Mission#75 February 6, 1944 -Target: Nancy Airfield.

Date: Feb 6, 44

Dispatched: 46 Aborts: 0

Mission: Penetration support to 2nd ATF, 300 B-17’s (1st Div)

Field Order: 236 Target: Nancy Airfield

Time Up/Down: 09:53 hrs     13:05 hrs Leader: Lt Col. Rimerman

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

Group made L/F over Gravelines 10:35 hrs, 21,000ft. R/V 1st Div B-17s 11:00 hrs, 17,000ft. 10/10 overcast no check points. Individual bombers generally in good close formation, however some CWs considerably separated from others. P-47s, 38s and 51s observed with bombers. No E/A seen. Left bombers 11:30 hrs making L/F out over Gravelines 12:25 hrs, 20,000ft. Lt Col. Rimerman, 1st Lt. Thistlethwaite and 1st Lt. Herfurth of Group HQ participated.

350th: Capt. Pidduck. T/U 09:58 hrs. T/D 12:57 hrs. Total flight time 02:59 hrs. L/F on course 10:36 hrs, 25,000ft. R/V with lead box on course at 11:00 hrs, 32,000ft. Close. P-38S, P-51, P-47. No e/a. Left bombers 11:30 hrs, 30,000ft. Left coast on course 12:25 hrs, 25,000ft. R/T normal. No flak. 10/10 strata cumulus overcast over enemy territory.

Capt	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Sqdn Ldr)
1st Lt	Charles O.	Durant
1st Lt	John	Zolner
1st Lt	John H.	Winder
1st Lt	John	Sullivan	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Chauncey	Rowan
1st Lt	Joseph F.	Furness
1st Lt	Carl W.	Mueller
1st Lt	John L.	Devane	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
1st Lt	Wayne K.	Blickenstaff
1st Lt	Robert S.	Hart
1st Lt	William J.	Price
1st Lt	William F.	Tanner

351st: Capt. Lefebre. T/U 09:58 hrs. T/D 13:10 hrs. Total flight time 03:12 hrs. Route: In at Gravelines, over Vitry, out at Calais. Gravelines at 10:35 hrsat 22,000ft. Unit unknown at Fromentieres at 11:06 hrsat 26,000ft. Good close bomber formation. Observed P-38s, P-51s and P-47s. Vitry at 11:28 hrs at 26,000ft. Calais at 12:26 hrs at 24,000ft. [2 early returns – Lt. Field mechanical trouble and F/O Peterson turbo trouble].

Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre	(Sqdn Ldr)	YJ-L
1st Lt	Harry F.	Hunter		YJ-H
1st Lt	George N.	Ahles		YJ-A
2nd Lt	George F.	Perpente		YJ-R
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton	(Sqdn Ldr)	YJ-O
2nd Lt	Irving	Toppel		YJ-I
2nd Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite		YJ-X
2nd Lt	Harry D.	Milligan		YJ-Y
Capt	Vic L.	Byers	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-W
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz		YJ-H
1st Lt	William R.	Burkett		YJ-B
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian		YJ-P
1st Lt	Frank N.	Emory	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-S
2nd Lt	Francis L.	Edwards		YJ-M
2nd Lt	Herbert K.	Field		YJ-F	42-75570
F/O	Cletus	Peterson		YJ-U

352nd: Lt Col. Rimerman. T/U 09:53 hrs. T/D 13:06 hrs. Total flight time 03:13 hrs. Penetration support to 2nd ATF B-17s (1st Div). Made landfall Mardyck at 10:36 hrs at 24,000ft. R/V with bombers at10:56 hrs, 26,000ft area unknown. Good close Wing formation in trail. P-38s, P-51s and P-47s. 6 E/A made one pass at the bombers just before we made R/V with them. We were unable to engage them. Left bombers at 11:28 hrs at 21,000ft, vicinity unknown. Left coast over Gravelines at 12:22 hrs at 20,000ft. Moderate, heavy flak from St. Omer, accurate for position but inaccurate for altitude. “A” channel good, “C” channel good while we were escorting the bombers. 2 small boats believed to have been landing craft were seen on the beach at Gravelines. Coastal areas were open but sky became 10/10 overcast of low cloud inland. Course: Landfall, R/V, Bombers split, 20-354 R/V withdraw, L/F out, Home. 17 down Metfield 13:06 and 1 down Manston (Lt. Stiff).

Lt Col	Ben	Rimerman	(Gp & Sqdn Ldr)	SX-H
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison		SX-R
1st Lt	Clinton H.	Sperry		SX-E
2nd Lt	Clifford F.	Armstrong		SX-F
Capt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)	SX-K
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan		SX-A
1st Lt	William F.	Streit		SX-T
2nd Lt	Hildreth R.	Owens		SX-G
Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Flt Ldr)	SX-S
1st Lt	Herman	Herfurth		SX-J
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits		SX-X
2nd Lt	Glenn G.	Callans		SX-N
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty	(Flt Ldr)	SX-O
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan		SX-Q
1st Lt	Robert P.	Geurtz		SX-D
2nd Lt	Edison G.	Stiff		SX-W
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame	(Spare)	SX-Z
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer	(Spare)	SX-V

Group DNTO/ERTNs:

42-75570	DNTO no belly tank pressure	YJ-F	Lt. Field flying.*
42-22472	DNTO radio burnt out	LH-?

 *351^st Squadron records indicate Lt. Field did take-off and flew for 45minutes on the mission. He was not awarded a credit for the mission.

Mission#74 February 5, 1944 -Target: Romilly sur Seine/Villacoublay. The Loss of Lt. Edgar J. Albert, 351st Fighter Squadron.

Date: Feb 5, 44

Dispatched: 42 Aborts: 3

Mission: Support to 3rd ATF, 180 B-17’s (3rd Div)

Field Order: 235 Target: Romilly sur Seine/Villacoublay

Time Up/Down: 09:49 hrs     13:31 hrs Leader: Lt Col. Duncan

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

Group R/V’d with bombers 10.40 hrs just prior to L/F north of Dieppe, 25000ft. Proceeded with three boxes of 3rd Div bombers who were in good formation to target leaving them 11:25 hrs. Out Le Treport 12:17 hrs, 18,000ft. Six Me109s about to make a head-on attack on the bombers in strong formation target area. Attack dispersed E/A being lost in clouds. Two Fw190s about to attack rear 2nd box of bombers vicinity Sancerre engaged by White and Red flights of the 351st – 1 destroyed. White smoking object, size of small bomb in corkscrew twist seen spiralling downward this area. On way home White flight bounced by three Fw190s out of the Sun at 15,000ft NE of Orleans. Lt. Albert last seen levelling out after taking evasive action this area. No hits observed. One unknown single engine low wing single tail A/C seen flying at 39,000ft at Rouen. This A/C dove and disappeared when one of our pilots reached 34,000ft. One flight out Fecamp 12:28 hrs, 10,000ft. Other P-47s, 51s and Spitfires seen with bombers. Lt Col. Duncan and 1st Lt. Thistlethwaite of Group HQ participated.

350th: Capt Pidduck. T/U09:50 hrs. T/D 13:10hrs. Total flight time 03:20 hrs. L/F in on course 10:38 hrs, 24,000ft. R/V with bombers on course 10:50 hrs, 23,000ft. Good. Spitfires, P-51s. No e/a. Left bombers on course, 11:20 hrs, 28,000ft. Left coast Cayeux on time, 26,000ft. About 10 heavy bursts N of Paris, accurate as to altitude. R/T normal visibility good in target area.

Capt	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Sqdn Ldr)
Capt	John B.	Rose
1st Lt	William F.	Tanner
1st Lt	Charles O.	Durant
1st Lt	John L.	Devane	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
1st Lt	John	Zolner
1st Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
1st Lt	Wayne K.	Blickenstaff	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Robert S.	Hart
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
2nd Lt	Kenneth	Chetwood
Capt	Robert E.	Fortier	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Carl W.	Mueller
1st Lt	Joseph F.	Furness
1st Lt	Chauncey	Rowan

351st: Lt Col. Duncan. T/U 09:40 hrs. T/D 12:50 hrs. Total flight time 03:10 hrs. Route: In north of Dieppe, over Fontainbleau, out north of Dieppe. North of Dieppe at 10:42 hrs at 25,000ft. Lead box eight minutes after landfall at 10:50 hrs at 26,000ft. First box good, other fair. P-47s and Spitfires low and high. Fontainbleau at 11:15 hrs at 28,000ft. North of Dieppe at 11:57 hrs at 27,000ft. Remarks: Bombers five to ten minutes late, causing us to withdraw sooner than planned. 3 down at Manston, 4 down at Tangmere. One P-47 abort engine cutting out at altitude [presumably Lt Terzian].

Lt Col	Glenn E.	Duncan	(Gp & Sqdn Ldr)	YJ-X
2nd Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite		YJ-N
1st Lt	George N.	Ahles		YJ-A
2nd Lt	Edgar J.	Albert		YJ-P	42-75161
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-O
F/O	Joseph E.	Wood		YJ-W
2nd Lt	Herbert K.	Field		YJ-F
2nd Lt	Don M.	Hurlburt		YJ-H
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-L
2nd Lt	Irving	Toppel		YJ-R
1st Lt	Harry F.	Hunter		YJ-H	42-8379
2nd Lt	Francis L.	Edwards		YJ-T
1st Lt	William R.	Burkett	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-B
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian		YJ-V	42-7958
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz		YJ-P
2nd Lt	Harry D.	Milligan		YJ-Y

Lt Col. Duncan led White flight to bounce two Fw190’s coming in at 20,000ft. They were chased line astern in a diving left turn as they tried to get down on the deck. Duncan caught one and shot it down. After this action White flight got into difficulties south of Paris as 1st Lt George N. Ahles explained:

I was flying #3 in Roughman White flight. Lt Albert was #4, my wing man. At 11.30 hrs Lt Col. Duncan, the flight leader, had taken the flight down against two Fw190’s near Joigny. On the way down I called Lt. Albert asking him if he were behind me, and I think he said yes. We climbed back to 15000ft, started home, flying line abreast. Lt. Albert was about 300 ft to my right; Lt Col Duncan and Lt Thistlethwaite being on my left. At 11.45 to 11.50 hrs we were bounced by three Me109’s coming out of the Sun and from the clouds, straight down on us near Augerville. I called saying ‘Break right’ three or four times. There was no reply from Lt. Albert. Lt Albert broke to his left in a rolling, diving turn. I turned to the right in order to attack the e/a which was behind him about 1000 yards. I did not notice the e/a fire his guns. The e/a immediately disengaged and headed inland. Lt. Albert began to pull out of his dive and level off at 6000ft. I turned toward the other two e/a which broke to the right and up, and then headed north. We circled the area looking for Lt. Albert, both Lt Col. Duncan and I calling him on the radio. There was no reply.

Flying in the White two position was 1st Lt. William T. Thistlethwaite:

At about 12.45 hrs we were slightly south west of Paris and north east of Orleans, flying line abreast, with Lt. Albert on the extreme right and me on the extreme left. We were observing two bogies ahead of us when three Me109’s bounced us from the right rear. Lt. Ahles called break right, and all did but Lt. Albert broke left and down, at the same time noticing what I’m sure was acceleration smoke. I watched him going down. Col. Duncan called him on the R/T several times but received no answer. It is my belief that Lt. Albert did not suffer any damage from the bounce. We proceeded to the coast.

It was not clear what exactly had happened to Lt. Albert, but the Red Cross reported him buried by the Germans a few days later. Lt. Albert was not flying his usual aircraft YJ-U named “Doris” for the wife he had married just before leaving the United States. His Squadron friend George Perpente wrote to tell her the bad news. Lt. Albert is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery and you can read more details HERE. The Missing Air Crew Report number for further reference is 2128. Lt. Albert’s niece, Denise Viesta, has also been in touch and kindly sent the following newspaper clippings from the time.

352nd: Major Bailey. T/U 09:49hrs. T/D 13:10 hrs. Total flight time 03:21 hrs. Course: C Griz Nez, Cayeau, R/V, withdraw, Boulogne, Home. Landfall in at Dieppe at 10:40 hrs, 5 miles W of Cayeau at 24,000ft. Bombers were flying an in-trail position good and close. Other fighters observed were Spitfires, P-47s and P-51s. 6 Me109s observed about 10 miles S of target area 24,000ft. No combat resulted. Left bombers over the target area at 11:25 hrs at 28,000ft. Left enemy coast at 12:17 hrs at 28,000ft over Le Treport. Moderate heavy flak, accurate for height but to the right was encountered in vicinity of Melun. Meager, inaccurate flak was directed at the bombers from Rouen. No bombers seen in trouble over entire route. R/T reception poor, jamming was consistent. 4/10 scattered cumulus, middle cloud. Contrails from 24,000ft. 1 early return Rouen (Lt. Stiff – smoke in cockpit, lack of oxygen). 9 down Metfield 13:10 hrs, 2 down Leiston, 1 down Hawkinge, 1 down East Church, 1 down Framlingham.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(Sqdn Ldr)	SX-H
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan		SX-N
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty		SX-O
2nd Lt	William S.	Marchant		SX-E
1st Lt	Jesse W.	Gonnam	(Flt Ldr)	SX-F
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison		SX-R
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits		SX-X
2nd Lt	Hildreth R.	Owens		SX-T
Capt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)	SX-G
2nd Lt	Edison G.	Stiff		SX-W	42-22751
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame		SX-V
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan		SX-Q
1st Lt	Robert P.	Geurtz	(Spare)	SX-D
2nd Lt	Joseph A.	Schillinger	(Spare)	SX-J

Group Aborts/ERTNs:

42-7958	ABT oil leak	YJ-V	Lt. Terzian flying.
42-74647	ABT radio reception	LH-U
42-22751	ABT cockpit smoke	SX-W*	Lt. Stiff flying.
42-8373	ERTN radio reception	LH-Y?	Not confirmed as code.
42-8379	ERTN cockpit gas fumes	YJ-H	Lt. Hunter flying.
42-75161	MIA	YJ-P**	Lt. Albert flying.

*I can confirm that a/c 42-22751 is SX-W and not SX-X as listed in Squadron records for February3, 1944.

**YJ-P was usually Lt. King’s aircraft. He last flew on January 11, 1944 when YJ-P was still P47D-2-RE 42-7972 “Gator Bait.” He may not have taken possession of YJ-P P-47D-10-RE 42-75161at this point as four different pilots had flown it, but not King before it was lost with Lt. Albert.

 

Mission#73 February 4, 1944 – Target: Frankfurt.

Date: Feb 4, 44

Dispatched: 45 Aborts: 2

Mission: Withdrawal support to 2nd ATF, 360 B-17’s (3rd Div)

Field Order: 234 Target: Frankfurt

Time Up/Down: 11:47 hrs     14:24 hrs Leader: Lt Col Rimerman

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

Group made L/F at Flushing, 21,000ft, 12:25 hrs. Flew on course to planned R/V where 1st Div B-17s and some B-24s were met at 12:52 hrs, 25,000ft. 10/10ths overcast – no check points. Proceeded to Brussels area on Parker’s instructions. Out enemy coast at Ostend 13:40 hrs, 15,000ft. Individual boxes in good formation. Winds appeared less than forecast. No e/a seen. Shortly after L/F in, Group observed bombers escorted by P-38s and some P-47s on way out. When Group coming out enemy coast many boxes of 3rd Div bombers seen in mid Channel flying towards the Straits of Dover. Lt Col. Rimerman, 1st Lt. Herfurth and 1st Lt. Thistlethwaite of Group HQ participated.

350th: Lt Col. Rimerman. T/U 11:45 hrs. T/D 14:20 hrs. Total flight time 02:35 hrs. L/F in on course at 12:22 hrs, 20,000ft. R/V with bombers on course, 12:52 hrs, 24,000ft. Fairly good. No e/a. L/F left bombers. Left coast Ostend, 13:40 hrs. 5/10th at 3000ft layer of patchy cirrus at 18,000ft.

Lt Col	Ben	Rimerman	(Sqdn Ldr)
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
2nd Lt	Kenneth	Chetwood
1st Lt	John	Zolner
1st Lt	John L.	Devane	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
1st Lt	William F.	Tanner
1st Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
Capt	Charles W.	Dinse	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Wayne K.	Blickenstaff
1st Lt	Robert S.	Hart
Capt	Robert E.	Fortier	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Carl W.	Mueller
1st Lt	Joseph F.	Furness
1st Lt	Chauncey	Rowan

351st: Major Beckham. T/U 11:40 hrs. T/D 14:20 hrs. Total flight time 02:40 hrs. Route: In at Flushing, over Stavelot, out at Flushing. Flushing at 12:25 hrs at 26,000ft. Good close formation. P-38s seen coming out while Squadron going in. 8 P-51s seen with bombers on R/V. P-47s seen going in when Squadron coming out. Stavelot (estimated) at 13:05 hrs at 25,000ft. Flushing at 13:29 hrs at 16,000ft. Balloon, shaped like barrage balloon, seen at St. Trond at 20,000ft. Aircraft seen taxiing on St. Inglevert airfield. 1 abort oil leak [this does not fit with the 3 aborts and1 early return reported in other Squadron records].

Major	Walter C.	Beckham	(Sqdn Ldr)	YJ-X
2nd Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite		YJ-R
1st Lt	George N.	Ahles		YJ-A
2nd Lt	Irving	Toppel		YJ-I
1st Lt	William R.	Burkett	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-B
2nd Lt	Hassell D.	Stump		YJ-N
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz		YJ-P
2nd Lt	Harry D.	Milligan		YJ-Y
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-D
F/O	Joseph E.	Wood		YJ-W
2nd Lt	Herbert K.	Field		YJ-F
2nd Lt	Don M.	Hurlburt		YJ-H
2nd Lt	Francis L.	Edwards	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-M	42-75114
2nd Lt	Edgar J.	Albert	(Relay)	YJ-H
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre		YJ-L
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian		YJ-G
1st Lt	Harry F.	Hunter		YJ-P

352nd: Capt. Robertson. T/U 11:52 hrs. T/D 14:21 hrs. Total flight time 02:29 hrs. Withdrawal support to 2nd ATF (3rd Div) B-17s. 1 abort (Capt. Robertson-oil leak). Landfall made over Flushing, 23,000 ft, 12:28 hrs. R/V with 24 CWs of B-17s near Malmedy at 12:42 at 24,000ft. Bombers were believed to be of the 1st Div. One CW of B-24s seen in the immediate vicinity. Bomber formation was good, close and easy to cover. Observed other P-47s and P-38s. Left bombers at 22,000ft over Brussels at 13:15hrs. Left coast at Knocke at 13:28 at 20,000ft. No unusual flak. R/T exceptionally good. No sea activity. 8 to 9/10 cloud coverage prevailed over the continent with tops at 24,000ft. Parts of the continent were observed to be covered with snow. Course: Landfall, R/V, withdraw, landfall out, home.

Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Sqdn Ldr)	SX-S
1st Lt	Herman	Herfurth		SX-E
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits		SX-X
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer		SX-Q
Capt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)	SX-F
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan		SX-Y
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame		SX-G
2nd Lt	Hildreth R.	Owens		SX-D?
Capt	Charles J.	Hoey	(Flt Ldr)	SX-A
2nd Lt	William S.	Marchant		SX-N
1st Lt	Robert P.	Geurtz		SX-D?
2nd Lt	Joseph A.	Schillinger		SX-J
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty	(Flt Ldr)	SX-O
1st Lt	William J.	Jordan		SX-T
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan		SX-Z
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison		SX-R
1st Lt	James N.	Poindexter		SX-H

Group ERTN/Aborts:

42-75114	ABT no belly tank pressure	YJ-M	Lt. Edwards flying.
42-75676	ABT rough engine	?*
42-8378	ERTN gas smell in oxygen system	LH-?
42-8005	ERTN tach out	LH-?

*This could be Capt. Robertson from the 352nd. For some unknown reason the other aborts or early returns from the 351st by Capt. Lefebre and Lts. Hunter and Terzian were not recorded by the Group.

 

Mission#72 February 3, 1944 – Target: Wilhelmshaven. The loss of Capt. Wilford F. Hurst, Lt. David C. Kenney and Lt. Lloyd A. Thornell.

Date: Feb 3, 44

Dispatched: 47 Aborts: 5

Mission: Penetration support to 2nd ATF, 360 B-17’s (1st Div)

Field Order: 233 Target: Wilhelmshaven

Time Up/Down: 09:47 hrs 13:25 hrs Leader: Major Bailey

Claims Air: 02-02-01Claims Ground: 00-00-00 Lost/Damaged: 03-03

Group made R/V with 3rd Div bombers, 24,000ft, 10:30 hrs. Believed to be about ten miles off enemy coast. Individual boxes in close formation, however, CW [combat wings] considerably spread out. Shortly after R/V two CW were seen to make 180 degree turn and apparently return. Group continued escort with bombers until they made turn at IP. At this time, 12+ Me109s were observed above at 32,000ft in the vicinity of Quakenbruck. The 350th Squadron climbed to attack with the 352nd as cover. When attacked, these E/A split “s” to the deck, two being destroyed. During a simultaneous attack on one of these E/A Capt. Hurst and Capt. Newhart collided resulting in the tail being cut from Capt. Hurst’s plane which went down – no chute observed. Seven Fw190s observed by one flight of the 351st Squadron in this general area, one destroyed. Two flights of the 351st continued escort over target and out Ameland Island. Majority of Group withdrew at 11:20 hrs making L/F out vicinity Ijmuiden 25,000ft, approx. 12:15 hrs. One pilot returning on deck attacked three tankers in Zuider Zee off Kampen. Two small transports damaged, one left burning of Ameland Island. Six U-boats and four M/Vs observed Ijmuiden harbour. Lt. Thornell’s engine cut out at about 900 feet over the Channel. In attempt to ditch A/C appeared to stall and crash. Search by escort for dingy was to no avail. Unable to contact bombers on “C” channel. Pilots complained markings on bombers are indiscernible unless practically on top of them. Lts. Thistlethwaite and Herfurth of Group HQ participated.

Missing:

Capt. Hurst, 350th. Result of a mid-air collision.

Lt.Thornell, 351st. Down in North Sea, believed engine failure.

Lt. Kenney, 351st. Reason unknown.

Claims:

1 Fw190 destroyed Major Beckham.

1 Me109 destroyed Major Beckham.

1 Me109 destroyed Capt. Newhart (awarded a probable).

1 Me109 damaged Capt. Newhart.

1 Me109 damaged Lt. Ireland (awarded a probable).

350th: Capt Newhart. T/U 10:52 hrs. T/D 13:08 hrs. Total flight time 02:16 hrs. Mid air collision, 1 P-47 LH-M Capt. Hurst. Tail clipped off by P-47 of this Squadron. 1 Me109 destroyed (Capt. Newhart), 2 Me109 dam (Lt. Ireland), 1 Me109 dam (Newhart) [see claims above for awards]. 3-4 tankers Lt. Rowan. L/F overcast 10:35, 26-27,000ft. R/V with 3rd Div on course before L/F at 26-27,000ft. Good close P-47, P-38. 12 Me109 Oldenburg 30-31,000ft left bombers before target, 31,000ft. L/F out Den Helder 16-17,000ft Nil flak, R/T good with fighters. 15 tankers some small boats Zuider Zee. Solid overcast.

Capt	Dewey E.	Newhart	(Sqdn Ldr)	LH-V	42-8001
1st Lt	Francis T.	Walsh
1st Lt	Robert N.	Ireland
1st Lt	Chauncey	Rowan
1st Lt	Wayne K.	Blickenstaff	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Robert S.	Hart
1st Lt	William F.	Tanner
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
Capt	Wilford F.	Hurst	(Flt Ldr)	LH-M	43-7940
1st Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
2nd Lt	Kenneth	Chetwood
1st Lt	John L.	Devane	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	John	Zolner
1st Lt	Roland N.	McKean
1st Lt	Joseph F.	Furness
1st Lt	John	Sullivan
1st Lt	Charles O.	Durant

Capt. Newhart, flying Pipeful White Lead, reported:

We had reached the IP with the bombers. I saw a gaggle of contrails at about 4 o’clock but they were too far away to even see any planes. I called them in and proceeded to turn left while still watching them. They came closer and someone called over the R/T that they didn’t look very friendly. I called a right turn to meet them head on. They were approximately 31,000ft and we were at 29,500ft. We were still a long way from them and climbing at full throttle. As we got within 2000 yards of them, they dropped their belly tanks. I called that they were 12 Me109’s. They made no effort to attack us or break formation. I made a left turn and came in from 3 o’clock to them and one flight made a very feeble bounce on 2 P-47’s that were under them. I called for them to break, and the e/a zoomed back up. I pulled in behind two 2 e/a that were lower and to the right of the formation and opened with a burst at about 350 to 400 yards at about 30 degrees deflection, and then came around astern and closing to about 200 yards. I saw hits around the cockpit and the e/a nosed over to the right smoking and went down vertically. I watched him for about 8,000ft and he kept going straight down smoking, making no effort to pull out.

Newhart was awarded the 109 as a probable and then sighted another 109 but the tragic circumstances then intervened:

I came in from about 5 o’clock on this Me109 and opened fire at about 3000 yards. I saw hits on the left wing root, and also saw another P47 coming in from my right, which was firing at about 30 degrees deflection, his wing blanking me out and nearly hitting me. I threw everything in the left corner and went down, trying to avoid collision. At the same time the e/a rolled to the left and was right in my sight. I gave a short burst and observed no results (awarded damaged credit) because a P47 came in over my right wing, hitting my number 1 and 2 guns and cowl; my prop cutting his tail off.

The second P-47D-1-RE (a/c LH-M 42-7940 “Colleen”) was piloted by Capt. Wilford Frederick Hurst. The leader of Blue flight was last seen going down in a spiral at about 45 degrees. He was unable to leave his aircraft and was later reported killed in action when his aircraft was found 6 km from Vechta/Oldenburg (MACR 2126 refers). You can read a little more on Capt. Hurst HERE.

Newhart, flying Ben Rimerman’s LH-V, was in very serious trouble – his instruments were completely out (at one point he hung a knife on a string to stay level in clouds) and his engine was vibrating as if it were about to leave the aircraft. Only his skills as a pilot and the very rugged Thunderbolt enabled him to get home.

Flying second element in Newhart’s flight was 1st Lt. Robert Ireland who was also awarded a probable when the 12 109’s were intercepted:

As we met them head on but underneath them, I broke immediately losing sight of Pipeful leader, but the Me109’s continued on course climbing. White and Red flights tried to catch them. As we started closing at about 32000ft, about half of the gaggle split S’d intermittently for the deck, the rest turned sharply left. I got a 60 degree or more deflection shot on one Me109 at 200 yards, and was surprised to see hits about halfway back on the fuselage. The plane snapped and went down smoking in what developed into a vertical dive. I saw him hit the cloud layer which was about 6000ft top, vertically. I then happened to see one other Me109 who must have suddenly realised he was up there all alone, for as I pushed over and shot at him, he was already rolling and heading for the deck. He was taking violent evasive action and I could not see any hits.

Returning early over the Zuider Zee, 1st Lt. Chauncey Rowan saw a line of tankers. Dropping down to 8,000ft he dived out of the sun on them. He got scattered hits on the first two tankers, whilst the third received a concentrated burst and possibly caught fire.

351st: Major Beckham. T/U 09:47 hrs. T/D 13:25 hrs. Total flight time 03:38 hrs. Penetration support. Route: In at Egmond, over south of Oldenburg, out at Den Helder. Lost Lt. Thornell and Lt. Kenney. 1 Fw190 and Me109 destroyed by Major Beckham. 1 transport ship damaged and last seen on fire by Lt. Albert. 1 transport ship damaged by Lt. Thistlethwaite. Egmond at 10:35 hrs at 25,000ft. 3rd Air Division A B C on course at landfall time at 24 to 25,000ft. Close bomber formation. P-38s and P-47s seen. 11 E/A engaged south of Oldenburg at 15 to 31,000ft. Coast north of target at 11:22 hrs, 25,000ft. Den Helder deck to 25,000ft. 40 to 50 small vessels in Emden Harbor. Solid overcast. Damaged boats were heading east, just north of Ameland Island.

Major	Walter C.	Beckham	(Sqdn Ldr)	YJ-X
2nd Lt	Irving	Toppel		YJ-N
2nd Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite		YJ-E
2nd Lt	Edgar J.	Albert		YJ-U
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-O
F/O	Joseph E.	Wood		YJ-W
2nd Lt	Lloyd A.	Thornell	(MIA)	YJ-Q	42-75135
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-L
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz		YJ-M
2nd Lt	Harry D.	Milligan		YJ-Y
1st Lt	David C.	Kenney	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-D	42-75191
2nd Lt	Don M.	Hurlburt		YJ-H
2nd Lt	Francis L.	Edwards		YJ-T	42-75161
2nd Lt	Hassell D.	Stump	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-P
1st Lt	George N.	Ahles		YJ-A
1st Lt	Harry F.	Hunter		YJ-P
1st Lt	William R.	Burkett		YJ-H
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian	(Relay)	YJ-G
2nd Lt	Herbert K.	Field	(Relay)	YJ-F

Leading the Squadron, Beckham was able to add to his mounting victories by claiming his 15th and 16th victims:

I was leading Roughman White flight, flying with about 10 of the 350th Squadron planes. Twelve plus Me109’s, at least a thousand feet above us, came from our three o’clock as we were flying northward. Even with their altitude advantage they made no effort to attack us, but tried only to escape. We turned into them, swinging on around in about a 270 degree turn to the right and gave chase.

In this case the P47 definitely out climbed (29,000ft to 32,000ft) the 109, out-turned and out-dived it. As we climbed and closed the 109’s to the rear began half rolling by one’s and two’s. P47’s gave chase. I waited until the lead planes dived and followed one down in an almost vertical dive. I cut the throttle to avoid compressibility, but stayed about the same distance from the 109. Opened throttle and closed, fired and got hits and pieces. Got more strikes after this and don’t believe the pilot was able to get out. I pulled out and saw the 109 continue straight down into the cloud layer at 7,000ft at a speed in excess of 400mph.

Used my high speed to zoom back up. At this altitude between two cloud layers, seven Fw190’s passed in front of me at right angles to my line of flight. They were in good formation; a flight of 3 leading, a flight of 4 behind slightly, and to the right. I turned right, closed easily, and fired from astern on the one on the extreme right. Got strikes and pieces including the canopy. Flame from the engine extended along the left side of the fuselage, and the plane spun.

The two flights of three each flew serenely along as I nosed down into the clouds and set course for home at about 6,500ft. Their lack of awareness of this episode leads me to believe that with more ammunition I might have moved up and destroyed several others.

My guns had not stopped firing, but I had fired a burst or so after the tracer appeared that indicate there are only 50 rounds in each of the four guns.

My electric sight being insecurely fastened and moving around made good shooting difficult and ammunition expenditure wasteful. I found it necessary to move the stick back and forth slightly as I fired; thus throwing away a lot of bullets. The gun sight trouble is now corrected.

Whilst in the vicinity of Oldenburg, the Squadron suffered its first tragedy of the day. 1st Lt. David C. Kenney (flying a/c P47D-10-RE 42-75191YJ-D) was listed as missing in action when he failed to return (MACR 2127 refers). Although the circumstances of his loss are unclear, it appears that he may have been shot down, as 2nd Lt. Don M. Hurlburt reported:

I was flying Yellow two on Lt Kenney’s wing at 28,000ft (approx 11.15 hrs). I called to Lt. Kenney that about four Me109’s were approaching from three o’clock. He acknowledged, stating he had seen them and turned toward them. They were at four o’clock when he tightened up his turn and headed down. He was then below my nose, and I was unable to see him. I never saw him after that. I cut my throttle after heading down, pulled back around and went into a turn with the 109’s which were above me. I tightened up my turn and aileron rolled down and lost the 109’s. I then joined up with another P47.

As the Squadron withdrew there were further opportunities. 1st Lt. William T. Thistlethwaite returning over the Frisian Islands with his wing man Lt. Edgar J. Albert spotted five medium sized ships. Under intense return fire they were able to attack the ships and observed several fires.

Also returning home was Roughman Red flight who suffered a second tragedy for the Squadron as they came in over the cold North Sea. 1st Lt. Gordon B. Compton, the flight leader, reported the loss of 1st Lt. Lloyd A. Thornell (a/c P-47D-10-RE 42-75135 YJ-Q):

My flight, Roughman Red, was made up of Lt. J. E. Wood, on my left wing and Lt. L. A. Thornell on my right wing. After letting down from 12,000ft through an almost solid overcast we levelled off at about 1000ft and flew for several minutes. It was then that Lt. Thornell called me and said his engine was cutting out. I called back two or three times but could not get an answer. I had started a turn to the right, Lt. Wood had turned inside me, and we watched him pull up a little and then lose altitude until he struck the water. Lt. Wood went down and I went up and gave a Mayday on “B” Channel. Reception was very good.

We circled about twenty minutes, during which time neither of us saw anything to lead us to believe that Lt. Thornell had gotten out of his plane. There had been no complaint from Lt. Thornell previous to this time, and Lt. Wood and I had between 90 and 100 gallons of gas when we landed [MACR 2125].

2nd Lt. Joseph Wood also reported:

The first we knew he was in trouble was when he called Lt. Compton, the flight leader, and said his engine had cut out and that he did not have any fuel pressure. We were at about 1000ft then Lt. Compton and I immediately made a turn and watched Lt. Thornell. He began to slow up and lose altitude fast. At about 25 feet above the water I saw his plane apparently stall, the right wing dropping. The plane straightened up, but at this time he hit the water, nose first, and sank out of sight immediately. We circled for some time, but nothing could be observed.

The area of the North Sea where Lt. Thornell was last seen.

Lt. Thornell from Pitsford, New York is commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing at the Cambridge American Military Cemetery. Further information can be found HERE.

352nd: Major Bailey. T/U 09:48 hrs. T/D 13:01 hrs. Total flight time 03:13 hrs. Target support to 2nd ATF (1st Div) B-17s. Course: Landfall, Folder, R/V, Target, W/D, Home. Target Wilhelmshaven. Landfall believed north of course at approx 10:32 hrs at 23,000ft, the vicinity [of] unknown. Bombers were flying good formation within combat wings but the wings were scattered too much for good coverage. Other P-47s, P-38s, and P-51s observed. 4 Me109s were observed in the vicinity of Quakenbruck or Clopenburg. We turned to attack but were unable to engage. Left bomber near Cloppenburg at approx 11:10 hrs. Scattered inaccurate flak from both Wilhelmshaven and Emden. Intense, heavy accurate (black) flak observed from Ijmuiden. “A” channel good, “C” channel congested. 6 small ships believed to be submarines and four larger boats believed to be merchant vessels were observed in the harbor at Ijmuiden by an E/R. 10/10 overcast covered both England and continent with base at 1,500ft and tops at 25,000ft. 1 P-47 abort (Lt. Poindexter – Engine throwing oil on windshield). 12 down at Metfield 13:01 hrs, 1 down at Halesworth, 1 down at Manston.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(Gp & Sqdn Ldr)	SX-S
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan		SX-E
1st Lt	Jesse W.	Gonnam		SX-F
1st Lt	William J.	Jordan		SX-T
1st Lt	James N.	Poindexter	(Flt Ldr)	SX-H
2nd Lt	Joseph A.	Schillinger		SX-J
1st Lt	Robert P.	Geurtz		SX-B
2nd Lt	Harry H.	Dustin		SX-Z
Capt	Charles J.	Hoey	(Flt Ldr)	SX-A
2nd Lt	William S.	Marchant		SX-Y
2nd Lt	Wilton W.	Johnson		SX-D
1st Lt	Herman	Herfurth		SX-V
1st Lt	Edward M.	Fogarty	(Flt Ldr)	SX-O
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison		SX-R
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame	(DNTO)	SX-M	42-75875
2nd Lt	Hildreth R.	Owens	(DNTO)	SX-W	42-22751
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer	(Spare)	SX-Q

Group Losses/ERTN/Aborts/Damaged:

42-75875	DNTO engine trouble	SX-M	Lt. Burlingame flying.
42-22751	DNTO engine trouble	SX-W	Lt. Owens flying*
42-75161	ABT radio out	YJ-P	Lt. Stump flying.**
42-75135	Engine trouble	YJ-Q	Lt. Thornell flying.
42-75191	MIA	YJ-D	Lt. Kenney flying.
42-7940	Mid-air collision	LH-M	Lt. Hurst flying.
42-8001	Mid-air collision Cat B	LH-V	Capt. Newhart flying.

*Now confirmed as SX-W and not SX-X as per Squadron records.

**For some reason the other 351st aborts and that of Lt. Poindexter were not reported to 8th Fighter Command.

A Brief History of SX-I of the 352nd Fighter Squadron

It seems a good time to catch up on some more long-delayed posting. Ash Gant and I worked on the details of SX-I in the 352nd Fighter Squadron around a year ago, but things got delayed and I’ve only just now got around to posting. Here is a brief history of the aircraft under this code with thanks to Ash and to Mike Martorella for his help with photos of his father’s aircraft. A/C 42-8390 P47D-2-RE. This was an olive drab razorback assigned to Lt. Robert P. Geurtz though he seems not to have ever named his aircraft. The aircraft was certainly with the Group at any early date (an oxygen leak and engine trouble forced the pilot to abort on the first two missions for the Group). There is an early photography of this aircraft on p.63 of Cross’s Jonah’s Feet Are Dry. Geurtz flew the aircraft on 34 missions in the period January to April 1944 (we don’t have details of the flights made in 1943). The Squadron sent the aircraft for salvage after Lt. Geurtz’s landing accident April 22, 1944.

The first SX-I (a/c 42-8390) after Lt. Robert P. Geurtz crashed on take-off after a tyre blew out April 22, 1944.

A/C 42-25771 P47D-22-RE.This was a natural metal finished razorback initially assigned to Lt. Donald J. Corrigan who flew it operationally three times between April 30 and May 20, 1944 (he completed his last mission on May 20 and left the Squadron May 24, 1944). His usual assigned aircraft was SX-P, but his son Kevin confirms that he told him he was assigned a “War Bond” plane and named it “Agony Wagon.” After Corrigan left the Squadron the aircraft was flown most often by Lt. Virgil C. Johnston who flew the aircraft on 20 missions between April and June 1944. He was lost in this aircraft on June 10, 1944 when it was brought down by flak while he was strafing Rennes airfield (MACR 5561 refers). There is a further photo of “Agony Wagon” on p.231 of Cross’s Jonah’s Feet Are Dry.

Lt. Donald J. Corrigan was the first assigned pilot to the second SX-I (a/c 42-25771) and called it “Agony Wagon.” The single kill marking indicates it is his aircraft (Johnston had no kills) though the name has yet to be painted on the aircraft in this shot. The name of the ground crewman is unknown.

A/C 42-26631 P-47D-25-RE. A natural metal finished bubbletop assigned to Lt. William T. McGarry and named “Butch” by him. The aircraft name and “Butch II” (his later SX-B) is often mistakenly attributed to 352nd CO Bill Bailey. McGarry flew the aircraft on 34 missions between June and August 1944. The aircraft was brought down by ground fire near Dernancourt August 7, 1944. The pilot, Lt. Richard Daines, was killed in action (MACR 7444 refers). A/C 44-19798 P47D-28-RE. A natural metal finished bubbletop assigned to Lt. Frank H. Bouldin and named “Miss Mary Marie” by him. The aircraft was flown on a handful of missions by Bouldin between August and September 1944 (the photo on p.233 of Cross’s Jonah’s Feet Are Dry confirms Bouldin as the assigned pilot). The aircraft is sometimes listed as P-47D-28-RA 42-28798, but we feel this is incorrect because 42-28798 was assigned to the 351st Fighter Squadron and 44-19798 shows up, as you would expect, in 352nd battle damage reports (see also the close-up photo of the serial below).The aircraft would have left the Squadron when they converted to the P-51 Mustangs.

The fourth SX-I (a/c 44-19798) named “Miss Mary Marie” by Lt. Frank H. Bouldin (Gant)

Another shot of “Miss Mary Marie” with Sgt. George Gardner. (Gant)

This time it’s Sgt. Frank Helke with “Miss Mary Marie.” (Gant)

A close-up of the serial number of the fourth SX-I confirming it’s 44-19798. (353rd FG Archive)

N.B. Various sources on the internet state that P-47 42-74680 was re-coded to SX-W from SX-I. We can find no evidence to substantiate this and feel it is unlikely as there is no gap in the chronology of the other aircraft. Corrections and clarifications are always welcome. A/C 44-14495 P51D-10-NA. This aircraft was assigned first to Lt. Frank H. Bouldin and named “Dallas Doll” by him after Miss Christine Crisp of Dallas, Texas. The aircraft flew 85 missions with the Squadron between October 1944 and April 1945 and was the only P-51 to carry the SX-I coding. Bouldin flew the aircraft for 30 of those missions and completed his tour in mid January 1945.  The Squadron then assigned the aircraft to Lt. Michael J. Martorella who renamed the aircraft “Jeannie” for his fiancé and later his wife when he returned from Europe (Jeannie’s full name was Regina but she went by the name of Jean). Martorella flew 18 of his 40 assigned missions in the aircraft including the Group’s final mission of the war on April 25, 1945.

The famous picture of the fifth SX-I (a/c 44-14495) named for Miss Christine Crisp of Dallas, Texas by Lt. Frank H. Bouldin.

With such a great photo it is easy to miss the details. Note the design around the pilot and crew names on “Dallas Doll.”

As a final word on the crew for SX-I – the crew chief throughout the war was S/Sgt. Clarence E. Frye, the Assistant Crew Chief until at least Lt. McGarry’s tenure was Sgt. Thomas W. Hacker (no ACC is listed on “Miss Mary Marie” and the ACC for “Dallas Doll/Jeannie” appears to have changed to a Sgt. E. C. Town/Brown but sadly the photo is unclear and the Squadron roster does not help either). The armourer throughout the war was Sgt. John F. Gibb.