The Story of the US Pilot Who Turned A Plane Into a Flying Tank During WW2

In the late summer of 1944, American pilot Charles Carpenter, stationed in France during World War II, heard a rumor. Fellow pilots had begun adding weapons to their small, unarmed planes to support troops on the ground. Inspired by this idea, Carpenter decided to take it further. He sought permission from his commanders to add two M1A1 bazookas to the sides of his aircraft, a Piper L-4 Grasshopper. After testing, he added four more bazookas, bringing the total to six. Carpenter painted the name “Rosie the Rocketer” on his plane, honoring the women who worked in American factories during the war. This would be the start of Carpenter’s bold and unusual combat missions.

Turning a Reconnaissance Plane into a Tank Destroyer

The L-4 Grasshopper was never intended for combat. Its primary use was to scout enemy positions and help artillery units aim their weapons. However, Carpenter saw a new use for the small plane. With the added bazookas, he could attack enemy tanks, a task usually reserved for more heavily armed aircraft. The M1A1 bazookas were capable of penetrating three inches of armor, enough to disable a German Tiger tank if fired from the right angle. Since German tanks had thicker armor in the front but thinner armor on top, Carpenter aimed for this vulnerable area.

Carpenter’s tactics were risky and required precise flying. He would dive down at an angle, fire his rockets, and quickly climb back up before the enemy could respond. No one expected an unarmed reconnaissance plane to attack tanks, so his approach often took the Germans by surprise. Carpenter’s bold moves earned him the nickname “Bazooka Charlie.”

One day, during a battle near the town of Lorient, a German armored column was advancing on American troops. With no air support available due to heavy fog, it seemed like the American soldiers were trapped. But as the fog cleared, they heard a plane approaching. It wasn’t a bomber or fighter, but an L-4 Grasshopper, Carpenter’s “Rosie the Rocketer.” Carpenter swooped down, launching his bazookas at the German tanks, disabling several vehicles and halting the enemy advance. The American soldiers were saved by a plane that was never meant for battle.

The Teacher Who Transformed into a WWII Innovator

Charles Carpenter was born in 1912 in Illinois. Before the war, he was a high school history teacher. Like many Americans, Carpenter enlisted in the army after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and trained as a reconnaissance pilot. Carpenter was assigned to General Patton’s 3rd Army, where he flew scouting missions for artillery units. He enjoyed the work but soon grew restless. Carpenter wanted a more direct role in the fight against the Germans, which led him to modify his aircraft with bazookas.

The Piper L-4 Grasshopper was a light, simple airplane. Originally designed as a civilian aircraft, it was used by the military for observation and artillery spotting. The L-4 had no armor or weapons and was incredibly light, weighing just over 1,000 pounds. It was designed for low-altitude flying and could cruise at speeds of around 80 miles per hour. Though not built for combat, its small size and slow speed allowed pilots to fly close to the ground and remain in the air for extended periods.

During the summer of 1944, Carpenter was stationed with the 4th Armored Division in France. He began to hear stories of other pilots attaching weapons to their L-4s. Encouraged by this idea, Carpenter obtained permission to try it himself. After several successful test flights, Carpenter equipped his plane with six bazookas. On each flight, he could fire one or all of them using a switch in the cockpit. The name “Rosie the Rocketer” painted on the side of his plane was a nod to the women who built many of the war’s planes and weapons.

The Daring Tactics of Bazooka Charlie

Carpenter’s use of the L-4 as a weapon was unusual and daring. He didn’t wait for enemy tanks to reach his lines. Instead, he would fly ahead of American troops and attack German tanks from above. By flying low and fast, he could avoid German anti-aircraft fire and launch rockets at the vulnerable tops of the tanks. Carpenter’s actions helped disrupt German advances on several occasions.

Carpenter’s boldness quickly made him a legend among American troops. His attacks on German tanks were often the turning point in key battles, giving American forces the edge they needed. His success in the skies earned him the nickname “Bazooka Charlie” from the soldiers on the ground. The story of a history teacher turned pilot who attacked German tanks with a small, unarmed plane captured the imagination of both the military and the American public.

Carpenter didn’t just fly combat missions; he also became General John S. Wood’s personal pilot. Despite this new role, he continued his bazooka strikes whenever possible. His exploits became so well known that the Germans began to fire on any L-4 plane they saw, no longer viewing them as harmless reconnaissance planes.

Bazooka Charlie’s Pivotal Mission

One of Carpenter’s most famous missions took place in September 1944 during the Battle of Arracourt. Thick fog covered the battlefield, and German tanks launched a surprise attack on American forces. Air support wasn’t available due to the weather, leaving the American soldiers vulnerable. However, when the fog cleared, Carpenter flew in, launching his rockets at the advancing German tanks. His attack helped halt the German offensive and gave the American forces time to regroup.

Throughout the war, Carpenter continued to fly dangerous missions, even after the Germans became aware of his tactics. He was promoted to Major for his bravery and resourcefulness. By the end of the war, “Bazooka Charlie” had destroyed or disabled several tanks and armored vehicles, becoming a hero in the eyes of his fellow soldiers. After the war, he returned to the United States and resumed his teaching career. But his legend as the pilot who turned a simple plane into a flying tank lived on.