COMMENTS & NOTES
MEMO 1:
CREW
2ND LT MARTIN C. RUMLEY P NOC TAPS: 31 JAN 1975
2ND LT ROBERT P. LIPPS CP POW 28 JUL 44 MERSEBURG, OIL REFINERY (WITH CREW OF F.H. MASON)
2ND LT MILVOY RADULOVICH NAV CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
2ND LT WALLACE E. LOWANS BOM CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
S/SGT RALPH E. HARRIS ROG CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY TAPS: 8 APR 1986
S/SGT FORREST G. SMITH TTE CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
SGT RAYMOND P. KAASA BTG CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
SGT PETER VAN HELMIN WG CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
SGT NORBERT T. KOCZENT WG NOC
SGT LEO J. KAMISNKI TG CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY TAPS: 11 SEP 1971
418TH SQDN.. CREW, AS ABOVE, JOINED THE 100TH ON 14 APR 1944
ON 25 AUG 44 L.F. COLEMAN WAS THE PILOT AND C.J. GUTEKUNST WAS THE CO-PILOT…jb
CREW
1st Lt Harry E. Bethea P RFS 4 AUG 44 Physically disqualified from flying on 4/8/44 sn#0-1040875
2nd Lt Leonard F.Coleman CP CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ (as 1st Pilot with Lt Rumley Crew) see below sn#0-761887
2nd Lt Robert W.Barry NAV POW 28 JUL 44 MERSEBURG(With Lt Noble Crew, see below ) sn#0-704573
2nd Lt George L.Reid BOM NOC sn#0-673807
S/Sgt Robert A.Vance ROG CPT 10 JAN 45 COLOGNE sn#13052706
S/Sgt William R.Hellen TTE CPT 17 JAN 45 HAMBURG sn#38327782
Sgt Garnet E.Symington BTG CPT 26 AUG 44 BREST (with Lt. Wesley Carlton Crew) sn#17114462
Sgt Edward A.Skapin WG NOC sn#15324676
Sgt Carl C.Dobbins WG CPT 27 SEPT 44 MAINZ sn#34603119
Sgt Donald W. Harris TG NOC sn#37659812
418th Sqdn. Crew,as above, joined the 100th Group on 7/4/44. Crew flew plane possibly named "Who Done It" 42-97090
On 4/8/44, Bethea was grounded and sent to Medical Board for Observation. On 25/8/44, Lt F.Coleman was flying as pilot of a crew comprised mostly of men from the M.C.Rumley crew. Lt Bethea flies lasT msison with this Crew on May 29, 1944. Crew and Families say Lt Bethea was taken off of flying status in early June 1944 due to nervous breakdown but returned to flying again in July 1944 only to be Removed from flying status permenately on 4 AUG 44. (this is from Crew and Family members).
Plane "Who Done It " is only mentioned in Lt Coleman's letter. Seemed to be just as he arrived in Europe. He did take his final combat training at Thorpe Abbott.
MISSIONS OF LT BETHEA: CREW LISTED ABOVE FLEW ALL MISSIONS FROM APRIL 24-MAY 29TH, 1944
Date Aircraft Nbr Target
5/1/1944 97090 "Who Done It" SAARGUEMINES/WIZERNES
5/7/1944 97090 "Who Done It" BERLIN
5/8/1944 97090 "Who Done It" BERLIN & LAGLACERIE
5/9/1944 97090 "Who Done It" LAON/COUVRON; ANTHIES
5/11/1944 97090 "Who Done It" LIEGE
5/19/1944 97090 "Who Done It" BERLIN
5/20/1944 32090 SILVER DOLLAR BRUSSELS
5/25/1944 97090 "Who Done It" BRUSSELS
5/27/1944 97090 "Who Done It" STRASBOURG
5/28/1944 97090 "Who Done It" MAGDEBURG
5/29/1944 97071 ANDY'S DANDY'S LEIPZIG
7/13/1944 97230 LAY OR BUST MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
Date Last Name Initial Rank Position A/C Nbr Target
7/13/1944 KAMINSKI L.J. TG TG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 HELMIN P.V. LWG LWG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 KOCZENT N.T. RWG RWG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 KAASA R.P. BTG BTG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 SMITH F.G. TTE TTE 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 HARRIS R.E. ROG ROG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 LOWANS W.F. BOM BOM 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 RADULEVICH M. LT NAV 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 COLEMAN L.E. LT CP 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 BETHEA H.E. LT P 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
A/C 97230 LAY OR BUST
7/14/1944 78 160 BETHEA H.E. LT P 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
Date Last Name Initial Rank Position Aircraft Nbr Target
7/14/1944 KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
7/14/1944 HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
7/14/1944 KOCZENT N.T. S/SGT RWG 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
7/14/1944 KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
7/14/1944 SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
7/14/1944 HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
7/14/1944 LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
7/14/1944 RADULEVICH M. LT NAV 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
7/14/1944 COLEMAN L.E. LT CP 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
7/14/1944 BETHEA H.E. LT P 6092 SOUTH OF FRANCE
6092 Dixie’s Delight
7/19/1944 93 163 BETHEA H.E. LT P 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
Date Last Name Initial Rank Position Aircraft Nbr Target
7/19/1944 CARGILE D.M. S/SGT TG 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
7/19/1944 SKAPIN E.A. S/SGT LWG 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
7/19/1944 DOBBINS C.C. S/SGT RWG 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
7/19/1944 BEHR W.T. S/SGT BTG 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
7/19/1944 HELLEN W.R. T/SGT TTE 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
7/19/1944 VANCE R.A. T/SGT ROG 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
7/19/1944 HEGGE D.N. LT BOM 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
7/19/1944 MEARS H.S. LT NAV 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
7/19/1944 TALBERT E.F. LT CP 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
7/19/1944 BETHEA H.E. LT P 102649 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN
A/C 102649 LADY GERALDINE
7/20/1944 83 164 BETHEA H.E. LT P 37935 MERSEBURG
Date Last Name Initial Rank Position Aircraft Nbr Target
7/20/1944 CARGILE D.M. S/SGT TG 37935 MERSEBURG
7/20/1944 SKAPIN E.A. S/SGT LWG 37935 MERSEBURG
7/20/1944 DOBBINS C.C. S/SGT RWG 37935 MERSEBURG
7/20/1944 BEHR W.T. S/SGT BTG 37935 MERSEBURG
7/20/1944 HELLEN W.R. T/SGT TTE 37935 MERSEBURG
7/20/1944 VANCE R.A. T/SGT ROG 37935 MERSEBURG
7/20/1944 HEGGE D.N. LT BOM 37935 MERSEBURG
7/20/1944 MEARS H.S. LT NAV 37935 MERSEBURG
7/20/1944 TALBERT E.F. LT CP 37935 MERSEBURG
7/20/1944 BETHEA H.E. LT P 37935 MERSEBURG
7/21/1944 93 165 BETHEA H.E. LT P 37935 REGENSBURG
Date Last Name Initial Rank Position Aircraft Nbr Target
7/21/1944 DEVINE B.J. S/SGT TG 37935 REGENSBURG
7/21/1944 SKAPIN E.A. S/SGT LWG 37935 REGENSBURG
7/21/1944 DOBBINS C.C. S/SGT RWG 37935 REGENSBURG
7/21/1944 BEHR W.T. S/SGT BTG 37935 REGENSBURG
7/21/1944 HELLEN W.R. T/SGT TTE 37935 REGENSBURG
7/21/1944 VANCE R.A. T/SGT ROG 37935 REGENSBURG
7/21/1944 HEGGE D.N. LT BOM 37935 REGENSBURG
7/21/1944 STOCKTON M.A. LT NAV 37935 REGENSBURG
7/21/1944 TALBERT E.F. LT CP 37935 REGENSBURG
7/21/1944 BETHEA H.E. LT P 37935 REGENSBURG
7/31/1944 75 170 BETHEA H.E. LT P 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
Date Last Name Initial Rank Position Aircraft Nbr Target
7/31/1944 STEIN W.E. S/SGT TG 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
7/31/1944 WALSH R.E. S/SGT RWG 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
7/31/1944 PRYOR R.E. S/SGT BTG 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
7/31/1944 HELLEN W.R. T/SGT TTE 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
7/31/1944 VANCE R.A. T/SGT ROG 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
7/31/1944 MCKENZIE T.A. LT BOM 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
7/31/1944 KOBASKY W.C. LT NAV 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
7/31/1944 CROWLEY T.J. LT CP 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
7/31/1944 BETHEA H.E. LT P 37935 MUNICH (AERO ENGINES)
Combat Diary of Lt Leonard Coleman:
April 23, 1944
Today Started my tour of operational combat duty in the E.T.O. Our crew was put on operations yesterday and was alerted for the mission today. Get up was 0300 hrs and was briefed at 0400 hrs on a target S.W. of Berlin. The target was a synthetic Oil plant south of Leipzig, Germany. The mission was scrubbed 40 minutes before take off time. Was rather glad it was as it being my first mission it was rather long and heavy flak most of the way. Alerted again for tomorrow.
April 24, 1944 Mission No. 1
Went on my first mission today. The raid was on Friedrichshaven, Germany. Hit the target and it was completely destroyed. Had some flak over the target. We got two flak holes in our ship. No enemy fighters came up. The raid was very long being in the air about 9 hrs.
April 25, 1944 Mission No. 2
Went out again today. The target a Junkers assembly and repairs plant at Dijon, France. WE encountered no flak over the target but had none on the way out over the French coast. Our fighter cover was good and no enemy fighters appeared. I would just as soon I never see a German fighter.
April 26, 1944
Didn't have to fly today, it felt good to get to sleep most of the day. I was kind of tired after flying two missions in two days. We are alerted for tomorrowso will probably go out again.
April 27, 1944 Mission No. 3 & 4
Today has been a long day. We did something today that the Eighth Air Force hasn't done before. We made one raid and then landed the plane and made the second raid this afternoon. Our first mission was a short run over the Channel to bomb a secret instillation (V-1 rockets…mpf) on the French coast. It is believed to be a rocket instillation. The flak was pretty heavy and very accurate. We didn't get any hits. The second mission we took off at 1500 hrs and bombed an airfield in France, it was just south of Luxemburg & west of the German border. I saw two B-17's go down on this trip One was from our Group the the other was from another Group. The flak was quite heavy over the target but we managed to dodge it all. We got up at 0300 hrs this morning and didn't get back until 2300 hrs so we had quite a long day. We logged 13 hrs flying time. We are going on a two day pass in the morning so will have a little next.
April 28, 29, 30, 1944
Went to London on pass and had a very good time. That townis really something . It was good to get away from the base.
May 1, 1944. Mission No. 5
Today wsa my day to get the air medal. Completed my fifth mission. Bombed a marshalling yard in Western Germany (Saarabrucken). Did a good job. Today was the first time I have seen enemy fighters, four ME 109"s attacked our squadron. The Plane on our right wing got aqbout 3/4ths of his rudder shot off. They missed our plane completely but passed just over our head. They really come through fast when they attack.
May 7, 1944, Mission No. 6
Today we hit the big target, BERLIN. It was a pretty long haul. Our first raid in 6 days. They really dropped a lot of bombs on Berlin. The flak was really bad. Going in on the bomb run it just looked like a solid wall. I can't see how planes can get through so much flak without getytin hit more thatn they do. We got about four hits on our plane. We lost one plane today. We are alerted tonight so will probably go out again tomorrow.
May 8, 1944, Mission No. 7
Today was BERLIN again. We had to come back before we got to the target. We came back alone from about 125 miles inside of Germany. I guess they really had a rough time over the city today with a lot of fighter attacks. We didn't lose any planes.
May 9, 1944 Miission No. 8
This was really a good mission. Went to LAON/COUVRON an airport in Eastern France. Hit the target and done a good job. Didn't see any flak or fighters.
May 10, 1944
Today we started to a target in Germany. Ran into bad weather about the time we got to the enemy coast so had to trun around and come back,
May 11, 1944 Mission No. 9
Went on my ninth mission this afternoon. Bombed a marshalling yard at Liege, Belgium. I think we hit the target. There was a lot of smoke down there. We ran into some pretty bad flak. About the most accurate I have seen. WE got 3 holes in our plane. One plane in our group got a direct hit by an 88mm. It exploded in mid air. Saw about 4 chutes come out of it.
May 25, 1944 Mission No. 10
Flew my first mission today in about two weeks. Bombed a Marshalling yard at Brussels, Belgium. It was a pretty easy mission, not much flak.
May 27, 1944 Mission No. 11
Bombed a target at STRASSBOURG,in southern France today. The target was a D.B. Engine parts plant. Had some pretty good flak not too accurate. Got 3 holes in the left wing.
May 28, 1944 Mission No. 12
Had a pretty rough day today. The target was a synthetic oil plant at Magdeburg, Germany. I guess the Germanys didn't want it bombed very bad. They sure as hell tried to keep us from hitting it. German fighters hit us just before we got to the target. Those boys really come in on us. They made about 4 passes one wave after another all in less than 3 minutes. The lead ship we were flying off from went down. We got one engine hit and had to feather it. We flew all the way back on three engines, This 17 flies pretty good on three engines. That’s the first time I have had to fly one on three engines. The group ahead of us lost about 8 planes. Guess we were pretty lucky. Our ball turrret gunner got one ME 109. The tail gunner got a probable.
May 29, 1944 Mission No. 13
Our target today was an oil refinery and storage plant in Leipzig, Germany another pretty trip. The flak was pretty bad. We only lost one ship. Picked up a couple of flak holes in our plane.
June 6, 1944 Mission No. 14
Today was the big day. Our Group flew two missions. Our target was the town of FALAISE, France. The weather was very poor. Onoy got one look at the channel on the way over. There were sure a lot of boasts at the beachhead. We didn't encounter any enemy opposition.
Crew on June 6, 1944 A/C 42-97673 "LUCKY LASS"
FORYSTHE W.C. CAPT P 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
MILLER R.E. LT NAV 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
FOX B.S LT BOM 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
DOBBINS C.C. S/SGT RWG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
HARRIS D.W. S/SGT TG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
HELLEN W.R. T/SGT TTE 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
SKAPIN E.A. S/SGT LWG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
SYMINGTON G.E. S/SGT BTG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
VANCE R.A. T/SGT ROG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM
June 8, 1944 Mission No. 15
The target today was a railroad yard at Tours, France. We got a little flak over the target outside of that we had no opposition. Our crew led the 13th Combat Wing. I had another experience. I rode as tail gunner for the purpose of directing the formation (Formation Officer…mpf). The tail isn't a bad place to ride but I would rather be in the cockpit.
Crew on June 8, 1944 A/C 2106986 "SACK ARTIST"
BATTISTA R.E. LT COM NAV 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
DOBBINS C.C. S/SGT RWG 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
FORYSTHE W.C. CAPT P 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
FOX B.S LT BOM 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
FULLER (COM) M.C. MAJ COM PILOT 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
HARRIS D.W. S/SGT TG 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
HELLEN W.R. T/SGT TTE 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
MILLER R.E. LT NAV 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
SKAPIN E.A. S/SGT LWG 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
SYMINGTON G.E. S/SGT BTG 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
VANCE R.A. T/SGT ROG 6/8/1944 TOURS (BRIDGES) 106986
June 21, 1944 Mission No 16
Russia, this was a pretty big day for me. WE bombed an oil refinery plant at Ruhland, Germany. It is about 50 miles south east of Berlin. After Bombs away we continued on to this base at Mirograd, Russia. We were attacked by fighters just south of Warsaw Poland. We lost an engine and flews the rest of the way in on three. Our P-51's knocked down nine out of 12 ME 109's that made the attack.
CREW
LT JOSEPH B. FARCHT P CPT 25 JUL 44 ST LO, GROUND SUPPORT
LT LEONARD F. COLEMAN CP CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
2ND LT MILVOY E. RADULOVICH NAV CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
2ND LT WALLACE E. LOWANS BOM CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
S/SGT RALPH E. HARRIS ROG CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY TAPS: 8 APR 1986
S/SGT FORREST G. SMITH TTE CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
SGT RAYMOND P. KAASA BTG CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
SGT PETER VAN HELMIN WG CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY
SGT NORBERT T. KOCZENT WG NOC
SGT LEO J. KAMISNKI TG CPT 25 AUG 44 POLITZ, OIL REFINERY TAPS: 11 SEP 1971
Lt Joseph S. Fracht, copilot on Lt Donald Rice crew took over Lt Martin Rumley’s Crew in June 1944. Lt Coleman, from Lt Bethea crew, took over as copilot on this crew. The first time this crew appears on the combat loading list is the First Russian Shuttle mission, 21 JUN 1944. Lt Farcht completed his tour on July 25th, 1944 mission to St Lo and the rest of the Crew (except Koczent) finished on the August 25, 1944 mission to Politz ON 25 AUG 44 Lt. L.F. COLEMAN WAS THE PILOT AND C.J. GUTEKUNST WAS THE CO-PILOT
June 22, 1944,
Last night one of the other fields where our planes are parked was bombed. The Germans destroyed something like 20 B-17's on the ground. The Russians here at the field say they will bomb this field tonight.
June 23, 1944
Last night the Germans bombed our field . All the airplanes left about 8:00 last night and went to Konkof so there were only five ships left. One of them was ours because it had one engine off. Our plane wasn't hit. What a fire Works. Sure was glad I was in that slit trench.
June 26, 1944 Mission No. 17
Today we left Russia and bombed an oil refinery in northern Poland and then continued to land in Foggia, Italy. There was quite a lot of flak over the target but nobody got hurt. (Promoted to 1st Lieutenant on this day…mpf)
FARCHT J.S. LT P 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
KOCZENT N.T. S/SGT LWG 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 6/26/1944 DROHOBYCZ 32090 Silver Dollar
June 28, 1944
I kind of like it around here. We all went out to the beach this afternoon. There is really a swell beach on the Adriatic sea. Would like to stay here and swim for about a week.
July 3, 1944 Mission No. 18
Went on a mission from here (Foggia, Italy…mpf) today with the Fifteenth Air Force. We hit a railway marshalling yard at Arad, Rumainia. Saw some flak about five miles away. Wish all my missions were this easy.
FARCHT J.S. LT P 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
KOCZENT N.T. S/SGT LWG 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/3/1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) 78 32090
A/C 32090 "SILVER DOLLAR"
July 5, 1944 Mission No. 19
Back in England again. We left Italy this morning to bomb a railway yard at Bezier in Southern France. There was no flak all the way back. No fighters got up to where we were. The P-51's went down and got several Me 109's while they were taking off
FARCHT J.S. LT P 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
KOCZENT N.T. S/SGT LWG 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/5/1944 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) 78 32090
A/C 32090 "SILVER DOLLAR"
July 12, 1944 Mission No 20
Today we bombed Munich, Germany. This was a pretty rough target last fall but is not quite as bad now. The Flak was pretty heavy but no fighters.
FARCHT J.S. LT P 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230
KOCZENT N.T. S/SGT LWG 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/12/1944 MUNICH (IND. AREA) 78 97230A
A/C 97230 "LAY or BUST"
NOTE: LT COLEMAN MENTIONS NOTHING ABOUT FLYING A MISSION ON JULY 13, 1944 IN HIS DIARY BUT HIS FORM 5'S AND OUR DATABASE SAYS HE DID. HERE IS THE INFORMATION
Date Last Name Initial Rank Position A/C Nbr Target
7/13/1944 KAMINSKI L.J. TG TG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 HELMIN P.V. LWG LWG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 KOCZENT N.T. RWG RWG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 KAASA R.P. BTG BTG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 SMITH F.G. TTE TTE 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 HARRIS R.E. ROG ROG 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 LOWANS W.F. BOM BOM 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 RADULEVICH M. LT NAV 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 COLEMAN L.E. LT CP 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
7/13/1944 BETHEA H.E. LT P 97230 MUNICH (JET ENGINES)
July 14, 1944 Mission No. 21
This was quite a new deal today. We carried supplies to a bunch of French Patriots down east of Bordeaux,France. We went in over the designated field at about 300 feet and dropped the supply containers by parachute. We carried about 3,600 pounds. The French were out waving at us and acted very pleased to see so many many planes. MAQUIS SUPPLY DROP
BETHEA H.E. LT P 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
RADULEVICH M. LT NAV 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
KOCZENT N.T. S/SGT RWG 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/14/1944 SOUTH OF FRANCE 78 6092
6092 Dixie’s Delight
July 17, 1944 Mission No. 22
This was another pretty easy target. A railway bridge at Dijon (AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY…mpf) France. There was no flak . We hit the bridge.
FARCHT J.S. LT P 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
KOCZENT H.T. S/SGT LWG 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/17/1944 AUXERRE & MONTGOURNOY 78 97230
A/C 97230 "LAY or BUST"
July 19, 1944 Mission No. 23
Today another rought one, Schweinfurt, Germany. The flak was really good & don't think I eve had so many bursts come so close. We got quite a few holes in our ship but no serious damage. 97230 Lay or Bust
FARCHT J.S. LT P 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
KOCZENT H.T. S/SGT LWG 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/19/1944 SCHWEINFURT & DUREN 78 97230
July 20, 1944 Mission No. 24
Today was an oil refinery at Merseburg, Germany. There was really some flak at the target. Our squadron C.O. got his at the target and didn't get home. I was flying his right wing when he got hit. He dropped out of formation and came along behind for a long time but couldn't make it home. He made a crash landing somewhere in Belgium. Everybody got out of the plane O.K. They had a good chance of getting away in Belgium. We got a a few more holes in our ship.
FARCHT J.S. LT P 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
KOCZENT H.T. S/SGT LWG 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/20/1944 MERSEBURG 78 97230
A/C 97230 "LAY or BUST"
July 21, 1944 Mission No. 25
These targets are getting to be a habit. Today was Regensburg, Germany. We ran into some bad weather in southern Germany. They led the formation into some clouds, when we came out, the Group was all scattered out. We flew in with a group from the first division and bombed with them. There was heavy flak over the target which was a F.W. (FW 190) Engine plant. We got several hits but no damage.
FARCHT J.S. LT P 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
KOCZENT H.T. S/SGT LWG 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/21/1944 REGENSBURG 78 97230
A/C 97230 "LAY or BUST"
July 24, 1944 Mission No. 26
Today we started out to drop bombs on the German lines in Normandy (ST. LO) The target was overcast so didn't drop the bombs. Didn't want to drop them on our own troops
FARCHT J.S. LT P 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
KOCZENT H.T. S/SGT LWG 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/24/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
A/C 97230 "LAY or BUST"
July 25, 1944 Mission No. 27
ST LO (GROUND SUPPORT) For some reason the Diary repeats the information for mission #25
FARCHT J.S. LT P 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
COLEMAN L.F. LT CP 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
LOWANS W.F. LT BOM 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT RWG 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
KOCZENT H.T. S/SGT LWG 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/25/1944 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) 78 97230
A/C 97230 "LAY or BUST"
July 28, 1944 No. 28
Flew my first one as a First Pilot today. Got along fine. We bombed the oil refinery at Merseburg again, picked up a few flak holes again but nothing very bad. My Crew is going on a seven day flak leave now before we fly again.
COLEMAN L.F. LT P 7/28/1944 MERSEBURG 97154
RUMLEY M.C. LT CP 7/28/1944 MERSEBURG 97154
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 7/28/1944 MERSEBURG 97154
LOWANS W.F LT TOG 7/28/1944 MERSEBURG 97154
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 7/28/1944 MERSEBURG 97154
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 7/28/1944 MERSEBURG 97154
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 7/28/1944 MERSEBURG 97154
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 7/28/1944 MERSEBURG 97154
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 7/28/1944 MERSEBURG 97154
A/C 297154 OUR BABY HUTCHIE
August 7, 1944 Mission No. 29
Got back from leave last night. Today our target was a bridge in France. The weather was so bad we couldn't bomb so we had to bring our bombs home.
COLEMAN L.F. LT P 8/7/1944 BEAUTOR (BRIDGES) 97230
RUMLEY M.C. LT CP 8/7/1944 BEAUTOR (BRIDGES) 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 8/7/1944 BEAUTOR (BRIDGES) 97230
LOWANS W.F LT BOM 8/7/1944 BEAUTOR (BRIDGES) 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 8/7/1944 BEAUTOR (BRIDGES) 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 8/7/1944 BEAUTOR (BRIDGES) 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 8/7/1944 BEAUTOR (BRIDGES) 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 8/7/1944 BEAUTOR (BRIDGES) 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 8/7/1944 BEAUTOR (BRIDGES) 97230
A/C 297230 LAY
August 8, 1944 Mission No. 30
This was another one to help out the British and Canadian Troops. We dropped frag bombs on German troops east of Caen, France (ST. SYLVAIN…mpf). Our altitude was only 12,000 ft. The flak was really rough. Got a lot of damage but nobody hurt.
August 13, 1944 Mission No. 31
Bombed some highways just west of Paris today. There Germans were supposed to be retreating down the highways. We did a good job on the roads. Got an engine shot out!
COLEMAN L.F. LT P 8/13/1944 NANTES - GASSICOURT 97071
RUMLEYY M.C. LT CP 8/13/1944 NANTES - GASSICOURT 97071
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 8/13/1944 NANTES - GASSICOURT 97071
LOWANS W.F LT TOG 8/13/1944 NANTES - GASSICOURT 97071
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 8/13/1944 NANTES - GASSICOURT 97071
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 8/13/1944 NANTES - GASSICOURT 97071
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 8/13/1944 NANTES - GASSICOURT 97071
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 8/13/1944 NANTES - GASSICOURT 97071
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 8/13/1944 NANTES - GASSICOURT 97071
A/C 297071 ANDY’S DANDY’S
August 14, 1944 Mission No. 32
The Oil refinery at Ludwigshaven was our target today. Not a bad mission at all. There was a lot of flak at the target but not much damage just a few holes.
COLEMAN L.F. LT P 8/14/1944 LUDWIGHSAVEN (OIL) 97230
RUMLEY M.C. LT CP 8/14/1944 LUDWIGHSAVEN (OIL) 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 8/14/1944 LUDWIGHSAVEN (OIL) 97230
LOWANS W.F LT BOM 8/14/1944 LUDWIGHSAVEN (OIL) 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 8/14/1944 LUDWIGHSAVEN (OIL) 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 8/14/1944 LUDWIGHSAVEN (OIL) 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 8/14/1944 LUDWIGHSAVEN (OIL) 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 8/14/1944 LUDWIGHSAVEN (OIL) 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 8/14/1944 LUDWIGHSAVEN (OIL) 97230
A/C 297230 LAY OR BUST
August 15, 1944 Mission No. 33
Bombed an airfield in Northern Belgium today. No flak at the target.
COLEMAN L.F. LT P 8/15/1944 VENLO 97230
RUMLEY M.C. LT CP 8/15/1944 VENLO 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 8/15/1944 VENLO 97230
LOWANS W.F LT TOG 8/15/1944 VENLO 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 8/15/1944 VENLO 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 8/15/1944 VENLO 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 8/15/1944 VENLO 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 8/15/1944 VENLO 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 8/15/1944 VENLO 97230
A/C 297230 LAY OR BUST
August 24, 1944 Mission No. 34
Today we bombed the oil refinery at Ruhland, Germany. This is the same target we bombed on the way to Russia. There was quite a lot of flak but no damage.
COLEMAN L.F. LT P 8/24/1944 RUHLAND (OIL) 78 97230
RUMLEY M.C. LT CP 8/24/1944 RUHLAND (OIL) 78 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 8/24/1944 RUHLAND (OIL) 78 97230
LOWANS W.F LT TOG 8/24/1944 RUHLAND (OIL) 78 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 8/24/1944 RUHLAND (OIL) 78 97230
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 8/24/1944 RUHLAND (OIL) 78 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 8/24/1944 RUHLAND (OIL) 78 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 8/24/1944 RUHLAND (OIL) 78 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 8/24/1944 RUHLAND (OIL) 78 97230
A/C 297230 LAY OR BUST
August 25, 1944 Mission No. 35
Got a nice one for the last one. An oil Refinery at Politz, Germany. There was some real good flak and we got some pretty close hits. We got about 16 holes in our Plane.
COLEMAN L.F. LT P 8/25/1944 POLITZ (OIL) 78 97230
GUTEKUNST C.J. LT CP 8/25/1944 POLITZ (OIL) 78 97230
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 8/25/1944 POLITZ (OIL) 78 97230
LOWANS W.F LT TOG 8/25/1944 POLITZ (OIL) 78 97230
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 8/25/1944 POLITZ (OIL) 78 97230
SMITH F.C. T/SGT TTE 8/25/1944 POLITZ (OIL) 78 97230
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 8/25/1944 POLITZ (OIL) 78 97230
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 8/25/1944 POLITZ (OIL) 78 97230
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 8/25/1944 POLITZ (OIL) 78 97230
A/C 297230 LAY OR BUST
Joined: 19 Jun 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Parkdale OR
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:46 am Post subject: Col Charles J Gutekunst
Mike: Today I got in contact with Col Gutekunst. He was on the orders that sent a crew from the 100th 418th to RAF Station Catterick to film a movie. Uncle Leonard Coleman was pilot and Charles was Co pilot. Col Gutekunst was wonderful to talk to. They did spend 18 days on the RAF Base after they completed their missions. Col Gutekunst explained they rode about 3 hrs in a truck to get to RAF Station Catterick. The name of the movie is "THIS SIDE OF THE OCEAN" A British film about Americans taking over British Air Bases. Any ideas where to find this movie, that had 418th crews in it? It is not made for the RAF as we thought before. Thanks Leonard
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS ARMY AIR FORCE STATION NO. 139
APO 559
Special Orders ) 26 August 1944
Number 231 )
E X T R A C T
8. The foll named O's and EM, 418th Bomb Sq, WP via Rail and/or GMV fr AAF Sta 139 to AAF Sta 155, reporting not later than 1600 26 Aug 44, thence WP via military aircraft to RAF Station Catterick, RUAT to Squadron Leader Norman Lloyd, on TD for a period of app two (2) weeks. CTRS
26 August 1944 Crew sent to RAF Catterick for two weeks to Film "THIS SIDE OF THE OCEAN" (mpf..2005)
Lt Leonard Coleman-Pilot sn#0-761887
Lt Charles. J. Gutenkunst-Copilot sn#0-756100
Lt Milroy E. Radulovich-Navigator sn#0-700064
Lt Wallace F. Lowans -Bombardier sn#0-701446
T/Sgt Forrest G. Smith-Top Turret Engineer sn#33618978
S/Sgt Peter V. Helmin-Right Waist Gunner sn#37658290
T/Sgt Ralph E. Harris-Radio Operator Gunner sn#15195180
S/Sgt. Leo J. Kaminski -Tail Gunner sn#36596021
S/Sgt Raymond P.Kaasa-Ball Turret Gunner sn#39206394
Aircraft not to be used for flights by civilians and neither personnel nor aircraft to be subjected to any risks other than those incidental to normal flight.
Reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses will be paid in accordance with Cir 63, ETOUSA 44, as amended. TONT. TDN. 60-136 P 432-02 A 212/50425. Rail and /or GMV. (Auth: TWX Hq 3d Bomb Division A-1015-C, 26 Aug 44.)
By order of Lt. Col JEFFREY
HORACE L. VARIAN, JR.,
Captain, Air Corps,
Adjutant
OFFICIAL:
DALE Z. HOBBS
Captain, Air Corps
Ass't Adjutant.
Awards Received: by Lt Coleman
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
ETO ribbon with 3 Battle Stars (Air Offensive Europe, Normandy, Rhineland)
CREW
DATE: 28 July 1944 350th Sqdn A/C#42-97555 PATHFINDER "Island F for Fox" on loan from 95th BG
MISSION: Merseburg MACR#7880,Micro-fiche#2890
Capt Floyd H.Mason (349th Ops Officer) COM P POW
1st Lt James B.Noble P POW
2nd Lt Robert P.Lipps CP POW
1st Lt Edmund J.Kaufman RAD/N POW
1st Lt Robert W.Barry NAV POW (WIA)
2nd Lt Marcus M.Hertz BOM POW
T/Sgt Frank Cruz,Jr. TTE POW
T/Sgt Russell F.Ellis ROG POW
S/Sgt Arthur L.Roberts RW KIA
S/Sgt William P.McNally TG KIA
S/Sgt Frederick F.Swartz LW POW
Of the above,Noble, Cruz, Ellis, Roberts, McNally,and Swartz appear to be from the
original Noble crew. Lipps was from the M.C.Rumley crew. Kaufman from the R.A.
Wegrzynek crew. Hertz from Lt Smith/Lt W. Carlton crew, Barry from the H.E.Bethea crew.
Mason had joined the 100th withhis own crew on 28/11/43 and may have been on his 2nd tour.
Eyewitness Report: " At 0850 hours near 5043N-0802E,A/C #555 nosed down twice
and the group followed.Then the wheels were lowered and fire was seen in the
radio room. Looked as if it might be a flare fire. The A/C peeled off to the
right.A small explosion was seen in the right wing between #3 engine and the
fuselage. Ono man bailed out before the A/C left the formation. The others
followed. Nine chutes were seen to open and the tenth had not opened when the man
disappoared into the undercast. The fire in the A/C appeared to be out when it
plunged into the undercast flying steadily under AFCE control."
On 4/3/46 Capt.Robert W.Barry gave the following statement:
SUBJECT:Casualty Information of Crew Members.
· . . . .
a. Activities before leaving aircraft: - Captain Mason was the first crew member
to leave the A/C via a front exit.He departed with his harness on, but not
fastened,and his parachute in his left hand,approxlmately 2 1/2 minutes after the
explosion. Sgt.Roberts,who was the engineer and top turret gunner and not the right waist
gunner(as shown on questionaire),had not left at time of my departure;however,
according to informatlon as given to me by the bombardier,at a subsequent date,
there was no one left in front end of the ship when he left. It can be therefore
assumed that Sgt.Roberts suceeded in bailing out.
Sgt.McNally,being a waist gunner,would bail out via the rear exits. All communi-
cation with the back of the ship had gone dead at the time of the explosion.I
have no way of stating whether this crew member ever left the ship from personal
knowledge.However,from information received from Capt.E.J.Kaufman,Radar Navigator,
McNally bailed out at about the same time as he did.
Subj: Re: 42-97555
Date: 12/18/2001 8:20:47 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: cbfw190@nexgo.de
To: MPFaley@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)
Dear Michael,
First thing I could tell you is, that 42-97555 crahsed on the ground, which belongs to the small town of OFFDILLN. This is a small twon in the direct vincinity of the city of HAIGER. If you have a map, you should look 45 Miles NORTH of Frankfurt / Main.
If you are interested in a larger topographical map of this area, let me know !!
Two things I could add, without any look into the casefile of 42-97555 :
1.) James B. Noble, was captured near the town of GUNTERSDORF, which is ca. 4 Miles South West of HERBORN and ca. 14 Miles South South West of the crash site.
2.) Marcus M. Hertz was captured near the town of HOLZHAUSEN, which is ca. 8 Miles WEST of the crash site. I belive, that he was at least 1 day "on the run" before he was caught.
3.)1st Lt. Robert W. BARRY did came down by chute directly in the town of WEIDELBACH. He landed on a wooden roof of a small barn in the town. He got injured on his breast and his arms by bailing out. The mass of Germans crowded together and get him from the roof. Some of the Germans were armed and shout to shoot him, but the mass of the people decided to safe his live and to bring him to a hospital. Barry was brought to the house of the major, whos name was Mr. Hof. Here, Reihard BECKER, gave him medical treatment. Thereb were at least 2 young girls in German Red Cross uniforms around him. Later on that day, he was put on a cow-drawn-vehicle and brought to Ewersbach rail road station. From here, he moved by train to Herborn, where he staied in the Miltary Hospital until 17th October 1944.
Again, many, many thanks for the photo and do not wait, if you have any question.
Sincerely
Claudio BECKER
EMAIL: hbeth@bellsouth.net
NAME: Harry Bethea
INTEREST: Relative of veteran
COMMENTS: I have a picture of the Crew of Lt. H.E.Bethea (Crew #1416) and some amounts of other information of this crew of which little is known as my Father was grounded for medical reasons in 1944. Please let me know how I can contribute this information.
MEMO 2:
