Ralls crew
NOTE: The Ralls crew was the first to arrive at Mendlesham. They carried Maj. Boyd, the 18BS CO, as their passenger for the trip to England. They were determined to beat the Group CO, Wackowitz, to Mendlesham and did so by two days. (Clayton B. Gabel in MM, March 1988, p.5)
MISSION LIST
CREW #41; 18th Squadron
Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94762 B/K 18BS Ralls The Uninvited
Mission #3 May 25, 1944 42-94748 L/A 18BS Ralls Undecided
Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94919 E/R 18BS Ralls
Mission #9 June 4, 1944 42-94799 E/F 18BS Ralls The Paper Doll (lead)
Mission #10 June 6, 1944 41-29542 B/L 18BS Ralls Rough House Kate
Mission #15 June 12, 1944 41-29542 B/L 18BS Ralls Rough House Kate (lead)
Mission #17 June 17, 1944 41-29542 B/L 18BS Ralls Rough House Kate (lead)
Mission #22 June 24, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls
Mission #25 June 25, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls (lead)
Mission #31 July 6, 1944 44-40267 B/A 18BS Ralls (lead)
Mission #36 July 17, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls (lead)
Mission #38 July 19, 1944 44-40482 B/M 18BS Ralls unknown name
Mission #41 July 24, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls
Mission #42 July 25, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls (deputy lead)
CREW #59; 18th Squadron (as of July 31, 1944)
Mission #50 August 3, 1944 44-40421 B/C 18BS Ralls
Mission #53 August 6, 1944 44-40463 D/A 18BS Ralls
Mission #54 August 7, 1944 44-40421 B/C 18BS Ralls
Mission #58 August 13, 1944 44-40421 B/C 18BS Ralls (lead – Target #3)
Mission #60 August 15, 1944 44-40463 D/A 18BS Ralls
CREW #59; 18th Squadron (as of the transition
to B-17s)
Mission #64 September 17, 1944 43-38410 B/C 18BS Ralls (lead)
Mission #67 September 25, 1944 43-38410 B/C 18BS Ralls
Mission #73 October 5, 1944 43-38409 B/B 18BS Ralls
Mission #76 October 9, 1944 43-38410 B/C Ralls
Mission #82 October 25, 1944 43-38416 E/C 7BS Ralls Major damage.
Mission #86 November 4, 1944 43-38410 B/C 18BS Ralls
Mission #89 November 9, 1944 43-38292 B/A 7BS Ralls
Mission #90 November 16, 1944 43-38410 B/C 391BS Ralls
Mission #95 November 30, 1944 43-38410 B/C 18BS Ralls
Mission #96 December 4, 1944 43-38410 B/C 7BS Ralls
MISSION AND CREW DETAILS
The first plane to arrive at Mendlesham was piloted by Emory Ralls.
CREW #41; 18th Squadron
RALLS EMORY G (P) (1024) 2 LT 18 O-683582
WESTMAN CARL B (CP) (1024) 2 LT 18 O-758667
JURIS ALBERT L (N) (1034) 2 LT 18 O-442981
PARENTEAU EARL C (B) (1035) 2 LT 18 O-754759
GABEL CLAYTON (AEG) (748) SGT 18 15354625
HUGHLY DANIEL L (ROG) (757) SGT 18 20832196
KOWALCZYK STANLEY J (AG) (612) SGT 18 31312883
MORAN HAROLD O (BG) (748) SGT 18 18150888
ZELENSKI JOHN (BG) (748) SGT 18 31187854
BOYD WILLIAM (1024) MAJ 18 O-22012 (18BS CO, and passenger on this plane for the trip to England.)
Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94762 B/F 18BS Ralls The Uninvited
Took off at 0540 hours from Hardstand #16.
Flew Lead of Low Squadron.
Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0858 ½ hours from 15,000 feet.
"Good - hit middle building. 2nd element late and over. Hangers burning, lot of smoke."
No damage reported.
Landed 1147 hours.
Ralls (P)
Boyd (Command Pilot)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Wanfried (PN)
Westman (CP)
Markee (BG)
Zelenski (an add on)
Kowalczyk (an add on)
May 24, 1944 Ralls
Crew Status Report 1000 hours.
Crew #41, 18th Squadron
Ralls (P) 1 Lt OK
Westman (CP) 2 Lt OK
Juris (N) 2 Lt OK
Parenteau (B) 2 Lt OK
Hughey (R) S/Sgt OK
Gabel (E) S/Sgt OK
Zeleneski (NG) Sgt OK
Kowalczyk (TG) Sgt OK
Markes (BG) Sgt OK
Moran (G) Sgt DNIF (not sure what that means, maybe Does Not Include Flying?)
Mission #3 May 25, 1944 42-94748 L/A 18BS Ralls Undecided
Took off at 0451 hours.
Flew Lead of Lead Squadron.
Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Secondary target at 0919 hours from 18,000 feet.
No damage reported.
Landed 1055 hours.
Ralls, E. G. (P)
Westman, C. B. (CP)
Boyd, W. S. (Command Pilot)
Juris, A. L. (N)
Wanfried (PN)
Parenteau, E. C. (B)
Hughey, D. L. (R)
Gabel, C. (E)
Markes, M. (BG)
Moran, H. C. (G)
Kowalczyk, S. J. (TG)
May 28, 1944 42-94762 Ralls The Uninvited
Took off at 1528 hours on a local flight.
Landed 1728 hours.
Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94919 E/R 18BS Ralls
Took off at 0650 hours from Hardstand #3
Flew Lead of Lead 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 1303 hours.
Ralls (P)
Boyd (Command Pilot) Maj.
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Wanfried (PN in NG position)
Westman (CP in TG position)
Markes (BG)
Moran (G)
Zelenski (G)
Mission #9 June 4, 1944 42-94799 E/F 18BS Ralls The Paper Doll (lead)
Took off at 1600 hours from Hardstand #1.
Flew Lead of the one 34th BG Squadron on this mission.
Carried a K-20 camera.
Carried 12 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2015 hours from 23,000 feet.
No damage reported.
Landed 2225 hours.
#3 Turbosupercharger had loose connection; radio trouble; "G" box inoperative. Inspected and repaired.
Ralls (P)
Wackwitz (Command Pilot)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (PN in NG position)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Markes (BG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (G)
Mission #10 June 6, 1944 41-29542 B/L 18BS Ralls Rough House Kate
Took off at 0224 hours.
Flew Lead of Lead Squadron.
Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Brought all bombs back to base.
No damage reported.
Landed 1053 hours.
Hydraulic pump burned out; pilot’s mike button sticks. Inspected and repaired.
Ralls, E. (P) 1 Lt
Gerhart, J. (Command Pilot) Col
Westman, Carl (CP) 2 Lt
Juris, A. (N) 1 Lt
Wanfried (N) 1 Lt
Parenteau, E. (B) 2 Lt
Gabel, C. (E) S/Sgt
Hughey, D. (R) S/Sgt
Burkot, J. (G) T/Sgt
Moran, H. (AE) S/Sgt
Kowalczyk, S. (AG) S/Sgt
Markes, M. (G) Sgt
Mission #15 June 12, 1944 41-29542 B/L 18BS Ralls Rough House Kate (lead)
Took off at 0521 hours.
Flew Lead of Low Squadron.
Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on Primary at 0907 hours from 21,500 feet.
No damage reported.
Landed 1127 hours.
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Young (Command Pilot)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (PN)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Markes (BG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
June 14, 1944 44-40421 B/F Ralls
Took off at 1748 hours for the Otmoor range.
Landed 1946 hours.
Mission #17 June 17, 1944 41-29542 B/L 18BS Ralls Rough House Kate (lead)
Took off at 1630 hours.
Flew Lead of Lead Squadron.
Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2022 hours from 18,000 feet.
Slight battle damage reported.
Landed 2257 hours.
Ralls (P)
Boyd (Command Pilot) Major
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (PN)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Markes (BG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
June 23, 1944 44-40421 B/F Ralls
Took off at 1642 hours on a local flight
Landed 1736 hours.
Mission #22 June 24, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls
Took off at 0430 hours.
Flew Lead of High Squadron.
Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0817 hours from 22,500 feet.
Minor damage reported.
Landed 1005 hours.
Ralls (P)
Simpson (Command Pilot) Capt
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N2)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Markes (BG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #25 June 25, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls (lead)
Took off at 1539 hours.
Flew Lead of Lead Squadron.
Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Secondary at 2022 hours from 20,000 feet.
Minor damage reported.
Landed 2232 hours.
Ralls (P)
LeBaily (Command Pilot)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N2)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Markes (BG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #31 July 6, 1944 44-40267 B/A 18BS Ralls (lead)
Took off at 1700 hours.
Flew Lead of Lead Squadron. (only one Squadron on this mission)
Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2026 hours from 24,000 feet.
Slight flak damage reported.
Landed 2142 hours.
No crew loading list available.
Ralls (P)
Boyd (Command Pilot)
July 8, 1944 44-40421 B/F Ralls
Took off at 1048 hours on a local flight.
Landed 1201 hours.
Mission #36 July 17, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls (lead)
Took off at 0630 hours.
Flew Lead of Low Squadron.
Carried 5 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1052 hours from 19,500 feet.
No damage reported.
Landed 1318 hours.
Ralls (P)
Young (Command Pilot) Capt
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N2)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Markes (BG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #38 July 19, 1944 44-40482 B/M 18BS Ralls unknown name
Took off at 0527 hours.
Flew Lead of Lead Squadron.
Carried 6 500 lb GP lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0930 hours from 23,000 feet.
Slight flak damage.
Landed 1142 hours.
Ralls (P)
LeBaily (Command Pilot) Col
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N2)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Markes (BG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
July 20, 1944 44-40421 B/F Ralls
Took off at 1456 hours on a flight to the bombing range.
Landed 1653 hours.
July 21, 1944 44-40421 B/F Ralls
Took off at 1345 hours on a local flight.
Landed 1452 hours.
Mission #41 July 24, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls
Took off at 0954 hours.
Flew Deputy Lead, position 1-2 in Lead Squadron.
Carried 52 100 lb GP bombs. Brought all bombs back to base due to 10/10 cloud over target area.
Landed 1508 hours.
Motor in tail turret - no hydraulic pressure. Nose free air temperature gauge.
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N2)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Markes (BG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #42 July 25, 1944 44-40421 B/F 18BS Ralls (deputy lead)
Took off at 0747 hours.
Flew Deputy Lead, position 1-2 in Lead Squadron.
Carried 52 100 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1037 hours from 12,000 feet.
No damage reported.
Landed 1305 hours.
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N2)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Markes (BG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
CREW #59; 18th Squadron (as of July 31, 1944)
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Zelenski (NG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Markes (BG)
Moran (G)
August 2, 1944 44-40421 B/C Ralls
Took off at 1539 hours on a local flight.
Landed 1658 hours.
Mission #50 August 3, 1944 44-40421 B/C 18BS Ralls
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Zelenski (NG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Markes (BG)
Moran (G)
Mission #53 August 6, 1944 44-40463 D/A 18BS Ralls
No crew loading list available.
Mission #54 August 7, 1944 44-40421 B/C 18BS Ralls
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Zelenski (NG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Moran (G)
Mission #58 August 13, 1944 44-40421 B/C 18BS Ralls (lead – Target #3)
Ralls (P)
Young (Command Pilot) Capt
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Wanfried (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Zelenski (NG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Moran (G)
Mission #60 August 15, 1944 44-40463 D/A 18BS Ralls
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Zelenski (NG)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Moran (G)
NOTE: Sometime between Missions #60 and #64, Markes was removed as a regular member of crew #59. He had not flown with this crew since Mission #50 unless he was on Mission #53 for which the crew loading list is not available. Wanfried is also no longer a regular member of this crew.
CREW #59; 18th Squadron (as of the transition to B-17s)
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #64 September 17, 1944 43-38410 B/C 18BS Ralls (lead)
Took off from Hardstand #16 at 0555 hours.
Flew Lead of 34 A Group.
Carried 24 260F bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1010 hours from 21,000 feet.
No damage reported.
Landed 1125 hours.
Ralls (P)
Creer (Command Pilot) Col
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Wanfried (N2) (added on, but with a question mark on the crew loading list.)
Mission #67 September 25, 1944 43-38410 B/C 18BS Ralls
Ralls (P)
Hammill (CP) (from Crew #58)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #73 October 5, 1944 43-38409 B/B 18BS Ralls
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #76 October 9, 1944 43-38410 B/C Ralls
Ralls (P)
Young (Command Pilot) Capt
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #82 October 25, 1944 43-38416 E/C 7BS Ralls Major damage.
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #86 November 4, 1944 43-38410 B/C 18BS Ralls
Took off at 0803 hours.
Landed 1547 hours.
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #89 November 9, 1944 43-38292 B/A 7BS Ralls
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #90 November 16, 1944 43-38410 B/C 391BS Ralls
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #95 November 30, 1944 43-38410 B/C 18BS Ralls
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Gabel (E)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Mission #96 December 4, 1944 43-38410 B/C 7BS Ralls
Ralls (P)
Westman (CP)
Juris (N)
Parenteau (B)
Hughey (R)
Buganski (E) (a write-in)
Kowalczyk (TG)
Zelenski (NG)
Moran (G)
Last listed as Crew #59 on December 15, 1944 as "Graduated."