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) see below
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
418TH SQDN.. CREW, AS ABOVE, JOINED THE 100TH ON 14 APR 1944
Martin rumley
Mike: I have found the waist gunner on the second crew. Peter Helmin is living in a rest home in Ohio. He talks very well but will not talk about combat. He explained that Martin Rumley nearly crashed on take off with a B17 that was actually overloaded. They took him off as first pilot and then later brought him back as a co-pilot. That explains his position on Uncle Leonard's Diary. Thanks Leonard Aubert, (Lt Coleman's nephew)
ON 25 AUG 44 L.F. COLEMAN WAS THE PILOT AND C.J. GUTEKUNST WAS THE CO-PILOT…jb
Missions for Lt Martin Rumley:
Date Aircraft Nbr Target
5/1/1944 38191 SAARGUEMINES/WIZERNES
5/7/1944 38191 BERLIN
5/9/1944 38191 LAON/COUVRON; ANTHIES
5/11/1944 38191 LIEGE
5/12/1944 38191 BRUX, OIL REFINERY
5/13/1944 38191 OSNABRUCK
5/23/1944 97090 TROYES
5/24/1944 97090 BERLIN
5/27/1944 97154 STRASBOURG
5/28/1944 31404 MAGDEBURG
5/29/1944 31404 LEIPZIG
5/30/1944 31404 TROYES
5/31/1944 31404 OSNABRUCK
6/2/1944 31404 BOULOGNE
6/4/1944 97230 BOULOGNE
6/6/1944 97230 OUISTREHAM
6/6/1944 97230 FALAISE
CREW;
FARCHT J.S. LT CP 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
KOCZENT N.T. S/SGT RWG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
RUMLEY M.C. LT P 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
STROBLE A.O. SGT TOG 6/6/1944 FALAISE/OUISTREHAM 78 97230 -132
6/7/1944 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
SMITH F.G. T/SGT TTE 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
RUMLEY M.C. LT P 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
RADULOVICH M. LT NAV 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
LOWANS W.F LT TOG 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
KOCZENT N.T. S/SGT RWG 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
KAMINSKI L.J. S/SGT TG 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
KAASA R.P. S/SGT BTG 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
HELMIN P.V. S/SGT LWG 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
HARRIS R.E. T/SGT ROG 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
FARCHT J.S. LT CP 97230 NANTES (BRIDGES)
Mike: I have found the waist gunner on the second crew. Peter Helmin is living in a rest home in Ohio. He talks very well but will not talk about combat. He explained that Martin Rumley nearly crashed on take off with a B17 that was actually overloaded. They took him off as first pilot and then later brought him back as a co-pilot. That explains his position on Uncle Leonard's Diary. Thanks Leonard Aubert, (Lt Coleman's nephew)
Lt Joseph 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. 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. Lt Rumley came back as first pilot of this crew for a few missions before Lt Coleman became 1st pilot. ON 25 AUG 44 Lt. L.F. COLEMAN WAS THE PILOT AND C.J. GUTEKUNST WAS THE CO-PILOT
Lt Leonard F. Coleman as Pilot and Lt Rumley as Copilot
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 OR BUST
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
LT RUMLEY RETURNS AS 1ST PILOT
8/25/1944 77 184 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 97673 POLITZ (OIL)
8/26/1944 77 185 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 87230 BREST
9/5/1944 77 190 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 97673 STUTTGART (AERO ENGS)
9/8/1944 77 191 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 97673 MAINZ
9/9/1944 77 192 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 97673 DUSSELDORF
9/10/1944 77 193 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 37808 NURNBURG
9/25/1944 02 199 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 97673 LUDWIGSHAVEN
9/26/1944 77 200 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 97673 BREMEN
9/28/1944 77 202 RUMLEY M.C. LT P 97673 MERSEBERG
MISISONS OF LT RUMLEY'S CREW AFTER HE WAS RELIEVED AS FIRST PILOT:
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
KASSA 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
KASSA 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
KASSA 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
KASSA 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
KASSA 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
KASSA 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
KASSA 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
KASSA 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
KASSA 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
KASSA 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.
MEMO 2:
