351st Bomb Group

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

   Lead Box
   Stations –	0950
   Start Engines –	1000
   Taxi -	1010
   Take Off -	1025
   Last Take Off -	1115

   
   
3. Targets:
   Primary: Oranienburg Heinkel A/C Factory.
   Secondary: Berlin.
   Last Resort: German Industrial Target.
   
   
4. Loading:
   High Box: All grps. [in the] 94th - 100# I.B.’s. [Incendiary Bombs]
   Lead Box:
   Low Box:
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - 157
   
   
5. Gasoline Loading:
   Tokyos [Planes with extra wing fuel tanks]: Full
   Non-Tokyos:
   Remarks: Chaff – 288 units dropped 3 min. past I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] for 12 minutes. 4 units/10 seconds.
   
   

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

   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast Louth
   Lead	1st	Oranienburg	1151
   2nd	94th	Oranienburg	1151
   3rd	41th"A"	Oranienburg	1155
   4th	41th"B"	2 Miles East	1155
   5th	40th	"	1159
   6th
   7th
   8th
   2nd Division	4 CW's	Nearby Targets	Cromer 1224
   3rd Division	4 CW's	Nearby Targets	Cromer 1200
   Marauders [B-26]
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   Remarks: Control Points – English Coast, Louth, 0850°E, 1200°E, 1000°E. See Rear for Fighter Reference Points. [The Fighter Reference Points are listed under Special Instructions.]
   
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • [Force]	[Longitude]	[Time]	[Call Sign]
     1 Groups, P-47’s	0900°	To 1000	Balance 2-1
     1 Groups, P-38’s	1000°	To 1200	Balance 2-2
     1 Groups, P-51’s	1200°	To 1250	Balance 2-3
     1 Groups, P-38’s	1250°	To 1000	Balance 2-4
     1 Sqdns., P-51’s	1000°	To [Limit of Range]	Balance 2-5

     
     
9. Group Assembly is:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   Lead	8,000'	Deenethorpe
   Low	7,000’	Deenethorpe
   High	9,000’	Deenethorpe

   
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
12. Weather - _____
    
13. Special Instructions to Navigators, Bombardiers:
    Salvo for Primary. 100 feet interval for Secondary.
    Flying Spares – M 151 (Overholt), X 191 (Miller) turn back at 0300° E.
    Ground Spares – Q 879 (Lead), L 305, S 721.
    Diversion field is Foulsham – near Cromer.
    CW’s begin to take interval at 1041° E; Make bombing decision at 1200° E (Vis. or PFF)
    Fighters will give target weather on C. [VHF Channel “C”]
    
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy also Tail Gunner report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing – IP -	Long Shot
    Visual Bombing -	Race Track
    Authenticator –	Beeswax
    Recall -	Nan-George-Roger-Tare
    Division Lead	Cycle
    Emer. Chaff -	Bull Fiddle
    Wx [Weather]-	VABIT
    Wx Ship -	Hotmint “L”

    
    
    (B) Call Signs:

    	Call Sign	Flares	Tail Letters
    351st A	Woodcraft Red	RY [Red Yellow	J
    351st B
    401st A	Woodcraft White	G	S
    401st B
    457th A	Woodcraft Blue	R	U
    457th B
    Composite
    1st C.B.W.	Swordfish
    40th C.B.W.	Foxhole
    41st C.B.W.	Cowboy
    Composite C.B.W.

    (C)

    U.S. Fighters	Balance	(2-1 to 2-5)
    R.A.F. Fighters
    Bombers	Vine Grove Two Two
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Colgate
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

     Remarks: Radio silence observed except by CW Lead where use is necessary, in CW Assembly.
    
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0800 – 1400	GY	L	H
    1400 – 2000	RR	P	D

    
    
    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All except
    2. - 857-J - 702-A and CW Lead from Louth on.
    3. - C
    4. - Available to all.
       
       
16. Let-Down on Splasher # 4, if overcast.
    351st A   195° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    351st B
    401st A   210° Mag.
    457th A   180° Mag.
    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields.
    3. Landing Aids.
       
       
18. Special Instructions:
    Fighter Ref. Points:
    L - Hamburg
    I - Wittenburg
    S - Berlin
    T - Stendal
    E - Bremen
    N - Cuxhaven
    
    Reference alt. = 20,000 feet.
    Deputy for Grp. Lead will be Maginn.
    Deputy for Visual bombing will be Winton.
    

 
1. General Narrative. Eighteen aircraft took off as scheduled and formed over the field. The 351st Group was scheduled to fly as Lead Group of the 94th Combat Wing – the second wing in the 1st Division formation. The combat wing assembly was made as scheduled over Deenethorpe, the Lead Group flying at 8,000 feet. As indicated on the Track Chart, all points were made good, with the briefed route being flown with little variation.
    The briefed route was followed to the target. Two aircraft had left the group formation before it was dispatched for reasons as indicated in Aircraft Not Attacking. Bombs were dropped in the formation indicated on the following diagram. Results are believed to be good, with the incendiaries falling in the smoke of previous bursts.
    The rally after bombing was somewhat confusing due to the presence of several single groups in the target area. However, several groups managed to form into a close pack around the lead box, giving each other mutual protection. The return route is indicated in the Navigation Section.
    Fighter opposition was nil. Flak was intense and accurate in the target area.
    Return to base was made as planned without incident.
   
   
2. Aircraft Not Attacking. Of the eighteen aircraft taking off, two were scheduled as flying spares. Sixteen aircraft were dispatched and continued as planned to the primary target. Aircraft 42-6151, pilot Lt. Overholt, was scheduled as a flying spare and returned as planned before being dispatched. Aircraft 42-38153, pilot Lt. Lemley, returned from a point south of Deenethorpe when the tail gunner became ill. The other aircraft scheduled as a flying spare continued with the formation and attacked the assigned target. Aircraft 42-97318, pilot Lt. Brooks, did not release its bombs over the target due to a mechanical malfunction, details of which are contained in the Armament Report.
3. Aircraft Lost. Aircraft 42-31955, pilot Lt. Apperson, was hit by flak over the target and caught fire. All crew members are reported as having bailed out safely.
4. Combat Wing Air Commander and Group Leader. Colonel Eugene A. Romig and Lt. Albert E. Grunow flew as Combat Wing Air Commander and Group Leader, respectively, in the PFF aircraft leading the combat wing formation.
   
   

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 1025 hours.
   2. Group formed at 1105 hours at 3,000 feet.
   3. Formed CBW [Combat Wing] at 1110 hours at 8,000 feet.
   4. Began climb at 1240 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 1351 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 2/10ths. Tops 5,000 feet.
      2. Visibility U [Unlimited] miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 250 degrees. 50 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. Pilotage and DR [Dead Reckoning]
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. Pilotage
   9. Joined task force at 1151 hours at Splasher #4
   10. Departed English Coast at 1155 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 1348 hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: 1351 hours.
       2. Coming back: 1549 hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. 250 degrees.
       2. 50 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: Metro & checked by Pilotage
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP [Initial Point of bomb run] at 1432 hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target 93 degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target 25,100 feet.
       4. Time bombs away 1446 hours.
       5. Method of target identification and weather over target: Visually identified, clouds on bomb run at 24,000’ base.
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: NONE
   16. Gee:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest fix 53°54'N-04°30'E [Over North Sea Approx. 46½ miles NW of Terschelling Island, Netherlands]
       2. Time 1652 hours.
   17. Comments: ____

Group: 351st Lead Group
Target: Oranienburg, Germany
Method of Bombing: Visual
Altitude: 25,000’
Direction of Attack: 97° Mag. Heading
Wind Direction: 250°
Wind Velocity: 50 MPH
Bombardier’s Narrative: We reached the briefed I.P. and took a magnetic heading of 97° for the target. On the run our group had to go through two large clouds which retarded our time for synchronization to only 45 seconds. The briefed A.P. [Aiming Point] could not be seen because of heavy smoke caused by hits of previous groups, but was approximated by triangulation. “Bombs Away” took place at 1446 and hits were seen in the target area.

[Signed:] William B. Lyttle, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier

Bombardier - 1st Lt., Lyttle, William B.  Pilot - 1st Lt., Grunow, A.E. Navigator - 1st Lt. M. E. Manthey
Aircraft B-17G   574-A  Take-off - 1025 Landed - 1818
Objective - Oranienburg, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI)[Mean Point of Impact] - Heinkel A/C Factory
Initial Point - As Ordered
Method of Attack - Group
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 18     Composite Group -
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: 1
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: 1   Composite Group -
Range Sighting only, Group - 1       Composite Group -
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 41 X M47 A1 and 1 Sky Marker
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 - Yes
Mean Temp. Metro -13 Actual -13
Winds - Altitude - 24,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 250°  Actual 250°  Velocity - Metro 58  Actual 58
Temp C. - Metro -28° C. Actual -28° C.

1. The target was the Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke at Oranienburg, Germany. Heavy smoke completely obscured the target in all photos.
2. Heavy smoke over the target was caused by the bombs of the preceding Wings. The first bombs (IB’s) [Incendiary Bombs] of this Group dropped into the target area and no bursts are seen outside of the smoke-covered portion of the target.
3. Occasional flashes indicate the approximate vicinity of the bursts, but a definite plot cannot be made.

1. 50 parcels of G-36 leaflets were dropped at the target.
2. A heavy concentration of smoke at the target area, the result of previous bombing and a smoke screen, prevents plotting of individual hits of this Group, but bombing results are good and no bursts are observed outside the target area. Fires and smoke are extremely heavy.
3. No enemy aircraft were encountered by any ships of this Group.
4. Flak was first encountered at landfall, probably fired from Westerhaven; it was meager and fairly accurate. There was a meager to moderate barrage over Lübeck. At the target flak was intense and accurate; one of our ships was shot down here. On the way out meager, inaccurate flak was observed over Hamburg, and about 16 ships in the harbor off Bremerhaven fired one or two rounds apiece, all of them inaccurate.
5. 1/10th clouds and ground haze made sighting difficult.
6. A convoy of about five small vessels and one large vessel was observed around 1700 hrs. and from 20 to 30 miles SE of Heligoland on a heading of 290°. The large vessel fired as the formation passed. A B-17, triangle “C”, joined this Group at the target and flew with this Group for one-half hour before turning back towards Germany. Its paint job was very poor and there appeared to be no ball turret or tail gunners. Its call letter was “L”. A new installation, appearing to be an ammunition dump, was observed at 1539 hrs. from 24,000 feet at 53°20’N-09°36’E., approximately 10 miles west of Wenzendorf A/F [Air Field]. The following bombing results were observed: Ulsen was smoking slightly; Brandenberg appeared to be hit heavily and smoke was rising to about 4,000 feet; the dock area at Wittenburg was burning heavily; at Havelberg smoke was rising to about 2,000 feet; and Gardelegen was burning along with the woods nearby.
7. The fighter support was very good throughout the entire mission. A/C [Aircraft] 955-K was hit by flak and burst into flames, just after bombs away. The A/C went down under control and nine chutes were observed. A P-51 was seen going down out of control at the target. No further identification was possible.

1. Other than the information contained in paragraph 3 of the Narrative Teletype Report [S-2 Intelligence Report], no additional details are forthcoming.

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

1. Target: Assigned - Oranienburg, Germany Bombed - Oranienburg, Germany
2. Route as Flown. - As briefed, except that actual I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was about 4 miles S. of briefed I.P.
3. Weather Conditions - A. at Target. - 1/10   B. En route - 2-4/10ths cloud
4. Were our A/C "Seen" or "Unseen" targets? (a) At Target - seen (b) Enroute - seen
 Any Condensation Trails? - In target area only.
5. Description of Flak, including type of Fire Control: Intense and accurate black and white flak. Most crews thought it was continuous following, but two crews reported indications of a box barrage. There was also much flak below our altitude, at about 15,000 feet. One of our ships was hit in the No. 3 engine and went down burning, in the target area.
6. Flak encountered or observed en route. (In the order experienced) -
 Westerhoven, 1358, 24,000 – meager, fairly accurate.
 Lübeck, 1421, 24,000 – meager, inaccurate.
 Stade, 1530 – meager, good for height but behind our formation.
 Hamburg, 1536, 19,000 – meager, inaccurate.
 Wesermünde, 1552, 19,000 – meager, inaccurate, possibly fired barrage.
 Cuxhaven, 1549, 19,700 – moderate, inaccurate, fired from batteries just SE of the town.
 53°30’-08°10’ [just E. of Wilhelmshaven], 1552, 18,500 – inaccurate fire from about 16 ships in Bremerhaven harbor.
 Heligoland, 1604, 18,000 – meager, inaccurate.
7. Was Chaff carried? - Yes  How discharged? As briefed
8. Position of Group - Lead
9. Group – 351 A/C over enemy terr. – 16  A/C damaged – 8 A/C lost to flak – 1 Time over Target – 1447 Time of bombs away – 1447 Height – 24,600’ Axis of attack – 90° Mag. Bomb run – 90 sec.
10. Comments - Phenomena: One crew reported seeing, at Westerhoven on the way in and again in the target area, two bursts of flak from which something that appeared to be small pieces of gold-colored metal – “like new pennies” – scattered out. Several crews reported 4 to 6 rockets in the target area.

    508th Squadron
A/C 066-O: Best navigation ever seen. Fighter support very good. – Lt. Nelson.

    511th Squadron
A/C 381 [318]-S: New ships with electrical release should be checked. – Lt. Wellbeloved.
A/C 748-V: Damn good fighter cover. – Lt. Loiacono.
A/C 492-B: Chaff was not thrown out properly. Package not broken up into bits; it was thrown out in chunks instead of being opened up. – Lt. Rogers.
A/C 005-R[Q]: Prefer Mars bars to High Carbohydrate bar ration. – Entire Crew.
 Suggest water be put into ship. – S/Sgt. Koryn.

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

1. Following is a summary of Hot News reports given by crew members during the interrogation of today’s mission:
Ship No. 509-V, 510th Squadron, flying at 12,000 feet, reported seeing at 1735 hrs. a flare from a plane in distress over the [North] sea at a position of 53°15’N-01°57’E [Approx. 35 miles NE of Cromer]. Several B-17’s were seen circling over the area at which the flare was observed.
This same observing aircraft reported the presence of enemy shipping thirty miles SE of Heglioland – six to eight vessels, one very large which was believed to be a battleship. The heading was 290°. The aircraft was flying at 14,000 feet and saw the enemy shipping at about 1700 hours.

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

1. Abortives:
   1. Airplane No. 42-6151, 508th Squadron, returned early as planned.
   2. Airplane No. 42-38153, 511th Squadron, returned early because of a sick tail gunner.
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31711, 508th Squadron. Small flak hole through vertical stabilizer.
   2. Airplane No. 42-97066, 508th Squadron. Small flak hole in Air Duct of #3 Engine.
   3. Airplane No. 42-31702, 508th Squadron. Flak hole through right wing outer panel, skin, corrugation and Tokyo tank damaged. Small flak hole through fabric of left aileron.
   4. Airplane No. 42-31988, 510th Squadron. Two small flak holes through left wing outer panel, skin, corrugation and #8 Tokyo tank hit. Small flak hole through right wing tip. Ring cowling of #4 Engine damaged by flak.
   5. Airplane No. 42-97191, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through left wing outer panel, skin, corrugation and vertical brace damaged.
   6. Airplane No. 42-31748, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through tail section, extended up through vertical stabilizer. Skin damage only.
   7. Airplane No. 42-97318, 511th Squadron. Very small flak hole thru right wing tip. Small flak hole on top of Navigator’s compartment.
   8. Airplane No. 42-107005, 511th Squadron. #4 supercharger damaged by flak. Flak hole through right wing inner panel, skin, corrugation and stiffeners damaged. Three flak holes through right wing tip. Co-pilot’s window cracked by flak. Right bomb bay door hit by flak, skin and stiffeners damaged.

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MINOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK
   8		8		8

1. Following are the armament malfunctions and failures reported upon completion of the Mission of 18 April, 1944.
   1. A/C 42-97318 – (All Electrical Ship) Did not release bombs. They were returned to base. Investigation shows that bomb bay selector switches were not turned on. Ship checks out perfectly on the ground. It is recommended that all bombardiers carry a check sheet when using an all electrical bombing system.
   2. A/C 42-31748 – Bombs salvoed. Ship checks out perfectly on ground.
   3. A/C 42-31711 – Bombs salvoed. Ship checks out perfectly on ground.
   4. A/C 42-31714 – Pilot’s emergency release used to drop bombs. Investigation shows that bomb bay doors were not fully opened. Therefore the bombardier could not drop electrically or salvo. Emergency release was not reengaged correctly, with the result that four (4) worm gears were broken.
   5. A/C 42-97157 – Nickels were packed too tightly. The left box would not drop when trap door opened. Nickels were thrown out one by one.

1. The Station Ordnance Officer has reported the expenditure of 11,365 rounds of Caliber .50 ammunition on the Mission of 18 April, 1944.
2. This figure includes 9,000 rounds of ammunition expended by Aircraft 42-31955, pilot Lt. Apperson, reported missing in action.

1. Following is the disposition of bombs loaded for the mission of 18 April, 1944.

1. Following interrogation the following deficiencies and disabilities were determined.
   508th Bomb Sq.,
A/C 702-A F-1 Suit burned out. - Ball Turret.

   510th Bomb Sq.,
A/C 509-V F-1 Suit burned out, shorted at cord connection. - T/Sgt. Siegel.
A/C 988-C Hands were burned, feet were cold, F-2 equipment. – Sgt. Derby.

[Signed:] Ernest J. Cater, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Group Equipment Officer

Aircraft No. 8153 Squadron - 511   Pilot - Lemley, C.P.
Time of Abortive - 1100   Location when Aborted - South of Deenethorpe
Reason - Tail gunner sick, throwing up BLOOD.
Disposition of Bombs: ___
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 8,000 ft.  
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks:
[Signed] Clarence P. Lemley 1st Lt.

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

   a. 94th Combat Wing   Lead Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: 1955–K, 1702–A, 1711–F, 7066–O, 1757–G, 7157–N, 6151–M (Spare)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: [None]
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 0857–J, 1509–V, 1988–C, 7196–M
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 7005–Q, 8153–F, 7318–S, 7492–B, 1748–V, 1714–R, 7191–X (Spare)
   P.F.F. Sqdn 422 A/C: 7574–A, 0018–U

   
   
2. Target: GY-4800
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T SAV R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T LYQ R/T PARTNERSHIP
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T NOO R/T TIPSTAFF		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T LXP R/T ANCIENT

4. "A" Lead Box: Taxi–1010; Take-Off –1025; E.T.D. Field–1025
   

5. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   1151	8,000 Ft	Splasher #4

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   1348	25,000 Ft	54°14'N-08°50'E [Wesselburenerkoog, Germany]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1603	20,000 Ft	53°48'N-08°33'E [Approx. 4 miles SW of Cuxhaven, Germany]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1748	5,000 Ft	Cromer

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1817 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "H"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
    508 Squadron: 42 M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary] A/C 7157-N Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets]
    509 Squadron: 42 M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary]
    510 Squadron: 42 M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary]
    511 Squadron: 42 M-47A1 I.B.'s [Incendiary]
    
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2700 Gallons
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Box: Name: E.A. Romig Rank: Col. A/C: 7574-A  Sqdn. 422
    
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None
15. Actual Times Off and Return by Squadrons and A/C Letters:
16. Lead Box

    Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.	Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.
    508	1955–K	____	____	510	0857–J	____	____
    	1702–A	____	____		1509–V	____	____
    	1711–F	____	____		1988–C	____	____
    	7066–O	____	____		7196–M	____	____
    	1757–G	____	____
    	7157–N	____	____
    	6151–M	____	____
    511	7005–Q	____	____	P.F.F.	7574–A	____	____
    	8153–F	____	____		0018–U	____	____
    	7318–S	____	____
    	7492–B	____	____
    	1748–V	____	____
    	1714–R	____	____
    	7191–X	____	____

    Report Compiled By Leo A. Curley, T/Sgt.
    
    

• A/C# 42-31955   YB-K  Pilot: Apperson    A/C's 14th Mission   MACR # 4049

  Aircraft Loss Circumstances:

  Description of the Mission printed in the book "The 351st Bomb Group in WWII" written by Ken Harbour & Peter Harris. Used with permission.
  
   Sixteen planes completed the mission to Oranienburg, on the outskirts of Berlin. They flew the lead box of the Combat Wing led by Colonel Romig and Lt. Grunow, with Captain Matthews as navigator and Lt. Lyttle as bombardier in a PFF ship. At the target, the bombs fell into the smoke from previous bombing. There were no enemy fighters and very little flak en route. However, at the target the flak was intensive and accurate.
   Lt. Apperson was flying 42-31955 as the lead of the low squadron. The squadron dropped their bombs successfully, but within seconds of the bomb bay doors closing, ‘955 received a very solid hit. A very loud whack was heard and the aircraft shuddered. However, Lt. Apperson was not duly concerned, as he had received similar hits before with no really grievous damage. He checked around the crew and established that no one had been hurt. A second later the right waist gunner, Sgt. Larry Kuslack, reported that something was burning. Just as Lt. Apperson was telling him to find it and put it out, Sgt. Bailey, the ball turret gunner, said, “Look behind number three engine.” Looking from the right hand seat, his normal position when flying lead, Lt. Apperson saw that flames were roaring back from the wing where the number three engine had been blown away. Diving to clear the formation, he ordered the crew to bail out.
   Checking that everyone was out, Lt. Apperson left via the bomb bay. Feeling weak from lack of oxygen, he did not delay in opening his parachute, the same chute he had used on December 31, 1943. The opening shock was severe and the cold intense, but he remained conscious. At about 15,000 feet Lt. Apperson began hearing loud cracks. At first he thought he was being fired at. Then, seeing another B-17 formation above him, he realized that it was the sound of flak shells passing him. Lt. Apperson landed gently, brushing through pine trees, touching down amongst the flak guns that had most probably shot him down. He and the rest of his crew were quickly captured except Sgt. Matthews, the tail gunner. He had bailed out successfully, but when his parachute opened, he slipped from the harness and fell to his death. Eight other ships received flak damage.
  
  According to the MACR [Missing Air Crew Report] the plane crashed after exploding in the air near Bergsdorf-Ausban, county Templin. Approxmately 13.5 miles north of Oranienburg, Germany.
  
  One crew member reported in a MACR questionaire he supposed that he [Matthews] blacked out from lack of oxygen while in the ship putting on his parachute and fell out the waist door without fully locking the harness. [Since he was a tail gunner he had to make his way from his tail position to the waist without being connected to the oxygen system then put on the parachute.]
  His body was found near Teschendorf, approxmately 6.5 miles NNW of Oranienburg, Germany. He was buried in Teschendorf cemetery, north-east corner Row I, Grave No. 1 until being reinterred in Ardennes American Cemetery. See below.

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
  • Pilot - 1st Lt Apperson, Edward B., From Virginia, 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 Ledyard, John P., From New York, POW at Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11), Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Navigator - 1st Lt Connors, William E. Jr., From Massachusetts, POW at Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Bombardier - 2nd Lt Marsh, Hal, From Florida, POW at Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Top Turret Gunner - T/Sgt Gaitskill, David R., From Kentucky, POW at Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf Near Krems Austria 48-15, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Radio Operator - T/Sgt Johnson, Donald E., From Pennsylvania, POW at Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf Near Krems Austria 48-15, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Left Waist Gunner - T/Sgt Kusluch, Laurence J., From Pennsylvania, POW at Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf Near Krems Austria 48-15, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Right Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Mandella, Bernard L., From Illinois, POW at Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf Near Krems Austria 48-15, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Ball Turret Gunner - S/Sgt Bailey, Raymond E., From Wyoming, POW at Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf Near Krems Austria 48-15, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
  • Tail Gunner - S/Sgt Mathews, Charles E., Killed in Action.
  Burial Records:
  

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

  • S/Sgt Mathews, Charles E, From New York, Buried - Plot D Row 5 Grave 19, Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium
    Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
  
   [Killed in Action - 1]
   [Prisoner of War - 9]