James  W.  Bolger

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Richard  A.  Boykin

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

Joseph  R.  Bumbicka

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

James  H.  Clements

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Elmer  F.  Hagner jr

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Claude  D.  Horner

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Wade  W.  Huggins

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Joseph  C.  Kodaj

42-7642

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Carl  C.  Shook

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Marion  J.  Tiemerier

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

42-7642

Sergeant

Rear Hatch Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 2/24/44 It was a very successful mission to Gotha, Germany today as the 44th led the 14th Combat Wing, with 37 aircraft (8 of them 67 but one aborted). Take-off was at 0800 hours with a bomb load of 52 x 100 incendiaries and return to base was at 1555. Bombing was excellent. Sgt. Kipnes reported that "Enemy fighters were with us all the way into and out of the target. We fought off at least 40 fighters. Attacking planes were Me-109s and FW 190s. But our formation was tight and few fighters could break through. One half hour after bombs away we picked up our escort of P-47s - what a lovely sight they were to see. They brought us back safely to our base. Bombing altitude was 20,500 ft." The Group lost two planes to these concentrated fighter attacks - 66th A/C #41-29148 B piloted by 2nd Lt. H.E. Etheridge and 68th's A/C #41-24225 T, famous "Flak Alley", piloted by 2nd Lt. P.W. Bell. Thirteen men from the two ships became POWs.

Albert  N.  Dambacher

42-73506

Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

George  W.  Reed

42-73506

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Leroy  M.  Williamson

42-73506

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

William  J.  Mulholland

42-73506

Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Donald  L.  Young

42-73506

Staff Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Guy  W.  Johnson

42-73506

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot

Robert  W.  Kessler

42-73506

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

Martin  R.  Goldman

42-73506

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Paul  (NMI)  Manak

42-73506

Staff Sergeant

Bombardier

Wilbur  P.  Randall

42-73506

Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 2/25/44 Another very successful raid today - this time to Furth Germany. 33 planes took off at 0900 (9 of them 67th) with the 44th leading the Division in a 506th plane piloted by Lt. Saylor and Lt. Col. Dexter L. Hodge flying as Command Pilot. Bomb load was 500 lb GPs and bombing altitude of 18,000 ft in clear weather over Germany. No fighters, but plenty of flak. The worst flak and most accurate was over Karlsruhe. However, on the return to England, poor visibility caused problems, with several ships landing at other fields low on gasoline. A 67th A/C Impatient Virgin #41-29231 J was forced to crash-land at Lympne at 1630 hours after eight of the crew had bailed out. The pilot and co-pilot then landed with considerable damage to the plane. One enlisted man suffered injuries from parachuting. But for one 67th crew, Lt. Hill and most of his crew this was number 25 - their combat tour was over! Prior to landing, Lt. Hill buzzed a base perimeter strip with full power and at an altitude too low to estimate. He then climbed at a steep angle, rocked the wings and put the plane through a modified chandelle, the resultant G-force made my body feel as if it were filled with cement instead of thin, scared blood. These words are from Sgt. D.V. Chase. Lt. Fenn transferred in from the 68th Squadron. 2nd Lt. Lacombe (Raymond J.) was promoted to 1st Lt.

Neil  M.  Hills

42-100107

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Carlton  R.  Horne

42-100107

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot

Martin  (NMI)  Bachrach

42-100107

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

Frank  J.  Juskowski

42-100107

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

42-100107

Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Robert  C.  Freeland

42-100107

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Adeland  C.  Beauchene

42-100107

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Joseph  C.  Kodaj

42-100107

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

George  T.  Duquette

42-100107

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Herbert  J.  Wilson

42-100107

Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Mission Comments

UMS 3/3/44 Again bad weather intervened with our intended plans for blows against the Reich. Oranienburg was the Primary, with Berlin the secondary when our eight planes accompanied the 44th, taking off at 0810 hours. The formation was forced to return due to the very severe weather conditions that grew steadily worse as the North Sea was crossed. There were no bombs dropped nor any enemy encounters.

James  W.  Bolger

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Richard  A.  Boykin

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

Joseph  R.  Bumbicka

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

James  H.  Clements

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Elmer  F.  Hagner jr

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Claude  D.  Horner

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Wade  W.  Huggins

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Joseph  C.  Kodaj

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

William  J.  Mulholland

42-7642

Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Carl  C.  Shook

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Marion  J.  Tiemerier

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Mission Comments

UMS 3/6/44 BERLIN. For the "Big B", in airman's lingo, was the target for today. Specifically, the target was the Ernest Heinkel Assembly Plant at Genshagen, located on the southern outskirts of Berlin. (Lead Bombardier Lt. Carvour remembers the target to be Luckenwalde). The secondary target was the famed Templehof Airdrome near Berlin. Ground fog at take-off time caused some difficulty, but the 67th put up eight aircraft, six of which completed a difficult assembly on time and the long trip.,began,. 0800 hours, bomb load of 12 x 500 lb GP. Sgt. Kipnes states, --Take-off at 0805 with Lt. Perry and crew. Just when we got into formation and we were ready to leave the English coast, out tail gunner had an acute appendix attack. Due to the high-altitude he was in terrible pain. Lt. Perry decided to abort and return to base. 'Just before landing I fired two yellow flares (yellow-yellow) which brought the ambulance to our plane just as we rolled to a stop at the head of the runway. While in flight I received a long Bomber Command message in code, changing our return route. - Landed at 1135 hours." Lt. Carvour, lead Bombardier, said that Col. Culbertson was the Command Pilot aboard his ship. They made two passed as the Primary but the heavy undercast prevented dropping bombs. So they turned the formation and headed for Berlin itself. Lt. Carvour lined up a target of opportunity along the river on the south western area, railway lines and industrial area which was visual as the remaining part of Berlin was still undercast. Just as the cross-hair indices was-about to occur, the Command Pilot yelled to abandon target and to hit the now visible Templehof Airdrome. But it was too late as the plane started its turn the bombing mechanism could not be stopped and out went the bombs. Accurate flak was encountered in the target area, but little damage was incurred by our planes. Enemy aircraft were seen but no dttacks were experienced by the 44th Group. Some of our planes dropped bombs on Templehof A/D as well. Templehof was hit with good results, Losses and claims were nil, but there was that feeling of being "over the hump" - the climax had been reached. The only really new and greater climax that could top this one was the INVASION. Although the 44th escaped unscathed, 16 B-24s from other Groups Plus 53 B-17S were lost this day. Ddajor Cameron resumed command of the Squadron.

James  W.  Bolger

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Richard  A.  Boykin

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

Joseph  R.  Bumbicka

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

James  H.  Clements

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Elmer  F.  Hagner jr

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Claude  D.  Horner

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Wade  W.  Huggins

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Joseph  C.  Kodaj

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

William  J.  Mulholland

42-7642

Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Carl  C.  Shook

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Marion  J.  Tiemerier

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 3/15/44 2nd Lt. Thom was promoted to 1st Lt. Five of the 67th aircraft departed this base with the Group at 0715 hours and returned at 1400 hours. In the meantime they had flown through 9/10th to 10/10th clouds to attack Bomber aircraft component factory at Primary and constructional engineering works both at Brunswick, Germany. Results were unobserved in the face of strong but ineffective attacks by the enemy aircraft. Our fighter support was excellent, which accounts for the "no losses" by the Squadron, but unfortunately the 66th lost one plane, "My Assam Dragon" #42-52332 and piloted by 1st Lt. D.R. Talbott. S/Sgt. H.C. Gasser states. "When we were shot down the FW 190s, came in from the low rear because our ball turret was up (it had been knocked out), so they shot us up pretty badly - setting it on fire. I was the waist gunner on the left side and I could see all the bullets coming into the fuselage on the right side. I had a flak suit on which probably saved my life. I could feel them hitting the suit and grazing my body. I was lucky I got out with only one in my leg below my-flak suit". The plane came down east of Zwolle in Holland. The 68th report that the flak was a fixed barrage of anti-aircraft fire that was encountered near the target. Though the results of the bombing was unobserved, the city itself was hit.

George  B.  Davis

42-100429

Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Maurice  L.  Dyer

42-100429

Lieutenant

Navigator

Wade  T.  Elliott

42-100429

Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

42-100429

Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Joseph  W.  Ray

42-100429

Lieutenant

Bombardier

Frederick  F.  Thompson

42-100429

Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Marvin  T.  Bolton

42-100429

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Henry  D.  Williams

42-100429

Staff Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Norbert  L.  Heger

42-100429

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

J.  W.  Grow

42-100429

Lieutenant

Pilot

Mission Comments

UMS 3/18/44 The mission today was to the Manzell Air Armaments at Friedrichshafen and it was a black letter day for the 44th Group. The entire Group lost eight aircraft, due primarily to enemy A/A fire Nearly all aircraft sustained damages that made it quite difficult for them to reach home base. The results of the bombing were quite good, with the Manzell FW 190 Components plant bearing the brunt of the 44th bombs that formed an excellent pattern on the assigned target. The seven 67th aircraft took off at 0930 hours with one returning early. Six were over the target, but only five returned to England. Four officers and seven of our enlisted men are MIA. Both enemy fighters and enemy flak were much stiffer than the previous mission brought forth. The enemy planes centered their attacks in the target area, with at least one of them being shot down by 68th's gunners. Of the eight planes lost this day, six of them landed in Switzerland, and the 67th plane was one of these, piloted by Lt. Lacombe. 66th A/C #42-7618 C piloted by 1st Lt. G.D. Telford - Interned 68th A/C #42-100112 Q piloted by 1st Lt. H.R. Nichols - MIA 68th A/C #42-109800 T piloted by 2nd Lt. E.N. Dyer - Interned 506th A/C #42-100400 Y piloted by 1st Lt. R.R. Lucas - Interned 506th A/C #41-29431 Q piloted by 2nd Lt. W.C. Irwin - Interned 506th A/c #41-29172 Y piloted by 1st Lt. R.C. Houghtby- MIA 506th A/C #42-52305 P piloted by 1st Lt. F.L. Albert - MIA ship named " I'll Be Back " 67th A/c #42-100073 H "Sack Artists" Lacombe, Raymond J. 1st Lt. Pilot Providence, R.I. Interned returned to duty later Tinney, Jack R. 1st Lt. Co-pilot Bowie, Texas Interned Byers, Edgar M. Jr. 1st Lt. Navigator Scottsdale, Penna. Interned Carvour, George W. 1st-Lt. Bombardier Mansfieldv Ohio Interned Cardenas Robert L. Captain Command P. San Diego, Calif. Interned Returned to duty later From 506th Sq. Now General. Charochak, Joseph T/Sgt. Radio Oper. San Antonio, Texas Interned; returned to duty later Higley, Glenn 0. T/Sgt. Engineer Gaylord, Michigan Interned Returned to duty later Looker, Rollin C. S/Sgt. Bell Gun Topeka, Kansas Interned Returned to duty 9th Nov 1944 Hedgelon, Robert P. S/Sgt. RW Gunner Honesdale, Penna. Interned Returned to duty 9th Nov 1944 Wallace, James G. S/Sgt. LW Gunner New York City, NY. Interned Returned to duty 9th Nov 1944 Flister, Henry 0. S/Sgt. Tail Turret Edgerton, Wisc. Interned Returned to duty 9th Nov 1944 Lt. Carvour relates that the formation made two passes at the target, the second pass allowed the anti-aircraft gunners to zero in when most of the planes were damaged. Capt. Cardenas said that the ship took a shell in the right wing, weakening it so much that it bent upwards, a dihedral of about 15 deg. The plane was so badly damaged and on fire so that after being over Switzerland all of the crew were forced to parachute. The plane exploded at so low an altitude that it seared off the top of some trees before crashing. Lt. Carvour said that the flak hits caused insulation to fly about in the nose of the ship looking for all the world like feathers. Lt. Tinney had wounds to his face, Sgt. Charochak was the first to bail out, but Lt. Carvour was first to land. Also on the above crew was: Laird, John C. Sgt. Nose Turret Decatur, Miss. Interned Returned to duty later. The Swiss Government must have felt they were being invaded this day with the arrival of six aircraft of the 44th BG. First, it was the arrival of A/C #42-100073 NB H crashing at Fehraltdorf. Secondly, was ship #42-100112 WQ-Q, a 68th plane, which landed at Dietschwil at 1505 hours. Third to appear was A/C #41-29431 GJ-Q, a 506th plane which landed at Dubendorf at 1518 hours. The next A/C to arrive was that of Lt Dyer of the 68th Squadron A/C-# 42-109800 WQ-T that landed at Dubendorf at 1520 hours. Following him four minutes later was 1st Lt. George D. Telford, 66th Squadron, flying aircraft #42-7618 QK-C. And last to arrive that day was 1st Lt. Robert R. Lucas in A/C #42-l0040O GJ-Y from the 506th Squadron. He, as well as Lt. Telford landed at Dubendorf, and his arrival time was 1538 hours. The Missing Air Crew Report for Lt. Lucas is a bit unusual and probably accounts for his being the last to land. It states in part, "Just after bombs away at 1446 hours this aircraft peeled off formation under control and started across Lake Constance for Switzerland. It then turned back towards Germany and was last seen going down at 1500 hours over Germany. A final recount of losses on this date: Of the eight aircraft that the Group lost this date, two went down over Germany with 13 of the 20 men becoming POWs. In the six planes that succeeded in landing on Swiss soil, all 62 men survived and several of them were successful in "escaping" and later returning to duty at Shipdham. As a mater of interest, the 44th Bomb Group had more aircraft land in Switzerland than any other organization. We had a total of nine. In addition to the six listed above, Lt. R.C. Griffith landed on 13 April, 1944 in A/C #42-100330 NB-L, from the 67th Sq; following him on 21 July 1944 was a double-featured event of Lts. Tofte and Anderson. Tofte piloted A/c #42-95226 WQ-C, landing at Dubendorf at 1129 hours, while Anderson flew A/C #42-110049 WQ-A. landing at Silberplatte at 1210 hours. On the March 6th raid on Berlin the aircraft that Sgt. Nutter was flying on experienced a malfunction of the bomb-racks which caused one lower 500 lb bomb not to release and the two bombs above it dropped and wedged themselves against the side of the bay. Sgt. Nutter bravely worked his way out of the catwalk and was successful in dislodging that log jam of 500 lb bombs. Had he not done so it would have been too dangerous to attempt a landing, and the ship probably would have had to be abandoned over the sea. For this courageous act, Sgt. Nutter was given the DFC.

Mission #: 109 For the 44th On 3/21/1944

City: Watten

Target: Military Installations

Country: France

Mission Comments

UMS 3/21/44 Major Cameron and Capt. Williams were transferred to Head quarters, 44th BG; Major Robert E. Kolliner assumed command of the Squadron; and Capt. Robert E. Felber joined, becoming the Squadron Operations Officer. Capt. Karl T. Grube was assigned and became Squadron Executive. The Pas-de-Calais area (Watten) was today's target with 6 of the 67th's planes going over and back safely. Bombing was by PFF system, as usual unobserved results. Only meager to moderate flak was met, with a few planes having minor damage. The 44th was one of three Groups to hit Watten. Sgt. Chase has appropriate response to this type of mission: "Some missions were of shorter duration and proved less difficult than others... But anytime anyone is shooting 88s and 110s at you, 'meager flak' is a term that can only be applied when the final shell explodes near your ship and your name is not on it.

Mission #: 115 For the 44th On 4/1/1944

City: Schaffhausen

Target: Switzerland River Front

Country: Germany

Mission Comments

UMS 4/1/44 The "Fool's Day" was an unfortunate day for the Group. A neutral country was accidentally bombed because of adverse weather conditions and navigational difficulties. Grafenhausen, Germany was the target for 25 of the Group's aircraft (6 were 67th) and nine planes did manage to hit this primary. Capt. Martin, 68th, was lead pilot of the Group, but the second element was that which bombed Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Neither flak or enemy aircraft were encountered on this mission, and our planes returned at 1415 hours. The 66th Squadron reports that the bombs falling on Switzerland fell in a wooded area about three miles southeast of the Swiss city; others appeared to hit along the river front, in the railway yards, a small factory district, and a few hits on a large plant across the river from the town. 4/2/44 No mission scheduled for today.

James  W.  Bolger

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Richard  A.  Boykin

42-7642

Lieutenant

Navigator

Joseph  R.  Bumbicka

42-7642

Lieutenant

Bombardier

James  H.  Clements

42-7642

Captain

Pilot

Elmer  F.  Hagner jr

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Claude  D.  Horner

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Wade  W.  Huggins

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Joseph  C.  Kodaj

42-7642

Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

William  J.  Mulholland

42-7642

Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Carl  C.  Shook

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Marion  J.  Tiemerier

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Sylvester  S.  Hunn

42-7642

Captain

Command Pilot

Mission Comments

UMS 4/11/44 For the third straight time fierce enemy opposition from the air and from the ground was experienced by the 44th Group on a mission to a Junkers aircraft assembly plant in Bernberg, Germany. Eight 67th A/C took off with the Group at 0730 hours but only three 67th reached the objective, bombed and returned at 1415 hours. Returning early included the crew of Lt. Mercer due to mechanical problems. Over the Zuider Zee and into Denmark the landing gear kept creeping down - then #1 and #4 turbos went out. Luckily, a P-47 pickup them up and escorted them all the way back to England. The target was hit by 240 x 23 lb fragmentation bombs per plane with good results. The Group claimed four enemy aircraft that made determined and aggressive attacks. T/Sgt. Dalton R. Burrier, S/Sgt. Rinaldo, T/Sgt. Erskin and S/Sgt. Kennedy were all credited with kills. Lt. Money & crew lost - 506th.

Raymond  A.  McCormick

41-29496

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

Carl     Tepe

41-29496

Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

B.  L.  Scudday

41-29496

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot

John  A.  Farrell

41-29496

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Paul  (NMI)  Richardson

41-29496

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

Anthony  J.  Venture

41-29496

Staff Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

41-29496

Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Lester  D.  Warren

41-29496

Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Joseph  E.  Wycheck

41-29496

Staff Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Coyle  J.  Acuff

41-29496

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 5/3/44 The Primary target for today was Wizernes, France, a constructional military works near the railhead, south of St. Omer. The 44th put up 24 aircraft, 8 of which were 67th's. Results of bombing were unobserved due to cloud cover, and the formation returned to base at 1715 hours. Meager but fairly accurate flak was encountered with the Group suffering Category "A" damages on fifteen aircraft.

John     Docktor

42-94975

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot

Walter  W.  Dunbar

42-94975

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

Kermit  R.  Faust

42-94975

Staff Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Clarence  W.  Goebel

42-94975

Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Charles     Heintz

42-94975

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Wayne  A.  Miller

42-94975

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

Wlater  G.  Wurzburger

42-94975

Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Howard  E.  Harper

42-94975

Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Thomas  N.  Ferrell

42-94975

Sergeant

Tail Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

42-94975

Unknown

Ball Turret Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 6/14/44 With very excellent results, Chateaudun Airfield, France, was hit by the 44th BG. Capt. Marcoulliers (68th) was Lead Pilot while Capt. Schmidt lead the second section of 12 planes from the 67th. There was no flak on the formation of 36 aircraft and enemy aircraft opposition was nil. All ships returned safely to base at 1015 hours after dropping their loads of 52 x 100 lb GPs. Another mission was set up for the afternoon, another airfield, but was scrubbed after the crews arrived at their planes. Operational tours completed: James H. Stephens (Canada), Henry C. Stewart of Columbus, Tenn., Clement J. Bartash, Newark, N.J. 2nd Lt. Butler relieved from assignment and assigned to 66th.

Wlater  G.  Wurzburger

42-95150

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Howard  E.  Harper

42-95150

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Thomas  N.  Ferrell

42-95150

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Kermit  R.  Foust

42-95150

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

42-95150

Staff Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

John     Docktor

42-95150

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot

Walter  W.  Dunbar

42-95150

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

Clarence  W.  Goebel

42-95150

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Charles     Heintz

42-95150

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Wayne  A.  Miller

42-95150

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

Mission Comments

(UMS) Creil, France, the site of a rail tunnel and a Marshalling Yard was the target for today. Six 67th, 7 68th and 3 506th aircraft departed this base at 1515 hours, all ships reached the target, completed mission and returned to base at 2100 hours. Bombing was accomplished on the G-H method and results were fair. The flak was intense and also accurate over the target with many of the 44th ships being hit. Three 68th's men were wounded by flak, and the 506th Squadron lost two planes: A/C #41-29496 G+ piloted by lst Lt. B.L. Scudday (3 men POW); and A/c #42-110082 piloted by Lt. T. Tucker, was the plane crash-landing at Manston, Kent on the return. Lt. Scudday's ship was hit by flak approximately 30 seconds before bombs away. One 68th plane piloted by Anderson crash-landed with no nose wheel. Fifteen ships were damaged by flak. On this day Lt. Trudeau completed his tour.

Percy  J.  Gaudin

42-100177

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Douglas  U.  Hobbs

42-100177

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Raymond  J.  Kovach

42-100177

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

James  P.  McKenna

42-100177

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Paul  J.  Greno

42-100177

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

William  L.Y.  Goo

42-100177

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

Vernon  W.  Foreseth

42-100177

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

Donald  R.  Miller

42-100177

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Stanley  W.  Sheldon

42-100177

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

42-100177

Sergeant

Unknown

Mission Comments

UMS 7/13/44 Today the Group attacked the very important rail and communication center at Saarbrucken, Germany with 29 aircraft. It is doubly important with the fact that our invading forces in Normandy call for heavy demand on this area by the Germans in their attempt to fight off our ground forces. The 67th had 7 A/C scheduled, but Lt. Herring did not take off due to instrument trouble. Again, Capt. Ugarte led the 44th in his PFF while the other five PFFs from the 66th provided leads to the 392nd, 489th, and one with the 491st but he did not bomb. Moderate inaccurate flak was encountered but no battle damage was sustained by the 67th crafts. The bombing run was PFF as 10/10th cloud cover prevalled and results were obscurred and unobserved. Winchester, Johnson and Whitted were assigned to 12th RCD.

William  A.  Gurt

42-50733

Staff Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

42-50733

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Thomas  L.  Smith

42-50733

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Floyd  E.  Stallsworth

42-50733

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

M.  J.  Stoefen

42-50733

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Charles  R.  Eccleston

42-50733

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Robert  E.  Ryan

42-50733

Staff Sergeant

Bombardier

Herbert  (NMI)  Walfish

42-50733

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

Charles     Cash

42-50733

Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Joseph  C.  Kodaj

42-50733

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Lawrence  -  Cantwell

42-50733

Staff Sergeant

Unknown

Mission Comments

UMS 8/8/44 La Perth Airfield at Romilly was hit with excellent results with 25 of the 44th planes, eight from the 67th and from the 506 each, 9 from the 68th - no PFFs. We bombed visually and carried loads of 52 x 100 M47s, results were excellent. Our fighters afforded excellent close support. However, the 506th Squadron lost one ship that went down shortly after the target with #1 and #4 engines out and #2 engine on fire. Crew observed to bail out approximately 60 miles east of Paris. The plane apparently on AFCE equipment as it continued in flight when last seen. All ten chutes were seen to open before we lost sight of it. (One POW while 9 returned to duty!). Three 68th planes had category "A" damage. 506th A/C #42-100415 1 "My Peach" Pilot-2nd Lt. B.J. Komasinski Another 506 aircraft was forced to return early due to engine failure. While in the traffic pattern and banking into a dead engine the ship suddenly spun in and crashed with a full load of bombs aboard. All 10 men aboard perished in the crash, fire and explosions. 506th A/c #42-50328 "Pregnant Peg" Pilot 2nd Lt. M.G. Jacobs Note: There is a question about correct name - "Flying Log" (both!) 1st Lt. Benadom assigned to 67th Squadron on the 6th. 1st Lt. Gatti was promoted to Capt. effective the 1st. 1st Lts. Brady and O'Niel promoted to Capt. on the 5th.

James  D.  Tolle

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Herbert  L.  Bayless

42-7642

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

William  J.  Mulholland

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Thomas  L.  Smith

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Floyd  E.  Stallsworth

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

M.  J.  Stoefen

42-7642

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

James  L.  Livingston

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Benjamin  J.  Zesdorn

42-7642

Staff Sergeant

Bombardier

Herbert  (NMI)  Walfish

42-7642

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

Mission Comments

UMS 8/12/44 After a stand-down and one full day of celebrating, it was back to war. Today the 44th led the Combat Wing to Juvincourt Airdrome, dispatching 32 aircraft, 12 from the 67th and no PFFs. Bomb loading was 52 x 100 GPs and bombing was done visually. Lt. Leonard (506th) led the Group and bombing was rated good to excellent. 90% of all bombs were within a 2000 foot circle. No enemy resistance was encountered and fighter support was good. Again a 506th ship was lost. #024 was last seen to leave the formation losing altitude. The pilot, 2nd Lt. T.J. McGuire called to say he was low on gas and was advised to call for fighter support and head for Allied lines. Pilot called again and said #3 engine had cut out and #4 tank was empty. Was last seen headed for friendly lines with fighter support, but went down. 506th A/C #42-110024 P Pilot and co-pilot, RW gunner KIA, 5 POWs, and two returned to duty, escaping capture. Three 67th A/C abortive, one from the 506th.

Charles  A.  Hersch

42-95209

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

William  J.  Mulholland

42-95209

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Thomas  L.  Smith

42-95209

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Raymond  (NMI)  Khoury

42-95209

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

James  D.  Tolle

42-95209

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Benjamin  J.  Zesdorn

42-95209

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

M.  J.  Stoefen

42-95209

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Herbert  (NMI)  Walfish

42-95209

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

Ogden  K.  Hill

42-95209

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Mission Comments

UMS 8/13/44 A road junction between Le Havre and Rouen, France was hit with very good results by 25 of the Groups ships (9 of them-506, and 8 each by the 67 & 68th, no PFFs). We were assigned six MPI's but official results were not available, though generally claimed to be good. No enemy aircraft observed but flak was heavy and accurately aimed, causing the loss of another 506th plane A/C# 42-95150 "Passion Pit" as well as to damage many of the planes participating. The 506th plane was hit by flak, the #1 and #2 engines burst into flames and it slid out of formation under control. Nine chutes were observed to open before the ship was seen to explode and crash. All crew members were captured to become POWs but the pilot, 1st Lt. John L. Milliken escaped during a strafing attack and returned to duty via the Underground. He escaped from back of German truck. 1st Lts. Mustapa and Peterson assigned to the 66th BS. 2nd Its. Dickerson and McDonnell promoted to 1st Its. effective 10 Aug.

James     Burton

44-40158

Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Donald  R.  Clapper

44-40158

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

William  J.  Mulholland

44-40158

Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Charles  E.  Greene

44-40158

Staff Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Floyd     Nesbitt

44-40158

Staff Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Herman     Smith

44-40158

Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

William  W.  Ward

44-40158

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

Horace  C.  Ellis

44-40158

Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Paul  J.  Durett

44-40158

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot

Frank  P.  Hope, Jr.

44-40158

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

Mission Comments

UMS 8/24/44 After five days of stand-down, a mission to Langenhagen Airfield was made by the Group with 24 aircraft which included two PFFs and seven each by the other three squadrons. The target is well within Germany near Hannover and is a FW assembly field. Bomb loading was mixed, 6 x 500 GPs and 6 x 500 M47 incendiaries, with the PFF also carrying smoke bombs. Bombing results were very good to excellent, bombing visually. Barrage type flak was intense and accurate with the loss of A/C'#098 from the 68th Squadron. It was seen to peel off with #3 engine and right wing in flames. Two chutes were seen to open. 68th A/C #44-40098 B "Lone Ranger" Pilot 2nd Lt. A.H. Dittmer. Lt. Dittmer and two others KIA; seven became POWs. This was the first PFF mission for Lt. H.C. Henry after transferring into the 66th from the 67th. The Bombardier, Lt. A. Jones adds: "We are flying deputy lead, 2700 gallons of gas, 4 x 500 lb GPs and 2 x 500 lb Clusters and smoke bombs. We fly R+, a new ship with only one mission. The lead ship took us over Brunswick where we lost one ship with an engine on fire. Turning from the IP, the lead ship had an engine knocked out and we looked to take over, However, we got no signal and stayed in position. Glickman was going to toggle and I was killing rate of drift with the sight. Flak was heavy and accurate. About the middle of the bomb run a piece of flak came through the bombardier's glass and hit the sight. I was blinded by flying glass and cut over the eye. As I was looking to see if I was in one piece, another piece or hunk of flak came through behind me, knocking out the turret junction box, my electric system, went over my leg, hit an oxygen cylinder, which in turn, blew up and went by my ear and started 50 cal. shells exploding in the box next to me. This piece of flak also dropped our bombs for us, but we didn't know it at the time. Other ships dropped on us and spoiled the pattern." The_506th Squadron had three ships with extensive damage and 66th had two category "AC" and three with "A" damages. No enemy aircraft were encountered. 2nd Lt. Harbison transferred to Group Headquarters.

James     Burton

00-807

Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Donald  R.  Clapper

00-807

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Horace  C.  Ellis

00-807

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Charles  E.  Greene

00-807

Staff Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

00-807

Staff Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Floyd     Nesbitt

00-807

Staff Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Herman     Smith

00-807

Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

William  W.  Ward

00-807

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

Paul  J.  Durett

00-807

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot

Frank  P.  Hope, Jr.

00-807

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

Mission Comments

UMS 8/25/44 Today it is Schwerin Airfield in Germany where FW 190s are assembled. 34 A/C plus 2 PFFs were dispatched, one abortive, and the 67th sent 10 planes, the 68th and 506 sending 12 each. Bomb loading was 12 x 500 GPs, visual bombing and excellent results were recorded for all three squadrons. No enemy opposition and no losses. Fighter support was good, also. Capt. Stanhope in A/C #800 led the 44th with Capt. Charles L. Armstrong as Command Pilot. Lt. Appelin adds: "Went a hell of a long way to get there. Then found out we were decoys for the main strength of the 8th AF who went to Berlin and Leipsig - poor guys." Seven officers and eight EM assigned to 8th AFRD. S/Sgt. Coddington promoted to T/Sgt. effective 21 Aug. Sgts. Wright and Sharp promoted to S/Sgt.; Cpls. Bartolio, Wiener, Starr promoted to Sgt. - all effective 21 August.

William  J.  Mulholland

42-95016

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Kenneth  G.  Adrian

42-95016

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

Eugene  C.  Bockstedt

42-95016

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

Louis  J.  Wimsatt

42-95016

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Garnell  W.  Myers

42-95016

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Frank  B.  Collins

42-95016

Tech Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

James  W.  Wood

42-95016

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Raymond  C.  Robertson

42-95016

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Robert  B.  Mason

42-95016

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Harold  H.  Hannon

42-95016

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 9/26/44 The 67th's Lt. Bartlett led the third section in the Group mission to strike the Hamm M/Y - primary, if visual and secondary if PFF. 23 aircraft and two PFFs were airborne, one abortive and one did not drop due to rack malfunction. All others bombed with 6 x 1000 lb GPs on the PFF leader with unobserved results. Lt. Bakalo was forced to turn back due to the loss of oil pres- sure in #4 engine. The Group was forced to make two bombing runs on the target after being crowded off their first by a formation above. Consequently, the bomb run was too short to allow for proper operation of the PFF equipment. Flak was meager and inaccurate - and no enemy aircraft were observed, no battle damage was sustained. Lt. Jones, bombardier in Lt. Henry's PFF ship, adds: "We are leading the high right squadron, the target Hamm M/Y, largest in all of Germany, and direct help to the paratroopers in Holland. Load: 12 x 500 lb M-17S on ship K+. Took off at 1230, everything OK until we reach the target. I'm all set up and on the target when the Group ahead turns off. We have to follow. On the next pass we can't even see the target and drop on the Group leader PFF. The Yards were hit pretty well by the 491st and 392nd BGs ahead of us. Flak was light but quite a few rockets were seen". Major Cameron from duty to DS Rest Home, Alton. Capt. Aldridge assumes command of the 67th. 1st Sgt. Ryan was selected as the Enlisted Man of the Week for outstanding achievement, as 1st Sgt. of the 67th Squadron, from May 1942 to present date. Congratulations Sgt. Ryan, you are deserving of this honor.'

James     Hazen

42-50896

Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Leroy  E.  Holmberg

42-50896

Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Clyde  M.  Horsley

42-50896

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Wallace     Penny

42-50896

Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Marion     Williams

42-50896

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

William  J.  Mulholland

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Ivan  C.  Lowe

42-50896

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot

Fred  G.  Benkert

42-50896

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

Odie  D.  Hill, Jr.

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Keith  W.  Ellis

42-50896

Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 9/28/44 Today was almost a repeat mission. The Primary was the motor works at Kassel if bombed visually and the Secondary was the same target on PFF. Lt. Bartless led the 3rd section with eight of the 67th planes. The Group led the 14th Wing and dispatched a total of 28 A/C and 2 PFFs. All aircraft attacked the Secondary through 8 to 9/10th cloud cover and results were unobserved. One plane of the Group (number unknown) was hit by flak and lost #1 engine while #2 and #4 started to throw oil, being only damaged. The pilot headed for Belgium with excellent P-47 escort and landed at Antwerp. Two men, who had bailed out over Belgium, returned by transport, as were the crew that remained with the ship. We lost just the one plane landing at Antwerp, but all the crew are safe. No E/A were observed. Sgts. Ward and Johnson; Cpl. Whitmore, and three of the older ground men in the 67th Squadron left today to return to the States.

James     Hazen

42-50789

Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Leroy  E.  Holmberg

42-50789

Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Clyde  M.  Horsley

42-50789

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

William  J.  Mulholland

42-50789

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Wallace     Penny

42-50789

Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Marion     Williams

42-50789

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

Ivan  C.  Lowe

42-50789

2nd Lieutenant

Pilot

Fred  G.  Benkert

42-50789

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

Odie  D.  Hill, Jr.

42-50789

Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Keith  W.  Ellis

42-50789

Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 9/30/44 The 67th Squadron finished off the month with Lt. Honmyhr leading the Group, which led the 14th Wing and the 2nd Division to Hamm M/Y. The Group dispatched 28 A/C and 2 PFFs and all but one attacked the Secondary, Hamm M/Y on PFF (Primary was visual) with results being unobserved. Lt. Harris (67th) in A/C #846 L was hit by flak in the target area and both wings were badly damaged. A/C #224 (42-51224 W) a 68th ship, had #4 engine out and was spouting oil joined with 42-94846 to leave the formation and reported by VHF that they were landing at Brussels. They made their landing but had to abandon their ships there. Both crews returned to this station in A/C #224 on 1 October, and ship #846 was eventually repaired and returned, completing the war. Also, aircraft #44-10531 R+, 66th Squadron and flown by Lt. Ledford, was missing in action. Just after bombs away, at 1324 at the target, this plane which was flying #3 position in low squadron, was apparently hit by flak and was last observed at 1325 hours to leave the formation, dropping below, apparently under control. 8 men became POWs, with the tail gunner Sgt. H.P. Starr being KIA. The fighter support was excellent. 1st Lt. Phillips from DS to duty 29 Sept. 1st Lt. Pendleton assigned from the 68th Squadron. Major Cameron from DS Rest Home to assume command of the 67th Sq. COMMENTS: On the 8th of September it was glad tidings and a happy reunion for nine officers and 13 EM of this Group. Today they returned to England after an absence of more than 13 months - 13 months in Rumanian prison camp. They were part of the men who went down on the first and historic low-level attack on Ploesti Oil Refineries. Those who were uninjured in crashing were taken to Bucharest for approximately 50 days and then up to the central part of Rumania where a small village had been taken over by the authorities to serve as a prison camp. Those who were injured in crashing were taken to a hospital for treatment and as they became well, they were sent to the prison camp where they were welcomed by their comrades who preceded them. This was their home for nearly a year. Officers were placed in a modern, stucco building which in peacetime years was the summer villa of town officials. Enlisted men were quartered in small farmhouses nearby. After a first bit of rough handling by ignorant peasants who thought they were Russian Airmen, they were treated quite well and even kindly. It was surprising to note that even a radio was provided for the officers. Thus they were able to keep up on news, and was retained until about two months before their liberation. It was via this radio that on 6 June 1944, the news of the Allied Invasion of Normandy was joyously received. When Bucharest was taken and fighting broke out in central Rumania, trucks were sent up to the prison camp to carry the men back to the capitol. From here, they were ferried back to England by the 15th Air Force planes. The men are now assigned to Headquarters ETOUSA and will be reassigned to this organization for a short time before returning to the ZOI. The men are: 1st Lt. Henry A. Lasco, Worden Weaver, Lloyd L. Reese, Jr., Elmer H. Reinhart, and Richard H. Pendleton, Jr., 2nd Lts. Walter M. Sorenson, Robert R. Snyder, Gerald J. Totten and Joseph F. Kill, T/Sgts. Jesse L. Hinely,and Frank D. Garrett, S/Sgts. George Van Son, Paul L. Breedlove, Russell D. Huntley, Alfred A. Mash, Frank J. Suponcic, Robert W. Wolfe, James A. Brittain, Bernard G. Traudt, Michael J. Cicon, Albert L. Shaffer and Charles P. Decrevel. Let's give them a hand and Best Of Luck, Boys! On the 19th of September a Farewell Party was given for these Ploesti returnees on the grounds of Mr. Patterson's home, just adjacent to the Station. Since the majority of the men were members of the 67th Squadron, Major William R. Cameron, the Squadron Commander, took it upon himself to arrange the party. All Squadrons

James  W.  Bolger

42-50644

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Richard  A.  Boykin

42-50644

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

Joseph  R.  Bumbicka

42-50644

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

William  J.  Mulholland

42-50644

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

James  H.  Clements

42-50644

Captain

Pilot

Wade  W.  Huggins

42-50644

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Elmer  F.  Hagner jr

42-50644

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Claude  D.  Horner

42-50644

Staff Sergeant

Ball Turret Gunner

Joseph  C.  Kodaj

42-50644

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Marion  J.  Tiemerier

42-50644

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Lloyd  W.  Hare

42-50644

1st Lieutenant

Navigator-GEE

Mission Comments

UMS 10/6/44 Today the 44th dispatched 23 aircraft (7 were 67th) and two PFFs in four squadrons to lead the "B" Wing to the air armament factory at Hamburg, Germany. Four aircraft returned early (not identified) and the remainder of the force attacked the target with excellent results, except for the first squadron which had poor results. 67th's Captain Orthman led the Group formation. Flak was intense but inaccurate and all aircraft returned safely assisted by good fighter support. Lt. Kuklowicz, flying in 0 049 (42-95049) sustained slight battle damage from this flak barrage. Lt. Appelin adds: Bomb load: 8 X 500 lb GP plus 4 x 500 lb M-17s. "Never saw so much flak in my life! Hurst flew a B-24 like a "peashooter" doing evasive action. The tail gunner (Sgt. Danny Fierro) and pilot are getting pretty good now. The gunner tells how the Jerry tracking is following us and then tells Hurst where to go to avoid it. Really works fine. The sky was solid black after we left the target area - I guess we were lucky as hell."

Raymond  H.  Parshall

42-50766

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

Hal  S.  Kimball

42-50766

Captain

Pilot

Gordon  W.  Henderson

42-50766

Unknown

Command Pilot

James     DeBoer

42-50766

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

William  I.  Reghan

42-50766

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

W.  I.  Rebhan

42-50766

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

J.  R.  Kuhs

42-50766

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

A.  E.  Eten

42-50766

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

J.  P.  Griffin, Jr. on official crew list but actually W. J. Mulholland

42-50766

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Raymond  F.  Seymor

42-50766

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

James  P.  Davis

42-50766

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 11/10/44 The 44th dispatched 21 aircraft (6 67th's) to lead the 14th Wing, fourth Wing in the Division, to the Hanau/Lanzendieback A/F, which is near Frankfurt. 506th's Lt. O.K. Hill was Group lead, and carried 40 x 100 lb demos. Two additional G-H aircraft, including Lt. Kelly, 68th, led the 392nd. All of the 44th A/C attacked the objective on Gee-H through 10/10th undercast and results were believed to be excellent. There was no enemy resistance in the target area, but moderate and fairly accurate flak was encountered in the Koblenz area. Four of the 67th A/C suffered slight battle damage, and S/Sgt. George E. Schofield, left waist gunner on Lt. Spencer's crew was slightly wounded. Fighter support was excellent and all aircraft returned to base. Once again the 67th's C,O., Major Cameron, accompanied his men on this mission although he has completed his tour a year ago. Tail Gunner, Sgt. Chaffin adds: "This was our stiffest mission yet. Flak was very intense and accurate. A guy named Kirk (68 th's Sgt. Vernon E. Kirk) on a crew that came here with us was wounded (seriously) and also another guy (67th's). One plane had two of it's turrets, the hydraulic system, and one wheel shot out. It ran off of the runway when it landed, but no one was hurt. We never received a single hole in our ship, but every ship around us were hit." Damaged ship probably was #42-7647. Lt. Reynonds assigned and joined the 67th.

Maurice  G.  Hall

42-50766

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Hal  S.  Kimball

42-50766

Captain

Pilot

Raymond  H.  Parshall

42-50766

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

J.  G.  Merrell

42-50766

Lt. Colonel

Command Pilot

Benjamin  J.  Zesdorn

42-50766

Private

Unknown

Victor  P.  Louisa

42-50766

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

A.  E.  Eten

42-50766

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

42-50766

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Lester  G.  Toothacher

42-50766

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Raymond  F.  Seymor

42-50766

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

James  P.  Davis

42-50766

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 11/16/44 34 aircraft of the 44th BG were scheduled to take off on a Tactical mission to Eschweiler in support of our advancing ground troops. However, the weather was very bad and during the take off the ceiling continued to become lower and lower until the field closed in. Eleven A/C did take off up to this point, 7 of them 67th, one each for the 66th and 506, two from the 68th. So they went on to take their position, second Group in the Wing, and leading Wing in the Division. The two 68th ships provided leads for the 491st and for the 44th; one 506 aircraft piloted by Capt. Kimball with Col. Merrill remained with the 44th; and one 66th A/C provided lead for the 392nd. The target was bombed with 32 x 260 frags, with excellent results. Flak was moderate and inaccurate and fighter support was good. All aircraft were diverted upon return from the closed Shipdham field to open bases in England. There were no casualties. Lt. Kleiderer's aircraft was one of the 67th's that were first off. Sgt. Chaffin adds: We bombed ground troops and installations a short distance northwest of Aachen. The big push by our ground forces started right after we finished bombing - and the place was captured soon after. When we returned we had to land at an R.A.F. base about 40 minutes from London. This place was awful - the chow was terrible and we had to sleep on biscuits on the floor of the recreation hall. We stayed there until Sat. evening, the 18th."

Maurice  G.  Hall

44-10503

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Hal  S.  Kimball

44-10503

Captain

Pilot

William  J.  Mulholland

44-10503

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Raymond  H.  Parshall

44-10503

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

Benjamin  J.  Zesdorn

44-10503

Private

Unknown

Alfonse  A.  Truono

44-10503

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Joseph  C.  Kodaj

44-10503

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

A.  E.  Eten

44-10503

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Raymond  F.  Seymor

44-10503

1st Lieutenant

Navigator

James  P.  Davis

44-10503

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Dale  F.  Benadom

44-10503

Captain

Command Pilot

Mission Comments

UMS 11/25/44 The Group finally dispatched 25 aircraft with six of them flying with other Groups. The only ones identified were 66th's Capt 0.K. Williams, leading the 392nd and 68th's 1st Lt. Kelly flying deputy lead for the 392nd. 506th's Capt. Hal S. Kimball led the 44th's formation. The 67th's seven planes stayed with the Group, except for Lt. Evans, pilot of R #895, which was forced to turn back when an oil lead developed in the #2 engine. All remaining aircraft bombed with 12 x 500 lb demos on Gee-H with unobserved results. Flak was meager and inaccurate, and fighter support was very good. No battle damage was reported by the 67th planes but 68th's #260 had category "A" damages. All returned to base at 1445 hours. The target was Bingen M/Y. Sgt. Chaffin adds: " Our fifth mission today. We flew in U, a carpet blinker's' ship (42-50539 Sultry Sue?). Latty, our old nose gunner, replaced Rosenburg and will be with us from now on. Rosie went to Navigators school.

Louis  C.  Confer

42-50896

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Orville  D.  Curtis

42-50896

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

James  P.  Crawford

42-50896

Tech Sergeant

Navigator

William  J.  Mulholland

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

C.  T.  Moffett

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Norman     Chown

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

F.  R.  Albers

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

F.  H.  Ellsworth

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Charles  F.  Clark

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Bombardier

Mission Comments

UMS 12/31/44 The old year finished out with a bombing mission against a railroad bridge, Neuwied, Germany. The 67th put up nine aircraft in the Group formation of 35 planes, to lead the 14th "A" Wing. 506th's Capt. Clements led the Group formation; 66th's Capt. Henry led the 491st BG. The 44th leader bombed what he assumed to be the Primary target, but because of an equipment failure, the target that was bombed was a railroad junction at Dorsel. Bombing was accomplished through 10/10th undercast and results were unobserved. Four of the Groups aircraft, one of them 67th's, did not attack for various reasons. Lt. Pellow, 67th, led the low left squadron in the Group formation, but was forced to return early when the engineer was taken ill. Lt. Brownlowe (67th) led the 392nd BG. Three 67th aircraft sustained slight battle damage from the flak in the target area or from the moderate flak that was encountered on the route out. Fighter support was excellent. A 66th A/C #794 was hit by flak and #1 engine caught on fire and #3 engine ran away. The pilot, Lt. Ketchum, landed in Belgium and the crew has since returned, leaving the damaged aircraft. Capt. Henry's aircraft 594 E+ was lead for the 491st BG. Lt. Al Jones adds: "Both the Command Pilot and P.N. from the 491st are with us. Load of 6 x 1000 lb GPs, target: a bridge across the Rhine. Took off 20 minutes late. Gee-H run screwed up. We were following the 44th BG, Germans jammed the Gee-H and the 44th dropped early. By that time they had us in such a position that we could not continue. Command Pilot had me drop on the smoke flares of the 44th. On the way back we buzzed the 491st runway good, and then landed at Shipdham. Had a meeting after the mission to find out that all Groups could not use Gee-H any more!" 67th's Lt. Edgar J. Spencer flew T on this mission, having started his tour back in August 44. And his one wrapped up his operational tour. T/Sgt. Peter Moskovitis, engineer said, "Finished up on December 31st. That was New Years Eve and we really did it up right

Clark  T.  Harmon

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

George  (NMI)  Joanos

42-50896

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

Milton  F.  Bailey

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Chester  J.  Kryszczuk

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Bombardier

Ralph  S.  Haas

42-50896

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

Alvin  R.  Rockman

42-50896

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

Charles  H.  Hickman

42-50896

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Reginald  C.  Nichols

42-50896

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

William  J.  Mulholland

42-50896

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Mission Comments

UMS 2/27/45 67th's C.O. Major Middleton, flew as Command Pilot today along with Captain Lavitt, who was credited not only with the Group lead but lead of the 14th Combat Wing as well. The target is the Halle M/Y, with the 44th dispatching 22 A/C (5 are 67U) 21 of them hitting the target. The H2X equipment in the lead aircraft was weak on range and defination, so the bomb run course Lt. was set up on DR. However, when Halle appeared on the scope, it was too late, far to the right and seemed too faint to be the target. When Bitterfeld appeared strongly, the course was altered and this target was bombed by all on H2X with unobserved results. Also, the H2X equipment was out on the 2nd squadron A/C so this formation bombed as a Group. Flak was nil; our fighter support was excellent. Lt. Lee, 67th, landed on the continent on the return flight due to gas shortage; will return to base tomorrow. Two combat crews that were attached to the 68th squadron for G-H and H2X Training as Lead Crews returned to their parent base, the 392nd BG. S/Sgt. Becker completed his tour.

Emmett  J.  Burns

44-49425

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

James     Kennedy

44-49425

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

John  B.  Catalano

44-49425

Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Harlan  W.  Riggin

44-49425

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

William  J.  Mulholland

44-49425

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

Clement  R.  Holcombe

44-49425

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

M.  J.  Whalen

44-49425

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Andrew  T.  Clarke

44-49425

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

M.  G.  Sims, Jr.

44-49425

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

William  E.  Laughlin

44-49425

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

Stanley  (NMI)  Prowdzik

44-49425

1st Lieutenant

Navigator-GEE

Mission Comments

UMS 3/4/45 Our twelfth consecutive operational mission! The 44th, with 24 aircraft and 7 being 67th, led the Wing and the Division to the briefed Primary, a tank factory at Aschaffenburg. Capt. Brownlowe, 67th, flew Group deputy lead, while Capt. Overstreet, 67th, led the 491st BG, who attacked a target of opportunity at Offenburg; unobserved results. The weather was very bad, there being very dense contrails and a thick haze. So attemps to bomb the assigned target had to be abandoned. Eleven of the 44th bombed Tuttlingen visuall with SAVs showing hits in the M/Y and built up area. Seven A C attacked the T/O at Aach, visually, results unobserved due to haze. Four A/C attacked Offenberg on PFF with unobserved results. So all in all, 22 of the 24 A/C that took off, bombed. No flak at Tuttlingen; flak at Offenberg was moderate and fairly accurate; meager and fairly accurate fire was encountered over the front lines. Lt. Perrault, 66th, aborted in #896 R, his #2 engine feathered. Bombs included 250 lb GPs and M17s. All A/C returned safely. Col. Cameron couldn't stay away any longer and accompanied our aircraft on this mission! Congratulations to Captain Jones, Squadron S-2 officer, who received his double tracks today! Lt. Kazmirzak and T/Sgt. Andreotta completed their tour.

Emmett  J.  Burns

42-50644

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

James     Kennedy

42-50644

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Walter  P.  Yost

42-50644

Staff Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Harlan  W.  Riggin

42-50644

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

William  J.  Mulholland

42-50644

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Clement  R.  Holcombe

42-50644

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

M.  J.  Whalen

42-50644

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Andrew  T.  Clarke

42-50644

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

M.  G.  Sims, Jr.

42-50644

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

William  E.  Laughlin

42-50644

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

Stanley  (NMI)  Prowdzik

42-50644

1st Lieutenant

Navigator-GEE

Mission Comments

UMS 3/5/45 This our thirteenth consecutive mission and the fifteenth consecutive day that the 44th has taken off on an operational mission. It wasn't a large representation but the 44th dispatched 11 A/C, three 67th, to take part in a mission to Harburg. We formed the high right squadron of the 14th Wing, composed of three squadrons, to attack the Oil Refinery at Harburg. Our squadron was crowded and thus committed to a short bomb run, but nevertheless, we attacked the target on H2X, but with unobserved results. 1st Lt. Emmett J. Burns, 506th, led the Group. The only resistance encountered was slight but fairly accurate flak from Heligoland on the route into the target. Fighter support continues to be excellent; no aircraft was damaged. 2nd Lt. MacDougall completed his tour. Today marks another anniversary for the Squadrons. We have now completed 30 months of overseas service.

Emmett  J.  Burns

44-49425

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

James     Kennedy

44-49425

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Wallace  B.  Truslow

44-49425

Staff Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Harlan  W.  Riggin

44-49425

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

William  J.  Mulholland

44-49425

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Clement  R.  Holcombe

44-49425

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

M.  J.  Whalen

44-49425

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Andrew  T.  Clarke

44-49425

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

M.  G.  Sims, Jr.

44-49425

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Peter  (NMI)  Masonis

44-49425

2nd Lieutenant

Bombardier

Thomas  P.  Williams

44-49425

1st Lieutenant

Navigator-GEE

Mission Comments

UMS 3/8/45 The 44th dispatched 26 aircraft to form two squadrons, one to attack the Betzdorf M/Y, and the other to attack the Siegenmly. 67th's Capt. Benadom flew Command Pilot with Capt. Lavitt in the Groups formation to attack the railway center at Betzdorf. The target was bombed on G-H. The other 44th squadron led by 1st Lt. E.J. Burns, 506th, flew as the high right of the 491st BG. They started a Gee-H run on Siegen M/Y, their Primary, but the Gee-H trace was dim, so the Mickey operator took over for an H2X run. He did not have sufficient time, however, and could not positively identify Frankfort so they attacked the marshalling yards there on H2X, with unobserved results. It was later learned that the target the 491st BG hit was not Siegen, but was Limburg. Flak was nil at Betzdorf and moderate and fairly accurate at Frankfort. Fighter support was excellent and all of our aircraft returned to base safely. The following personnel completed their operational tour: 1st Lts. Harris, Ziegler, DeWitt, Bethel, Bonneau, Abrams; T/Sgts. Sieling, Peek, Coughenour; S/Sgts. Dorrisey, Jedlowski, Favini, Root, Wirth, Williams, Moore and Fredricksen.

Emmett  J.  Burns

44-49322

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

James     Kennedy

44-49322

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Wallace  B.  Truslow

44-49322

Tech Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Harlan  W.  Riggin

44-49322

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

William  J.  Mulholland

44-49322

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Richard  R.  Pedersen

44-49322

2nd Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

M.  J.  Whalen

44-49322

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Andrew  T.  Clarke

44-49322

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

M.  G.  Sims, Jr.

44-49322

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Murray  G.  Margolies

44-49322

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator-GEE

William  E.  Laughlin

44-49322

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

Lloyd  W.  Hare

44-49322

1st Lieutenant

Navigator-PFF

Mission Comments

UMS 3/10/45 Nine of the 67th aircraft departed base at 0750 hours on an operational mission to Bielefeld, Germany. Total 44th aircraft dispatched was 37 to once more attack the railroad viaduct located there. And once again there was that 10/10th undercast that forced our Group to attack the target on Gee-H with unobserved results. Lt. Hinshaw was the 44th's deputy lead provided by the 66th, Lt. Kleiderer led the low left squadron in the Group formation. Capt. Overstreet, 67th, and Lt. Alley, 66th provided leads for the 491st BG. Bomb loading was 6 x 1000 lb GPs. No flak or enemy aircraft encountered; fighter support was very good. There was no losses or battle damage. S/Sgt. Chaffin adds: "We have been after this target several times with no success, It was only believed to have been damaged today." 2nd Lts. MacDougall and Crandell promoted to 1st Lt. 1st Lt. Bullinger completed tour.

Emmett  J.  Burns

44-49322

1st Lieutenant

Pilot

James     Kennedy

44-49322

Tech Sergeant

Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Wallace  B.  Truslow

44-49322

Tech Sergeant

Nose Gunner/Togglier

Harlan  W.  Riggin

44-49322

2nd Lieutenant

Navigator

William  J.  Mulholland

44-49322

Staff Sergeant

Left Waist Gunner

Robert  P.  Dupont

44-49322

1st Lieutenant

Co-Pilot

M.  J.  Whalen

44-49322

Tech Sergeant

Radio Operator/Gunner

Andrew  T.  Clarke

44-49322

Staff Sergeant

Right Waist Gunner

M.  G.  Sims, Jr.

44-49322

Staff Sergeant

Tail Gunner

Stanley  (NMI)  Prawdzik

44-49322

1st Lieutenant

Navigator-GEE

William  E.  Laughlin

44-49322

1st Lieutenant

Bombardier

Mission Comments

UMS 3/14/45 Gutersloh M/Y was the briefed Primary target for the 44th's 36 aircraft (9 were 67th). Capt. Lavitt 67th, flew Group lead, while Lt. Kleiderer led the high right squadron of the 491st BG. The 44th lead and the high right squadrons attacked the target visually with excellent results. Our high right squadron which was mainly 66th A/C overran the lead on the coast in, and in making a turn to get back into position, were on a collision course with the 20th Wing, so they fell in with that formation and proceeded to bomb their target. 11 A/C in the low squadron attacked visually as well, but their main pattern was short and to the left. There was no flak on the 44th formation. Weather was clear with moderate haze; bomb loading included 100 lb GPs and M17s, generally 44 x 100 and 2 incendiaries per aircraft. All of our aircraft returned safely, none of them sustaining any battle damage thanks, in part, to the excellent fighter protection. S/Sgt. Chaffin adds: "The target was hit in the center and the yards destroyed.(Flying with the 491). 1 again saw the bombs burst and numerous fires burning. We had the highest percentage of hits for the mission - 80%." T/Sgt. Samuel H. DeBerry and S/Sgt. Cahil completed tour. Capt. Gatti returned from leave of absence. 2nd Lts. Lee, Dunwody and Gleaves promoted to 1st Lt.