351st Bomb Group

Group Mission #29

Credited Mission #27

Operations Narrative:

1. The 351st Group took off on schedule and departed in formation at 1211. The 511th Squadron took off to join Squadrons from the 91st and 381st Groups to form a Composite Group.
2. Rendezvous with the 306th and 384th Groups was made without incident. The formation followed the 101st Combat Wing over the target and bombs were away at 1503.
3. Fighter opposition was extremely heavy. Flak was moderate in intensity and fair in accuracy.
4. A/C 42-5812 flying in the Composite Group was attacked by several enemy A/C and fell out of formation over Bonn. A/C 42-29839 was seen to explode on the route into the target.
5. Spitfire and P-47 cover was very good.
6. Of the 28 A/C of this Group taking off, 26 bombed their targets and two are missing. There were no abortives.

[Signed] Theodore R. Milton, Major, Air Corps, Operations Officer

Group Navigator’s Narrative:

1. The 351st Bomb Group was formed over Polebrook and departed from the field at 1211 hours at 7,000 feet. Rendezvous was made with the 306th and 384th Groups on a line, Ramsey to St. Ives to Sandy. The 101st Combat Wing was sighted at Royston flying parallel and to the left of us. By turning wide at Chelmsford we managed to fall into right echelon slightly behind them. We maintained this position till we reached a point South of Frankfurt where we turned South and then North falling into trail with the 101st Combat Wing and approximately five (5) minutes behind them at the I.P. The run from the I.P. to target was straight and level and bombs were away at 1503 on a Magnetic heading of 95°.
2. After bombing we turned left and reformed our combat wing. We then fell into left echelon with the 101st Combat Wing. At Eupen [Belgium] we switched to right echelon.
3. The flight plan was followed very closely both on the way in and the way out. As the task Force reached the channel on the return, however it seemed to split up and several units left the formation.
4. Navigation was mostly D.R. [Dead Reckoning] and pilotage aided by one Splasher beacon and two "Gee" fixes.

[Signed] Ralph W Menees, Captain, Air Corps. Lead Navigator

Composite Group Leader's Narrative

1. The Group took off and assembled as scheduled. We arrived at the first assembly point on time, picking up our high and low Groups, on the assembly lines. We met the 101st lead Combat Wing in the vicinity of Royston. From this point on, we followed this Combat Wing to a point short of the IP.
2. At a point south of Frankfurt we made a right turn to gain interval for bombing. When sufficient interval had been gained, we turned north to the IP. After firing a red-red flare, using VHF and Aldis Lamp to indicate the IP, a 90 degree turn to the right put us on course to the target.
3. Lt. H.H. Wallace, the Bombardier, took over with the bombsight flying C-1. An uninterrupted run on the target was made.
4. Upon bombs away a left turn was made to rejoin the Lead Combat Wing. After taking position on the Lead Combat Wing, we followed them to the English coast.
5. Some flak and extremely heavy fighter opposition was encountered. The 306th, our high Group, is to be commended for their excellent formation flying throughout.

[Signed] John Blaylock, Captain, Air Corps, Group Leader.

Combat Bombing Flight Record:

Bombardier - Lt. Harvey H. Wallace  Pilot - Capt. John R. Blaylock Navigator - Capt. Ralph W. Menees
Aircraft # 42-29863  Take-off - 1130  Landed - 1815
Objective - V.K.F. No. 2 plant
Aiming Point - V.K.F. No. 2 plant
Initial Point - 50°04'N-09°42'E
Method of Attack - Group
Number of Planes in Unit - 20
Number of Planes in Each Unit Performing Sighting Operations - 4
Time of Attack -  Time of Release -
Approx. Length of Straight Approach - 210 seconds
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point:
Altitude, True Above Target - 21,400 Feet
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 155 M.P.H.
True Air Speed - 228 M.P.H.
Wind Direction - 280° True
Wind Velocity - 45 M.P.H.
True Heading - 97°
Drift - 22°
True Track - 95°
D.S. - 139.4  Trail - 42   ATF - 38.2   Ten. D.A. - .71
Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - Target Area
Winds - Altitude - 15,000  Direction - Est. 280 Actual 280  Velocity - Est. 45 Actual 45 Temp C. - Est. -14° C. Actual -14° C.

Damage Assessment:

1. Preliminary study of photos taken from ships No. 925, 851, and 861, show the main concentration of bomb bursts to be short of the intended target.
   1. The last photo from ship 861 shows a bomb pattern of 4,704 feet which is approximately 2,562 to the west of the target. Approximately half of these bursts are located in what is evidently a residential district located close to the target.
2. Study of the photos from ship No. 835 of the composite group shows hits in their intended target area and also hits in the area of the Engelfisher A factory.
   1. Photo No. [unreadable] shows bombs in flight, also a bomb pattern that starts in the SW corner of the Engelfisher A factory and walks across the marshalling yard into the area of an unidentified factory.
      1. Also shown are three bursts in the area of V.K.F. Werks II, and two strings of bursts that are short of the target.
   2. Photo No. [unreadable] shows approximately 18 bursts in the intended target area.
   [Signed] Thomas L. Cooper, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Group PI Officer [Photo Intelligence].

Intelligence S-2 Narrative:

1. The target for the day was the Roller Bearing Works at Schweinfurt. Photographs indicate that the target was hit.
2. Twenty-eight of our A/C were dispatched, all took off, and there were no abortives. Two of our A/C were lost, one from the composite group and one from the regular group. A/C 5812 was Tail End Charlie of the high squadron of the composite group. Fighters concentrated on this A/C and after about ten passes knocked out the No. 3 engine. The A/C fell out of formation, slowly losing altitude but still under control. Ten parachutes were reported seen coming from the A/C. This took place south of the Ruhr near Bonn. A/C 839 which was in the No. 3 position of the second element of the lead squadron of the lead group of the 101st Combat Wing, was seen at 1408 hours on the route into the target, and later was seen to explode. Three to eight parachutes were reported.
3. From 150 to 200 enemy aircraft were reported to have been encountered. Spitfire cover gave us excellent support over into Holland but as soon as they turned back the offensive attacks were pressed home by the Jerries, continuing up to the target area. On the route home intense fighter opposition was again encountered just before reaching the Ruhr Valley. The Jerries [Germans] kept up their almost suicidal attacks until the P-47 cover met our formation just inside the Dutch coast. Almost all of the attacks were made in formations of from three to twenty or more coming in from all sides and from both above and below, sometimes pressing the attack in to as near as fifty feet before breaking off. Many crew members reported that it was the most determined fighter opposition they had ever seen. The enemy fighters were mostly FW 190’s and ME 109’s but some JU 88’s and ME 110’s were also reported. There were no casualties among our crew members who returned from the mission.
4. Flak was moderate and accuracy was fair for altitude but poor for deflection. It was encountered at Aachen, Bonn, Antwerp, in the target area, and at Giessen.
5. Weather was excellent, with only one to two tenths clouds in the target area.
6. One JU 88 attempted Air to Air bombing above our regular group formation. A partial smoke screen was put up in the target area, and a very effective smoke screen was observed over the Ruhr.

[Signed] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence].

[The Intelligence S-2 Narrative, Item 2, says all A/C took off and there were no abortives, which is also indicated on the "Operations Narrative" and the "Report on Mission" documents.
But the "J" Form shows that A/C 868, piloted by Lt. Kern took off at 1135 and landed at 1155. Also, the "J" Form shows that A/C 861 took off at 1208. The Load List shows Lt Kern's crew was assigned to aircraft 42-29868, which has been crossed out and replaced by 861. Since 861 took off at 1208 and the "J" form shows that the formation departed over the field at 1211. Referring to the track chart, it appears that 861 had time to catch up to the formation, with good navigation. The "J" Form shows 861 landed along with the other planes in its squadron.
The formation over the target shows that A/C 141 moved up from "Tail End Charlie" position to take the place of 868. But it also shows that 136, which the formation chart shows was a spare for the Composite Group, flew in the position vacated by 141. But 136 is not on the "J" Form nor is its crew listed in the Loading Lists. Aircraft 861 is shown on the Combat Duplication Check Forms flying in the #2 position in the third element of the high squadron, which is the position vacated by aircraft 141. A/C 136 is not listed in any other documents; 861 is listed in "Deficiencies & Disabilities" and "Target Damage Assessment." So, 861 is shown in its correct position in the formation chart over the target. Lt. Kern is shown flying 868 on the take off formation chart and flying 861 on the formation over the target chart.]

Combat Duplication Forms:
Click on Photo to Enlarge

Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge

Report on Mission:

1. In compliance with Co-ordination Memorandum No. 3, 19 July, 1943, the following data on the Mission of 17 August is submitted.
   1. 1. No. of Aircraft Assigned: 21
         No. Failed to Take-off: 0
         No. of Abortives: 0
         No. Missing: 1
      2. No. of A/C Attached to Composite Group: 7
         No. Failed to Take-off: 0
         No. of Abortives: 0
         No. Missing: 1
   2. 1. The 351st Group flew the lead Combat Box of the Composite Combat Wing Formation. The 511th Squadron flew the high Combat Box of the 101st Composite Group Formation.
      2. The bombing altitude was 21,400 feet. (True altitude above target.)

[Signed] Robert B. Stratton, 1st. Lt., Air Corps, Statistical Officer

Flak Report:

Target - Schweinfurt
1. Route followed. - Landfall over Noord Beveland [Netherlands] at 1339. – North of Antwerp to point South of Aachen to river midway between Mainz and Mannheim. Left turn to point due west of target (IP) – 97° heading over target, left turn to 57° 00'. – 10°30' E. Due East to point S. Aachen, S. of Antwerp over Knocke.
2. Visibility at Target. - Visibility good at target – condensation trails on return from Bonn to coast.
3. No. of A/C over Target: 26
4. General Axis of attack. - 95°
5. How long did formation fly straight and level before bombing? - 3 minutes
6. Turn after bombing. - 90 deg. Left
7. Position of Group in relation to other Groups: 351st lead, 384 low, 306 high
8. What evasive action was taken? - Mild "S"–ing
9. A short description of Flak en route. - Several bursts low at coast – 1347 – Antwerp had moderate flak, low and left, at Aachen. Moderate flak was good for height but left. At target flak was moderate to meager, good for height and poor for deflection. Heavier barrage was seen toward city. Several bursts at Meiningen, all low. At Bonn meager flak – good height but to the right. Aachen again engaged with same results. On return between Brussels and Antwerp – moderate bursts, low and to right and left. At Knocke moderate bursts were good for deflection but low. Continuous following used throughout on this group.
10. Any other comments, phenomena, etc. - One ME 109 reported with cannon shooting light flak-like bursts from 800 yards to side. Small black bursts.

Communications Annex:

If a distressed crew uses the dinghy Xmtr [Transmitter], it will identify itself by making transmissions (at intervals of approximately 15 minutes) with the Xmtr switched to the "hand" or "manual" position and will transmit the following signal: "S.O.S, S.O.S., S.O.S." - 15 second dash - terminated by the aircraft's identification letter.

Any Aircraft returning alone and in need of a MF/DF fix will use trailing wire antenna.

Crew Comments:

A/C 882 “Couldn’t get anything to eat at Mess Hall from 0200 to 1100, so Red Cross fed us.” - All Enlisted Men.
A/C 851 Pin point fighter rendezvous. Suggest wing tanks for fighters. Wants G Box moved to under radio in nose. – Lt. Watts.
A/C 716 Breakfast this morning was bad – eggs were rotten and made some men sick. – All gunners.
A/C 762 Enlisted mens’ mess is again poor. Need more sleep between missions. - All Enlisted Men.
A/C 120 Try to find some way to catch ammunition case from Ball Turret tail guns. Need more oxygen bottles.
A/C 630 Food bad. – All Enlisted Men
A/C 841 High Group interfered with our firing. – Sgt. Woodward
A/C 860 See no reason to go over heavy flak areas like Antwerp and Aachen. – Whole crew.
A/C 835 Fighters left too soon. – Whole crew.
A/C 925 Seemed as if fighter belt has been moved to interior. – Lt. Stackhouse.
A/C 877 Flying too low for good cover of P-47’s. Suggest marking P-47’s as an aid to recognition.
A/C 807 “Let’s get a hot meal if we have to fly like that”. – Whole crew.
A/C 749 Should have fighter support all the way in and out.
A/C 823 “Our good formation was the only thing that saved us”. – Lt. Cagle. A similar comment praising the formation was made by three other crews.
[Signed] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence].

Hot News:

1. Following is the summary of hot news as determined by interrogation:
   1. Our A/C T-511, [42-5807] flying at 18,000 feet, at 1717 hrs., observed an A/C in distress on the water at an approximate position of 51 deg. 39 min. N, 2 deg.20 min. E, at a heading of 298 deg. The observing A/C was unable to see details due to height.
   2. Our A/C T-511, [42-5807] flying at 22,000 feet, at 1415 hrs., observed A/C 5812 at an approximate position of 50 deg. 20 min. N., 07 deg. 50 min. E., with a heading of 160 deg. gliding down under control with #3 engine on fire. Ten (10) parachutes were seen.

[Signed] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence].

Mission Summary Report:

1. 1. Aircraft which failed to reach target.
   1. None
2. Battle Damage.
   1. Airplane No. 42-3141, 508th Squadron. Flak hole in fuselage near nose. Left waist window shot by waist gun.
   2. Airplane No. 42-29882, 508th Squadron. Flak hole bottom of fuselage near tail wheel.
   3. Airplane No. 42-3090, 508th Squadron. Flak hole right stabilizer and flak hole right wing.
   4. Airplane No. 42-29841, 509th Squadron. .303 hole Left Elevator in fabric.
   5. Airplane No. 42-29630, 509th Squadron. 3 – 20 mm. holes lower part of fuselage.
   6. Airplane No. 42-3120, 509th Squadron. Shell casings through plexi-glass nose and top turret. Dent in right stabilizer also caused by spent shell case.
   7. Airplane No. 42-29749, 509th Squadron. Left stabilizer damaged by .50 caliber (self inflicted).
   8. Airplane No. 42-29684, 509th Squadron. Flak hole left Navigator’s window caused by flak. Flak holes in left stabilizer.
   9. Airplane No. 42-29762, 510th Squadron. Right stabilizer damaged by .50 cal. (self inflicted). Shell casing hole in leading edge right wing. Flak hole in outer panel right wing.
   10. Airplane No. 42-29925, 510th Squadron. 7.9 mm. hole through #3 prop. 7.9 mm. through LH [Left Hand] stabilizer to elevator. Shell case hole in leading edge left wing. #4 supercharger change.
   11. Airplane No. 42-5824, 511th Squadron. 2 flak holes right wing and 1 flak hole left side vertical stabilizer.
   12. Airplane No. 42-29835, 511th Squadron. Flak hole underside #4 nacelle. Flak hole left aileron, fabric.
   13. Airplane No. 42-29849, 511th Squadron. 1 flak hole right of #3 nacelle. 20 mm. hole #4 nacelle. Cowl and cylinder hit by flak on #3 engine. Flak hole under fuselage near left wing. Left side windshield has 7.9 mm. bullet hole. Flak holes in both wing tips. 3 flak holes vertical fin. Flak hit #1 engine cowl and fire wall. Glass in ball turret hit by flak.
   14. Airplane No. 42-29877, 511th Squadron. One flak hole plexiglass nose. 1 flak hole LH stabilizer.
   15. Airplane No. 42-5807, 511th Squadron. 1 flak hole plexiglass nose. Flak holes left wing tip. Flak hole left waist window. Flak hole left side of fuselage near top turret. 5 - .303 holes in right wing. Vertical fin and dorsal fin, Rudder riddled with flak and 20 mm. .303 hole top wing behind #3 nacelle, possible spar.

TOTAL DAMAGED - 15, MAJOR DAMAGE - 0, MINOR DAMAGE - 15, BY FIGHTER AND FRIEND - 1, BY FLAK AND FRIEND - 2, BY FLAK - 6,
BY FIGHTER AND FLAK - 2, BY FIGHTER - 2, BY FRIEND - 2
[Signed] Otto R. Vasak, Captain, Air Corps, Group Engineering Officer

Malfunctions:

1. Following are the malfunctions as determined by interrogation: A/C 863: Bombardier’s nose gun won’t feed.
A/C 849: Sear broken on right waist gun.
A/C 140: Defective ejectors on left waist gun; cartridge driven into barrel.
A/C 140: Radio gun jammed – bad rounds.
A/C 831: Top turret azimuth clutch went out.
A/C 925: Right waist sear broken. Handle on center nose gun broken. Sights on right nose out of line.
A/C 090: Top turret gun worked all right for test firing but did not work later. Left nose gun has tendency to jam. Right waist gun would not pull ammunition from box. Top turret had sight bulb burn out.
A/C 141: Navigator’s gun, back plate, receiver malfunction.
A/C 807: Broken ammunition link in ball turret chain.
A/C 762: 2 ruptured cartridges in left nose gun.
A/C 716: Trouble with enlarged ammunition case in left top turret. Same trouble with Left waist gun.
A/C 120: Ammunition boxes too low. One gun has bent trigger bar and other gun is out in top turret. Left nose adapter malfunction. Left center nose completely out.
A/C 841: Upper turret sight bulb out.
A/C 630: Left top turret gun does not feed well.
A/C 824: Sights on tail gun need adjusting.
A/C 882: Parts of ball turret gun, newly put in, do not fit.
[Signed] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence].

Armament Report:

1. The following malfunctions and failures have been reported upon conclusion of the Mission of 17 August, 1943.
   1. A/C 42-29863 – Bombardier’s nose gun had faulty feed.
   2. A/C 42-29849 – Sear broken on right waist gun.
   3. A/C 42-29925 – Sear broken on right waist gun.
   4. A/C 42-3090 – Top turret had sight bulb burn out.
   5. A/C 42-3120 – Left nose gun had adapter malfunction. Left center nose gun had weak ejector spring.
   6. A/C 42-29841 – Top turret sight bulb out.
2. The necessary repairs and adjustments have been made.

[Signed] Michael Steele, WO (JG), Aus, Group Armament Officer

Deficiencies and Disabilities:

1. Following is a list of personnel equipment deficiencies as reported by crew members flying mission of August 17, 1943:
A/C No. 141 - Normal trouble with free-flow Oxygen System – mask continually freezing.
A/C No. 090 - T/Sgt Nelson - Heated boots and gloves did not operate during mission.
A/C No. 861 - S/Sgt Conley - Heated boots burned out.
A/C No. 140 - Sgt Kellough - Right heated glove went out during mission.
A/C No. 9812 - T/Sgt Glen - Right heated boot burned out.
A/C No. 630 - Boots and gloves out.
A/C No. 807 - T/Sgt. L. Boone – Top turret oxygen leaks. Line plug. S/Sgt. P. Soderling – ball turret oxygen leaks. Line plug.
A/C No. 877 - S/Sgt. V. Long – Oxygen in ball turret, fill valve froze, leaked out.
A/C No. 120 - Sgt. H. D. Hall – Right waist heated suit burned out. Need mask adjustment.
A/C No. 120 - Sgt Cunningham - Heated suit burned out, short circuit.
A/C No. 831 - S/Sgt. W. Griskiewicz (radio) – Heated shoes went out.
A/C No. 851 - Lt. T. Argiropulos (pilot) – Mike cut in and out, on mask mike. T/Sgt. J. S. Cebulak – Mike cut in and out, on mask mike.
[Signed] John L. Scott, Major, Air Corps, Group S-2 [Intelligence].

“J” Form:

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

   Sqdn 508th A/C: 851–J, 868–K, 823–C, 882–L, 090–N, 716–A, 141–A	(7)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 863–Y, 860–W, 9812–U, 630–S, 749–Z, 140–P, 120–O, 844–V	(8)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 948–F, 848–F, 925–L, 762–D, 839–C, 831–H	(6)
   Sqdn 511th A/C:

2. Target: Primary - GZ-2707
   
3. Station call sign and Operational call sign respectively of each Squadron

   Squadron	508 Ops:	AXL		Squadron	510 Ops:	RLJ
   	Sta:	N9Y			Sta:	1HZ
   Squadron	509 Ops	AXL		Squadron	511 Ops:	RLJ
   	Sta:	JS5			Sta:	O7S

4. Taxi Time – 1st A/C 1115;     Take-Off Time 1st A/C 1130;     E.T.D. Over Field 1211

5. Time:	Height:&emsp ;	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   1315	16,000 Ft	Orfordness

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1656	21,000 Ft	51°20'N-03°20'E

7. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   1726	12,000 Ft	Felixstone

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1753 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: G
10. Bomb load of Each A/C:
    Squadron: 508 5–1000 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    Squadron: 509 5–1000 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    Squadron: 510 5–1000 pound, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    Squadron: 511
11. Fuel Load of each A/C: 1700 Gallons
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	851–J	1134½	1900	509	863–Y	1130½	1816
    	868–K	1135	1155		860–W	1140½	1822
    	823–C	1135½	Ipswich		9812–U	1141	1825
    	882–L	1136	1855		630–S	1141½	1828
    	090–N	1137	1806		749–Z	1142	1812½
    	716–A	1137½	1811		140–P	1143	1812
    	141–H	1139	1807		120–O	1143½	1814
    					841–V	1139½	1910½
    					861–X	1208	1809½
    510	948–B	1132	1817½	511
    	848–F	1131	1817
    	925–L	1132½	1818
    	762–D	1133	1819
    	839–C	1133½
    	831–H	1138	1820½

    Report Compiled By C.A. Blanchard, S/Sgt.
    

    Sqdn.	A/C Letter	Designation	Remarks
    508	851–J	Sortie	Landed at Horham.
    508	823–C	Sortie	Landed at Ipswich.
    508	882–L	Sortie	Landed at Knettishall.
    509	841–V	Sortie	Landed at Framlingham.

“J” Form: [Composite Group]

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

   Sqdn 508th A/C:
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 684–T	(1)
   Sqdn 510th A/C:
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 849–U, 835–Y, 877–X, 807–T, 824–S, 5812–O	(6)

2. Target:
   
3. Station call sign and Operational call sign respectively of each Squadron

   Squadron	508 Ops:			Squadron	510 Ops:
   	Sta:				Sta:
   Squadron	509 Ops	AXL		Squadron	511 Ops:	RLJ
   	Sta:	JS5			Sta:	O7S

4. Taxi Time – 1st A/C 1117;     Take-Off Time 1st A/C 1132;     E.T.D. Over Field

5. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast OUT:
   1317	16,000 Ft	Orfordness

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Recrossing Enemy Coast:
   1713	21,000 Ft	51°20'N-03°20'E

7. Time:	Height:	Place of crossing English Coast IN:
   1743	12,000 Ft	Felixstone

8. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return): 1810 Hours
9. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: G
10. Bomb load of Each A/C:
    Squadron: 508
    Squadron: 509 10–500 pound GP [General Purpose, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
    Squadron: 510
    Squadron: 511 10–500 pound GP [General Purpose, Fuse - 1/10 Nose, 1/40 Tail
11. Fuel Load of each A/C: 1700 Gallons
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				509	684–T	1146½
    510				511	849–U	1145½	1807½
    					835–Y	1146	1810
    					877–X	1147½	1802½
    					807–T	1148½	1804
    					824–S	1148	1805
    					5812–O	1149

    Report Compiled By C.A. Blanchard, S/Sgt.
    

Formation Chart:

Group Formation Take–Off
				510th Squadron
				(Hatcher) Blaylock –Carraway A/C #42-29863 Y
			Kelly A/C #42-29948 B		Roberts A/C #42-29861 X
				Burns–Koszarek A/C #42-29925 L
			Hansen A/C #42-29839 C		R.E. Smith A/C #42-29762 D
	509th Squadron						508th Squadron
	Johnson A/C #42-29860 W						Argiropulos A/C #42-29851 J
Leimbeck A/C #42-29630 S		Maginnis A/C #42-299812 U				Cagle A/C #42-5823 C		Kern A/C #42-29868 K
	O'Mohundro A/C #42-29749 Z						Geiger A/C #42-29882 L
D. Harris A/C #42-3120 O		E. Harris A/C #42-3140 P				Suit A/C #42-29716 A		Hull A/C #42-3090 N
							Frischoltz A/C #42-29831 H
						Spika A/C #42-29841 V		Peck A/C #42-3141 H

Group Formation Over–Target
				510th Squadron
				(Hatcher) Blaylock –Carraway A/C #42-29863 Y
			Kelly A/C #42-29948 B		Roberts A/C #42-29861 X
				Burns–Koszarek A/C #42-29925 L
					R.E. Smith A/C #42-29762 D
	509th Squadron						508th Squadron
	Johnson A/C #42-29860 W						Argiropulos A/C #42-29851 J
Leimbeck A/C #42-29630 S		Maginnis A/C #42-29812 U				Cagle A/C #42-5823 C		Peck A/C #42-3141 H
	O'Mohundro A/C #42-29749 Z						Geiger A/C #42-29882 L
D. Harris A/C #42-3120 O		E. Harris A/C #42-3140 P				Suit A/C #42-29716 A		Hull A/C #42-29090 N
							Frischoltz A/C #42-29831 H
						Spika A/C #42-29841 V		Kern A/C #42-29861 X

Time Schedule:
Zero Hour: 1330  Briefing: 0300  Stations: 1005  Start Engines:1105  Taxi: 1115   Take-off: 1130  Rendezvous: _____
Return to Base: _____ - The time schedule on the form shows the mission was delayed twice.

Composite Group Formation Take–Off
				Lead Squadron
				A/C #
			A/C #		A/C #
				A/C #
			A/C #		A/C #
	Low Squadron						511th High Squadron
	A/C #						Ball - Morse A/C #42-29849 U
A/C #		A/C #				Maser A/C #42-29684 T		Wilson A/C #42-29835 Y
	A/C #						W.R. Smith A/C #42-29877 X
A/C #		A/C #				Norris A/C #42-5807 T		Nardi A/C #42-5824 S
							Pinkerton A/C #42-5812 O
Composite Group Formation Over Target
				Lead Squadron
				A/C #
			A/C #		A/C #
				A/C #
			A/C #		A/C #
	Low Squadron						511th High Squadron
	A/C #						Ball - Morse A/C #42-29849 U
A/C #		A/C #				Maser A/C #42-29684 T		Wilson A/C #42-29835 Y
	A/C #						W.R. Smith A/C #42-29877 X
A/C #		A/C #				Norris A/C #42-5807 T		Nardi A/C #42-5824 S

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

 Twenty-eight planes, including the 511th Squadron led by Major Ball which flew in a composite group, took off for Schweinfurt, Germany, to bomb the ball bearing factory. The 351st was led by Colonel Hatcher, Major Blaylock, and Captain Carraway with Captain Menees as navigator and Lt. Wallace as bombardier. Spitfires gave excellent support on the way in, but as soon as they turned back over Holland, German fighters closed in, attacking until the target area was reached. On the route home fighters attacked again near the Ruhr valley. They continued attacking until the Dutch coast where they were driven off by P-47s. Most of the attacks were made in formations of from three to twenty or more. Coming in from all sides and from both above and below, they pressed home the attacks until they were within 50 feet before breaking off. Many seasoned crews said it was the toughest fighter opposition they had ever seen. Most of the fighters were ME 109s and FW 190s, plus a few JU 88s and ME 110s. Flak was only moderate and not very accurate.

 Two planes failed to return from this mission. Aircraft 42-5812, piloted by Lt. Pinkerton and flying Tail-end Charlie of the high squadron, composite group, was attacked by a swarm of fighters. After about 10 passes they succeeded in knocking out the number three engine. The plane started going down south of the Ruhr. The entire crew bailed out. Lt. Hansen, flying 42-29839 in the number three position of the second element, lead squadron, lead group, was hit in the number three engine. The engine lost all oil pressure and could not be feathered. With the wind-milling propeller, the plane could not maintain speed and was forced to leave the formation. As the bombs were salvoed to reduce weight, a fighter hit the plane with four bursts of 20mm. The first came through the nose, taking the plexiglass and nose gun completely away, and exploded under the cockpit among the oxygen bottles, starting a fire. The second burst hit the radio room, starting another fire. The third hit in the waist and the fourth in the tail, taking away the tail guns and leaving the gunner staring into space.

 With the aircraft burning fiercely, Lt. Hansen gave the order to bail out before bailing out of the side window himself. He was on the wing of the plane, but found that he could not get his right foot out. Looking back, he saw that it was caught in his parachute which he had forgotten to take with him! Turning back he grabbed the parachute, wrapped the harness around his hand and slipped off the wing. When the parachute opened he was left hanging by one foot and one hand. All the crew, except the top turret gunner, managed to get clear before the ship exploded, but all had severe burns.

 Despite the intense opposition, bombing was excellent with hits on the factory and marshaling yards. Of the 150 to 200 German fighters encountered, 25 were shot down by the Group’s gunners, two were probably destroyed, and 21 damaged.

Missing Air Crew Report (MACR):

• A/C# 42-29839   TU-C  "Cherokee Girl"  Lt. Hansen   A/C's 13th Mission   MACR #303

  Aircraft Loss Circumstances:

    According to the book "The 351 Bomb Group in WWII," page 14, "Lt. Hansen, flying 42-29839 in the number three position of the second element, lead squadron, lead group, was hit in the number three engine. The engine lost all oil pressure and could not be feathered. With the windmilling propeller, the plane could not maintain speed and was forced to leave the formation. As the bombs were salvoed to reduce weight, a fighter hit the plane with four bursts of 20 mm. The first came through the nose, taking the plexiglass and nose gun completely away and exploded under the cockpit among the oxygen bottles, starting a fire. The second burst hit the radio room, starting another fire. The third hit in the waist and the fourth in the tail, taking away the tail guns and leaving the gunner staring into space. With the aircraft burning fiercely, Lt. Hansen gave the order to bail out before bailing out of the side window himself. He was on the wing of the plane, but found he could not get his right foot out. Looking back, he saw that it was caught in his parachute which he had forgotten to take with him! Turning back he grabbed the parachute, wrapped the harness around his hand and slipped off the wing. When the parachute opened he was left hanging by one foot and one hand. All the crew, except the top turret gunner, managed to get clear before the ship exploded, but all had severe burns."
  

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
  • According to the MACR documents, the men bailed out approximately 8 miles southeast of Coblenz. The plane struck the ground outside of Mayon. One crewman said in the report about Tuite Ambrose, Top Turret Gunner, that he had been hit and his chute was open in the plane. The co-pilot Lt. Comfort said, "Last I saw Top Turret [Gunner] was in Bomb bay with chute open. [The bomb bay doors were most likely open to allow the men to jump out.] Then I blacked out and was unconscious and fell out." Lt. Van Brunt said he saw flaming parachute go down and believed it to be Ambrose's. All the other crewmen parachuted safely and were taken prisoner.

  National Archives Records of POWs
  Position	Rank	Name	Status
  Pilot	2nd Lt.	Hansen, Helmuth F.	POW - Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11
  Co-Pilot	Flight Officer	Comfort, J Z Jr.	POW - Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11)
  Navigator	2nd Lt.	Dytman, John W.	POW - Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
  Bombadier	1st Lt.	Van Brunt, Dale P.	POW - Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11)
  Top Turret Gunner	S/Sgt	Tuite H.A. Ambrose	Killed In Action
  Radio Operator	T/Sgt	Gazek, Adam G Jr.	POW - Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
  Left Waist Gunner	T/Sgt	Boss, Donald G.	POW - Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf Near Krems Austria 48-15
  Right Waist Gunner	S/Sgt	Smith, Elwin C.	POW - Camp not defined in National Archives records.
  Ball Turret Gunner	S/Sgt	Hennesey, Paul	POW - Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11)
  Tail Gunner	S/Sgt	Warden, August F.	POW - Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11

  
  
  Burial Records:

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

  
  
  • Top Turret Gunner TUITE H. A. AMBROSE, Staff Sergeant, From: Louisiana, Buried: Plot I Row 14 Grave 12, Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands
    Awards - Purple Heart, Air Medal

• A/C# 42-5812   DS-O   Lt. Pinkerton   A/C's 9th Mission   MACR #302

  Aircraft Loss Circumstances:
  

  According to the book "The 351st Bomb Group in WWII," page 14, A/C 42-5812 flying "Tail End Charlie" in the high squadron of the Composite Group was attacked by several enemy A/C and after about ten passes they knocked out the No. 3 engine. The A/C fell out of formation over Bonn, slowly losing altitude, but still under control. Ten parachutes were reported seen coming from the A/C.

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:

  All accounts report that all the men bailed out and landed safely, then were captured.

  National Archives Records of POWs
  Position	Rank	Name	Status
  Pilot	1st Lt.	Pinkerton, Max A.	POW - Stalag 7A
  Co-Pilot	Flight Officer	Berreau, Herbert F.	POW - Stalag 7A
  Navigator	2nd Lt.	Rosewall, Charles R.	POW - Stalag 7A
  Bombadier	2nd Lt.	Santi, Le A.	POW - Stalag Luft 1
  Top Turret	S/Sgt.	Langseth, Clifton A.	POW - Stalag 8A
  Radio Operator	T/Sgt	Gallipeo, Paul J.	POW - Stalag Luft 3 after escape from Stalag 17B
  Left Waist Gunner	S/Sgt	Roman, Joseph T.	POW - Stalag 17B
  Right Waist Gunner	S/Sgt	Hall, Clifford D.	POW - Stalag 17B
  Ball Turret Gunner	T/Sgt	Marvin, Howard W.	POW - Stalag 17B
  Tail Gunner	Sgt	Licht, Howard J.	POW - Stalag 17B

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