Ex-WW II pilot embarks on emotional journey

ILOILO CITY — After 56 years, former US World War II pilot Lt. Albert Franz, now 80, journeyed back to Guimaras, hoping to salvage the wreckage of his Douglas A-20 bomber plane named "Bug Eyes" which crashed off the island-province, and to meet the natives who helped him and his mate.

Franz and his family arrived in Guimaras last Wednesday and began visiting the areas where helpful Filipino guerrillas and Guimaras folk hid him and his gunner, Sgt. Eugene Stranz, for at least 15 days in January 1945 before they were rescued and returned to their unit in Leyte.

Franz’s sentimental journey materialized after Guimaras senior planning officer Evan Anthony Arias found on the province’s website an inquiry from the war veteran’s son-in-law, Bert Chamberlain, who asked for information about the province and discussed a possible visit by his father-in-law. The two constantly communicated, until Franz’s itinerary was drawn up.

Franz kept a diary of his days in Guimaras, which Chamberlain gladly furnished Arias. Franz wrote about how guerrillas and villagers helped to tide him and Stranz over after their plane crashed into the sea on Jan. 9, 1945.

Franz and Stranz, assigned to the 42nd 312 Roarin A-20 Bomb Group based in Leyte, had two tons of live bombs and six 50-caliber machineguns aboard their aircraft. They were tasked to bomb and strafe Japanese forces on Negros Island.

During the strafing run, their plane’s left engine was hit, but they managed to continue their mission. But the other engine was also subsequently hit and the plane crashed into the Guimaras Strait (supposedly off the village of Libis in Buenavista town). Luckily, they were able to get out through the escape hatch, and with an inflated life raft, they went ashore into safe hands.

Franz recalled that eager faces greeted him and Stranz, some even offering to carry them on their backs because rocks stalled the life raft.

Until a rescue plane picked them up at Dumarao Field on Jan. 24, 1945, guerrillas and the natives had moved them from one place to another to elude Japanese soldiers.

Franz is going home today with only half of his mission fulfilled. Strong currents and the lack of sophisticated equipment prevented local divers from locating the wreckage of "Bug Eyes." But there was gladness in his heart as Guimaras folk showered him again, after 56 years, with their hospitality.