Mission#85 February 25, 1944 – Target: Regensburg

Date: Feb 25, 44

Dispatched: 49 Aborts: 4

Mission: Withdrawal Support to 360 B-17s (3rd Div) Field Order: 251

Time Up/Down: 13:36 hrs (A) 14:00 hrs (B) 17:00 hrs (A) 17:00 hrs (B)

Target: Regensburg

Leader: Lt Col. Rimerman (A), Major Bailey (B)

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

“A” Group:

L/F in Walcheren 14:18 hrs, 21,000ft. Proceeded on course and in [the] vicinity city of Luxembourg saw two CWs east to approx. 20 miles north of Saarbrucken. R/V with First Division B-17s at 15:10 hrs and one small box of Third Division B-17s and several boxes of B-24S. Individual CWs in good formation. Left bombers 15:55 hrs, approx. 10 miles south of Sedan. No e/a seen. Out Nieuport 16:25 hrs, 15,000ft. No bombers seen in trouble. Two pilots returning early strafed A/D at Charleroi Gosselies, probably destroying a Do217 and damaging a Ju88. Lt Col. Rimerman and 1st Lt. Thistlethwaite of Group HQ participated.

351st: Lt Col. Rimerman. T/U 13:33 hrs. T/D 17:10 hrs. Total flight time 03:37 hrs. Route: In at Walcheren Island, over St. Quentin, out at Cape Gris Nez. 16 P-47s (A Group). 1 P-47 (B Group). Three aborts – two belly tanks and one radio. Walcheren Island at 14:25 hrs at 21,000ft. All units along bomber withdrawal route at 15:14 hrs at 22,000ft. P-47s and P-38s [seen]. [Left bombers] East of St. Quentin at 15:55 hrs at 22,000ft. [L/F out Cap Gris Nez at 16:30 hrs at 22,000ft. [Three 350th pilots flew with the Squadron].

Lt Col	Ben	Rimerman	(A Gp Ldr)	YJ-N
1st Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite		YJ-T
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance	(350th)	YJ-A
2nd Lt	Harry D.	Milligan		YJ-Y
1st Lt	Frank N.	Emory	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-E
2nd Lt	George F.	Perpente		YJ-G	42-75688
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire		YJ-M
F/O	Cletus	Peterson		YJ-P
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-L
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian		YJ-H
1st Lt	William R.	Burkett		YJ-B	42-75457
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz		YJ-W
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-O
2nd Lt	Irving	Toppel		YJ-I
2nd Lt	Richard D.	Stanley		YJ-R	42-75507
2nd Lt	Kenneth	Chetwood	(350th)	YJ-F
2nd Lt	William J.	Weaver	(Relay)	YJ-U

352nd: Capt Robertson. T/U 13:35 hrs. T/D 17:10 hrs. Total flight time 03:35 hrs. L/F in south of Walcheren Island at 14:22 hrs, 24,000ft. R/V’d with B-17s of the First and Third Division. B-24’s were also seen. Bomber formation good. P-47s, 38s and 51s [seen]. No aerial combat. Yellow 2 and 3 dove at a Me110 which was in the center of Luxembourg A/D. The nose of the E/A was enveloped in flame, burning badly when they pulled up. After climbing back to 16,000ft, E/A were sighted on the runway at Charleroi Gosselies. (Many bomb craters were observed on the A/F). A low level attack was made and Yellow 2 got hits on what is believed to be a Do217 and Yellow 3 on what he believes to be a Ju88. Left bombers SW of Charleville Mezieres at 15:50 hrs at 20,000ft. L/F out S of Ostend at 16:23 hrs, 17,000ft. 9/10ths overcast over North Sea, 10/10ths inland for approx. 10 miles, decreasing to 3/10ths further in on the Continent.

Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(A Group)	SX-H
2nd Lt	Clifford F.	Armstrong		SX-F
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame		SX-M
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison		SX-G
Capt	Thomas J.	Forkin	(Flt Ldr)	SX-W
2nd Lt	William S.	Marchant		SX-K
1st Lt	William F.	Streit		SX-A
2nd Lt	Glenn G.	Callans		SX-V

1st Lt. William Marchant, flying Slybird Yellow 2, was awarded an Me110 destroyed, shared with Lt Streit and a further Do217 damaged:

After leaving the bombers east of Luxembourg, Yellow 3 and I sighted what we believe was Luxembourg airfield. We went down from 25000ft and saw e/a on the airfield when we were about 12000ft. We made a turn and came out of the Sun in about a 60 degree dive. I led the attack with Yellow three following, opening up at about 1000 yards, closing to about 200, and saw the e/a explode. Bright red flames enveloped the nose and cockpit. We pulled up abruptly in a chandelle to the left rather than go straight across the airfield. Ground defences were surprised upon the initial attack but fired accurately when we pulled up.

After climbing back to about 16000ft, we sighted e/a on the runways at an airfield, believed to be Charleroi Gosselies (many bomb craters were seen on this field). Yellow three led the attack, going from SW to NE in approximately a 30 degree dive. He picked an e/a on the north side of the airfield and I fired at a twin engine e/a on the south side, believed to be a Do217. I opened fire at about 1000 yards and closed to point blank range, observing many strikes on the wings and fuselage. Pieces of the e/a flew off on all directions. I had trouble pulling up over it because of my high speed. Gun crews were running to their positions. I noticed tracers going past my wing tips as I pulled away from the field. We then came back to base.

Yellow three was 1st Lt. William F. Streit who shared the Me110 destroyed and was awarded a further unidentified twin engine aircraft damaged:

Marchant led the attack, diving down from 12000ft in about a 60 degree dive. Yellow two fired on an Me110 and a large puff of smoke and flame came from it. I came in behind and fired from about 500 yards, closing to about 300. Many strikes were observed. As I pulled up to the left I looked back and saw the e/a burning badly.

We gained altitude to about 16000ft and set course for home again. We spotted another airfield with several e/a dispersed on it. We came down in formation. Each picking a plane, I opened fire at 1000 yards, closing to 300 on a twin engine e/a, which I couldn’t identify, just off the end of the SW to NE runway. I got several strikes on the e/a. This time I stayed on the deck for a ways to avoid the flak and small arms, as it was fairly intense (light) at the first airfield. We then pulled up, gained altitude, and came home.

“B” Group:

L/F north of Ostend 14:47 hrs. Bombers at 18,000ft. CWs in good formation. Flew to rear boxes of bombers in approx. Vicinity of Luxembourg escorting bombers until 16:01 hrs, leaving vicinity St. Quentin. Out Berk Sur Mer 16:25 hrs, 20,000ft. RAF Mustangs and Spits observed. Capt. John B. Rose of Group HQ participated.

352nd: Major Bailey. T/U 14:00 hrs. T/D 17:00 hrs. Total flight time 03:00 hrs. L/F in at 14:47hrs north of Ostend at 22,500ft. R/V’d with B-24S at 15:20hrs near Sedan at 28,000ft. Heard Goldsmith 1-6 call saying they were at Luxembourg. We turned left and proceeded to Luxembourg and R/Vd with B-17s there at 15:30hrs at 28,000ft. Noticed only one small box of Third Division. Bomber formation was good. Very few stragglers. Observed other P-47s, P-51s and Spits. Left bombers near St. Quentin at 18-20,000ft at 16:01hrs. Left coast over Berck sur Mer at 16:25 hrs at 20,000ft. “A” channel good. At approx. 14:45hrs remarks in German or Dutch were heard. “C” channel good but there was too much conversation and they were not identifying themselves properly. [Weather] same as 352nd “A” Squadron.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(B Group)	SX-B
2nd Lt	Joseph A.	Schillinger		SX-J	42-7910
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits		SX-U
2nd Lt	Harry H.	Dustin		SX-Y	42-22465
Capt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)	SX-S
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan		SX-R
2nd Lt	Wilton W.	Johnson		SX-O
2nd Lt	Hildreth R.	Owens		SX-Q

350th: Major Pidduck. T/U 14:00 hrs. T/D 17:04 hrs. Total flight time 03:04 hrs. L/F Ostend 14:50 hrs, 27,000ft. R/V Longayon 15:20 hrs, 23,000ft. Close. P-47, Spitfires. No e/a. Left bombers St Quentin 16:00 hrs, 23,000ft. Left coast Cayeux 16:23 hrs, 23,000ft. Nil flak, R/T normal. Low 6/10 overcast. No middle or high cloud.

Major	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Sqdn Ldr)
1st Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
1st Lt	John	Sullivan
1st Lt	Carl W.	Mueller
Capt	Robert E.	Fortier	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Abel H.	Garey
1st Lt	Robert N.	Ireland
1st Lt	Chauncey	Rowan
1st Lt	John L.	Devane	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	John	Zolner
1st Lt	Joseph F.	Furness
1st Lt	Roland N.	McKean
1st Lt	William J.	Price	(Flt Ldr)
F/O	William W.	Hargus
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
Capt	John B.	Rose		YJ-V
1st Lt	Francis T.	Walsh	(Relay)

Group Aborts/ERTNs:

42-75683	ERTN radio was out	SX-Z	Did not fly.*
42-75507	ABT glass elbow broken	YJ-R	Lt. Stanley flying.
42-75688	ABT radio out	YJ-G	Lt. Perpente flying.
42-8623	ERTN escort	LH-F	Unknown
42-7910	ABT prop out	SX-J	Lt. Schillinger flying.
42-22465	ERTN escort	SX-Y	Lt. Dustin flying.
42-8374	ABT couldn’t drop tank	SX-D	Did not fly.*
42-75457	ABT glass elbow broken	YJ-B	Lt. Burkett flying

*Aircraft are not listed on Squadron flight plans and so may not have made take-off or form-up.

Mission#84 February 24, 1944 – Target: Gotha.

Date: Feb 24, 44

Dispatched: 49           Abort: 4

Mission: Penetration support to 1st ATF, 180 B-24s

Field Order: 250 Target: Gotha

Time Up/Down: 10:59 hrs     14:20 hrs

Leader: Lt Col. Rimerman (A), Lt Col Duncan (B)

Claims Air: 05-00-01Claims Ground: 00-00-01 Lost/Damaged: 00-03

A & B Groups L/F north of Ijmuiden 11:47 hrs at 20,000ft. R/V with 1st TF B-24s north of Lingen 12:15 hrs. Bombers at 18,000ft, good formation. Left bombers 12:50 hrs NW Gottinger. Vicinity of Steinhuder Lake, White flight of “B” Group engaged 8 Fw190s destroying 5. “B” Group L/F out south Egmond 13:20 hrs from deck to 23,000ft. One pilot returning on deck observed four T/E E/A on airdrome, believed to be Enschede, strafed same, damaging one T/E A/C. Crossing Zuider Zee this pilot fired upon by armed M/V (approx. 4-5,000 tons). This M/V strafed, many strikes seen on ship. “A” Group L/F out north of Hague 13:50 hrs, 12,000ft. E/A attacking bombers with 20mm Hoxter area, engaged and dispersed, but made no claims. One bomber seen to break in half and go down in flames vicinity Hardenberg, one chute observed. One S/E A/C thought to be P-47 seen headed down trailing smoke vicinity Newenhaus. Several E/A seen engaged by 56th Group vicinity Dummer Lake, two seen destroyed. One B-17 white triangle, but with red circle around star seen on deck Schipol airdrome, appearing to land. The E/A increased throttle and made for Channel when one of our A/C investigated it, later turned in land when we passed it. Airfield at Munster appeared deserted. Airfield vicinity Deelen seen smoking as if recently bombed. Boat seen burning off Egmond. Moderate flak Osnabruck. Lt Col. Duncan, Lt Col. Rimerman and Capt. Stafford of Group HQ participated.

Combat Results

1 Fw190 destroyed Lt Col. Duncan

1 T/E E/A damaged (ground) Lt Col. Duncan

1 Fw190 destroyed Lt. Walsh (350th)

2 Fw190 destroyed Lt. Stearns (350th)

1 Fw190 destroyed Lt. Rowan (350th)

1 Fw190 damaged Lt. Poindexter (352nd)

350th: Capt Pidduck. T/U 10:57 hrs. T/D 14:04 hrs. Total flight time 03:07 hrs. L/F in N of Ijmuiden 11:46 hrs, 22,000ft. R/V B-24s and B-17s tail end of. Area of Furstenau, 12:27 hrs, 31,000ft. Good. P-51, P-47, P-38. 8 190s SE of Dummer Lake 7-15,000ft. Left bombers 20 miles SE Dummer Lake 12:50 hrs, 31,000ft. Left coast S Egmond 13:20 hrs, 23,000ft. Heavy accurate Osnabruck. R/T normal. Boat burning of Egmond. Very good weather.

Major	Stanley R.	Pidduck	(Sqdn Ldr)
2nd Lt	Arthur C.	Bergeron
1st Lt	John	Sullivan
1st Lt	Carl W.	Mueller
Capt	Robert E.	Fortier	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Abel H.	Garey
1st Lt	Robert N.	Ireland
1st Lt	Joseph F.	Furness
Lt Col	Glenn E.	Duncan	(Flt Ldr)	LH-T	42-74665
1st Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
1st Lt	Francis T.	Walsh
1st Lt	Chauncey	Rowan
1st Lt	John L.	Devane	(Flt Ldr)
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
1st Lt	Melvin P.	Dawson
2nd Lt	Kenneth	Chetwood

Lt Col Duncan leading “B” Group [single belly tank] in White flight of the Squadron was awarded an Fw190 destroyed, a Ju88 damaged and also a boat damaged. During the intense fight with a skilful enemy his aircraft was hit in the wing by a 20mm round after which Duncan headed out and made an emergency landing back at Metfield.

For the February 24, 1944 mission Lt Col. Duncan borrowed Capt. Charles W. Dinse’s LH-T “Fatty Patty II” (a/c 42-74665). He brought it back to Metfield with a “man-sized” hole in the wing after it was hit by 20mm fire from a skilful adversary that made the landing a “little rough”.

Duncan’s wing man, 1st Lt Richard A Stearns, claimed two Fw190s destroyed:

We started a bounce on eight Fw190s (approx 12.45 hrs in the vicinity of Obernkirchen) that were below and off to the left of a box of B-24s. On going down we discovered that there were some P-47s from another Group, also mixing it up with the 190s and our first bounce was broken up by them cutting in front of us. We pulled up into a left climbing turn, and as we did I looked back and saw a 190 on my tail – at the same time feeling hits on my plane. I broke left – the altitude was around 15000ft – and started a roll down with everything in the corner. I gave my flight leader a call and told him I wasn’t with him anymore and continued to roll down. About 8000ft I leveled off and saw I had lost him. The 190s were still pretty thick, so I picked one out and started my attack. I came in almost dead astern, with a little deflection, and gave him a short burst from 300 yards, observing strikes along the wings and around the engine. I closed to 175 yards at which time the 190 went into a steep left climbing turn and I saw more strikes on his right wing. We had dropped down to about 1500ft, or less, when the e/a started for the ground on its back. Just before it hit, the canopy flew off and the pilot shot out and his chute opened. The plane hit the ground and exploded.

After breaking off my first combat and being alone, I started climbing and was around 3- 4000ft when two more Fw190s jumped me. I broke into them and we started a Luftberry that lasted several minutes. One e/a would pull out to the side, and as I would turn with the other one, he’d come at a quarter head on attack. We traded head on attacks quite a few times and it was on one of these that I downed another e/a. I opened fire with a short burst at about 350 yards, and saw strikes around the engine and on his left wing. By this time we were down to 1500ft. The e/a flipped over on his back and hit the ground in almost a vertical dive and exploded. I didn’t see the pilot get out. I made one more turn with the e/a that was left and then hit the deck. He followed me down, and we were both going balls out on the tree tops. The range was too great for him to get any hits on me – about 1000 to 1200 yards and with water injection I soon out distanced him. When the e/a was out of sight I climbed to 10000ft and came out alone.

Flying second element lead in Basement White flight was 1st Lt. Francis T. Walsh who was also able to destroy an Fw190:

The Colonel spotted about 8 Fw190s that had just attacked the bombers and were queuing up again below the ‘big friends’ for another attack. We bounced these e/a from 23000ft, and contact was made at approximately 15000ft, vicinity of Steinhuder Lake. I had a deflection shot at one of these red nosed 190s but observed no hits. Then I closed to dead astern, fired a short burst that hit the Jerry on the left wing root. The whole left wing broke off in pieces that flew back at me. The action was accompanied by a burst of flame. The last I saw of the Fw190, the ship was disintegrating. Combat took place from 15 to 7000ft. My wing man Lt. Rowan, after I started zooming back up, saw a Fw190 trying to get on my tail. He shot the jerry off and observed him spinning down. It was a very good piece of team work on the part of my wing man.

1st Lt. Chauncey Rowan reported the destruction of White flight’s fifth Fw190:

I observed Lt. Walsh firing at a Red nosed Fw190 down to about 7000ft or less, he was dead astern of the Fw190. He fired, and the e/a promptly blew up. Lt. Walsh then pulled up in a steep climb. I followed about 3 – 400 yards behind him. Immediately after pulling up, an Fw 190 pulled straight up between Lt. Walsh and me, attempting to attack my element leader. The e/a presented a target with about 30 to 40 degree deflection. I pulled the sight thru his line of flight and led him. At times he was obscured from vision by the engine of my plane. He was 200 yards or less from me. I observed strikes near and on his cockpit. He then spun to the left smoking as he went down. The altitude was about 9000ft and I did not see the e/a recover from his spin after observing 6 or 7 turns. This e/a was firing at Lt. Walsh and radio chatter prohibited me from advising Lt. Walsh that he was in danger.

351st: Lt Col Rimerman [“A” Group with wing tanks]. T/U 10:51 hrs. T/D 14:25 hrs. Total flight time 03:34 hrs. Route: In at Ijmuiden, R/V with bombers, over Hanover, out at Noordwijerhout. Ijmuiden at 11:47 hrs at 20,000ft. R/V with B-24s. Some boxes close and some boxes loose. 56th Group [and] P-51s [seen]. South of Hanover at 12:48 hrs. At Noordwijerhout at 13:49 hrs, 21,000ft. Remarks: One bomber seen to break in half and go down in flames in Hardenbergh area. One S/E plane seen headed down trailing smoke in Neuenhaus area – thought to be P-47.

Lt Col	Ben	Rimerman	(A Gp Ldr)	YJ-A
2nd Lt	Harry D.	Milligan		YJ-Y
1st Lt	William R.	Burkett		YJ-B
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz		YJ-I
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-D
2nd Lt	Hassell D.	Stump		YJ-W
2nd Lt	Richard D.	Stanley		TJ-R
2nd Lt	Frank J.	Mincik		YJ-N
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-L
2nd Lt	Joseph A.	Schillinger	(352nd)	YJ-T
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire		YJ-M
2nd Lt	Jack	Terzian		YJ-Z
1st Lt	Frank N.	Emory	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-E
F/O	Cletus	Peterson		YJ-P
Capt	Charles L.	Stafford		YJ-F
2nd Lt	George F.	Perpente		YJ-G

Flying with “B” Group:

2nd Lt

Clifford F.

Armstrong

(B Gp)

YJ-V

352nd: Capt Hoey [“A” Group]. T/U 10:58 hrs. T/D 14:03 hrs. Total flight time 03:05 hrs. Penetration Support. L/F in north of Ijmuiden, A Group at 11:46 hrs, 22,000 ft and B Group at 25,000 ft at 11:48 hrs. R/V with the B-24s after passing over various B-17s, near an area east of Lingen at 12:30 hrs at 30,000ft for B Group and about 22,000ft for A Group. Bombers were flying fairly good formation within wings but B-24s were mixed with 17 CWs. Observed other P-47s, P-51s and P-38s. Many bandits seen in the area of Neuenhous. No combat. Engagements were made in Hoxter area but no claims. These E/A were Me109s and Fw190s, flying at about 20,000ft. Group left bombers at 12:48 hrs, 26,00ft near Holzminden. A Group stayed with them until 13:03 hrs and left near Northiem. B Group left coast north of Hague at 13:25 hrs at 24,000ft. A Group L/F out at 13:48 hrs over Noordwijk aan Zee. Moderate, light, accurate flak from Schipol area at 4,000ft. An airfield believed to be 8 miles west of Appeldoorn was seen smoking as if it had been bombed sometime today. “A” and “C” Channels good. Four medium sized ships seen coming out of river near Noordwal, proceeding north along enemy coast. One aborting B-17 escorted to England by an E/R from this Squadron [likely Corrigan]. One B-17 seen to blow up about 10 miles east of Lingen and one chute observed from it. Our A/C that encountered E/A today found that they were having considerable trouble trying to out-turn and out-climb E/A. Also two could not catch E/A in dive. One B-17 with white triangle, but red circle around star, seen on deck over Schipol airfield as if approaching to land there. The A/C increased throttle and made for Channel as one of our A/C investigated it. It then turned back inland as our A/C passed it. Several sets of towers, in twos, believed to be radio or radar towers seen on beach from Nordwijk aan Zee to Zandvoort. Rounds fired Poindexter 395, Marchant 616, Hoey 73, Gonnam 200.

Capt	Charles J.	Hoey	(A Sqdn Ldr)	SX-A
2nd Lt	Wilton W.	Johnson		SX-F
1st Lt	James N.	Poindexter		SX-H
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison		SX-G
1st Lt	Jesse W.	Gonnam	(Flt Ldr)	SX-U
1st Lt	William J.	Jordan		SX-K
1st Lt	Robert P.	Geurtz		SX-M
2nd Lt	William S.	Marchant		SX-Q
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan	(Spare)	SX-W

As the enemy aircraft broke for the deck, 1st Lt. James Poindexter, flying element lead in Green flight, claimed an Fw190 damaged:

My flight leader called and instructed me to take #3 in the e/a flight. I followed him down to about 2000ft and then began dogfighting. He had taken violent evasive action all the way down. My wing man and I could turn with him but I could not get more than two rings of deflection for firing. I fired about five short bursts during the turning but observed no strikes. This Fw190 outclimbed us and headed further inland. I thought it wise to break off the attack and return to base.

Slybird Black flight, led by 1st Lt. Jesse Gonnam, also defended the bombers:

After leaving the bombers and an engagement with two e/a, during which I was top cover, a single Me109 came in at two o’clock. I turned and fired a short burst but wasn’t head on enough to hit him. We broke down and to the left and one of my flight, Lt. Marchant, chased him down a short distance but could not close, so rejoined and we came on home.

“B” Squadron: Major Bailey. T/U 10:54. T/D14:30. Total flight time 03:05 hrs.

Major	William B.	Bailey	(B Sqdn Ldr)	SX-B
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame		SX-?
Capt	Thomas J.	Forkin		SX-S
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan		SX-O	42-22470
1st Lt	Gordon L.	Willits		SX-R
2nd Lt	Harry H.	Dustin		SX-Z

Group Damaged/Aborts/ERTNs:

42-   7910	ABT prop out	SX-J
42- 22470	ABT belly tank	SX-O	Lt. Corrigan flying.
42-   8623	ABT prop out	LH-F
42-   8661	ABT windshield	LH-?
42- 74647	BD Cat A	LH-U
42- 74665	BD Cat B	LH-T	Lt Col Duncan flying.
42- 75157	BD Cat AC	LH-Y

 

 

 

Mission#83 February 22, 1944 – Target: Aircraft Plants Bernberg. The Loss of Major Walter C. Beckham, Lt. Joseph E. Wood, Lt. Don M. Hurlburt, Lt. Edison G. Stiff and Capt. Keith A. Orsinger.

Date: Feb 22, 44

Dispatched: 50 Aborts: 5

Mission: Withdrawal Support to 300 B-17s (1st Div)

Field Order: 247 Leader: Lt Col. Duncan

Time Up/Down: 13:16 hrs     16:15 hrs

Target: Aircraft Plants at Bernberg, Oschersleben, Aschersleben, Halberstadt.

Claims Air: 04-00-00 Claims Ground: 03-00-02 Lost/Damaged: 05-03

Landfall over Schouwen Islands, 25,000ft. Flew on course R/Ving with 17 bombers 1st Div at 14:44 hrs and two Groups of B-17s in the rear at 15:03 hrs. Bombers at 18,000ft. 50+ T/E A/C on A/D 4 miles northeast of Bonn attacked by 351st Squadron, two destroyed, two probably destroyed. One larger hanger left ablaze, ground installations strafed. Major Beckham heard to say that he had six A/C in line for attack. After pulling up from this attack, he later informed his wing man that his engine was on fire and that he was forced to bail out. Two locos attacked in Germany, strikes seen on boiler. 10 miles SE of Antwerp, one Fw190 destroyed, seen to crash. In the vicinity of Diest Schaffen one Ju88 destroyed taking off from A/D. Antwerp A/D one FW190 destroyed on the ground. 8 miles south east of Munchen Gladbach 2 Me109s destroyed. Lt. Stiff received direct hit by flak 28,000ft on way in over Antwerp. Plane seen to hit ground – no parachute seen. Coming out on the deck Lt. Wood and Lt. Hurlburt hit by flak – one A/C seen smoking, the other’s engine on fire. Both turned inland. Just after R/V Capt. Orsinger was last seen in a spin possibly from E/A. Intense flak from Antwerp and Kohn. One B-17 and one P-47 seen hit by flak and go down at Kohn. No chutes seen. One B-17 20 miles off enemy coast at Haamsteede trailing smoke. Lt Col. Duncan, Capt. Charles L. Stafford and 1st Lt. Thistlethwaite of Group HQ participated.

Missing:

Major Beckham 351st FS

Capt. Orsinger 366th FG (reason unknown)

Lt. Wood 351st FS

Lt. Hurlburt 351st FS

Lt. Stiff 352nd FS

Claims:

1 Fw190 destroyed Lt Col. Duncan

1 T/E A/C destroyed (ground) shared by Lt Col Duncan and Major Holt

1 Fw190 destroyed (ground) Lt. Compton

1 Ju88 destroyed Lt. Compton

2 Fw190s probably destroyed (ground) shared by Major Beckham, Lt. Compton, Emory and Perpente.

2 Me109s destroyed Lt. Poindexter

1 Fw190 destroyed (ground) Lt. Newman

350th: Capt Newhart. T/U 13:15 hrs. T/D 16:21 hrs. Total flying time 03:06 hrs. L/F in at Walcheren, 14:04 hrs, 27,000ft. Close. P-47s, No e/a. Left bombers 15:12 hrs, 19,000ft. Flak Antwerp heavy, accurate. R/T normal. 7/10 coverage south and east of Ruhr. Solid overcast over western part of continent.

Capt	Dewey E.	Newhart	(Sqdn Ldr)
Capt		Barnhart	(366th FG)
1st Lt	John	Zolner
1st Lt	Richard A.	Stearns
1st Lt	Wayne K.	Blickenstaff	(Flt Ldr)
Lt		McGuire	(366th FG)
1st Lt	Francis T.	Walsh
1st Lt	Robert S.	Hart
1st Lt	John L.	Devane	(Flt Ldr)
2nd Lt	Abel H.	Garey
1st Lt	Robert N.	Ireland
1st Lt	Carl W.	Mueller
1st Lt	William J.	Price	(Flt Ldr)
F/O	William W.	Hargus
1st Lt	Tom	Lorance
2nd Lt	Kenneth	Chetwood

351st: Lt Col Duncan. T/U 13:10 hrs. T/D 16:35 hrs. Total flying time 03:25 hrs. Route: In at Walcheren Island, over Aachen, out at Walcheren Island. Walcheren Island at 14:03 hrs at 26,000ft. 2 Combat Wings of B-17S with Triangular markings, east of Cologne at 14:45 hrs, 22,000ft. 1 Group P-47s seen over Bruxelles at 14:50 hrs. Ju88s and Fw190s on airdrome east of Aachen. Left bombers in Aachen area. Left coast at Walcheren Islands at 15:55 hrs, zero altitude. Intense and accurate for altitude flak over Antwerp. Ground defenses on airdrome just east of Aachen very intense and accurate. Channel C contact good. Remarks: Major Beckham was last seen after making attack on six enemy aircraft lined up on the airdrome at Bonn. He called his wingman, Lt. Perpente, that he had to bail out and for him to take the Squadron home. His [Perpente’s] plane evidently not seriously hit. Lt. Hurlburt and Lt. Wood were also hit by ground installations coming out on the deck over Walcheren Islands. Both planes made a right turning evidently heading inland. Lt Wood’s plane had a small fire at the right wing root. Lt. Hurlburt’s plane seen to emit a trail of black smoke. Two damaged by flak (cat unknown). One late return also damaged. Three MIA Major Beckham, Lt. Wood and Lt. Hurlburt. One Ju88 destroyed by Lt. Compton on airdrome Diest-Schaffen. One Fw190 destroyed and two Fw190s probably destroyed by Lt. Compton. Others sharing in the two probable Fw190s are Major Beckham, Lt. Perpente and Lt. Emory [likely not counted as a credit]. One Ju88 destroyed by Major Holt and shared with Col. Duncan. Two locomotives (Germany) damaged by Major Holt. Hanger and ground installations damaged by Lt. Stanley and Lt. Treitz and Lt. Peterson.

Lt Col	Glenn E.	Duncan	(Gp & Sqdn Ldr)	LH-X	42-8634
Major		Holt	(366th FG)	YJ-H	42-75189
Capt	Charles L.	Stafford		YJ-A	42-75850
2nd Lt	Frank J.	Mincik		YJ-T	42-75842
Capt	Vic L.	Byers	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-V
Lt		Kerr	(366th FG)	YJ-F
2nd Lt	John G.	Treitz		YJ-I
2nd Lt	Harry D.	Milligan		YJ-Y	42-75856
Major	Walter C.	Beckham	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-X	42-75226
2nd Lt	George F.	Perpente		YJ-G
1st Lt	Frank N.	Emory		YJ-E
F/O	Cletus	Peterson		YJ-P	42-75149
1st Lt	Gordon B.	Compton	(Flt Ldr)	YJ-O
F/O	Joseph E.	Wood		YJ-S	42-75647
2nd Lt	Richard D.	Stanley		YJ-B
2nd Lt	Don M.	Hurlburt		YJ-H	42-75653
1st Lt	William J.	Maguire		YJ-M	42-75114
1st Lt	William T.	Thistlethwaite	(Relay)	YJ-N
Capt	Frederick H.	Lefebre	(Relay)	YJ-L

Between 15.15 hrs and 15.55 hrs Lt Col. Duncan led the attack on 50 + twin engine aircraft. Duncan was awarded the Ju88 he attacked on the airfield and an additional Fw190. He was also credited a hanger damaged and two locomotives also damaged, shared with Major Holt [366th FG] who followed close behind:

I was Roughman White 2 with Lt Col. Duncan leading the Group. Just after R/V with the bombers, Col Duncan called for an attack on an airfield in the vicinity of Bonn. We dove from approximately 21,000ft in tight spirals to an area just east of the airdrome where we started our strafing run on the target towards the west.

As we approached the field Col. Duncan fired on a twin engine aircraft starting a fire. Selecting the same target, I fired at it also noticing a definite flare up as if another gas tank had been pierced with a resulting explosion.

We levelled off and experienced violent and accurate flak bursts all around us, discovering later that we had received a number of hits due to flak shrapnel [Flying a/c 42-75189 Holt was not awarded a share of Duncan’s t/e].

Proceeding on at ground level we next encountered a train NE and just a few miles from the field, both firing on the locomotive. We both got strikes on the engine, claiming damage. After this encounter we became separated and while apart I fired on a second locomotive in the same vicinity but farther on toward the NE, about 5 minutes after the first locomotive encounter. I saw strikes on the boiler, claiming damage.

After joining up again on the deck, Col. Duncan called my attention to a single engine a/c far off at about 500ft and proceeding across our course from the right. We flew on until the ship was well off to our left, when we turned in behind it and boosted up to full power to catch it. It proved to be an Fw190 and Col. Duncan fired. I noticed its wheels half dropped after observing strikes by Colonel Duncan. When he pulled up I fired on the e/a, then it started to dive into the ground. I continued to fire on it until I had to pull up. Looking back I saw it had crashed into the ground.

We continued on at approximately 310 degrees still at ground level. We passed over the coast without difficulty from flak or ground artillery. After staying close to the water for approximately 5 minutes, we pulled up into a climb. At about 8000ft we noticed a B-17 flying close to the water, also noticing that all four engines were operating, assuming the bomber to be all right. Having spiralled down to investigate, we climbed back up and proceeded on home. The bomber was sighted 30 to 40 miles SE of friendly coastline at Orfordness.

Following closely down onto the airfield were Roughman Blue Flight led by Major Beckham. His wing man, 1st Lt. George F. Perpente, described what happened next:

I was flying Roughman Blue 2 on Major Beckham’s wing. After making R/V with the bombers, Lt Col Duncan leading White flight, made a strafing attack on an airdrome just east of Bonn, Germany. Shortly afterward Major Beckham called and asked if it was all right to bring his section down. After getting no answer we started down from about 14000ft. We got down to about 7000ft and made an orbit. Major Beckham called and said he had some all lined up and let’s go. Then we rolled out of the turn and went down.

I saw him firing and getting strikes on some planes on the ground, and then I started to fire at them.Between following Major Beckham and trying to watch the ground I did not notice the exactness of my firing, but Emory flying Blue 3 says he did see hits on the planes. As I flew over the field I saw ahanger burning pretty badly.

They were shooting everything they could find at us. Tracers, bullets and flak were coming from every direction at us. Major Beckham then started a slight climbing turn to the right. I started to pull up with him, but he told me to stay low. I kept turning with him down low. He said for me to take a course of 310 degrees and go on home as he was going to have to bail out. I stayed with him a while longer. A little black smoke was coming out the rear of his ship, but did not seem to be on fire. Then he kept heading for a wooded area and was about 1000ft high. He called me again to go home, and at that point I left. Then I noticed that Lt Peterson, who was flying Blue 4, was right with me. We then pulled up into the clouds at 3000ft, but they only lasted a few minutes so we hit the deck and came home all the way there. Once we left the target no more flak was shot at us.

Beckham had been hit by long-range flak during his dive and, after bailing out, was immediately captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stalag Luft III and Nuremberg Langwasser 49-11.

[Back to the mission] Following close behind Beckham’s flight was 1st Lt. Gordon B. Compton leading Roughman Yellow Flight:

Major Beckham made an attack on the airdrome. He said over the radio that he had six Fw190s lined up. I could not see these e/a but followed Major Beckham down anyway and fired in the same general area that he was firing at. As I closed I saw three Fw190s parked close together. I strafed and saw hits on all three, and saw one burst into flames. I pulled up off the target, turning about 90 degrees to the left, and heard Major Beckham say that he’d been hit, was on fire, and for everyone to get out.

I was about 500 ft high at this time and saw tracers coming from every direction, also flak was bursting uncomfortably close, so I hit the deck. I was now far enough south of Bonn to be able to take up a course in the general direction of home and just miss the suburbs of the town. Checking up on my flight, I found everyone present, (Lt. J. E. Wood, Lt. R. D. Stanley and Lt. D. M. Hurlburt, in that order) and that I had been joined by Lt. J. G. Treitz from Roughman Red flight.

We continued out on the deck, being shot at occasionally by ground defense, and shooting targets which got in our way. As we approached Diest Schaffen airfield from the Southeast I saw a Ju88 break out above the horizon, Northwest of the town. Apparently it had just taken off. I continued on a course that was taking us south of the town. The Ju88 flew right out in front of us at about 100ft. I then fired a short burst at the e/a allowing for 15 to 20 degrees deflection at 400 yards, saw no results, so I turned dead astern and at 150 to 200 yards fired three bursts. The first burst started the left engine smoking and small pieces began to fly off. The second burst did the same thing to the right engine. The third burst struck the tail section. There was a loss of speed in the Ju88 and I overshot to the right, noticing that the prop had stopped and that the plane had started down. I glanced up at my mirror and saw a sheet of flame as the e/a hit the ground. We then continued out, breaking landfall over Noord Bevenland Island.

Compton was awarded an Fw190 destroyed on the ground and also claimed the Ju88. Stanley and Treitz were also awarded a share with Peterson in a hanger destroyed. 1st Lt. John G. Treitz had originally been Roughman Red 3:

I was flying in Capt Byer’s flight. My Wing man had returned early because his radio was out (Lt Milligan), and the spare that filled in also returned because his belly tank would not release. After R/V with the bombers our flight followed Lt Col. Duncan’s flight down to strafe the airdrome. I lost sight of my flight so tacked on to Roughman Yellow flight and went down and strafed installations. From then on out we were on the deck, approximately 325 degrees. Flak over Bonn was intense and accurate down low.

The five of us were spread out line abreast. A Ju88 flew directly across our path after taking off. Lt Compton leading the flight pulled directly behind it and really clobbered it at close range. Pieces flew off it, smoke and flames poured out from the fuselage and left engine. Lt. Wood pulled up, and it looked like he gave it a short burst. When he passed it I pulled up and threw a few slugs at it too. The Ju88 crashed into the ground, splattering pieces and a ball of flame all over. No one could have survived.

Farther on a ground gun fired at us and I fired at it. As we were approaching the coast we were drawing fire from the guns there to, so I fired right back. As I passed over one of these guns I could see the gunner sitting beside his gun, which was pointed out to sea directly on our course. I got right down on the beach and water to give them as hard a target as possible.

Yellow flight, desperately trying to get home, were subjected to an intense barrage of flak from the shore battery. 1st Lt Compton described the further tragedy that was to strike the 351st that day:

Ground opposition was negligible (on way out) until we made landfall over Nord Bevenland. It was then that I passed directly over a battery of machine and flak guns concealed and camouflaged on the inside of the beach among what can best be described as sand dunes.

The guns operated by men in sand coloured clothing, opened up on us and Lt. Wood on my right wing said he had been hit. He pulled away from me leaving a trail of black smoke, altitude about 50 feet, and turned back toward land. Lt. Hurlburt, also on my right, was hit and turned back with Lt. Wood. I did not see Lt. Hurlburt and he did not call on the radio.

The guns continued firing until we were two or three miles out to sea, and we stayed right down on the water, until the firing ceased.

1st Lt. John Treitz, down as far as he could go, also heard the call:

We were coming out the coast on the deck at Nord Bevenland Island. Lt Wood was flying to my left and a little in front of me. Someone reported on the R/T that they were hit, at which time I saw a small fire on the wing root of Lt. Wood’s ship. He pulled across in front of me and to my right towards Lt. Hurlburt’s ship, who was flying slightly off my right. It was then that I saw Lt. Hurlburt’s ship smoking badly, evidently hit by flak.

They both turned to the right together just as we were leaving the coast when I saw the last of them. Their heading when I last saw them was about 40 degrees, only 50 feet off the ground. I did not watch them any longer because I was concentrating on staying as close to the water as possible. We were fired at well out to sea, flak bursting all around us which was very accurate [MACR 2671 and 2673 refer].

The Missing Air Crew Report Map showing the route when Hurlburt and Wood were last seen (353rd FG Archive).

Lts Wood and Hurlburt are memorialised on the Tablets of the Missing in the Netherlands American Military Cemetery. Further information can be found HERE.

352nd: Capt Robertson. T/U 13:13 hrs. T/D 16:15 hrs. Total flying time 03:02 hrs. Made L/F south of course over Walcheren Islands at 14:02 hrs, 25,000ft. Our B-24s aborted and we proceeded on to our intended R/V point, and at approx. 15:00 hrs picked up one box of B-17s who flew over Bonn. We made a turn and picked up B-17s who flew over Kohn. Bomber formation and task force was good. Observed other P-47 group flying below us. Six Me109s engaged near Erkelenz, Germany at about 15:10 hrs. Two were destroyed by Lt. Poindexter and the other four believed to have been the ones who destroyed Capt. Orsinger’s plane; he was not seen to have bailed out. Lt. Newman destroyed his 190 on ground at Antwerp A/D. Left bombers near Venlo area at approx 15:00 hrs. Left coast over Haamsteede at 20,000ft at 15:45 hrs. Intense heavy accurate, repeat accurate, flak from Antwerp. This is the reason for Lt. Stiff’s NYR. Intense, heavy flak from Kohn. One unidentified P-47 seen to go down, also one B-17. “A” channel good “C” channel poor contact. Small boats seen in the harbor at Willenstad. Weather off continent clear to 5/10ths over route. Tops around 6,000ft. Note: original target was not bombed but we picked up B-17s who flew over Bonn and bombed targets of opportunity in the Ruhr. Lt. Burlingame and Capt. Juntilla circled to observe Lt. Stiff’s plane which was hit by flak and were unable to join up then. Capt. Orsinger and Lt. Stiff not yet returned. 2 Me109s destroyed by Lt. Poindexter and 1 Fw190 destroyed by Lt. Newman (ground).

Capt	Raynor E.	Robertson	(Sqdn Ldr)	SX-S
2nd Lt	Donald J.	Corrigan		SX-G
1st Lt	James N.	Poindexter		SX-B
1st Lt	Charles W.	Kipfer		SX-Q
Capt	Thomas J.	Forkin	(Flt Ldr)	SX-W
Lt		Lusby		SX-V
1st Lt	Robert A.	Newman		SX-N
2nd Lt	Richard V.	Keywan		SX-F
Capt	Keith A.	Orsinger	MIA	SX-X	42-75140
1st Lt	Robert P.	Geurtz		SX-O
2nd Lt	Maurice	Morrison		SX-R
Capt	Wilbert H.	Juntilla	(Flt Ldr)	SX-K	42-75608?
2nd Lt	Hildreth R.	Owens		SX-J	42-7910
1st Lt	Gordon S.	Burlingame		SX-Z	42-75683
2nd Lt	Edison G.	Stiff	MIA	SX-L
2nd Lt	Wilton W.	Johnson		SX-U

The 352nd also had a disastrous day which started as they crossed over the enemy coast. At approximately 14.15 hrs, 7km north of Antwerpen, 1st Lt. Edison G. Stiff was lost to a direct burst of flak. 1st Lt. Gordon S. Burlingame reported what happened:

I was flying Wakeford Yellow 3 with Lt Stiff as my wing man. In the near vicinity of Antwerp, Belgium, we encountered some flak, and a group left turn was called to evade it. Our flight and Wakeford Blue flight were the last to come through the area and received a very accurate barrage at 28000ft. We were taking violent evasive action, including turns and altitude changes, when I saw Lt. Stiff receive a direct hit. His ship threw out clouds of flame and he spun down, burning all the way. I lost sight of him while making another turn. I did not see him get out or see a parachute.

Leading Yellow flight was Capt. Wilbert Juntilla:

He pulled straight up and burst into flames. He stalled and went into a spin still flaming badly. I called him but received no answer. I then watched him until the ship hit the ground. I saw no parachute, so I assume he went in with his ship [MACR 2672 refers].

Lt. Stiff is buried in the Ardennes American Military Cemetery and further information can be found HERE.

The rest of the Squadron continued and picked up a box of 1st Div B-17s around 15.00 hrs. The Squadron then made a left turn and picked up another group of bombers flying to Koln. About 10 minutes later, near Ecklenz, Germany six Me109s were encountered, with 1st Lt. James N. Poindexter accounted for two of them making him an ace:

We were escorting bombers on withdrawal from Koln. I called in two 109s at three o’clock low to my flight leader [Capt. Robertson] and he began an attack. I opened fire on the wing man of an element of e/a’s at about 350 yards and 30 degrees deflection as he was beginning an attack on the bombers. I observed no strikes on this burst so I closed to approximately 300 yards dead astern in a shallow dive and opened fire again. I observed many strikes on the wing roots and fuselage. A huge piece fell off the wing root and the canopy was blown off. The e/a burst into flame and grey smoke, then exploded in many pieces.

I then began an attack on the leader who had just shot down a Fortress in his only pass at the formation. This aircraft, an Me109, had the designation N7-5 in red letters on the fuselage. My opening fire was too great a range and deflection, however I closed very rapidly to dead astern and point blank range, firing short bursts. I observed only one huge flash or explosion in the left wing root and wing. I pulled up, almost hitting the e/a, and half rolled. His entire left wing blew off at the wheel fairings. I assumed this to be caused by the e/a’s ammunition exploding. The entire fuselage then caught on fire and the e/a tumbled and spun to the ground and crashed. My ship became half covered with oil from the debris of the e/a.

The other Me109s seen at the same time as Poindexter’s were believed responsible for the Squadron’s second loss of the day. Capt. Keith A. Orsinger, on attachment from the 366th Fighter Group, was last seen in a spin, possibly from enemy aircraft fire. I have no further information on Capt. Orsinger and there appears to be no MACR record available. His body does appear to have been returned to the US for burial around 1950. I would welcome any further clarification on his story.

On the way home from the mission 1st Lt. Robert A. Newman claimed an Fw190 destroyed on the ground, when Wakeford Red flight attacked an airfield:

I was flying Red 3 and my flight was coming out alone. I saw an e/a on the airdrome below, and as Red 2 was low on gas, just #4 [1st Lt. Richard V. Keywan] and I went down.

I made a large diving circle south of the drome and came in at ground level. I hopped a hanger and lined up on the e/a. I got very good strikes on the e/a, from wing tips to fuselage and a good concentration of hits in the engine and accessory section. I believe the e/a was starting to burn as I passed over it. I didn’t have a chance for a second pass. I believe the 190 was a new airplane as it was a silver colour. I fired 600 rounds, and except for a split second burst at a hanger, it was all on the e/a. The results were very good. I drew ineffective small arms fire from the airdrome but only had one small hit in my plane from it.

Group Lost/Damaged/ERTN:

42-75856	ABT radio out	YJ-Y	Lt. Milligan flying.
42-75114	ABT belly tank wouldn’t draw	YJ-M	Lt. Maguire flying.
42-75707	ABT turbo inoperative	SX-A
42-7910	ABT prop out	SX-J
42-75683	ERTN escort	SX-Z
42-75608	ERTN no manifold pressure	SX-?	SX-K by 9/7/44
42-75065	MIA	SX-L	Lt. Stiff flying.
42-75226	MIA	YJ-X	Major Beckham flying.
42-75140	MIA	SX-X	Capt. Orsinger flying.
42-75647	MIA	YJ-S	Lt. Wood flying.
42-75653	MIA	YJ-H	Lt. Hurlburt flying.
42-8634	BD Cat AC	LH-X	Lt Col. Duncan flying.
42-75281	BD Cat AC	Unknown*
42-75850	BD Cat A	YJ-A	Capt. Stafford flying.
42-75149	BD Cat A	YJ-P	F/O Peterson flying.
42-75842	BD Cat A	YJ-T	Lt. Mincik flying.
42-75189	BD Cat AC	YJ-H	Major Holt flying.

*Hopefully to confirm later.