351st Bomb Group

1. Airplane and Crew Assignment Check.
   C.O.’s Comment: ____
   
   
2. Time Schedule:  

   ___ Box
   Stations –	0818 0820
   Start Engines –	0828 0830
   Taxi -	0838 0840
   Take Off -	0853 0855
   Last Take Off -	____

   
   
   
3. Targets:
   Primary: Landsberg A/D [Airdrome]
   Secondary: Munich - Center of Industrial Area
   Last Resort: Any Military Objective positively identified in Germany that doesn’t hurt friendly fighters.
   
   
4. Loading:
   High Box: Frags [Fragmentation Bombs]
   Lead Box: 10 x 500#
   Low Box: Max. [# of] M-47A1 IB’s [Incendiary Bombs]
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - 1966-X
   
   
5. Gasoline Loading:
   Tokyos [Planes with extra wing fuel tanks]: 1080 + 1700
   Non-Tokyos:
   Remarks:
   
   

6. Wing Formation	94th (A) CBW	94th (B) CBW	Comp. Group	Comp. CBW
   Lead	457th
   Low	351st
   High	401st

   
   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast
   Lead	1st	Oberpfaffenhofen
   2nd - Guide Rt.	41st
   3rd	40th	Lechfeld
   4th - Guide Rt.	40th Composite
   5th	94th	Landsberg
   6th
   7th
   8th
   2nd Division	3 CBW's	Löwental/Friedrichshafen	Dungeness Zero [Hour] + 20
   3rd Division	4 CBW’s	Augsburg/Gablingen	Zero + 12
   Marauders [B-26]
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   
   Remarks: 3rd B. Div. will fly abreast & to left of 1st Division. 4 min. interval between pair CBW’s. Chaff used on secondary.
   
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • [Force]	[Longitude]	[Time]
     1 Group P-47’s	0230 E	@ 1109
     1 Group P-47’s	0500 E	@ 1140
     1 Group P-38’s	0650 E	@ 1203
     1 Group P-51’s	0920 E	@ 1234
     1 Group P-47’s	0630 E	@ 1415
     1 Group P-47’s	0410 E	@ 1455

     Area support from 8 Grps. P-47’s, 4 Grps. P-51’s and 2 Gps. P-38’s with 2nd & 3rd Division.
     1 Grp. P-47’s in Amiens area for stragglers – second sortie.
     
     
9. Group Assembly is:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   Low	6500'	Deenethorpe
   Lead	8000'	Deenethorpe
   High	9500'	Deenethorpe

   
   
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
    
12. Weather - _____
    
    
13. Special Instructions to Navigators, Bombardiers:
    40th CBW use carpet. [The U.S. developed a RADAR jamming system under the code name "Carpet" to counter the German RADAR.]
    Some P-51’s have red spinner & nose stripes.
    
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing –	Tabby Tom
    Visual Bombing -	Back Boy
    Authenticator –	Hot Nuts
    Recall -	____
    Division Lead	_____

    
    
    (B) Call Signs:

    	Call Sign	Flares	Tail Letters
    351st A	Woodcraft Red	Red	J
    351st B
    401st A	Woodcraft White	Green	S
    401st B
    457th A	Woodcraft Blue	Red Yellow	U
    457th B
    Composite
    1st C.B.W.	Swordfish	R - R [Red Red]	A L
    40th C.B.W.	Foxhole	Y - Y [Yellow Yellow]	B G H
    41st C.B.W.	Cowboy	G - G [Green Green]	C K P
    Composite C.B.W.

    
    
    (C)

    U.S. Fighters
    R.A.F. Fighters	Garlic One
    Bombers	Goldsmith One-Five
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Tackline
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

    
    
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0700 – 1300	R-RR	Q	J
    1300 – 1900	R-R	Z	N

    
    
    (E)Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. -
    2. - P-8032, L-1725 @ Zero – 7’ (1023)
    3. - T-1384, N-7832
    4. -
       
       

16. Let-Down on:
    Splasher #9 if overcast above 10,000’.	On Deenethorpe if below 10,000’.
    351st A  330° Mag. [Compass Heading]	40° Mag.
    401st A  300° Mag.	360° Mag.
    457th A  315° Mag.	20° Mag.

    
    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields.
    3. Landing Aids.
       
       
18. Special Instructions:
    A/C land at Dunsford if impossible to come home.
    Harris [A/C 42-38005] Spec. Instructions in F/O [Field Order] in case you take wing lead.
    
    Time Control Pts.
    Beachy Head
    0500 E [Longitude]
    0920 E
    0630 E
    
    

1. General Narrative. Twenty-two (22) aircraft, including one unused flying spare, took off at 0955 – 1008 hours, as briefed. The assembly of the Group on the Deenethorpe buncher was accomplished in seventeen (17) minutes. The three (3) groups left the buncher in Combat Wing Formation.
    The route over England was followed as briefed with the exception of a delayed climb, due to cloud cover, until just before Splasher #10 was reached. The late climb was continued, with the Group reaching an altitude of 18,500 feet approximately fifteen (15) minutes after crossing the French Coast.
    Moderate and accurate flak was encountered at this point and a check showed the formation to be West of course. The formation turned back on course and experienced no further enemy opposition until the target area was reached.
    The briefed course over enemy territory was followed closely for the remainder of the route. At about 48°20’N-04°48’E [Approx, 24 miles East of Troyes, France strips of Cirrus clouds were encountered. The formation climbed through the cloud to 23,000 feet, becoming slightly dispersed in doing so, but reformed on top without difficulty. Shortly after this and up to the vicinity of 48°10’N-09°00’E [Albstadt, Germany], at an altitude of 23,000 feet, the formation flew through light Cirrus cloud, but the Wing formation was maintained throughout.
    About fifteen (15) minutes before reaching the I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] it was determined that we were slightly North of course. Ten (10) minutes before the target was reached, the Wing Leader informed the High Group Leader that both the Wing and Deputy Lead ships could not bomb, and requested the Deputy High Group Leader to take over the Lead of the Lead Group. The Deputy High Group Leader could not be contacted, so the High Group Leader took over the Lead Group and was replaced by the Deputy High Group Leader.
    At the I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] the Low Group took its distance in trail, and slightly to the right. The target was easily picked up and a good run was being made until the Low Group (351st) was forced off at the last minute by the High Group, (See Lead Bombardier’s Narrative). The High Group did not release its bombs.
    The formation continued on course after bombing, turning right and making “S” turns to permit the High Group to catch up and at the same time losing altitude down to 15,000 feet.
    At about 48°10’N-09°30’E [Riedlingen, Germany] the Low Group was subjected to violent fighter attacks by 24 – 25 FW 190’s from 1200 o’clock. Four ships from group were lost from these attacks. No more fighter opposition was encountered. The formation reached approximately 49°30’N-03°30’E [Approx. 5 miles Southwest of Laon, France] when heavy and accurate flak was encountered.
    Moderate heavy and accurate flak had been encountered on the bomb run and throughout the target area. Fighter support was good except for the period when the formation was flying in Cirrus cloud, when it was impossible to determine their whereabouts, and again for a period of almost forty-five (45) minutes shortly after bombing.
    Let down was made over the Channel and the Group came back to base at 2,000 feet under the overcast.
2. Aircraft Not Attacking. Aircraft No. 42-31192, Pilot Lt. Bartzocas returned from the vicinity of the French coast. He had been scheduled as a flying spare.
    The remaining twenty-one (21) aircraft continued to attack the target as indicated in the “Formation Over Target” diagram.
3. Aircraft Lost. As mentioned previously, four of our aircraft were lost to enemy fighters after a strong frontal attack had been made.
    Aircraft No. 42-38032, Pilot Lt. Neuberg, was flying No. 3 of the lead element of the lead squadron. It was seen falling out of the formation with the No. 3 Engine and the right wing on fire. Several crews reported that the aircraft was seen heading for Switzerland under control, while one report indicated that it blew up.
    Aircraft No. 42-37832, Pilot Lt. Illies, flew No. 2 in the second element of the lead squadron. It had most of the Vertical Stabilizer shot off and fell out of the formation under control. It was reported to have blown up a few minutes later.
    Aircraft No. 42-37825, Pilot Lt. Mears, flew in the lead position in the low squadron. It was seen heading for Switzerland with the Nos. 2 and 3 Engines feathered.
    Aircraft No. 42-31966, Pilot Lt. Martin, flew in the No. 2 position of the second element of the low squadron. It was hit in the Vertical Stabilizer and went into a nose dive and blew up.
4. Group Leader. The Low (351st) Group was led by Capt. Douglas L. Harris, in Aircraft No. 42-38005.
   
   

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0955 hours.
   2. Group formed at 1029 hours at 6,500 feet.
   3. Formed CBW at 1035 hours at 6,500 feet.
   4. Began climb at 1126 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 1320 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 10-3/10ths. Tops 4,000 feet.
      2. Visibility U [Unlimited] miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 240 degrees. 10 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. GEE, Pilotage, Radio and D.R. [Dead Reckoning]
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. Pilotage
   9. Joined task force at 1142 hours at Beachy Head.
   10. Departed English Coast at 1142 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 1205 hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: 1236 hours.
       2. Coming back: 1637 hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. 240 degrees.
       2. 10 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: Pilotage – Turning so much wind not accurate.
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP [Initial Point of bomb run] at 1418 hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target 113 degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target 22,100 feet.
       4. Time bombs away 1423 hours.
       5. Method of target identification and weather over target: Visual – 1/10 cloud coverage. Target easily picked up.
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: GEE – Jamming On English coast going out.
   16. Gee:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest fix 49°50'N-01°15'E [Freulleville, France]
       2. Time 1205 hours.
   17. Comments: Flown almost as briefed. Good bomb Run. Group cut us out on target run just before bombs away

Group: 351st Low Group
Target: Landsberg, Germany
Method of Bombing: Visual
Altitude: 21,900’
Wind Direction: 360°
Wind Velocity: 39 MPH
Direction of Attack: 113° Mag. Heading
Bombardier’s Narrative: The 351st Bomb Group flying Low Box of the 94th Combat Wing bombed Landsberg Airdrome. Bombs were away at 1423 on a magnetic heading of 113° from a true altitude of 21,900’. Indicated altitude was 23,000’.
 The turn was made on the I.P. and the target picked up immediately with extended vision. A bombing run of about three (3) minutes was made, but a collision course with another Group necessitated a turning by the Pilot just as bombs were away. Faulty interphone made it impossible for the Pilot to inform the bombardier that he was taking over. Results were unobserved.  One ship in our Group carried “Nickels” [Propaganda Leaflets].

[Signed:] Archer M. Baird, Captain, Air Corps, Lead Bombardier

Bombardier - Capt. Baird, Archer M.  Pilot - Capt. Harris, Douglas Navigator - 1st Lt. Pullen, Marshall R.
Aircraft B-17G 005  Take-off - 0955 Landed - 1840
Objective - Airdrome at Landsberg, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI)[Mean Point of Impact] -
Initial Point -
Method of Attack - Group
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 21   Composite Group -
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation:
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: 351st Composite Group -
Range Sighting only, Group - 351st    Composite Group -
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 41 x M47 A-1 IB’s [Incendiary Bombs], 1 Smoke Bomb
Number of Bombs Loaded - 42   Released - 42
Fusing, Nose - Instantaneous   Tail -
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - No
Mean Temp. Metro -17 Actual -17
Winds - Altitude - 23,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 360°  Actual 360°  Velocity - Metro 39  Actual 39
Temp C. - Metro -30° C. Actual -30° C.

1. The target was the airfield at Landsberg, Germany. Photo coverage was fair although snow makes damage assessment difficult.
2. The pattern of incendiary bombs can be seen to the West and slightly North of the target. The pattern measures 3,942 feet by 2,285 feet and the MPI [Mean Point of Impact] is 3,600 feet short of the briefed MPI and is 1,260 feet to the right.
3. The majority of the I.B. [Incendiary Bomb] pattern is in open fields, but some can be seen in the area of barracks buildings.
4. A pattern of G.P. [General Purpose] bombs can be seen at the eastern edge of the airfield. Some smoke is still seen in this area.

1. Forty-eight (48) parcels of G-29 [Propaganda Leaflets] were dropped over the target.
2. No photo evidence is yet available; however crews report fair to good results. Some claim our bombs fell among e/a [Enemy Aircraft] and buildings, while others say they could not see where bombs fell because of smoke from previous bombing.
3. E/A were encountered most heavily at approximately 48°05’N-09°35’E [Moosburg, Germany], about 20 minutes after bombs away. A few attacks were reported just before the target, but most began about 1445. At this time 25 E/A were encountered, mostly FW-190’s and a few ME-109’s; the FW-190’s were painted like friendly fighters. Most attacks were head on from four (4) to fifteen (15) abreast, coming in very close; no rockets were reported, but the attacks were aggressive. Very few attacks came from the tail. The E/A swept in abreast level and high and went right through formation, slightly above. This Group claims 6 destroyed, 1 probable, and 3 damaged.
4. Meager inaccurate flak was fired at our formation from Le Tréport at the coast going in. In the vicinity of Poix on the way in flak was intense and very accurate. What appeared to be a barrage was seen off to the left over Augsburg as our formation approached their IP. On the way in to the target meager flak was fired from Lechfeld. Reports on flak at the target vary from meager to intense, but the consensus is that it was moderate and accurate. One crew reported what appeared to be orange paper and white paper scattering out of large black bursts over the target. Another crew definitely pinpointed several flak installations at the northeast end of the A/F [Airfield]. Intense accurate continuous following flak was again encountered at Poix on the way back, and meager inaccurate flak at Le Tréport.
5. Bombing weather over the target was clear except for an extremely heavy ground haze which made it difficult to identify our incendiary bomb bursts.
6. Fifty (50) E/A were counted on an A/F southeast of our target area at 1432. Considerable activity was seen in the marshalling yards at St. Dizier, and five (5) E/A were seen at the A/F near the same town at 1602.
7. Fighter support was lacking for a period of forty-five (45) minutes or more, from before the target until after the one vicious attack made on this Group at approximately 1445. Four (4) of our A/C are missing, all as a result of this attack. A/C P-032, which was flying No. 3 of the lead element of the lead squadron, was seen falling out of formation with No. 3 engine and the right wing on fire; the majority of crews which followed this A/C saw it heading for Switzerland still under control; one crew reports seeing it blow up. A/C N-832, which flew No. 2, second element of the lead squadron, had most of the vertical stabilizer shot off and fell out of formation still under control; a few minutes later crews reported seeing it blow up, and 3 parachutes are reported from it. A/C Q-825, flying in lead slot of the low squadron, was seen with No. 2 and 3 engines feathered, the latter smoking, heading for Switzerland under control and free from enemy fighters. Some tail gunners watched this A/C until it was out of sight. A/C X-966 was hit in the vertical stabilizer and went into a nose dive and blew up; six chutes were counted from this A/C.

1. Target: Assigned - Landsberg, Germany Bombed - Landsberg, Germany
2. Route as Flown. - Le Tréport – St. Dizier – Riedlingen – Zusmarshausen (E. of Augsburg [actually W. of Augsburg]) – Target – Kaufbeuren – Riedlingen – Same route back.
3. Weather Conditions - A. at Target. - 3 to 4/10 cloud  B. En route - Out: Nil to 3/10 cloud. Back: 5 to 6/10 cloud in Germany & France breaking to Nil at French coast.
4. Were our A/C "Seen" or "Unseen" targets? (a) At Target - Seen (b) Enroute - Probably seen
 Any Condensation Trails? - Dense, persistent, West of 09° East.
5. Description of Flak, including type of Fire Control: Reports varied, but most crews reported moderate continuous following, accurate for both height and deflection. One crew definitely pin-pointed flak installations at the NE end of the A/F [Airfield].
6. Flak encountered or observed en route. (In the order experienced) -
 Le Tréport, 1204, meager, inaccurate.
 Poix, 1209, 12,000 – 15,000 ft., intense, accurate.
 Augsburg, 1415, moderate barrage observed off to the left.
 Lechfeld, 1418, 23,000 ft., meager, height good, deflection poor.
 Poix, 1650, 14,000 ft., intense, accurate.
 Le Tréport, 1654, 14,000 ft., meager, inaccurate.
7. Was Chaff carried? - No How discharged? ___
8. Position of Group - Low
9. Group – 351 A/C over enemy terr. – 21 A/C damaged – 6 (5 major) A/C lost to flak – 0 Time over Target – 1423 Time of bombs away – 1423 Height – 22,400’ Axis of attack – 113° Mag. Bomb run – 3 min.
10. Comments - Phenomena: One crew reported what appeared to be orange and white paper scattering out of large flak bursts over the target.

1. Following is a summary of the Crew Comments as reported at interrogation of the mission of this date:

510th Squadron
A/C 975-O: Salvo bar was jammed. Sleeve was set at safe, but so much force had to be used to move to “select” position that I overshot. – Lt. Habecker.
(We had this trouble before; and it was not fixed because ships were loaded.)
Why give us British candy? It is just wasted. – Entire Crew.
A/C 721-S: A/C fighting for positions in the formation instead of waiting for an opening. - Lt. Chalmers.
A/C 899-B: Whoever flew No. 2 lead element, lead squadron didn’t hold position and threw high squadron completely out of formation. – Lt. Dennis.
A/C 560-A: Nine (9) bombs hung up on racks; one hung on rack and others piled up. Pilot’s Emergency bomb release did not work. Bombardier (Lt. Duchesneau) kicked eight bombs out and lost oxygen bottle during the process; kicked remaining bomb out over channel. Bombardier climbed into open bay without chute to clear the bombs. – Lt. Peters

511th Squadron
A/C 492-B: Wing men of second element were flying on wing of third element, 510th Sq. - Lt. Lemley.
Wanted a second egg but couldn’t get it. – Sgt. Kaplowitz.

[Signed] Robert P. Ramsey, Captain, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence]

1. Abortives:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31192, 508th Squadron, returned early as planned.
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31757, 508th Squadron. Small flak hole in left wing underside near trailing edge of wing between #1 and #2 Engine nacelles, skin, corrugation and stiffener damaged. Small flak hole in left bomb bay door, skin damage only.
   2. Airplane No. 42-38005, 509th Squadron. One .20mm shell hole in right wing inner panel behind #4 Engine topside. Skin, corrugation, and induction system damaged. One .20mm hole in right wing inner panel behind #3 Engine topside, skin, corrugation and induction system damaged. One .303 hole through Plexiglass nose section.
   3. Airplane No. 42-31384, 509th Squadron. Three .20mm holes in right wing inner panel topside and through wing, behind #4 Engine nacelle. Skin, corrugation, induction and stringers damaged. One .20mm shell hole in topside of right wing outer panel. Skin, corrugation and Tokyos damaged. One .20mm hole in leading edge of right horizontal stabilizer. One .303 hole through center of vertical stabilizer. One .20mm hole in left side of tail gunners compartment which exploded and made numerous holes in right side of fuselage. Skin and bulkheads damaged.
   4. Airplane No. 42-31560, 510th Squadron. Small flak hole through left wing inner panel near fuselage. Skin, corrugation and former of wing damaged. Small flak hole in underside of left horizontal stabilizer, skin and stiffener damaged. Two small flak holes underside of fuselage rear of ball turret, skin damage only. Small flak hole in right wing underside outer panel, skin, corrugation and Tokyo tank damaged. Flak hole in fuselage under left horizontal stabilizer. Skin and vacuum line damaged. Small flak hole in Plexiglass nose section. Small flak hole through rudder hinge, skin and former damaged.
   5. Airplane No. 42-37714, 510th Squadron. Small flak hole in left bomb bay door, skin damage only. #3 Intercooler duct cracked by spent shell casing.
   6. Airplane No. 42-97492, 511th Squadron. Flak hole in right elevator and stabilizer, skin and fabric damaged. Small flak hole in leading edge of right wing. Two small flak holes in tail gunner compartment.
   7. Airplane No. 42-31721, 511th Squadron. Two flak holes through left wing tip, skin and corrugation damaged. Two flak holes in left flap, skin and stiffeners damaged. Leading edge of vertical stabilizer torn by flak. Two flak holes in lower waist, aft of waist window, skin damage only.
   8. Airplane No. 42-38153, 511th Squadron. Flak hole in leading edge wing outer panel. Skin, former and Tokyo tank damaged. Flak hole in left wing outer panel leading edge. Skin, corrugation and rib damaged. Fabric of left elevator torn by flak.

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MINOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK		BY Friend
   8		6		4		2

1. The following armament malfunctions and failures were reported upon completion of the Mission of 18 March, 1944:
   1. A/C 42-31975 – Bombardier salvoed early, reporting he overshot Select position and into salvo position. Bombardier claims salvo sleeve was in select position. Strictly a Bombardier’s error in this instance. Ground check revealed release handle could not be placed in salvo without turning the sleeve.
   2. A/C 42-39853 – Ball turret Vickers motor burned out and is being replaced.
   3. A/C 42-31725 – No. 5 station failed to release. Bombardier released station by lifting shackle off rack and dropping both bomb and shackle. Ground check revealed no defects. Trouble was possibly in shackle.
   4. A/C 42-97472 – Had to salvo right side. Ground check disclosed no defects.
   5. A/C 42-31714 – Intervalometer out before Mission. Bombardier was instructed by armorer to salvo. This type of intervalometer is unavailable at the present time.
   6. A/C 42-37714 – Bomb bay doors would not close electrically. Check showed shaft on bomb bay door motor was sheared.
   7. A/C 42-31560 – Station 31, inboard, failed to release, causing bombs to pile up above that station. The Bombardier reported, “Going back to the bomb bay, I was able to throw out 7 of the bombs and cut the 8th bomb away from the bombs to which it was attached. I was unable to release station 31 because my oxygen bottle fell out through the bomb bay. I returned to the nose and closed the doors. Crossing the Channel on the return trip, I was able to drop station 31 in the channel.” Ground check revealed partial open circuit in A-2 release on station 31.
   8. A/C 42-31757 – a. Bombardier’s report: “A flak burst broke the worm gears on the bomb bay doors. The pilot tried the emergency release and failed. I then forced my own salvo and dropped bombs.”
      b. Actually, Armament check revealed that the bombs were released by pilot’s emergency release after Bombardier tried to salvo them. From the position of the release terminals on the doors, the cable was not unwound before the doors were closed electrically. The 4 terminals and the 2 front drive rods were snapped off. The racks worked both electrically and manually when checked on the ground.

1. The Station Ordnance Officer has reported the expenditure of 45,020 rounds of Caliber .50 ammunition was expended on the Mission of 18 March, 1944. This figure includes the expenditure of 9,000 rounds by each of the four (4) aircraft missing in action.

1. Following is the disposition of bombs on the Mission of 18 March, 1944.

NOTE: Two (2) Chemical Skymarker Bombs Loaded.
One (1) Aircraft carried Leaflets.

Aircraft No. 192 Squadron - 509th   Pilot - Bartzocas, A., 1st Lt.
Time of Abortive - 1207  Location when Aborted - 5 min. inside France
Reason - FS [Flying Spare] Returned as planned
Disposition of Bombs: Brought back to base.
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 14,000' - 14,500'  
Enemy Opposition Encountered - Flack
Remarks:
[Signed] Arthur Bartzocas

1. Call Letter and Last Four numbers of A/C in each Squadron:

   a. 94th C.B.W. [Combat Wing] Low Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: 1757–G, 1192–R, [Both Planes Flying Spares]
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 8005–G, 8032–P, 1725–L, 9914–S, 1384–T, 7832–N
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 1899–B, 7714–T, 9853–P, 8038–R, 1721–S, 1975–O, 1560–A Spare
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 7825–Q, 9987–D, 1714–R, 7472–H, 8153–F, 1966–X*

   7492–B - Spare  * - Nickel A/C [Aircraft]
   
2. Target: GU-4058
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T TMB R/T Daisychain		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T JAJ R/T Paramount
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T RYU R/T Ridingwhip		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T NQC R/T Thickfrost

4. "A" Low Box: Taxi–0840; Take-Off –0855; E.T.D. Field–at Take Off
   "B" ___ Box: Taxi–____; Take-Off –____; E.T.D. Field–____

5. Group	Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   1038 1138	16,000 Ft	Beachy Head

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1558 1658	14,000 Ft	49°58'N-01°15'E [Penly, France]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   1618 1718	4,000 Ft	Beachy Head

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1706 1806 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "N"
10. Bomb load of Each A/C: Low Box
    508 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bombs]
    509 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bombs]
    510 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bombs]
    511 Squadron: Maximum [Number of] M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary Bombs]
    
    
    
11. Fuel Load of each A/C:
    A/C with TOKIO TANKS: 2700 Gallons A/C without TOKIO TANKS: ___ Gallons
12. Group Leader:
    a. Low Box: Name: Douglas L. Harris Rank: ____ A/C: ____  Sqdn. ____
    b. ____ Box: Name: ___ Rank: ___ A/C: ___ Sqdn. ___
13. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None

Actual Times Off and Return by Squadrons and A/C Letters:
Lead Box

***Report Compiled By Cuizzio, Rocky, T/Sgt.

A/C 42-31192 Returned as Planned. A/C 42-31560 flew with 457th Group Formation.

Mission No. 95 – March 18, 1944

 Twenty-one planes attacked the aerodrome at Landsberg, Germany. Bombing results were good. The formation was led by Captain Harris and Lt. Brooksby, with Lt. Pullen as navigator and Captain Baird as bombardier. Enemy fighters started to attack just before the target and continued until about 20 minutes after bombs away. There was considerable flak at the target. Four planes failed to return from this mission.
 The plane piloted by Lt. Neuberg, 42-38032, fell out of the formation with the right wing and number three engine on fire. Aircraft 42-37832, flown by Lt. Illies, had most of its vertical stabilizer shot away before exploding in mid-air. Lt. Martin’s plane, 42-31966, had just turned after bombing the target and was heading west when it was attacked head-on by about 12 FW 190s. The oxygen tanks were hit, causing fires to break out. The right wing was knocked off by cannon fire. In addition, the pilot was hit in the right side of the face by a 20mm shell. With the loss of the wing, the plane immediately went into a tight spin, throwing the crewmembers to the roof of the plane. The copilot, Lt. Sinnott, tried to control the ship for some time but then decided it was time to abandon the plane at about 2,000 feet. He managed to get out the forward hatch, but unfortunately his parachute did not open. The only other crewmember that was able to escape from the plane was Lt. DeRoever, the bombardier, who bailed out so low that he hit a tree as soon as he pulled the ripcord on his parachute.
 Lt. Mears headed the badly damaged 42-37825 towards Switzerland. The story is told by T/Sgt. Richard Hobt. “My last mission, number 23 for me and number 22 for the rest of the crew started on the morning of March 18, 1944, with the usual early call at 0200 hours in the morning. After briefing we were delayed by weather and did not take off as I recall until 1000 hours. We thought due to the long wait, that as in many other instances, the mission would be cancelled. The target was the airfield at Landsberg, Germany, which is approximately 20 miles due east of Munich, Germany. The reason for the raid was to disrupt the training of aircrews on the ME 410s and to destroy the facility. I do not recall any special problems or encounters with the enemy as we proceeded to the a brand new B-17G of the low squadron at approximately 18,000 feet. Our bomb run was good and we could observe our bombs hitting the hangars and runways.
 “Almost immediately after the bomb run, the tail gunner called out, ‘Enemy fighters at six o’clock low and climbing to our altitude.’ The six aircraft were identified as FW 190s and upon gaining our altitude they proceeded from the six o’clock position level to ahead of our formation, turned and made a level head-on pass at 12 o’clock. The three aircraft in the lead element were hit with a heavy concentration of machine gun and 20mm cannon fire and were, I think, heavily damaged. As for our condition, we were struck in the nose, a 20mm shell exploding in the navigator’s compartment, another 20mm shell exploded at the base of the pilot’s control column. A large hole was blown in the fuselage on the left side just below the top turret, numbers one and two engines shot out and an oil fire started in number three. The pilot, stunned by the above-mentioned shell, lost control of the aircraft and we were in a steep dive passing under our left wingman as he exploded. We fell from 18,000 feet to about 5,000 feet before the copilot and the pilot regained control.
 “An assessment of our damage and loss of fuel made the return to England out of the question and we headed east towards the Swiss border. I was attempting to notify the base of our condition as we crossed Lake Constance. As we crossed the border we were intercepted by four Swiss fighters, later identified as Moranes. They escorted us to Dubendorf airfield outside of Zurich. Due to our damage we felt we could only attempt one pass. There were three other B-17s and twelve B-24s all trying to land at about the same time. We came in downwind and on contacting the ground, the landing gear collapsed. As luck would have it we all escaped injury and we were very glad to be in Switzerland and not Germany.

• A/C# 42-38032   RQ-X    Pilot: Lt. Neuberg     A/C's 17th Mission   MACR #3239

   Aircraft Loss Circumstances:
  

  The transcribed German records in the MACR describe that the plane crashed at Heiligkreuzal some 500 meters from the northern entrance of the village at about 1500 hours.

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
  • Pilot - 1st Lt. Neuberg, Raymond E. - From Illinois, POW at Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Co-pilot - 2nd Lt. Swenson, Robert L. - Killed in Action
  • Navigator - 2nd Lt. Finklestein, Charles L. - Killed in Action on first attack by enemy aircraft.
  • Bombardier - 2nd Lt. Manley, William A. - Killed in Action on first attack by enemy aircraft.
  • Top Turret Gunner - T/Sgt. Sharp, Earl R. - From Pennsylvania, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Radio Operator - T/Sgt. Houk, Ira - From New Jersey, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Left Waist Gunner - S/Sgt. Eckes, David - Killed in Action
  • Right Waist Gunner - S/Sgt. Lowans, Lewis A. - Killed in Action
  • Ball Turret Gunner - S/Sgt. Workman, Robert - From West Virginia, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Tail Gunner - S/Sgt. Quigley, Neal M. - From Oklahoma, POW at Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  Burial Records:
  

  The burial records below courtesy of the American Battle Monuments Commission. http://www.abmc.gov or Findagrave.com
  
  Robert L. Swenson - From Minnesota, Date of Death - March 18, 1944, Buried - Kasota Hill Cemetery, Kasota, Le Sueur County, Minnesota.
  
  David W. Eckes - From New York, Date of Death - March 18, 1944, Buried - Plot A Row 23 Grave 41, Lorraine American Cemetery, St Avold, France.
   Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
  
  Charles Finkelstein - From Missouri, Date of Death March 18, 1944, Buried - Plot E Row 33 Grave 42, Lorraine American Cemetery, St Avold, France.
   Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart.
  
  Lewis A. Lowans, From Pennsylvania, Date of Death March 18, 1944, Buried - Plot E Row 30 Grave 41, Lorraine American Cemetery, St Avold, France.
   Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
  
  William A. Manley - From Georgia, Date of Death March 18, 1944, Burial - Plot: Section 1, Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia.

  

  
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• A/C# 42-37832   RQ-N   "Casa De Embriagos"   Pilot: Lt. Illies     A/C's 15th Mission   MACR #3238

   Aircraft Loss Circumstances:
  

  According to the MACR the plane was attacked by German fighters and had its vertical stabilizer shot off. It fell out of formation but was still under control. A few minutes later it blew up and crashed at Erbstetten, near Ehingen, Germany. The men who were killed were initially buried in Erbstetten Cemetery, Grave #40. Three men parachuted from the plane and were captured in the neighborhood of Riedlingen.

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
  • Pilot - 1st Lt Illies, Walter R., - Killed in Action
  • Co-pilot - 2nd Lt Breland, John G., - Killed in Action
  • Navigator - 2nd Lt Perle, Richard, - From New York, POW at Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Bombardier - 2nd Lt Casper, Robert W., - From Illinois, POW at Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Top Turret Gunner - T/Sgt Vaughn, Robert D., - Killed in Action
  • Radio Operator - T/Sgt Jacques, Albert J., - Killed in Action
  • Left Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Brown, William H., - From Wisconsin, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Right Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Alexander, Robbie R., - Killed in Action
  • Ball Turret Gunner - S/Sgt Briggs, Arthur C., - Killed in Action
  • Tail Gunner - S/Sgt Thompson, Merle W., - From Washington State, POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  Burial Records:
  

  The burial records below courtesy of the American Battle Monuments Commission. http://www.abmc.gov or Findagrave.com

  Walter R. Illies , Burial: Plot: J, 14342, Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.
  John G. Breland , No Burial records could be located.
  Robert D. Vaughn , Burial: Plot: Sec: 234, Lot: 319, Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
  Albert J. Jacques , Burial: Plot E Row 23 Grave 25, Lorraine American Cemetery, St Avold, France.
   Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart.
  Robbie R. Alexander , Burial: White Rose Cemetery, Wills Point, Van Zandt County, Texas.
  Arthur C. Briggs , From New York, Buried: Plot C Row 4 Grave 75, Lorraine American Cemetery, St Avold, France.
   Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart.
  

  

  
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• A/C# 42-31966   DS-X    Pilot: Lt. Martin     A/C's 5th Mission   MACR #3236

   Aircraft Loss Circumstances:
  

   The transcribed German records in the MACR describe that the plane was attacked by fighters and crashed 500 meters inside the forest between Hailtingen and Uttenweiler south of the road.
  
  The Bombardier, Lt. Frederick DeRoever, wrote the following in a MACR questionaire:
  "Here is a summary of the mission to Augsburg, Germany on March 18th, 1944, when our plane was knocked down.
   On our return from hitting the target near Augsburg, in Southern Germany, we were attacked head-on by about twelve Me109's. We were flying at about 19,000 feet and were heading due West. We were hit about 14:50 in the afternoon. The Germans came in in two single files and hit us head-on. They hit our oxygen tanks and caused [a] fire. Also, our right wing was knocked off because a 20 mm. shell got a direct hit on it. Further, the pilot, was hit in the right side of the face. With the loss of the wing, we immediately went into a tight spin and I was thrown to the side of the ship. The Navigator, Lt. Guy A. Lightfoot, was thrown forward over the nose sights. We both tried to get out of the ship but the centrifical force and pull of gravity was difficult to overcome. Further, the pilot, Lt. Martin, managed to get out of his seat and fell forward on me. During this time, all communication with the remaining members of the crew in the rear of the ship was severed, and I do not know if they were able to bail out, or whether or not they were injured. Lt. Sinnott, the Co-pilot, tried to pull the ship out for quite a while and he bailed out about 2000 feet. I saw that the pilot was critically wounded and had no chute so I started to climb out. The Navigator was too far forward for me to help so I bailed out. Since I was at minimum altitude when I bailed out (I hit a tree as soon as I pulled the rip-cord) I doubt very much if the Navigator or Pilot were able to get out of the ship. As for the rest of the crew, I have no knowledge whatsoever. The last time I had heard from them was just after target time and about five minutes before we were hit, except that they answered to my warning of fighters attacking the formation. We were flying in the low squadron, low man.
   In Germany, I tried to obtain information from the Germans but they had none whatsoever on any of the crew and went to great lengths to ascertain this same information from me. Therefore, I am very sorry that I cannot answer this questionnaire more fully as I realize the importance of my information.
   The nearest that I can recall as to where the ship hit the ground was in a patch of woods near the town of Reidlingen, Germany. I was taken to a combined courthouse and jail in that town and a Hospital in Ulm, Germany. These towns are both in Southern Germany about 30 miles from Augsburg, Germany and about 30 miles north of Switzerland.
   If I can be of any further service, please do not hesitate to call on me as I am very anxious to know if any of the members of my crew are located and pray that some good news will be heard."

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
  • Pilot - 2nd Lt. Martin, Paul - Killed in Action
  • Co-pilot - 2nd Lt. Sinnott, John H. - Killed in Action
  • Navigator - 2nd Lt. Lightfoot, Guy A. Jr - Killed in Action
  • Bombardier - 2nd Lt. DeRoever, Frederick R. - POW at Stalag Luft 1 Barth Vogelsang Prussia 54, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Top Turret Gunner - M/Sgt Lesko, George A. - Killed in Action
  • Radio Operator - S/Sgt Vargo, Michael - Killed in Action
  • Left Waist Gunner - Sgt Meyer, Charles E. - Killed in Action
  • Ball Turret Gunner - Sgt Vermillion, Sterling E. - Killed in Action
  • Tail Gunner - Sgt Saucedo, Fred C. - Killed in Action
  Burial Records:
  

  The burial records below courtesy of http://www.findagrave.com
  Paul Martin- Burial: Plot: 3, 304-L-1, Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
  John H. Sinnott - Burial: Plot: 3, 304-L-1, Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
  Guy A. Lightfoot Jr - Burial: Plot: 3, 304-L-1, Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
  George A. Lesko - Burial: Plot: 3, 304-L-1, Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
  Michael Vargo - Burial: Plot: 3, 304-L-1, Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
  Charles E. Meyer -Burial: Plot: 3, 304-L-1, Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
  Sterling E. Vermillion - Burial: Plot: 3, 304-L-1, Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
  Fred C. Saucedo - Burial: Plot: 3, 304-L-1, Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
  

  

  
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• A/C# 42-37825   DS-Q   "Super Ball"   Pilot: Lt. Mears     A/C's 26th Mission   MACR #3237

   Aircraft Loss Circumstances:
  

  According to the Navigator the plane was attacked head-on by FW190's and was hit on the left side of the cockpit which knocked out the pilot's controls, hydraulic pressure, fuel lines and the two left wing engines were knocked out. The pilot switched places with the Co-pilot and flew the plane from the right seat and set a course for Switzerland. Because of no hydraulic pressure to lock the landing gear down, they crash landed at Dubendorf Airfield at Zurich with no one injured!

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
  • Pilot - 1st Lt. George W. Mears - Interned in Switzerland
  • Co-pilot - 2nd Lt. Russell E. Ward - Interned in Switzerland
  • Navigator - 1st Lt. James D. Mahaffey - Escaped from Switzerland on 26 Sep. 1944. Read his account at this web address: http://swissinternees.tripod.com/mahaffey.html
  • Bombardier - 1st Lt. Richard L. Davis - Interned in Switzerland
  • Top Turret Gunner - T/Sgt Samuel R. Simms - Interned in Switzerland
  • Radio Operator - T/Sgt Richard D. Hobt - Interned in Switzerland
  • Left Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Earl R. Echstenkamper - Interned in Switzerland
  • Right Waist Gunner - S/Sgt John B. Lucas - Interned in Switzerland
  • Ball Turret Gunner - S/Sgt Caleb B. Hurst - Interned in Switzerland
  • Tail Gunner - Sgt Frank L. Selover - Interned in Switzerland