Group History
Group Personal
Aircraft
Photos
Crew Member DB

351st Bomb Group

Polebrook, England

Group Mission #187

Credited Mission #181
 
DATE: 9 Aug. 1944
Target: R.R. Facilities, Augsburg, Germany
Bombed: Target of Opportunity,
Elsenborn, Belgium & Luxembourg [City]
 
Briefing Outline:
  1. Airplane and Crew Assignment Check.

  2.  Plan "A" Plan "B"
     Lead Box Lead Box
    Stations   –0625Stations   –0600
    Start Engines –0635Start Engines –0610
    Taxi     –0645Taxi     –0620
    Take Off   –0700Take Off   –0635
    Last Take Off –____Last Take Off –____
    Briefing –0400Briefing –0230

  3. Targets:
    Primary: PFF – Augsburg R.R. Facilities
    Secondary: Ulm - Ordnance Depot
    Last Resort: ____

  4. Loading:
    351 “A”: Hi 10 x 500lb. Clusters I.B. [Incendiary Bomb]
    351 “B”: Hi Same
    Composite: ____
    Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - None
    Chaff: All A/C will commence release of chaff at 3 min. before I.P. [Initial Point of Bomb Run] & continue for 15 min. Each A/C will carry 360 units.

  5. Gasoline Loading: 2700 gallons
    Remarks: ____

  6. Wing Formation:
     Wing Formation  94th (A) CBW  94th (B) CBW  94th (C) CBW  Comp. CBW 
    Lead457th401st
    Low457th401st
    High351st351st

  7. Division Formation:
    PositionCBW [Combat Wing]TargetDeparture Time at Coast
    Lead1st "A" Same Area 
    2nd1st "B"Same Area
    3rd41st "C"Same Area
    4th40th "A"Same Area
    5th40th "B"Same Area
    6th40th "C"Same Area
    7th41st "A"Same Area
    8th41st "B"Same Area
    9th94th "A"Same Area Plan “A” 0840 - Plan “B” 0807 
    10th94th "B"Same AreaPlan “A” 0842 - Plan “B” 0809
    2nd Division11 CBW'sStuttgartCromer
    3rd Division4 x 54 CBWNurnbergSouthwold
    Marauders
    RAF [Royal Air Force]

    Remarks: Base Reference Altitude – 21,000’
      Division Assembly Line – Splasher 7 to Felixstowe.
      Interval between CBW’s – 2 minutes.
      Every effort will be made to maintain 2 minute interval between CBW’s.

  8. Fighter Cover:
    • [Force][Latitude & Longitude][Call Sign]
      P-47's 5120-0505 to 5008-0630  Balance 1-1 
      P-51's 5008-0630 (Front)  Balance 1-2 
      P-51's 5008-0630 (Rear)  Balance 1-3 
      P-51's 4849-0800 (Close)  Balance 1-4 
      P-51's Target (Area)  Balance 1-5 
      P-47's 4849-0800 (Close)  Balance 1-6 

  9. Group Assembly:
    BoxAltitudePlace
    Plan "A" 351st "A" High  13,000'  Glatton Buncher 
    351st "B" High12,000' Kings Cliffe Buncher 
    Plan "B"351st "A" High 9,000'  Glatton Buncher 
    351st "B" High9,000'Kings Cliffe Buncher

  10. Navigator - _____
  11. S-2 - _____
  12. Weather - _____
  13. Special Instructions to Gunners, Bombardiers, and Radio Operators:
    A. Type of Bombing Formation -
    B. "A" High - A/C - N-169-Lt. Poston.
    C. "B" High - A/C - M-169-Lt. Barnhart.

  14. Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.

  15. (A) Code Words –
    PFF Bombing –Clear
    Visual Bombing –Clear
    Authenticator –"Duck Soup"
    Recall –“A” – Never Say Die “B” – Yo Heave Ho
    Weather Code –IABTV
    Release "CHAFF" –In the Clear

    (B) Call Signs:
    Call SignFlaresRemarks
    351st A HighWoodcraft Able HighG [Green]
    351st B HighWoodcraft Baker HighGG [Green Green]
    401st A LeadWoodcraft Able LeadGY
    401st B LowWoodcraft Able LowRR
    457th A LeadWoodcraft Able LeadRY
    457th B LowWoodcraft Able LowR
    Composite
    1st C.B.W.
    40th C.B.W.
    41st C.B.W.
    Composite C.B.W.

    (C)
    U.S. FightersBalance One
    R.A.F. Fighters
    Bombers"A" Wing - Vinegrove 1-9"B" Wing - Vinegrove 1-10
    U.S. Grnd. ControlColgate
    R.A.F. Grnd. Control

    Control Points:Fighter Reference Points:
    C.P. 1 - FelixstoweE - Aachen
    C.P. 2 - 5148-0355N - Stuttgart
    C.P. 3 - 4848-0800G - Strasbourg
    C.P. 4 - 4849-0800L - Munich
    _____I - Nurnburg
    _____S - Mannheim
    _____H - Coberg

    Remarks: ____

    (D)
    Colors of the Day
    TimeColorLetterChallenge
    0200 – 0800RRQL
    0800 – 1400YY-RWF
    1400 – 2000GGBS

    (E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]
    1. - All A/C monitor except the following:
    2. - J-978, X-571
    3. - R-156, K-252
    4. - All A/C [Aircraft] have available

  16. Let-Down on ______, if overcast.
    351st A High Glatton 050° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    351st B High Kings Cliffe 015° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
    401st A   ___° Mag.
    457th A   ___° Mag.

  17. Flying Control. –
    1. Taxi Plan.
    2. Emergency Fields - Framlingham - 5212N-0124E
    3. Landing Aids.

  18. Special Instructions:
     Spare turn back at mid-channel
     Stay Off V.H.F.


Operational Narrative – 94th “A” High Box:
  1. Mission Date - 9 August, 1944.
    1. Target Attacked: Elsenborn, Belgium.
    2. Target Assigned: Augsburg, Germany.
    3. Force – High Box of 94th "A" Combat Wing – Eleven aircraft took off. [This number was changed on the Statistics page to 12.]
    4. Position – Ninth in Division, 1st in Combat Wing.
    5. Lead Team:
      Pilot:1st Lt. Kenneth C. Hales
      Co-Pilot:2nd Lt. Richard B. Moulton
      Navigator:1st Lt. Rex E. Kinnucan
      Bombardier:2nd Lt. Alexander H. Kubetin

  2. Narrative.
    1.  Group & Wing Assembly - Carried out as planned at 13,000 feet at the Glatton buncher.
    2.  Route Over England – Flown as briefed except for a divergency [sic] after assembly in order to make succeeding points on time. Carried out without difficulty.
    3.  Division Assembly – As briefed and in proper position. Departure from coast made on time at 1,000 feet over briefed altitude of 15,000 feet.
    4.  Flight to Target – Flown with little divergency [sic] from briefed route until ordered to abandon OPS [Operations] by Combat Wing Leader. A right turn was made and a northwesterly heading taken up.
    5.  Description of Bombing Run – No difficulties were encountered. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was not used. A concentration of buildings in the northeast area was picked as the aiming point. No IP [Initial Point of Bomb Run] was used. Bombing results were good. The Combat Wing Leader had previously selected an airfield sighted shortly after abandoning operations. Cloud cover prevented bombing it in the heading being flown and he announced his intention to attack it from a different heading. This, however, was not carried out.
    6.  Flight From Target – Departure from the enemy coast was made slightly south of course at 1132 at 20,000 feet. The High Box left the “A” Combat Wing near mid-channel, made a normal let-down, and returned directly to base.
    7.  Fighter Support – Good.
    8.  Comments – No aircraft were lost from the High Box of the 94th “A” Combat Wing. Meager to moderate flak, generally inaccurate, was encountered at Liège, Aachen, Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken, and Antwerp. No enemy aircraft were encountered. Eight to ten-tenths cloud cover was encountered over the continent. Tops were as high as 26,000 feet.
    9.  Aircraft Not Attacking – None failed to attack the target of opportunity.
    10.  PFF Aircraft – PFF Aircraft 42-97649 & 42-97687 were used by the 457th Group, leading the 94th “A” Combat Wing.

  [Signed] Carl C. Hinkle, Jr., Major, Air Corps, Operations Officer


Operational Narrative – 94th "B" High Box:
  1. Mission Date - 9 August, 1944.
    1. Target Attacked: Luxembourg [City], Luxembourg.
    2. Target Assigned: Munich or Augsburg, Germany.
    3. Force – High Box of 94th "B" Combat Wing – Twelve aircraft took off.
    4. Position – Tenth in Division and second in Combat Wing.
    5. Lead Team:
      Group Leader:1st Lt. Anthony J. Zotollo
      Pilot:1st Lt. Robert L. Lawsen
      Navigator:1st Lt. John E. Rowan
      Bombardier:1st Lt. Joseph Loiacono

  2. Narrative.
    1.  Group & Wing Assembly - Carried out as briefed at Kings Cliffe at 12,000 feet.
    2.  Route Over England – As briefed except for cutting off Splasher 7 in order to gain time.
    3.  Division Assembly Line: – Flown north of course in attempt to cut off Splasher 7 and arrive at coast on time. Briefed position was flown. Departed coast two minutes late at 14,900 feet.
    4.  Flight to Target – Briefed route flown with only slight divergencies [sic]. Turned to right after order to abandon operations was received northeast of Strasbourg. In the turn to the right, the high group split up, and seven ships became separated from the formation when they could not see the wing leader in the bad weather. These seven ships made a return flight close to the briefed course and departed from the enemy coast at the briefed point at 20,000 feet at 0913. The other five aircraft stayed with the 94th “B” Combat Wing and attacked a target of opportunity at Luxembourg [City].
    5.  Description of Bombing Run – Five aircraft dropped on the lead aircraft of the combat wing.
    6.  Flight From Target – The five aircraft flying with the 94th “B” Combat Wing returned in formation. The other seven followed the briefed route out and returned to base alone. They made a normal let-down before mid-channel had been reached. Fighter cover was afforded them.
    7.  Fighter Support – Good.
    8.  Comments – The lead aircraft, 44-6077, was hit by flak in the Antwerp area. It exploded over land. No ‘chutes were seen. Aircraft 42-107216, pilot Lt. Myl, was also hit by flak near the Belgium coast. It was seen to ditch at 51°55’N-02°22’E [Mid-channel between Colchester, England & Rotterdam, Netherlands] after five ‘chutes were seen. Neither of these aircraft were flying with the 94th “B” Combat Wing at the time.
      Moderate and fairly accurate flak was encountered at Aachen and Antwerp, and moderate, continuous following flak was encountered at Saarbrucken.
      No enemy aircraft were seen.
      Weather was eight to ten-tenths cover over the continent.
    9.  Aircraft Not Attacking – Seven aircraft failed to attack. These were the aircraft that became separated from the formation in the soup at the turn to abandon operations. They withdrew close to the briefed route. Two of them were lost to flak. The remaining five aircraft had remained in the 94th “B” Combat Wing and attacked the target of opportunity at Luxembourg [City].
    10.  PFF Aircraft – PFF aircraft 42-97600 and 42-97651 flew with the 401st Group leading the 94th “B” Combat Wing.

  [Signed] Carl C. Hinkle, Jr., Major, Air Corps, Operations Officer


Statistical Summary:
94th “A”94th “B”
High BoxHigh BoxTOTAL
No. of A/C Failing to Take Off000
No. of A/C Airborne121224
No. of A/C Airborne Less Unused Spares121224
No. of A/C Sorties121224
No. of A/C Attacking12517
No. of A/C Not Attacking077
Name of Primary TargetAugsburg, Germany
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Primary
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
Name of Secondary Target
(A) No. of A/C Attacking Secondary Target
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
Name of Last Resort Target (LRT)
(A) No. of A/C Attacking LRT
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs
Name of Target of Opportunity (T.O.)Elsenborn, BelgiumLuxembourg [City]
(A) No. of A/C Attacking T.O.12517
(B) No., Size & Type Of Bombs120 x 500# M-1750 x 500# M-17170 x 500# M-17
No. of A/C Lost - Total022
No. of A/C Lost - Flak022
No. of A/C Lost - Flak and E/A
No. of A/C Lost - Enemy Aircraft
No. of A/C Lost - Accident
No. of A/C Lost - Unknown
Time of Take Off06540655
Time of Attack
Average Time of Flight5:535:58
Altitude of Release
Visual or PFFVisualVisual
Enemy Resistance – AA Intensity & AccuracyModerate and InaccurateModerate and Accurate
Enemy Resistance – Fighter000
Enemy Resistance – Bombers000
U.S. A/C Engaged by Enemy Aircraft000
Degree of SuccessLight DamageHeavy Damage

PFF A/C were borrowed from Groups as follows: None
PFF A/C were loaned to Groups as follows:
PFF A/C 42-97600 & 42-97651 flew with the 401st Group, leading the 94th “B” Combat Wing.
PFF A/C 42-97649 & 42-97687 flew with the 457th Group, leading the 94th “A” Combat Wing.

Bombardier’s Narrative – 94th “A” Wing High Box:
  1. A camp at Elsenborn, Belgium was bombed as a Target of Opportunity.
  2. No difficulties encountered on the bombing run.
  3. The C-1 Pilot [Autopilot] was not used on the bombing run.
  4. A concentration of buildings in the NE area was picked as the Aiming Point.
  5. No Initial Point was used.
  6. Bombing results were excellent.
  [Signed:] Alexander H. Kubetin, 2nd Lt., Air Corps, Lead Bombardier, High Box 94th “A” Wing


Combat Bombing Flight Record – High Box 94th “A” Wing:

Bombardier - 2nd Lt. Kubetin, Alexander H.  Pilot - 1st Lt. Hales, Kenneth C. Navigator - 1st Lt. Kinnucan, Rex E.
Aircraft B-17G   H-004  Take-off - 0700 Landed - 1300
Objective - Target of Opportunity – Camp D’Elsenborn, Belgium
Aiming Point (MPI)[Mean Point of Impact] - Large concentration of buildings NE area
Initial Point - None used.
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 - Amiable cluster 500 lb. M17 I.B.’s. [Incendiary Bombs]
Number of Bombs Loaded - 10   Released - Same
Fusing, Nose - Timed for 5,000’.
Synchronization - On

Information at Release Point:

Altitude of Target - 796'Magnetic Heading Ordered 300° Actual 264°
True Altitude Above Target - 21,500’True Heading 257°
Indicated Altitude - 22,000'Drift, Estimated 7° Right - Actual 5° Left
Pressure Altitude of Target +1000True Track 251°
Altimeter Setting 29.92Actual Range 9,948.95'
Calculated Indicated Air Speed - 150KB.S. Type - Norden
True Air Speed - 185KTime of Release 1048
Ground Speed Est. 208 Actual 168KLength of Bombing Run - 20 sec.
Wind Direction Metro - __° Actual - 250°Intervalometer Setting - Min.
Wind Velocity Metro __ Actual 20 C-1 Pilot[Autopilot] _____
D.S. - 130  Trail - 122   ATF - 41.24A-5 Pilot _____
Tan. D.A, Est. .41 Actual .47 Manual Pilot - Yes

Type of Release - Salvo
Point of Impact If Seen - On Target
Mean Temp. Metro -4.5 Actual ___
Winds - Altitude - 21,500 Ft.  Direction - Metro __°  Actual 250°  Velocity - Metro __  Actual 20
Temp C. - Metro -31° C. Actual -__° C.



Bombardier’s Narrative – 94th “B” Wing High Box:
  1. Five A/C of the High Box "B" 94th Wing dropped their bombs on the M/Y [Marshalling Yards] at Luxembourg [City], Luxembourg as a Target of Opportunity.
  2. These A/C dropped on the lead A/C of the Combat Wing and the balance of the High Box “B” 94th Wing brought their bombs back to the base.
  [Signed:] William B. Lyttle, Captain, Air Corps, Group Bombardier


Preliminary Damage Assessment:
  1. Two boxes of this Group were flying in the high box position of different Combat Wings. The “A” Combat Wing dropped on a Target of Opportunity at Elsenborn, Belgium, and the “B” Combat Wing dropped on a Target of Opportunity at Luxembourg [City], Luxembourg.
  2. The bombs of the high box “A” Combat Wing fell into smoke of preceding groups and only a few bursts are seen. The target is a large concentration of buildings and the bombs fell into the NE area of the target. There is no target information available on this target, although it is called “Camp D’Elsenborn” on the map. The large number of roads and railroads leading into the target indicate activity.
  3. Five A/C of the high box “B” Combat Wing dropped their bombs on the M/Y [R.R. Marshalling Yards] at Luxembourg [City], Luxembourg. These ships dropped on the lead ship of the Combat Wing and it is impossible to determine their hits. The entire pattern was concentrated at the junction point of the three M/Y’s and damage should be heavy.
  [Signed:] Thomas L. Cooper, Captain, Air Corps, Group P.I. [Photo Intelligence]


Intelligence S-2 Reports - 94th “A” CBW, High Box:
  1. No leaflets were carried by this Group.
  2. Bombing results were good on Elsenborn Camp, Belgium which was bombed visually as a target of opportunity. Most hits are in the north section of the built-up area of the camp.
  3. No enemy aircraft were observed and no claims are being submitted.
  4. Meager to moderate flak, generally inaccurate, was encountered at Liege, Aachen, Kaiserslautern, Saarbrucken, and Antwerp.
  5. Weather at the target of opportunity was hazy but relatively clear of clouds. A heavy cloud concentration between 20,000 and 30,000 feet just to the East of this area forced the CBW to turn back and attack the Target of Opportunity.
  6. No observations of military importance were made.
  7. No PFF units were employed by this Group. Fighter support was good. None of our A/C from this Box is missing.


Intelligence S-2 Reports - 94th "B" CBW, High Box:
  1. No leaflets were carried by this Group.
  2. Five A/C of this Group bombed on the lead of the 401st Group at 1045 hours and it is believed that the Target of Opportunity was a M/Y [R.R. Marshalling Yard] at Luxembourg [City]. These A/C became separated from the 351st Group shortly after the point at which the CBW turned around.
  3. No enemy aircraft were observed and no claims are being submitted.
  4. Moderate fairly accurate flak was encountered at Aachen and Antwerp, and moderate accurate continuous following at Saarbrucken.
  5. Heavy cloud formation caused the abandonment of the original mission. At the point of turn-back cloud formations caused five A/C to become separated from its Group formation.
  6. No observations of military importance were made.
  7. No PFF units were employed by this Group. Fighter support was good. A/C 077-W, which was leading the Group, and A/C 216-Y were both hit by flak over Belgium near the coast on the way home. A/C 077-W exploded over land and no chutes were seen. A/C 216-Y was seen to ditch at 51°55’N-02°22’E [Mid-channel between Colchester, England and Rotterdam, Netherlands.], after five chutes were seen to come from it. At this writing a report from 1st Division states that two men of this crew have been picked up by Air-Sea Rescue.


Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge



A.A. Gunfire (Flak) Report:

1. Target: Assigned - Munich Bombed - Elsenborn Camp (50°28’N-06°13’E) [9 miles ENE of Malmady, Belgium]
2. Route as Flown. - As briefed to Traben-Trarbach, then to Soucht (SE of Saarbrucken), where formation turned back, returning just East of Saarbrucken, and back on a route parallel to and slightly West of the route in.
3. Weather Conditions - A. at Target. - 3–5/10 cloud.  B. En route - 8–10/10 cloud, decreasing to 7/10 at enemy coast on return.
4. Were our A/C "Seen" or "Unseen" targets? (a) At Target - Unknown (b) Enroute - Unknown
 Any Condensation Trails? - Thick, persistent.
5. Description of Flak at Target, including Method of Fire Control: None
6. Flak encountered or observed en route. (In the order experienced) -
 Liege, 0939, 23,000’ – meager, height good, deflection poor.
 Aachen, 0945, 23,000’ – moderate, low, deflection fair.
 Kaiserslautern, 1017, 23,000’ – meager, height good, deflection poor.
 Saarbrucken, 1021, 24,000’ – moderate, fairly accurate.
 Antwerp, 1100, 24,000’ – moderate, accurate. All flak continuous following.
7. Was Chaff carried? - Yes How discharged? At 1031 for 5 min., and at 1047 for 15 min.
8. Position of Group - High Box of 94th “A” and “B” CBW
9.

Group A/C over
enemy
territory		 A/C Damaged A/C Lost
To Flak		 Time over
Target		 Time of
Bombs Away		 Height Axis of
Attack		 Bomb Run
"A" High1200___104822,000'257° Mag.20 sec.
"B" High1232___104519,000'277° Mag.40 sec.
Totals2432

 10. Comments - Phenomena: Five ships of “B” Box were separated from the group at point of turn-back and flew with 401st Group, bombing a target believed to be a M/Y [R.R. Marshalling Yard] at Luxembourg [City]. The two planes lost to flak were hit near Antwerp, possibly by RR flak [Guns] north of the city.



Combat Crew Comments:

    508th Squadron
A/C 665-N: Too much conversation on VHF. - Lt. Bullock.
A/C 576-C: Feel the planning could be better; scout planes could go ahead and give weather report. - Lt Lord.
A/C 964-M: Consolidated Mess sometimes not immediately prepared to serve meals after a mission. - Sgt. Thomas.
A/C 169-N: Lead was poor - too many near air crackups; it's poor leadership to take ship through such heavy cloud. Cloud was so heavy ships could not be seen around us. - Lt. Poston.
A/C 078-G: Only a 45 second bomb run - very good. - Lt. Whitten.

    510th Squadron
A/C 571-X: Received prop wash from lead #2 of triangle S High Squadron. - Lt. Whittaker.

    511th Squadron
A/C 139-K: Top Turret gunner of Q-005 was not at his station. - Lt. Bjoring.

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


Mission Summary Report:
  1. Abortives:
    1. None
  2. Battle Damage:
    1. Airplane No. 42-97687, 509th Squadron, ([PFF] Flew with 457th Bomb Group). Flak hole through dorsal fin near rudder, skin damage only. Flak hole on left side of Navigator’s compartment, skin damage only. Small flak hole underside of right flap, skin damage only.
    2. Airplane No. 43-37854, 509th Squadron. Small flak hole through right wing outer panel, skin, corrugation and Tokyo tank damaged. Flak hole underside navigator’s compartment, skin and wiring were damaged. Small flak hole underside of #1 nacelle, skin and push rod housing damaged. Flak hole through left wing outer panel near connection of panels, skin, corrugation and Tokyo tank damaged. Small flak hole through left wing tip. Flak hole in right life raft compartment. Skin, raft and bomb rack wiring damaged. Flak hole aft of right waist window, skin and stringer damaged.
    3. Airplane No. 42-97649, 511th Squadron. ([PFF] Flew with 457th Bomb Group). Flak hole right side of fuselage aft of waist window, skin and circumferential damaged. Flak hole right side of dorsal fin on trailing edge. Skin, spar, rudder fabric and stringers damaged.
    4. Airplane No. 43-38153, 511th Squadron. Flak hole right side of fuselage below life raft compartment, skin, circumferential and Tokyo valve lines damaged. Flak hole in butt of left wing underside, skin and diagonal brace hit. Flak hole through left stabilizer, skin and former hit. Left elevator trim tab shot out by flak. Flak hole in root of right wing. Skin, control cables, bomb rack wiring, life raft and bulkhead #5 damaged.
    5. Airplane No. 44-6139, 511th Squadron. Flak hole underside #2 nacelle, skin, oil dilution line and landing gear down solenoid damaged. Flak hole in leading edge of left stabilizer. Skin, and former hit. Flak hole through right elevator trim tab. Flak hole through vertical fin, skin and stringers and former damaged. Small flak hole through right wing tip. Flak hole through trailing edge of right wing inner panel, skin, corrugation and flap controls damaged. Small flak hole in leading edge of right wing outer panel, skin and stringer damaged.
    6. Airplane No. 42-107005, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through right wing outer panel, skin, corrugation and formers damaged. Small flak hole underside left wing outer panel, skin, corrugation and Tokyo tank damaged. Flak hole underside of wing near #4 engine. Skin, corrugation, fuel line to #4 engine and bracing damaged. Small flak hole underside of wing inner panel between #3 and #4 engine. Skin, corrugation and fuel tank damaged. Two inch flak hole underside of right wing in butt. Skin, and wing junction wire box damaged. Flak hole in edge of right wheel well, skin and stringer on edge of well damaged. Small flak hole aft of left bomb bay door, skin and camera well doors damaged. Flak hole through right stabilizer tip. Skin and former damaged. Flak through left wing inner panel near #2 engine, skin, corrugation, and former damaged. Flak hole through left wing outer panel, skin, corrugation and former damaged. Flak hole through leading edge of left wing outer panel, skin, corrugation, former and leading edge of wing damaged. Two blades of #3 propeller damaged by flak.

    TOTAL A/C DAMAGEDMAJOR DAMAGEMINOR DAMAGEDAMAGED BY FLAK
    6156
  [Signed:] Carl A. Ekblad, Captain, Air Corps, Engineering Officer


“J” Form:
  1. Last Four numbers and Call Letter of A/C in each Squadron:
    a. 94th "A" Combat Wing   High Group
    Sqdn 508th A/C: H–8004, J–7978
    Sqdn 509th A/C: G–6078, X–7926, R–6156, M–7964, Z–7696, N–7169, T–1384
    Sqdn 510th A/C: C–2576, P–2955, N–7665
    Sqdn 511th A/C: None
    P.F.F. Sqdn ___ A/C: ____

    b. 94th "B" Combat Wing   High Group
    Sqdn 508th A/C: None
    Sqdn 509th A/C: W–6077, V–7854
    Sqdn 510th A/C: D–7957, R–8038, M–7196, K–7252
    Sqdn 511th A/C: K–6139, Q–7005, Y–7216, F–8153, X–7571, G–8070

  2. Target: GY-4115
  3. W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:
    Squadron508 [Call Sign]W/T UHQ R/T CARLTONSquadron510 [Call Sign]W/T UCL R/T TIPSTAFF
    Squadron509 [Call Sign]W/T NGR R/T HOTMINTSquadron511 [Call Sign]W/T SRZ R/T PARTNERSHIP
  4. a. High "A": Taxi – 0645; Take-Off – 0700; E.T.D. Field – At Take Off
    b. High "B": Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____
  5. Time:Height:  Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
    084015,000 Ft Felixstowe
  6. Time:Height:  Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
    091120,000 Ft 51°48'N-03°55'E [Visschershoek, Netherlands]
  7. Time:Height:  Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
    135720,000 Ft 51°48'N-03°55'E [Visschershoek, Netherlands]
  8. Time:Height:  Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
    16552,000 Ft Cromer
  9. E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1501 Hours
  10. MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "H"
  11. Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" Lead Box
    508 Squadron: 10 x 500 Lb. Cluster I.B. M-17 [Incendiary Bomb]
    509 Squadron: 10 x 500 Lb. Cluster I.B. M-17 [Incendiary Bomb]
    510 Squadron: 10 x 500 Lb. Cluster I.B. M-17 [Incendiary Bomb]
    511 Squadron: None


    Bomb load of Each A/C: "A" High Box
    508 Squadron: None
    509 Squadron: 10 x 500 Lb. Cluster I.B. M-17 [Incendiary Bomb]
    510 Squadron: 10 x 500 Lb. Cluster I.B. M-17 [Incendiary Bomb]
    511 Squadron: 10 x 500 Lb. Cluster I.B. M-17 [Incendiary Bomb]
  12. Fuel Load of each A/C: 2700 Gallons
  13. Group Leader:
    a. High "A": Name: Kenneth C. Hales Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: H-8004  Sqdn. 508th
    b. High "B": Name: Anthony J Zotollo Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: W-6077 Sqdn. 509th
  14. Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
    None
  15. PFF A/C: A/C Y-7600 - 508th Sqdn. & Y-7651 - 510th flying with 401st
    PFF A/C: A/C J-7649 - 511th Sqdn. & A-7687 - 509th flying with 457th

Report Compiled By Rocky F. Civizzio, T/Sgt.



Formation Chart:
94th "A" CBW High Box Formation at Take–Off
508th Squadron
Hales–Moulton
A/C 42-98004 H
Edwards
A/C 43-37978 J
Condon
A/C 44-6078 G
Lord
A/C 42-102576 C
Muhleman
A/C 42-102955 P
Muffett
A/C 42-97926 X
Jizmejian
A/C 44-6156 R
Angelini
A/C 43-37964 M
Wishnewsky
A/C 43-37696 Z
Dreyer
A/C 43-37665 N
Poston
A/C 42-97169 N
Cartwright
A/C 42-31384 T


94th "B" CBW High Box Formation at Take–Off
511th Squadron
Zotollo
A/C 44-6077 W
Bjoring
A/C 44-6139 K
Dingle
A/C 42-107005 Q
Myl
A/C 42-107216 Y
Matre
A/C 43-37957 D
Popp
A/C 43-37854 V
Bunnell
A/C 42-38153 F
McFarland
A/C 43-37571 X
Hopkins–Lambert
A/C 43-38070 G
Neal
A/C 42-38038 R
Barnhart
A/C 42-97196 M
Arnold–Gray
A/C 42-97252 K


94th "B" CBW High Box Formation Over–Target
511th Squadron
Matre
A/C 43-37957 D
McFarland
A/C 43-37571 X
Neal
A/C 42-38038 R
Barnhart
A/C 42-97196 M
Arnold–Gray
A/C 42-97252 K


Time Schedule:
Zero Hour: 0830 DBST [Double British Standard Time]  Briefing: 0530  Stations: 0750  Start Engines: 0850  Taxi: 0900  Take-Off: 0915  Leave Base: 0915 [Breakfast: 0230]



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

Munich was the briefed target, but clouds up to 30,000 feet blocked the way. Bombs were dropped instead on the secondary target, Elsenborn Camp in Belgium. Five ships, separated from the rest of the Group at the turn back, bombed the marshalling yards at Luxembourg. Two 12-ship boxes were put up, one led by Lts. Hales, Moulton, Kinnucan, and Kubetin; the other led by Lts. Zotollo, Lawsen, Rowen, and Loiacono. Just before the turn back Lt. Zotollo’s plane, 44-6077, ran into icing conditions which froze the pilot tube. With the air speed indicator unusable, Lt. Zotollo handed over command to the deputy lead, Lt. Dingle.
Unfortunately just as this transfer of command and the change of positions of the planes began, the Wing started to turn back. By the time the turn had been completed in thick cloud, the formation had broken up. Breaking from the cloud Lt. Zotollo and Lt. Dingle were the only planes to be seen. Not only had they lost the Wing, but by now the three navigators, two in the lead and one in the deputy lead plane, were completely lost.
Setting a course towards the west, they hoped that a visual sighting would assist them to establish their position. Still formatting on the deputy lead ship, Lt. Zotollo’s plane was racked by exploding flak. They were over the coast of Holland. One shell passed through the right wing, puncturing a fuel tank and igniting the gasoline. Putting the plane into a dive, Lt. Zotollo attempted to blow the fire out. To no avail, the flames spread. Leveling off, he gave the order to bail out. The whole crew escaped before the plane exploded. On landing, Sgts. Barton, West, and Carter managed to evade capture and reach the Allied lines. The rest were quickly captured by the Germans.
Lt. Myl’s plane, 42-107216, was damaged over the target and forced to ditch in the Channel. Before the crew could be picked up by Air Sea Rescue, Sgts. McClure and Rasmussen had died of exposure.



Missing Air Crew Report (MACR):

  • A/C# 44-6077   RQ-W  Pilot: Lt. Zotollo  A/C's 27th Mission   MACR # 7394

    Aircraft Loss Circumstances:

    Eyewitness Account
    I, Donell E. Bjoring, 0-758293, was flying as Pilot of Aircraft 43-31839 which was in No. 3 Position, Lead Squadron, High Box on a mission to Munich, Germany on 9 August 1944. The first thing I noticed about Lt. Zotollo, flying on my right in No. 2 Position, was that he was hit by flak between No. 3 and No. 4 Engines, and the front part of the plane was set on fire. This occurred on the return trip about five (5) minutes before reaching the French Coast. He dropped out of formation, salvoed his bombs (the High Box had not dropped its bombs), and then made an attempt to regain his position in the formation, though he was unsuccessful. He kept on descending and the plane exploded in mid-air. I saw no parachutes come from the plane before it exploded. I heard nothing over VHF.
      [Signed] Donell E. Bjoring, 1st Lt, Air Corps.

    2nd Eyewitness Account
    I, James A. Myl, 0-758606, was flying as lead of low squadron in formation on a mission to Munich, Germany on 9 August 1944. Lt. Zotollo was on wing of lead squadron and was on my right, slightly above and ahead of me. On the return trip, as we were crossing the Belgian coastline in the vicinity of Flushing, we ran into very heavy flak, a burst of which apparently hit Lt. Zotollo's plane. The plane immediately dropped out of position and started down, trailing smoke from its right wing. I watched it down to about 10,000 ft but saw no parachutes and did not see it explode. It was headed into the channel slightly off course to the right when I last saw it.
      [Signed] James A. Myl, 1st Lt, Air Corps.

    Information in documents in the MACR show that the plane crashed and burned 500 meters N of Katscheveer, Netherlands. The same document shows the men were captured between Goes and Kattendijke, Netherlands.

    Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
    • Pilot - 1st Lt. Zotollo, Anthony J., POW in Germany, Returned to Military Control, Liberated.
    • Co-pilot - 1st Lt. Lawsen, Robert L., POW at Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
    • Navigator - 1st Lt. Rowan, John E., POW at Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
    • Navigator - 1st Lt. Livesay, Wayne W., POW in Germany, Returned to Military Control, Liberated.
    • Bombardier - 1st Lt. Loiacono, Joseph, 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.
    • Top Turret Gunner - T/Sgt Barton, Leonard L., Evaded Capture and Returned to England.
    • Radio Operator - T/Sgt West, Edwin, Evaded Capture and Returned to England.
    • Left Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Cohen, Louis L., POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
    • Right Waist Gunner - Sgt Calderbank, Bernard F., POW at Stalag 9C Bad Sulza Saxe-Weimar 51-11, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
    • Ball Turret Gunner - S/Sgt Fiengo, Henry J., POW at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
    • Tail Gunner - S/Sgt Carter, Claudius E., Evaded Capture and Returned to England.
    • Radio Operator - S/Sgt Miller, Clair L., POW in Germany, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.


  • A/C# 42-107216   DS-Y  "Thunderball"  Pilot: Lt. Myl  A/C's 34th Mission   MACR # 7391

     Aircraft Loss Circumstances:

    Eyewitness Account
    I, James A. Myl, 0-758606, was flying as pilot of Aircraft No. 42-107216, which was in Lead Position, Low Squadron, High Box, on a mission to Munich, Germany on 9 August 1944. My plane was hit by flak on the return trip just over the Belgian Coast. The ship was pretty much cut up and a fire was started in the right wing. I dropped out of formation and descended to 8500 feet and at this altitude a minor explosion occured in the wing. White hot flames then began to come out of the top of the wing. There was no chance of getting across the channel to England. My only alternative was to bail out. I put the plane on AFCE [Automatic Flight Control Equipment - Autopilot] and the entire crew bailed out into the Channel. A P-51 saw us, got our position, and within three (3) hours Air-Sea Rescue Launches had arrived to pick us up. Seven (7) of us were picked up, but two (2) others, T/Sgt McClure and S/Sgt Rasmussen were not able to be found. Oddly enough, both of them had bailed out with dinghies and should have been quickly found. None of the rescued ones saw them at any time after hitting the water. Launches were still looking for them when we left. I was told that my plane was seen to explode soon after we bailed out, but I did not see this myself.
      [Signed] James A. Myl, 1st Lt., Air Corps.

    Individual Accounts of Crewmen Fates:
    • Pilot - 1st Lt. Myl, James A., Rescued from Channel and returned to England.
    • Co-pilot - 2nd Lt. Bzoskie, Orville M., Rescued from Channel and returned to England.
    • Navigator - 2nd Lt. O'Shea, Michael F. Jr., Rescued from Channel and returned to England.
    • Bombardier - 2nd Lt. Pacquer, Robert E., Rescued from Channel and returned to England.
    • Top Turret Gunner - T/Sgt Re, Lawrence A., Rescued from Channel and returned to England.
    • Radio Operator - T/Sgt McClure, Lester W., Missing In Action - Memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England.
    • Left Waist Gunner - S/Sgt Yurkus, Leon D., Rescued from Channel and returned to England.
    • Right Waist Gunner - Position Not Manned
    • Ball Turret Gunner - S/Sgt Rasmussen, Merton H., Missing In Action - Memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England.
    • Tail Gunner - S/Sgt Cardamona, Thomas V., Rescued from Channel and returned to England.


    Click on Photo to Enlarge
 [Missing in Action - 2]
 [Prisoner of War  - 9]
 [Rescued from Channel - 7]
 [Evaded Capture & Returned - 3]
The above records were obtained at the National Archives Records Administration and have been declassified by authority NND 745005
Please contact us with your comments and corrections.