44-40284 Tondelayo

B-24J-155-CO

A 493BG Original, assigned to the 860th Squadron as letter F.

Any combat missions with the 493BG are not known by me.

Transferred to the 34BG between June 25th and July 2nd 1944, assigned to the 391st Squadron as L/J.

This plane was at Mendlesham on June 17, 1944, flying back to Debach that day.

MISSION LISTS

Mission #29 July 2, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Mission #32 July 8, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Mission #33 July 9, 1944 44-40284 L/J Harre Tondelayo

Mission #34 July 12, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Mission #36 July 17, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Mission #37 July 18, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Meyer, M. Tondelayo

Mission #38 July 19, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Meyer Tondelayo (plane lost – most of crew accounted for)

MISSION DETAILS

June 17, 1944 44-40284 Meyer Tondelayo

Took off at 1451 hours for local flight to Debach field, base of the 493BG.

No record of landing time back at Mendlesham.

Mission #29 July 2, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Took off at 1021 hours.

Flew position 2-3 in Group C, with target of Montloois Ferme.

Carried a K-21 camera.

Carried 18 250 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1349/17 hours from 22,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1527 hours.

Foster (P)

Bresh (CP)

Noulett (N)

Wilson (B) (a write-in)

Mollica (R)

Given (E)

Bloom (BG) (from Crew #57)

Sweeney (TG)

Harrison (NG)

Labuda (G)

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Mission #32 July 8, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Mission #33 July 9, 1944 44-40284 L/J Harre Tondelayo

Mission #34 July 12, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Mission #36 July 17, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Foster Tondelayo

Mission #37 July 18, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Meyer, M. Tondelayo

Mission #38 July 19, 1944 44-40284 L/J 391BS Meyer Tondelayo (plane lost – most of crew accounted for)

B-24J 44-40284 L/J Tondelayo Missing in Action Flak. Hit by flak about one minute after bombs away. All controls were shot away but the pilot managed to Maintain some control. The plane wandered over Dieppe and encountered more flak. Jerome, Proctor and Harris bailed out over Dieppe from 16,000 feet and their chutes were seen to open. Plane managed to get back to the English coast and four crewmen bailed out 15 miles inland. The Pilot then headed the plane back out toward the channel and the pilot and co-pilot bailed out. Crashed near Wynghene. With 391BS. Pilot: Meyer. Missing Air Crew Report # 7422. 3 Killed in Action, 6 Returned to Duty.

RTD MEYER CHARLES R (P)                           1 LT            391      O-807757

RTD HAGGINS ELMER C (CP)                         2 LT            391      O-701921

RTD SAWTELL RALPH R (B)                          2 LT            391      O-698047

RTD LAMAR HORACE B (TT)                        T/SGT        391      34720250

KIA JEROME LEONARD W JR (R)                  T/SGT        391      32671684        BUFFALO NY

KIA PROCTOR IRWIN M (BT)                         S/SGT         391      33557718        MT JACKSON VA

RTD RIESSEN MAX T (WG)                             S/SGT         391      19103460

KIA HARRIS ALFRED C (TG)                          T/SGT        391      38369770        ROSCOE TX

RTD RIVETT RICHARD S (NG)                        SGT            391      16076381

JEROME LEONARD W JR is listed on the Wall of the Missing at Ardennes American Cemetery.

PROCTOR IRVIN M is listed on the Wall of the Missing at Ardennes American Cemetery.