391st BOMB GROUP CREW LISTS

SELECTED TAXI SHEETS FOR JULY THROUGH DECEMBER, 1944

Mission No 108, 5 July 1944

Mission to Senonches, France

A fuel and ammunition dump in the Senonches Forest, France, was the objective of the group on the morning of July 5, the first mission of the month because of poor weather during the first four days. Thirty-six planes were dispatched with eleven of them dropping one hundred sixty-three 250-pound General Purpose bombs on the Foret De Dreux, mistaking it for the primary. Two other flights of fifteen planes dropped two hundred fifty-three of the same size bombs on the railway siding at Auberville, when clouds obscured the primary target. Excellent results were reported from these concentrations. Two planes were lost over enemy territory after sustaining flak damage near Dreux, their missing crews totalling twelve men. Twenty-three of the other planes in the formation were flak battle-damaged.

Missing Crews and Planes

Plane 42-107811, O8-V type, B-26C-45-Mo,

Nicknamed “Lady Godiva”, 575th Squadron

Pilot 1^st Lt. Michael R. Petrich, 0-684039, from Long Beach, Calif. P.O.W.

Co-Pilot 2^nd Lt. Robert B. Sullivan, 0-669809from Industry, Illinois M.I.A.

Bombardier T/Sgt Edwin G. Insley, 33064534, from Baltimore, Md K.I.A.

Engineer Gunner T/Sgt Ernest Martel, 31150127, from Saco, Me. K.I.A.

Radio Gunner S/Sgt Bryan B. Ambrose 34240010 from Miami, Fla. K.I.A.

Armorer Gunner S/Sgt Robert R. Read, 32058677, from Poselle, N.J. M.I.A.

Plane 42-107834, T6-F type, B-26C-45-Mo, 573rd Squadron

Pilot 1^st Lt. Louis E Hartman, 0-684328, from Andalusia, Pa. K.I.A.

Co-Pilot 2^nd Lt. Kenneth L Arneson, 0-690884, from Faidale, N.D. Ret’d to orgn 24 Sept.44

Bombardier 1^st Lt Donald E Collins, 0-669007from Biloxi, Miss. P.O.W.

Engineer Gunner S/Sgt Adolphe L Pavinski, 6995380, from Gryea, Pa. K.I.A.

Radio Gunner T/Sgt Donald R Shearer, 151180030, from Charlston, W.Va. M.I.A.

Armorer Gunner Pvt. Edward N. Grove 13200930 from Philadelphia, Pa. K.I.A.

1st Box

Thorn (573)

24 822-O

Bjork Boylan

24 830-R 23 102-X

Shaffner

25 825-B

Bollinger Sloss

18 595-V 19 831-H

Sellers (573) Logan (573)

19 801-G 22 978-Q

Baxter Clark Dearing Cassiday

17 634-J 28 842-D 21 802-P 28 841-A

Snyder Armstrong

18 252-Z 21 820-P

McCarty Reynolds Hartman Dillard

14 836-N 15 799-T 17 834-F 22 806-C

Holliday

15 947-U

2nd Box

Stalnaker (575)

38 821-O

Tucker Petrich

38 844-D 47 811-V

Kelley

40 678-M

Kiedinger Harlow

41 615-A 39 846-P

Jannsen (575) Wolfe-Olfson (575)

40 671-L 41 847-H

Martin Ruble Wilkinson Fleck

44 808-C 39 853-F 45 855-R 45 843-J

Roeper Schirmer

14 806-M1 47 833-U

Hanlon Baehr Rutledge Jacobi

9 812-D1 8 810-C1 44 268-K 46 932-T

Koehl

6 819-H1

Spare Lead 6 811-G

Spare Ship 16 797-P

Spare Ship 7 813-J

Mission No 109, 6 July 1944

Mission to Maintenon, France

Thirty-six planes were dispatched at 0719 to attack the viaduct at Maintenon, France, on the morning of July 6. Bombing by flights, thirty-five of the planes attacked the primary with seventy 2000 pound General Purpose bombs. According to the strike–attack photos, two of the flights had excellent results with at least seven direct hits on the Viaduct, and others cut the road beneath. Two other flights had good results, one had gross, and one poor. Two planes were flak damaged, but there were no losses or casualties.

2^nd Lt. Robert Holliday 0-683703 from Butler, Pa., crashlanded his plane, 41-34972 P2-S type: B-26C-15-MO Marauder, back at the base. The plane’s history reads: “A/C No 972 washed out on crash landing, completed 21 missions”.

1st Box

Bird (574)

34 931-F

Stanfield Garwick

42 720-R 29 818-L

Bush

36 815-W

Metelsky Evans

37 839-G 32 597-P

Salmon (574) Hollis (574)

37 873-U 32 927-N

Newman Lowe Wolfe Callison

30 010-A 35 838-B 31 866-X 31 851-M

Majka Alexander

34 865-D 23 823-N

Boylan Carson Talton Horridge

47 025-S 35 800-C 47 833-U 45 855-R

Rutledge

44 5808 -C

2nd Box

Schleicher (572)

6 5811-G

Blute Barker

6 819-H 16 797-P

Jobe

7 813-J

Jacobs Reynolds

13 719-F 9 5834-B

Danforth (572) Dickinson (572)

19 801-G 8 673-A

McCarty Koehl Hanlon Baehr

14 836-N 25 825-B 9 812-D 8 5810-C

Whitson Roeper

15 799-T 14 5806-M

Crim Fry Sloss Holliday

23 102-X 28 830-R 15 947-U 5 972-S

Dearing

22 7806-C

Spare Lead 40 671-L

Spare Ship 40 678-M

Mission No 110, 7 July 1944

Mission to Ussy, France

An assignment to bomb German troops and equipment concentrated in the forest two and a half miles northwest of Ussy, France, was given to the group on the evening of July 7. Of the thirty-six planes, thirty-five attacked with ninety-six 500- pound General Purpose bombs and two hundred 100- pound Fragmentation bombs, one failing to release because of mechanical failure. Two flights bombed a crossroad, and three attacked a railway choke point, the last bombing a road junction when the primary target was obscured by clouds, haze and smoke. There was no photo coverage due to the clouds and lack of light, but the crews reported good to excellent results. Two planes were battle-damaged by flak but there were no casualties or losses.

1st Box

Williams (Hqs & 574)

7 803-K

Wolfe Callison

31 866-X 42 835-T

Alexander

32 597-P

Majka Watkinson

24 856-D 29 818-L

Salmon (574) Bush (574)

30 248-V 36 7815-W

Newman Carson Metelsky Talton

31 010-A 35 800-C 46 932-T 44 268-K1

Horridge Bird

45 843-J 34 931-F

Lowder Lowe Stanfield Garwick

39 846-P1 41 847-H 30 720-K 40 671-L1

Boylan

17 634-J

2nd Box

Erickson (572)

8 673-A

Hanlon Baehr

9 812-D 8 810-C

Dickinson

9 5834-B

Reynolds Walker

14 5806-M 6 819-H

Jobe (572) Roeper (572)

13 7808-X 6 811-G

Jacobs Crim McCarty Alexander

13 719-F 23 823-N1 14 836-N 16 797-P

Whitson Danforth

15 799-T 7 813-J

Koehl Fry Barker Blute

24 828-L 25 825-B1 16 5815-R 15 947-U

Dearing

21 802-P

Spare Lead 37 873-U

Spare Ship 22 102-X

Author’s note: Lt. Erickson and Lt. McCarty didn’t fly on this mission.

Mission No 114, 12 July 1944

Mission to Cinq Mars, France

Thirty-seven of the Group’s planes were dispatched to bomb the railway bridge at Cinq Mars, France, on the evening of July 12. Twenty-four planes of the formations dropped forty-eight 2000-pound bombs on the primary target, and twelve dropped twenty-three 2000-pound bombs on the target of opportunity when the bombardier failed to identify the primary target in time for the bomb run. Two flights had excellent results on the Cinq Mars Bridge, and the other four flights had results classified as “good”. One plane failed to bomb for mechanical reasons, but all returned safely without casualties or damage.

Photo recon after the mission revealed that the east bridge was damaged midstream. Approximately 30 feet of the bridge was destroyed. West Bridge was slightly damaged at east end. Damage was done to the rails at both ends of East Bridge by hits and near misses. Approach to the West Bridge cut off by one hit. First span of West bridge approach severely damaged, but still standing, with half the span blasted away. Severe damage to second span from east approach. Slight damage at several points. Many craters seen in area. Bridge does not appear serviceable.

1st Box

Samuel (Hqs & 575

7 803-K

Mitchell Martin

47 025-S 48 964-G

Ljunggren

38 844-D

Rutledge Cude

41 615-A 22 806-C

Schleicher (572) Kelley (575)

8 811-G 40 671-L

Barker Jacobs Schreiber Ekstrom

9 834-B 13 719-F 46 843-J 44 808-C

Danforth Wilkinson

7 813-J 45 855-R

Crim Blute Lakin Tavenor

9 812-D 14 806-M 46 837-N 39 853-F

Colsch

22 978-Q

2nd Box

Hollis (574)

32 927-N

Callison Morris

39 846-P 30 248-V

Bush

36 815-W

Dietschler Carson

37 839-G 35 800-C

Majka (574) Bird (574)

32 597-P 37 873-U

Lowe Newman Stanfield Garwick

15 797-P 31 010-A 40 678-M 29 841-S

Horridge Alexander

8 810-C 35 838-B

Baxter Cassidy Threadgill Lowder

15 799-T 28 841-A 31 866-X 25 830-R

Youse

23 102-X

Spare Lead 8 673-A

Spare Ship 21 820-S

Spare Ship 24 822-O

Mission No 119, 19 July 1944

Mission to Mantes - Gassicourt, France

The Railroad bridge over the Seine at Mantes-Gassicourt, a previous target for the 391st, again was the Group’s objective on the evening of July 19. Thirty-six planes were dispatched, each carrying four 1000-pound bombs. The results were good, and were accomplished after three bombing runs made before the release, due to poor visibility. Hits were scored on the railway bridge embankment north of the target. Three planes were flak battle damaged, but there were no losses or casualties.

The Commanding General of the 99th Bomb Wing teletyped the following communication: “Your bombing of the Mante-Gassicourt railroad bridge near Mantes, France, on the evening of 19^th July, is a perfect example of excellent leadership, sound judgement, prior planning, and steadfastness. In the face of almost impossible bombing conditions, you severely damaged the target area and have blocked one of the few remaining enemy rail lines leading to the front.

I congratulate the Group wholeheartedly on its success”.

1st Box

Williams (Hqs & 573)

7 803-K

Boone Boylan

9 831-H 9 812-D

Rutledge

9 834-B

Bjork Sloss

14 806-M 22 806-C

Dooley–Harris (573) Dickinson (572)

13 808-X 6 811-G

Clark Baxter Hanlon Baehr

13 719-F 28 841-A 14 836-N 16 797-P

Armstrong Roeper

18 747-T 7 813-J

Youse Colsch Koehl Walker

15 947-U 17 595-V 5 313-Z 16 815-R

Alexander

46 620-B

2nd Box

Loesch (575)

34 931-F

Evans Lakin

32 597-P 38 844-D

Bird

30 248-V

Stanfield Garwick

42 720-R 29 841-S

Majka (574) Bush (574)

34 865-D 36 815-W

Wolfe Callison Metelsky Lowder

31 866-X 28 842-D 37 839-G 29 818-L

Hollis Alexander

36 807-J 44 268-K

Keidinger Harlow Watson Morris

22 978-Q 17 634-J 32 873-U 46 932-T

Spare Lead 24 822-O

Spare Ship 45 843-J

Spare Ship 31 010-A

Spare Ship 35 800-C

Mission No 120, 23 July 1944

Mission to Foret de Conches, France

A German fuel dump in the Foret de Conches was the target assigned to the Group on the evening of July 23. Thirty-four planes were dispatched at 1715 hours, and thirty-one of these dropped eight 500-pound and eight hundred sixty 100-pound General Purpose bombs and one leaflet bomb on the target. The objective was completely covered by cloud and was located by the Pathfinder, blind bombing technique. One mechanical and two personnel failures caused three of the planes to return to base with their bombs, but there were no losses, casualties, or battle damage on the mission.

1st Box

Pathfinder

Ljunggren (575)

41 847-H

Schirmer Schreiber

44 808-C 38 576-V

Mitchell (575) Kelley (575)

40 671-L 40 678-M

Tucker Kiedinger Ruble Rutledge

38 844-D 41 615-A 39 846-P 35 838-B1

Harlow Jannsen

47 025-S 46 620-B

Wilkinson Lakin Jacobi Lowder

46 843-J 29 818-L2 46 932-T 15 947-U

Martin

13 719-F

2nd Box

Pathfinder

Thorn (573)

22 822-O

Holliday Bjork

19 831-H 24 828-L

Alexander (574) Rutledge (573)

32 927-N 19 801-G

Metelsky Evans Baxter Colsch

25 830-M 28 842-D 18 747-T 22 978-Q

Watkinson Armstrong

8 673-A 21 820-S

Wolfe Callison Bollinger Youse

8 5810-C 7 813-J 17 595-V 23 102-X

McCarty

14 836-N

Spare Lead: 36 815-W

Spare Ship: 22 806-C

Spare Ship: 17 634-J

Mission No 121, 24 July 1944

Mission to Laval, France

A railway embankment and viaduct at Laval, France, was the group’s target on the evening of July 24. Thirty-six planes were dispatched at 1812 hours and dropped one hundred forty-three 1000-pound bombs on the target area, with strike photo interpretation ratings from “Excellent” to “Gross” credited to them. There were

no losses, casualties, or battle damage, and the planes returned to base without further incident.

1st Box

Sellers (573)

19 801-G

Baxter Bjork

18 747-T 15 799-T

Armstrong

21 820-S

Bollinger Holliday

7 813-J 23 823-N

Bush (573) Logan (573)

32 597-P 24 822-O

Metelsky Evans Clark Daffern

37 839-G 35 800-C 28 842-D 19 831-H

Hollis Colsch

32 927-N 22 978-Q

Wolfe Callison Cassiday Youse

31 866-X 31 010-A 28 844-A 23 102-X

Barker

16 815-R

2nd Box

Kelley (575)

41 847-H

Wilkinson Rutledge

45 855-R 44 268-K

Ruble

39 853-F

Tucker Harlow

36 807-J 44 808-C

Jannsen (575) Roeper (572)

46 620-B 40 671-L

Jacobi (575) Kiedinger (575) Schirmer (575) Lakin (575)

25 830-M 22 806-C 17 634-J 17 595-V

Hanlon (572) Martin (575)

9 812-D 39 846-P

Koehl (572) Baehr (572) Schreiber (575) Lowder (574)

9 834-B 8 810-C 30 835-T 36 815-W

Watkinson

6 748-Q

Spare Lead: 13 808-X

Spare Ship: 15 947-U

Spare Ship: 13 719-F

Mission No 122, 25 July 1944

Mission to St Lo, France

An assignment to strike in close support of the American ground troops in the Eastern sector of the Normandy front was given to the Group of the morning of July 25. Thirty-six were dispatched at 1040 hrs to

La Chappelle en Jager, a German-defended area near St. Lo, and thirty-five completed the attack, one failing for mechanical reasons. Six hundred eighty-nine 250-pound fragmentation bombs and one leaflet bomb were dropped. The bombing was done by boxes of eighteen, the first box putting a majority of the bombs inside the target area while the second box bombed mainly outside the area, across a main roadway and in open fields. There were no losses, casualties, or battle damage to the formation.

1st Box

Rutledge (573)

19 801-G

Baxter Colsch

18 747-T 22 978-Q

Armstrong

21 820-S

Bollinger Holliday

17 595-V 45 932-T

Hollis (574) Thorn (573)

34 931-F 24 822-O

Callison Wolfe Clark Bjork

35 838-B 34 865-D 28 842-D 41 615-A

Horridge Boone

32 873-U 21 802-P

Metelsky Watkinson Youse Cassiday

30 248-V 29 818-L 23 102-X 28 841-A

Evans

47 833-U

2nd Box

Erickson (572)

8 673-A

Hanlon Baehr

9 812-D 8 810-C

Roeper

14 806-M

Alexander McCarty

16 797-P 14 836-N

Dickinson (572) Schleicher (572)

13 808-X 6 811-G

Jacobs Koehl Barker Blute

13 719-F 15 799-T 16 815-R 6 748-O

Danforth Smith

7 813-J 9 834-B

Lowder DeWitt Reynolds Walker

37 839-G 15 947-U 5 313-Z 22 806-C

Harlow

47 025-S

Spare Lead: 40 678-M

Spare Ship: 39 846-P

Spare Ship: 41 847-H

Mission No 123, 26 July 1944

Mission to Marigny, France

Planes took off at 0631 Hrs to bomb troop concentration at Marigny. No attack due to weather.

1st Box

Miller (572)

???????? Top of taxi sheet missing

???????? ???????

?????? 9 812-D

Dickinson

9 834-B

Walker Reynolds

21 820-S 25 811-G

Jobe (572) Roeper (572)

13 808-X 6 811-G

Jacobs Blute McCarty Alexander

13 719-F 6 748-O 23 102-X1 16 797-P

Danforth Smith

7 813-J 14 806-M

Wilkinson Holliday Koehl Barker

28 841-A1 29 818-L 15 799-T 16 815-R

Spare: Jacobi

46 932-T1

2nd Box

Bush (574)

36 815-W

Metelsky Lowder

31 010-A 44 808-C

Majka

45 843-J

Evans Newman

32 597-P 39 853-F

Bird (574) Salmon (574)

30 835-T 40 671-L

Watson Garwick Morris Callison

6 740-V 28 842-D 17 634-J1 44 268-K

Wolfe Alexander

5 313-Z 46 620-B

Lakin Keidinger Lowe McClurkin

28 841-A 41 615-A 23 823-N 22 978-Q

Spare: Schirmer

47 833-U

For 1st Box

Spare Lead: 34 931-F

Spare Ship: 17 595-V

Spare Ship: 22 806-C

For 2nd Box

Spare Lead: 41 847-H

Spare Ship: 35 838-H

Mission No 124, 28 July 1944

Mission to Grosley-sur-Risle, France

Thirty-two planes were dispatched at 1835 hrs on the evening of July 28 to attack the railroad bridge and embankment at Grosley-sur-Risle, France. The bombing was conducted by Pathfinder method, and thirty-one of the planes dropped one hundred-twelve 1000 pound and eight 500-pound General Purpose bombs and one leaflet bomb on the bridge, with fair to good results. The plane which failed to bomb was shot down by flak in the

Thury-Harcourt area before the target was reached. Twenty other planes were flak battle damaged, but there were no further casualties than the six missing combat crewmembers.

Missing Plane and Crew

Plane 42-95842, T6-D type B-26B-50-MA, Nicknamed “Hitch Hiker”, 573^rd Squadron.

Pilot 1^st Lt. Robert H. Clark, 0-26154, from Philadelphia, Miss. P.O.W

Co-Pilot 1^st Lt. George L. Parker, 0-669809, from Gainsville, Texas Retd 19 Sept.

Bombardier 1^st Lt. Robert F. Lemmon, 0-666687, from Goose Creek, Texas K.I.A

Engineer Gunner S/Sgt John R. Culshaw, 33429297, from Duquesne, Pa. K.I.A

Radio Gunner T/Sgt William S Rollings, 33499791, from Wisconisco, Pa. K.I.A

Armour Gunner S/Sgt John W. Sweren 39197686 from Long View, Wash. P.O.W

1st Box

Pathfinder

Thorn (573)

19 801-G

Colsch Bjork

22 978-Q 13 719-F

Danforth (572) Rutledge (573)

7 813-J 13 808-X

Barker Blute Clark Daffern

15 947-U 6 748-Q 28 842-D 25 830-M

Smith Boone

9 812-D 21 820-S

Crim DeWitt Holliday Bollinger

14 806-M 15 799-T 14 836-N 17 595-V

Callison

32 873-U

2nd Box

Pathfinder

Olfson (575)

34 931-F

Schreiber Ekstrom

39 853-F 45 843-J

Mitchell (575) Kelley (575)

30 835-T 32 927-N

Rutledge Jannsen Wilkinson O’Hare

44 268-K 46 620-B 31 010-A 46 932-T

Martin Wolfe

42 720-R 40 678-M

Newman Morris Harlow Adamson

29 818-L 34 865-D 37 839-G 35 838-B

Lowe

32 597-P

Spare Lead: 36 815-W

Spare Ship: 31 866-X

Spare Ship: 30 248-V

Mission No 127, 31 July 1944

Mission to Nantes, France

Another railroad bridge, the North span at Nantes, was the last target attacked by the 391st during July. Thirty-six planes took part in this mission, dropping a total of one hundred thirty-four General Purpose bombs and one leaflet bomb on the primary. Two flights had excellent bombing results with strikes on and across the South end of the bridge. Two others had good results, but the bombs of one were lost on the riverbank. Seventeen of the planes were flak battle-damaged, and three crewmen were wounded, but there were no losses.

1st Box

Williams (Hqs & 575)

7 803-K

Lakin Schreiber

14 836-N 32 597-P

Mitchell

40 671-L

Fleck Shannon

45 843-J 28 841-A

Jannsen (575) Ljunggren (575)

32 927-N 18 808-X

O’Hare Harlow Olfson Rutledge

15 799-T 47 025-S 41 847-H 37 818-L

Martin Wolfe

47 833-U 34 931-F

Morris Keidinger Hanish Tucker

30 248-V 41 615-A 46 932-T 38 844-G

Spangler

9 812-O

2nd Box

Rutledge (573)

19 801-G

Snyder Bollinger

6 748-Q 21 802-P

Colsch

22 978-Q

Baxter Daffern

18 747-T 25 830-M

Bird (574) Thorn (573)

30 835-T 24 822-O

Stanfield Garwick Bjork Youse

42 720-R 36 815-W 24 828-L 23 102-X

Carson Boone

35 800-C 21 820-S

Watson Newman Dillard Holliday

34 865-D 31 010-A 19 831-H 16 797-P

Lowe

35 838-B

Spare Lead 8 673-A

Spare Ship 8 810-C

Mission No 128, 1 Aug 1944

Mission to Bourth, France

An assignment to bomb the railroad bridge and embankment at Bourth, 25 miles east of Dreux, France, was the 391st Group’s first for the month of August, the planes leaving base during the mid afternoon and returning at 1852 Hours. The target was a link for the German Ground Forces to Paris and the East. Thirty-six planes were dispatched, and of these, five flights of six planes each, attacked the primary with varying results. A late photo reconnaissance report on the same day revealed the following effects of the bombing through 7/10 cloud cover: “although this bridge remains undamaged, through traffic has been rendered impossible by a large crater on tracks East of the bridge. Approximately 30 craters are visible in the target area” One flight bombardier failed to identify the primary on two runs and attacked a railroad junction in the vicinity. He reported excellent results accomplished with his flight’s forty-eight 500-pound bombs. There was no enemy opposition to the mission, and all the planes returned without damage or casualties.

1st Box

Kelley (575)

32 927-N

Kiedinger Goodwin

41 615-A 47 833-U

Jannsen

45 843-J

Martin Ekstrom

48 964-G 39 853-F

Wolfe (575) Harkins (575)

40 678-M 13 808-X

Schreiber Olfson Harlow Adamson

15 799-T 16 797-P 47 025-S 38 844-D

Rutledge Wilkinson

6 748-Q 14 806-M

Carson Watson Lakin Saunders

35 800-C 36 807-J 39 837-N 9 812-D

Newman

35 838-B

2nd Box

Sellers (573)

19 801-G

Baxter Boylan

18 747-T 17 634-J

Boone

21 802-P

Bollinger Youse

25 830-M 23 102-X

Armstrong (573) Shaffner (573)

21 820-S 25 825-B

Dillard Bjork Holliday Daffern

22 806-C 24 828-L 28 841-A 19 831-H

Colsch Snyder

37 815-U 16 815-R

Spangler Garwick May Boyd

22 978-Q 37 839-G 13 719-F 14 836-N

Salmon

5 313-Z

Spare Lead: 6 811-G

Spare Ship: 38 576-V

Spare Ship: 37 818-L

Mission No 131 & 132, 5 Aug 1944

Mission to Le Mans, France

The Railroad Bridge at Le Mans, France, occupied the Group to the extent of two missions, one attack, and excellent results on August 5. Thirty-six B-26s were dispatched at 1043 hours to attack the target but were recalled from France when fighters could not accomplish a rendezvous and carry out escort duties. Crews returned to base and sweated out the next take off which came at 1821 hours for the same target. Bombing was accomplished by flights of six from an altitude of 6,700 to 8,700 feet. Thirty-four of the planes dropped sixty-four 2000-pound bombs on the target, two failing to get their bombs away for mechanical reasons. Four of the six flights scored excellent results with strikes on the bridge and on approaches to the span. Planes returned to base at 2200 hours without loss, casualties or battle damage

1st Box

Thorn (573)

24 822-O

Baxter Boylan

18 747-T 17 634-J

Snyder

23 823-N

Holliday Youse

25 810-W 23 102-X

Boone (573) Dooley (573)

13 719-F 19 801-G

Dillard Bjork Colsch Daffern

22 806-C 24 828-L 22 978-Q 28 841-A

Sloss Rutledge

19 831-H 21 820-S

Hanlon Baehr May Boyd

7 813-J 8 810-C1 46 932-T 21 802-P

Alexander

16 797-P

2nd Box

Ljunggren (575)

41 847-H

Kiedinger Lakin

41 615-A 45 855-R

Olfson

31 010-A1

Schirmer Kirschke

47 833-U 35 800-C

Mitchell (575) Jannsen (575)

38 844-D 40 671-L

Ruble Harlow Schreiber Goodwin

39 853-F 47 025-S 38 576-V 37 818-L

Rutledge Martin

44 268-K 36 807-J

Jacobi Fleck Hanish Saunders

37 839-G 45 843-J 31 866-X 35 838-B

McCarty

14 836-N

Spare Lead 32 927-N

Spare Ship 15 799-T

Mission No 133, 6 Aug 1944

Mission to Courtalain, France

Thirty-six of the Group’s planes attacked the railroad bridge at Courtalain, France, at twenty-two minutes past noon on the August 6, and left the span chopped up sufficiently that no traffic could pass. Two hundred eighty-eight 500-pound General Purpose bombs were dropped on the objective, the bombing conducted by flights. Three of the flights had excellent results, one “good, and the other “fair”. Planes returned to base at 1417 hours without losses, casualties, or battle damage.

1st Box

Williams (Hqs & 573)

7 803-K

Baxter Sloss

21 820-S 19 831-H

Colsch

22 978-Q

Holliday May

28 830-M 23 823-N

Thorn (573) Dooley (573)

24 822-O 25 825-B

Youse Clapham Bjork Dillard

23 102-X 15 947-U 24 828-L 22 806-C

Boone Boylan

9 834-B1 17 634-J

Hanlon Boyd Rice Dunn

38 844-D 16 815-R 17 595-V 28 841-A

Alexander

16 797-P

2nd Box

Mitchell (575)

40 671-L

Ruble Fleck

47 833-U 45 843-J

Wolfe

45 855-R

Schreiber Goodwin

38 576-V 44 268-K

Olfson (575) Jannsen (575)

32 927-N1 41 847-H

Jacobi Schirmer Harlow Kelley

31 866-X 32 597-P 47 025-S 46 295-O

Martin Lakin

48 964-G 39 837-N

Saunders Willis Baehr Kiedinger

35 838-B 42 720-R1 8 810-C 41 615-A

McCarty

14 836-N

Spare Lead: 8 673-A

Spare Ship: 35 800-C

Mission No 137, 8 Aug 1944

Mission to Anizy le Chateau, France

A railroad bridge at Anizy le Chateau, France, was on the receiving end of an attack by the Group on the afternoon of August 8. Thirty-seven planes were dispatched at 1022 hours, with 23 dropping twenty-two 2000-pound bombs and ten 1100-pound General Purpose bombs on the target. Seven of the planes failed to bomb, one of them being shot down by anti-aircraft fire, falling near Gamaches, France. Bombing ranged from fair to excellent, as far as concentration near the target was concerned, but photo reconnaissance reports later in the day revealed that the bridge remained intact, and that the rail line appeared still serviceable, the crater concentration being in the woods to the West of the bridge. Fifteen of the planes were flak battle-damaged, but there were no additional casualties to those listed as missing in the ship which went down.

Missing Crew and Plane

Plane: 42-107673, P2-A type, B-26C-45-MO, 572^nd Squadron.

Pilot. Capt. William G Erickson, 0-792568, Stottville, N.Y. Ret’d 14 Sept.

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Nick C Wallen, 0-2045185, Banner, Ky. Ret’d 14 Sept.

Navigator 1st Lt. William C. Brooks, 0-669002, Minneapolis, Minn. P.O.W.

G-Navigator 1st Lt. Dale G. Durkes, 0-669258, Converse, Ind. Ret’d 14 Sept.

Bombardier 1st Lt. Leon G. Hanisch, 0-666661, La Grange, Texas Ret’d 14 Sept.

Engineer Gunner T/Sgt. Robert M.Popek, 32276096, Garfield, N.J. Ret’d 14 Sept.

Radio Gunner T/Sgt. Milford R. Baker, 1098350, Turner Falls, Mass. Ret’d 14 Sept.

Armorer Gunner S/Sgt. George E. Cochran, 36441881, Decatur, Ill. P.O.W.

1st Box

Hollis (574)

34 931-F

Wolfe Garwick

31 866-X 36 807-J

Horridge

29 818-L

Evans Morris

44 808-C 38 844-D

Carson (574) Majka (574)

7 803-K 41 847-H

Ryan Newman Stanfield Watkinson

31 010-A 37 873-U 39 837-N 47 833-U

Watson Bush

25 825-B 36 815-W

Boyd Willis Hillier Spangler

34 865-D 47 025-S 42 720-R 45 855-R

Kiedinger

41 615-A

2nd Box

Erickson (572)

8 673-A

Walker Smith

7 813-J 16 797-P

Hanlon

9 812-D

DeWitt Reynolds

15 947-U 14 836-N

Whitson (572) Roeper (572)

15 799-T 6 811-G

Bollinger (573) Fry (572) Alexander Koehl

17 634-J 19 831-H 23 823-N 21 820-S

Sloss (573) Dickinson

19 801-G 9 834-B

Bjork (573) Holliday (573) Chatellier Blute

46 932-T 22 806-C 5 313-Z 6 748-Q

Rutledge

44 268-K

Spare Lead: 40 671-L

Spare Ship: 46 295-O

Awards

William G. Erickson, 0-792568, Captain, Air Corps, United States Army.

For wounds received as a result of enemy action on the 8 August 1944, while serving as Pilot on a B-26 airplane. Entered military service from Stottville, New York.

Leon G. Hanisch, 0-666661, First Lieutenant Air Corps, United States Army.

For wounds received as a result of enemy action on the 8 August 1944, while serving as Bombardier-Navigator on a B-26 airplane. Entered military service from La Grange, Texas.

Dale G. Durkes, 0-669258, First Lieutenant Air Corps, United States Army.

For wounds received as a result of enemy action on the 8 August 1944, while serving as Bombardier-Navigator on a B-26 airplane. Entered military service from Converse, Ind.

Distinguished Flying Cross

Woodrow W. Fry, 0-748173, First Lieutenant, 572^nd Bombardment Squadron, 391^st Bombardment Group (M). For heroic and outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight in the European Theatre of Operation on 8 August 1944. On that date Lt Fry piloted a B-26 type aircraft on a mission to bomb a vital and heavily defended enemy railroad bridge in occupied territory. Shortly after reaching the French coast, the formation encountered a heavy barrage of accurate ground fire, which damaged the right propeller, main fuel tank, aileron controls and main hydraulic system. Despite the extreme difficulty to maintaining the plane in level flight, Lt Fry courageously determined to remain with the formation. After releasing the bombs on the target with telling effect Lt Fry demonstrated superior flying ability and aggressive perseverance in guiding the crippled plane back to an emergency landing field in single engine flight, making a successful crash landing with no further damage to the aircraft or injury to the crew. The aggressive tenacity and superb technical skill exhibited by Lt. Fry on this occasion are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Force. Entered military service from Long Island, New York.

Award of Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross

William G. Erickson, Jr, 0-792568, Captain, 391^st Bombardment Group (M). For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a pilot of a B-26 type aircraft on 8 August 1944. En-route to attack a vital enemy installation Captain Erikson’s aircraft was badly damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Displaying superb airmanship, Captain Erickson struggled to maintain the plane in level flight while he gave the order to salvo the bombs and for the crew to abandon the aircraft. Only after the last man left the disabled aircraft did Captain Erickson leave the controls and jump through the open bomb bay door. Captain Erickson’s courage, heroic determination, and superior flying skills made possible the escape of his entire crew and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered Military service from New York.

By command of Major General Vandenberg.

MISSION #203, 23 Dec 1944

Target, Ahrweiler, German railroad viaduct, Results good

Pathfinder

1st Box

Jannsen-Garside (575)

7 743-N

Hoar Kirton

14 620-B 2 855-R

Mickelson-Mezzel(574) Breesman-Kelly (575)

46-43-34309-4l-C 847-E

Gray Haynes Sharp Heslep

44 67826-4L-C 42 95798 4L-E 43 3440 08-Q 418-E

Stevenson-Schwarz Gatlin-Adair

42 95838-4L-B 42-107671-08-L

Ryan Woods Kloepfer Tavener

42 95818-4L-L 720-R 42 95944-08-D 42 95932-08-T

2nd Box

Pathfinder

Boylan-Smith (573)

42 95825-T-6-B

Abraham Dillard

42 107747-T-6-T 806-C

Chism-Del’Oliver(574) May-Solomon (573)

927-R 451-D

Donnelly Detjens Baker Rice

42 95841 4L-S 41 35010 4L-A 620-S 854-J

Brown-Estrom Dent-Allen

42 95865 4L-D 319-R

Matus Lesmeister Schaffron Edwards

43 34361 4L-M 42 102597 4L-P 822-D 447-E

Spare: Putnam

252-Z

MISSION #204, 23 Dec 1944

Target: Neuerburg, German defended village & communications center

(Second Mission)

1st Box

1000lbs

Hanish-Rauschenberger(575)

59 425-A

Chatham Timbers

58 156-J 59 427-B

Lippincott-Banks

50 811-G

Kloepfer Sharp

65 806-M 57 008-L

Hillier-Hesse(574) Lakin-Vargo*(575)

25-248-N 67 808-X

Gray Haynes Martin Cambier

PL 819-H 22 252-Z 63 740-V 60 815-R

Stevenson-Schwarz Willis-Demeester

82 041-A 69 947-U

Henage Young Horstman Leavitt

30 144-V 68 429-Y 68 337-P 66 337-P

Spare: Bolton

2nd Box

250 lbs

Cassiday-Schweizer(573)

3 843-J

Shoemaker Putnam

4 268-K 15 295-O

Walter-Muddiman

12 678-M

Edwards Abraham

9 418-X 18 833-J

Bischoff-Batty(574) Lloyd-Stallings (573)

RW 454-H 17 441-Q

Stevens Crowe Larson Clark

RW 886-X 48 807-J

Reynolds-Kyser Mosher-Miller

RW 927-N

Woods Ryan Shanks Printz

Spare: BAKER

Spare Lead: 39-810-W

*The reference to Vargo probably should be to Vurguropolos, who flew regularly with Lakin.

This taxi sheet apparently was prepared hurriedly and before the first mission returned. My good

friend, Clayton Abraham, was one who did not return from the morning mission. Martin Mazurk reports that Leavitt actually flew on Bischoff’s wing.

1st Box

MISSION #206, 25 Dec 1944

Target, Bitburg, German communications center, Results varied

Earll-Goldschlager (572)

67 50?-X

Kunberger Peterson

63 74 -V 60 811-G

Allen-Darnell

68 429-Y

Brown Pancoast

66 337-P 58 820-S

Gates

60 313-Z

Bischoff-Batty(574) Crumal-Gresham (572)

RW 454-H 62 836-N

Proctor Spangler Main Bonde

RW 856-X RW 877-G 65 815-R 69 947-D

Chism-Del’Oliver Lantz-???????

RW 927-N 59 427-B

Henage Sherwood Young Thiedeman

RW 819-T 48 807-J 58 165-J 60 748-Q

Daniels Detwiler

65 806-M PL 750-S

2nd Box

Williams-Woods (HQS)

42 95825-T-6-B

Kirton Hoar (575)

1 808-G I4 620-B

Burhanna-Andercheck

12 578-V

Timbers Chatman

8 678-M 9 416-X

Cassidy-Schweizer(573) Lakin-Vurga (575)

39 810-W 17 441-Q

Edwards Shoemaker Cambier Bass

33 634-J 32 841-A 4 268-K 11 025-S

Baker-Morse Lippincott-Banks

?? 319-A ? 943-G

Shanks Prince Horstman ??????????

80 144-V 23 808-C 15 295-O 18 833-U

Larsen Lipschultz (572)

25 243-H PL 008-L

Sp Lead 59 425-A

Sp Ship 24 820-S

MISSION #207, 25 Dec 1944

Target, Taben, German rail bridge, Results excellent

1st Box

Morris-Czerniak (572)

59 425-A

Penneman Gates

65 806-M 65 815-R

Peterson-Kaiser

60 811-G

Lipschultz White

PL 319-E 59 427-B

Hillier-Hesse(574) Crumal-Gresham(572)

RW 927-N 82 836-N

Proctor Woods Main Bonde

RW 866-X RW 877-G 80 313-Z 69 947-U

Flannagan-McCord Allen-Darnell

RW 454-H 68 437-?

Henage Sherwood Chapin Young

RW 819-T 40 807-J 60 74?-Q 66 337-P

2nd Box

Harkins-Barnes (575)

12 576-V

Kirton Hoar

9 418-X 14 620-?

Burhanna-Andercheck

17 441-Q

Timbers Chatham

8 373-M 1 ?0?-O

Cassidy-Schweizer(574?) Hanish-Rauschenberger(575)

39 810-W 3 843-J

Printz Shanks Cambier Bass?

30 144-V 24 820-S 63 740-V 31 319-R

Baker?-M??se Lippincot-Banks

25 248-N 2 964-G

Larson Edwards Horstman Thompson

32 841-A 33 806-C

Shoemaker