34th
Bomb Group Combat Mission Diary: JANUARY 1945 Missions #107-#
compiled
by Gary L Ferrell
Missions
as a B-17 Group in January 1945
January
1, 1945
B-17G
43-38406 L/W badly damaged by strafing on the ground at Brussels.
Salvaged 2-1-45 See photo on
page
413 in Roger Freeman Mighty Eighth War Diary.)
January
2, 1945
Mission
#107 Bad Kreuznach
Command
Pilot: HERSHENOW. 38 planes dispatched. 36 planes dropped 105 tons on the
primary target while 2 planes failed to bomb. 36 Credit Sorties. One plane was
lost to flak and 10 crewmembers were listed as Missing in Action.
Planes
and crew:
44-8237
H/I 4BS Baker (PFF)
43-38325
H/B 4BS Kimmerle
43-38343
L/I 391BS Blum
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-37864
L/E 391BS Felker
43-38415
L/G 391BS Hansen
43-38372
L/A 391BS Sherman
43-38380
L/B 391BS Baker, L. (incorrectly listed as L/S)
44-8327
L/R 391BS Ettlebrick
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hammersrley Aborted - mechanical
44-8320
E/G 391BS McLean
43-38378
L/K 391BS Smith
44-8356
H/N 4BS Richardson, Z. C.
43-38292
H/R 4BS
Hofmann
MIA. See below.
43-38338
B/M 18BS Nass
44-8321
B/F 18BS Jones, W. S.
43-38953
B/D 18BS Goss
44-8282
B/V 18BS Lerch
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams
43-38392
B/E 18BS Knowlton
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Kyser
43-38433
B/R 18BS Bouldin
43-38374
B/X 18BS Mann
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
44-8457
H/G 4BS Perry (PFF)
43-38402
H/P 4BS Gibson
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver
43-38391
E/J 7BS Mowers
43-38987
E/F 7BS Vick
43-38113
E/S 7BS Peterson Wee Willie's Wolves
43-38280
E/M 7BS MacTaggart
43-38367
E/L 7BS Ames
43-38382
L/Q 7BS O’Grady Queenie
43-38386
E/K 7BS Barbaras
44-6296
E/R 7BS James
44-8309
E/H 7BS Roscher
44-8263
E/Y 7BS Giardini
44-8482
H/A Thaete and Hartley VHF Relay Aircraft
44-8235
H/X (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38416
H/C (unused ground spare – lead)
43-38991
H/Z (unused ground spare – lead) (incorrectly listed as L/Z)
43-38299
L/U (unused ground spare)
B-17G
43-38292 H/R Missing in Action. This aircraft was last seen shortly
after take-off. It never joined the formation at any time. The control tower
and the Command pilots in the formation report that this aircraft never made
any raido contact after take-off. Circumstances of the loss are unknown. With
4BS. Pilot: Hofmann. Missing Air Crew Report # 11566. 10 Killed in Action.
KIA
HOFMANN ROGER P
(P)
1 LT 4
O-825171
NORTH BERGEN NJ 11
KIA
JOHNSON WARREN L
(CP)
2 LT
4
O-775379
ALAMEDA
CA
12
KIA
REED RICHARD O
(N)
2 LT 4
O-2061050
SAN BERNARDINO CA 11
KIA
BROWN HERMAN S
(B)
2 LT 4
O-722690
BROOKLYN
NY
12
KIA
BACHMAN FORD F B
(MO)
1 LT
4
O-375608
LEXINGTON TX
7
KIA
REITMAN ELMER LOUIS (TT)
T/SGT
4
35684931
MELBOURNE
NY
11
KIA
SUMMERS JACK C
(R)
T/SGT 4
35215548
COLUMBUS OH
11
KIA
SCOTT PERRY L JR
(TG)
S/SGT 4
35143723
CASPER
WY
23
KIA
SUMPTER NARVIE E
(BT)
S/SGT
4
17009107
FORT WORTH TX
18
KIA
UNKLESBEE MERVIN F
(WG)
S/SGT
4
33743007
WASHINGTON
DC 11
BACHMAN
FORD F B is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American
Cemetery.
BROWN
HERMAN S is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American
Cemetery.
HOFMANN
ROGER P is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American
Cemetery.
JOHNSON
WARREN L is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American
Cemetery.
REED
RICHARD O is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American
Cemetery.
REITMAN
ELMER L is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American
Cemetery.
SCOTT
PERCY L JR. is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery.
SUMERS
JACK C is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery.
SUMPTER
NARVIE E is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American
Cemetery.
UNKLESBEE
MERVIN F is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American
Cemetery.
B-17G
43-39406 L/W Salvaged in Belgium from damage on 26-2-45 mission &
1-1-45 strafing.
January
3, 1945
Mission
#108 Pforzheim, Aschaffenburg
Command
Pilot: TAVASTI. 38 planes dispatched. 24 planes dropped 66 tons on the primary
target. 13 planes dropped 30 tons on targets of opportunity and 1 plane failed
to bomb. 37 Credit Sorties.
Planes
and crew:
44-8356
H/N 18BS Perry (PFF)
43-38402
H/P 18BS Kimmerle
43-38433
B/R 18BS Bouldin
43-38953
B/D 18BS Goss
43-38392
B/E 18BS Richardson, L.
43-38304
B/L 18BS Mann
43-38138
B/I 18BS Mote Ole-Timer
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams
43-38338
B/M 18BS Nass
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Springer
44-8282
B/V 18BS Lerch
44-8237
H/I 7BS Richardson, Z. (PFF)
43-38991
H/Z 7BS Gibson
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver
44-8320
E/G 7BS Mowers
43-38391
E/J 7BS Vick
44-6296
E/R 7BS Wright
44-8263
E/Y 7BS Weaver
44-6826
E/C 7BS Sheesley
44-6822
E/B 7BS O’Grady
44-8309
E/H 7BS Giardini
43-38972
L/C 7BS Barbaras
43-38987
E/F 7BS James
43-38386
E/K 7BS Roscher
44-8457
H/G 391BS Livingston (PFF)
43-38416
H/C 391BS Sain
43-38343
L/I 391BS Jones, J. L.
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-37864
L/E 391BS Felker
43-38415
L/G 391BS Hansen
43-38380
L/B 391BS Baker, L. A.
43-38378
L/K 391BS Smith
43-38257
L/T 391BS Hammersley
43-38367
E/L 391BS Ames
43-38113
E/S 391BS Peterson Wee Willie's Wolves
Aborted – jettisoned bombs in the channel.
43-38280
E/M 391BS MacTaggart
43-38299
L/U 391BS Blum
44-8176
H/Q Daniels & Freeman Weather and
Monitor Aircraft
43-38374
B/X (scheduled for Mote but replaced.)
43-38410
H/J (unused ground spare – lead)
44-8482
H/A (unused ground spare –PFF)
44-8629
L/D (unused ground spare)
43-38789
L/F (unused ground spare)
January
5, 1945
B-17G
43-38304 B/L crash landed and salvaged with non-battle damage
January
7, 1945
Mission
#109 Bielefeld
Command
Pilot: BRUNK. 38 planes dispatched. 36 planes dropped 104 tons on the primary
target and two failed to bomb. 36 Credit Sorties.
Planes
and crew:
44-8237
H/I 7BS Iverson (PFF)
43-38325
H/B 7BS Gibson
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver
43-38391
E/J 7BS Henderson
43-38263
E/N 7BS Mowers
43-38416
E/C 7BS O’Grady
44-6826
E/D 7BS Sheesley
44-8309
E/H 7BS Weaver
43-38280
E/M 7BS MacTaggart
43-38367
E/L 7BS Ames
44-8263
E/Y 7BS Roscher
43-38386
E/K 7BS James
44-8482
H/A 391BS Livingston (PFF)
43-38410
H/J 391BS Daniels
43-38372
L/A 391BS Sherman
43-37864
L/E 391BS Hammersley Aborted - #4 out.
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-38789
L/F 391BS Blum
44-8629
L/D 391BS Hansen
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
43-38972
L/C 391BS Latz
43-38343
L/I 391BS Jones, J. L.
43-38380
L/B 391BS Baker
43-38257
L/T 391BS
Feldman
Aborted - #2 out.
44-8327
L/R 391BS Smith
44-8441
H/S 18BS Benedict (PFF)
43-38991
H/Z 18BS Felker
43-38374
B/X 18BS Mote
44-8529
B/A 18BS Jones, W. S.
43-38378
L/K 18BS Nass
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
44-8282
B/V 18BS Hemingway
43-38392
B/E 18BS Knowlton
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams
43-38953
B/D 18BS Goss
43-38409
B/B 18BS Gustofson
44-8321
B/F 18BS Rainey
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Fiedler
43-38415
L/G (scheduled for J. L. Jones but replaced)
43-38338
B/M (scheduled for Nass but replaced)
44-8356
H/N (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38959
H/R (unused ground spare – lead)
44-6296
E/R (unused ground spare)
43-38987
E/F (unused ground spare)
43-38331
B/Y (unused ground spare)
January
10, 1945
Mission
#110 Cologne
Command
Pilot: CRABTREE. 33 planes dispatched. 31 planes dropped 90 tons on the primary
target while one plane dropped 3 tons on a target of opportunity and one plane
failed to bomb. 32 Credit Sorties. (Cleveland Romero #19. “Took off in
snow & ice on runway. 2 holes in left horizontal stabilizer, piece of flak
came thru plexiglass nose from above. Close shave.”)
Planes
and crew:
44-8237
H/I 391BS Perry (MH)
44-8441
H/S 391BS Alling
43-38367
E/L 391BS Sherman
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hammersley
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-38789
L/F 391BS Smith
44-8629
L/D 391BS
Hansen
Major damage
43-38972
L/C 391BS Jones, J.
43-38380
L/B 391BS Baker, L.
43-38343
L/I 391BS Werth Oxygen system went out 2 minutes before target –
Bombardier helping Engineer
44-8457
H/G 18BS Dunham (MH)
43-38991
H/Z 18BS Kimmerle
43-38409
B/B 18BS Springer
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Nass
44-8283
B/G 18BS Fiedler
43-38138
B/I 18BS Mann Ole-Timer
44-8321
B/F 18BS Rainey
43-38338
B/M 18BS Gustofson
43-38433
B/R 18BS Hemingway
44-8529
B/A 18BS Jones, W.
44-8356
H/N 7BS Richardson, (MH)
43-38325
H/B 7BS Gibson
44-8263
E/Y 47BS McLean
43-38263
E/N 7BS Vick
43-38391
E/J 7BS
Henderson
Aborted - #3 turbo out
43-38416
E/C 7BS Giardini
44-6465
E/O 7BS Barbaras Fancy Nancy
43-38280
E/M 7BS Weaver
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin
44-8309
E/H 7BS Carter Leaflets only.
43-38113
E/S 7BS Davis Wee Willie's Wolves
44-6826
E/D 7BS Sheesley
43-38402
L/P 391BS Anderson
Failed to take off.
43-38415
L/G 391BS Moore
Failed to take off.
43-38953
B/D 18BS Mote Failed to take off.
43-38392
B/E 18BS Thaete Failed to take off.
44-6296
E/R 7BS Wright Failed to take off.
43-38326
B/U (scheduled for Hemingway but replaced)
43-38410
H/J (unused ground spare – lead)
44-8112
H/D (unused ground spare –PFF)
43-38987
E/F (unused ground spare)
Command
Pilot: FANDEL. 38 planes dispatched. 35 planes dropped 88 tons on the primary
target and 3 planes failed to bomb. 35 Credit Sorties. Two crewmembers were
listed as Wounded in Action.
Planes
and crew:
44-8356
H/N 18BS Iverson (MH)
44-8112
H/D 18BS Day
43-38433
B/R 18BS Bouldin
43-38409
B/B 18BS Rainey
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
43-38338
B/M 18BS Lerch
44-8529
B/A 18BS Thaete Landed away.
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede One man WIA
43-38374
B/X 18BS Mote
43-38953
B/D 18BS Goss
43-38392
B/E 18BS Tigges
43-38138
B/I 18BS Mann Ole-Timer
44-8441
H/S 7BS Richardson, Z. (MH)
44-6822
H/E 7BS Kimmerle
44-8309
E/H 7BS Carter Aborted - #4 engine out.
44-8320
E/G 7BS McLean Landed away. Major damage.
44-6826
E/D 7BS Henderson
43-38416
E/C 7BS Giardini
44-6465
E/O 7BS Barbaras Fancy Nancy
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin One man WIA.
44-6296
E/R 7BS Wright
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver Aborted - #2 engine out.
43-38987
E/F 7BS Davis
43-38367
E/L 7BS Roscher
43-38419
E/E 7BS James
44-8237
H/I 391BS Livingston (MH)
43-38959
H/R 391BS Gibson
43-38402
L/P 391BS Jones, J. L.
44-8271
L/O 391BS Felker
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-38343
L/I 391BS Sherman
43-38380
L/B 391BS Baker
43-38378
L/K 391BS Smith
44-8629
L/D 391BS Latz
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
43-38257
L/T 391BS Feldman
43-38415
L/G 391BS Moore
43-38789
L/F 391BS Blum
43-38325
H/B Daniels & Crabtree Weather and Monitor
Aircraft
44-8235
H/X (scheduled for Z. Richardson but replaced)
44-8263
E/Y (schedule for Giardini but replaced)
43-38410
H/J (unused ground spare – lead)
43-38331
B/Y (unused ground spare)
43-38113
E/S Wee Willie's Wolves (unused ground spare)
43-38263
E/N (unused ground spare)
B-17G
44-8529 B/A salvaged with battle damage
January
14, 1945
Mission
#112 Derben
Command
Pilot: HERSHENOW. 39 planes dispatched. 32 planes dropped 95 tons on the
primary target. 2 planes dropped 6 tons on targets of opportunity and 5 planes
failed to bomb. 34 Credit Sorties. 2 planes were lost due to flak and 18
crewmembers were listed as Missing in Action.
Planes
and crew:
44-8237
H/I 7BS Pelszynski (PFF)
44-8482
H/A 7BS Sain (PFF)
44-8263
E/Y 7BS Carter Lost MIA. See below
43-38416
E/C 7BS Vick
43-38367
E/L 7BS Henderson
43-38280
E/M 7BS MacTaggart
43-38113
E/S 7BS Peterson Wee Willie's Wolves Major damage.
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin
44-6296
E/R 7BS Wright
43-38987
E/F 7BS Davis
43-38419
E/E 7BS Raver Lost MIA. See below.
44-6826
E/D 7BS Sheesley
44-8441
H/S 391BS Benedict (PFF)
43-38991
H/Z 391BS Gibson
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. Queenie
43-37864
L/E 391BS Felker
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs Aborted.
43-38972
L/C 391BS Latz
43-38378
L/K 391BS Smith
43-38343
L/I 391BS Sherman
44-8629
L/D 391BS Moore
43-38257
L/T 391BS Fledman
43-38402
L/P 391BS Anderson
Dropped 7 bombs, brought back 5 – rack malfunction
43-38789
L/F 391BS Blum
43-38380
L/B 391BS Baker
44-8112
H/D 18BS Dunham (PFF)
43-38410
H/J 18BS Kimmerle
44-8282
B/V 18BS Lerch
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Gustofson
43-38953
B/D 18BS Goss
43-38326
B/U 18BS Fiedler
43-38392
B/E 18BS Peede
43-38433
B/R 18BS Abrams
43-38138
B/I 18BS Mann Ole-Timer Aborted - #1
engine out. Jettisoned bombs.
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton
43-38409
B/B 18BS Butler
43-38374
B/X 18BS Rainey
43-38338
B/M 18BS Kennedy
44-8235
H/X (scheduled for Benedict but replaced)
43-38325
H/B (unused ground spare – lead)
43-38263
E/N (unused ground spare)
44-8271
L/O (unused ground spare)
43-38373
B/J (unused ground spare)
B-17G
43-38419 E/E Missing in Action Derben flak. Aircraft was hit by flak in
the right wing. Aircraft rolled over almost like in a slow roll, during which
time the outer wing panel tore away, just to the left of the outer engine
nacelle. All four engines were still running as the aircraft went into a spin,
going straight down. No fires were seen and no chutes observed. Some crews
report this plane as exploding at about 15,000 feet. Crashed Eggenstedt,
Germany. With 7BS. Pilot: Raver. Missing Air Crew Report # 11567. 7
Killed in Action, 2 Prisoner of War.
KIA
RAVER JACOB T
(P)
2 LT 7
O-767647
GLEN ROCK PA
32
KIA
KIEFER DEANE W
(CP)
2 LT 7
O-721117
LAWRENCE
KS
1
KIA
ZUMPANO JOSEPH L (B)
1 LT 7
O-698626
WILKES BARRE PA 34
KIA
HUHTA WILLIAM O
(R)
T/SGT 7
15374748
ASHTABULA
OH
31
KIA
SINGER JOHN L
(E)
T/SGT
7
36480864
PONTIAC IL
32
KIA
BAILEY EDWIN C
(TG)
SGT 7
17149190
RED OAK
IA
1
KIA
FRANCIS DAVID (Tog)
S/SGT
7
34012903
SOMERSET
KY
10
POW
ERWN CLAYTON
(BT)
S/SGT 7
35772281
UPPER TYGART KY 31
POW
HANKIN ERVIN W (TT)
S/SGT
7
17130631
SIOUX FALLS
SD
32
BAILEY
EDWIN C is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, C-7-51 (Note: Pete Grey has a
photo in
his
book, The Long, the Short, and the Tall on p.98 that shows Ed
Bailey’s grave in Belgium in 1990, not in Cambridge.) BAILEY was on his first
combat mission when he was killed.
RAVER
JACOB T is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, C-1-39.
B-17G
44-8263 E/Y Missing in Action Derben flak. Aircraft was hit by
flak in the right wing, the explosion of which tore off the outer wing panel
next to the outboard engine nacelle, leaving about a foot and a half of
airleron. The aircraft rose slightly then veered into a right almost vertical
bank, then into a right spiral, which developed into a steep right spin. No
fire was seen. Two to four chutes were seen. Aircraft exploded on impact.
Crashed Innien, Germany. With 7BS. Pilot: Carter. Missing Air Crew Report #
11565. 8 Killed in Action, 1 Prisoner of War.
KIA
CARTER LESLIE C
(P)
1 LT 7
O-761235
SANTA ANA CA
24
KIA
ROZELL JOSEPH E
(B)
1 LT 7
O-772079
NEW YORK NY
26
KIA
RUSSELL JOHN J
(N)
1 LT
7
O-723694
NEW YORK NY
26
KIA
KOCH ROBERT A (CP)
2 LT 7
O-822470
CHICAGO
IL
8
KIA
GUSE LEONARD W
(R)
T/SGT 7
37344523
LONGMONT
CO
22
KIA
HUT MOE
(E/TT)
T/SGT
7
12145645
BROOKLYN
NY
23
KIA
BARREDA FERNANDO A
(WG)
S/SGT
7
38213215
ELPASO
TX
24
KIA
BELH ROBERT C
(BT)
S/SGT 7
42080925
SEWELL
NJ
25
POW
ROMERO CLEVELAND J
(TG)
S/SGT
7
38489733
LAFAYETTE LA
20
January
15,
1945
Mission
#113 Augsberg
Command Pilot: LANDRY. 38 planes dispatched. 37 planes dropped 105 tons on the primary target while one failed to bomb. 36 Credit Sorties. (This would seem to be in error.) One crewmember was listed as Wounded in Action.
Planes
and crew:
44-8235
H/X 391BS Richardson (PFF)
44-8457
H/G 391BS Daniels (PFF)
43-38325
H/B 391BS Jones, J.
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-38789
L/F 391BS Blum Major damage.
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Baker Queenie
43-38972
L/C 391BS Latz
43-38402
L/P 391BS Hammersley
44-8629
L/D 391BS Anderson
43-38257
L/T 391BS Feldman
43-38378
L/K 391BS Smith
44-8112
H/D 18BS Perry (PFF)
43-38991
H/Z 18BS Kimmerle
43-38409
B/B 18BS Butler
43-38332
B/Q 18BS
Springer
Aborted - mechanical
43-38338
B/M 18BS Nass
43-38373
B/J 18BS Tigges (incorrectly shown as B/S)
43-38953
B/D 18BS Goss
43-38392
B/E 18BS Mann
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
43-38374
B/X 18BS Gustofson
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton
43-38433
B/R 18BS Fiedler One man WIA
44-8282
B/V 18BS Lerch
44-8441
H/S 7BS Livingston (PFF)
43-38410
H/J 7BS Gibson
43-38959
H/R 7BS Henderson
43-38280
E/M 7BS McLean
43-38263
E/N 7BS Peterson
43-38367
E/L 7BS O’Grady
44-6826
E/D 7BS Sheesley
44-8271
L/O 7BS Weaver
44-6296
E/R 7BS Wright
43-38987
E/F 7BS Davis
44-6465
E/O 7BS Barbaras Fancy Nancy
44-8327
L/R 7BS James
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin Major damage.
43-37864
L/E 391BS Felker (apparently did not take off)
43-38372
L/A 391BS Werth
(apparently did not take off)
44-6822
H/E (unused ground spare – lead)
44-8176
H/Q (unused ground spare – PFF)
January
16, 1945
Mission
#114 Bitterfeld
Command
Pilot: LeBAILLY. 38 planes dispatched. 29 planes dropped 90 tons on the primary
target. 3 planes dropped 9 tons on targets of opportunity and 6 failed to bomb.
33 Credit Sorties. One plane was lost, however, only one crewmember is listed
as Killed in Action.
Planes
and crew:
44-8235
H/X 18BS Perry (MH)
44-8482
H/A 18BS Day (MH)
43-38409 B/B 18BS
Peede Apparently landed at Mardon Moor, needs tires. Ball gunner missing.
He didn’t leave with the rest of the crew, couldn’t find him.
43-38326
B/U 18BS
Ratcliff
43-38392
B/E 18BS Jones, W.
Caught fire
and crashed near Cambridge. Ball gunner killed.
43-38433
B/R 18BS Mann
44-8321
B/F 18BS Kennedy
Aborted - #3 engine out)
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams Landed at Antwerp, Belgium
43-38953
B/D 18BS Goss
44-8282
B/V 18BS
Lerch
Landed in France at Fighter strip. Plane needs repair.
43-38338
B/M 18BS Nass
44-8112
H/D 7BS Pelszynski (MH) Aborted - #3 engine out)
44-6822
H/E 7BS Gibson
43-38416
E/C 7BS Weaver Aborted - #3 engine out)
43-38403
E/Z 7BS Vick
43-38263
E/N 7BS Mowers Landed in Belgium at RAF base.
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin
Aborted - #2 turbo out)
44-6465
E/O 7BS Barbaras Fancy Nancy
43-38280
E/M 7BS MacTaggart
43-38367
E/L 7BS Peterson Major damage.
43-38332
B/Q 7BS Wright
43-38987
E/F 7BS Davis
44-6826
E/D 7BS Sheesley
43-38374
B/X 7BS James Engineer injured his hand in the turret.
44-8457
H/G 391BS Benedict (MH)
43-38959
H/R 391BS Kimmerle
43-38325
H/B 391BS Hammersley Aborted - #3 engine out)
44-8629
L/D 391BS Felker
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-38380
L/B 391BS Baker
44-8327
L/R 391BS Werth
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. Queenie
43-38378
L/K 391BS Smith
43-38372
L/A 391BS Anderson
43-38972
L/C 391BS Latz
43-38789
L/F 391BS Blum
43-38402
L/P 391BS Feldman
44-8176
H/Q Capt Bower &
Dunham
Weather & monitor aircraft
44-8271
L/O (scheduled for Hammersley but replaced)
44-8356
H/N (unused ground spare – PFF)
B-17G
43-38392 B/E “Old Crow” with 18BS crash-landed at Ampton,
UK during assembly. #3 engine caught fire at 12,000 feet and pilot ordered the
crew to bail out. All the crew got out OK, but the explosion of the plane when
it hit the ground apparently collapsed the ball gunner’s chute, letting him
fall the last 150-200 feet to the ground. Pilot: W. S. Jones. 1 Killed in
Action. Plane was salvaged.
RTD
JONES W S (P)
RTD
CLARKE (CP)
RTD
BLOCZYNSKI (N)
RTD
DOOLEY (B)
RTD
NEAL (R)
RTD
ALLEN (E)
KIA
MAHER ROBERT A
(BT)
SGT 18
18193045
RTD
CAROTHERS
(gunner)
RTD
CHAFFEE (gunner)
January
17, 1945
B-17G
43-38374 B/X Crashed on training flight and salvaged. Pilot: Steffen.
KIA
STEFFEN JOHN P
(P)
2LT
18 0-721876
KY
KIA
REIMECKE FRANK
(CP)
18
KIA
RAMEY HOWARD L
(N)
F/O
18
T-132355
GA
KIA
ROBINSON PAUL
(B)
18
KIA
LANG HERMAN J
(E)
SGT 18
12207690
NY
LANG
HERMAN J is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, B-2-14.
RAMEY
HOWARD L is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, B-1-13.
STEFFEN
JOHN P is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, B-1-14.
January
20, 1945
Mission
#115 Rheine
Command
Pilot: BRUNK. 32 planes dispatched. 19 planes dropped 54 tons on the
primary target and one plane dropped 3 tons on the secondary target. 12 planes
failed to bomb. 20 Credit Sorties. One plane was lost and 5 crewmembers were
listed Missing in Action and 2 crewmembers were Killed in Action.
Planes
and crew:
44-8457
H/G 7BS Richardson (MH)
44-6822
H/E 7BS Alling Aborted – clipped 2 feet off
wing. One man injured.
44-8327
L/R 7BS Weaver Did not take off.
44-8629
L/D 7BS McLean
43-38391
E/J 7BS
Henderson
Aborted – turbo out.
43-38280
E/M 7BS MacTaggart
43-38987
E/F 7BS Davis
44-6826
E/D 7BS O’Grady
43-38263
E/N 7BS
Austin
#1 engine out. 5 Crewmembers bailed out. See below.
44-6465
E/O 7BS Barbaras Fancy Nancy
43-38113
E/S 7BS Wright Wee Willie's Wolves Did not take
off.
43-38367
E/L 7BS Roscher Did not take off.
44-8356
H/N 391BS Iverson (MH)
43-38991
H/Z 391BS Felker
43-38380
L/B 391BS Baker
43-38402
L/P 391BS Hammersley
43-38257
L/T 391BS
Feldman
Did not take off.
43-38789
L/F 391BS Blum
43-38378
L/K 391BS Smith
43-38372
L/A 391BS Sherman
43-38415
L/G 391BS Moore
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
43-38343
L/I 391BS Werth
43-38972
L/C 391BS Latz Bombed with 388BG
43-38410
H/J 18BS Dunham (MH)
43-38959
H/R 18BS Gibson
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton
43-38953
B/D 18BS Goss
43-38433
B/R 18BS Hemingway
43-38373
B/J 18BS Thaete
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Mote Crashed at Haughley
43-38409
B/B 18BS Butler
43-38138
B/I 18BS Nass Ole-Timer #2 engine out.
43-38286
E/T 18BS Kennedy
43-38365
L/S 18BS Jones, W. S.
44-6820
H/C Bouldin
Relay aircraft
44-8309
E/H (scheduled for Weaver but replaced)
44-8441
H/S (scheduled for Iverson but replaced. Iverson actually took off in
this plane, but the “Gee” box burned out and he returned to base and took off
again in 44-8356 H/N. When he finally caught up with the formation he joined
the High Squadron in 4-3 position. He resumed the lead after the secondary had
been bombed.)
B-17G
43-38332 B/Q “Gallopin’ Ghost” with 18BS crashed on
take-off. Highest altitude reached was about 500 feet. #1 engine out with fire
in the wing. Salvoed safetied bombs in a field near Gipping Lane near Haughley.
4 men bailed out. Hulings’ chute did not open. Navigator missing. The other two
were injured and are in hospital. The rest of the crew rode the plane in on the
crash landing and are OK. Pilot: Mote. 2 Killed in Action. Plane
salvaged. Four photos of the crash are in the mission file. Also see Sturdivan,
p.74.
RTD
MOTE
(P)
18
RTD
PRUITT
(CP)
18
KIA
YARBROUGH CARLTON I
(N)
1 LT
18 0-723729
CLARKSVILLE AL
30
???
FOSSUM
(B)
18
RTD
ILKKA
(R)
18
KIA
HULINGS JAMES E
(E)
T/SGT 18
32757584
RTD
CHANEY
(TG)
18
RTD
LOOKWOOD KEN
(NG)
18
RTD
KEIST
(Gunner)
18
B-17G
43-38263 E/N This plane caught fire in #1 engine during assembly over
Buncher #19 at about 20,000 feet. As the flames began to flow over the wing,
the pilot had the crew stand by for bail out. As the flames continued to
increase in intensity and the aircraft started to go out of control into in
diving spiral, the pilot ordered the bail out as it seemed the plane could blow
up at any moment. 5 crewmembers bailed out at this time, over the English
Channel. Air-Sea Rescue was advised immediately. When the increased airspeed
seemed to extinguish the flames, the remaining crew was ordered to stand by and
await developments. Returning to the field the plane caught fire once again
then went out as it came in for a landing. Caught fire again when it landed but
went out as the prop stopped turning. As the crew left the plane, it caught
fire once again and had to be put out by the fire crews. With 7BS. Pilot:
Austin. Unnumbered Missing Air Crew Report showing 5 MIA, later changed to KIA.
The plane was eventually repaired and put back into service.
RTD
AUSTIN RAYMOND E
(P)
1 LT
7
O-759100
RTD
SORRELL, RAYMOND G JR
(CP) 2 LT
7
O-768280
KIA
SOMMER PETER W
(N)
1 LT 7
O-723197
IL
RTD
DAVIS KENNETH J
(R)
T/SGT 7
19095572
RTD
WILLIAMS FELIX M JR
(E)
SGT 7
34702621
RTD
COBB CECIL G
(BT)
S/SGT 7
34632370
KIA
FISHER JAMES W
(WG)
S/SGT 7
38532803
Brownwood TX
KIA
HICKERSON THOMAS W
(TG)
S/SGT
7
38563457
OK
KIA
YATES ROBERT J
(Tog)
T/SGT 7
39551990
CA
KIA
RIVETT RICHARD S (Photographer)
S/SGT
391
16076381
IL
FISHER
JAMES W JR is listed on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery.
HICKERSON
THOMAS W is listed on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery.
RIVETT
RICHARD S is listed on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery.
SOMMER
PETER W is listed on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery.
YATES
ROBERT J is listed on the Wall of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery.
January
21, 1945
5
planes were dispatched to fly with the 493BG. The five planes dropped 14 tons
on the primary target with no losses. 5 Credit Sorties.
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
43-38415
L/G 391BS Smith, G.
43-38372
L/A 391BS Sherman
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones Queenie
44-8629
L/D 391BS Latz
44-6820
H/C (pilot not known) Relay aircraft
44-8556
H/F Benedict & Kiser
Weather aircraft
KIA
LONGTINE JOSEPH
R
SGT 18
16107921
WI
LONGTINE
JOSEPH R is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, F-4-82.
January
23, 1945
Mission
#116 Neuss
Command
Pilot: CRABTREE. 38 planes were dispatched but only 32 were airborne. 28 planes
dropped 60 tons on the primary target while 4 failed to bomb. 28 Credit
Sorties.
Planes
and crew:
44-8457
H/G 4BS Perry (PFF)
43-38416
E/C 391BS Baker
44-8441
H/S 391BS Dunham (PFF)
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
44-8327
L/R 391BS Hammersley
43-38372
L/A 391BS
Sherman
Aborted – leak in a pump.
44-8271
L/O 391BS Werth
43-38415
L/G 391BS Moore
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. L. Queenie
43-38113
E/S 391BS Feldman Wee Willie's Wolves
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
Aborted - #4 engine out.
43-38378
L/K 391BS Smith
44-8629
L/D 391BS Hansen
44-8235
H/X 4BS Livingston (PFF) Aborted - #3 engine out
43-38280
E/M 18BS Knowlton
43-38959
H/R 18BS Richardson, L. S.
43-38409
B/B 18BS Jones, W. S.
43-38433
B/R 18BS Hemingway
44-8309
E/H 18BS Abrams
44-8321
B/F 18BS Springer
43-38257
L/T 18BS Fiedler
43-38789
L/F 18BS Mann
43-38953
B/D 18BS Nass
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede
44-8320
E/G 18BS Tigges
43-38391
E/J 18BS Kennedy
44-8112
H/D 4BS Alling (PFF)
43-38386
E/K 7BS Weaver Chaff
43-38380
L/B 7BS Mowers Chaff
43-38403
E/Z 7BS McLean Chaff
43-38326
B/U 7BS O’Grady Chaff
43-38331
B/Y 7BS MacTaggart Chaff.
Aborted – oil leak.
44-8356
H/N (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38410
H/J (unused ground spare – lead)
44-6826
E/D (unused ground spare)
43-38367
E/L (unused ground spare)
43-38987
E/F (unused ground spare)
January
28, 1945
Mission
#117 Duisberg
Command
Pilot: SIMPSON. 13 planes dispatched. 10 planes dropped 29 tons on the primary
target and 3 failed to bomb. 10 Credit Sorties.
Planes
and crew:
44-8356
H/N 7BS Benedict (PFF) Battle damage
43-38325
H/B 7BS Gibson
44-8629
L/D 7BS Weaver Major damage
44-6296
E/R 7BS Vick
Aborted - #3 prop governor
43-38391
E/J 7BS
Henderson
Major damage
43-38257
L/T 7BS Giardini
43-38113
E/S 7BS Peterson Wee Willie's Wolves Battle damage
43-38416
E/C 7BS O’Grady
44-6826
E/D 7BS Sheesley Battle damage
44-8327
L/R 7BS MacTaggart Battle
damage. Ended up forming on 96BG and did not drop because 96BG dnd.
44-8112
H/D 7BS Daniels
43-38380
L/B 7BS James Battle damage
43-38367
E/L 7BS Roscher Battle damage
43-38987
E/F (scheduled for Davis but did not fly. Daniels in 112 took his plane.)
44-6820
H/C Bouldin Relay aircraft
43-38959
H/R (scheduled for Gibson but replaced)
44-8457
H/G (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38789
L/F (unused ground spare)
43-38971
B/A (unused ground spare)
44-8271
L/O (unused ground spare)
44-8237
H/I
Iverson
(Scheduled but did not take off)
43-38372
L/A Knowlton (Scheduled but did not take off)
44-8321
B/F
Rainey
(Scheduled but did not take off)
43-38953
B/D Ratcliff
(Scheduled but did not take off)
43-38382
L/Q Tigges Queenie
(Scheduled but did not take off)
43-38433
B/R Abrams (Scheduled but
did not take off)
43-38378
L/K Springer (Scheduled but did
not take off)
43-38415
L/G Thaete
(Scheduled but did not take off)
43-38409
B/B Butler
(Scheduled but did not take off)
43-38373
B/J
Peede
(Scheduled but did not take off)
43-38365
L/S
Mann
(Scheduled but did not take off)
January
29, 1945
Mission
#118 Kassel, Ober Lahustein
Command
Pilots: DUNHAM and PELSZNSKI. 26 planes dispatched. 13 planes dropped 42 tons
on the primary target while the other 13 planes dropped their 42 tons on
targets of opportunity. 26 Credit Sorties.
Planes
and crew:
44-8237
H/I 391BS Dunham (PFF)
43-38959
H/R 391BS Felker
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. Queenie
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hammersley
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-38372
L/A 391BS Sherman
44-8327
L/R 391BS Latz
43-38415
L/G 391BS Moore
43-38280
E/M 391BS Hansen
43-38257
L/T 391BS Feldman
43-38789
L/F 391BS Bass
43-38380
L/B 391BS Werth
43-38378
L/K 391BS Smith
44-8457
H/G 18BS Pelszynski
43-38991
H/Z 18BS Richardson, L.
43-38416
E/C 18BS Knowlton
43-38987
E/F 18BS Rainey
43-38953
B/D 18BS Ratcliff
43-38286
E/T 18BS Tigges
43-38433
B/R 18BS Abrams
43-38338
B/M 18BS Springer
43-38971
B/A 18BS Thaete
43-38409
B/B 18BS Butler
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede
44-6826
E/D 18BS Mann
44-6296
E/R 18BS Nass
44-6820
H/C Ettlebrick Relay Aircraft
44-8321
B/F (scheduled for Rainey but replaced)
44-8441
H/S (unused ground spare – PFF)
44-6822
H/E (unused ground spare – lead)
43-38325
H/B (unused ground spare)