[spud]

Important air activity over Ballale:


February 15, 1944
(USN) Ens George Keller, flying a single TBF flying from Guadalcanal
over flies Ballale area and is hit by heavy antiaircraft fire, damaging the
plane, and the supply of beer and liquor it's carrying back to Piva strip
for men of VF-17. Hydraulic system was shot out, requiring him to fly with
the gear down by successfully landed at Torokina, but all the alcohol had been
destroyed in the bomb bay. Ballale was dubbed 'Ballale Postgraduate School
for Frustrated Anti-Aircraft gunners.'



Oh, the humanity!

tater