351st Bomb Group

Bombardier’s Report For The Mission Of This Date:
Target – Ludwigshafen, Germany.

1. This Group furnished the High, Low, and Lead Boxes of the 94th “B” Wing. The C-1 Pilot was used by the Lead ships with good results. Flak was heavy and accurate on the bombing run.
   1. The Lead Box made a PFF run on the PFF target. The bombardier identified the target area before bombs were away and put his cross hairs on it. Bombs were dropped PFF with the aid of the Bombsight
   2. The Low Box dropped their bombs on the smoke markers of the Lead Box.
   3. The High Box made a PFF run on the PFF target with the bombardier putting his cross hairs on the target area before “Bombs Away”.
2. Due to heavy cloud cover, bombing results were not observed.

  [Signed] William B. Lyttle, Captain, Air Corps, Group Bombardier

Combat Bombing Flight Record – Lead Box 94th “B” Wing:

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Decker, George M.
Pilot - Major Richardson, F.A. & 1st Lt. Bartzocas, A.
Navigator - Captain Cleveland, Carleton A.

Aircraft B-17G   B-701  Take-off - 0745 Landed - 1715
Objective - Ludwigshafen, Germany
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - PFF with aid Bombsight
Initial Point - As briefed
Method of Attack - Group
No. of Attacking A/C in Group: - 12   Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own Sighting Operation: ONE
Deflection and Range Sighting, Group: Lead A/C   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____   Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - G.P. [General Purpose] 1,000 LB., AN-M44
Number of Bombs Loaded - 6   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/40
Synchronization - P.F.F. On

Information at Release Point:  PFF run and sighting with aid from Bombsight

Altitude of Target - 300’		Magnetic Heading Ordered 55° Actual 76°
True Altitude Above Target - 26,100’		True Heading 70°
Indicated Altitude - 26,000’		Drift, Estimated 2° Left - Actual 5° Left
Pressure Altitude of Target + 197		True Track 65°
Altimeter Setting 29.92		Actual Range 16,523'
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 150K		B.S. Type - M-9
True Air Speed - 228K		Time of Release 1200
Ground Speed Est. 290 Actual 290		Length of Bombing Run - 55 mi.
Wind Direction Metro - 220° Actual - 215°		Intervalometer Setting - 200’ *
Wind Velocity Metro 63 Actual 63		C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] - X [Used]
D.S. - 125  Trail - 45   ATF - 41.3 4		A-5 Pilot _____
Tan. D.A, Est. .65 Actual .60		Manual Pilot - ____

  *Intervalometer setting was 200’ for the Wing.

Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - Unobserved
Mean Temp. Metro -7.7 Actual -7.7
Winds - Altitude - 26,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 220°  Actual 215°  Velocity - Metro 63MPH  Actual 63MPH
Temp C. - Metro -__° C. Actual -40° C.

Preliminary Damage Assessment:

1. The target for the three boxes of this Group was the I.G. Farberindustrie at Ludwigshafen, Germany. Photo cover was incomplete due to intense smoke in the target area.
2. Bombs away can be seen from the lead box, but no bursts are seen on the ground.
3. The bombardier of the low box dropped on the smoke bombs of the lead box, due to a malfunction of the inter-phone system. The main concentration fell approximately 1,712 feet short of the PFF MPI with some bombs falling across the target area. The pattern is at the edge of the plant and damage will result to some buildings. An explosion can be seen in the middle of the target area. The pattern is 1,926 feet by 1,506 feet.
4. There is no photo cover for the high box.

  [Signed:] Thomas L. Cooper, Captain, Air Corps, Group P.I. [Photo Intelligence]

Intelligence S-2 Reports:

1. There were no leaflets carried on today’s mission.
2. Heavy smoke and haze in the target area prevent plotting of the bomb strikes of this Combat Wing. The entire target area was observed to be smoking heavily and some fires were seen. The crews believe that results should be good.
3. No enemy aircraft were encountered, but four ME-210’s were seen to the rear of the Combat Wing just before bombs away. They made no attacks and there are no claims.
4. Flak at the target was intense, good for altitude, and fair to good for deflection. Meager flak was observed over Karlsruhe on the route in, and over Saarbrücken on the route out.
5. Weather in the target area was 7-8/10ths, and there were dense, persistent contrails and haze over the target.
6. A concentration of approximately 40 to 50 river barges was observed on the Rhine River moving south near Worms at 1203 hours from an altitude of 25,000 feet.
7. One PFF aircraft was employed to lead each box of the Combat Wing, and a PFF run was made on the target, with a visual assist at the time of bombs away. Fighter support appeared as briefed generally, and was satisfactory. Two of our A/C are unaccounted for, A/C 560-A left the formation on the route in at a point just south of Saarbrücken at 1115 hours. One engine had been feathered, and nothing further has been heard from this aircraft. A/C 193-P informed the Combat Wing Commander over VHF that it would attempt a landing in France and left the formation on the route back. No further word has been received as to the whereabouts of this aeroplane. Two of our aircraft landed short at Tangmere because of flak damage. Our plane 238-A crashed near Market Deeping during the assembling of the Combat Wing, due to unknown causes, and is a total loss. The tail gunner is the only survivor of the nine-man crew. The Combat Wing Commander, Major Richardson, reports that scouting Force contacted this Combat Wing around Verdun and provided complete information as to the conditions in the target area. The Scouting Force was very helpful to this Combat Wing.

Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge

Combat Crew Comments:

    510th Squadron:
A/C 124-F: After Lt. Handy and Lt. Purcell, the pilot, tried to salvo the last bomb which was hung on the rack, and failed, Lt. Handy went back to bomb bay and kicked the bomb out. – Lt. Purcell.

    511th Squadron:
A/C 714-R: Too much VHF talk on air speed checks.
A/C 171-Y: The formation was poor, except over the target. – Lt. Adams.

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

Mission Summary Report:

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31192, 508th Squadron, returned early as planned. (Reason: Flying Spare).
   2. Airplane No. 43-37956, 508th Squadron, returned early as planned. (Reason: Flying Spare).
2. Battle Damage:
   1. Airplane No. 43-37978, 508th Squadron. One flak hole underside left inboard wing panel, damaging feeder tank. (MAJOR)
   2. Airplane No. 42-97169, 509th Squadron. One flak hole each through left and right elevators. Seven flak holes through right wing, damaging skin, corrugation, and Tokyo tanks. Three flak holes underside left wing, damaging skin and corrugation. Flak hole through left elevator, and stabilizer. Flak hole underside of fuselage, rear of turret. Flak hole right side of fuselage under co-pilot’s window. Flak damage to leading edge of right wing. (MAJOR)
   3. Airplane No. 43-37595, 509th Squadron. Flak hole through left elevator. Flak damage to duct underside left wing. Flak hole underside right wing, damaging wiring and hydraulic line. Two flak holes in fuselage, near Pilot’s compartment. Flak hole leading edge of right wingtip. (MAJOR)
   4. Airplane No. 42-97216, 509th Squadron. One flak hole each through right and left wing tips. One flak hole through right wing inboard panel. One flak hole underside right inboard panel, damaging Tokyo tank. Two flak holes underside left wing, damaging Tokyo tanks. Flak entered dorsal fin on left side and emerged through vertical stabilizer. Spar left wing damaged by flak. Two flak holes in fuselage between nose section and wing. (MAJOR)
   5. Airplane No. 43-37696, 509th Squadron. Flak hole through right elevator. Flak hole underside right stabilizer. Two flak holes underside right wing, damaging oil and Tokyo tanks. Flak hole #3 nacelle, damaging ring cowl bracket. Flak hole right side of fuselage below top turret. Flak hole right side of fuselage rear of navigator’s compartment, damaging oxygen system, heated suit outlet and bracket for elevator pulley support. (MAJOR)
   6. Airplane No. 43-37665, 510th Squadron. Flak hole underside of right wing inboard panel, damaging Tokyo tank. (MAJOR)
   7. Airplane No. 42-97701, PFF airplane. Flak damage to plexiglass nose section. Three flak holes underside of right wing, on through, damaging three Tokyo tanks. Two flak holes through left wing, damaging Tokyo tank. Two flak holes left side of vertical stabilizer, skin and corrugation damaged. (MAJOR)
   
   

   TOTAL A/C DAMAGED		MAJOR DAMAGE		BY FLAK
   7		7		7

  [Signed:] Otto R. Vasak, Captain, Air Corps, Station Engineering Officer

Armament Report:

1. The following armament malfunction was reported on the Mission of 8 September, 1944.
   1. A/C 43-37512 – Failed to attack target. Doors were cranked open. Bombardier reports that Bomb door light did not function and bombs could not be released by salvo, select, or train. Aircraft was ground checked and when doors are fully opened the bomb door light functions and stations are released by train, salvo, and select. It is apparent that doors were not fully opened. (Personnel Failure).

  [Signed:] Clemert E. Hayes, Captain, Air Corps, Group Armament Officer

Aircraft Returning Early:

Aircraft No. 31192 Squadron - 509   Pilot - Lt. Walker
Time of Abortive - 08:30  Location when Aborted - Over or near Peterborough.
Reason For Abortive - Ice was collecting on wings. Rate of climb – 100’/min. & air speed indicator became inop. due to faulty pitot heat.
Disposition of Bombs: ____
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 10,000’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: ____
[Signed] Marvin R. Walker

“J” Form:

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

   a. 94th "B" Combat Wing   Lead Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: (R–1192 Flying Spare)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: (Lead - B–7701 PFF, G–6078, N–7169, P–7193, O–7595, U–7216, R–6156, Z–7696, X–7926, S–9914, F–7674, V–7854
   Sqdn 510th A/C:
   Sqdn 511th A/C:
   P.F.F. Sqdn ___ A/C: ____

   
   

   b. 94th "B" Combat Wing   High Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: K–8130,(L–7956 Flying Spare)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: D–7957, F–7124, B–6082, M–7196, K–7252, S–7512, A–1560, L–7515, N–7665, V–8123
   Sqdn 510th A/C:
   Sqdn 511th A/C: (Lead - L–8045)

   
   

   c. 94th "B" Combat Wing   Low Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C:
   Sqdn 509th A/C:
   Sqdn 510th A/C: (Lead - Y–7651 PFF)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: G–8070, D–7524, K–6139, F–8153, S–7318, X–7571, R–1714, B–8100, P–8089, Y–8171, A–1238

2. Target: GS-38
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T SZC R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T KUU R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T LNG R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T LRP R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. Lead Box: Taxi – 0735; Take-Off – 0750; E.T.D. Field – 0750
   b. ____ Box: Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   1001	15,000 Ft	Beachy Head

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   1020	13,000 Ft	49°53'N-00°42'E [16.5 miles W of Dieppe, France]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1423	15,000 Ft	49°53'N-00°42'E [16.5 miles W of Dieppe, France]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1446	15,000 Ft	Beachy Head

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1529 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "N"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
    508 Squadron:
    509 Squadron: All A/C 6 x 1000# GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/40 Tail [Fuses]
    510 Squadron:
    511 Squadron:
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" High Box
    508 Squadron:
    509 Squadron: All A/C 6 x 1000# GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/40 Tail [Fuses]
    510 Squadron:
    511 Squadron:
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Low Box
    508 Squadron:
    509 Squadron: All A/C 6 x 1000# GP [General Purpose] 1/10 Nose x 1/40 Tail [Fuses]
    510 Squadron:
    511 Squadron:
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2500 Gallons
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Box: Name: F.A. Richardson Rank: Major A/C: B-7701  Sqdn. 509th
    b. High Box: Name: J.T. Eickhoff Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: L-8045 Sqdn. 511th
    c. Low Box: Name: R.H. Brooks Rank: Captain A/C: Y-7651 Sqdn. 510th
14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None

Report Compiled By John Maksimik, S/Sgt.

Formation Chart:

94th "B" CBW Lead Box Formation at Take–Off and Over Target
				509th Squadron
				Richardson–Bartzocas A/C 42-97701 B PFF
			Cunningham A/C 42-97216 U		Wolcott A/C 44-6078 G
	Mertzlufft A/C 44-6156 R						Seacrest A/C 42-97169 N
Wooten A/C 42-97926 X		Johnston A/C 43-37696 Z				Tebbel A/C 43-37595 O		Barker A/C 42-97193 P*
	Whitaker A/C 42-39914 S						Walker A/C 43-31192 R Spare
Daugherty A/C 43-37854 V		Powell A/C 43-37674 F

[* - Lt Barker flying 42-97193 according to the Operations Narrative and the 351st Bomb Group Book, left the formation after the target with two engines out. He landed the plane near Paris, France, which had been liberated just 13 days before. Apparently after repairing the engines the plane was flown back to Polebrook.]

94th "B" CBW High Box Formation at Take–Off
				510th Squadron
				Eickhoff A/C 44-8045 L
			Purcell A/C 42-107124 F		Fultz A/C 43-37957 D
	Keller–Belmeyer A/C 43-37512 S						Ballard A/C 44-6082 B
Gray A/C 43-38130 K		Shera A/C 42-31560 A				Evans A/C 42-97252 K		Ford A/C 43-37978 J
	McFarland A/C 43-37515 L						Miller A/C 43-37956 L Spare
Hennegan A/C 43-38123 V		Bennett A/C 43-37665 N

94th "C" CBW High Box Formation Over–Target
				510th Squadron
				Eickhoff A/C 44-8045 L
			Purcell A/C 42-107124 F		Fultz A/C 43-37957 D
	Keller–Belmeyer A/C 43-37512 S						Ballard A/C 44-6082 B
Gray A/C 43-38130 K						Evans A/C 42-97252 K		Ford A/C 43-37978 J
	McFarland A/C 43-37515 L
Hennegan A/C 43-38123 V		Bennett A/C 43-37665 N

94th "B" CBW Low Box Formation at Take–Off
				511th Squadron
				Brooks A/C 42-97651 Y
			Cregar A/C 42-97318 S		Dingle A/C 43-38070 G
	Popp A/C 43-37571 X						Anderson A/C 43-37524 D
Schwartz A/C 42-31714 R		Schmollinger A/C 44-8100 B				Butler–Schoenian A/C 44-6139 K		Dargue A/C 42-38153 F
	Lambert A/C 43-38089 P
Adams A/C 43-38171 Y		Haba A/C 43-31238 A

94th "C" CBW High Box Formation Over–Target
				511th Squadron
				Brooks A/C 42-97651 Y
			Cregar A/C 42-97318 S		Dingle A/C 43-38070 G
	Popp A/C 43-37571 X						Anderson A/C 43-37524 D
Schwartz A/C 42-31714 R		Schmollinger A/C 44-8100 B				Butler–Schoenian A/C 44-6139 K		Dargue A/C 42-38153 F
	Lambert A/C 43-38089 P
Adams A/C 43-38171 Y

Time Schedule:
Zero Hour: 0800 DBST [Double British Standard Time]  Briefing: 0500  Stations: 0715  Start Engines: 0725  Taxi: 0735
Take-Off: 0750  Leave Base: 0750 [Breakfast: Gunners 0330; Officers 0400]

Missing Air Crew Report (MACR):

• A/C# 42-31560   TU-A  Pilot: 2nd. Lt. Shera  A/C's 40th Mission   MACR # 10534

   Aircraft Loss Circumstances:
  

  This questionnaire filed in the MACR was filled out by Tail Gunner Don W. Freeman.
  Date, time and approximate location of plane crash. - 8 September 1944; 1300 hours; outside of village of Thionville, France.
  Nature and extent of damage to plane when source bailed out. - Plane had lost power in all four engines.
  At approximately what altitude did source bail out? - 2,000 feet.
  Were any of the crew injured of killed before the plane crashed? - No.
  What members of the crew bailed out? - I saw 3 men bail out - Janesack, Cooper, ?
  Did the plane explode on striking the ground? - Yes.
  Did he receive any information from others as to whether any other members of the crew were dead or alive? - Yes, the French told me that 3 men were dead and 5 captured. Pilot dead.
  Did source examine the wreckage of the plane? - Could not get close as Germans were there.
  What is sources opinion as to the fate of the other crew members. - The only information I have is that 3 are dead and 5 captured. I can account for 2 as being dead - one chute did not open and one landed in the trees about 150 yards from the plane hit.
  
  According to a Casualty Questionnaire in the MACR that was completed by a member of the crew, the plane crashed near Diedenhofen, Germany and that the waist gunner, Hagans, said that the ball turret gunner, Jancsak, jumped from the plane without attaching his parachute. According to the Bombardier, Richard M. Mason, there were two men in the plane at the time of the crash, radio operator, Wallace J. Van Wirt, and the pilot, Lt. George W. Shera Jr. According to the book "Odyssey of a Bombardier: The POW Log of Richard M. Mason," Introduction page 3, "An unidentified German officer organized the rescue of Shera, who lay unconscious in the flaming wreckage of his plane. Treated for burns and injuries he and the other four men returned home from prison camp."

Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:

• Pilot - 2nd Lt Shera, George W. Jr., POW at Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, Returned to Military Control, Liberated.
• Co-pilot - 2nd Lt Swetnam, Leroy A., POW in Germany, Returned to Military Control, Liberated.
• Navigator - F/O Loverde, Stephen G., POW in Germany, Returned to Military Control, Liberated.
• Bombardier - F/O Mason, Richard M., 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.
• Top Turret Gunner - S/Sgt Cooper, Dewey A. Jr., POW at Stalag 3B Furstenberg Brandenburg, Prussia (Also KDOS [USA] #1-5; ARB BTNS 225-255) 52-14, Returned to Military Control, Liberated.
• Radio Operator - S/Sgt Van Wirt, Wallace J., Killed in Action. According to the book "Odyssey of a Bombardier: The POW Log of Richard M. Mason," S/Sgt Van Wirt was killed in the plane by flak before the plane crashed.
• Waist Gunner - Sgt Hagans, Robert W., POW in Germany, Returned to Military Control, Liberated.
• Ball Turret Gunner - Sgt Jancsak, Edward C., Killed in Action. According to the book "Odyssey of a Bombardier: The POW Log of Richard M. Mason," Sgt Jancsak did not survive the parachute jump from a low altitude.
• Tail Gunner - Sgt Freeman, Don W., According to the website http://www.conscript-heroes.com/Art38-MIS-X-03.html he evaded capture and was sheltered by the French who took him to the American lines. He was back in Polebrook on 11 September, 1944.

Burial Records: None

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

• S/Sgt Van Wirt, Wallace J., No records of his burial were found.
• Sgt Jancsak, Edward C., Buried: Plot G Row 6 Grave 14, Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg, Luxembourg. Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart

Missing Air Crew Report (MACR):

• A/C# 42-31238   DS-A  "Devil's Ball"  Pilot: Lt. Haba  A/C's 64th Mission   MACR # No Report

   Aircraft Loss Circumstances:
  

  According to the book, "The 351st Bomb Group in WWII," page 60, During Wing assembly for this mission Lt. Haba’s plane, 42-31238, encountered icing problems and crashed in England near Market Deeping. All crewmembers with the exception of the tail gunner were killed.
  
  The plane crashed 3 miles NE of Langtoft, England.

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
  • Pilot - 2nd Lt Haba, John C., Killed in Action.
  • Co-pilot - 2nd Lt Cavett, Clinton M., Killed in Action.
  • Navigator - 2nd Lt Hooks, Eugene J., Killed in Action.
  • Bombardier - 2nd Lt McGlohon, Robert A., Killed in Action.
  • Top Turret Gunner - S/Sgt Clinton, Ernest A., Killed in Action.
  • Radio Operator - S/Sgt Singleton, James S., Killed in Action.
  • Waist Gunner - Sgt Morrison, Roy A., Killed in Action.
  • Ball Turret Gunner - Sgt McClosky, Raymond T., Killed in Action.
  • Tail Gunner - Sgt Holihan, Donald M., Survived crash.
  Burial Records: None
  

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

  • 2nd Lt Haba, John C., Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Lincoln County, Nebraska, Plot: F, 0, 1151
  • 2nd Lt Cavett, Clinton M., Buried: Plot E Row 4 Grave 13, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Awards: Purple Heart
  • 2nd Lt Hooks, Eugene J., Buried: Plot E Row 3 Grave 82, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Awards: Purple Heart
  • 2nd Lt McGlohon, Robert A., Buried: Plot E Row 5 Grave 72, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Awards: Purple Heart
  • S/Sgt Clinton, Ernest A., Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Lincoln County, Nebraska, Plot: F, 0, 1151
  • S/Sgt Singleton, James S., Burial: Alloway Cemetery, Red Springs, Robeson County, North Carolina, Plot: A-15B
  • Sgt Morrison, Roy A., Buried: Plot F Row 3 Grave 136, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Awards: Purple Heart
  • Sgt McClosky, Raymond T., Burial records not located.

  

  
  Click on Photo to Enlarge

[Killed in Action: 8]
[Wounded On Mission: 1]