42-94893 Hell’s Belle

B-24H-20-FO

 

A 34th BG Original

 

MISSION LIST

 

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #3 May 25, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #4 May 24, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell's Belle

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson  Hell’s Belle

Mission #8 May 31, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Avriett Hell’s Belle

Mission #10 June 6, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Notman Hell’s Belle

Mission #12 June 6, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Notman Hell’s Belle

Mission #14 June 11, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #16 June 14, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Dean Hell’s Belle (Aborted - Engine problems)

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #18 June 20, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #22 June 24, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #23 June 24, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Tuttle Hell’s Belle

Mission #24 June 25, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #25 June 25, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Tuttle Hell’s Belle

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #32 July 8, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Avriett Hell’s Belle

Mission #33 July 9, 1944 42-94893 D/E Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #34 July 12, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #38 July 19, 1944 42-94893 D/E 18BS Damatio Hell’s Belle  (Lost to collision with Little at IP)

 

MISSION DETAILS

 

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0521 hours from Hardstand #10.

Flew position 3-1 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on Primary at 0859 hours from 14,500 feet.

Poor results. "Concentration short and long. Smoking (heavy) bombs in area short of our target and to right of 486th target."

Slight damage reported.

Landed 1154 hours.

Pilot’s and top fluorescent light inoperative. Inspected and repaired.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Jones (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Tobiason (NG)

Starzec (TG)

Baker (G)

(only 8 men on the crew loading list. The Navigator wasn't scheduled but the Ball gunner, Curry, was supposed to fly but failed to show up.)

 

Mission #3 May 25, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0511 hours.

Flew position 2-1 in Low Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Did not drop. Brought all bombs back to base.

No damage reported.

Landed 1049 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Hogan (N)

Jones (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Spivak, (BG) (from crew #8)

Starzec (TG)

Tobiason (NG)

Baker (G)

 

Mission #4 May 24, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell's Belle

(Stat sheet shows 4787 D/C - Obviously an error. 893 also listed in error as E/N on the Formation Charts.)

Took off at 0838Flew position 2-3 in High Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1356 hours from 21,900 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1613 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Ely (N) (from crew #8)

Jones, S. (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Lynch (BG) (from crew #10)

Starzec (TG)

Tobiason (NG)

Baker (G)

 

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 1037 hours from Hardstand #10.

Flew position 4-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1458 hours from 21,800 feet.

Slight damage reported.

Landed 1801 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Hogan (N)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Lynch (BG) (from crew #10)

Starzee (TG)

Tobiason (NG)

Baker (TT)

 

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0705 hours from Hardstand #10.

Flew position 3-3 in High Squadron.

Carried a K-20 camera.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1108 hours from 23,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1306 hours.

Manifold pressure gauge fluctuates; flight controls grabbing & sticking. Inspected & repaired.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Jones (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Tobiason (NG)

Abraham (BG) (from crew #1)

Starzec (TG)

Baker (G)

 

Mission #8 May 31, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Avriett Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0800 hours.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Brought all bombs back to base.

The mission was Recalled.

Landed 1156 hours.

#2 Supercharger out; #2 prop governor inoperative; aileron controls loose. Inspected and repaired.

Avirett (P)

Soler (CP)

Scheer (N)

DeHaan (B)

Kaiser (R)

Campbell (E)

Lewis (G)

Longmire (G)

Friedel (G)

Holmes (G)

 

Mission #10 June 6, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Notman Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0240243 hours.

Flew Deputy Lead, position 1-2 in 4th Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Brought all bombs back.

No damage report.

Landed 1052 hours.

A-5 automatic pilot inoperative. Inspected and repaired.

Notman, J. W. (P)                 Capt

Uscinowicz, M. J. (CP)        2 Lt

Nelson, S. H. (B)                   2 Lt

Walcott, R. B. (N)                 2 Lt

Griffith, F. R. (N2)                 2 Lt         (from crew #11)

Conklin, R. E. (R)                  T/Sgt

Boysun, J. H. (E)                  T/Sgt

Cockman, A. F. (G)               Sgt

Crosby, W. L. (BG)              Sgt

Escherich, W. J. (NG)          Sgt

 

Mission #12 June 6, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Notman Hell’s Belle

Took off at 1708 hours.

Flew position 3-1 in High Squadron.

Carried a K-24 camera.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Railroad Yards but no time and altitude report.

Landed 2314 hours.

Notman (P)

Uscinowicz (CP)

Walcott (N)

Conklin (E)

Boyson (R)

Cockman (G)

Crosby (G)

Escherich (G)

Dimauro (G)

 

Mission #14 June 11, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0449 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in Low Squadron.

Carried 24 250 lb GP bombs. Brought back all bombs to base due to 10/10 cloud coverage of target.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 1017 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Campbell (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Tobiason (NG)

Starzec (TG)

Brady (BG) (from crew #2)

Baker (G)

 

June 11, 1944 42-94893 Whited Hell’s Belle

Took off at 1520 hours on a Local flight.

No landing time recorded.

 

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0517 hours.

Flew position 3-2 in High Squadron.

Carried 24 250 lb bombs. Dropped 16 bombs on the Primary at 0911 hours from 22,500 feet. Jettisoned 8 bombs.

Carried a K-24 camera.

No damage reported.

Landed 1124 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Campbell (B)

Stoltz (R)                (from crew #16, Lewis)

Collier (E)

Tobiason (NG)

Starzeck (TG)

Baker (G)

NOTE: The Ball Gunner, Crosby, was to fly the mission, but did not show up.

 

Mission #16 June 14, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Dean Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0329 hours.

Was to fly position 2-3 in High Squadron, but Aborted due to engine problems.

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

No battle damage reported.

Landed 0631 hours.

Dean (P)

Ferris (CP)

Palmer (N)

Maurer (R)

Holt (E)

Kordes (G)

Miller (G)

Gibson (G)

Hayes (G)

Baker (G)

 

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 1642 hours.

Flew position 2-1 in Low Squadron.

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

Slight battle damage reported.

Landed 2315 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Campbell (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Tobiason (NG)

Starzec (TG)

Baker (G)

 

Mission #18 June 20, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0451 hours.

Flew position 4-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0916 hours from 23,000 feet.

Slight damage reported.

Landed 1133 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Campbell (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Tobiason (NG)

Starzec (TG)

Hensler (BG) (no assigned crew)

Baker (G)

 

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 1802 hours.

Flew position 3-1 in Group C (4th)

Carried 52 100 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2059 hours from 22,900 feet.

Slight battle damage reported.

Landed 2226 hours.

No Crew Loading List available.

 

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 1459 hours.

Flew position 1-3 in Low Squadron.

Carried 46 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1918 hours from 19,500 feet.

Minor damage reported.

Landed 2206 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Campell (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Lawler, E. J. (BG) (a write-in)

Starzec (TG)

Tobiason (NG)

Baker (G)

 

Mission #22 June 24, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0443 hours.

Flew in Lead Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0818 hours from 22,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1006 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Campell (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Hensler (BG) (a write-in)

Starzec (TG)

Tobiason (NG)

Baker (G)

 

Mission #23 June 24, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Tuttle Hell’s Belle

Took off at 1632 hours.

Flew position 1-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 24 250 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary. Results unobserved.

No damage reported.

Landed 2107 hours.

Tuttle (P)

Strong (CP)

Gullace (N)

Chatoin (R)

Henry (E)

Pell (BG)

Touhill (TG)

Marshall (NG)

Havron (G)

 

Mission #24 June 25, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Took off at 0425 hours.

Flew with the 34th BG Squadron, flying with two 493rd BG Squadrons.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0825 hours from 19,300 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1039 hours.

Simpson (P)

Byrd (CP)

Campell (B)

Van Kirk (R)

Collier (E)

Hensler (BG) (a write-in)

Starzec (TG)

Tobiason (NG)

Baker (G)

 

Mission #25 June 25, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Tuttle Hell’s Belle

Took off at 1534 hours.

Aborted due to #3 engine going out.

Landed 1616 hours.

Mission #25 June 25, 1944 44-40049 D/I 7BS Tuttle

Took off at 1645 hours in this second plane.

Flew position 2-2 in High Squadron.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1943 hours from 20,500 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 2241 hours.

Tuttle (P)

Strong (CP)

Gullace (N)

Chatoin (R)

Henry (E)

Pell (BG)

Touhill (TG)

Marshall (NG)

Havron (G)

 

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #32 July 8, 1944 42-94893 D/E 7BS Avriett Hell’s Belle

 

Mission #32a July 8, 1944 42-94893 D/E Harre Hell's Belle

This second mission of the day was scrubbed.

 

Mission #33 July 9, 1944 42-94893 D/E Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #34 July 12, 1944 42-94893 D/E 4BS Simpson Hell’s Belle

Mission #38 July 19, 1944 42-94893 D/E 18BS Damatio Hell’s Belle (Lost to collision with Little at IP)

 

B-24H 42-94893 D/E Hell’s Belle Missing in Action mid-air collision with 42-51190 Ann. With 18BS. Pilot: Damatio. Missing Air Crew Report # 7419. 10 Killed in Action.

KIA DAMATIO DONALD H (P)                      2 LT            18        O-700439        WEST BRANCH MI

KIA RAY LEONARD S (CP)                              2 LT            18        O-763316        CO

KIA MOREHOUSE GARFIELD R (N)              2 LT            18        O-712883        SAVANNAH GA

KIA VACHON WALTER A (B)                        2 LT            18        O-716999        STRATFORD CT

KIA TANKERSLEY CECIL A (E/TT)               S/SGT         18        35654687        CHARLESTON WV

KIA ASTI CARL O (R)                                       S/SGT         18        31291508        WOONSOCKET RI

KIA SCHULMAN JESSE J (BT)                        SGT            18        32219436        STATEN ISLAND NY

KIA WILLIAMS HAROLD G (WG)                 SGT            18        38507579        GREENBRIAR AR

KIA McCARTHY JOHN J JR (TG)                    SGT            18        33683319        MEADVILLE PA

KIA MOOREHEAD HARVEY N (NG)              SGT            18        39708928        LOS ANGLES CA

 

DeMATIO DONALD H is buried at Lorraine American Cemetery, A-20-28.

MOREHOUSE GARFIELD R is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, A-8-6.

RAY (May?) LEONARD S is buried at Lorraine American Cemetery, D-34-20.