42-97872 IW-A Rosie's Sweat Box

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=== Recorded Missions ===
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==== 1st Mission ====
''' Munich - 07/11/1944 '''
Rosie’s Sweat Box first mission took place on the 11th July 1944 and the target was the railroad marshalling yards and depot in Munich. This was to be the 17th mission for pilot 1st Lt. Woodville G. Rozzell and his crew and the first of three missions to Munich which they completed together as a crew. During this 1st mission Rosie's Sweat Box held a position in the High Box formation – A Wing. Although flak over the target was intense, it was inaccurate, and none of the Group suffered battle damage. 

==== Further Missions ====
Throughout her further 24 combat missions, Rosie’s Sweat Box was manned by eleven different crews undertaking raids in Germany, France and Belgium. On her ''' 4th ''' mission to the German rocket manufacturing facilities at ''' Peenemunde ''' on 18th July 1944. Col. Rogener as Air Commander, led the entire 1st Air Division, providing the Lead and Low Boxes of the 94th Combat Wing "A" formation. Within this  Rosie's Sweat Box, 2nd Lt. McClung, acted as lead navigator within the Low Box Formation. The weather was clear and, as a result, visual bombing resulted in excellent results. Following the ''' 9th ''' mission to the synthetic oil production facilities at ''' Merseburg ''' on the 29th July 1944, bombardier Sgt Kilgour reported a problem with the bomb release. Following the ''' 10th ''' mission to ''' Strasbourg ''' Rosie's Sweat Box suffered flak damage to the right wing and tail section. Although no enemy aircraft or flak was encountered over the target, it was reported that the Group had experienced some flak over Aachen on their return from the Strasbourg mission with seven ships reporting battle damage (one of them Rosie's Sweat Box). Flak was always a cause for concern. Comments within the Operation Day report following the ''' 17th '''mission to the airdrome and bomber assembly plant at ''' Schkeutidz ''' on the 16th August 1944 reported both the pilot and navigator criticising the route chosen by the wing leader in the target area stating that navigation could have been better from the flak point of view. 

==== Final Mission ====

''' Siegfried Line fortifications and artillery at Groesbeck 9th September 1944 '''  
During take-off, Rosie's Sweatbox, piloted by Lt. F. E. Cook, failed to clear the hedge at the end of the main runway and crashed onto the Weldon road about 750 yards off the end of the runway at 0606 hours. Despite the devastating explosion of fragmentation bombs and aircraft fuel, the tail gunner, Cpl. W. J. Ambrogetti, was still alive when emergency crews arrived. Unfortunately, he died later that day. All of his crew-mates were killed instantly. The final crew members were :-

<table>
<tr style='vertical-align: top;'>
  <td>
   [p0201.aspx|2nd Lt Francis E. Cooke] Pilot: Killed in action on his 2nd mission;{br} 
   [p2337.aspx|2nd Lt Paul H. Clark] Co-pilot: Killed in action on his 1st mission;{br}  
   [p2338.aspx|2nd Lt C.R. Werner] Navigator: Killed in action on his 2nd mission; {br}
   [p2339.aspx|2nd Lt Frank W. Jorgensen] Bombardier: Killed in action on his 2nd mission; {br} 
   [p2340.aspx|Cpl William E. Weston] Radio Operator: Killed in action on his 2nd mission;{br}
   [p2341.aspx|Cpl Wilford M. Dahlin] Engineer / Top Turret: Killed in action on his 2nd mission;{br}
   [p2342.aspx|Sgt Joseph L. Page Jr.] Ball Turret Gunner: Killed in action on his 30th mission;{br}
   [p2343.aspx|Cpl Walter J. Ambrogetti] Tail Gunner: Killed in action on his 2nd mission;{br}
   [p2344.aspx|Cpl John R. Browning] Waist Gunner: Killed in action on his 2nd mission.{br}{br}
  </td>
  <td>
    {s:AlbumImage|{UP(a097872)}097872-00.jpg|Crash of 872 'Rosie's Sweat Box' just outside the gate on the Weldon Road|}
    {s:AlbumImage|{UP(a097872)}097872-01.jpg|Wreckage from 'Rosie's Sweat Box' strewn across ploughed field|}
    {s:AlbumImage|{UP(a097872)}097872-02.jpg|Remains of an engine from 'Rosie's Sweat Box'|}
    {s:AlbumImage|{UP(a097872)}CrewJacket.jpg|Crew Jacket|Worn by Rosie's assigned crew.}
  </td>
  </tr>
</table>

=== Remembering Rosie ===

A small memorial exists to remember Rosie and her Crew. It is maintained by the 401st Historical Society and is located on the south side of Oundle Rd, a few hundred yards west of the entrance to the flying club.

{s:AlbumImage|{UP(a097872)}RSBM09.jpg|Rosie's Sweatbox Memorial|Remembering the crew of Rosie's Sweatbox.|height: 300px; float: left; margin: 8px;}

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Modified on 2024/02/01 23:55 by Administrator Categorized as Aircraft, Combat