42-94879 Collapsible Susie

B-24H-20-FO

 

A 34th BG Original

 

MISSION LIST

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Mission #2 May 24, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Mission #3 May 25, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie (listed in error as 4679 on after mission interrogation form.)         

Mission #4 May 27, 1944 42-94879 B/D 391BS Erwin Collapsible Susie

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Paulnock Collapsible Susie

Mission #6 May 29, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Mission #9 June 4, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Pedigo Collapsible Susie

Mission #10 June 6, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Pedigo Collapsible Susie

Mission #12 June 6, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner. M. Collapsible Susie

Mission #14 June 11, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Alexander Collapsible Susie (a ground spare taken over by Alexander)

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Mission #16 June 14, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

Mission #18 June 20, 1944 42-94879 B/D 391BS Becker Collapsible Susie

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

Mission #21 June 23, 1944 42-94879 B/D 7BS Swenson Collapsible Susie

Mission #22 June 24, 1944 42-94879 B/D 391BS Stewart Collapsible Susie

Mission #24 June 25, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie (Aborted – mechanical)

Mission #25 June 25, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

Mission #26 June 27, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Little Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare)

Mission #28 June 29, 1944 42-94879 B/D Collapsible Susie (ground spare)

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare – flew the mission)

Mission #31 July 6, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Halbert Collapsible Susie (Aborted - #3 engine out)

Mission #34 July 12, 1944 42-94879 B/D 7BS Parrish Collapsible Susie     apparently did not take off.

Mission #35 July 14, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Harris Collapsible Susie

Mission #38 July 19, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie (Aborted – mechanical)

Mission #40 July 21, 1944 42-94879 B/D  7BS Terry Collapsible Susie

Mission #43 July 27, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Harris, C. Collapsible Susie

Mission #45 July 28, 1944 42-94879 E/X Collapsible Susie scheduled for Richart but replaced

Mission #46 July 29, 1944 42-94879 E/X Howard Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare)

Mission #47 July 31, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Mission #49 August 2, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Harmon Collapsible Susie

Mission #50 August 3, 1944 42-94879 E/X 7BS Dean Collapsible Susie

Mission #53 August 6, 1944 42-94879 E/X Lundeen Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare)

Mission #54 August 7, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Tuttle Collapsible Susie

Mission #57 August 11, 1944 42-94879 E/X Whited, R. L. Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare)

Mission #58 August 13, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie (Aborted - #1 engine out. Jettisoned bombs)

Mission #61 August 16, 1944 42-94879 B/M 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Mission #63 August 24, 1944 42-94879 B/M 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie  (Major battle damage – one crewman wounded)

 

Transferred to the MTO.

 

MISSION DETAILS

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0511 hours from Hardstand #17.

Was an Airborne spare but moved up to position 2-2 or 3-3 in High Squadron when Brown aborted.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Made two runs at 0855 hours at 15,000 feet and at 0915 hours at 14,500 feet.

Did not bomb. Returned 12 bombs back to base.

"Didn't get bombs away."

No damage reported.

Landed 1156 hours.

Gardner (P)

Flack (CP)

Artt (B)

Bailey (R)

Aldrich (TT/E) (from crew #47 Dees)

Long (NG)

Paldino (TG)

Ford (BG)

Clune (G)

Buljalski (B) (actually a Navigator)

 

Mission #2 May 24, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0511 hours.

Flew position 2-2 in High Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the secondary target at 0915 hours from 21,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1049 hours.

#4 Carb air temperature out. Inspected and repaired.

Gardner, M. L. (P)

Flack, H. B. (CP)

Bujalski, F. P. (N)

Bailey, H. D. (R)

Demko, J. W. (E) (from crew #50)

Long, L. L. (NG)

Paldino, J. J. (TG)

Ford, J. H. (BG)

Clune, P. J. (G)

 

Mission #3 May 25, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie (listed in error as 4679 on after mission interrogation form.)         

Took off at 0459 hours.

Flew position 4-2 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Secondary target at 0916 hours from 17,600 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1053 hours.

A.P.U. inoperative. Inspected and repaired.

Gardner, M. L. (P)

Flack, H. B. (CP)

Artt, S. J. (B)

Bailey, H. D. (R)

Long, L. L. (NG)

Paldino, J. J. (TG)

Ford, J. H. (BG)

Clune, P. J. (G)

No Engineer is listed but surely one was on board.

 

Mission #4 May 27, 1944 42-94879 B/D 391BS Erwin Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0827 hours.

Flew position 2-1 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Brought all bombs back to base.

No damage reported.

Landed 1609 hours.

#3 Tachometer out; Prop and cowl flap control switch stuck. Inspected and repaired.

Erwin (P)

Scholle (CP)

Schaber (N) (from crew #66)

Jones (B)

O'Leary (R)

Lamar (E)

Babcock (BG)

Blagrave (TG)

Warner (NG)

Clausen (G)

 

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Paulnock Collapsible Susie

Took off at 1035 hours from Hardstand #17.

Flew position 4-3 in High Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1501 hours from 22,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1807 hours.

#1 supercharger fluctuates. Inspected and repaired.

Paulnock, R. S. (P)

Baskin, W. M. (CP)

Barseth, E. A. (N)

Woollacott, A. (R)

Fillman, D. K. (E)

Melcher, R. A. (NG)

Johnson, C. N. (TG)

McCarthy, J. J. (BG)

Edwards, J. L. (G)

 

Mission #6 May 29, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0751 hours from Hardstand #17.

Flew position 2-3 in Low Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1234 hours from 21,500 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1639 hours.

#1 supercharger fluctuates. Inspected and repaired.

Gardner, M. L. (P)

Flack, H. B. (CP)

Bujalski (N)

Bailey, H. D. (R)

Kolenda (E)

Long, L. L. (NG)

Paldino, J. J. (TG)

Ford, J. H. (BG)

Clune, P. J. (G)

 

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0659 hours from Hardstand #17.

Flew position 4-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1107 hours from 22,900 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1254 hours.

Gardner (P)

Flack (CP)

Artt (B)

Bailey (R)

Kolenda (E)

Long (NG)

Paldino (TG)

Ford (BG)

Clune (G)

 

Mission #9 June 4, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Pedigo Collapsible Susie

Took off at 1604 hours from Hardstand #17.

Flew position 2-3 in the one 34th BG Squadron on this mission.

Carried a K-20 camera.

Carried 12 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2014 hours from 23,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 2211 hours.

#2 engine overheated. Inspected and repaired

Pedigo (P)

Danielian (CP)

Geoghgan (B)

Overholt (R)

Saxen (E)

Wade (NG)

Poirier (TG)

Storer (NG)

Jones (G)

 

Mission #10 June 6, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Pedigo Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0228 hours.

Flew position 2-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Brought all bombs back.

No damage report.

Landed 1053 hours.

Pedigo, W. E. (P)                  2 Lt

Danielian, L. (CP)                 2 Lt

Geoghgan, E. (B)                  F/O

Saxen, R. (E)                          S/Sgt

Overholt, C. N. (R)               S/Sgt

Wade, F. A. (AG)                 S/Sgt

Storer, L. F. (G)                     Sgt

Edwards, J. L. (G)                 Sgt

Johnson, C. H. (G)                Sgt         

 

Mission #12 June 6, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner. M. Collapsible Susie

Took off at 1659 hours.

Flew position 2-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Brought all bombs back.

Landed 2342 hours at Bury St. Edmonds

Gardner (P)

Flack (CP)

Bujalski (N)

Kolenda (E)

Bailey (R)

Clune (G)

Long (G)

Paldino (G)

Ford (G)

 

Mission #14 June 11, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Alexander Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0422 hours

Flew position 4-1 in High Squadron

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Jettisoned 2 bombs, returned 10 bombs to base due to 10/10 cloud coverage of target.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 1052 hours

Alexander (P)

Carlson (CP)

McKeon (B)

Owens (R)

Howarter (E)

Rutka (BG)

Deatherage (TG)

Lucyek (NG)

Seifert (G)

 

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0526 hours.

Flew position 3-2 in Low Squadron.

Carried a K-20 camera.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0905 hours from 21,000 feet. On target.

No damage reported.

Landed 1125 hours.

Gardner (P)

Flack (CP)

Artt (B)

Bailey (R)

Kolenda (E)

Ford (BG)

Paldino (TG)

Long (NG)

Clune (G)

 

Mission #16 June 14, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

Was to fly position 4-1 in Low Squadron.

Failed to take off.

Gardner (P)

Flack (CP)

Bujalski (N)

Artt (B)

Bailey (R)

Kolenda (E)

Ford (BG)

Paldino (TG)

Long (NG)

Clune (G)

 

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

Took off at 1638 hours.

Flew position 4-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2023 hours from 17,500 feet.

Slight battle damage reported.

Landed 2247 hours.

Gardner (P)

Flack (CP)

Bujalski (N)

Bailey (R)

Kolenda (E)

Ford (BG)

Paldino (TG)

Long (NG)

Cline (G)

 

Mission #18 June 20, 1944 42-94879 B/D 391BS Becker Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0456 hours.

Flew position 2-2 in High Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0918 hours from 24,000 feet.

Slight battle damage from flak.

Landed 1153 hours.

Becker (P)

Anderson (CP)

Schaber (N)

Kearney (R)

Morrisree (E)

Williams (BG)

Avery (TG)

Seelhurst (NG)

Hinchee (G)

 

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

Took off at 1756 hours.

Flew position 2-3 in Group B (18th)

Carried 52 100 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2057 hours from 23,400 feet.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 2210 hours.

No Crew Loading List available.

 

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

Took off at 1441 hours.

Flew position 1-3 in High Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1916 hours from 20,500 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 2159 hours.

Gardner (P)

Flack (CP)

Bujalski (N)

Artt (B)

Bailey (R)

Kolenda (E)

Ford (BG)

Paldino (TG)

Long (NG)

Clune (G)

 

Mission #21 June 23, 1944 42-94879 B/D 7BS Swenson Collapsible Susie

Took off at 1618 hours.

Flew in Low Squadron (493BG supplied Lead and High Squadrons.)

Carried 52 100 lb Frag bombs. Brought all bombs back to base. Made three runs but got signals confused over the VHF and failed to bomb. Credited with sortie.

No damage reported.

Landed 2232 hours.

Swenson (P)

Arango (CP)

Swanson (N)

Clemens (B)

Baker (R)

Garmon (E)

Rockwell (BG)

Moreno (NG)

Barron (G)

 

Mission #22 June 24, 1944 42-94879 B/D 391BS Stewart Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0448 hours.

Flew as Airborne spare. Flew the mission, probably in High Squadron, which had three aborts.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0817 hours from 22,300 feet

Minor damage reported.

Landed 1007 hours.

Stewart (P)

Korf (CP)

Lynn (N) (a write-in)

Maggietto (R)

Serna (E)

Hernandez (BG)

Charbonneau (TG)

Adney (NG)

Barbera (G)

 

Mission #24 June 25, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Took off at 0435 hours.

Was to fly with the 34th BG Squadron, flying with two 493rd BG Squadrons.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Brought all bombs back to base.

Aborted before leaving the English coast due to failure of rubber coupling on the air duct. Could not gain altitude.

No damage reported.

Landed 0645 hours. No sortie.

Gardner (P)

Flack (CP)

Bujalski (N)

Artt (B)

Bailey (R)

Kolenda (E)

Ford (BG)

Paldino (TG)

Long (NG)

Clune (G)

 

Mission #25 June 25, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie

There is some confusion and conflict between the records of Avriett and M. Gardner on this mission.

Took off at 1548 hours.

Flew position 3-1 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Secondary at 2022 hours from 19,600 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 2230 hours.

Gardner (P)

Flack (CP)

Bujalski (N)

Artt (B)

Bailey (R)

Kolenda (E)

Ford (BG)

Paldino (TG)

Long (NG)

Clune (G)

 

Mission #26 June 27, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Little Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare)

Took off at 1530 hours.

Flew as Airborne Spare - flew the mission, position not certain as there were two abortions.

Carried 10 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the primary target of Beauvoir at 1900 hours from 24,300 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 2005 hours.

Little (P)

Dunn (CP) (from crew #36)

Zemelman (N)

Conklin (B)

Younker (R)

Bushey (E)

Dolley (BG)

Starr (TG)

Eshman (NG)

Clemments (G)

 

Mission #28 June 29, 1944 42-94879 B/D Collapsible Susie (ground spare)

 

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare – flew the mission)

Mission #31 July 6, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Halbert Collapsible Susie (Aborted - #3 engine out)

 

Mission #34 July 12, 1944 42-94879 B/D 7BS Parrish Collapsible Susie

apparently did not take off.

 

Mission #35 July 14, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Harris Collapsible Susie

 

Mission #38 July 19, 1944 42-94879 B/D 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie (Aborted – mechanical)

Coupling induction system broken. Repaired.

 

                       July 20, 1944 42-94879 B/D Van De Guchte Collapsible Susie

Took off at 1124 hours for a practice formation.

Landed 1326 hours.

 

                       July 20, 1944 42-94879 B/D Vande Guchte

Took off at 1645 hours on a practice mission.

Landed 1802 hours.

 

Mission #40 July 21, 1944 42-94879 B/D  7BS Terry Collapsible Susie

Right tire flat on langing. Low M.P. #3 supercharger. Inspected and repaired.

 

Mission #43 July 27, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Harris, C. Collapsible Susie

Mission #45 July 28, 1944 42-94879 E/X Collapsible Susie (scheduled for Richart but replaced)

Mission #46 July 29, 1944 42-94879 E/X Howard Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare)

Mission #47 July 31, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Mission #49 August 2, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Harmon Collapsible Susie

Mission #50 August 3, 1944 42-94879 E/X 7BS Dean Collapsible Susie

Mission #53 August 6, 1944 42-94879 E/X Lundeen Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare)

Mission #54 August 7, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Tuttle Collapsible Susie

Mission #57 August 11, 1944 42-94879 E/X Whited, R. L. Collapsible Susie (Airborne spare)

Mission #58 August 13, 1944 42-94879 E/X 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie (Aborted - #1 engine out. Jettisoned bombs)

Mission #61 August 16, 1944 42-94879 B/M 18BS Gardner Collapsible Susie

Mission #63 August 24, 1944 42-94879 B/M 18BS Gardner, M. Collapsible Susie (Major battle damage – one crewman wounded)

 

Transferred to MTO 5 Dec 1944; assigned to 449BG

Further assigned to 718th Bomb Squadron as # 3X.

Taxiing accident at Grottaglie, left main gear fell through the top of an abandoned latrine. The left main gear, left wing and props were damaged.

Salvaged 9 Feb 1945

 

See photos of the accident at B24BestWeb.