34th
Bomb Group Combat Mission Diary: DECEMBER 1944 Missions #96-106
compiled
by Gary L Ferrell
Missions
as a B-17 Group in December 1944
December
1, 1944
B-17G
43-38351 L/F "Snake Bit" Salvaged after battle damaged
required forced landing in Belgium on Nov. 25th.
December
4, 1944
Mission
#96 Fulda, Friedberg
Command Pilot: FANDEL. 37 planes dispatched. 35 planes dropped 94 tons on the primary target and 2 failed to bomb. 37 Credit Sorties. (Cleveland Romero #13. Heated suit shorted out and almost froze. Had to put legs in bombsight heater.)
Planes
and crew:
44-8237
H/I 18BS Heath (PFF)
44-8441
H/S 18BS Bower (PFF)
44-8283
B/G 18BS Kyser
43-38373
B/J 18BS Richardson, L.
43-38374
B/X 18BS Kimmerle
44-8321
B/F 18BS Jones Maher (BT) had frostbitten right
foot. Cause not ascertained.
43-38402
L/P 18BS Goss
43-38433
B/R 18BS Bouldin
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff Aborted – mechanical.
44-8282
B/V 18BS Lerch
43-38338
B/M 18BS Hofmann
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton
44-8202
H/W 7BS Blair (PFF)
43-38410
B/C 7BS Ralls
43-38286
E/T 7BS Zarfoss
43-38391
E/J 7BS Henderson
43-38113
E/S 7BS Gibson Wee Willie's Wolves
44-8309
E/H 7BS Carter
44-8320
E/G 7BS O’Grady Major damage
43-38280
E/M 7BS Alling
44-6465
E/O 7BS MacTaggart Fancy Nancy
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin
44-8263
E/Y 7BS Davis
43-38419
E/E 7BS Weaver
43-38403
E/Z 7BS Vick
43-38372
L/A 391BS Notman
43-38416
E/C 391BS Richardson, Z.
43-38365
L/S 391BS Friedel
43-38222
L/H 391BS
Murphy
Aborted – mechanical.
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Sheridan Queenie
43-38257
L/T 391BS Feldman
44-8327
L/R 391BS Baker
43-38423
L/N 391BS Sproul
43-38299
L/U 391BS Timblin
43-38593
B/R 391BS Hanson
(from the
493BG)
43-38756
B/S 391BS
Simson
(from the 493BG)
43-38190
B/M 391BS
Jones
(from the 493BG)
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hammersley
44-8170
H/M Kermode (PFF) flew with 490BG
44-8158
H/F Manlove (PFF) flew with 490BG
43-38325
E/B Iverson & Cook
Weather and
Monitor aircraft
43-38415
L/G (scheduled for Sheridan but replaced)
43-38292
B/A (unused ground spare – lead)
43-38409
B/B (unused ground spare – lead)
44-8397
H/E (unused ground spare – PFF)
December
5, 1944
Mission
#97 Berlin
Command
Pilot: BRUNK. 38 planes dispatched. 37 planes dropped 82 tons on the
primary target while one plane dropped 3 tons on a target of opportunity. 38
Credit Sorties. One plane was lost due to flak, but no crewmembers were listed
missing, wounded, or killed. See 34th Bombardment Group (H)
1941-1945, p.46 “Memories” by Darrel Bulis, for the story of how this was
the first mission for LT Sheelsey’s crew before they were officially combat
qualified and without having ever done any practice bombing at “The Wash”
(Cleveland Romero #14. “Lost #2 engine on return.” He saw lots of enemy fighter
opposition but apparently none of them attacked the 34BG.)
Planes
and crew:
44-8237
H/I 7BS Baker (PFF)
43-38410
B/C 7BS Lindstrom
43-38416
E/C 7BS Ames
43-38286
E/T 7BS Gibson
43-38391
E/J 7BS Henderson
43-38419
E/E 7BS Sheesley
44-6465
E/O 7BS Barbaras Fancy Nancy
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin
44-8309
E/H 7BS Carter
43-38280
E/M 7BS Alling
43-38403
E/Z 7BS Vick
43-38113
E/S 7BS Davis Wee Willie's Wolves
Leaflets only.
44-8112
H/D 391BS Blair (PFF)
43-38372
L/A 391BS Johanson
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
43-38415
L/G 391BS Sheridan
43-38402
L/P 391BS Murphy
43-38423
L/N 391BS Friedel
44-8327
L/R 391BS Baker, L.
43-38257
L/T 391BS Latz
43-38365
L/S 391BS Timblin
43-38331
B/Y 391BS Blum
43-38374
B/X 391BS Felker
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Sherman Queenie
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hammersley
44-8176
H/Q 18BS Bower (PFF)
43-38325
E/B 18BS Iverson
43-38409
B/B 18BS Nass
43-38373
B/J 18BS Richardson
43-38338
B/M 18BS Hofman
44-8321
B/F 18BS Kimmerle
44-8282
B/V 18BS Lerch
43-38433
B/R 18BS Peede
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams
43-38135 A/B
18BS McGee (From 490BG flew with Low Squadron)
43-38094
A/N 18BS Hann (From 490BG flew with Low Squadron)
43-38134
A/O 18BS Spiegal (From 490BG flew with Low Squadron)
43-38304
B/L 18BS Hemmingway
44-8482
H/A (unused ground spare – PFF)
44-8441
H/S (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38292
B/A (unused ground spare – lead)
Evidently
leading the 490BG formation. Did not fly with the 34BG formation on this date.
B-17G
44-8140 H/K Missing in Action Berlin flak. Crashed Gross Zerlang,
Germany. With 4BS. Pilot: Kermode.
Missing Air Crew Report # 11046. 10 Killed in
Action, 1 Prisoner of War.
POW
KERMODE DONALD J
(P)
CAPT
4
O-808428
ALHAMBRA CA
KIA
GREGORY RALPH E JR
(ComP)
CAPT 490BG
O-382940
WINNETHKA IL
KIA
MEADOWS MARTIN F
(CP)
1 LT
4
O-816537
MACON GA
KIA
WOOD WILLIAM F (N)
1 LT
4
O-700093
WHEATON IL
KIA
HILLWEG CHARLES U
(B)
1 LT
4
O-690568
ROCKFORD IL
KIA
UPSHAW CHARLES C
(MO)
2 LT
4
O-762839
HIGH POINT NC
KIA
MAYER CLEMENTS T
(E/TT)
T/SGT
4
16131401
GREEN BAY WI
KIA
BRUCE JAMES L
(R)
T/SGT 4
38366314
CORPUS CHRISTI TX
KIA
CALDWELL JOHN T
(WG)
S/SGT
4
33570000
DUBOIS PA
KIA
DORR EARL L JR
(TG)
S/SGT 4
31293194
PROVIDENCE RI
KIA
MEYER WALTER A JR
(Gunner)
S/SGT
4
17097867
OMAHA NE
December
6, 1944
Mission
#98 Merseburg
Command
Pilot: FREEMAN. 35 planes dispatched. 34 planes dropped 82 tons on the primary
target and 1 plane dropped 3 tons on a target of opportunity. 35 Credit
Sorties. Cleveland Romero #15.
Planes
and crew:
44-8176 H/Q 391BS Baker (PFF)
43-38410
B/C 391BS Johanson
44-8327
L/R 391BS Felker
43-38257
L/T 391BS Feldman
43-38423
L/N 391BS Sheridan
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hammersley
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. L. Queenie
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-38343
L/I 391BS Friedel
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
43-38403
E/Z 391BS Baker, L.
44-6296
E/R 391BS Daniels
44-8170
H/M 18BS Perry (PFF)
43-38292
B/A 18BS Dees
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton
43-38386
E/K 18BS Jones, W. S.
43-38373
B/J 18BS Kimmerle
43-38392
B/E 18BS Richardson
44-8321
B/F 18BS Ratcliff
43-38304
B/L 18BS Nass
43-38433
B/R 18BS Bouldin
43-38286
E/T 18BS Mote
44-8263
E/Y 18BS Goss Jettisoned bombs 2 miles NW
of IP, #2 engine out.
43-38338
B/M 18BS
Hofman
Major damage
44-8282
B/V 18BS Lerch
43-38416
E/C 7BS Iverson
43-38402
L/P 7BS Hartley
43-38280
E/M 7BS Alling
43-38378
L/K 7BS
Henderson
Three men wounded.
43-38419
E/E 7BS Gibson
43-38113
E/S 7BS Ames Wee Willie's Wolves
44-8320
E/G 7BS McLean
44-8309
E/H 7BS Carter
43-38263
E/N 7BS James
43-38239
Begman/B 493BG
Baugman
(From 493BG)
43-38235
Compan/R 493BG Brady (From 493BG)
43-38226
Compan/B 493BG Sharp (From 493BG)
44-6465
E/O 7BS Davis Fancy Nancy
43-38391
E/J (scheduled for Henderson but replaced.)
43-37864
L/E (unused ground spare – lead)
44-8112
H/D (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38332
B/Q (unused ground spare)
December
11, 1944
Mission
#99 Giesen
Command
Pilot: TAVASTI. 40 planes dispatched. 39 planes dropped 78 tons on the primary
target and 1 plane dropped 2 tons on a target of opportunity. 40 Credit
Sorties.
Planes
and crew:
44-8235
H/X 18BS Bower (PFF)
43-38409
B/B 18BS Lindstrom
44-8282
B/V 18BS Peede
43-38373
B/J 18BS Kyser
44-8321
B/F 18BS Lerch
43-38326
B/U 18BS Jones, W. S.
43-38392
B/E 18BS Hemingway
43-38433
B/R 18BS Harris
43-38338
B/M 18BS Hofmann
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Nass
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams
44-8482
H/A 7BS Perry (PFF)
43-38416
E/C 7BS Gipson
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver
43-38263
E/N 7BS Mowers
44-8320
E/G 7BS McLean
43-38391
E/J 7BS Finch
43-38419
E/E 7BS O’Grady
44-6296
E/R 7BS Wright
44-6465
E/O 7BS MacTaggart Fancy Nancy
43-38374
B/X 7BS Weaver
43-38113
E/S 7BS Sain Wee Willie's Wolves
43-38403
E/Z 7BS James
43-38367
E/L 7BS Peterson
43-38372
L/A 391BS Johanson
43-38402
L/P 391BS Felker
43-37864
L/E 391BS Daniels
43-38299
L/U 391BS Feldman
43-38415
L/G 391BS Sheridan
43-38365
L/S 391BS Isaacs
43-38257
L/T 391BS Sherman
43-38380
L/B 391BS Friedel
44-8327
L/R 391BS Ettlebrick
43-38343
L/I 391BS Hammersley
43-38386
E/K 391BS Latz
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. L. Queenie
43-38423
L/N 391BS Timblin
44-8176
H/Q (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38292
B/A (unused ground spare – lead)
43-38325
E/B (unused ground spare – lead)
43-38280
E/M (unused ground spare)
44-8309
E/H (unused ground spare)
43-38410
B/C (unused ground spare)
December
12, 1944
Mission
#100 Darmstadt
Command
Pilot: LeBAILLY. 40 planes dispatched. 37 planes dropped 100 tons on the
primary target and 3 planes failed to bomb. 38 Credit Sorties.
Planes
and crew:
44-8457
H/G 7BS Blair (PFF)
…….252
H/J 7BS Perry (PFF)
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin
43-38113
E/S 7BS Sain Wee Willie's Wolves
44-8320
E/G 7BS McLean
43-38419
E/E 7BS Finch Jettisoned bombs –
malfunction.
43-38391
E/J 7BS O’Grady
43-38263
E/N 7BS Alling
43-38987
E/F 7BS Gibson
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver
43-38403
E/Z 7BS Sheesley
44-6296
E/R 7BS Giardini Aboted – Exhaust stack #4
44-8202
H/W 18BS Pelszynski (PFF)
43-38372
L/A 18BS Livingston
43-37864
L/E 18BS Sherman
43-38257
L/T 18BS Feldman
43-38415
L/G 18BS Sheridan
43-38222
L/H 18BS Sproul
44-8327
L/R 18BS Daniels
43-38423
L/N 18BS Jones
43-38299
L/U 18BS Ettlebrick
44-8309
E/H 18BS Hammersley
44-8598
E/A 18BS Blum
43-38365
L/S 18BS Isaacs
43-38343
L/I 18BS Friedel Leaflets only.
43-38410
B/C 391BS Gipson
43-38367
E/L 391BS Felker
43-38331
B/Y 391BS Hemingway
43-38292
B/A 391BS Rainey
43-38338
B/M 391BS Hofman
44-8283
B/G 391BS Harris
43-38373
B/J 391BS Nass
43-38392
B/E 391BS Richardson
44-8282
B/V 391BS Lerch
43-38374
B/X 391BS Mote
43-38326
B/U 391BS Peede Aborted - #4 engine & loss of oil & fire
43-38433
B/R 391BS Bouldin
43-38332
B/Q 391BS Kyser
43-38416
E/C Day & Richey
Weather and Monitor Aircraft
44-8170
H/M (unused ground spare – PFF)
44-8235
H/X (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38325
E/B (unused ground spare – lead)
43-38367
E/L (unused ground spare)
43-38280
E/M (unused ground spare)
December
13, 1944
B-17G
44-8147 H/S Salvaged on the Continent after damage from the
30-11-44 mission with another group. (See above)
December
15, 1944
Mission
#101 Hannover
Command
Pilot:HERSHENOW. 40 planes dispatched. 37 planes dropped 100 tons on the
primary target and 3 planes failed to bomb. 39 Credit Sorties. One plane was
lost to flak but no crew losses were listed. The lost plane is most likely the
one that landed in Belgium. Cleveland Romero #16.
Planes
and crew:
44-8482
H/A 391BS Baker (PFF)
43-38410
B/C 391BS Lindstrom
43-38343
L/I 391BS Friedel
43-38402
L/P 391BS Ettlebrick
43-38415
L/G 391BS Sheridan
44-8327
L/R 391BS Schaus
43-38991
L/Z 391BS Sherman
44-8271
L/O 391BS
Isaacs
Jettisoned bombs due mechanical problem
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. L. Queenie
43-38257
L/T 391BS Feldman
43-38953
B/D 391BS Anderson
43-38222
L/H 391BS Hansen
44-8112
H/D 18BS Pelszynski (PFF)
43-38416
E/C 18BS Benedict
43-38409
B/B 18BS Jones, W. S.
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Gibson
43-38433
B/R 18BS Bouldin
44-8282
B/V 18BS Lerch
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams
43-38374
B/X 18BS Mote
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton
44-8321
B/F 18BS Goss
43-38392
B/E 18BS Richardson
43-38338
B/M 18BS Kyser
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede
43-38325
E/B 7BS Hartley
43-38406
L/W 7BS
Kimmerle
Missing. (Landed in Belgium) See below.
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin
43-38372
L/A 7BS Henderson
43-38987
E/F 7BS O’Grady
43-38367
E/L 7BS Ames
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver
43-38113
E/S 7BS Barbaras Wee Willie's Wolves
44-8320
E/G 7BS MacTaggart
43-38263
E/N 7BS Carter
43-38403
E/Z 7BS James
44-6296
E/R 7BS Sheesley
43-38419
E/E 7BS Weaver
43-37864
L/E (scheduled for Ettlebrick but replaced.)
43-38391
E/J (scheduled for Henderson but replaced.)
44-8150
H/R (unused ground spare – PFF)
B-17G
43-38406 L/W Battle damaged at Hannover and force landed at Melsbroek
Airfield, Belgium. With 7BS. Pilot: Kimmerle. No Missing Air Crew Report. Badly
damaged by strafing on the ground at Brussels 1-1-45. Salvaged 2-1-45.
December
16, 1944
B-17G
44-8598 E/A crash-landed and salvaged. With 7BS. Pilot: unknown.
December
24, 1944
Mission
#102 Frankfurt
Command
Pilot: CRABTREE. 59 planes dispatched. 57 planes dropped 110 tons on the
primary target. 2 planes failed to bomb. 59 Credit Sorties. Four or five planes
were damaged in runway collision upon return from the mission. This was due to
the fact that a number of planes from another group landed at Mendlesham
because their field was socked in. This left the 34th BG planes circling and
waiting to land until very nearly out of fuel, necessitating very close
landings, one behind the other, eventually resulting in the collisions.
(Cleveland Romero #17. “5 crack-ups on end of runway. 377 group diverted
here.”)
Planes
and crew:
44-8235
H/X 4BS Ray (PPF)
44-8150
H/R 4BS Benedict (PPF)
43-38338
B/M 18BS Nass (slight battle damage)
43-38433
B/R 18BS Richardson, L
43-38991
L/Z 18BS Jones, W. S.
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams
43-38304
B/L 18BS Hemmingway
43-38374
B/X 18BS Mote
43-38372
L/A 18BS Keyser
44-8321
B/F 18BS Rainey
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede (serious battle damage)
43-38382
L/Q 18BS Gustofson Queenie
(slight battle damage)
44-8237
H/I 4BS Perry (PPF)
44-8112 H/D 4BS Richardson, Z. C. (PPF)
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver (slight battle damage)
43-38325
E/B 7BS McLean
43-38391
E/J 7BS Henderson
43-38280
E/M 7BS Roscher (slight battle damage)
44-8397
H/E 7BS Barbaras (Major damage due to landing collision, new wing &
stabilizer)
43-38987
E/F 7BS Finch
43-38113
E/S 7BS Peterson Wee Willie's Wolves
43-38416
E/C 7BS Gibson (serious battle damage, aborted short of IP with 2 engines
shot out)
43-38403
E/Z 7BS Vick (serious battle damage - collision on runway)
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin (slight battle damage)
44-8309
E/H 7BS Carter (did not bomb, rack malfunction)
44-8457
H/G 4BS Iverson (PPF)
44-8158
H/F 4BS Dunham (PPF)
43-38343
L/I 391BS Friedel
43-38415
L/G 391BS Sheridan
43-38422
L/J 391BS Ettlebrick (Salvaged - landing accident)
43-37864
L/E 391BS Felker
43-38222
L/H 391BS Latz (serious battle damage; crashed on landing, some crew injured in
crash)
44-6296
E/R 391BS Isaacs (slight battle damage)
43-38257
L/T 391BS Feldman
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hammersley
43-38423
L/N 391BS Sproul
43-38402
L/P 391BS Sherman (slight battle damage)
43-38409
B/B 391BS Hansen (jettisoned 2 bombs in Channel; brought back 2)
43-38410
B/C 18BS Goss
43-38378
L/K 391BS
Murphy
Leaflets only.
44-8356
H/C 4BS Pelszynski (PPF)
44-8441
H/S 4BS Evans (PFF)
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
43-38263
E/N 7BS Mowers
43-38367
E/L 7BS Ames
44-8320
E/G 7BS O'Grady (slight battle damage)
43-38419
E/E 7BS Giardini
43-38380
L/B 391BS Schaus (slight battle damage)
44-8327
L/R 7BS MacTaggart
43-38292
B/A 18BS Kimmerle (apparently landed away at Station 153, 490BG)
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
43-38953
B/D 391BS Blum (slight battle damage)
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton (slight battle damage)
44-6465
E/O 391BS Baker Fancy Nancy (Bombed with 1st Division,
92BG)
44-8176
H/Q 7BS Weaver (a standby crew flying the only other ground spare not
alreaady used)
…….198
B/Z Tigges (A War
Weary)
…….431
E/W Landry (A War Weary)
44-8482
H/A Caspari & Smith
Weather and
Monitor Aircraft
44-8252
PFF Flew with 490BG
44-8170
PFF Flew with 490BG
44-8375
PFF Flew with 490BG
44-8202
PFF Flew with 490BG
B-17G
43-38222 L/H on return from Darmstadt collided with other B-17s on
landing and salvaged 24-12-44.
With
391BS. Pilot: Latz. (Photo at Air Force Museum "A1 B-17G/pho/186";
copy in my file)
B-17G
43-38422 L/J on return from Darmstadt collided with other B-17s on
landing and salvaged 24-12-44.
With
391BS. Pilot: Ettlebrick.
B-17G
44-8397 H/E Battle damaged at Darmstadt and salvaged. With 4BS. Pilot:
Barbaras.
December
27, 1944
Mission
#103 Andernach
Command
Pilot: TAVASTI. 36 planes dispatched. 35 planes dropped 93 tons on the primary
target and 1 plane failed to bomb. 35 Credit Sorties.
Planes
and crew:
44-8457 H/G 7BS Bower (PFF)
43-38325
E/B 7BS Benedict
43-38280
E/M 7BS Austin
43-38113
E/S 7BS McLean Wee Willie's Wolves
43-38263
E/N 7BS Mowers
44-8309
E/H 7BS MacTaggart
44-6465
E/O 7BS Barbaras Fancy Nancy
43-38987
E/F 7BS O’Grady
43-38367
E/L 7BS Ames
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver
44-6296
E/R 7BS Sheesley
44-8263
E/Y 7BS Finch
44-8237
H/I 391BS Iverson (PFF)
43-38991
L/Z 391BS Sain
43-38343
L/I 391BS Friedel
43-38415
L/G 391BS Sheridan
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
Aborted - mechanical
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. L. Queenie
43-38257
L/T 391BS Feldman
43-37864
L/E 391BS Felker
43-38365
L/S 391BS Latz Aborted - mechanical
43-38423
L/N 391BS Sproul
43-38378
L/K 391BS Murphy
44-8327
L/R 391BS Blum
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hammersley
44-8356
H/C 18BS Perry (MH)
43-38410
B/C 18BS Day
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
44-8321
B/F 18BS Rainey
43-38392
B/E 18BS Richardson, L.
43-38374
B/X 18BS Mote
43-38304
B/L 18BS Hemingway
43-38373
B/J 18BS
Gustofson
Major damage
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Mann
43-38338
B/M 18BS Nass
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams Aborted – mechanical.
43-38433
B/R 18BS
Bouldin
Leaflets only.
44-8441
H/S Richardson, Z. C. & Hershenow Weather and Monitor Aircraft
43-38372
L/A (unused ground spare – lead)
44-8176
H/Q (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38331
B/Y (unused ground spare)
43-38391
E/J (unused ground spare) (incorrectly shown as E/N)
43-38386
E/K (scheduled for Austin but replaced.)
December
28, 1944
Mission
#104 Neuwied
Command
Pilot: CREER. 38 planes dispatched. 38 planes dropped 108 tons on the primary
target. 38 Credit Sorties. Cleveland Romero #18.
Planes
and crew:
44-8356
H/C 4BS Ray (PFF)
44-8237
H/I 4BS Blair (PFF)
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
44-8271
L/O 391BS
Ettlebrick
Slight damage
43-38372
L/A 391BS Sheridan
43-38257
L/T 391BS Baker
43-37864
L/E 391BS Felker
43-38423
L/N 391BS
Sproul
Jettisoned 4, brought back 2 due to mechanical problems
44-8327
L/R 391BS Schaus
43-38378
L/K 391BS Murphy
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Friedel Queenie
44-8320
E/G 391BS Blum
44-8235
H/X 4BS Perry (PFF)
43-38325
E/B 18BS Hartley
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Goss
44-8321
B/F 18BS Rainey
43-38304
B/L 18BS Hemingway
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede
43-38392
B/E 18BS Richardson, L. Major damage.
43-38338
B/M 18BS Nass
43-38953
B/D 18BS
Gustofson
Leaflets only.
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Kyser
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
43-38433
B/R 18BS Bouldin
43-38374
B/X 18BS Mote
44-8176
H/Q 4BS Iverson (PFF)
43-38991
L/Z 7BS Alling
43-38987
E/F 7BS Wright
43-38391
E/J 7BS Henderson
43-38280
E/M 7BS Vick
44-6465
E/O 7BS James Fancy Nancy
43-38367
E/L 7BS Giardini
43-38113
E/S 7BS Peterson Wee Willie's Wolves
43-38386
E/K 7BS Weaver
44-8309
E/H 7BS Carter
43-38263
E/N 7BS Roscher
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver
44-8263
E/Y 7BS Finch
43-38410
B/C (unused ground spare – lead)
44-8457 H/G (unused ground spare – PFF)
44-8283
B/G (unused ground spare)
December
30, 1944
Mission
#105 Kassel
Command
Pilot: BRUNK. 37 planes dispatched. 36 planes dropped 86 tons on the secondary
target while 1 plane dropped 2 tons on a target of opportunity. 37 Credit
Sorties.
44-8441
H/S 4BS Baker (PFF)
43-38292
B/A 18BS Kimmerle
43-38953
B/D 18BS Gustofson
43-38392
B/E 18BS Richardson, L.
44-8321
B/F 18BS Rainey
43-38433
B/R 18BS Bouldin
43-38326
B/U 18BS Ratcliff
43-38304
B/L 18BS Hemingway
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede
44-8283
B/G 18BS Jones, W. S.
43-38374
B/X 18BS Mote
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Mann
44-8457
H/G 4BS Richardson (PFF)
43-38325
E/B 7BS Gibson
43-38286
E/T 7BS Raver
43-38263
E/N 7BS Mowers
44-8320
E/G 7BS McLean
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin
44-8309
E/H 7BS Giardini Aborted
43-38367
E/L 7BS Ames
44-8263
E/Y 7BS O’Grady
43-38419
E/E 7BS Roscher Aborted
44-6465
E/O 7BS Barbaras Fancy Nancy
43-38391
E/J 7BS Sheesley
43-38280
E/M 7BS MacTaggart
44-8112
H/D 4BS Pelszynski (PFF)
43-38410
B/C 391BS Daniels
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. L. Queenie
43-38372
L/A 391BS Ettlebrick
43-38257
L/T 391BS Sheridan
44-8327
L/R 391BS Schaus
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hammersley
43-38380
L/B 391BS Sherman
43-38378
L/K 391BS Blum
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
43-37864
L/E 391BS Hensen
43-38332
B/Q 391BS Isaacs
43-38423
L/N 391BS Sproul
44-8237
H/Q (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38991
L/Z (unused ground spare – lead)
44-8282
B/V (unused ground spare)
43-38338
B/M (unused ground spare)
43-38987
E/F (unused ground spare)
Mission
#106 Misburg
Command
Pilot: FREEMAN. 37 planes dispatched. 37 planes dropped 86 tons on the primary
target. 37 Credit Sorties. One plane, 43-38423, was lost to flak and 9
crewmembers were listed as Missing in Action.
Planes
and crew:
44-8237
H/I 4BS Ray (PFF)
43-38402
H/P 7BS Gibson
44-8309
E/H 7BS Raver
43-38391
E/J 7BS Henderson
43-38415
L/G 7BS Vick
44-6296
E/R 7BS Wright
43-38987
E/F 7BS Sheesley
44-8320
E/G 7BS McLean
43-38280
E/M 7BS Giardini
43-38263
E/N 7BS Mowers
43-38367
E/L 7BS James
43-38386
E/K 7BS Austin
44-8457
H/G 4BS Iverson (PFF)
43-38325
H/B 391BS Sain
43-38382
L/Q 391BS Jones, J. L. Queenie
43-38299
L/U 391BS Anderson
43-38343
L/I 391BS Ettlebrick
44-8327
L/R 391BS Roscher
43-38380
L/B 391BS Latz
43-38257
L/T 391BS Hansen
43-37864
L/E 391BS Isaacs
43-38372
L/A 391BS Sherman
44-8271
L/O 391BS Hamersley
43-38423
L/N 391BS
Sproul
MIA. See below.
43-38378
L/K 391BS Blum
44-8356
H/N 4BS Perry (PFF)
43-38991
H/Z 18BS Hartley
43-38953
B/D 18BS Lerch
43-38332
B/Q 18BS Jones, W. S.
43-38331
B/Y 18BS Knowlton
44-8283
B/G 18BS Abrams (incorrectly listed as 382 but with R/T of B/G)
43-38392
B/E 18BS Richardson, L.
44-8321
B/F 18BS Rainey
43-38433
B/R 18BS Bouldin
43-38304
B/L 18BS Goss Aborted.
43-38374
B/X 18BS Gustofson
43-38326
B/U 18BS Mann
43-38373
B/J 18BS Peede
43-38416
H/C Dunham &
Hershenow
Weather and Monitor Aircraft
44-8263
E/Y (scheduled for Vick but replaced.)
44-8441
H/S (unused ground spare – PFF)
43-38292
H/A (unused ground spare – lead)
B-17G
43-38423 L/N missing in Action Hamburg flak. Aircraft received a direct
flak hit and left formation, jettisoning bombs, Number 1 & 2 props were
feathered and #2 engine was on fire. Fire also observed coming from open bomb
bay doors. Last seen in a left hand spiral at 10,000 feet. At least two men bailed
out but no chutes seen. Crashed Tossener Dike, Holland? With391BS. Pilot:
Sproul, Missing Air Crew Report # 11372. 3 Killed in Action. 6 Prisoner of War.
See 34th Bombardment Group (H) 1941-1945, p.45-46, where Fred
LaMaster tells of this mission and his Prisoner of War experiences in a story
called, “Shot Down.”
POW
SPROUL C CRANFORD
(P)
2 LT
391 O-825703
8
KIA
FRYER AUSTIN F
(CP)
2 LT
391
O-777519
TX
8
POW
MARTIN REX H
(N)
2 LT
391
O-2064627
BURBANK
CA
13
KIA
FLANIGAN WILLIAM F
(B)
2 LT
391
O-557155
15
POW
SPENCE GUILFORD
(E/TT)
SGT
391 92931847
FREWSBURG
NY
8
KIA
COLE LeROY H
(R)
SGT
391
14132291
8
POW
KRYSTOF JOSEPH P
(BT)
SGT
391
31379590
7
POW
SIEMSEN ALAN D
(WG)
SGT
391
38540767
7
POW
LeMASTER FRED Y
(TG)
SGT
391
34814455
7
COLE
LeROY M is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery, O-17-14.
FRYER
AUSTIN F is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, B-40-18.
(Not
in 43-38423)
KIA
KEIRN ROY C
-
SGT
PA