field where we will take off at 0625 hours. The nine aircraft get to altitude and form three 'V's' in trail. Looking at the map, the quickest way to the camp is to head due south, turn 90 degrees to the east, and hit the DZ traveling west to east."
Captain Ford nodded his head in agreement.
The Major continued, "But we are not going to do that. There are too many Japanese ground troops between here and there, and we do not want ground fire to hit our aircraft. Instead, as the planes start forming up, we are already headed east over Laguna de Bay. We won't have any concerns of ground fire coming from the lake. We then head due south at this point, pass over, or slightly to the east of Calamba Island. At that point and altitude, we will be
able to see Los Banos in the distance. Unfortunately, we are headed perpendicular to your drop zone. So, as we near the coast, we turn to the east once again, travel for one minute, staying away from ground fire from the shoreline. The flight then executes a 180-degree turn to the right. Upon completion of the turn, we will be headed from the east. With the sun behind us, we will be over jungle that, for the most part, is under control of Filipino guerrillas, meaning we have less chance of drawing ground fire. During the execution of these turns, we will be dropping in altitude. At the completion of the last turn, we are now headed west. We will be at drop altitude, and the airspeed will be bled off to no more than 100 miles per hour. Also, after that final turn, when we are headed straight for the drop zone, that will be your one-minute warning ...
