Blackburn crew

 

MISSION LIST

 

CREW #49; 18th Squadron

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94768 B/N 18BS Blackburn

Mission #2 May 24, 1944 42-94766 L/F 18BS Blackburn Crow's Nest

Mission #3 May 25, 1944 41-28840 B/R 18BS Blackburn Smoky

Mission #6 May 29, 1944 42-94768 B/N 18BS Blackburn

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94768 B/N 18BS Blackburn

Mission #9 June 4, 1944 42-94768 B/N 18BS Blackburn

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 44-40482 B/M 18BS Blackburn unknown name

Mission #16 June 14, 1944 42-52755 D/F 18BS Blackburn

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 42-52752 L/E 18BS Blackburn unknown name

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 44-40320 B/N 18BS Blackburn Generator Jennie

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 44-40482 B/M 18BS Blackburn unknown name (deputy lead)

Mission #22 June 24, 1944 44-40267 B/A 18BS Blackburn

                       June 25, 1944 44-40267 B/A Blackburn Weather Ship,

 

CREW #71; GH crews (as of July 28, 1944)

Mission #47 July 31, 1944 41-29486 B/Z 18BS Blackburn Old 486

Mission #51 August 4, 1944 44-40482 B/B The Dugan Wagon (#2) (scheduled for Blackburn but replaced)

Mission #51 August 4, 1944 44-40461 D/B 18BS Blackburn

Mission #61 August 16, 1944 41-29598 B/U 18BS Blackburn Chesty

Mission #62 August 18, 1944 41-29486 B/Z GH Blackburn Old 486           Major damage

 

CREW #71; 18th Squadron (as of the transition to B-17s)

Mission #67 September 25, 1944 …….633 C/M 391BS Blackburn

Mission #69 September 27, 1944 44-8185 H/P 391BS Blackburn Lost – MIA

 

MISSION AND CREW DETAILS

 

CREW #49; 18th Squadron

BLACKBURN JAMES R (P) (1024)                   1 LT        18            O-433454

LITTLE JOHN W (CP) (1024)                             2 LT        18            O-700406

MOLLENBERG ERNEST F (N) (1034)               2 LT        18            O-703104

CONKLIN CHARLES D JR (B) (1035)               F/O         18            T-123125

BUSHEY HAROLD V JR (AEG) (748)               S/SGT     18            36418601

YOUNKER GERALD L (ROG) (757)                  S/SGT     18            13083616

ESHMAN PAUL O (AG) (612)                           S/SGT     18            16024723

STARK JOHN A (BG) (611)                               CPL         18            39277397

DOLLEY HERBERT I (BG) (748)                        SGT        18            31319732

 

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94768 B/N 18BS Blackburn

Took off at 0547 hours from Hardstand #17.

Flew position 4-1 in Low Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0858 hours from 14,000 feet.

"Direct hit on East building."

No damage reported.

Landed 1142 hours.

#1 and #4 generators inoperative. Inspected and repaired.

Blackburn (P)

Little (CP)

Mollenberg (N)

Conklin (B)

Younker (R)

Bushey (E)

Eshman (NG)

Stark (TG)

Dolley (BG)

Clements (G)

 

Mission #2 May 24, 1944 42-94768 B/N 18BS Blackburn

Took of at 0512 hours.

Flew position 3-2 in High Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb GP bombs. Brought all bombs back to base.

Landed 1045 hours.

#3 prop governor out; #2 generator out. Inspected and being repaired.

Blackburn, J. R. (P)

Little, J. W. (CP)

Conklin, C. D. (B)

Younker, G. L. (R)

Bushey, H. V. (E)

Eshman, P. O. (NG)

Stark, J. A. (TG)

Dolley, H. L. (BG)

Clements, E. P. (G)

 

                     May 24, 1944 Blackburn

Crew Status Report 1000 hours.

Crew #49, 18th Squadron

Blackburn (P)                        1 Lt         OK

Little (CP)                              2 Lt         OK

Mollenberg (N)                     2 Lt         OK

Conklin (B)                            F/O         OK

Younker (R)                           S/Sgt      OK

Bushey (E)                            S/Sgt      OK

Eshman (NG)                         Sgt          OK

Stark (TG)                              Sgt          OK

Dolley (BG)                           Sgt          OK

Clements (G)                         Sgt          OK

 

Mission #3 May 25, 1944 41-28840 B/R 18BS Blackburn

Took off at 0453 hours.

Flew position 1-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Secondary target at 0918 hours from 18,200 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1056 hours.

Blackburn, J. R. (P)

Little, J. W. (CP)

Conklin, C. D. (B)

Younker, G. L. (R)

Bushey, H. V. (E)

Eshman, P. O. (NG)

Stark, J. A. (TG)

Dolley, H. L. (BG)

Clements, E. P. (G)

 

Mission #6 May 29, 1944 42-94768 B/N 18BS Blackburn

Took off at 0750 hours from Hardstand #17.

Flew position 2-2 in Low Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1235 hours from 21,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1639 hours.

#4 generator inoperative. Inspected and repaired.

Blackburn, J. R. (P)

Little, J. W. (CP)

Dorseth (N) (from crew #51)

Younker, G. L. (R)

Bushey, H. V. (E)

Eshman, P. O. (NG)

Stark, J. A. (TG)

Dolley, H. L. (BG)

Clements, E. P. (G)

 

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94768 B/N 18BS Blackburn

Took off at 0655 hours from Hardstand #17.

Flew position 3-1 in Lead Squadron.

Carried a K-24 camera.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1105 hours from 22,100 feet.

Slight damage reported.

Landed 1249 hours.

#3 & #4 voltage regulators inoperative. Inspected & repaired.

Flak damage: Slight. Nose turret; leading edge between #3 & #4 engines.

Blackburn (P)

Little (CP)

Conklin (B)

Younker (R)

Bushey (E)

Eshman (NG)

Stark (TG)

Dolley (BG)

Clements (G)

 

Mission #9 June 4, 1944 42-94768 B/N 18BS Blackburn

Took off at 1606 hours from Hardstand #17.

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

Carried 12 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2016 hours from 22,850 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 2224 hours.

#2 Generator out. Inspected and repaired

Blackburn (P)

Little (CP)

Conklin (B)

Younker (R)

Bushey (E)

Dolley (BG)

Stark (TG)

Eshman (NG)

Clements (G)

 

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 44-40482 B/M 18BS Blackburn unknown name

Took off at 0522 hours.

Flew position 1-3 in Low Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0907 hours from 21,500 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1126 hours.

Blackburn (P)

Little (CP)

Zemelman (N)

Younker (R)

Bushey (E)

Dolley (BG)

Stark (TG)

Eshman (NG)

Clements (G)

 

Mission #16 June 14, 1944 42-52755 D/F 18BS Blackburn

Took off at 0346 hours.

Flew position 2-2 in Low Squadron.

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

Slight battle damage reported.

Landed 0922 hours.

Blackburn (P)

Little (CP)

Conklin (B)

Younker (R)

Bushey (E)

Dolley (BG)

Stark (TG)

Eshman (NG)

Clements (G)

 

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 42-52752 L/E 18BS Blackburn unknown name

Took off at 1638 hours.

Flew position 4-2 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2022 hours from 17,500 feet.

Slight battle damage reported.

Landed 2251 hours.

Blackburn (P)

Little (CP)

Zemmelman (N)

Younker (R)

Bushey (E)

Dolley (BG)

Stark (TG)

Eshman (NG)

Clements (G)

 

                       June 20, 1944 44-40421 B/F Blackburn

Took off at 0925 hours for the Holbrook Range.

Landed 1036 hours.

 

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 44-40320 B/N 18BS Blackburn Generator Jennie

Took off at 1755 hours.

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

Carried 52 100 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2058 hours from 23,000 feet.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 2149 hours.

No Crew Loading List available.

 

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 44-40482 B/M 18BS Blackburn unknown name (deputy lead)

Took off at 1426 hours from Hardstand #13.

Flew Deputy Lead, position 1-2 in High Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1920 hours from 20,500 feet.

Minor damage reported.

Landed 2200 hours.

Blackburn (P) (a write-in, taking over Crew #43)

Lain (CP)

Orr (N)

Zick (N2) (a write-in)

Mollenburg (  )  (a Write-in third Navigator?)

Rankin (B) (a write-in)

Oyster (R)

Hubler (E)

Puska (BG)

Snyder (TG)

Denter (NG)

Wolf (G)

 

                       June 23, 1944 42-50585 L/G Blackburn Small Change II

Took off at 1540 hours on a test hop.

Landed 1629 hours.

 

Mission #22 June 24, 1944 44-40267 B/A 18BS Blackburn

Took off at 0430 hours.

Flew in High Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0817 hours from 22,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1016 hours.

Blackburn (P) (a write-in, taking over Crew #43)

Lian (CP)

Orr (N)

Mollenberg (N2)

Rankin (B) (a write-in)

Oyster (R)

Hubler (E)

Puska (BG)

Snyder (TG)

Denter (NG)

Wolf (G)

 

Mission #24 June 25, 1944 (no plane) Blackburn (Ground Spare)

Blackburn (P) (a write-in, taking over Crew #43)

Lian (CP)

Orr (N)

Mollenberg (N2)

Puska (BG)

Snyder (TG)

Denter (NG)

Wolf (G)

 

                       June 25, 1944 44-40267 B/A Blackburn Weather Ship,

Took off at 1459 hours.

Landed 1739 hours.

 

CREW #71; GH crews (as of July 28, 1944)

Blackburn, James R. (P)                       Capt        O-433454

Lian, Elmer T. (CP)                               1 Lt         O-386909

Orr, Curtis E. (N)                                   1 Lt         O-703295

Mollenberg, Ernest F. (N2)                 2 Lt         O-703104

Pearce, Robert C. (B)                           1 Lt         O-684190

Oyster, John H. (R)                              T/Sgt      33452904

Huebler, Robert G. (E)                         T/Sgt      32720094

Snyder, Albert W. (G)                         S/Sgt      13133963

Denter, John J. (G)                               S/Sgt      32856371

Wolf, John E. (G)                                  S/Sgt      13075161

 

Mission #47 July 31, 1944 41-29486 B/Z 18BS Blackburn Old 486

Took off at 0905 hours.

Flew Lead of High Squadron.

Carried 6 500 lb bombs and 2 Smoke bombs. Dropped on Primary at 1310 hours from 23,600 feet.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 1557 hours.

Blackburn (P)

Young (Command Pilot)                      Capt

Lian (CP)

Orr (N)

Mollenberg (N)

Pearce (B)

Oyster (R)

Huebler (E)

Snyder (G)

Denter (G)

Wolf (G)

 

                       August 2, 1944 42-94873 B/O Blackburn

Took off at 1707 hours on a local flight.

Landed 1728 hours.

 

Mission #51 August 4, 1944 44-40461 D/B 18BS Blackburn

Mission #51 August 4, 1944 44-40482 B/B The Dugan Wagon (#2) (scheduled for Blackburn but replaced)

Blackburn (P)

Lian (CP)

Orr (N)

Pearce (B)
Mollenberg (N)

Huebler (E)

Oyster (R)

Genter (NG) (probably should be Denter)

Wolf (G)

Snyder (TG)

 

Mission #61 August 16, 1944 41-29598 B/U 18BS Blackburn Chesty

Blackburn (P)

Lian (CP)

Orr (N)

Mollenberg (N)

Pearce (B)
Oyster (R)

Huebler (E)

Snyder (TG)

Denter (NG)

Wolf (G)

 

Mission #62 August 18, 1944 41-29486 B/Z GH Blackburn Old 486

Took off at 0606 hours.

Flew Lead of Low Squadron.

Carried 6 500 lb GP bombs. No drop report as they landed away from base.

Major damage

Landed at Dunsfold.

Blackburn (P)

Lian (CP)

Orr (N)

Mollenberg (N)

Pearce (B)
Oyster (R)

Huebler (E)

Snyder (TG)

Denter (NG)

Wolf (G)

 

CREW #71; 18th Squadron (as of the transition to B-17s)

Blackburn (P)

Lian (CP)

Orr (N)

Pearce (B)
Oyster (R)

Huebler (E)

Denter (NG)

Snyder (TG)

Wolf (G)

 

Mission #67 September 25, 1944 …….633 C/M 391BS Blackburn

Mission #69 September 27, 1944 44-8185 H/P 391BS Blackburn Lost – MIA

 

B-17G 44-8185 H/P Mean Kid Missing in Action Ludwigshaven by flak. #2 engine and trailing edge of the left wing on fire. Stayed in formation 2-3 minutes while up to 3 crewmembers bailed out. Made 90 degree turn and jettisoned bombs while at least one more crewman bailed out. Made another 90 degree turn going into a  steep dive, apparently trying to put out the fire. Last seen apparently under control, holding altitude with #2  engine feathered but still on fire. Crashed Stromburg, Germany. Pilot: Capt. Blackburn. Missing Air Crew Report # 9367. 11 Prisoner of War.

POW BLACKBUN JAMES R (P)                      CAPT     4              O-433454                                                                15

POW LIAN ELMER T (CP)                                1 LT        4              O-386909                                                                14

KIA ORR CURTIS E (N)                                     1 LT        4              O-703295                HOUSTON TX                     12

POW PEARCE ROBERT C (B)                           1 LT        4              O-684190

POW HUEBLER ROBERT O (TT)                     T/SGT    4              32720094                                                                12

POW OYSTER JOHN B (R)                                T/SGT    4              33452904                                                                12

POW WOLF JOHN E (WG)                                S/SGT     4              13075161                                                                13

POW STELLMACH ROBERT E (N)                 1 LT         391          O-704085                                               

POW BURTON HOWARD C (Com P)             MAJ       HQ          O-364882                                                                13

POW DAVIS WALTER (Mickey Op)               2 LT       94BG       O-677189                                                                1

POW DENTER JOHN J (NG)                              S/SGT     4              32856371                                                                11

NOTE: Orr is also listed in one source as POW.