Cause of Death: |
Killed in action, North American F-51 Mustang #330. Lt M. H. Rorke was one of three pilots preparing to take off from K-16 on their third mission of the day, their target being a well camouflaged supply dump near Singye. During his take of run, Lt Rorke's aircraft became airborne three quarters down the runway, but failed to climb higher than approximately 10 feet, and swung slowly towards a stranded B29 bomber at the end of the runway. As the Mustang's left wing began to drop, Lt Rorke jettisoned his napalm tanks, possibly in a last attempt to avoid disaster, but crashed into the B29 and the exploding napalm engulfed both aircraft. |
