Mission#35 October 14, 1943 – Target Schweinfurt

Date: Oct 14, 43

Dispatched: 50 Aborts: 6

Mission: Penetration support to 1st TF 180 B-17’s Field Order: 156

Time Up/Down: 11:52 hrs 15:11 hrs Leader: Major Duncan

Target: Schweinfurt

Claims Air: 11-01-04 Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Lost/Damaged: 02-06

R/V with the 1st TF in mid Channel at 13:02 hrs after advised on C channel that bombers were ten minutes late. Bombers considerably strung out but boxes intact. Proceeded on course escorting to Duren where bombers were left at 13:36 hrs. Came out north of Ostend 13:57 hrs at 28,000ft. When Group approached Walcheren and Schoen Island 20 + enemy aircraft flying at 32,000ft approached our fighters from 11 o’clock. Tactics of e/a seemed to disregard the bombers entirely and concentrate on our fighters. Major Bailey leading the 352^nd Squadron flying on the left of the bombers turned to engage and circled to position himself rear of e/a. Half the e/a peeled off and dove for deck while others engaged resulting in four destroyed and three damaged. While 352^nd engaging e/a Major Duncan took section of the 351^st back to help and then covered the rear box of bombers. 350^th Squadron covered the first two boxes. In the vicinity of Duren 30 Fw190s approached bombers from 11 o’clock at 23,000ft and when about head on to the bombers the e/a formation split, 15 diving to the left of bombers and underneath, while the remaining 15 continued across front of the bombers to position themselves up Sun. Major Rimerman manoeuvred his Squadron to the e/a below the bombers. Three FW190s were attacking a straggling B-17 which was seen to go down in a spin. Three chutes were seen. Two Fw190s were destroyed and one probably destroyed. Also in the vicinity of Duren, 18+ e/a attacked from 10 o’clock at 34,000ft diving to the left side of the bombers. They apparently did not see Capt. Beckham’s section covering the left side of the bombers which was able to make a diving turn to the right and to position his section behind them. Three Fw190s were destroyed. Several e/a evaded by half rolling and diving and after recovering from dive would zoom up in position to repeat the attack. On way out two Me109s were seen approaching rear of the bombers from 30,000ft in vicinity of S-ffard. Turned to engage them but they immediately dove to the deck. Three B-17s were bounced by two other Me109s and were driven off before they closed to firing range. Two large red flares with trailing black smoke seen near Aachen. Radio jamming was so intense that it interfered with the intercom. One P-47 damaged slightly by flak at 30,000ft. One P-47 landed at Bradwell Bay badly damaged, reason unknown, pilot safe. 2^nd Lt Dwight A. Fry 350^th missing and 2^nd Lt Robert C. Peters of 350^th killed when trying to land in southern England.

350^th    1 Fw190 destroyed by Major Rimerman

1 Fw190 destroyed by Lt. Newman

1 Fw190 destroyed by Lt. Walsh

351^st    2 Fw190s destroyed by Capt. Beckham

1 Me109 destroyed by Capt. Kinkade

1 Fw190 destroyed by Lt. Maguire

1 Me109 damaged by Lt. Perpente

352^nd    1 Me109 destroyed by Major Bailey

1 Me109 destroyed by Lt. Newman

1 Me109 destroyed by Lt. Juntilla

1 Me109 destroyed by Lt. Streit

1 Me109 damaged by Lt. Newman

1 Me109 damaged by Lt. Juntilla

1 Me109 damaged by Lt. Keywan

350th: Major Rimerman. T/U 11:55 hrs. T/D 14:30 hrs. Total flight time 2:35 hrs. Three returned two with belly tank trouble and one as escort. Lt. Fry failed to return and Lt. Peters crashed on return from the mission and was killed. Bombers were ten minutes late. In vicinity of Duren Major Rimerman and wing man, Lt. Lowe went down after a swarm of yellow nosed Fw190s attacking rear of box of bombers. Major Rimerman pressed the attack from close range on one Fw190 which started belching black smoke and went out of control. Major Rimerman saw numerous strikes on wings and fuselage. Lt. Newman gave top cover to Major Rimerman’s attack by attacking 2 Fw190s that were going after Major Rimerman. Capt. Newhart, red flight leader, saw 3 Fw190s get a straggling B17. He saw three chutes open from the B17. Capt. Newhart led flight against the Fw190s chasing one down to 18,000ft. The Fw190 started smoking. Lt. Walsh, flying Capt. Newhart’s wing, found himself down to about 12,000ft after Capt. Newhart’s dive. He attacked an Fw190 to his right about 9,000ft. No strikes were seen but from the action of the plane which went into a flat glide, Lt. Walsh thinks that he got the pilot. Lt. Walsh claims an Fw190 probably destroyed. Capt. Newhart’s flight came back separated individually. Capt. Pidduck saw another B17 explode in formation, causes undetermined. Capt. Newhart observed an additional 3 chutes coming down as he zoomed out of his attack, but he couldn’t tell where they came from. The Fw190s pressed their head on attacks. Capt. Newhart’s ship was damaged by a 20mm shell from the Fw190 and a burst of flak at 30,000ft on the way out. Lt. Walsh’s ship was hit by flak while he was on the deck.

Major	Ben	Rimerman	(Sqdn Ldr)
1st Lt	Alan W.	Lowe
1st Lt	Robert L.	Newman
2nd Lt	Joseph F.	Furness
Capt	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Chauncey	Rowan
Capt	Robert E.	Fortier
2nd Lt	Charles O.	Durant
Capt	Dewey E.	Newhart	(Flt Ldr)	LH-Q	42-8393
2nd Lt	Francis T.	Walsh		LH-?	42-8003
1st Lt	Wayne K.	Blickenstaff
2nd Lt	Dwight A.	Fry		LH-Y	42-8513
1st Lt	Wilford F.	Hurst	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
1st Lt	John L.	Devane
2nd Lt	John	Zolner
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
2nd Lt	William J.	Price
2nd Lt	Robert C.	Peters		LH-T	42-7908

It was not initially clear what had happened to Lt. Fry as Lt. Blickenstaff:

Lt Fry was flying my wing. Our flight started down to attack two Fw190’s. As we began our attack I glanced back to see if my wing man was in position, and we continued the bounce. A few minutes later I was aware of e/a on my tail and it was then that I noticed my wing man was missing. I was in radio contact with Fry but he made no mention of being attacked.

In the confused situation, 2nd Lt Dwight A Fry protected Blickenstaff’s tail but was himself attacked. Fry’s Thunderbolt was peppered by machine gun fire from the attacking aircraft and he watched as his instrument panel disintegrated. He was shot and shrapnel found its way into his stomach through his leather flying jacket and Mae West. As his plane shuddered under the attack, he was forced to bail out at 800ft with his chute finally opening at 50ft. He was picked up by members of the underground and eventually returned to the Group in March 1944. You can read his escape and evasion report HERE.

After escaping from occupied Europe Fry was able to file a delayed combat report in March 1944 claiming an Fw190 destroyed:

Just after Capt Newhart made a steep diving turn to the right, I saw two Fw190’s come in on Lt Blickenstaff’s tail. I immediately called Blickenstaff and told him to take evasive action, but when he took none, I thought my radio was out. I came down on the two 190’s from about 5 o’clock and high. Just as I was in range, one broke right and one broke left. I followed the one that turned right and opened fire at approximately 500 yards, losing to about 75 yards where the right wing and tail of the 190 blew off. The pilot bailed out, and I tried to rejoin my flight but the 190 that had turned left had lined up on my tail and I took evasive action, but was chased down to deck level.

The loss of Fry was not the only tragedy for the 350th that day. As the Squadron returned from the mission, low on fuel, Lt Robert C. Peters crashed his Thunderbolt LH-T (a/c 42-7908) at Brentwood in Essex and was killed.  There are sources on the internet that indicate the crash occurred at Herongate, Essex but I am currently unable to confirm this. There are also claims that the aircraft may have been damaged in combat and that this contributed to the crash. Sadly, as this was a mission loss there is no accident report and I have been unable to get a copy of the individual deceased personnel file for Lt. Peters to ascertain any of the circumstances. Anyone with further information is warmly invited to contribute.

Information on this photo of tragic devestation indicates it is the wreck of Thunderbolt 42-7908 on October 14, 1943. This would make it the crash of Lt. Peters.

351st: Major Duncan. T/U 11:52 hrs. T/D 14:52 hrs. Total flight time 3:00 hrs. Route: R/V with bombers at Haamstede, escorted to Duren, out north of Walcheren Islands.

Major	Glenn E.	Duncan	(Gp & Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Herbert K.	Field
1st Lt	Francis N.	King
2nd Lt	Benedict E.	Kraft
Capt	Walter C.	Beckham
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire
1st Lt	George N.	Ahles
2nd Lt	Hassell D.	Stump
Capt	Orville A.	Kinkade
F/O	Cletus	Peterson
1st Lt	Harry F.	Hunter
2nd Lt	George F.	Perpente
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre
2nd Lt	Harry D.	Milligan
1st Lt	David C.	Kenney
2nd Lt	Irving	Toppel
2nd Lt	Edgar J.	Albert

352nd: Major Bailey. T/U 11:57 hrs. T/D 14:16 hrs. Total flight time 2:19 hrs. Penetration support to bombers. Squadron made rendezvous with bombers at 12:59. Directly after landfall, 20 enemy aircraft seen coming in from the northeast at an altitude of approximately 32,000ft. They made no attempt towards attacking the bombers but made for the fighters. The Squadron broke up into flights and elements and in dog fights that ensued Major Bailey destroyed one Me109, Lt. Juntilla destroyed one and damaged one Me109, Lt. Streit destroyed one Me109, Lt. Newman destroyed and damaged one Me109, Lt. Keywan damaged one Me109. Lts. Geurtz, Morrision and Schillinger came back with damaged ships. Lt. Geurtz landed with one wheel down and locked.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Harry H.	Dustin	Early Return	SX-F	42-7904*
1st Lt	William F.	Streit
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison		SX-R	42-8687
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Joseph	Schillinger		SX-E	42-22466
1st Lt	Robert A.	Newman
2nd Lt	Wilton W.	Johnson
1st Lt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan
1st Lt	James N.	Poindexter
1st Lt	Jesse W.	Gonnam	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits
1st Lt	Robert P.	Geurtz		SX-M	42-22482
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer

*Assumed that Dustin was flying this aircraft as he is the only pilot listed in Squadron records as an early return.

The days fighting had resulted in a high score for the Squadron, but the wingmen had taken a beating from an aggressive enemy. Lt Morrison and Schillinger came back with aircraft damaged by enemy fire. Lt. Geurtz’s (Yellow#4) aircraft was also badly damaged during combat and had to make a skilful one wheeled landing at Metfield.

First the well-known picture of Geurtz’s one-wheeled landing in Gordon Burlingame’s SX-M “Stinky Poo” (a/c 4222482) October 14, 1943.

The commendation Geurtz received from his Squadron commander following the landing (click for larger view). (353rd FG Archive)

A picture of the propellor tip from “Stinky Poo” Bob Geurtz kept in his “Den” as a souvenir of the landing. Bob passed away May 21, 2006 aged 84. (with thanks to P Geurtz)

Group Aborts/Early Returns/Damaged:

42-8664	ERTN   flight instruments out
42-74671	ERTN   belly tank wouldn’t release	YJ-T
42-22460	ERTN   returned with Leader
42-7904	ERTN   malfunction of belly tank	SX-F
42-8661	ERTN   belly tank release handle
41-6528	BD Cat   AC	YJ-W
42-8687	BD Cat   A	SX-R
42-22482	BD Cat   B	SX-M
42-22466	BD Cat   A	SX-E
42-8003	BD Cat   A	LH-?
42-8393	BD Cat   A	LH-Q
42-7908	CR   Burtonwood Cat E	LH-T
42-8513	MIA	LH-Y

As a clue to the identity of the other aircraft the Control Tower log lists SX-W back at 12:41; LH-M and LH-F back at 13:00; YJ-U back at 13:20; LH-I back at 13:27. YJ-T landed at 13:35 and SX-E at 13:46.

Mission#34 October 10, 1943 – Target Munster

Date: Oct 10, 43

Dispatched: 54 Aborts: 12

Mission: Withdrawal support to 2nd TF 180 B-17’s Field Order: 153

Time Up/Down: 14:04 hrs 17:15 hrs Leader: Lt Col. McCollom

Target: Munster

Claims Air: 05-01-04 Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Lost/Damaged: 00-02

Group made landfal at Zandvoort at 15:05 hrs, 28,000ft. Continued course, observing 1^st TF with escort and R/V with 2^nd TF at 15:29 hrs in the vicinity of Rheine. Escorted the bombers along the planned route, leaving the coast at 15:55 hrs at 23,000ft at Zandvoort and left bombers at 16:05 hrs 60 miles off the Dutch coast. 60 enemy aircraft Me110s predominating, with Me210s and Me109s and Fw190s seen to rear of the bombers at the R/V point at about 19,000ft. E/A took evasive action by turning sharply and losing altitude. E/A were engaged at 17,000ft with results stated below. These encounters with e/a were brief at this altitude, group zooming back to 23,000ft to provide escort cover. No attacks on the bombers were observed thereafter. 6 e/a were observed attacking three straggling B-17s from the 1^st TF over Bathernem. One U/I S/E/E/A observed going down over Enschede. One Me109 seen spinning down in flames at R/V point. Four open chutes observed over Helversum. One B-17 seen on fire directly after the bombers had left target area. No parachute seen. One large naval vessel seen just off the coast at the Hague. Flak weak to moderate accurate for height at Amsterdam, Schipol and Enschede. No Spitfires seen. Radio interference was so bad that intercommunication between fighters was very difficult. Weather: Strata cumulus overcast just off the English coast extending 2/3 way across the North Sea. Clear remainder of route. Visibility 2 miles, light fog at take off, worse haze below 10,000ft. Light haze above that. Visibility improving to good over the Continent. Base on return was just on the edge of incoming fog bank which reduced conditions to zero-zero before Group had landed. Capt. Stafford and Lt. Thistlethwaite of Group HQ participated.

Claims:

HQ      1 Me110 probable by Lt Col. McCollom

350^th     1 Fw190 destroyed by Lts. Hurst and Tanner

1 Fw190 destroyed by Lt. Hurst

351^st    2 Me110s destroyed by Capt. Beckham

1 Me210 destroyed by Capt. Beckham

1 Me110 damaged by Capt. Walsh

1 Me210 damaged by Lt. Mincik

1 Me110 damaged by F/O Wood.

352^nd    1 Me110 damaged by Lts. Fogarty, Juntilla and Keywan.

Our losses Nil

350th: Major Rimerman. T/U 14:15 hrs. T/D 17:15 hrs. Total flight time 3:00 hrs.  Four returned early, one with radio trouble, two with belly tank trouble and one as escort. Just before R/V with bombers, Lt. Hurst saw one B-17 going down in flames. No parachutes were seen to open. Another was seen going down in a tight turn or flat spin a few minutes later but no fire was seen. After position was taken Lt. Hurst saw an Fw190 in a slight dive at his own altitude (23,000ft and at about 10 o’clock). Lt. Hurst led his red flight after the Fw190 giving him a 30 degree deflection burst. Strikes were seen and smoke started pouring from the E/A. Lt. Hurst could not continue the turn, and Lt. Tanner, his wingman, slid into line astern position on the Fw190 at almost 100 yards range. As Lt. Tanner fires the Fw190 exploded and pieces came off. Five minutes later, in the vicinity of Zutphen, Lt. Hurst saw another Fw190 slightly above his flight at 11 o’clock and about 400 yards away. The Fw190 made a climbing turn. Lt. Hurst applied full throttle and climbed up with range of about 150 yards before opening fire. After a 3 second burst the Fw190 began to disintegrate and went over on its back. It began to tumble out of control with large pieces flying off and burst into flames.

Major	Ben	Rimerman	(Sqdn Ldr)
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
1st Lt	John	Sullivan
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
Capt	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	John H.	Winder
2nd Lt	William J.	Price
2nd Lt	Robert C.	Peters
1st Lt	Wilford F.	Hurst	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	William F.	Tanner
1st Lt	John L.	Devane
2nd Lt	John	Zolner
Capt	Dewey E.	Newhart	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Dwight A.	Fry
1st Lt	William W.	Odom
2nd Lt	Walter L.	Angelo
2nd Lt	Francis T.	Walsh
2nd Lt	Joseph	Rosenberg

351st: Lt Col McCollom. T/U 13:56 hrs. T/D 16:41 hrs. Total flight time 2:45 hrs. Route: In north of the Hague, R/V with bombers, Ochtrup, Hortsmar, out north of Hague. [Lt. Mincik was flying one of the Squadron aircraft damaged. On his way home he evaded two enemy aircraft who put a 20mm into each wing].

Lt Col	Loren G.	McCollom	(Gp & Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Benedict E	Kraft
1st Lt	Francis N.	King
2nd Lt	Frank J.	Mincik
Capt	Walter C.	Beckham
2nd Lt	Richard D.	Stanley
Capt	Charles L.	Stafford
2nd Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire
2nd Lt	Harold J.	Morris
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian
Capt	Jack R.	Walsh
F/O	Joseph E.	Wood
1st Lt	William R.	Burkett
2nd Lt	Lloyd A.	Thornell
Capt	Orville A.	Kinkade
2nd Lt	Herbert K.	Field
1st Lt	Frank N.	Emory
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton
2nd Lt	Edgar J.	Albert
1st Lt	Vic L.	Byers

352nd: Major Bailey. T/U 14:10 hrs. T/D 16:45 hrs. Total flight time 2:35 hrs. Withdrawal support. With Major Bailey the Squadron made landfall at 16:05; made rendezvous with bombers on time. On way out Lts. Juntilla, Fogarty and Keywan attacked and dammaged one Me110 over Amersfort. Four chutes observed near Hilversun.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Edison G.	Stiff
1st Lt	Clinton H.	Sperry
2nd Lt	Clifford	Armstrong
Capt	Charles J.	Hoey	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Joseph	Schillinger
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits
Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Harry H.	Dustin
1st Lt	Robert A.	Newman
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer
1st Lt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan

Group Aborts/Early Returns:

42-8373	ABT   radio	LH-?
42-8513	ERTN   escort 8373	LH-Y
42-22466	ABT   radio	SX-E
42-7904	ERTN   escort 22466	SX-F
42-74728	ABT   radio
42-22458	ABT   radio	SX-L
42-22482	ERTN   escort 22458	SX-M
42-22463	ABT   radio
42-8478	ERTN   escort 74728	YJ-Y
42-8395	BD Cat   A	YJ-S
42-8375	BD Cat   A	YJ-D

Mission#33 October 9, 1943 – Target Danzig/Gydnia

Date: Oct 9, 43

Dispatched: 52 Aborts: 4

Mission: General withdrawal support to 2nd TF 120 B-17’s Field Order: 152

Time Up/Down: 15:48 hrs 18:23 hrs Leader: Major Duncan

Target: Danzig/Gyndia

Claims Air: 00-00-00 Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Lost/Damaged: 00-00

Group made landfall at Den Helder, 24,000ft, 16:40 hrs. Made a left turn just north west of Leeuwarden at 16:50 hrs. Saw bombers directly ahead. Swept in behind and positioned themselves with bombers at 17:05 hrs. Made landfall at Cromer at 17:50 hrs. Formation covered a wide area abreast. No e/a seen. Weak flak from Den Helder and Leeuwarden. Accurate for height inaccurate for direction. Several B17s seen flying clear from rendezvous to home base, but [radio] whine still persistent. Lt. Thistlethwaite of Gp HQ participating.

350th: Major Duncan. T/U 15:35 hrs. 18:15 hrs. T/D Total flight time 2:40 hrs. One returned early due to belly tank trouble [no further details]. Major Duncan led the Squadron and made contact with the bombers at the proper altitude and proper place. No enemy action seen.

Major	Glenn E.	Duncan	(Sqdn Ldr)
1st Lt	Alan W.	Lowe
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
2nd Lt	Robert N.	Ireland
Capt	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
2nd Lt	William J.	Price
2nd Lt	Robert C.	Peters
1st Lt	Wilford F.	Hurst	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	William F.	Tanner
1st Lt	John L.	Devane
2nd Lt	John	Zolner
Capt	Dewey E.	Newhart	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	John H.	Winder
1st Lt	William W.	Odom
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
2nd Lt	Francis T.	Walsh
2nd Lt	Dwight A.	Fry

351st: Major Christian. T/U 15:40 hrs. T/D 18:34 hrs. Total flight time 2:54 hrs. Route: In south of Texel Islands, Leeuwarden, north out to sea, back to base.

Major	Shannon	Christian	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite
1st Lt	Francis N.	King
2nd Lt	Richard D.	Stanley
Capt	Walter C.	Beckham	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire
2nd Lt	Benedict E	Kraft
Capt	Jack R.	Walsh	(Flt Ldr)
F/O	Joseph E.	Wood
1st Lt	William R.	Burkett
2nd Lt	Lloyd A.	Thornell
Capt	Orville A.	Kinkade	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Herbert K.	Field
1st Lt	Harry F.	Hunter
2nd Lt	Francis L.	Edwards
2nd Lt	Harold J.	Morris
1st Lt	Vic L.	Byers

Aborts/Early returns

42-7987

ABT pilot error

YJ-J

352nd: Major Bailey. T/U 15:53 hrs. T/D 18:17 hrs. Total flight time 2:24 hrs. Withdrawal support to bombers. Mission carried out as directed. Reached rendezvous on time but bombers were several minutes late. One B-17 with wheels down dropped out to left of formation about 50 miles east of Englisg coast and one flight followed it down until it disappeared in the overcast. Some difficulty was experienced in picking out assigned boxes because bombers were flying a spread out ine abreast formation. Twelve [aircraft] down at Metfield [and] four down at Thorpe Abbots.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Edison G.	Stiff
1st Lt	Clinton H.	Sperry
2nd Lt	Clifford	Armstrong
Capt	Charles J.	Hoey	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Joseph	Schillinger
2nd Lt	Gordon L.	Willits
2nd Lt	Victor L.	Vogel
Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Harry H.	Dustin
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer
1st Lt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Hildreth	Owens
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan

Mission#32 October 8, 1943 – Target Bremen

Date: Oct 8, 43

Dispatched: 51 Aborts: 8

Mission: Penetration support to 4th TF 160 B-17’s Field Order: 151/14

Time Up/Down: 13:42 hrs 16:17 hrs Leader: Lt Col. McCollom

Target: Bremen

Claims Air: 01-00-06 Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Lost/Damaged: 00-02

The Group made landfall over the southern tip of Etessel Island at 14:33 hrs, 24,000ft. They continued along the course to Gumingen where the bombers were seen to the north so left turn was made and bombers were picked up in the vicinity of Winsum at 14:55hrs. Bomber formation was spread out over a 20 mile area making escort very difficult. Continued with the bombers to the vicinity of Weldeshusen where bombers were left at 15:12 hrs. Group left enemy territory at Egmond 15:35 hrs, 26,000ft. One Me110 destroyed in the vicinity of Freesoythe. Shortly after R/V with the bombers at Winsum 6 Fw190s were queuing up to attack the bombers. This attack was broken up resulting in damaging 3 Fw190s. In the vicinity of Guninjen one Me210 was damaged. One Me109 damaged in the vicinity of Garrel. One B-17 seen in steep dive then blow up in flames in the vicinity of Aschendorf as a result of hits by rocket gun from Fw190. No chutes seen to open. This Fw190 was attacked by Capt. Walsh, 351^st FS, who claims a damaged. One B-17 seen to go down after a collision with Fw190 in vicinity of Winschoten. Effective smoke screen over Emden. Large occasional bursts of heavy flak over route from Guningen to Weldshausen. Intense heavy flak over Bremen directed at 1^st TF. One big ship and approximately 12 or 13 smaller ones seen in lake at Delfslrafuizen. Many ships that looked like barges attached to tugs were seen near shore between  Markum and Lemuer. More shipping seen scattered around Zuider Zee. One large ship apparently anchored off Ijmuiden. One pilot returning early observed Ju88 above him at 18,000ft headed south in the middle of the North Sea. Capt. Stafford and Lt. Thistlethwaite of Group GQ participated.

350th: Major Rimerman. T/U 13:45 hrs. T/D 16:45 hrs. Total flight time 2:30 hrs. Three returned early, one with radio trouble, one stalled out of formation and came home on deck and one came home as escort. R/V was late due to bombers being late. Cover given to wrong box of bombers temporarily, but position corrected at once. Just as R/V was made with bombers at about 26,000ft and Sqdn at 29,000ft, 2 Me210s came in at about 4 o’clock to attack Capt Newhart’s flight. Capt Newhart and wing man turned into the attack and got on the tail of an Me210 which dived to 20,000ft, followed by Capt Newhart. The Me210 zoomed up to get on the tail of a box of bombers. Capt Newhart followed him up and gave the Me210 a short burst. The Me210 went into a steep dive followed by Capt Newhart who gave him another burst at 12,000ft. At 12,000ft the Me210 split s’d and Capt Newhart broke off the attack and pulled back up to 27,000ft. Capt Pidduck observed strikes on the wings from Capt Newhart’s attack. No other encounters took place, although Lt Price tried to beat off an attack by 2 FW190s head on to the bombers. The 190s had white striped tails and came in between the P-47s furnishing top cover, and the bombers. Lt Price tried to attack but couldn’t follow in so close to the bombers. As he pulled up he saw that the 190 had crashed into a B-17 causing an explosion. The B-17 went down in two parts. A minute later another B-17 went down with port engines on fire. The second 190 went down on fire from hits by the bombers. A third B-17 pulled out of formation and went down smoking. Flak was heavy and fairly accurate over point of penetration and at L/F. Lt Hurst reported a convoy of 12 ships (type unidentified) headed SW in Zuider Zee.

Major	Ben	Rimerman	(Sqdn Ldr)
Capt	John B.	Rose
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
2nd Lt	Robert N.	Ireland
Capt	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Alan W.	Lowe
1st Lt	William W.	Odom
2nd Lt	Walter L.	Angelo
1st Lt	Wilford F.	Hurst	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	William F.	Tanner
2nd Lt	William J.	Price
2nd Lt	Robert C.	Peters
Capt	Dewey E.	Newhart	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Francis T.	Walsh
1st Lt	Charles W.	Dinse
2nd Lt	Dwight A.	Fry
1st Lt	John L.	Devane
2nd Lt	John	Zolner
2nd Lt	Charles O.	Durant

Aborts/Early Returns:

42-7907	ABT   radio	LH-J
42-74618	ERTN   escort 7907	LH-?

351st: Major Christian. T/U 13:33 hrs.  T/D 16:21 hrs. Total flight time 2:48 hrs.  Route: In south of Texel Island. R/V with bombers, Groningen to Wildeshaven out north of Amsterdam.

[Capt Lefebre and Lt Hurlburt shared an Me110 destroyed, Capts. Beckham, Kinkade, Walsh and Lt. Thistlethwaite claimed a damaged Fw190 each. Capt. Kinkade’s claim was achieved by shooting at an Fw190 on the tail of Lt. Thistlethwaite.]

Major	Shannon	Christian	(Sqdn Ldr)
1st Lt	Harry F.	Hunter
Capt	Charles L.	Stafford
1st Lt	David C.	Kenney
Capt	Walter C.	Beckham	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite		YJ-Q	42-8428
Capt	Orville A.	Kinkade
F/O	Cletus	Peterson
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Don M.	Hurlburt
1st Lt	George N.	Ahles
2nd Lt	Hassell D.	Stump
Capt	Jack R.	Walsh
F/O	Joseph E.	Wood
1st Lt	Vic L.	Byers
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz

Damaged/Abort/Early Returns:

42-8401	BD Cat   A	YJ-R
42-8428	BD Cat   A	YJ-Q
42-8379	ABT gas   gauge wouldn’t work	YJ-H

 

352nd: Lt Col. McCollom. T/U 13:42 hrs. T/D 16:12 hrs. Total flight time 2:30 hrs. Penetration support. Squadron made landfall at Mijkduim on time. Made rendezvous with bombers 14:49 hrs. Over Carrel Capt Hoey attacked one Me109G which was making a pass at the bombers from 3 o’clock. Capt. Hoey and his wingman, Lt. Keywan, observed strikes on the enemy aircraft. Lt. Cles fired on number two man of a Me109 element, but lost sight of them before ascertaining damage done.

1st Lt	Leroy W.	Ista
2nd Lt	Clifford	Armstrong
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan
2nd Lt	Victor L.	Vogel	Early return
2nd Lt	Hildreth R.	Owens	Early return
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan
1st Lt	Clinton H.	Sperry
Capt	Charles J.	Hoey	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Robert P.	Geurtz	Early return
Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame
1st Lt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Leslie P.	Cles

Aborts/Early Returns:

42-8414	ABT   prop out	SX-K
42-74659	ABT   oxygen system	SX-?
42-7910	ABT   radio wouldn’t receive	SX-J
42-8376	ERTN   escorted wing pilot back	SX-Q

Thoughts on Combat Reports

Regular followers of this blog will have read that throughout September and October 1943 the Group were becoming increasingly involved in combat situations that brought them both victories and losses. At the moment I am presenting the reports for each mission, but this has given me pause for thought about the picture it presents about what exactly the Group was doing.

I do not, for instance, include transcripts of combat reports filed after action. These are readily available from numerous sources, but it is purely from a practical perspective in the time I have available that I do not include them. This does mean that the general reader could take away from this blog a rather clean and sterile version of the air war. Here is a quote from an October 1943 combat report to underline the point:

I pulled out to the right side as I went by and saw a number 4 painted on the side. The pilot seemed to be forward in the cockpit and I expect he must have been dead. I was disappointed the plane did not blow up completely for it certainly did take lots of hits.

Clearly, the pilots of the 353^rd were involved in a vicious war in which they and their opponents risked their lives on a daily basis. Fighter pilots were glamorous and exciting, but there was also an unpleasant side to what they had to do. They were trained to kill and destroy targets in the air and on the ground without a second thought.

At one level you can, of course, take the view that the job was entirely necessary to eradicate the aggressive Nazi regime that had brought untold calamity into the world. Aggression was necessary to fight aggression and it is unsurprising that we see such reports coming from the Group. Equally though, when I write that an Me109 or Fw190 is destroyed I am really saying that there is a high chance that the pilot has been killed in an unpleasant fashion. At the individual level the war was full of moral ambiguities and we cannot know whether the enemy pilot was a committed Nazi or just a young man who felt he was defending his homeland. A philosopher would, no doubt, expand on this debate, but the most I am prepared to say is that it was another human life tragically lost in a terrible war.

My approach to this subject hopefully recognises and underlines the historical significance of the events, but I want to make it clear that it is not my intention to glorify war or avoid its realities.  The fact that I talk of aces, victories and scores is a function of the material I am dealing with and does not mean that I underestimate the gravity of what went on. Over the years I have known many members of the Group as friends and, whilst they fondly remembered their association, I do not think I ever met a pilot who wanted to repeat the events I discuss…

Mission#31 October 4, 1943 – Escort from Frankfurt

Date: Oct 4, 43

Dispatched: 44 Aborts: 1

Mission: Withdrawal support to 1st & 2nd TF 360 B-17’s Field Order: 150/13

Time Up/Down: 10:20 hrs 13:01 hrs Leader: Major Duncan

Target: Frankfurt

Claims Air: 01-00-01 Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Lost/Damaged: 00-00

Group made landfall at North Bevenland at 11:04 hrs, 21,000ft. Sighted bombers at 11:32 hrs to the left of R/V point so left turn made at Gemund and R/V made at 11:34hrs, 29,000ft. The 353rd Gp taking the lead boxes and the 56th Gp taking the rear boxes. Bombers were at 26,000ft. Escorted bombers along W/D routes where they met Spitfires at 12:05 hrs as planned, continuing to Sas Van Ghent where Gp left bombers at 12:18 hrs crossing out at enemy coast at Nieuwe Sluis at 24,000ft at 12:23 hrs. Gp advised on channel that bombers were being attacked by four Me109s from underneath and to the rear at 11:52 hrs in the vicinity of Tongres. This attack was dispersed, one Me109 being damaged by Major Duncan. In the vicinity of Malines two e/a were making rear attacks on a straggling bomber. Capt. Beckham immediately broke going down for an attack, but saw another P47 attacking the same a/c observing strikes but who overshot e/a. Capt. Beckham positioned himself to the rear of the e/a and destroyed it. Pilot slumped over in the cockpit and a large number 4 seen on the fuselage. One straggler loosing altitude very fast about 10 miles S of Maastricht. One B17 seen emitting smoke in the middle of bomber formation but not losing altitude. One unidentified fighter a/c  seen going over the rear box of bombers in the vicinity of Maastricht emitting black smoke. Smoke screen seen over Aachen. One e/a seen trying to streak in behind bombers S of Aachen but when turn was made he dove and disappeared into the clouds. Bomber boxes were spread out a bit too much for coverage. Three barrage balloons observed at 26,000ft SE of Duren just as our Group was making R/V with the bombers. Contact on ‘C’ Channel was excellent. Heavy flak accurate for altitude at Walcheren, Aachen and Hasselt. Radio interference was worst yet experienced. Visibility was excellent. Only Major Duncan from Gp HQ participated.

350th: Major Rimerman. T/U 10:12 hrs. T/D 12:57 hrs. Total flight time 2;45 hrs. All returned safely. Escorted bombers doing withdrawal route to Sas Van Gent where Spitfires met bombers. Heavy accurate flak at Walcheren, Aachen and Hasselt. Small balloon barrage SE of Duren at 26,000ft. Weather was cloudy over England to 30 miles off shore.

Major	Ben	Rimerman	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Robert N.	Ireland
1st Lt	Robert L.	Newman
2nd Lt	Charles O.	Durant
Capt	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Alan W.	Lowe
1st Lt	John	Sullivan
2nd Lt	Roland N.	McKean
1st Lt	Wilford F.	Hurst	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	William F.	Tanner
2nd Lt	William J.	Price
2nd Lt	Robert C.	Peters
Capt	Dewey E.	Newhart	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Francis T.	Walsh
1st Lt	John L.	Devane
2nd Lt	John	Zolner
2nd Lt	Dwight A.	Fry
2nd Lt	Robert S.	Hart
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
2nd Lt	Walter L.	Angelo

351st: Major Duncan. T/U 10:20 hrs. T/D 13:08 hrs. Total flight time 2:48 hrs. Route: In north of Walchern Islands to Germund, Eupen, St Nicholas and out South Walcheren Islands.

Major	Glenn E.	Duncan	(Sqdn & GP Ldr)
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton
1st Lt	William R.	Burkett
2nd Lt	Richard D.	Stanley
Capt	Walter C.	Beckham	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-U	42-74736*
1st Lt	David C.	Kenney
Capt	Jack R.	Walsh
1st Lt	Vic L.	Byers
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire
2nd Lt	Hassell D.	Stump
2nd Lt	Edgar J.	Albert
2nd Lt	Irving	Toppel
F/O	Joseph E.	Wood
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian

An early-ish shot (note Capt. bars) of Capt. Walter C. Beckham of De Funiak Springs, Florida. Beckham claimed an Me109 destroyed October 4, 1943 bringing his total score at that point to 02-01-01. Beckham is leaning on the tail his aircraft P-47D-5-RE YJ-X “Little Demon” (a/c 42-8476).

*P-47D-6-RE 42-74736 YJ-U “Doris” was actually the aircraft assigned to 2^nd Lt. Edgar J. Albert. Squadron records indicate the aircraft received battle damage on this mission, but do not indicate who the pilot was. Capt. Beckham’s combat report describes damage to the underside of his aircraft caused by debris from the Me109 he shot down. I have a very poor quality print (too poor to post) that seems to indicate the damage to YJ-U was to the undercarriage area. I have therefore assumed that Beckham was flying YJ-U on this mission, but do not have absolute confirmation this was the case.

352nd: Major Bailey. T/U 10:23 hrs. T/D 13:01 hrs Total flight time 2:38 hrs. Withdrawal support. Course: Germund, Eupen and St Nicholas. With Major Bailey leading the Squadron made landfall over Haamstede on time. Intense heavy flak encountered in area between Woensdrecht and Maastricht. Made orbit over Germund and picked up bombers which were about three minutes late. One B-17 with one motor burning seen straggling behind formation over Eupen. Left coast at Moarderhooft.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(Sqdn Ldr)
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits
1st Lt	Clinton H.	Sperry
2nd Lt	Clifford F.	Armstrong	Early return no credit
1st Lt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty
2nd Lt	Wilton W.	Johnson
Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Edison G.	Stiff
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison

Mission#30 October 3, 1943 Fighter Sweep

Date: Oct 3, 43

Dispatched: 40 Aborts: 1

Mission: Fighter Sweep Field Order: 12

Time Up/Down: 15:39 hrs 17:28 hrs Leader: Major Rimerman

Target: Ghent area

Claims Air: 00-00-00 Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Damaged/Lost: 00-00

Group made landfall over Dunkirk at 16;28 hrs. Flew over Ghent AT 16:36 hrs and out over Nieuwe Sluis, 28, 000ft, 16:42 hrs. Eight to twelve e/a observed over Antwerp area at 29,000ft as the Group was leaving enemy coast. Roughman Yellow 1 and 3 turned towards these aircraft who immediately dove for the deck in line astern. No flak encountered. R/T whine extreme. Visibility good. Capt. Stafford flew as a spare and Lt. Thistlethwaite acted as a spotter.

350th: Major Rimerman. T/U 15:39 hrs. T/D 17:20 hrs. Total flight time 1:41 hrs. All returned safely. Group led by Major Rimerman over planned course. No enemy action, no flak and no ground or sea activity was observed. The weather was excellent and visibility good.

Major	Ben	Rimerman	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	John H.	Winder
1st Lt	Charles W.	Dinse
2nd Lt	Robert S.	Hart
Capt	Robert E.	Fortier	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Chauncey	Rowan
1st Lt	John	Sullivan
2nd Lt	Carl W.	Mueller
1st Lt	Wilford F.	Hurst	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Walter B.	Stone
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
2nd Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
1st Lt	Alan W.	Lowe

351st: Major Christian. T/U 15:41 hrs. T/D 17:35 hrs. Total flight time 1:54 hrs. Route: In at Mardyck, Ghent, out south of Walchern Islands.

Major	Shannon	Christian	(Sqdn Ldr)
F/O	Cletus	Peterson
1st Lt	David C.	Kenney
2nd Lt	Irving	Toppel
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre
2nd Lt	Don M.	Hurlburt
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz
2nd Lt	Harry D.	Milligan
Capt	Jack R.	Walsh
Capt	Walter C.	Beckham
F/O	Joseph E.	Wood
1st Lt	Vic L.	Byers
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian
2nd Lt	Frank J.	Mincik
1st Lt	George N.	Ahles
Capt	Charles L.	Stafford
2nd Lt	Richard D.	Stanley
2nd Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite

352nd: Major Bailey. T/U 15:43 hrs. T/D 17:12 hrs. Total flight time 1:29 hrs. Course: Mardyck, Ghent and Flushing. Squadron took off with Major Bailey leading. Squadron set course and made landfall over Dunkirk five minutes early. Proceeded along course nearly as possible and left coast at Flushing. Neither flak nor enemy action observed.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Edison G.	Stiff	Early return no credit
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame
2nd Lt	Joseph A.	Schillinger
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Harry H.	Dustin
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan
1st Lt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Hildreth R.	Owens
1st Lt	Leslie P.	Cles
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison

Mission#29 October 2, 1943 – Back to Emden

Date: Oct 2, 43

Dispatched: 48 Aborts: 1

Mission: General support to 2nd TF, 180 B-17’s Field Order: 148/10

Time Up/Down 15:04 hrs 18:05 hrs  Leader: Major Duncan

Target: Emden

Claims Air: 01-03-01 Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Lost/Damaged: 00-00

Group made landfall south of Kijkjuin at 15:48 hrs at 23,000ft. Dropped tanks 10 miles south west of Harlingen at 15:55 hrs, 24,500ft. Made R/V made with bombers at 16:03 hrs above a complete overcast. Continued with the bombers over the target where port turn was made and the bombers were escorted out to sea. Group left them at 16:32 hrs at 26,000ft. As the R/V was made attack by e/a against bombers was seen. These consisted of head on attacks. Some were by formation but by far the majority were single e/a who attacked head on but from a lower altitude than the bombers. The e/a were mostly Me109s with few Fw190s. No attacks by enemy were seen above the bomber level and all attacks ceased when the bombers started out to sea. Four engagements were made. Two by Capt. Beckham and two by Major Duncan, each claiming one destroyed and one probably destroyed. All these engagements took place 2000-4000ft below the bombers. Several other similar attacks were driven off but no combats resulted. No bombers were observed to be in any trouble. Three green flares seen and bombers dropped in this area but due to complete overcast the exact location and results of bombing are unknown. Light flak over Gunigen area, evidently at bombers, but inaccurate. Flak over target area heavy and accurate for altitude but trailing bombers. Three small boats seen south of Terschilling Island moving south. Visibility excellent. Capt. Stafford and Lt. Thistlethwaite of Group HQ participated.

350th: Major Duncan. T/U 15:04 hrs. T/D 18:05 hrs. Total flight time 3:01 hrs. All returned safely. The planes left between Southwold and Lowestoft at about 7,000ft. Met bombers at about 16:05 and escorted them over the target, which was Emden. Heavy flak was encountered in vicinity of Emden and Me109 were encountered about 20 miles north of the city. Solid overcast over target, visibility unlimited. Lt. Dawson and Zolner landed a Scunthorpe and returned the next day.

Major	Glenn E.	Duncan	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Robert N.	Ireland
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson	P42	LH-N	42-22475
2nd Lt	John	Zolner	P40	LH-Z
Capt	Robert E.	Fortier	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Charles O.	Durant
1st Lt	John	Sullivan
2nd Lt	Roland N.	McKean	P48	LH-K
Capt	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Robert L.	Newman
1st Lt	Charles W.	Dinse
2nd Lt	Dwight A.	Fry
1st Lt	Wilford F.	Hurst	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	William F.	Tanner
2nd Lt	William J.	Price
2nd Lt	Robert C.	Peters
2nd Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
2nd Lt	Walter B.	Stone
1st Lt	John L.	Devane
1st Lt	Alan W.	Lowe

Lt. Melvin Dawson was element lead in White flight following Major Duncan into an attack on four Me109s. Dawson fired on an Me109 but had to break off his attack when he was attacked taking hits in the tail of his P-47 LH-N “Kalamazoo Gal” (a/c 42-22475). Lt Dawson, originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and his “Gal” survived to fight another day – but keep your eye out for LH-N in future weeks.

351st: Major Christian. T/U 15:10 hrs. T/D 17:52 hrs. Total flight time 2:42 hrs. Belly tank mission. Route: Texel Island to Zoutkamp, Groningen, Emden, out over W Frisian Islands. Capt. Beckham made a claim for one Fw190 destroyed and an Me109 as a probable, but he was awarded them both as probably destroyed. Lt. Kenney landed at Ludham.

Major	Shannon	Christian	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Herbert K.	Field
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire
2nd Lt	Richard D.	Stanley
Capt	Orville A.	Kinkade	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	George F.	Perpente
1st Lt	Frank N.	Emory
2nd Lt	Francis L.	Edwards
Capt	Walter C.	Beckham	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite
1st Lt	David C.	Kenney
2nd Lt	Irving	Toppel	R36	YJ-I
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz
1st Lt	George N.	Ahles
2nd Lt	Hassell D.	Stump
Capt	Charles L.	Stafford	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Vic L.	Byers
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton
2nd Lt	Edgar J.	Albert

352nd  : Major Bailey. T/U 15:07 hrs. T/D 18:02 hrs. Total flight time 2:55 hrs. Squadron took off with Major Bailey leading, obtained altitude and made landfall about two minutes earlier than scheduled. Made rendezvous with bombers two minutes late. Heavy flak observed. No encounters with enemy aircraft.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty
1st Lt	Leroy W.	Ista
Capt.	Charles J.	Hoey	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Wilton W.	Johnson
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits
Capt.	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame
1st Lt	Leslie P.	Cles

Mission#28 September 27, 1943 – Target Emden

This mission saw the first use by the Group of the new 108 gallon belly tank which also meant that it was the first time the Group’s P-47’s could stay with the bombers all the way to the target in Germany. Emden was home to U-Boat yards and the Luftwaffe rose in force to contest the attack.

Date: Sept 27, 43

Dispatched: 39 Aborts: 0

Mission: General support to 1st TF, 180 B-17’s Field Order: 146/9

Time Up/Down: 08:42 hrs 11:33 hrs Leader: Major Duncan

Target: Emden

Claims Air: 07-00-04 Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Lost/Damaged: 00-04

The Group sighted the 2nd Task Force shortly after leaving the English coast. As Group passed over them, 1st Task Force was seen ahead. Dropped belly tanks at 09:41 hrs and R/V’d with the bombers AT 09:46 hrs. Support facilitated because bombers were on time and on course over entire route. Landfall at 09:51 hrs, I.P. at 09:55 hrs and target at 10:00 hrs. Break in clouds over target enable[d] Group to observe well concentrated bombing at target. Came out with bombers at 23,000 ft, leaving them at sea North of Terschilling Isle at 10:33 hrs. Contact with bombers successful on channel. South of Groninzin, 350^th Fighter Sq saw 12 plus e/a flying east at approximately 30,000ft. Maj. Rimerman took his Sq through the cirrus clouds, made a fet [sic] turn and during the following engagement  three Me109s were destroyed, one Me109 probably destroyed and 2 Me109s damaged. One flight of 351^st Fighter Sq engaged 12 plus e/a in target area destroying 2 Me109s and damaging another. Another flight  sighted 8 e/a  destroying 1 Me109 and damaging another. Two pilots fired at e/a but made no claims pending assessment of films. One e/a firing at second box of bombers with four 20mm guns – two under each wing from approximately 2000 yards. It is notable that during this mission e/a showed willingness to mix it with our fighters which is contrary to usual enemy fighter tactics as experienced by this Group. Another interesting point is that many engagements took place around 30,000 to 31,000ft. One B17 headed out to sea – inboard engine on fire before reaching target. Two B17s seen to break formation and head out to sea after target run. Three red flares, possibly directional marker seen as if suspended at 25,000ft over Emden. Fifteen large freighters heading midway Zuider Sea [sic] and Emden. Pilot coming back home on deck fired from 200-300 yards and saw strikes on three of them. Radio good but had persistent loud whine. Moderate flak from Emden and Borkum areas. Capt. Stafford and Lt. Herfurth of the Group HQ participated.

350th: Major Rimerman. T/U 08:44 hrs. T/D 11:44 hrs. Total flight time 3:00 hrs. Tentative claims against e/a: three Me109s destroyed, one Me109 probably destroyed, and two Me109s damaged. Major Rimerman claims one Me109 destroyed. Delivered attack after getting on tail. The Me109 burst into flames. Capt. Newhart pulled his flight up above cirrus fog to about 30,000ft. Met a flight of about 12 grey Me109s. Capt Newhart and Lt Odom turned inside the flight leading ship, both firing long bursts. The Me109 burst into flames. Capt. Newhart and Lt. Odom both claim the same Me109 destroyed. Lt. Fry flying wing to Major Rimerman followed a second Me109 down at the same time Major Rimerman destroyed the ship as reported above. Lt. Fry confirms Major Rimerman’s victory. Lt. Fry pressed home attach on this second Me109, observed strikes, and the Me109 went into a spin. Lt. Fry claims one Me109 destroyed. Capt. Newhart attacked a second Me109 after he and Lt. Odom had destroyed the first. The attack was delivered from the rear of the Me109, the Me109 rolled over and blue smoke came out. Capt. Newhart claims one Me109 damaged. After flights were split up in combat Lt. Rosenberg attacked an Me109 getting on its tail. He got in a long burst, observed sparks fly from the fuselage and right wing. Lt. Rosenberg broke off combat at this point to avoid an attack from another E/A. Lt. Rosenberg claims one Me109 damaged. Capt. Fortier fired a burst on the tail of an Me109, observed no results, then took evasive action to deck to shake e/a off his tail. Capt. Fortier came home later, alone on the deck, he makes no claim. Lt. Durant took evasive action from e/a, came home on deck. Fired at a convoy of about 15 ships just south of Terschelling Island. Observed hits on 2 vessels which he thought were large freighters. Lt. Odom attacked a second Me109. Turning with the Me109 Lt. Odom fired a long sustained burst. He observed a bright blinding flash come from the Me109. Lt. Odom claims one Me109 probably destroyed [destroyed in other records]. Capt. Pidduck delivered 3 short attacks on 3 separate 109s. No claims are made. Lt. Rosenberg delivered a short attack on a second Me109 but makes no claims. 3 P-47s sustained battle damage. Dog fights occurred in vicinity south of target beginning at altitude about 30,000ft. Lt. Furness fired short burst at Me109 from head on position. No claim is made. Lt. Lowe delivered attacks on e/a. Complete story not yet available. Lt Lowe crash landed at Ludham, reason unknown.

Major	Ben	Rimerman	(Sqdn Ldr)
1st Lt	Alan W.	Lowe		LH-O	42-8394
1st Lt	Wayne K.	Blickenstaff		LH-U	42-7988
2nd Lt	Robert N.	Ireland
Capt	Robert E.	Fortier	(Flt Ldr)		42-7903
2nd Lt	Charles O.	Durant			42-8005
1st Lt	John	Sullivan
2nd Lt	Roland N.	McKean
Capt	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Flt Ldr)
Capt	John B.	Rose
1st Lt	John L.	Devane
2nd Lt	John	Zolner
Capt	Dewey E.	Newhart	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Francis T.	Walsh
1st Lt	William W.	Odom
2nd Lt	Joseph	Rosenberg
2nd Lt	Joseph F.	Furness
2nd Lt	Dwight A.	Fry
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
2nd Lt	Robert C.	Peters

351st: Major Christian. T/U 08:32 hrs. T/D 10:50 hrs. Total flight time 2:18 hrs. Route from advanced base R/V with bombers near Borkum Island went south to Emden, out over West Frisian Islands. Capt. Kinkade and Lts. Maguire and Hunter claimed Me109s destroyed.  Capt. Kinkade and Lts. Maguire also claimed one Me109 damaged each. Lt. Perpente ran out of fuel and made dead-stick landing at field near Orfordness and returned later.

Major	Shannon	Christian	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire
2nd Lt	Edgar J.	Albert
2nd Lt	Harold J.	Morris
2nd Lt	Francis L.	Edwards
2nd Lt	Herbert K.	Field
Capt	Orville A.	Kinkade	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	George F.	Perpente
1st Lt	Harry F.	Hunter
Capt	Charles L.	Stafford
1st Lt	Frank N.	Emory
Capt	Jack R.	Walsh

352nd: Major Duncan. T/U 08:42 hrs. T/D 11:15 hrs. Total flight time 2:33 hrs. General support of bombers: Emden. No contacts reported. Flight plan as per Squadron records.

2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan
Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Leroy W.	Ista
1st Lt	Leslie P.	Cles
1st Lt	James N.	Poindexter
1st Lt	Thomas J.	Forkin	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Jesse W.	Gonnam
2nd Lt	Edison G.	Stiff
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame
2nd Lt	Victor L.	Vogel

Mission#27 September 26, 1943 and Metfield Medal Ceremony

Date: Sept 26, 43

Dispatched: 39 Aborts: 0

Mission: General support to 1st TF, 100 B-17’s Field Order: 145/7

Time Up/Down: 16:23 hrs 18:20 hrs Leader: Major Duncan

Target: Nantes (abortive)

Claims Air: 00-00-00 Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Lost/Damaged: 00-00

Group took off from Ford and made landfall on French coast at St Pierre at 17:04 hrs, 24,000ft. At 17:05 hrs the Group was instructed by controller to return to base [Metfield], so a 180 degree turn was made. Later controller advised to go all the way, so Group changed course making landfall at Dungeness and then to home base. 3 B17s in mid-channel going west. Moderate amount of heavy flak from Cherbourg – correct for altitude but inaccurate for direction. Weather good. Lt. Herfurth and Capt Stafford [not listed in flight plans] participated. The latter served as a spotter.

350th: Unknown. No further details currently available. On arrival at Ford 1^st Lt Francis T. Walsh landed short and damaged the tail wheel and fuselage of the Thunderbolt he was flying (a/c 42-8378).

351st: Major Duncan. T/U 16:10 hrs. T/D 18:05 hrs. Total flight time 1:55 hrs. Route from advanced base went as far as Cherbourg and returned due to bad weather (belly tanks used).

Major	Glenn E.	Duncan	(Gp & Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Harold J.	Morris
1st Lt	Vic L.	Byers
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian
Major	Shannon	Christian	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire
2nd Lt	Edgar J.	Albert
Capt	Orville A.	Kinkade	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Harry F.	Hunter
2nd Lt	George F.	Perpente

352nd: Unknown. T/U 16:23 hrs. T/D 17:50 hrs. Total flight time 1:27hrs. Time up Metfield 12:49 hrs. Time down Ford 13:35 hrs. Time up Ford 16:23 hrs. Time down Metfield 17:50 hrs. Intended course: Caulnes, Sevanay, Nantes (target), Vallet, St Sever, Ford. Recalled over Point de Barfleur by Jacknife. Flight plan as per Squadron records.

1st Lt	Leroy W.	Ista
1st Lt	James N.	Poindexter
1st Lt	Jesse W.	Gonnam
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits
2nd Lt	Edison G.	Stiff
2nd Lt	Wilton W.	Johnson
Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame
1st Lt	Leslie P.	Cles