351st Bomb Group

1. Airplane and Crew Assignment Check.
   
   
2. Time Schedule:

   Lead Box
   Stations   –	0520
   Start Engines –	0530
   Taxi     –	0540
   Take Off   –	0555
   Last Take Off –	0710

   
   
3. Targets:
   Primary: Railroad Station & Locomotive Depot, Epinal, France
   Secondary: Saarbrucken [Germany, Railroad] Marshalling Yards
   Last Resort: Any Military installation in Germany - Any A/D [Aerodrome] in Occupied Territory
   
   
4. Loading:
   351st "A": 6 x 1000 1/10 1/100
   351st "B": 6 x 1000 1/10 1/100 RDX [High Explosive]
   Composite: ____
   Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - ____
   Chaff: All Ships
   
   
5. Gasoline Loading: 2300 gal.
   Remarks: ____
   
   

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

   
   
7. Division Formation:

   Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target	Departure Time at Coast (Beachy Head)
   Lead	40th A	Thionville Marshalling Yard	0730
   2nd	40th B	Metz Marshalling Yard	0732
   3rd	1st A	Woippy [France] Aero Engine Works	0734
   4th	41st A	Nancy-Essey [France] Aerodrome	0736
   5th	1st B	Woippy [France] Aero Engine Works	0738
   6th	41st B	Nancy-Essey [France] Aerodrome	0740
   7th	94th A	Blainville [France] Marshalling Yard	0742
   8th	94th B		0744
   2nd Division		Bourges, Avord, Orleans, Etampas	0730 (Selsey Bill)
   3rd Division		Chaumont, Troyes, Bretigny, Melun	0730 (Shorham)
   Marauders
   RAF [Royal Air Force]

   
   Remarks: ____
   
   
8. Fighter Cover:

   • [Force]	[Call Sign]
     3 Gps. P-47's Head, middle, tail	Balance 1-1 to 1-3
     1 Gp P-51's for 40A	Balance 1-4
     1 Gp P-51's for 1st A & B	Balance 1-5
     1 Gp P-51's for 41 A & B	Balance 1-6
     1 Gp P-51's for 94 A & B	Balance 1-7
     1 Gp P-38's, 1 Gp P-47 9th AF	Balance 1-8
     1 Gp P-38's Front to Rear	Balance 1-9
     1 Gp P-47's Sweep target area	Balance 1-10
     RAF Mustangs also

     
     
9. Group Assembly:

   Box	Altitude	Place
   Lead	13,000'	Splasher 6
   Low	12,000'	Splasher 6

   
   
10. Navigator - _____
    
11. S-2 - _____
    
12. Weather - Tipstaff N
    
13. Special Instructions to Navigators, Bombardiers and Radio Operators:
    
14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.
    
15. (A) Code Words –

    PFF Bombing –	Bed Rock
    Visual Bombing -	Bed Rock
    Authenticator –	____
    Recall -	Round Jag Rock
    Weather Code -	VABIT
    Release "CHAFF" -	Mint Julep

    Ref. Alt. 18,000’
    
    (B) Call Signs:

    	Call Sign	Flares	Remarks
    351st A	Woodcraft Red	RY [Red Yellow]
    351st B	Woodcraft Brown	Red
    401st A
    401st B
    457th A
    457th B	Woodcraft Green	G
    Composite
    1st C.B.W.
    40th C.B.W.
    41st C.B.W.
    Composite C.B.W.

    
    (C)

    U.S. Fighters	Balance 1-1 to 1-10
    R.A.F. Fighters
    Bombers	Vinegrove
    U.S. Grnd. Control	Colgate
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

    
    

    Control Points:	Fighter Reference Points:
    1 English Coast	_____
    2 Enemy Coast	______
    3 49°08'N-04°21'E	______
    4 50°29'N-05°10'E	______

    Remarks: ____
    
    (D)

    Colors of the Day
    Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
    0800 – 1400	___	___	___
    1400 – 2000	___	___	___
    2000 – 0200	___	___	___

    
    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All except:
    2. - Borchert in 560-A [Plane change to 028-Q], Olson in 576-C [Plane change to 196-M], Karagiannis in 238-A, Turbyne in 472-H
    3. - Nall in 157-N, Power in 318-S, Trombley in 725-L, Hales in 192-R
    C 9 AF - Condon in 470-J, Myers in 149-X
16. Let-Down on Splasher # 6, if overcast.
    351st A   290° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    351st B   270° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    401st A   ____
    457th B   310° Mag.
    
    
17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields. - Woodbridge 5205N-0124E
    3. Landing Aids.
       
       
18. Special Instructions:
    Pilots hold fist over throttles at bombs away.
    600 ft between groups after assembly.
    Using short Runway use flares.
    

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0556 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0655 hours at 13,000 feet.
   3. Formed CBW [Combat Wing] at 0658 hours at 13,000 feet.
   4. Began climb at 0705 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 0810 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 10/10ths. Tops 10,000 feet.
      2. Visibility 4-5 miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 330 degrees. 44 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. GEE, Radio and DR [Dead Reckoning]
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. None
   9. Joined task force at 0740 hours at Splasher 8
   10. Departed English Coast at 0745 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 0802 hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: ____ hours. As scheduled
       2. Coming back: ____ hours. As scheduled
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. 330 degrees.
       2. 30 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: GEE
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP [Initial Point of bomb run] at 0924½ hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target 327 degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target 22,000 feet.
       4. Time bombs away 0933½ hours.
       5. Method of target identification and weather over target: Visual - Bad haze
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: PFF Equipment only had a range up to 15 miles and was operating poorly.
   16. Gee:
       1. Coordinates of furtherest fix 49°15'N-03°10'E [3 miles East of Villers-Cotterets, France]
       2. Time 0828 hours.
   17. Comments: ____

1. Flight Plan and Log attached.
2. Track Chart attached.
3. Narrative.
   1. T/O at 0606 hours.
   2. Group formed at 0640 hours at 12,000 feet.
   3. Formed CBW at 0720 hours at 13,000 feet.
   4. Began climb at 0709 hours.
   5. Reached altitude at 0807 hours.
   6. Weather encountered over England:
      1. Clouds 10/10ths. Tops 6,500 feet.
      2. Visibility Unlimited miles.
      3. Wind at altitude 330 degrees. 47 knots per hour.
   7. Means of navigation over England. GEE and RADIO
   8. Means of checking Metro Winds. Drift on 3 Headings - Metro ETA's
   9. Joined task force at 0745 hours at Eastbourne.
   10. Departed English Coast at 0745 hours.
   11. Arrived Enemy Coast at 0802 hours.
   12. Fighter Rendezvous:
       1. Going in: 0802 hours.
       2. Coming back: ____ hours.
   13. Wind used for bombing:
       1. 330 degrees.
       2. 46 knots per hour.
       3. How determined: METRO
   14. Description of Bomb Run and Method of target Identification:
       1. Reached IP at 0926 hours.
       2. Mag [Magnetic Compass] heading over target 334 degrees.
       3. Altitude over Target 21,400 feet.
       4. Time bombs away 0934½ hours.
       5. Method of target identification and weather over target: PILOTAGE – CAVU [Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited]
   15. Difficulties encountered with Radio, compass, and special equipment: ____
   16. Gee:
       1. (1) Coordinates of furtherest fix 50°44’N-03°34’E [2 miles SW of Ronse, Netherlands]
       2. (2) Time 1055 hours.
   17. Comments: More Pilotage work & training for Bombardiers.
       Better planning of wing and division schedule to minimize collisions.

Group: 351st A Group
Target: Epinal, France
Method of Bombing: Visual
Altitude: 22,000’
Direction of Attack: 327° Mag. Heading
Wind Direction: 330°
Wind Velocity: 46 MPH
Bombardier’s Narrative:  Reached briefed I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] and approached the target on a Magnetic heading of 327°. The target area was visible but the assigned M.P.I. [Mean Point of Impact] was hard to pick up due to haze. Killed course on the marshalling yards and rate on a bridge in line with our M.P.I. Bombs were away at 0933½. Hits were seen in the target area.

[Signed:] Allan D. Behrendt, 1st Lt./ Air Corps, Lead Bombardier

Group: 351st B Group
Target: Epinal, France
Method of Bombing: Visual
Altitude: 21,400’
Direction of Attack: 323° Magnetic Heading
Wind Direction: 330°
Wind Velocity: 45 MPH
Bombardier’s Narrative: The low box, 351st Bombardment Gp (H) [Heavy], bombed the primary at Epinal, France. "Bombs Away" took place at 0935 on a Mag. Heading of 323°. Our bombs fell into the smoke of the Lead Group. No trouble was encountered on the bombing run.

[Signed:] Harry Fireman, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Allan D. Behrendt  Pilot - Major Leonard B. Roper Navigator - 1st Lt. Alexander Volotta
Aircraft B-17G   7601-J  Take-off - 0556 Landed - 1215
Objective - Epinal, France
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - As Briefed
Initial Point - As Briefed
Method of Attack - Wing
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: ____   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____    Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 1000 Lb. G.P. [General Purpose] AN-M44 & 1 Smoke Bomb
Number of Bombs Loaded - 6 GP's & 2 Smoke Bombs   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10   Tail - 1/100
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Train
Point of Impact If Seen - Yes - Good
Mean Temp. Metro -___ Actual -___
Winds - Altitude - 22,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 330°  Actual 330°  Velocity - Metro 52  Actual 46
Temp C. - Metro -30° C. Actual -30° C.

Bombardier - 1st Lt. Harry Fireman   Pilot - Capt. Joseph F. Nesmith  Navigator - 1st Lt. Leonard L. Korf
Aircraft # 381-U  Take-off - 0606  Landed - 1200
Objective - Epinal, France
Aiming Point (MPI) [Mean Point of Impact] - As Briefed
Initial Point - As Briefed
Method of Attack - Group
Number of Attacking A/C in Group - 12    Composite Group - ____
Number A/C Dropping Bombs by own sighting operation - One
Deflection and Range sighting, Group - ____   Composite Group - ____
Range Sighting only, Group - ____   Composite Group - ____
Bombs, Types and Sizes - 1000 Lb. G.P. [General Purpose] AN-M44
Number of Bombs Loaded - 6    Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - 1/10    Tail - 1/100
Synchronization - On
Information at Release Point:

Type of Release - Salvo
Point of Impact If Seen - Yes - Good
Mean Temp. Metro -8 Actual -9
Winds - Altitude - 20,000 Ft.  Direction - Metro 330° Actual 330° Velocity - Metro 45 Actual 45
Temp C. - Metro -25° C. Actual -30° C.

1. The target for the lead and low Groups was the Marshalling Yard at Épinal, France. Photo coverage was good for both Groups.
2. The bombs of the lead group were heavily concentrated in the target area. The two locomotive sheds (MPI) are covered by bursts, and bursts can be seen on the Goods Depot and the main passenger station. Fire is seen in an unidentified factory next to the M/Y [Marshalling Yard]. Approximately 40% of the bombs fell on the Marshalling Yard. (a) The pattern measures 3,016 feet by 1,508 feet and the actual MPI is 377 feet short of the briefed MPI. Six bombs fell in fields 2,450 feet over the MPI.
3. The bombs of the low group fell in the area of the main passenger station. The station and choke point are covered with bursts and damage to the M/Y [Marshalling Yard] should be heavy. The heaviest concentration fell short of the Marshalling Yard. (a) The main pattern is compact and measures 1,800 feet by 1, 280 feet, but several bombs fell outside of the main pattern covering an overall length of 4,140 feet. The actual MPI is 340 feet short of the briefed MPI.

1. No leaflet bombs were carried.
2. Photo coverage shows that bombing results were good – the main pattern covering the marshalling yards.
3. No enemy aircraft were encountered.
4. No flak was encountered by this Group, but meager flak was observed at Rheims, north of Paris, Ghent, and Ostend.
5. 10/10ths clouds were encountered enroute to target. The target was cloudless, but intense haziness restricted observation.
6. No observations of military importance were made.
7. Although a PFF ship lead the formation, bombing was done visually. Fighter support proved to be excellent throughout. A C-1 Pilot was used with average results; complete corrections could not be made. At 0643, altitude of 12,500 feet, while circling Splasher 6, A/C 725-L [Correct plane No. is 42-97325-H] collided with a B-24. Six men are dead from this Group’s plane.

1. Target: Assigned - Epinal, France Bombed - Epinal, France
2. Route as Flown. - As briefed to target; right turn after bombs away to Autrey; Etain; Ardennes; S. of Ostend.
3. Weather Conditions - A. at Target. - 3/10ths cloud   B. En route - 10/10ths cloud, breaking to 5 – 6/10ths at 04° East.
4. Were our A/C "Seen" or "Unseen" targets? (a) At Target - seen (b) Enroute - probably seen
 Any Condensation Trails? - Non-persistent
5. Description of Flak, including type of Fire Control: Nil
6. Flak encountered or observed en route. (In the order experienced) -
 N. of Paris, 0845, 22,000’ – moderate, inaccurate.
 Rheims, 0838, 22,000’ – meager, inaccurate.
 Ghent, 1105, 21,000’ – meager, inaccurate.
 Ostend, 1108, 20,000’ – meager, inaccurate.
 All flak observed, probably not fired at this Group.
7. Was Chaff carried? - No How discharged? ___
8. Position of Group - Lead and Low
9. Group – 351st Lead A/C over enemy terr. – 11 A/C damaged – 0 A/C lost to flak – 0 Time over Target – 0933 
Time of bombs away – 0933 Height – 22,000’ Axis of attack – 335° M. Bomb run – two min.
   351st Low A/C over enemy terr. – 12 A/C damaged – 0 A/C lost to flak – 0 Time over Target – 0935 
Time of bombs away – 0935 Height – 21,400’ Axis of attack – 334° M. Bomb run – five min.
10. Comments - Phenomena: None

    508th Squadron
A/C 349-B: B-24 Group was definitely at fault in the crack-up at assembly; I was in position to see entire procedure before actual mishap. – Lt. Crabb.
A/C 994-T: Don’t like British candy – let’s have Hershey Bars! - Lt. Carbone.
A/C 702-A: Collision with B-24’s could have been avoided if our Group had been led properly; there was no excuse for this mix-up. – Lt. Johnson.
A/C 757-G: Less slow time jobs. – S/Sgt. Maloney.
 Why do B-24’s have to come right through us? They are always going through B-17 Groups. – All Crew Members.

    509th Squadron
A/C 202-Z: No cookies today. – Sgt. Capobianco.
A/C 149-X: B-24’s came right out of the sun at us. They made no attempt to turn until too late and then turned into the Wing leader. – Lt. Myers and Crew.
 Noon food is getting worse every day. – All Crew Members.

    511th Squadron
A/C 153-F: Food in enlisted men’s mess is very bad recently. – All Crew Members.
A/C 714-R: Inspection on Saturday morning after mission interrupts rest. – T/Sgt. Koryn.
 We don’t get enough to eat prior to going on mission. – S/Sgt. Hayman
A/C 987-D: Ball turret gun was not loaded to capacity with ammunition - Sgt. Cameron
A/C 238-A: Too many planes forming over one spot. – Lts. Brots and Karagiannis.

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

1. Abortives and Flying Spares:
   1. Airplane No. 42-31192, 508th Squadron, returned early because of insufficient boost #2 supercharger, according to the Pilot’s statement. Airplane was ground and flight checked and investigation revealed no defects.
   2. Airplane No. 42-37845, 509th Squadron, returned early as planned.
   3. Airplane No. 42-107077, 510th Squadron, returned early as planned.
2. Battle Damage:
   1. None
   
   

1. The following armament malfunctions were reported by the Lead Combat Box on the Mission of 23 May 1944.
   1. A/C 42-31509 – Bombs were salvoed four seconds late. The bell crank became loose, and bombardier had been briefed to salvo.
   2. A/C 42-97157 – Bomb bay doors would not close electrically. Investigation revealed a broken drive shaft from the bomb bay door motor. The left waist gun heater burned out.
   3. A/C 42-102613 – Bomb bay doors would not close electrically, it was discovered, because the bomb bay door motor had burned out.
2. The following malfunction was reported by the Low Combat Box.
   1. A/C 42-97349 – (All electrical) The bombardier’s salvo switch released the right rack only. The left rack was released with the Intervalometer about ten seconds late. No attempt was made to use the pilot’s or crew’s salvo switch. The ship checks out satisfactorily on the ground.
3. Four (4) all electrical ships participated in the Mission in each the Lead and the Low Combat Boxes.
4. The Station Ordnance Officer has reported the following expenditures of .50 caliber ammunition:
   1. 10,790 rounds, by the Lead Combat Box.
   2. 1,445 rounds, by the Low Combat Box.

1. Following is the disposition of bombs by the Lead Combat Box on the Mission of 23 May, 1944.

1. Following is the disposition of bombs by the Low Combat Box on the Mission of 23 May, 1944.

1. Following interrogation, the following deficiencies and disabilities were found.

    510th Bombardment Squadron
A/C 196 – Shoes and Gloves burned hands and feet. – S/Sgt. Penman.

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

Aircraft No. 31192 Squadron - 508th   Pilot - Hales
Time of Abortive - 0710  Location when Aborted - S.E. Splasher 6
Reason - Loss of boost on #2 and run-away on #1
Disposition of Bombs: Landed with them
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 13,500’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks: If #1 hadn’t been acting up, I’d have gone on with #2 low on M.P. [Manifold Pressure]
[Signed] K.C. Hales, 2nd Lt., A.C. [Air Corps]



Aircraft No. 37845 Squadron - 509th   Pilot - Watkins
Time of Abortive - 0759½   Location when Aborted - 50°05’N-01°10’E. [10 miles West of Le Tréport, France]
Reason - Flying spare – return at enemy coast.
Disposition of Bombs:
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 22,000’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - ____
Remarks: F/S [Flying Spare]
[Signed] R.T. Watkins

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

   a. 94th "B" Combat Wing   Lead Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: 7325–H, 2470–J, 7157–N, 2613–C, (0994–T Spare)
   Sqdn 509th A/C: None
   Sqdn 510th A/C: 1509–V, 1560–A, 2576–C, (7077–D Spare)
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 1714–R, 7318–S, 9987–D, 8153–F
   P.F.F. Sqdn 324 A/C: 7601–J

   
   

   b. 94th "B" Combat Wing   Low Group
   Sqdn 508th A/C: 7349–B, 1192–R, 1702–A, 1757–G
   Sqdn 509th A/C: 7202–Z, 7149–X, 7125–L, 7169–N, (7845–F Spare)
   Sqdn 510th A/C: None
   Sqdn 511th A/C: 7381–U, 1875–P, 1238–A, 7472–H, (7191–X Spare)

2. Target: Z-831
   
3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

   Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T NHZ  R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T TYJ  R/T TIPSTAFF
   Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T KBS  R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T WMO  R/T PARTNERSHIP

4. a. Lead Box: Taxi – 0540; Take-Off – 0555; E.T.D. Field – at Take Off
   

5. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
   0744	19,000 Ft	Beachy Head

6. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
   0801	22,000 Ft	50°00'N-01°17'E [Tocqueville-sur-Eu, France]

7. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
   1122	22,000 Ft	51°07'N-02°40'E [Koksijde-Bad, Belgium]

8. Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
   1147	10,000 Ft	Clacton

9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1218 Hours
10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "H"
11. Bomb load of Each A/C: Lead Box
    508 Squadron: 6 x 1000 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    509 Squadron: None
    510 Squadron: 6 x 1000 [lb.] RDX [High Explosive] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    511 Squadron: 6 x 1000 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    PFF A/C and 2613-C loaded same as 510th Squadron
    
    Bomb load of Each A/C: Low Box
    508 Squadron: 6 x 1000 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    509 Squadron: 6 x 1000 [lb.] RDX [High Explosive] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
    510 Squadron: None
    511 Squadron: 6 x 1000 [lb.] G.P. [General Purpose] 1/10 x 1/100 [Fuses]
12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2300 Gallons
    
13. Group Leader:
    a. Lead Box: Name: L.B. Roper  Rank: Major  A/C: 7601-J   Sqdn. 324th
    b. Low Box: Name: J.L. Nesmith  Rank: Capt.  A/C: 7381-U  Sqdn. 511th
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	7325–H	____	____	510	1509–V	____	____
    	2470–J	____	____		1560–A	____	____
    	7157–N	____	____		2576–C	____	____
    	2613–C	____	____	Spare	7077–D	____	____
    Spare	0994–T	____	____
    511	1714–R	____	____	324	7601–J PFF	____	____
    	7318–S	____	____
    	9987–D	____	____
    	8153–F	____	____

17. Low Box

    Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.	Squadron	A/C No. & Letter	A.T.O.	A.T.R.
    508	7349–B	____	____	509	7202–Z	____	____
    	1192–R	____	____		7149–X	____	____
    	1702–A	____	____		1725–L	____	____
    	1757–G	____	____		7169–N	____	____
    				Spare	7845–F	____	____
    511	7381–U	____	____
    	1875–P	____	____
    	1238–A	____	____
    	7472–H	____	____
    Spare	7191–X	____	____

    Report Compiled By J.C. Muesing, S/Sgt.
    
    

 Twenty-five planes flew a mission to the marshalling yards at Epinal, France. They were led by Major Roper and Lt. Maginn with Lt. Behrendt as bombardier and Lt. Volotta as navigator. Bombs of the lead group were heavily concentrated in the target area. The Group encountered no flak or fighters.
 During Wing assembly, tragedy struck. Lt. Crowe, who was being checked out as a first pilot by Lt. Nelson and his crew in 42-97325, collided with a B-24 from the 458th Bomb Group. Both planes crashed near Eye, Suffolk. As the crippled B-17 went down T/Sgt. T. Popp, radio operator, S/Sgt. J. Duggan, left waist gunner, and S/Sgt. E. Hardin, ball turret gunner, although injured, bailed out. The other crewmembers were killed when the plane crashed into marshlands near the River Dove.
 Later that evening, a second tragedy was averted. At about 2300 hours, Lt. C. M. Walker, who had been on a night practice mission in 42-30857, was making an approach for landing when fire suddenly broke out in the cockpit and around the upper turret. Smoke filled the cockpit, making a landing impossible. Instinctively opening the throttles, Lt. Walker climbed away from the base. However, before he could give the order to bail out, the crew managed to extinguish the fire. Sgt. R. G. Martin, the engineer, was badly cut and burned when an oxygen bottle exploded as he was fighting the fire.

• A/C# 42-97325   YB-H  Pilot: Lt. Crowe     A/C's 17th Mission

  Aircraft Loss Circumstances:

  [This description of the accident is written on Lt. Crowe's page on findagrave.com]
  At 06.50 hours 23 May 1944 B-17's of 351st BG from Polebrook, were forming up for a pre D-Day raid on Epinal Marshalling yards in France. A mistake in planning or timing led them to form up in the same area as B-24's from 458th BG. with disastrous results. Whilst trying to avoid a B-24, 1Lt. Peter E. Crowe in B-17, 42-97325 (Lucky Penny), of 508 Sqn, turned on it's side before slicing through another B-24 flown by Lt. K.C. Barton. No one survived on this plane.
  The B-17 with it's nose and two engines gone went into a slow spin, miraculously, three gunners managed to parachute to safety before the aircraft crashed onto marshland at Hoxne. In 1972 an engine from Lt. Crowe's aircraft was recovered and restored and is now displayed in the 390th BG Museum at Parham.
  

  Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
  • Pilot - 1st Lt. Crowe, Peter E. - Killed in Crash
  • Co-pilot - 1st Lt. Nelson, Norris N. - Killed in Crash
  • Navigator - 2nd Lt. Russeth, Robert A. - Killed in Crash
  • Bombardier - 2nd Lt Rubin, Frank - Killed in Crash
  • Top Turret Gunner - T/Sgt Fiebelkorn, Gerald W. - Killed in Crash
  • Radio Operator - T/Sgt Popp, Theodore W. - Survived by parachuting from plane.
  • Left Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Duggan, Joseph T. - Survived by parachuting from plane.
  • Right Waist Gunner - [This position not manned.]
  • Ball Turret Gunner - S/Sgt Harden, Edwin G. - Survived by parachuting from plane.
  • Tail Gunner - S/Sgt Lopez, Frank T. - Killed in Crash
  
  
  Burial Records:
  

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

  • 1st Lt. Crowe, Peter E., Burial: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England, Plot: Plot C Row 1 Grave 2
  • 1st Lt. Nelson, Norris N., Burial: Grove City Cemetery, Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho, USA
  • 2nd Lt. Russeth, Robert A., Crystal Lake Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Plot: Section M21, Lot 432, Grave 3
  • 2nd Lt Rubin, Frank, no burial records were found.
  • T/SGT Fiebelkorn, Gerald W., Burial: White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery, Troy, Oakland County, Michigan
  • S/Sgt Lopez, Frank T., Burial: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England, Plot: Plot A Row 7 Grave 9