Concentrated attacks continued on enemy airfields located within fighter range of the

Transcription

1 303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No June 1944 Target: Airdrome at Cambrai/Epinoy, France Crews Dispatched: 39 Crews Lost: Lt. Eisele, 9 KIA, 1 OW Length of Mission: 4 hours, 30 minutes Bomb Load: 250 lb G.. & 100 lb G.. bombs Bombing Altitudes: 21,900 ft, 21,800 ft & 22,500 ft Ammo Fired: 0 rounds Concentrated attacks continued on enemy airfields located within fighter range of the invasion area. One aircraft returned early when the pilot reported high oil temperature on the No. 2 engine # (No Name), 358BS (Lt. Davis). No enemy aircraft attacked and only a few friendly fighters were spotted. Flak was moderate with accurate flak encountered in the target area. Chaff had little effect. ORIGINAL Y EISELE CREW - 360th BS (crew assigned 360BS: 25 Feb 1944) (Back) 1Lt Roy Eisele (-KIA), 2Lt Louis F. Girard (-KIA), 2Lt Murray Schenker (N-KIA), 2Lt Melvin Gladstone (B-KIA) (Front) T/Sgt Louis M. Cowley (E-KIA), S/Sgt Ralph Millard (R-KIA), Sgt Efrain Longoria (-KIA), S/Sgt Richard L. Bell (R-KIA), T/Sgt Joseph A. Czerwonka (L), S/Sgt Edward J. Vallee (-OW) (crewmen are not in order) Aircraft # (No Name), 360BS, piloted by 1Lt. Roy Eisele, flying in the No. 2 position, high element, high Group, was hit by flak between the No. 2 engine and fuselage, approximately one minute before "bombs away." Another burst hit directly in the bomb bay and the entire B-17 burst into flames, nosed down sharply, broke in half near the bomb bay door and lost its left wing. Crewmen in other aircraft spotted it until Mission 178-1

2 approximately 1,000 feet altitude near Cambrai, France. No parachutes were seen. Lt. Eisele, 2Lt. Louis F. Girard, Jr., 2Lt. Murray Schenker, 2Lt. Melvin Gladstone, T/Sgt. Louis M. Cowley, T/Sgt. Ralph Millard, S/Sgt. Efrain Longoria, S/Sgt. Szymon A. Friedman and S/Sgt. Richard L. Bell were killed in the crash. Lt. Eisele, Lt. Girard, Lt. Schenker, Lt. Gladstone, T/Sgt. Millard, S/Sgt. Friedman and S/Sgt. Bell are buried in Normandy American Normandy American Cemetery Cemetery near Coleville-sur-Mer, France. Tail Gunner S/Sgt. Edward J. Vallee was captured and taken prisoner. Thirty-four Group aircraft bombed from 21,900, 21,800 and 22,500 feet, with unlimited visibility and only a few scattered clouds. The lead Group dropped lb. G.. M57 bombs about 1,500 feet A. Most went into the fields. The high Group dropped lb. fragmentation AN M41 bombs that hit the dispersal areas with possible damage to five revetments. The low Group dropped lb. G.. M30 bombs. While checking the bombsight synchronization, Lt. Col. Lyle, flying his second mission as a bombardier, noted that his bombs fell about five miles short of the target with premature release. REST & RECREATION TRIS TO LONDON from the Journal of Stanley Claster From June 9-12 the Arnold crew had their first of several breaks from combat missions long enough to make a trip to London. Like other crews, the team would receive three-day passes that would allow for two nights in the city. The trip from Molesworth to London took only about two hours by train. Everyone wanted to stay on low floors of solid hotels because of the German V-1 flying bomb attacks that were regularly destroying portions of the city. Hotel receipts indicate Stanley Claster favored the mammoth Cumberland Hotel near Marble Arch where he stayed three times. During the June visit, Claster stayed at the ark Lane Hotel located in iccadilly. The officers shared rooms among themselves as did the enlisted men. Military regulations prohibited officers and enlisted men from sharing the same quarters, even on leave. Claster and ilot William Arnold roomed together at the Cumberland on August 5 and 6, just after the crew completed their last mission. John Surrell and Ralph Lichtenwalter stayed at Hamilton House several times until their last visit when it had been destroyed by German bombs. The crew members saw the sights, went shopping, and enjoyed the social life of wartime London, including dates with local girls. Stanley Claster described one busy visit in a July 13 letter to his parents: "I arrived in town around noon after getting a room at one of the better hotels and buying some stuff at the Officers X. I met my friend [girl-friend] later in the afternoon. We went to several of the better bars in town and then to a very nice place for dinner. The place we went had music and dancing also, and it's about the best place I've seen around town. As my friend lives out in the suburbs, we had to leave around 10 to make her train. The next day I went uptown early and got a haircut and a new hat. Then I met my friend for lunch. After lunch I went to a movie which I enjoyed very much because Jimmy Durante was in it. After the movie, I met my friend again and went out again, notably to the Savoy and Dorchester bars. All in all had a swell time and enjoyed it very much." Mission 178-2

3 Aircraft Formation at Assembly oint - Group A J.W. Watson-Stevens 453 Way Davis Baker Ellsworth Miller Rosser McMillan Bartholomew J.. Watson 680 Latshaw H. Johnson Vaughn Spare rincess at # (358BS) VK-J 41st CBW-A Lead (358BS) - ilot Capt J.W. Watson / Coilot Col K.D. Stevens (Back L-R) Capt C.C. Armstrong (B), Capt J.W. Watson (), Col K.D. Stevens (), 2Lt W.E. Krouskup (N), Capt H.H. Steely (N) (Front - not in order) T/Sgt R.W. Hoffman (E), S/Sgt H.A. Daniel (), S/Sgt E.R. Lesser (R), S/Sgt T.R. Czeczotka (), S/Sgt R.G. McArthur (), T/Sgt F.H. Stender () Mission 178-3

4 Aircraft Formation at Assembly oint - Group B Heller-Edwards 484 Crozier Moreman Moser Spindler Meier Morgan Brown Eisele Tulloss 781 Thompson Daum Fackler Spare Aircraft Formation at Assembly oint - Group C Sheets-Jones 311 C. Johnson Means Bastean O'Beirne Lehmann Flick arker Long Mitchell 411 Savage Gallagher Ligino 200 CREW OSITIONS CM - Command ilot - ilot - Co-ilot - Navigator ANV - Ass't. Navigator MNV - Mickey Navigator - Engineer - Bombardier - Radio Operator TOG - Togglier - Ball Turret Operator - Top Turret Operator - Tail Gunner NG - Nose Gunner RG - Radio Gunner - Waist Gunner L - Left Waist Gunner R - Right Waist Gunner GUN - Gunner KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS VI - Voice Interpreter OBS - Observer AS - assenger HO - hotographer RESULTS OF MISSION KIA - Killed in action WIA - Wounded in action MIA - Missing in action OW - risoner of war DOW - Died of wounds EVD - Evaded the enemy INT - Interned in neu cntry RE - Repatriated RES - Rescued ESC - Escaped BO - Bailed out DCH - Ditched CR-L - Crashed on land CR-S - Crashed at sea Mission 178-4

5 358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists B-17G # My Blonde Baby Latshaw, William E., 2Lt Kirkland, Robert A., F/O Ivy, Wallis S., 2Lt Doan, Curtis E., 2Lt ickens, Donald E., S/Sgt R Murphy, Joseph A., Sgt Tidwell, Andrew W., S/Sgt Hedrick, Warren L., Sgt Ginn, William E., Sgt L Miller, Horace J., Sgt L B-17G # (No Name) Watson, John., 2Lt Neely, Glenn H., 2Lt Coe, Charles F., 2Lt Borg, John E., 2Lt Kapes, aul J., S/Sgt White, John H., S/Sgt Hollifield, Robert G., Sgt Goldfarb, Wallace, Sgt Cummings, James E., Sgt Byerly, William C., Sgt R R B-17G # (No Name) Way, Henry G., 1Lt Raese, Warren G., 2Lt Sigurdson, Elden A., 2Lt Bell, Julian., 2Lt Lynam, Stanley A., S/Sgt aolino, Vincent C., Sgt May, James G., S/Sgt Meredith, Garland T., S/Sgt arks, Robert E., Sgt Manning, Robert L., Sgt B-17G # The Floose Baker, John M., 2Lt Hudson, Hendric S., 2Lt Contos, Spiros., 2Lt Belles, Frank G., 2Lt Kishbaugh, Warren L., S/Sgt Reichman, Fred., Sgt Cottrell, Thomas B., Sgt Bertasso, Joseph S., Sgt eters, Archie D., Sgt arker, Stanton A., Sgt B-17G # ugnacious eter Miller, Campbell, 2Lt Morningstar, Thomas H., 2Lt Kinder, Richard O., 2Lt Dooley, Bernard D., 2Lt Schutz, Ted J., S/Sgt L Schuster, Robert G., Sgt Hartman, Fred G., S/Sgt Casillas, Bart M., Sgt Grob, John H., Sgt R Bruno, hilip, Sgt B-17G # (No Name) Vaughn, Clifford F., 2Lt Moody, James D., 2Lt Hamm, Williard A., 2Lt Ney, Russell L., F/O Rodgers, John E., S/Sgt L Wagner, William H., Sgt Kustic, Mark S., S/Sgt R Mikola, Robert, Sgt Jones, John, Sgt Lappo, Teddy, Sgt (Spare - Returned) Mission 178-5

6 358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd. B-17G # Mairzy Doats Johnson, Harlan J., 2Lt Wright, Charles E., 2Lt Hamilton, Bruce B., 2Lt Oyler, William B., F/O Braun, Duane M., S/Sgt R Stidham, Robert L., Sgt Berrier, Edwin H., S/Sgt Buddingh, Frederick, Sgt George, William R., Sgt L Ciglar, Joseph, Sgt B-17G # rincess at Watson, Jack W., Capt Stevens, Kermit D., Col Krouskup, Wayne E., 2Lt Steely, Hobert H., Capt Armstrong, Charles C., Capt Hoffman, Robert W., T/Sgt R McArthur, Robert G., S/Sgt Lesser, Edward R., S/Sgt Czeczotka, Theodore R., S/Sgt Stender, Francis H., T/Sgt L Daniel, Herbert A., S/Sgt B-17G # Neva-The Silver Lady Rosser, Samuel E., 2Lt Helms, John R., 2Lt Wyner, Maxwell I., 2Lt Morris, Warren B., 2Lt O'Leary, James M., S/Sgt L Foster, William D., Sgt Rowe, Ollice Z., S/Sgt R utney, Norman W., Sgt Severson, Jack O., Jr., Sgt ressentin, Robert H., Sgt B-17G # (No Name) Davis, William C., 2Lt Graham, Edward, Jr., 2Lt Connor, John., 2Lt Alderson, Raleigh L., 2Lt Johnson, Walter K., S/Sgt Sandler, David L., S/Sgt Clarke, Kenneth, Sgt Hiland, Robert L., Sgt R Roseland, Ralph A., Sgt L Rogers, Joseph S., Sgt (Abortive) Mission 178-6

7 359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists B-17G # The '8' Ball MK III Tulloss, John W., 1Lt London, Walter H., Jr., 2Lt Hollingsworth, William, 2Lt Grove, Terril M., 1Lt Robinson, Charles R., T/Sgt Hanson, Robert W., S/Sgt Wernet, Charles E., vt O'Connor, Julian J., Sgt L Richard, John, Sgt. R Kolenda, Frank M., S/Sgt B-17G # Special Delivery Thompson, Lawrence C., Capt Johnson, Richard O., 2Lt Young, Warren I., F/O Champ, William J., 2Lt Hammons, Charles G., S/Sgt Hamann, Delos, H., S/Sgt Stephan, Kenneth R., S/Sgt Held, Armin C., S/Sgt Lemley, Jack A., S/Sgt Christensen, Lars, S/Sgt B-17G # Ain't Misbehavin Meier, Russell W., 1Lt Batton, James H., 2Lt O'Neill, Owen H., 2Lt TOG Kolling, Arthur J., T/Sgt Danford, Emmett J., T/Sgt Connors, Joseph Q., T/Sgt L Titsworth, William E., S/Sgt Richard, Vernon, S/Sgt Butler, Ashley A., S/Sgt R Colley, Smith, K., S/Sgt B-17G # Old Black Magic Morgan, William D., 2Lt arker, John W., 2Lt Wodinsky, Abraham, 2Lt Destito, Frank S., 2Lt Hayes, Theron M., S/Sgt Stemmle, Edward C, S/Sgt Lloyd, Stanley W., Sgt Carperton, James R., Sgt L Gross, James J., Sgt R Wolfe, Ralph E., Sgt TOG L R B-17G # Marie Daum, Maurice C., 2Lt Reed, John W., 2Lt Smith, Gordon F., 2Lt Meier, Wayne E., S/Sgt Matthews, Fred T., S/Sgt Greenhalgh, Chester, T/Sgt Salmon, Earl D., S/Sgt Strobel, William A., S/Sgt Murphy, Carl B., T/Sgt Johnston, Jesse W., vt B-17G # Queen of Hearts Moreman, Robert, 2Lt Quiggle, Robert D., 2Lt Nielsen, Carl V., 2Lt Coty, Richard T., 2Lt Genovese, Elic V., S/Sgt R Cappucci, Joseph R., Sgt Barnts, Warren E., S/Sgt L Alexander, Ray, Sgt Smith, Richard L., Sgt Leonard, Joseph F., Sgt Mission 178-7

8 359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd. B-17G # Daddy's Delight Crozier, Harry J., 2Lt Mowrey, aul M., 2Lt Kennedy, Clyde R., 2Lt McCoy, Charles W., 2Lt assenant, Robert J., S/Sgt Hoyt, Robert B., S/Sgt Jara, Felix M., Sgt Stumpff, George W., Sgt L ayne, Charles R., Sgt R Butcher, Robert C., Sgt B-17G # Thunderbird Fackler, David E., 1Lt aton, Wallace L., 2Lt Andreason, Rolf W., 2Lt Campbell, Frank., 2Lt Schlottman, Jerome D., S/Sgt McLaughlin, William C., S/Sgt McIntyre, Harold W., S/Sgt ohlman, Wilbert F., S/Sgt L Brewer, Ray, S/Sgt (Spare - Returned) B-17G # Heller's Angel Heller, William C., Capt Edwards, Kenneth C., 1Lt Hogan, aul C., 2Lt Nance, George H., 2Lt Johnson, Kenneth V., T/Sgt Kennedy, Herbert W., T/Sgt Guzman, Abel G., S/Sgt Kowalk, Francis M., S/Sgt L Abernathy, Fay S., S/Sgt R Taylor, Burt W., S/Sgt B-17G # Duchess' Daughter Moser, Clinton A., 1Lt eterson, Edwin V., 2Lt Bates, Robert L., 2Lt Rawlings, Loren F., 2Lt Duffey, Willis A., Sgt Zionkoski, John T., S/Sgt arrish, Vernon, Sgt Seelock, Joseph J., Sgt Mays, earl E., T/Sgt Mission 178-8

9 360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists B-17G # Lucky Linda Brown, Leonard M., 2Lt Caldwell, Frederick J., 2Lt Edwards, Frank A., 2Lt Blythe, Robert W., Jr., 2Lt Jamison, Charles A., S/Sgt Libert, Irving, S/Sgt LaFranchi, Alfred D., Sgt Johnson, Francis D., Sgt Enget, Obert L., Sgt B-17G # Aloha Long, aul H., 2Lt Carlman, Harold L., Jr., 2Lt Vell, Ona L., 2Lt Beasley, Edward E., 2Lt Mours, John D., S/Sgt Habich, Arthur L., S/Sgt Flammia, Joseph E., S/Sgt Olson, Keith R., Sgt Abbott, Wesley C., Sgt B-17G # (No Name) Eisele, Roy, 1Lt KIA Girard, Louis F., Jr., 2Lt KIA Schenker, Murray, 2Lt KIA Gladstone, Melvin, 2Lt KIA Cowley, Louis M., T/Sgt KIA Millard, Ralph, S/Sgt KIA L Friedman, Szymon A., S/Sgt KIA Longoria, Efrain, Sgt KIA Vallee, Edward J., S/Sgt OW R Bell, Richard L., S/Sgt KIA R L B-17G # Temptress Bartholomew, Dale E., 2Lt Ross, James A., 2Lt Blume, William H., III, 2Lt Andreason, Joseph G., 2Lt Litwiller, Harold D., S/Sgt Allard, Charles G., S/Sgt Smith, Victor H., S/Sgt Blackwell, Haywood E., Jr., Sgt Lowe, Ralph R., Sgt DeBartolo, Albert L., Sgt B-17G # (No Name) arker, John T., 2Lt Anderson, John G., 2Lt Lacey, Norman R., 2Lt ence, Granville A., 2Lt Wall, Claudia W., S/Sgt Grace, Charles, Jr., S/Sgt Rhyne, Samuel A., Sgt Szczudlo, Joseph W., Sgt Fox, John L., Sgt B-17G # Miss Liberty Spindler, Benjamin L., 1Lt Doughty, Gordon R., 2Lt Caffrey, James J., F/O roud, Rexford I., 2Lt feffer, William W., S/Sgt Uhl, Willard H., S/Sgt McKinnon, Neil W., S/Sgt etrie, Joe D., S/Sgt Fambry, Lewis F., S/Sgt Mission 178-9

10 360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd. B-17G # Miss Umbriago O'Beirne, Nelson B., 1Lt Duffield, Richard B., 2Lt Shipp, Gene K., 1Lt Clark, Fred T., 1Lt Henselman, Miles A., S/Sgt Blumberg, Marvin R., S/Sgt Faraone, Sam S., S/Sgt Studt, Allo L., S/Sgt R Rogers, Winford E., S/Sgt L Cammack, Francis C., S/Sgt B-17G # (No Name) Ellsworth, aul R., 1Lt Tellinghuisen, Oscar A., 2Lt Roche, William J., 2Lt Moul, John D., 2Lt Kuczewski, William J., T/Sgt Tibbetts, Arthur., T/Sgt Weaver, Thomas E., S/Sgt Elmore, Kenneth L., S/Sgt Britt, Jack E., S/Sgt B-17G # Banshee McMillan, Murdock B., 1Lt olezoes, Stanley, 2Lt Shaw, Marvin E., 2Lt Cascio, Guiseppe, 1Lt Herr, Allen H., Sgt Balcombe, Clayton S., T/Sgt Karp, Harold, Sgt Cain, Leroy H., Sgt Cox, James D., Sgt Mission

11 427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists B-17G # Jigger Rooche Lehmann, Elroy C., 2Lt Heil, Lee C., 2Lt Gast, William J., 2Lt Miller, Charles F., 2Lt Sydor, Joseph, S/Sgt Koon, Bennie, Sgt Kelley, James D., S/Sgt Ruhge, Wayne L., Sgt Baker, Russell W., Sgt B-17G # Little Tush Bastean, Stephen B., 2Lt Wallace, Walstein W., 2Lt Thurmon, John A., 2Lt Coughlin, George A., 2Lt Korpi, Walfred J., Sgt Wiley, Nathan H., S/Sgt DuBray, Ernest D., S/Sgt Campbell, Kenneth H., S/Sgt Miller, Norman L., S/Sgt B-17G # Betty Jane Gallagher, John W., Jr., 2Lt Bitel, eter, 2Lt Hibbard, Troy W., 2Lt Tow, Weyman J., 2Lt Lynn, William V., Sgt Kail, Nicholas F., Sgt Glass, David, S/Sgt Jacques, Warren, Sgt Soltero, John, Sgt B-17G # Sweet Rose O'Grady Means, Wilford T., 2Lt Luther, Joseph., 2Lt Sumbur, Simon, 2Lt Keese, Thomas R., 2Lt ayne, Joseph E., S/Sgt Miller, Robert L., Sgt May, J.H., S/Sgt Turner, James W., Sgt Burr, erry H., Sgt B-17G # (No Name) Johnson, Charles E., Jr., 2Lt Gable, Richard E., 2Lt ero, Aloyius R., 2Lt Dombrowski, Alexander, 2Lt Hollritt, Alfred K., Sgt Yonge, Walter C., Sgt Alston, Madison I., T/Sgt Conlan, Thomas J., Sgt Gude, Richard C., Sgt B-17G # Old 99 Savage, Gilbert T., 1Lt Schwolow, John C., 2Lt Raizman, A.I., 2Lt Landry, Robert J., 1Lt Jefferson, Arthur G., S/Sgt Holt, Richard R., Sgt Reed, John H., S/Sgt Stover, Edward J., Sgt Layton, Wilber A., Sgt Mission

12 427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd. R B-17G # (No Name) Flick, Chester E., 2Lt McCall, Robert S., 2Lt Curley, Walter A., 2Lt Wright, Edgar A., S/Sgt Forry, Harvey W., S/Sgt Abeyta, J. Charles, S/Sgt Eberly, Charles., S/Sgt Brock, Charley F., Sgt Wilson, Robert J., Sgt B-17G # Miss Lace Mitchell, Fred E., 1Lt Ferguson, Gilbert L., 2Lt Rafferty, Henry E., Jr., 2Lt Isaac, Kenneth W., 2Lt Cavagnol, Joseph J., S/Sgt Landa, Hyman J., Sgt arr, Joe A., S/Sgt Byers, William R., S/Sgt Carpenter, Robert R., Sgt B-17G # Shoo Shoo Baby Sheets, Robert W., Capt Jones, Wilbur H., 1Lt Olsen, Kenneth L., 1Lt Lyle, Lewis E., LtCol Neuner, Francis X., T/Sgt King, Earl J., S/Sgt aul, Samuel D., S/Sgt Byers, Ballard T., 2Lt Donnelly, James F., S/Sgt B-17G # Old Crow Ligino, Steve, 1Lt Tyler, Frederick B., 2Lt Smith, Arthur M., 2Lt Dugger, William A., 2Lt Rau, Harvey L., S/Sgt Howard, George R., Sgt Dahms, Edward R., S/Sgt Dudley, Howard E., Sgt L Muzyka, Myron M., Sgt (Spare - Returned) Mission