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William R. Flesh
| Sumner Reeder |
The William R. Flesh Crew
Standing L/R: T/Sgt Connor Brewster-ROG,
S/Sgt Frank Dolson-BTG, S/Sgt Charles Ping-TG,
T/Sgt Harold Pope-TTE, S/Sgt Robert Lovin-WG, S/Sgt
Orrin Furlong-WG
Kneeling L/R: Lt James Lux-Bom, Lt William
Flesh-Pilot, Lt. John Gossage-CoPilot
Missing from photo is Navigator Lt. Omar "The Tent
Maker" Gonzales
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Lt William Flesh took over the crew of Capt.
Sumner Reeder after Reeder and his officers were injured on Sept 6, 1943
mission to Stuttgart.
Interview with Frank Dolsen (Oct 2007 by MPF):
"A few days after the Stuttgart we were sent
to a "flak house" in the south of England. When we returned to the base
Maj Veal came by and asked us if we wanted to continue to fly our
missions or be taken off combat status. Orrin Furlong took the offer and
was moved to Ground duties. Maj Veal explained that he was putting
together pick up crews and said he would keep the Reeder enlisted men
together if we continued to fly. We decided we would continue flying
missions and Leon MacDonald (spare gunners pool) took Furlong's place at
WG. I always respected Maj Veal for coming to us and offering us the
option. We were given new officers and Lt Flesh was the Pilot. We had a
S/Sgt Charles Ping fly with us as a TG on a few missions but he RFS
after a few missions.
The makeup of Lt Flesh Crew after Sept 6, 1943
contained the following members.
|
Lt William Flesh |
P |
(XFR to 482nd Bomb Group at Alconbury) |
|
Lt John Gossage |
CP |
(POW Mar.
3, 1944 BERLIN) |
|
Lt James Lux |
BOM |
(From Lt. Raring crew) |
|
Lt Omar Gonzales |
NAV |
(Group Navigator) |
|
T/Sgt Harold Pope |
TTE |
(From S. Reeder crew) |
|
T/Sgt Connor Brewster- |
ROG |
(From S. Reeder crew) |
|
S/Sgt Frank Dolson |
BTG |
(From S. Reeder crew) |
|
S/Sgt Orrin Furlong |
WG |
(From S. Reeder crew) |
|
S/Sgt Robert Lovin |
WG |
(From S. Reeder crew) |
|
S/Sgt Charles Ping |
TG |
RFS |
MISSION LIST OF LT FLESH CONTINUED:
|
SEPT. 23, 1943 |
VANNES |
a/c 230799 BIGASSBIRD II |
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SEPT. 26, 1943 |
PARIS |
a/c 230799 BIGASSBIRD II |
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OCT. 4, 1943 |
HANAU |
a/c 25861 LADEN MAIDEN |
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NOV. 5, 1943 |
GELSENKIRCHEN |
a/c 230088 SQUAWKIN HAWK |
Mission: Gelsenkirchen (Date: 5 Nov 1943 -
349th Sqdn. )
|
William R. Flesh |
P |
CPT |
XFR to 482nd Bomb Group at Alconbury |
|
John G. Gossage |
CP |
POW |
Mar. 3, 1944 BERLIN |
|
Omar Gonzales |
NAV |
POW |
(Group Navigator) |
|
James J. Lux |
BOM |
POW |
(From Lt. Raring crew) |
|
Conner D. Brewster
|
ROG |
KIA |
(From S. Reeder crew) |
|
Harold L. Pope |
TTE |
EVADEE |
(From S. Reeder crew) |
|
Francis G. Dolsen |
BTG |
POW |
(From S. Reeder crew) |
|
George P. Gineikis |
WG |
EVADEE |
(From G. Van Noy crew) |
|
Leon E. McDonald |
WG |
EVADEE |
-- |
|
James Marasco |
TG |
POW |
(From S. Reeder crew) |
Operations Report says: "Plane was hit in #1 engine after bombs away.
All crew members except Pilot and Co-pilot bailed out, on orders, over
the target area. " Flesh and Gossage managed to fly the ship back to
England.
NOVEMBER 1943. MISSION GILSENKIRCHEN. "SQUAWKIN HAWK" PILOTED BY WILLIAM
FLESH AND CO-PILOTED BY JOHN GOSSAGE, LOST IT'S CREW, INCLUDING OMAR
GONZALES, 'ONCE GROUP NAVIGATOR' WHEN AFTER SUSTAINING HEAVY BATTLE
DAMAGE, THEY WERE ORDERED TI BAIL OUT AND EVERYBODY EXCEPT THE PILOTS
JUMPED. ON RECOVERING CONTROL, LIEUTENANT FLESH AND GOSSAGE BROUGHT THE
SHATTERED PLANE BACK, TO LAND AT TANGMERE IN KENT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE
RADIO OPERATOR, CONNOR BREWSTER WAS KILLED WHEN HIS PARACHUTE FAILED TO
OPEN. THE ENGINEER HAROLD POPE AVOIDED CAPTURE AND AIDED BY THE
UNDERGROUND MANAGED TO GET BACK TO ENGLAND. WAIST GUNNER GEORGE GINEIKIS
ALSO BECAME AN EVADEE. THE REST WERE TAKEN PRISONER OF WAR. THIS
FORTRESS WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO COMBAT STATUS. THE BADLY DAMAGED "SQUAWKIN
HAWK" WAS REPAIRED AND RESTORED TO OPERATIONS. SHE BECAME THE FIRST
100TH AIRCRAFT TO COMPLETE 50 MISSIONS. WITH HER SKIN AUTOGRAPHED BY THE
MEN OF THE 100TH, SHE WAS FLOWN BACK TO THE STATES FOR A WAR BOND TOUR.
Lt Flesh was transferred to the 482nd Bomb Group at Alconbury on
November 26, 1943 with the Crew of Lt Ford/Lt Brooks.
EXCERPT FROM WARTIME DIARY OF GLENN M. LASHBROOK (NAV ON LT FORD CREW)
November 26, 1943 Day after Thanksgiving. Moved from the 100th to the
482nd Bomb Group at Alconbury, Huntingdonshire. Assigned to the 812th
Squadron to learn "Mickey" system (H2X) of Pathfinder navigation. Lt
Flesh became first pilot of the old 100th crew.
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