351st Bomb Group

Group Mission #3

Credited Mission #2

Operations Narrative:

1. The Group received the Field Order at 0210, 15th May, 1943. Briefing was held at 0400. The Group took off at 0730 and rendezvoused with the 96th Group over Polebrook. The Wing then proceeded to the target by the specified route. Timing was excellent, there was no escort of Fighters, and bombs were away at 1059. The Zero Hour was 1100.
2. Preliminary reports on the bombing indicate fair results.
3. Enemy attacks were confined to the Tail and Belly. Two attempts at Aerial Bombing were observed. One FW 190 dropped a stick of fifteen small bombs with negative results.
4. Enemy attacks were infrequent and were not pressed home. Flak was accurate and moderate to heavy. One airplane, 173, Pilot Lt. Meli, was hit by Flak and forced to straggle. Six FW 190's attacked him and destroyed the airplane. Six parachutes were observed.
5. The formation was the normal defensive formation. Bombing was done by dropping on the leader.
[Signed:] THEODORE R. MILTON, Major, Air Corps, Operations Officer

Group Navigator’s Narrative:

1. The Group received the Field Order at 0210, 15th May, 1943. Briefing was held at 0400. The Group took off at 0730 and rendezvoused with the 96th Bomb Group at 2500 feet over the field at 0602. The Mission proceeded as briefed and the Flight Plan was carried out by this Wing, Bombs were "Away" at 1059 and the run was made on a magnetic heading of 200º.

2. Return through flak areas was followed in accordance with the Flight Plan and this Group returned over base at 1321. [Signed:] Lawrence P. Stover, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Actg. Group Navigator.

Damage Assessment:

1. There is no damage assessment available due to improper timing of cameras and unfavorable weather condition, clouds, and haze.
2. The first two rolls of film were exposed at the improper time and contained only views of the countryside.
3. The third roll of film is the only one showing any bomb bursts and they were bombs evidently of another Group that were dropped in Grossee Lake, a good ways above the target.
4. The last roll of film was exposed over the target but was blocked out by cloud formation. One view of the town of Emden was taken but no bomb bursts were seen.
[Signed:] Thomas L. Cooper, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Group PI [Photo Interpretation] Officer

Intelligence S-2 Narrative:

1. Maximum effort was ordered for this Group for 14 [sic] May, 1943. The primary target was the Railroad Yard at Emden, Germany. The secondary target was any opportune industrial area.
2. 19 A/C [Aircraft] took off between 0730 and 0743 hours. There was one abortive due to lack of oxygen. This A/C was number 863; had a leak in the system, and the ball turret was out of oxygen.
(a) A/C 173 was lost at approximately 1225 over water at 54 degrees 20 minutes North, 6 degrees 18 minutes East. This plane was crippled by flak, and then downed by about six FW 190's.
3. The enemy planes used aerial bombs without noticeable results.
4. Due to low clouds, ground haze, and smoke over and around Emden, it was impossible to observe bomb results. Flak on the coast and from flak ships was very heavy.
[Signed:] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2

Bomb Camera Photos:
Click on Photo to Enlarge

Enemy Aircraft Claims

• A/C No. 140 – Place where attacked – Approximately 53°35'N - 7°E;. Time – 1100; Height 20,000 ft.
  Story of the attack – E/A [Enemy Aircraft] [FW 190] was pulling out of dive attack on other ship and had belly turned to this gunner. Ball turret, tail and left waist gunner fired. Ball turret gunner continued firing after other two stopped and all three saw E/A einged over and fall in straight nose dive. Smoke observed coming from left wing
  Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt R. Nelson, Ball Turret; – Corroborated by – S/Sgt R.J. Smith – Left Waist Gunner and S/Sgt J.W. DeGraff Tail Gunner
  Comments of the interrogator – Probable
• A/C No. 872 – Place where attacked – 15 miles NW of Baltrum Island; Time – 1110; Height 21,000 ft. Story of the attack – 10 miles from coast an FW came from 5 o'clock under; attacked twice; saw him burst in flames, go down, hit water. Fired 100 rounds. Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt T.B. Dye, Ball Turret Gunner; – Corroborated by – Pilot & Bombardier heard me shout, Bombardier saw it quiver, apparently hit badly.; Other A/C firing at the same time? – 173 was only other ship close; Comments of the interrogator – Very sincere [unreadable]. Know bombardier well and know that he felt enemy ship was hit badly.
• A/C No. 852 – Place where attacked – Over Channel; Time – 1120; Height 20,000 ft. Story of the attack – FW 190 attacked from level at about 0900 o'clock, 500 yard range. Hit in engine, 2 explosions, fire, and trailing white smoke, losing altitude and burning. Our gun positions firing on E/A – S/Sgt C. Pettus – Left Waist Gunner; – Corroborated by – S/Sgt W.J. Doubledee – Right Waist Gunner; Other A/C firing at the same time? – None seen; Comments of the interrogator – Crew had insufficient time to watch plane very long, but they were sure that the plane was burning and exploding.

“J” Form:

1. Total No. A/C in each Squadron and Letters of each:

   Sqdn 508th A/C: 858 – G, 868 – K, 817 – D, 882 – L	(4)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 838 – U, 140 – P, 841 – V, 860 – W, 861 – X, 863 – Y,	(6)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 843 – D, 884 – F, 850 – G,	(3)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 852 – V, 877 – X, 136 – P, 847 – T, 173 – R, 872 – W,	(6)

2. Target: GH – 5477  Emden, Germany
   
3. Station call sign and Operational call sign respectively of each Squadron

   Squadron	508 Ops:	XC-5		Squadron	510 Ops:	DH-5
   	Sta:	Wild Cheer			Sta:	Worm Track
   Squadron	509 Ops	XC-5		Squadron	511 Ops:	DH-5
   	Sta:	Knitwell			Sta:	Shudder

4. Taxi Time – 1st A/C 0715;     Take-Off Time 1st A/C 0730;     E.T.D. Over Field 0757

5. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   0843	3,000 Ft	Splasher Beacon #4

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1115	24,000 Ft	Rottumeroog, Frisian Islands (5 mi. W)

7. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   1244	5,000 Ft	Cromer

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1315 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: H 273° KC
10. Bomb load of Each A/C:        (GP - General Purpose)
    Squadron: 508 10–500 pound GP, Fuse - Instantaneous Nose, 45 Sec. Tail
    Squadron: 509 10–500 pound GP, Fuse - Instantaneous Nose, 45 Sec. Tail
    Squadron: 510 10–500 pound GP, Fuse - Instantaneous Nose, 45 Sec. Tail
    Squadron: 511 10–500 pound GP, Fuse - Instantaneous Nose, 45 Sec. Tail
11. Fuel Load of each A/C: 1700 Gals
12. Actual Times Off and Return by Squadrons and A/C Letters:

    Squadron	A/C Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.	Squadron	A/C Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.
    508	858–G	0730	1326½	509	838–U	0733½	1332
    	868–K	0731½	1327		140–P	0734½	1335
    	817–D	0733	1329		841–V	0734	1334½
    	882–L	0732	1328		860–W	0735	1336½
    					861 X	0736	1339
    					863 Y	0736½	1304
    510	843–D	0731	1330	511	852–V	0743	1340
    	848–F	0741	1336		877–X	0731½	1342
    	850–G	0737	1331		136–P	0738	1341
    					847–T	0739	1343
    					173–R	0740½
    					872–W	0740	1337½

Report Compiled By S/Sgt. C.A. Blanchard
A/C 701 – Gun Charging Cable in Upper Turret – Replaced by A/C # 852.
A/C 863 – Aborted – Oxygen system in Ball Turret went out.
A/C 173-R – Lt Meli didn't return.

Formation Chart:

Group Formation Take–Off
				508th Squadron
				Burns/Wurzbach A/C #42-29858 G
			Koszarek A/C #42-29850 G		Smith A/C #42-29847 T
				Reed A/C #42-29868 K
			Fitchen A/C #42-29817 D		Geiger A/C #42-29882 L
	511th Sqdrn.						509th Sqdrn.
	Ball A/C #42-29877 X						Ledoux A/C #42-29838 U
Moss A/C #42-29852 V		Wilson A/C #42-3136 P				O'Mohundro A/C #42-3140 P		Spika A/C #42-29841V
	Adams A/C #42-29847 T						Johnson A/C #42-29860 W
Meli A/C #42-3173 R		Peters A/C #42-29872 W				Strouse A/C #42-29861 X		Jackson A/C #42-29863 Y
	Boyd A/C #42-29848 F

Group Formation Over–Target
				509th Squadron
				Burns/Wurzbach A/C #42-29858 G
			Koszarek A/C #42-29850 G		Smith A/C #42-29847 T
				Reed A/C #42-29868 K
			Fitchen A/C #42-29817 D		Geiger A/C #42-29882 L
	510th Sqdrn.						511th Sqdrn.
	Ball A/C #42-29877 X						Ledoux A/C #42-29838 U
Moss A/C #42-29852 V		Wilson A/C #42-3136 P				O'Mohundro A/C #42-3140 P		Spika A/C #42-29841 V
	Adams A/C #42-29847 T						Johnson A/C #42-29860 W
Meli A/C #42-3173 R		Peters A/C #42-29872 W				Strouse A/C #42-29861 X
	Boyd A/C #42-29848 F

Time Schedule:
Zero Hour:  Briefing:  Stations:  Start Engines:  Taxi:  Take-off:  Leave Base:

Missing Air Crew Report (MACR):

A/C# 42-3173   DS-R  “Spare Ball”  Lt. Meli   A/C's 1st Mission   MACR # 15581

Aircraft Loss Circumstances:

[On return to England] Attacked by enemy aircraft – exploded in mid-air 25 miles Northwest of Borkum Island, Germany 54º 20’ N - 6º 18’ E [over the North Sea]; 5 or 6 parachutes were sighted just before the explosion.

Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:

None

Burial Records:

The following records are courtesy of the American Battle Monuments Commission. http://www.abmc.gov

• 1st Lt Joseph A. Meli Jr. is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
• 2nd Lt Robert P. Cooper is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
• 2nd Lt Jack Howell is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England.
• 2nd Lt Howard E. Lewis is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
• T/Sgt Bernard A. Guenzig is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
• T/Sgt Dewey K. Bishop is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
• S/Sgt Stanford W. Henry is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
• S/Sgt Louis M. Hilscher is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
• S/Sgt Melvin E. Hugo is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
• S/Sgt Charles D. Summers is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.

Description of the Mission printed in the book "The 351st Bomb Group in WWII" written by Ken Harbour & Peter Harris. Used with permission.

Mission No. 3 – May 15, 1943
The Group’s second completed mission was a maximum effort to Emden. Nineteen planes took off at 0730 hours led by Major Wurzbach and Major Burns with Lt. Stover as navigator and Lt. Stevens as bombardier. Due to clouds, ground haze, and smoke, bombing results could not be observed.
Returning across the Frisian Islands, the Group came under attack from FW 190s with a few ME 109s and ME 110s. Lt. Meli of the 511th Squadron, flying 42-3173, was seen lagging out of formation, a possible result of flak damage. His B-17 then fell into a slow spiral whereupon five ME 109s attacked him. Five or six parachutes were seen before the plane broke up about 500 feet above the water, approximately 40 miles northeast of Borkum.

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