Holmes crew

 

MISSION LIST

 

CREW #22; 7th Squadron Tiger Rag

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #2 May 24, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #4 May 27, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-52738 L/O 7BS Holmes Wilson (Airborne spare – returned early)

Mission #6 May 29, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes  Tiger Rag   

Mission #11 June 6, 1944 44-40482 B/M 7BS Holmes unknown name

Mission #14 June 11, 1944 42-94794 B/I 7BS Holmes Bachelor’s Baby

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #16 June 14, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 44-40454 E/G 7BS Holmes Betta Duck

Mission #18 June 20, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #21 June 23, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #23 June 24, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #25 June 25, 1944 44-40441 D/N 7BS Holmes Floogie Boo

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #32 July 8, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #33 July 9, 1944 42-94919 E/C 7BBS Holmes (Airborne spare)

Mission #37 July 18, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #38 July 19, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #39 July 20, 1944 42-94815 B/B 4BS Holmes Frivolous Sal

Mission #40 July 21, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #41 July 24, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Mission #42 July 25, 1944 44-40276 E/D 7BS Holmes

Mission #44 July 27, 1944 42-94930 E/O 7BS Holmes, T. Kisco Kid  (Plane exploded)

 

MISSION AND CREW DETAILS

 

CREW #22; 7th Squadron Tiger Rag

HOLMES GERALD E (P) (1024) (P) (1024)       2 LT        7              O-686457

GRANGER DALE C (CP) (1024)                         2 LT        7              O-700446

GREZIAK CHARLES (N) (1034)                        2 LT        7              O-703736

RITCHIE GEORGE J (B) 1035)                            2 LT        7              O-697760

IVEY KIVETT (AEG) (748)                                  SGT        7              34665578

GIBBS CLAUDE N ROG) (757)                          CPL         7              37399246

PETERSON HARRY M (AG) (612)                    SGT        7              39129436

JENSEN HENRY (BG) (748)                                SGT        7              39119207

WEAVER LEE R (BG) (748)                                SGT        7              38341486

 

                    May 2, 1944 Special Order #89, par. 4 & 5

2 Lt (1035) George J Ritchie, O-697760, is relieved from Crew #22, Holmes , and assigned to Crew #24, Terry.

2 Lt (1035) Henry K Lambert, O-695504, is relieved from Crew #24, Terry, and assigned to Crew #22, Holmes.

 

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0536 hours from Hardstand #6.

Was to fly position 3-3 in High Squadron, but moved up to position 1-3 when Brown was late taking off.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Brought back 9 bombs. No report on the other bombs.

Center and West building direct hits. 2 Wings on W & SW targets hit covered with smoke."

No damage reported.

Landed 1159 hours.

Right front bomb bay door broken. Inspected and repaired.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grezlak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (G)

Peterson (G)

Jenson (G)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #2 May 24, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0516 hours from Hardstand #6.

Was to fly position 3-2 in Lead Squadron but went over the target in position 2-3.

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

Slight damage reported, perhaps something about the .50 cal in the nose.

Landed 1038 hours.

#1 and #2 superchargers out. Inspected and repaired.

Holmes, G. E. (P)

Granger, D. G. (CP)

Lambert, H. (B)

Gibbs, C. H. (R)

Ivey, K. (E)

Jenson, H. (NG)

Peterson, H. M. (TG)

Berry, E. G. (BG)

Weaver, L. R. (G)

 

                     May 24, 1944 Holmes

Crew Status Report 1800 hours

Crew #22; 7th Squadron

Holmes, G. E. (P)                   2 Lt         OK

Granger, D. G. (CP)               2 Lt         OK

Grzelak, C.                              2 Lt         OK

Lambert, H. H. (B)                2 Lt         OK

Gibbs, C. H. (R)                     S/Sgt      OK

Ivey, K. (E)                            T/Sgt      OK

Jenson, H. (NG)                    S/Sgt      OK

Petersen, H. M. (TG)            S/Sgt      OK

Berry, E. G. (BG)                   Sgt          OK

Weaver, L. R. (G)                  Sgt          OK

 

Mission #4 May 27, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0850 hours.

Flew position 3-2 in Low Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb M47-A bombs. Brought all bombs back to base.

No damage reported.

Landed 1553 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grezlak (N)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Jenson (NG)

Peterson (BG)

Berry (TG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-52738 L/O 7BS Holmes Wilson

Took off at 1047 hours from Hardstand #18.

Flew as Airborne spare. Returned early when unneeded.

Carried 10 100 lb GP bombs. Brought all bombs back to base.

No damage reported.

Landed 1408 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grezlak (N)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Jenson (NG)

Peterson (BG)

Berry (TG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #6 May 29, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag   

Took off at 0735 hours from Hardstand #6.

Flew position 3-2 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1234 hours from 21,000 feet.

Major damage reported.

Landed 1642 hours.

#1 Generator out. Inspected and replaced.

Slight flak damage: Pilot’s window blown out, skin above window damaged, right wing tip, left and right tabs, bottom right wing.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grezlak (N)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Jenson (NG)

Peterson (BG)

Berry (TG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #11 June 6, 1944 44-40482 B/M 7BS Holmes unknown name

Took off at 0623 hours from Hardstand #13.

Flew position 4-1 in High Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Due to 10/10 clouds, brought all bombs back to base.

No damage reported.

Landed 1224 hours.

Aircraft very tail heavy during mission. Trim Tab adjusted.

Holmes, G. E. (P)

Granger, Dale G. (CP)

Grezlak, G. (N)

Lamber, H. (B) (Lambert?)

Ivey, K. (E)

Gibbs, C. H. (R)

Peterson, H. M. (G)

Jensen, H. (G)

Weaver, L. R. (G)

Berry, E. G. (TG)

 

Mission #14 June 11, 1944 42-94794 B/I 7BS Holmes Bachelor’s Baby

Took off at 0440 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in High 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 1048 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (G)

Peterson (G)

Jenson (G)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0510 hours.

Was to fly position 3-2 in Lead Squadron but bombed from position 2-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 24 250 lb bombs. Dropped 22 bombs on the Primary at 0911 hours. Altitude not shown nor is there any report on the other 2 bombs.

No damage reported.

Landed 1134 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (G)

Peterson (G)

Jenson (G)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #16 June 14, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0330 hours.

Flew position 3-2 in High Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on TO at 0808 hours from 19,500 feet.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 0938 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (G)

Peterson (G)

Jenson (G)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 44-40454 E/G 7BS Holmes Betta Duck

Took off at 1648 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in High Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2023 hours from 18,000 feet.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 2240 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (G)

Peterson (G)

Jenson (G)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #18 June 20, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0506 hours.

Flew position 3-2 in Low Squadron.

Carried a K-24 camera, taking photos at 0914.30 hours.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0914 hours from 22,350 feet.

Slight damage reported.

Landed 1130 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (G)

Peterson (G)

Jenson (G)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 1745 hours.

Flew position 3-2 in Group A (7th).

Carried 52 100 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary but no time or altitude report.

No battle damage report.

Landed 2245 hours at Woodchurch.

No Crew Loading List available.

 

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 1509 hours.

Flew as Airborne spare. Flew the mission in position 4-4 in High Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1917 hours from 21,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 2125 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #21 June 23, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 1603 hours.

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

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

Aborted with #3 prop governor and tachometer malfunction.

No damage reported.

Landed 2031 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #23 June 24, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 1636 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 24 250 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary in the target area.

No damage reported.

Landed 2102 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #25 June 25, 1944 42-94787 D/C (scheduled for Holmes but replaced.)

Mission #25 June 25, 1944 44-40441 D/N 7BS Holmes Floogie Boo

Took off at 1532 hours.

Flew position 1-3 in High Squadron.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1943 hours from 20,600 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 2238 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

                        June 27, 1944 42-94908 E/E Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 1146 hours on a local flight.

Landed 1505 hours.

 

                        July 2, 1944 44-40461 Holmes

Took off at 1554 hours on a flight to Greenham Common.

Landed at 1723 hours back at Mendlesham.

 

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0539 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in High Squadron.

Carried a K-21 camera.

Carried 20 250 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0912 hours from 24,500 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1025 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #32 July 8, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0423 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 20 250 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0802 hours from 22,500 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 0915 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

Nelson (Photographer)

 

Mission #33 July 9, 1944 42-94919 E/C 7BBS Holmes

Took off at 1027 hours.

Flew as Airborne Spare.

Aborted due to failure to gain altitude at 1230 hours over London.

#1 supercharger out, rubber clamp on induction system was off.

Brought all bombs back to base.

Landed 1310 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #37 July 18, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0526 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in Lead Squadron.

Carried a K-21 camera.

Carried 52 100 lb Fragmentation bombs. Dropped on Primary at 0838 hours from 17,200 feet.

No battle damaged reported.

Landed 1028 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #38 July 19, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0554 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in Low Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb GP lb bombs. Jettisoned all bombs.

Serious flak damage.

Landed 1157 hours.            

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #39 July 20, 1944 42-94815 B/B 4BS Holmes Frivolous Sal

Took off at 0732 hours.

Flew position 4-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1113 hours from 22,300 feet.

Slight flak damage reported.

Landed 1305 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Peterson (BG)

Jensen (TG)

Weaver (NG)

Berry (G)

 

Mission #40 July 21, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0623 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in Low Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb bombs. Dropped South of Gelgen, 4957N-0551E. No time or altitude report.

Aborted due to weather. (apparently incorrect)

Landed 1210 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #41 July 24, 1944 42-94908 E/E 7BS Holmes Tiger Rag

Took off at 0951 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in High Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb fragmentation bombs. Brought all bombs back to base due to 10/10 cloud over target area.

Landed 1512 hours.

Radio compass out. Navigator's control box.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #42 July 25, 1944 44-40276 E/D 7BS Holmes

Took off at 0743 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in High Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb fragmentation bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1038 hours from 12,400 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1245 hours.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

Mission #44 July 27, 1944 42-94930 E/O 7BS Holmes, T. Kisco Kid  (Plane exploded)

Took off at 0535 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. No drop report as plane crashed.

Plane crashed over southern tip of England.

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Berry (BG)

Peterson (TG)

Jensen (NG)

Weaver (G)

 

B-24H 42-94930 E/O Kisco Kid was hit by flak on the bomb run causing considerable damage to the fuselage and wings. Right after bombs away, another flak burst cut the rudder control cables and damaged #1 engine. The pilot headed directly for England but kept bearing left due to #1 engine being out. As the ship came over the Southern tip of England, still bearing left toward the open sea, the crew was ordered to bail out, the pilot and navigator being the last ones out. The plane exploded just before hitting the ground at West Malling. With 7BS. Pilot: Holmes. Unnumbered Missing Air Crew Report. All but two crewmembers were wounded or injured and four were seriously wounded but the four are not identified.

WIA HOLMES GERALD E (P)                          2 LT            7          O-686475                                                23

OK GRANGER DALE G (CP)                             2 LT            7          O-700446                                                23

WIA GRZELAK CHARLES (N)                         2 LT            7          O-703736                                                18

WIA LAMBERT HENRY K (B)                         2 LT            7          O-695504                                                17

WIA KIVETT IVEY (E/TT)                                 S/SGT         7          34665578                                                23

OK GIBBS CLAUDE H (R)                                 T/SGT        7          37399246                                                23

WIA BERRY EDWARD G (BT)                         SGT            7          38450659                                                23

WIA PETERSEN HARRY M (TG)                     SGT            7          39129436                                                23

WIA WEAVER LEE R (WG)                              SGT            7          38341486                                                23

WIA JENSEN HENRY (NG)                               SGT            7          39119209                                                23

 

CREW #37; 7th Squadron (as of July 28, 1944)

Holmes (P)

Granger (CP)

Grzelak (N)

Lambert (B)

Gibbs (R)

Ivey (E)

Jensen (NG)

Peterson (TG)

Berry (BG)

Weaver (G)

 

Did not fly any more missions.

 

Last listed as Crew #37 on August 24, 1944.