350th Sqdn. Crew, as above, joined the 100th Group on 24 Feb 1944. Crew Flew A/C 42-31537, LN-S RANDIE LOU

This appears to have been a "Pick - Up" crew. A/C 42-31537 LN-S "Randie Lou" Plane was named by Lt Randell Chadwick after his Daughter (she was named after Randell and his Wife Louise "Randie Lou")

Lt Dykeman, T/Sgt Arnold, Buschmeier and Spragg were from Lt John P. Gibbons crew. O'Donnell from Lt J. M. Shelly crew and of course Fitzroy was the original co-pilot of the Randell T. Chadwick crew when it joined the 100th on 24 Feb 1944.

On July 29, 1944, for the second day in a row, B-17's set out for the oil plant at Merseburg. The formation was led by 1st Lt Herbert Howard and Austin Dunlap on a faulty course which went over Leipzig. The 100th "A" Group followed the 390th BG. The formation flew on a southerly course towards Merseburg and was hit in a barrage of extremely heavy flak. In the next few minutes, the low squadron of the 100th Lead was hard hit, losing 5 of 6 B-17's. Crewmembers believe FW 190's and ME 109's were radioing the formation’s altitude while flying in their own flak. The "A" Group dropped wide; "B" Group hit the target. The entire low squadron of the 100th "A" Group failed to return. There was a 6 8/10th's cloud cover at the target. The lead A/C was hit by flak before the target causing a formation breakup and many stragglers. All were presumable lost to enemy fighters after passing over targets of opportunity. Witnesses: Lt Kasselbaum and Lt George Allen reported Lt Fitzroy's A/C blowing up after being hit. German records indicate that 5 bodies were recovered.

EYEWITNESS: "No specific information concerning the loss of this A/C is available. The formation leader for this squadron suffered flak damage prior to the target and was forced to jettison his bombs. This may have led to the breaking up of the formation for all became more of less stragglers. All were lost, presumably to E/A after passing over the target of opportunity."..... Floyd F. Hartman

Hartman's statement also indicates S/Sgt Carmine V. Roberto was killed before the crew bailed out over Leipzig at approx. 1045 hours. Lt Fitzroy stated that he had seen 12 Americans Hanged and shot by Germans on the 29th of July, 1944. Lt Dykeman, T/Sgt Douglas and T/Sgt Ira Arnold were among them

350TH SQDN. . . CREW, AS ABOVE, JOINED THE 100TH ON 24 FEB 1944.

DYKEMAN, ARNOLD, BUSCHMEIRER, AND SPRAGG WERE WITH THE CREW OF W. T. FITZROY ON 29 JUL 44 MERSEBURG MISSION.