391st BOMB GROUP CREW LISTS

SELECTED TAXI SHEETS THROUGH June, 1944

Mission No 4, 5 February 1944

Field Order 213

The Group set out to attack Cambria/Epinoy airdrome in France, but no attack was made due to navigational error. The Group had the dubious distinction of “touring” France for forty minutes without fighter escort, the pursuits having been forced to head for home due to low gas supply. No enemy fighters put in an appearance. Flak was moderate, but not very accurate.

1st Box

Brandon (574)

8 817-A1

Majka Carson

34 865-D 36 852-A

Barger

26 839-G

Wolfe Metelsky

33 837-O 36 838-B

Loesch (574) Kahley (574)

34 931-F 6 813-J

Garwick Bird Jarrett Callison

30 841-S 31 835-T 9 812-D1 31 851-M

Bush Walker

27 832-H 4 815-R1

Klimovich Nunnally Stanfield Shofner

2 799-T1 7 811-G1 30 840-R 35 800-C

Hollis Horridge

33 927-N 4 816-S1

2nd Box

Stalnaker (575)

13 804-A

Olfson Aldridge

40 847-H 15 825-B

La Framboise

16 943-F

Tucker Ruble

42 844-D 21 823-N

Jacobi

38 268-K

Sparks (575) Fry (572)

19 831-H 49 972-F

Wolfe Mitchell Kelley Harrison

23 822-O 19 801-G 41 827-G 37 808-C

Oliver Adelman

22 830-M 37 849-B

Schirmer Hanish Brubaker Young

20 820-S 14 829-C 18 802-P 39 853-F

Smith Wilkinson

39 716-O 41 008-L

Mission No 7, 2 March 1944

This afternoon mission was Amiens Marshaling Yard

1st Box

Williams-Adams (573)

6 803-K

Logan Shaffner

14 829-C 15 825-B

Rutledge

13 804-A

Merrigan Dearing

18 978-Q 21 823-N

Clark

49 833-U

McNulty-Armstrong (573) Ljunggren-Curren (573)

16 943-F 17 890-K1

Snyder Sloss Boone-Sellers Boylan

18 802-P 19 831-H 22 830-M 17 826-J

Thorn Gibson

23 822-O 20 820-S

Farrell Porter Marble Anderson

20 850-R 24 828-L 19 801-G 16 842-D

Bernzen Holliday

48 932-T 43 854-S1

2nd Box

Kahley-Salmon (574)

8 817-A

Majka Carson

34 865-D 36 852-A1

Barger

36-838-B

Jarret Metelsky

834-B1 26 839-G

Loesch-Walker (574) Nestlerode(574)

34 931-F 26 818-L

Stanfield Moore Wolfe Shofner

30 840-H 28 798-K 32 873-U 35 800-C

Bird Bush

31 835-T 27 832-H

Klemovitch Garwick Nunnally Hollis

27 807-J 30 841-S 31 851-M 33 927-N

Watkinson Callison

3 836-N 2 947-U1

3rd Box

Fry-Kelley (575)

48 950-A

Petti Wolfe

37 808-C 38 846-P

LaFramboise

49 972-M

Sterngold Tucker

41 827-G 42 844-D

Mitchell (575) Jobe (572)

36 843-J 4 815-R

Ruble (Kelleys crew) Oliver Whitson Danforth

40 845-O 3 806-M1 2 799-T 9 813-J1

Olfson Schleicher

40 847-H 7 811-G1

Adelman Lubojasky Engelking Jacobs

9 810-C1 9 812-D1 7 819- H1 4 816-S

Barker

1 809-O

Mission No 31, 22 April 1944

1st Box

Williams (Hq & 573)

16 943-F

Logan Shaffner

14 829-C 15 825-B

McNulty

19 ???-?

Hartman Baxter

40 845-Q1 40 847-H

Sellers (573) Thorn (573)

19 801-G 23 822-O

Clark Daffern Snyder Dearing

16 842-D 24 850-R 19 831-H 18 802-P

Armstrong Boone

24 820-S 24 828-L

Whitson Bollinger Youse Colsch

3 797-P1 11 012-F1 22 830-M 18 978-Q

2nd Box

Brandon (574)

32 873-U

Callison Wolfe

31 851-M1 37 268-K1

Salmon

34 931-F

Talton Watkinson

25 798-K 29 841-S

Bush (574) Sullens-Bird (574)

27 832-H 31 835-T

Metelsky Alexander Stanfield Garwick

49 805-V 28 807-J 29 840-R 25 818-L

Shofner Hollis

35 800-C 33 927-N

Newcomer Carson Majka Dauteuil

48 932-T1 35 852-A 7 819-H1 36 848-N1

Schleicher Danford

7 811-G 1 806-M1

Spare Lead

48 950-A

Mission No 40, 28 April 1944

Mission to Creil France

The Group was sent on a mission to bomb the Marshalling Yards at Creil France; the formation did not bomb due to weather.

1st Box

Williams-Kelley (572

6 803-K

Hanlon Baehr

9 812-D 17 890-K1

Erickson

8 008- L

Whitson Walker

5 972-A 18 978-Q

Jobe (572) Schleicher (572)

4 815-R 13 804-A1

McCarty Crim Danforth Blute

1 806-N 24 828-L1 6 813-J 23 822-O

Dickinson Barker

8 834-B 1 806-M

Jacobs Fry Alexander Smith

4 012-F 14 829-G 2 797-P 21 823-N1

Sp: Holliday Sp: 22 820-S

19 831-H

2nd Box

Brandon (574)

32 873-U

Newcomer Watkinson

29 840-R 25 818-K

Bird

31 835- T

Watson Shoffner

41 827-G1 37 808-C

Kahley (574) Salmon (574)

39 846-P 34 931-F

Alexander Dauteuil Majka Carson

28 807- J 40 847-H1 34 835-D 49 833-U1

Hollis Bush

33 927-N 27 832-H

Callison Lowder Metelsky Horridge

29 841-S 36 848-N1 26 839-G 25 798-K

Sp: Garwick

16 945-F1

Spare Lead 48 950-A

Spare Ship 49 805-V

Mission No 43, 1 May 1944

Mission to Douai France

First mission of the day of the new month saw the Group to the rail marshalling Yards at Douai, France. Thirty-eight B-26’s were dispatch at 0942 Hours, as directed by Field Order 34-293, 99^th Combat BombWing. Their course took them to North Foreland to their fighter rendezvous at 51 degrees 13 minutes North, 02 degrees 20 minutes East, to Nieuwpoort on the enemy coast to Deinze to the I.P at five miles South of Valenciennes to the target. Sixteen Ships of the first box dropped sixty-four 1000- pound general purpose bombs on the Aniche Marshalling Yard, mistaking it for the primary target. Eighteen ships of the second box dropped seventy-two 1000--pound General Purpose bombs from 12,000 feet on the primary target at 1109 hours. One of the aircraft dispatched failed to bomb for personnel reasons, one because of a delayed take-off and failed to catch the formation, and two with engine trouble. Only from a dozen to twenty bursts of heavy fire flak were encountered on the entire mission, and the formation returned to base at 1210 hours, via Furnes and North Foreland without damage.

1st Box

Adams (573)

13 804-A

Snyder Clark

21 823-N 4 012-F

Armstrong

24 820-S

Dearing Goodson

18 802-P 18 932-T

Shaffner (573) Ljunggren (573)

15 825-B 23 822-O

Baxter Hartman Colsch Youse

2 947-U 1 836-N1 18 987-Q 22 830-M

Sloss Porter

19 831-H 8 008-L

Koehl Dillard Bollinger Bjork

25 798-K 5 972-A 14 815-R 3 797- P1

2nd Box

Stalnaker-Kelly)

48 950-A

Tucker Schirmer

38 844-D 41 972-M

LaFramboise

40 847-H

Wilkinson Petrich

29 840-R 31 835-T

Wolfe (575) Sullens (575)

39 846-P 31 851-M1

Ruble Fleck Martin Harlow

39 853-F1 36 843-J1 32 873-U 35 852-A1

Hanish O'Hare

41 827-G 37 808-C

Lead Spare (No Crew)

6 803-K

Mission No 44, 1 May 1944

Mission to Valenciennes France

A second mission planed for the same day was despatched to bomb the Rail Marshalling

Yards at Valenciennes, but the planes returned without accomplishing the attack, turning back a few miles inside enemy coast because of thick haze obscuring the ground.

1st Box

Sellers (573)

13 804 -A

Snyder Clark

21 823-N 4 012-F

Armstrong

24 820-S

Dearing Goodson

18 802-P 48 932-T

Adams (573) Samuel-(Thorn's crew) (573)

15 825-B 23 822-O

Baxter Hartman Colsch Youse

2 947-U 1 836-N1 6 813-J 22 830-M

Sloss Porter

19 831-H 9 810-C

Holliday Dillard Bollinger Bjork

17 890-K 5 972-A1 4 815-R 3 797-P

Koehl

35 800-C1

7 811-G Spare

2nd Box

Williams (Hqs & 575

6 803-K

Schirmer Tucker

38 844-D 41 972-M1

Mitchell

34 931-F

Petrich Wilkinson

29 840-R 31 835-T

Wolfe (575) LaFramboise (572)

39 846-P 31 851-M

Fleck Lakin Harlow Martin

39 853-F 36 843-J1 32 873-U 36 848-N

Ruble O'Hare

41 827-G 37 808-C

Rutledge Keidinger Sullivan Schreiber

33 927-N1 25 798-K1 28 807-J 16 943-F1

Baehr

19 801-G

Spare Ship 40 847-H

Spare Lead 48 950-A

Mission No 45, 2 May 1944

Mission to Valenciennes France

Thirty-eight of the Groups B-26’s were dispatched at 1447 hours on May 2^nd to attack the Railway

Marshalling Yards at Valenciennes, France, as directed by Field Order 36-295, 99^th Combat Bomb Wing. The two boxes of planes followed a course from Base to East Church to North Foreland, where an escort of RAF Spitfires was picked up, to Furnes to Waregem to an initial point of 50 degrees, 31 minutes North, 04 degrees 08 minutes East to the target. Each plane carried fourteen 250-pound General Purpose bombs, and all but one plane, which developed a runaway propeller and had to return without completing the mission, bombed the primary target at 1626 hours. Bombing results, as interpreted from strike photo’s, were reported as follows:

First Box: Very good to excellent results. Bombing was done by eighteens. A concentration

of all the bombs fell in the target area. Hits were observed on a locomotive depot, canal bridge, on various buildings adjacent to the round house, and on a factory across the canal on the left side of the round house.

Second Box: Very good to excellent results. Bombing was done by eighteens. The concentration

fell in the target area, with hits on a locomotive workshop and on a factory beside the canal.

At the target, both boxes turned right to Waregem and then proceeded to Furnes to North

Foreland and to base, where time down was 1730 hours. No flak or enemy fighters were encounted during the entire mission.

1st Box

Loesch (574)

34 931-F

Majka Carson

42 972-M 41 827-G

Bush

32 873-U

Metelsky Horridge

26 839-G 25 927-N

Bird (574) Hollis (574)

31 835-T 33 927-N

Stanfield Garwick Wolfe Callison

36 848-N1 36 843-J 33 844-D 31 851-M1

Alexander Shoffner

28 807-J1 35 800-C

Newman Watson Dauteuil Watkinson

31 853-F1 40 847-H 37 808-C1 49 833-U

Talton

39 853-F1

2nd Box

Miller (572)

2 947-U

Hanlon Walker

5 972-A 8 008-L

Ljunggren

1 806-M1

McCarty Koehl

1 836-N 3 797-P

Dickinson (572) Jobe (572)

8 834-B 4 815-R

Alexander Baehr Jacobs Whitson

15 825-B1 9 810-C 4 012-F 2 799-T

Danforth Barker

6 813-J 6 803-K

Fry Smith Holliday Dewitt

23 802-O 22 830-M1 17 890-K1 19 831-H

Blute

18 802-P1

Spare Lead: 48 950-A

Mission No 47, 7 May 1944

Mission to Mezieres, France

Another rail marshalling yard, this one at Mezieres/Charleville in France, was the target for attack on the morning of 7^Th May. There was much air activity during the morning with the 8th Air force attacking targets in Germany, the 97^th Wing attacking other targets in France, and the 98^th Wing attacking in Belgium. Field Order 42-300, 99^th Combat Bomb Wing, governed the attack by the Groups under its control, including the 391^st. Thirty-nine of the Group’s B-26’s took of at 0830 hours on a course to Hastings, England, to the enemy-held coast of Tocqueville, from where they proceeded to St. Just to the Initial Point for the bomb run at 49 degrees 31 minutes North, 04 degrees 46 minutes East, to the target.

Weather was poor all along the route with 8/10 cloud cover obscuring landmarks. At the target, the same conditions held, and only twenty aircraft identified the objective clearly enough to permit bombing of this enemy held French Land.

Seventy-eight 1000-pound bombs were released at 1035 hours, with the following results interpreted from strike attack photos.

Box 1¾1^st Flight, no attack;

2^nd Flight, excellent results with the concentration falling on the Aiming Point, with direct hits on

several repair buildings.

3^rd Flight, no attack.

Box 2¾1^St Flight, no photo coverage

2^nd Flight, poor results, with concentration falling about 1000 yards south east of the Aiming Point. At the small cloud break near the target.

3^rd Flight, No attack.

Medium inaccurate flak was experienced at Londinieres and Grandvilliers on the way to the target, but there was no sign of enemy activity on the return route, and all aircraft landed at Base at 1230 hours without damage.

1st Box

Williams (Hqs & 572)

7 803-K

Hanlon Walker

9 812-D 5 972-S

Erickson

4 815R

McCarty Holliday

22 820-S1 19 831-H

Jobe-Samuel (572) Schleicher (572)

2 947-U 6 811-G

Whitson Crim Blute Smith

18 802-P 15 825-B 4 012-F 17 890-K1

Danforth Dickinson

7 813-J 18 978-Q

Baker DeWitt Koehl Reynolds

3 809-O 24 828-L 21 823-N 23 822-O1

Spare Lead 13 804-A

Loaded spares 39 846-P

22 830-M

2nd Box

Loesch-Bush (574)

40 847-H

Metelsky Horridge

39 853-F 36 843-J

Majka

34 865-D

Wolfe Callison

1 851-M 31 851-M

Bird (574) Kahley (574)

1 835-T 34 931-F1

Stanfield Garwick Dauteuil Carson

14 829-C 27 832-H1 38 716-O1 35 852-A

Alexander Shofner

41 827-G 41 972-M1

Watson Watkinson Evans Newman

38 844-D1 49 833-U 37 808-C1 49 805-V

Spare: Hollis

38 848-N

Mission No 48, 7 May 1944

Mission to Le Mans

The 391^st was ordered to attack the Aero Engine repair plant at Le Mans, France. 20 aircraft were sent on a route to Brighton, England, where a rendezvous with the 344^th Bomb Group was made, which led to the target. 9th AF P-38 fighters were met. They continued with their escort to the target where four-1000 pound General Purpose bombs were dropped on the target by each of 19 planes, one failing to bomb. The bombs were released by flight of sixes, with the following results:

1^st Six Poor results.

2^nd Six Excellent results.

3^rd six good results.

Weather was good and no flak was experienced on the entire route.

Miller (572)

13 804-A

Hanlon Walker

9 812-D 5 972-S

8 803-K

McCarty Holliday

1 836-N 19 831-H

Jobe

2 947-O

Schleicher (572) Roeper (572)

7 811-G 1 806-M

Whitson Crim Blute Smith

18 830-M1 15 825-B 4 102-F 8 008-L

Danforth Dickinson

6 813-J 22 820-S1

Barker Dewitt Koehl Reynolds

3 809-O 24 828-L1 21 823-N1 4 815-R

Alexander

3 797-P

Spare Lead 16 943-F

Spare Loaded 5 673-A

Major Miller’s bombardier for this mission was Lt. Lyons and Capt. Turnage as navigator.

Capt. Roeper’s bombardier was Lt. Hemphill.

Capt. Schleicher’s bombardier was Lt. Johnson.

Mission No 53, 10 May 1944

Mons Marshalling Yard, Belgium

Another railway marshalling yard, this one at Mons in Nazi-held Belgium, was the target for the Group’s attack on the morning of May 10. As directed by 99^th Combat Bomb Wing’s Field Order 48-306, the Group dispatched thirty-eight B-26’s at 0907 hours on a course to North Foreland to Furnes to Waregem to Nivelles to an Initial Point at 50 degrees, 30 minutes North, 04 degrees, 20 minutes East of the target, which was reached at 1036 hours. Royal Air Force Spitfires picked up the formation at North Foreland and escorted the bombers to the target. Thirty-seven of the Group’s planes dropped two hundred ninety 500-pound General Purpose bombs on the target, only one failing to attack due to bomb rack malfunction. Results of the attack as quoted from first phase interpretation of the strike photo’s were as follows:

Box 1: 1^st Six: Excellent results. The concentration fell beside the Aiming Point,

all within the target area.

2^nd Six: Good Results. The bombs fell about 150 yards left of the Aiming Point

within the target area.

3^rd Six: Good Results. The main concentration, falling approximately 300 yards

to the left of the Aiming Point, hit within the target area. A minority of the

bombs landed 1000 yards to the left of the Aiming Point, extending into a canal.

Box 2: 1^st Six: Excellent results. The entire pattern fell within the target area, landing

on the Aiming Point.

2^nd Six: Good Results.

3^rd Six: Excellent Results.

1st Box

Brandon (574)

32 873-U

Stanfield Garwick

29 840-R 29 841-S

Barger

48 950-A1

Watson Newman

34 865-D 31 835-T

Salmon (Sullens) (574) Hollis (574)

30 248-V1 33 927-N

Watkinson Horridge Wolfe Callison

23 818-L 25 798-K 29 597-P 37 268-K

Bush Shafner

39 846-P 35 800-C

Metelsky Alexander Dauteuil Evans

26 839-G 39 853-F 35 843-J 49 805-V

Spare Lead 16 943-F

Spare Ship 40 671-L

2nd Box

Schleicher (Simpson) (572)

7 803-K

Barker Blute

3 809-O 6 819-H

Jobe

6 811-G

Dewitt Smith

7 813-J 8 008-L

Earll (572) Roeper (572)

24 820-S1 1 806-M

Hanlon Baehr Alexander McCarty

21 823-N1 9 810-C 3 797-P 1 836-N

Whitson Dickinson

16 825-B 8 834-B

Jacobs Crim Walker Reynolds

19 831-H1 24 828-L1 17 890-K1 5 972-S

Holliday

24 850-R

Spare 17 634-J1

Mission No 54, 10 May 1944

Mission to Douai, France

As a ” Pre-invasion war of nerves” continued during the spring days, so the air war to knock out the German–held railway yards and rail repair facilities went on at an increased pace. The Group’s target for the late afternoon of May 10 was the rail marshalling yard at Douai, France. This was not as successful as the morning mission due to bad weather.

The Group dispatched thirty-eight aircraft, each carrying fourteen 250-pound General Purpose bombs, at 1640 hours. The route out was from base to North Foreland to Furnes to 50 degrees, 32 minutes North, 02 degrees, 53 minutes east to the target. Here eighteen planes dropped two hundred fifty-two General Purpose bombs on the target and one flight of seven turned left and released ninety-five of its bombs on a secondary target at Tourcoing, another marshalling yard.

Summarizing first phase interpretation report of strike photos, the following conclusions are drawn:

The first flight of the first box had no photo coverage, but cloud forced the flight lower than the altitude calibration set on the lead bombsight, and the flight must have dropped short.

The second flight of this box bombed with excellent result, with direct hits on tracks and repair sheds. All bombs were in the target area. The third flight did not attack.

In the second box flight, two flights had poor results, one from poor visibility and one through

a bombardier’s accidental early release. The other did not attack.

At the target, the first box was split up into flights because of weather, and the second box left the enemy coast at Ostend. In all six ships were battle damaged by flak, but there were no casualties. Planes returned to Base at 1905 hours.

1st Box

Loesch (574)

32 873-U

Metelsky Dauteuil

26 839-G 30 847-B

Hollis

33 927-N

Wolfe Callison

39 597-P 34 865-D

Salmon (574) Barger (574)

30 248-V 39 853-F

Newman Watkinson Evans Horridge

40 671-L1 25 818-L 47 833-U1 25 798-K

Shofner Alexander

35 800-C 45 843-J

Stanfield Garwick Watson Lowe

29 840-R 29 841-S 46 932-T 39 846-P1

Spare Lead 46 950-A

Spare Ship 47 805-V

2nd Box

Earll (572)

7-803-K

Hanlon Baehr

7 813-J 9 810-C

Schleicher

8 008-L

Barker Blute

3 809-O 6 819-H

Jobe (572) Roeper (572)

23 822-O 1 806-M

Dewitt Smith Alexander McCarty

24 828-L1 21 823-N1 6 811-G 1 836-N

Whitson Dickinson-Ringstrom

15 825-B 8 834-B

Jacobs Crim Walker Reynolds

22 820-S1 19 831-H 5 673-A 5 972-S

Holliday

24 850-R

Spare Ship 17 634-J

Note: The Post Loading list for this mission gives Capt. Erickson as 2^nd Box Leader with

Lt. Hanisch as bombardier and Lt. Brooks as navigator.

Mission No 60, 15 May 1944

Mission to Evreux/Fauville Ammunition Dump

(Mission recalled due to bad weather)

1st Box

Miller (572)

14 806-M

Hanlon Baehr

9 812-D 9 810-C

Roeper

1 819-H

McCarty Alexander

22 820-S 18 797-P

Earll (572) Schleicher (572)

8 673-A 6 811-G

Jacobs Koehl Barker Blute

13 815-R 38 716-O 7 813-J 6 748-Q

Whitson Dickinson

15 799-T 8 834-B

Reynolds Crim Smith Holliday

19 831-H1 22 830-M1 14 828-L 24 850-R

Dewitt

47 805-V

2nd Box

Brandon (574)

34 931-F

Stanfield Garwick

29 840-R 29 841-S

Ljunggren

41 827-G1

Lowe Alexander

47 833-U 36 807-J

Salmon (574) Hollis (574)

30 248-V 32 927-N

Metelsky Horridge Wolfe Dauteuil

37 839-G 37 798-K 31 739-O 21 740-U1

Shofner Newcomer

35 800-C 18 747-T

Watson Newman Evans Watkinson

31 851-M 36 832-H 32 597-P 30 818-L

Rutledge

44 808-C

Spare Lead 40 847-H2

Spare Ship 40 671-L

Spare Ship 45 855-R

Mission No 61, 19 May 1944

Mission to Fecamp, France

For the third time during the month, planes and combat crewmen of the Group paid a visit to the Nazi coastal defenses at Fecamp, France, during the evening of May 19. 99^th Combat Bomb Wing’s Field Order 59-318 ordering the cross channel attack with P-47’s supplying an umbrella protection over the target.

Thirty-six aircraft were dispatched on the mission with thirty of these dropping their bombs and one flight returning them to Base after failing to identify the target, which was shrouded in haze, after three runs over the area. Results of the two hundred thirty-four 500-pounders dropped on the target ranged from poor to good by flights, the majority of one flight hitting in the target area. Weak inaccurate flak was encountered, but there was no damage or casualties on the trip.

Planes returned to Base at 2110 hours.

1st Box

Brandon - Bird (574)

40 847-H

Metelsky Lowe

37 839-G 45 843-J

Majka

34 931-F

Alexander Newman

36 807-J 38 832-H

Salmon (574) Loesch (574)

30 248-V 36 832-H

Morris Dauteuil Wolfe Horridge

32 597-P 32 927-N 31 739-O 37 798-K

Watson Shofner

40 671-L 39 846-P

Carson Garwick Evans Watkinson

31 851-M 29 841-S 34 865-D 49 808-C

2nd Box

Erickson (572)

15 947-U

Hanlon Baehr

9 812-D 9 810-C

Dickinson

30 818-L

Walker Reynolds

8 673-A 13 719-F

Roeper (572) Schleicher (572)

6 811-G 14 806-M

Alexander Koehl Barker Blute

22 820-S 21 823-N 18 747-T 6 748-Q

McCarty Danforth

14 836-N 7 813-J

Holliday Fry Smith Dewitt

24 828-L 21 740-U 13 815-R 18 802-P

Gibson

22 830-M

Spare Lead 40 847-H

Spare Ship 47 833-U

Mission No 65, 22 May 1944

Mission to Beaumont-le-Roger, France

The Beaumont-le-Roger Airdrome was the target assigned to the Group by 99^th Wing Field order 63-322 on the afternoon of May 22. Since the weather was not favorable for visual bombing, thirty-two planes which the Group dispatched, were led to the target by two Pathfinder planes. No flak or enemy fighters were encountered on the entire trip, and a total of eight 600-pound and two hundred fifty-four 500-pound General Purpose and two leaflet bombs were dropped, using the pathfinder technique. Results of the first box were not determined because of overcast, but results of the second box was poor, photo’s from one flight revealing the concentration four and one-half miles from the primary target. All aircraft returned to safely to base.

Planes took off at 1340 hours and reached the target at 1540 Hours.

1st Box

Pathfinder

18-878

Miller (572)

15 947-U

Barker Blute

16 809-O 6 748-Q

Roeper (572) Ljunggren (Hqs & 572)

14 806-M 13 719-F

Smith Alexander Hanlon Baehr

6 811-G 13 815-R 9 812-D 9 810-C

McCarty Walker

14 836-N 18 802-P

Holliday Fry Reynolds Crim

19 831-H 22 830-M1 7 813-J 8 834-B

Spare Lead 7 803-K

Spare Ship 25 825-B

2nd Box

Pathfinder

872

Loesch (574)

26 804-A

Alexander Shofner

40 847-H 35 800-C

Samuel (574) Barger (574)

32 927-N 34 931-F

Evans Watson Dauteuil Horridge

46 855-R2 38 716-O 32 597-P 24 850-R1

Carson Majka

45 843-J 34 865-D

Lowe Newman Watkinson Wolfe

47 833-U 41 743-Q 30 818-L 29 840-R

Salmon

39 839-G

Mission No 70, 26 May 1944

Mission to Paris, France

Several hundred of the Group’s combat crewmen and thirty-eight planes went to the Environs of Paris on the afternoon of May 26. The target for the bombardiers was the highway bridge across the Seine at Poissy, northwest of the former French capital. Each plane carried two 2000-pound General Purpose bombs.

The formation took off at 1600 hours on a route from the base to Hastings to Etretat to a point at 49 degrees 09 minutes North, 00degrees 53 minutes East to the initial point for the bomb run, which was two miles South of Mantes, to the target. The objective was reached at 1748 hours.

Bombing was done by flights of sixes with the following results reported by the Group photo Interpreters.

Box 1 – 1st six: Good. In excellent concentration, bombs fell 500 feet West of the M.P.I

2nd six: Excellent. A tight pattern burst approximately 200 Feet northwest of the M.P.I,

scoring probable hits on the bridge.

3rd six: Poor. The concentration landed about 1300 feet southwest of the M.P.I.

(Bomb run disrupted by prop wash from lead flight)

Box 2 – 1st six: Fair. Falling in the water, bombs hit about 700 feet North of the M.P.I.

2nd six: No attack. (Rack malfunction in lead aircraft)

3rd six: Excellent. A tight concentration pattern bracketed the M.P.I, with hits on the

bridge

Eight aircraft sustained flak battle damage at and directly after leaving the target, and one crew member was wounded. The Group returned to base at 1909 hours. Mission was directed by Field Order 71-330, 99th Combat Bomb Wing.

1st Box

Brandon (574)

19 801-G

Stanfield Watkinson

29 840-R 8 673-A

Barger

35 800-C

Horridge Shofner

37 798-K 29 841-S

Newcomer (574) Hollis (574)

32 597-P 27 943-F

Dauteuil Lowe Alexander Carson

45 843-J1 47 833-U 36 807-J 31 739-O

Majka Bird

34 865-D 16 809-O1

Newman Evans Watson Talton

39 853-F 40 847-H 25 825-B 44 808-C1

Cassiday

45 855-R1

SPARE LEAD 27-943-F

SPARE 46-620-B

SPARE 25-825-B

2nd Box

Miller (572)

15 947-U

Baehr Hanlon

6 740-Q 9 812-D

Dickinson

8 834-B

Reynolds Walker

23 822-O 16 797-P

Roeper (572) Jobe (572)

14 806-M 13 815-R

Koehl Alexander Jacobs Fry

28 842-D1 19 831-H 13 719-F 24 828-L

McCarty Whitson

14 836-N 15 799-T

Dewitt Holliday Danforth Smith

17 747-T1 21 823-N 7 813-J 22 830-M1

Colsch

46 620-B

Mission No 71, 27 May 1944

Mission to St.Pierre du Vuvray Bridge, France

Another railway bridge spanning the Seine was the target assigned by Field Order 72-331 of the 99th Combat Bomb Wing in the early afternoon of May 27. Thirty-eight of the group’s planes were dispatched at 1220 hours on a route to Splashers Number 7, to Beachy Head, to Etretat, to a point at 49 degrees 10 minutes North, 00 degrees 56 minutes East to an Initial Point for the bomb run, two miles south of Mantes, to the target which was located just northwest of Louvieres. The bridge was knocked out by some of seventy-six 2000-pound bombs, which the planes dropped. Four of the six flights of planes were given an “excellent” rating by interpretation of the strike photos. One received a “good” rating, and the last was listed as “fair”

Leaving the target after bombing at 1418 hours, the planes followed a route to a point four miles northeast of Pontoise, to 49 degrees 10 minutes north, 00 degrees 56 minutes east, to Etretat, to Beachy Head, to base.

There were no losses, casualties or battle damage, and the planes were all down safely at 1517 hours.

1st Box

Bush (574)

40 847-H

Alexander Horridge

36 807-J 37 798-K

Kahley

36 832-H

Watson Carson

39 846-P 37 839-G

Salmon (574) Bird (574)

38 848-N 26 804-A

Newman Evans Stanfield Morris

44 808-C 47 811-V 45 855-R 32 927-N

Shofner Majka

41 827-G 34 865-D

Talton Watkinson Dauteuil Lowe

47 833-U 30 818-L 38 716-O 32 597-P

Baxter

17 747-T

2nd Box

Erickson (572)

19 801-G

Hanlon Baehr

9 812-D 6 748-Q

Dickinson

8 834-B

Walker Reynolds

16 809-G 8 673-A

Roeper (572) Jobe (572)

14 806-M 7 803-K

Alexander Koehl Fry Crim

39 853-F 22 820-S 6 811-G 13 719-F

McCarty Whitson

14 836-N 15 799-T

Holliday Dewitt Smith Danforth

24 828-L 21 823-N 23 822-O 7 813-J

Youse

19 831-H

Spare Lead 19 801-G

Spare Ship 39 853-F

Spare Ship 45 855-R

Mission No 72, 27 May 1944

Mission to Paris, France

The bridge Maison Laffitte, carrying rail lines directly into Paris from the northeast, was the target assigned to the group for the evening of May 27 by Wing Field Order 73-322. Thirty-seven aircraft were dispatched at 1907 hours on a course to Beachy Head, to Etretat, to the initial Point for the bombing run at 48 degrees North 01 degrees 36 minutes East to the target which was reached at 2046 hours. Twenty-three of the B-26’s dropped forty-five 2000 pound General Purpose bombs on the bridge, six failing to identify the target until too late, five others releasing on a point mistaken for the primary target, two failing to attack due to mechanical troubles, and one hit by flak on the bomb run.

Of the six flights, only one received a “Good” rating from the first phase interpretation of the strike photos, which said “In a scattered pattern, bombs fell on and near the M.P.I., with hits on the centre of the bridge and on the buildings at the northeast bank of the river.” Intense accurate heavy flak fire was encountered shortly after opening bomb bay doors, and it continued from seven to ten minutes. Number three ship of the high flight, first box, was hit in the right engine over the target, the engine catching fire. The prop was feathered by the pilot, and the plane, while losing altitude gradually, was returning on single engine, when light flak fire from the vicinity of Louvieres caught it and it crashed soon after. Three chutes were seen. In the meantime number five ship of low flight, first box, was hit over the target and was seen to crash in the vicinity of Averned, but six chutes were seen indicating that the entire crew escaped. Twenty-five of the remaining ships suffered flak and battle damage, and four crewmembers were wounded.

Planes returned to base via Etretat and Beachy Head and landed at base 2230 hours.

Planes and Crews Lost

Number Three Ship High Flight

Plane 42-95827 O8-G (575 Squadron) type B-26B-45-MA Marauder.

Crew from the 574th Squadron:

Pilot Captain James F. Shofner, 0-662682, from Beaumont, Texas P.O.W

Co-Pilot 2^nd Lt Bernard Davidson, 0-667495, from Jersey City, New Jersey K.I.A

Navigator Lt Steven J. Sivak, 0-669130, from Oakley, Michigan P.O.W

Engineer-Gunner S/Sgt Leslie R. Miller, 33180010, from Sayre, Pennsylvania P.O.W

Radio-Gunner T/Sgt Francis J. Holdridge, 32287062, from Syracuse, New York P.O.W

Armorer-Gunner Sgt Paul J. Wilson, 31013843, from New Boston, New Hampshire K.I.A

Number Five Ship Low Flight

Plane 41-31716 O8-O (575 Squadron) type B-26B-20-MA Marauder.

Pilot 2^nd Lt. Donat F. Dauteuil, 0-747759, from New Bedford, Mass. M.I.A

Co-Pilot 2^nd Lt. John T. Wilson, 0-691201, from Dresden, Tenn. M.I.A.

Navigator 2^nd Lt. Martin G. Koehler, 0-746893, from Philadelphia, Pa. P.O.W

Engineer-Gunner Sgt Charles C.Wade, 34265189, from Collbran, Ala Returned 21^st-Sept 1944

Radio-Gunner Sgt. Eugene F. Ride,r 36560221, from Ypsilanti, Mich. Returned 27^th Aug 1944

Armorer-Gunner Cpl Walter F. Poleski, 38188584, from Bartlesville, Okla. Returned 27^th Aug 1944

2nd Lt Koehler’s Chute was damaged by flak, and he bailed out with Sgt.Rider using one chute.

Mission Citations

572^nd Squadron

Woodrow W. Fry, 0748173, 2^nd Lt, Air Corps, United States Army.

For wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States on 27 May 1944, while serving as Pilot on a B-26 airplane on a combat operation mission over enemy occupied territory. Entered military service at Elmont, Long Island, New York. 2nd Lt Fry’s plane for this mission was 42-95809, P2-O

574^th Squadron

Capt Francis P Zimmer, 0-733249, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for participating on a mission as bombardier-navigator against enemy installations 27 May 1944. While on the bomb run the aircraft was severely damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Capt. Zimmer courageously remained at his post and dropped his bombs on the target with devastating effect. He then navigated the crippled aircraft back to base, carefully avoiding the heavy flak areas. Capt Zimmer’s great determination and coolness under fire contributed in large measure to the successful completion of this mission and the safe return of his aircraft to base.

574^th Squadron

A Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster was awarded to Lt. Julian P. Alexander for outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot on an important enemy target on 27 May 1944. The aircraft was seriously damaged by anti-aircraft fire while on the bombing run, but Lt. Alexander held his plane in formation until the bombs were released on the objective. He piloted the crippled plane back to base and, despite extremely poor visibility, successfully landed the aircraft without injury to his crew or further damage to the plane.

Lt Alexander’s plane for this mission was 42-95807, 4L-J, nicknamed “The Swoose.”

1st Box

Hollis - Brandon (574)

40 847-H

Majka Carson

34 865-D 37 839-G

Salmon

38 848-N

Stanfiel Watkinson

45 855-R 30 818-L

Newcomer (574) Bird (574)

35 838-B 26 804-A

Lowe Watson Shofner Horridge

2 840-R1 39 846-P 41 827-G1 31 739-O

Alexander Kahley

36 807-J 36 832-H1

Evans Deuteuil Morris Newman

47 811-V 38 716-O 32 927-N1 44 808-C1

Baxter

17 747-T

2nd Box

Jobe (572)

15 947-U

Fry Crim

16 809-O 13 719-F

Whitson

23 822-O1

Smith McCarty

8 673-A 14 836-N

Ericson-Sullers (572) Miller (572)

14 806-M1 7 803-K

Hanlon Baehr Alexander Koehl

9 812-D 6 748-Q 25 825-B 16 943-F

Dickinson Danforth

8 834-B1 7 813-J

Walker Reynolds Holliday DeWitt

29 852-A 1 819-H 24 828-L 22 830-M

Youse

16 842-D1

Spare Lead 19 801-G

Spare Ship 34 931-F

Mission No 77, 30 May 1944

Mission to Mantes-Sur-Seine, France

The Mantes-Gassicourt Highway Bridge over the Seine came under attack of the 391^st at 1147 Hours

on May 30. The mission was directed by Field Order 78-338, 99^th Bomb Wing, and thirty-eight planes were dispatched at 0930 hours, each carrying two 2000-pound General Purpose Bombs.

Bombing was done by flights of sixes, with the following results interpreted from the strike photos:

Box 1: 1st six: Poor. Bombs fell approximately 1200 feet West of the desired M.P.I

2nd six: Excellent. In a tight concentration, bursts occurred on and beside the M.P.I,

with hits on the bridge.

3rd six: Excellent. A scattered pattern of bombs landed on and next to the desired

M.P.I, with hits on the bridge.

Box 2: 1st six: Excellent. Also falling in scattered concentration bombs fell on and beside the

desired M.P.I, scoring hits on the bridge.

2nd six: No photo coverage. Oil on the lenses. (Group Bombardier reported excellent

results, on the basis of visual observation)

3rd six: Unknown. Smoke in area prevented adequate coverage.

There were no losses, damage or casualties, and the planes returned to base at 1323 hours.

1st Box

Miller (572)

7 803-K

Holliday Hall

18 978-Q1 9 810-C

Dickinson

8 834-B

Walker Reynolds

13 819-H 19 801-G1

Jobe (572) Schleicher (572)

8 673-A 6 811-G

Jacobs Crim Blute Smith

13 719-F 21 823-N1 6 748-Q 22 820-S

Whitson Barker

15 799-T 16 809-O

Koehl Fry McCarty DeWitt

28 842-D 24 828-L 16 836-N 23 982-O1

Ruble

26 810-W

2nd Box

Bush (574)

31 873-U

Metelsky Evans

37 839-G 17 595-V

Alexander

36 815-W

Carson Lowder

47 811-V1 45 855-R

Barger (574) Bird (574)

35 836-B 36 832-H

Wolfe Watson Stanfield Garwick

31 739-O 14 806-M1 44 268-K 41 678-M

Majka Salmon

34 865-D 9 812-D1

Sullivan Callison Lowe Newman

35 800-C 30 818-L 41 615-A 40 671-L1

Tucker

47 833-U1

Spare Lead 34 931-F

Spare Ship 32 927-N

Spare Ship 17 634-S

Mission No 78, 31 May 1944

Mission to Courcelles-Sur-Seine, France

To finish up its work for the month, the 391^st was assigned another bridge, a six-span steel girder construction 840 feet long at Courcelles-Sur-Seine, France. Thirty-six B-26’s were dispatched at 0945 hours and followed the course directed by Wing Field Order 79-339 to the objective. Bombing was done by flights of sixes, and the following results were evaluated by photo interpretation from the strike photos:

Box 1¾1st six: Excellent. Bombs fell in good concentration scoring probable hits on the eastern

end of the bridge

2^nd six: Excellent. The pattern burst across and beside the bridge, scoring probable hits.

3^rd six: No attack. (Bombsight malfunction in the lead ship)

Box 2¾1^st six: No attack. (Bombsight malfunction in the lead ship)

2^nd six: Poor. Bombs fell 400 yards east of the desired M.P.I., in and open field along the

river.

3^rd six : No attack. (Lead bombardier failed to identify target)

Nine of the planes sustained flak damage, but there were no losses or casualties.

1st Box

Samuel-Sullens (HQS & 572

14 806-M

Holliday Hall

9 812-D 9 810-C

Walker

13 819-H

Reynolds Alexander

8 673-A 24 828-L

Dickinson (572) Erickson (572)

8 834-B 6 811-G

Jacobs Crim Blute Smith

17 634-J 18 978-Q1 6 748-Q 17 595-V

Whitson Barker

15 799-T 16 809-O

Koehl Fry, B McCarty DeWitt

28 842-D 22 820-S 7 008-L1 26 810-W

Wolfe

2nd Box

Brandon (574)

31 873-U

Lowe Evans

41 615-A 40 671-L

Bush

36 832-H

Carson Lowder

35 800-C 30 818-L1

Kahley (574) Bird (574)

32 927-N 34 931-F

Stanfield Garwick Metelsky Alexander

44 268-K 21 823-N1 37 839-G 36 815-W

Salmon Newcomer

19 801-G 46 620-B

Wolfe Majka¾Doolittle Watson Newman

31 739-O 39 853-F 47 833-U1 47 811-V

Martin

Mission No 81, 3 June 1944

Mission to Coastal Defenses Battery at Mont Fleury, France

Thirty-four aircraft were dispatched to bomb on the Pathfinder technique. Results were not successful as one box of eighteen aircraft hit roads and fields about 600 yards northwest of the desired Aiming Point, and the second box strung its bombs at even a greater distance in the same direction. Six aircraft failed to bomb when the lead bombardier was unable to identify the target on a second run.

There were no losses, casualties, or battle damage.

1st Box

Pathfinder

Loesch (574)

34 931-F

Alexander Lowder

2 252-Z 29 818-L

Barger (574) Bird (574)

35 800-C 32 927-N

Watson Evans Stanfield Garwick

38 821-O 31 851-U 44 808-C1 29 841-S

Salmon Bush

46 932-T 36 832-H

Lowe Wolfe Metelsky Newman

45 855-R 44 268-K 37 839-G 47 833-U1

Morris

39 846-P

Spare Lead 37 873-U

Spare Ship 45 843-J

Spare Ship 38 849-N

2nd Box

Pathfinder

Erickson (572)

15 947-U

Fry Dickinson

13 819-H 1 815-R

Jobe - Ljun (572) Schleicher (572)

2 102-X 19 831-H1

Jacobs Holliday Smith Barker

5 008-L 21 823-N1 15 799-T 16 809-O

Walker Danforth

9 810-C 7 813-J

Crim Hall Koehl DeWitt

16 797-P 20 842-D1 24 828-L1 9 812-D

McCarty

14 836-N

Mission No 82, 4 June 1944

Mission to Coastal Defense Battery at Gravelines, France

Thirty-eight aircraft were dispatched and the bombing was done by flights. Only one of the six flights had excellent results, as strike photos show that its bombs bracketed the desired Aiming Point in a well concentrated pattern, scoring a direct hit on one gun position and a near miss on the other. Two of the flights bombed with good results and the remaining three were only considered as fair. Seventy 2000-pound General Purpose bombs and one leaflet bomb were dropped during the attack, and seven ships suffered flak battle-damage, but there were no losses or casualties.

1st Box

Brandon (574

34 931-F

Watson Lowe

46 932-T 38 927-N

Majka

34 865-D

Callison Carson

31 851-M 35 800-C

Newcomer (574) Bush (574)

31 739-O 36 832-H

Lowder Newman Metelsky Alexander

29 818-L 38 848-N 37 839-G 36 815-W

Kahley Salmon

45 843-J 37 873-U1

Bjork `Evans Stanfield Garwick

26 810-W 47 833-U 45 855-R 29 841-S

Hartman

17 595-V

2nd Box

Miller (572)

8 673-A

Koehl Barker

9 812-D 16 809-O

Danforth

7 813-J

Smith DeWitt

17 634-J1 19 831-H

Jobe (572) Erickson (572)

8 810-C 15 947-U

Jacobs Holliday Walker Alexander

13 719-F 28 842-D 13 819-H 16 797-P

Whitson Dickinson

15 799-T 13 834-B

Crim Fry McCarty Blute

28 978-Q 27 841-A1 14 836-N 6 748-Q

Dillard

21 823-N

Spare Lead 19 801-G

Spare Ship 24 806-C

Spare Ship 24 828-L

Mission No 84, 6 June 1944 (D Day)

Mission Target: Coastal Defenses at Benerville, St Pierre du Mont, and Maisy, France

Benerville Seventeen aircraft were dispatched but failed to attack due to weather, having encountered

icing conditions in clouds. The lone ship which bombed was a Pathfinder aircraft on special equipment, and the results were unobserved.

St. Pierre du Mont Seventeen aircraft were dispatched, and ten dropped sixteen 2000-pound General Purpose

bombs on the target. Pathfinder technique was employed from above the clouds, but since

there was no photo coverage, the results were unknown.

Maisy Seventeen aircraft were dispatched, all dropping a total of thirty-one 2000 Pound and two 1000-pound General Purpose bombs on the primary target area. Bombing was done by flights, with two having good results by striking within the target area, the third having poor results when the bombs fell about 1200 feet southwest of the desired Aiming Point, across a road and an open field.

Fifteen aircraft sustained flak battle damage, and one crew member was wounded. One enemy aircraft was destroyed by a pathfinder ship when it was attacked by 20 Focke-Wolfe 190’s in the clear as the rest of the formation was making a second run on the target. There were no losses to the Group’s formation.

S/Sgt George E Cochran, 36441881, of Decatur, Illinois, flying as waist gunner on the first raid of D-Day, destroyed his second enemy fighter, an FW 190. His plane was a Pathfinder ship leading the formation, but it swung away from the other planes as the target area was reached because the weather conditions permitted visual bombing. While the Pathfinder was on its way, alone, to join another formation in the area, the Nazi attacked, and Cochran picked him off at a range of approximately 200 yards.

1st Box

Pathfinder

35 579-G

Brandon (574)

34 931-F

Stanfield Garwick

35 838-B 35 800-C

Newcomer (574) Hollis – Bird (574)

32 927-N 32 873-U

Metelsky Evans Wolfe Watkinson

36 832-H 34 865-D 29 841-S 29 818-L

Majka Salmon

35 815-W 30 248-V

Callison Watson Lowe Carson

29 842-D 37 839-G 30 720-K 31 851-M

Newman

39 853-F

2nd Box

Pathfinder

11 872-?

Miller (572)

8 673-A

Hanlon Baehr

13 719-F 13 819-H

Erickson (572) Schleicher (572)

6 811-G 15 947-U

Walker Koehl Barker Danforth

9 834-B 6 748-Q 16 809-O 15 799-T

Dickinson Schirmer

9 812-D 16 797-P

DeWitt Holliday Sullivan Kiedinger

7 813-J 8 810-C 14 806-M 14 836-N

Dearing

41 615-A

3rd Box

Pathfinder

18 583-?

Sellers (573)

19 801-G

Snyder Baxter

17 595-V 17 634-J

Olfson (575 Thorn (573)

47 811-V1 41 847-H

Petrich Ruble Colsch Youse

47 833-U 44 808-C1 24 828-L 21 802-P

Kelley Logan

44 268-K 24 822-O

Lakin Jacobi Clark Bollinger

45 855-R 46 932-T 23 830-M 22 806-C

Schreiber

40 671-L1

Authors note: Lt. McCarty’s logbook shows he flew 42-95836 P2-N on this mission.

Mission No. 87, 7 June 1944

Mission to Briouze, France

Target: Railroad sidings at Briouze, France. Thirty-eight aircraft were dispatched on the mission to bomb in flight of sixes. The bombing results, as determined from strike photos, gave one flight an excellent rating with a concentration on the desired Aiming Point and on a train. The other flights were rated from good to poor. In all, one hundred eighty-four 500 pound and one hundred and eighty-two 250 pound General Purpose bombs were dropped. Because of cloud cover, the planes bombed from 3100 feet. One aircraft was shot down by flak several miles West-Southwest of Caen, and eleven other aircraft sustained flak battle damage from light flak positions. Three crew members were wounded.

Plane and Crew Lost

Plane 42-95848 O8-N (575th Squadron), type B-26B-50-MA Marauder.

Pilot 2Lt. Leroy R. Sullivan, 0-806168, from Fraibault, Minn. K.I.A.

Co-Pilot 2Lt. John A. Hobson, 0-658821, from Shreveport, La. K.I.A.

Bombardier 2Lt. Richard E. Ivory, 0-749906, from Kalamazoo, Mich. Returned 10/June/44

Engineer Gunner T/Sgt. Joseph F. Roberge, 31265792, from Salmon Falls, N.H. M.I.A.

Radio Gunner S/Sgt. Virgil W. Byng, 36815269, from Rala-CynWyd., Pa Returned 10/June/44

Armorer Gunner S/Sgt. Kenneth D. Peterson, 37220369, from Oxford, Kansas K.I.A.

1st Box

Stalnaker (575)

41 847-H

Lakin Wolfe

40 678-M 42 025-S

Schirmer

47 833-U

Sullivan Kiedinger

38 848-N 46 932-T

O’Hare (575) Petrich (575)

44 808-C 47 7811-V

Ruble Wilkinson Fleck Tucker

39 853-F 45 855-R 45 843-J 40 671-L

Jannsen La Framboise

38 821-O 41 615-A

Martin Rutledge Schreiber Harlow

37 839-G 44 268-K 35 838-B 35 800-C

Wolfe

2nd Box

Thorn (573)

19 801-G

Colsch Youse

22 978-Q 28 841-S

Sellers

24 822-O

Boylan Snyder

17 634-J 23 823-N

Armstrong (573) Roeper (572)

24 828-L 6 5811-G

Bjork Clark McCarty Koehl

25 810-W 22 7806-C 16 797-P 8 5810-C

Logan Barker

28 102-X 16 809-O

Dearing Dillard Whitson Holliday

21 802-P 17 595-V 15 799-T 6 748-Q

Spare Lead 37 873-U

Spare Ship 13 819-H

Spare Ship 9 834-B

Spare Ship 8 673-A

Mission No 88, 8 June 1944

Mission to Valognes, France

Target: Railroad Junctions at Valognes, France. Thirty-eight planes were dispatched to this objective, and the bombs were released from 8000 to 9000 feet altitude. The first box received a fair rating with the concentration falling approximately 650 feet from the desired Aiming point. The second box rated good for two flights and fair for the third. Thirty of the planes suffered flak battle-damage, one combat crewman was killed, and five were wounded.

1st Box

Miller (572)

8 637-A

Baehr Hanlon

17 634-J 13 719-F

Dickinson

11 972-S

Walker Reynolds

23 747-T 1 008-L

Jobe (572) Schleicher (572)

6 5811-G 15 947-U

Crim Jacobs McCarty Alexander

16 797-P 15 799-T 14 836-N 2 252-Z

Whitson Barker

17 595-V 2 028-Y

Blute Danforth Koehl Holliday

10 809-O 45 855-R 46 620-B 39 846-P

2nd Box

Brandon (574)

31 873-U

Lowe Horridge

1 7808-X 32 927-N

Newcomer

36 815-N

Metelsky Evans

4 964-G 31 730-O

Shaffner (573) Bird (574)

24 828-L 7 803-K

Cassiday Baxter Stanfield Watkinson

26 7841-A 22 978-Q 30 720-K 29 818-L

Logan Salmon

47 7811-V 30 248-V

Dearing Bollinger Callison Majka

21 802-P 41 615-A 31 851-M 34 865-D

Spare: Garwick 841

29 841-S

Mission No 90, 10 June 1944

Target: Navigational Beam Station at La Pernelle, Coastal Defense Battery and Radar Station at

Aigremont, France. Thirty-eight aircraft were sent on this mission. Visibility was poor, and even from a bombing altitude of 7000 feet, bombardiers picked up suitable Aiming Points only with difficulty. Of the two flights which attacked the Navigational Beam Station, one had fair results interpreted from the strike photos, and the other reported excellent bombing. A Third could not locate a suitable aiming point after two runs at the target. One flight attacked the Aigremont coastal defense battery with fair results, obtaining a probable hit on the light flak position. One flight attacked the radar station with excellent results, a concentrated pattern of bombs on the desired aiming point and probable hits on three light anti-aircraft positions and on a trench. Results of the bombing by the sixth flight were unknown. A total of fifty-five 2000-pound bombs was dropped on these targets.

There were no losses, casualties or battle-damage.

1st Box

Loesch (574)

34 931-F

Watson Evans

38 025-S 45 843-J

Majka

47 833-U

Carson Newman

31 739-O 35 800-C

Bush (574) Hollis (574)

38 821-O1 40 671-L

Metelsky Alexander Wolfe Callison

39 846-P 39 853-F 45 855-R 37 873-U1

Kahley Salmon

47 811-V 46 620-B

Garwick Lowe Horridge Watkinson

44 268-K 41 815-A 34 865-D 35 838-B

Hartman

46 932-T

2nd Box

Miller (572)

8 673-A

Hanlon Baehr

9 812-D 8 810-C

Holliday

9 834-B

Fry Reynolds

13 819-H 21 802-P

Jobe (572) Schleicher (572)

15 947-U 19 801-G

Jacobs Koehl Danforth Blute

24 828-L 28 842-D 7 813-J 17 028-Y

Whitson Barker

14 806-M 15 799-T

Alexander DeWitt McCarty Smith

6 811-G 19 831-H1 14 836-N 25 810-W

Dillard

22 806-C

Spare Lead 32 927-N

Spare Ship 32 597-P

Spare Ship 23 102-X

Mission No 93, June 12 1944

Mission to Granville, France

Target : Coastal Defense Guns at Granville,France. Thirty-six planes were dispatched, and bombing by flights dropped two hundred-seventy 500-pound General Purpose bombs on the target from an altitude of 5000 feet. Strike photos showed excellent results for one flight, good for another, fair for two and poor for the last.

Four of the planes were flak battle-damage, but there was no losses or casualties.

1st Box

Bush (574)

37 873-U

Evans Horridge

37 839-G 31 851-M

Salmon

30 248-V

Metelsky Lowe

32 597-P 35 838-B

Bird (574) Loesch (574)

46 620-B1 31 931-F

Stanfield Garwick Wolfe Carson

47 811-V1 29 841-S 36 832-H 35 800-C

Alexander Majka

36 815-W 40 678-M

Watson Newman Watkinson Lowder

41 615-A 30 010-A 29 818-L 38 821-O

Rutledge

44 025-S1

(#500)

2nd Box

Erickson (572)

8 673-A

Reynolds Baehr

14 806-M 8 810-C

Hanlon

6 811-G

DeWitt Walker

6 748-Q 13 719-F

Dickinson (Ljn) (572) Roeper (572)

22 978-Q1 15 947-U

Danforth Blute McCarty Alexander

28 842-D 13 819-H 14 836-N 23 823-N1

Whitson Barker

15 799-T 16 809-O

Jacobs Fry Koehl Holliday

17 7834-F 22 7806-C1 23 102-X 24 828-L

Smith

28 841-A1

(#500)

Spare Lead 19 801-G (#500)

Spare Ship 40 671-L (#250)

Awards

Distinguished Flying Cross

William G Erickson, 0-792568, Captain, 391^st Bombardment Group (M). For extraordinary achievement while serving as a pilot of a B-26 type aircraft on 12 June 1944. When, though the adverse weather condition over the target area justified the abandoning of the mission, Captain Erickson, realizing the importance of destroying their objective, led his formation over the target at an extremely low-level where they discharged their bombs on the small target area with great accuracy. The courage, determination, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Erickson on this occasion materially contributed to the successful advance of our ground forces and reflects great credit upon himself and the service. Entered military service from New York.

Mission No 95, 13 June 1944

Mission to Marigny, France

Target: Road Junction at Marigny, France. The Group sent thirty-six planes on this mission behind the allied beach head in Normandy, and one hundred eighty-four 500-pound, one hundred sixty-four 250 pound General Purpose and one leaflet bombs were dropped on the target by thirty-five of the planes, one failed to bomb because of personnel error. Two of the flights bombing with excellent results, and the junction was well bracketed with strikes. There were no losses, casualties, or battle-damage.

1st Box

Miller (572)

7 803-K

Danforth Blute

7 813-J 6 748-Q

Roeper

14 806-M

Reynolds Walker

37 839-G 13 819-H

Jobe (572) Erickson (572)

14 836-N 15 947-U

Jacobs Crim Hanlon Baehr

13 719-F 23 823-N 9 812-D 31 851-M

Whitson Sullens-Barker

15 799-T 16 809-O

Koehl Alexander Smith DeWitt

32 597-P 16 797-P 30 248-V 35 838-B

Holliday

6 811-G

2nd Box

Thorn (573)

19 801-G

Colsch Youse

22 978-Q 23 102-X

Snyder

17 834-F

Bjork Boylan

41 615-A 24 828-L

Shaffner (573) Sellers (573)

25 825-B 38 821-O

Clark Baxter Dearing Hartman

28 842-D 2 595-V 40 678-M 40 671-L

Logan Armstrong

25 810-W 39 853-F

Cassiday Dillard Boone Sloss

28 841-A 22 806-C 46 932-T 45 855-R

Watkinson

29 818-L

Spare Lead 34 931-F (#500)

Spare Ship 36 815-W (#250)

Mission No 96, 14 June 1944

Mission to Gallardon’s Pont, France

Target: Railroad Junction and Sidings at Gallardon’s, France. This mission called for thirty-six aircraft, and the enemy’s communication points felt the impact of one hundred forty-two 500 pound and one hundred sixty-eight 250- pound General Purpose bombs. Bombing was by flights of six and of these two had excellent results, two good, one fair. One failed to attack the target when the lead bombardier failed to identify the target in time for the run. Bombing was done at 11,000 feet, and one aircraft was battle-damaged from flak. There were no losses or casualties.

1st Box

Samuel (575)

38 821-O

Tucker Fleck

38 844-D 31 851-M

Schirmer

47 833-U

Martin Harlow

44 808-C 29 818-L

O’Hare (575) Kelley (575)

37 873-U1 41 847-H

Wolfe Ruble Wilkinson Schreiber

39 846-P 39 853-F 45 855-R 34 865-D1

Petrich Jannsen

47 811-V 46 620-B

Rutledge LaFramboise Keidinger Lakin

44 268-K 41 615-A 36 832-H1 30 248-V1

Sp: Jacobi

46 932-T

2nd Box

Schleicher (572)

15 947-U

Holliday Danforth

6 811-G 7 813-J

Barker

16 809-O

Smith DeWitt

25 825-B1 6 748-Q

Dickinson (572) Earll (572)

9 834-B 19 801-G1

Baehr Hanlon Koehl Reynolds

8 810-C 9 812-D 24 828-L 23 102-X

Whitson Roeper

15 799-T 14 806-M

Jacobs Crim McCarty Alexander

13 719-F 23 823-N1 14 836-N 6 797-P

Sp: Walker

28 841-A

Spare Lead 34 931-F (#500)

Spare Ship 28 842-D (#250)

Mission No 97, 15 June 1944

Mission to St. Martin du Besaces, France

Target: German Division Headquarters at St. Martin du Besaces, France. Thirty-six aircraft of the Group engaged in this mission, dropping ninety-six 500-pound and three hundred twenty-seven 250- pound General Purpose bombs. Excellent results were reported for one flight, good for two, fair for two, with gross error for the sixth. Bombing was from 8000 to 9000 feet and five planes were flak battle-damaged. One crew member was wounded.

Note from Lt J. Boylan: “Were flak bait to draw flak and plot gun positions- 8000ft”

1st Box

Samuel (Hq &573)

34 821-O

Clark Boylan

28 842-D 23 102-X

Boone

24 828-L

Dearing Sloss

21 802-P 19 831-H

Shaffner (573) Sellers (573)

6 748-Q 19 801-G

Dillard Cassiday Colsch Bollinger

22 806-C 28 841-A 22 978-Q 17 834-F

Logan Snyder

25 810-W 23 823-N

Carson Newcomer Youse Bjork

13 719-F 41 847-H 14 836-N1 16 809-O1

Sp: Watson

39 846-P

2nd Box

Earll (572)

8 673-A

Hanlon Baehr

44 268-K 8 810-C

Dickinson

35 800-C1

Reynolds Alexander

36 832-H 16 797-P

Jobe (572) Schleicher (572)

31 739-O 6 811-G

Jacobs Fry Danforth Blute

41 615-A 30 248-V 35 838-B 13 819-H

Whitson Barker

15 799-T 37 873-U1

Koehl Holliday DeWitt Smith

31 851-U 29 841-S 43 855-R 29 818-L

Sp: Walker

45 843-J

Mission No 99, 18 June 1944

Mission to Foret d’Andaine, France

Target : Fuel and Ammunition Dump in the Foret d’Andaine, France. The usual thirty-six plane formation was dispatched to attack the enemy’s materials in the Forest, and “area bombing” methods were employed with the attack carried out individually by flights. Ninety-six 500-pound and three hundred-twelve 250-pound General Purpose bombs were scattered over the target area from altitudes ranging from 10,400 to 12,000 feet. There were no losses, casualties, or battle-damage on the mission.

1st Box

Sellers (573)

19 801-G

Dearing Boylan

21 802-P 9 5834-B

Sloss

14 836-N

Bjork Bollinger

17 834-F 16 797-P

Logan - Samuel (573) Armstrong (573)

25 810-W 24 822-O

Baxter Clark Snyder Dillard

21 820-S 28 842-D 23 823- 22 806-C

Shaffner Dooley - Colsch

25 825-B 22 978-Q

Koehl Cassiday Youse Hartman

16 809-O 28 841-A 23 102-X 24 828-L

Fry

6 748-Q

2nd Box

Olfson (575)

41 847-H

Fleck Jacobi

45 843-J 29 841-S

Schirmer

47 833-U

Lakin Kiedinger

40 671-L 40 678-M

O’Hare (575) Harkins (575)

44 808-C 38 821-O

Wilkinson Ruble Tucker Wolfe

45 855-R 39 853-F 38 844-D 39 846-P

Harlow Jannsen

35 838-B 46 620-B

LaFramboise Holliday Schreiber Martin

41 615-A 46 932-T 44 268-K 47 811-V

Reynolds

29 818-L

Spare Lead 15 947-U

Spare Ship 37 839-G (#500)

Spare Ship 36 832-H (#250)

Mission No 100, 20 June 1944

Mission to Predefin and La Belle Hotesse, France

Target: German flying bomb base at Predefin and La Belle Hotesse, France. This was the Group’s one-hundredth mission since commencing operation in the European Theatre in mid-February. Fifty-four planes were dispatched to attack the enemy’s flying bomb bases, thirty-six concentrating on the Predefin target and eighteen attacking the one at La Belle Hotesse. Bombing was done by boxes of eighteen aircraft, and assessment of damage later in the day by reconnaissance unit showed that at Predefin the “Launching Platforms and several buildings in the target area had been destroyed. The Square Building received three near misses. Target in Category “A” (suspended) as a result of the attack.

At La Belle Hotesse, which was under attack by one box of eighteen aircraft from another Group, the photo recon unit reported “many craters in the target area, some slightly damaging the Launching Platform. The target is in Category “A.” One of the Group’s planes was hit by flak as it entered the enemy coast. The pilot feathered the propeller on a damaged engine and continued on route, but being unable to keep up with the formation, the planes bombs were dropped on a casual target, the Merville Airdrome. In all eighteen planes were flak battle damaged, but there were no losses of casualties.

The feat of bringing a B-26 home on one engine had by this time become a fairly commonplace event at the Group’s Base, But 1^st Lt Donald H Wolfe of Canton, South Dakota, did a little more than that on the “Century Mission” of June 20. Driving across the enemy coast in the formation, Lt Wolfe’s ship had its right engine knocked out of operation by a burst of heavy flak. By all rules in the book, he should have turned for home in the crippled ship, but with the crew as a board of directors, a decision was reached to go on to the target, one of the buzz bomb sites in the Pas de Calais area. Lt Wolfe caught up with the formation as it was making a second run at the target, a manoeuvre necessitated because of cloud cover on the first time over. The lack of speed caused by the dead right engine made it impossible for the “Wolfe-Pack” to fall in with the flight, but the alertness of the bombardier, Lt William R. Bass of Pitsburg, Tex. saved the day. He spotted a Nazi airfield through a break in the cloud and sent his bombs splattering across a hanger. Having completed the one-ship mission successfully,

Lt Wolfe brought his plane back to England, shepherded by a trio of P-47s, which had stuck with the bomber on the entire trip.

The remainder of the Wolfe-Pack’s crew on this mission were

2^nd Lt William H. Hirschke, Co-pilot, of Redlands, Calif.

T/Sgt Richard B Smith, Radio-Gunner, of Natrona, Pa

S/Sgt Charles A Sexton, Armorer-Gunner, of Cortland, Ind

S/Sgt Lloyd V. Alexander, Engineer-Gunner, of Mishawaka, Indiana.

Another milestone in the Group’s history was reached on June 20 when the organization dispatched fifty-four of its B-26’s on a mission to Northern France, a flight which rounded out an even one hundred combat missions against the enemy in Nazi-dominated Western Europe in a scant 125-day period. In reaching the Century mark, the Group had struck fourteen railroad marshalling yards, twelve airdromes, ten bridges, twelve German defence installations, and a host of pilot-less bomb sites. The Group had begun operations just fifteen days after reaching the European Theater, and its losses had been exceptionally low, representing approximately three-tenths of one percent of the planes and crewmen who participated on the hundred missions.

On June 20, in the total number of missions flown, 1^st Lt. Donald H. Wolfe of Canton, South Dakota;

1^st Lt. Richard J Snyder of Tampa, Fla.; and 1^st Lt. Donald D. O’Hare of San Anselmo, Calif., were high with 52 sorties each. 1^st Lt. Raymond B. Dearing, Jr, of Lexington, Ky., and 1^st Lt. Junior W. Olfson, of Appleton, Wis., flew 51 missions by that date, and the fifty mission mark was shared by 1^st William Sloss,

of Duquesne, Pa., 1^st Lt. Robert B. Logan of Frankfort Ind., and 1^st Lt. Lawrence F. Schirmer of Sacramento, Calif. Still going strong with seventy-eight missions to her credit, one of the ships nicknamed “Pink’s Lady”, was the most durable Marauder in the Group. The plane had never aborted through mechanical failure, testifying to the engineering skill of her ground crew and T/Sgt Vernon L Heim, Crew Chief, of Schuylkill Haven Pa. “Baby Doll III, crewed by T/Sgt. Robert B. Good of Maryville, Wash., had 68 missions to her credit; “Hot Sketch,”crewed by T/Sgt. Robert Haberzettle of Clarinda, Ia., had 67 missions; “Misslaid, the ship of T/Sgt. Rufus A. Carr of Millsap, Texas, and “Bombay,” crewed by T/Sgt Perry V. Nail of Glendale,Ore., had 62 sorties each and “Ruthless,” crewed by Milton L. Corbin of Freer, Texas, had flown on 61 raids.

Three other planes – “Wogpatterass”, McCarty’s Party, and “Happy Landing”—crewed respectively by

T/Sgt. Marion T. Seale of Giddings, Texas, T/Sgt. William Goldstein of Virginia, Ill., and T/Sgt Earle E. Morrison of Boulder, Colorado, had racked up an even 60 missions.

The accomplishment of its “first hundred” was duly celebrated by the Group during the afternoon and evening of the 20^th in events which included races, boxing, softball games and beer drinking. The Group Commander spoke to the men who attended the ceremony, commending especially the ground crews for a hard job well done. Among the lighter incidents at the party was the presentation of a “medal” for “Rationed Passion” to the Group Chaplin, John A. Moore, of St. Helen, Fla., who had flown on the century mission that morning in the plane which carried the nickname of which the “medal” was struck.

1st Box

Williams (Hqs)

7 803-K

Dearing (573) Sloss (573)

25 810-W 24 822-O

Whitson (572)

25 825-B

Crim (572) Fry (572)

28 842-D 24 828-L

Bird (574) Sellers (573)

34 931-F 19 801-G

Garwick Stanfield Hartman Boylan

29 841-S 37 873-U 21 802-P 23 102-X

Hollis Armstrong

32 927-N 21 820-S

Wolfe Callison Bjork Dillard

31 866-X 31 851-M 22 806-C 23 823-N

Lowder

29 818-L

2nd Box

Miller (572)

8 673-A

Danforth Barker

7 813-J 16 809-O

Jobe

9 834-B

Holliday Jacobs

6 748-Q 13 719-F

Schleicher (572) Erickson (572)

6 811-G 15 947-U

Martin Harlow Baehr Hanlon

44 268-K 47 811-V 8 810-C 9 812-D

Schirmer Roeper

47 833-U 14 806-M

Lowe Ljn (Evans Crew) McCarty Alexander

35 838-B 32 597-O 14 836-N 16 797-P

Newman

30 010-A

3rd Box

Stalnaker (575)

38 821-O

Tucker Wolfe

38 844-B 39 846-P

Olfson

41 847-H

Jacobi Ruble

46 932-T 39 853-F

O’Hare (575) Bush (574)

44 808-C 36 832-H

Wilkinson Fleck (Sullens) Metelsky Horridge

45 855-R 45 843-J 37 839-G 28 841-A

Mitchell Salmon

40 671-L 30 248-V

Lakin Jannsen Majka Carson

40 678-M 46 620-B 34 865-D 35 800-C

Kiedinger

17 834-F

Spare Lead 36 815-W

Spare Ship 22 978-Q

Mission No 101, 21 June 1944

Mission to Le Grismont, France

Target: Pilotless plane launching point at Le Grismont, France. Thirty-two planes were dispatched at 0927 hours to bomb this target by the Pathfinder technique through the undercast. Only fourteen of the planes dropped their bombs, and there were no losses or casualties, or battle-damage, although two of the planes sustained slight damage from a mid-air collision on course. Since there were not either photo coverage or visual observations due to 10/10ths cloud, results of the attack were unknown.

1st Box

Pathfinder

936-R

Olfson (575)

41 847-H

Fleck Schrimer

29 818-L 47 833-U1

Harkins (575) O’Hare (575)

47 811-V 37 873-U

Tucker Jannsen Lakin Jacobi

38 844-D1 46 620-B 34 865-D 46 932-T

Ruble Harlow

30 010-A 40 678-M

Wilkinson Kiedinger Schreiber Rutledge

45 855-R 35 838-B1 35 800-C 36 815-W

Spare 29 841-S

2nd Box

Pathfinder

675-?

Earll (572)

8 673-A

Baehr Reynolds

23 102-X1 13 808-X

Jobe (572) Schleicher (572)

9 834-B 6 811-G

Crim Fry DeWitt Blute

13 719-F 15 947-U 16 809-O 6 748-Q

Whitson Danforth-Ljunggren

15 799-T 7 813-J

Koehl Holliday Smith Walker

28 841-A 24 822-O1 22 806-C 24 828-L

Spare: Hanlon

9 812-D

Loaded Spare 28 842-D

Spare Lead 34 931-F

Mission No 102, 21 June 1944

Mission to Erny/ St. Julien, France

Target: Pilotless plane launching site at Erny/St. Julien, France. Thirty-two planes took off at 1935 hours on the mission and dropped eight 500-pound and three hundred-six 250-pound General Purpose bombs, bombing by boxes from 11,500 feet and using Pathfinder technique. There were no losses, casualties, or battle-damage, although the formation gained the distinction of drawing fire from apparently an enemy-operated B-26. The strange aircraft paralleled the Group’s course from the enemy coast in, staying out of range and below. It crossed below the formation on the bomb run, firing five second bursts, then followed the Group as far as the enemy coast out, at which point it peeled off into the clouds. The intruder had battle markings and a white tail assembly. B-26’s apparently operated by the enemy had previously been reported by this Group and others in the IX Bomber Command, but this was the first time the “captive” had acted in a hostile fashion. There were no photo coverage or visual observations on the mission due to 10/10ths cloud cover, and hence the results are unknown.

1st Box

Pathfinder

916-M

Miller (572)

8 673-A

Barker Baehr

15 799-T 9 812-D

Whitson (572) Roeper (572)

9 834-B 6 811-G

Crim Jacobs Koehl Holliday

45 855-R 6 819-H 15 947-U 8 810-C

Jobe Danforth

13 808-X 7 813-J

Alexander Fry Smith Blute

16 797-P 46 932-T 41 615-A 40 671-L

Reynolds

14 836-N

2nd Box

Pathfinder

283-C

Sellers (573)

19 801-G

Sloss Boylan

19 831-H 25 810-W

Logan (573) Shaffner (573)

34 931-F 25 825-B

Dearing Youse Clark Cassiday

21 802-P 23 102-X 28 842-D 28 841-A

Snyder Colsch

23 823-N 22 978-Q

Dillard Hartman Bollinger Baxter

22 806-C 30 248-V 24 822-O 31 851-M

Bjork

17 834-F

Spare Lead 41 847-H

Spare Ship 21 820-S

Mission No 106, 25 June 1944

Mission to Foret d’Ecouves, France

Target: Fuel Dump in Foret d’Ecouves. With two other Groups the 391^st attacked this enemy target with 36 of its aircraft. Bombing was done from 7000 feet using Area Bombing methods, and a majority of the bombs fell inside the target area. Five planes were battle-damaged by flak, but there were no losses or casualties.

1st Box

Thorn (573)

38 821-O

Youse Colsch

23 102-X 22 978-Q

Snyder

23 823-N

Boylan Dillard

25 810-W 22 806-C

Sellers (573) Logan(573)

19 801-G 8 673-A1

Hartman Dearing Cassiday Clark

17 834-F 21 802-P 28 841-A 28 842-D

Armstrong Shaffner

21 820-S 25 852-B

Bollinger Bjork Kiedinge Sloss

18 847-H1 18 252-Z 47 811-V 19 831-H

Olfson

40 847-H1

2nd Box

Bush (574)

37 873-U

Wolfe Lowe

31 866-X 35 838-B

Horridge

30 248-V

Metelsky Newman

37 839-G 30 010-A

Newcomer (574) Bird (574)

33 597-P 34 931-F

Stanfield Evans Watkinson Carson

41 615-A1 46 932-T 29 818-L 35 800-C

Majka Alexander

34 865-D 36 815-W

Fleck Lakin Lowder Callison

46 843-J 39 837-N 36 832- 39 853-F1

Spare Lead 6 5811-G

Spare Ship 38 844-D

Alexander Dauteuil Majka Carson

Mission to Paris, France

Pilot Captain James F. Shofner, 0-662682, from Beaumont, Texas P.O.W

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Bernard Davidson, 0-667495, from Jersey City, New Jersey K.I.A

Navigator Lt Steven J. Sivak, 0-669130, from Oakley, Michigan P.O.W

Engineer-Gunner S/Sgt Leslie R. Miller, 33180010, from Sayre, Pennsylvania P.O.W

Radio-Gunner T/Sgt Francis J. Holdridge, 32287062, from Syracuse, New York P.O.W

Pilot 2nd Lt. Donat F. Dauteuil, 0-747759, from New Bedford, Mass. M.I.A

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. John T. Wilson, 0-691201, from Dresden, Tenn. M.I.A.

Navigator 2nd Lt. Martin G. Koehler, 0-746893, from Philadelphia, Pa. P.O.W

Radio-Gunner Sgt. Eugene F. Ride,r 36560221, from Ypsilanti, Mich. Returned 27th Aug 1944

Mission to Mantes-Sur-Seine, France

Radio Gunner S/Sgt. Virgil W. Byng, 36815269, from Rala-CynWyd., Pa Returned 10/June/44

Target: Navigational Beam Station at La Pernelle, Coastal Defense Battery and Radar Station at

Mission to Granville, France

Mission to Marigny, France

Co-Pilot 2^nd Lt Bernard Davidson, 0-667495, from Jersey City, New Jersey K.I.A

Pilot 2^nd Lt. Donat F. Dauteuil, 0-747759, from New Bedford, Mass. M.I.A

Co-Pilot 2^nd Lt. John T. Wilson, 0-691201, from Dresden, Tenn. M.I.A.

Navigator 2^nd Lt. Martin G. Koehler, 0-746893, from Philadelphia, Pa. P.O.W

Radio-Gunner Sgt. Eugene F. Ride,r 36560221, from Ypsilanti, Mich. Returned 27^th Aug 1944