Mission 270 - 1

Nose Art on B-17F #42-29947 Wabash Cannonball 303HQ

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 2709 November 1944

Target: Tactical Support of Ground Troops at Metz (Area), GermanyBomb Load: 6 x 1,000 lb S.A.P. M59 bombs

Crews Dispatched: 39

Crews Lost: Lt. R.W. Davis, 9 KIA; Lt. S.E. Pursel, 8 KIA

Length of Mission: 6 hours, 15 minutes

The 41st CBW used the 303rd BG(H) B-17F #42-29947, Wabash Cannonball, to flyas an observer aircraft with the 360BS formation. Crewing the B-17 were Col.Maurice A. Preston, Commanding Officer 41st CBW (pilot), Maj. Frederick Illgen,

41st CBW (navigator) and Maj. E.R.J. Holmes, Royal Artillery, British Flak Liaison Officerassigned to the 1st BD (observer).Filling out the crew—all from the360BS—were 1Lt. William C.Crawford, co-pilot; T/Sgt. Lyle W.LeRoux, engineer and T/Sgt. William L.Miller, radio operator.

For the first time in weeks 303rdBG(H) bombers went out in support ofground troops near Metz. Thirty-two303rd BG(H) B-17s dropped 219 1,000-lb. S.A.P. M57 bombs, 10 1,000-lb.G.P. M44 bombs, and 10 units of T202leaflets on Metz using GEE-Hequipment. The few observations

through breaks in the 7/10 to 10/10 low clouds, with tops at 10,000 to 12,000 feet,indicated poor results–the consequence of the navigator's difficulty in picking up weakGEE-H signals. One aircraft bombed with the 384BG, one with the 379BG, one with the351BG and one with a B-24 Group.

No enemy aircraft were seen. Friendly fighter support, by 176 P-51s, was verygood. Only a few bursts of inaccurate flak were seen in the target area. Crews wereuncertain about the effectiveness of chaff.

An otherwise uneventful mission was marred by the collision of two 427BS aircraftshortly after take-off. The B-17s crashed near Wenlock, Shropshire, England. One of theaircrafts was #43-37666 Full House, piloted by 1Lt. Robert W. Davis. Lt. Davis, 2Lt.Dorwin D. Sayre, 2Lt. Walter E. Martin, Jr., 2Lt. Fred W. Bryan, S/Sgt. Okey L. Hiibner,S/Sgt. Charles H. Johnson, Sgt. Lester L. Pope, Sgt. E. "Nick" Smirnes, Jr. and S/Sgt.Donivan D. Henry were all killed in the accident. Lt. Davis, S/Sgt. Johnson and S/Sgt.Henry are buried in Cambridge American Cemetery, England.

Mission 270 - 2

World War II Cambridge American Cemetery

9 November 1944 - Bomb Strike on Metz, Germany

The other aircraft involved in thecollision was #43-38057 (No Name),piloted by 2Lt. Stanley E. Pursel. Lt.Pursel, 2Lt. Richard H. McClure, 2Lt.Joseph A. Cecce, Jr., 2Lt. William F.Drew Sgt. John E. Kling, Sgt. PhillipM. Schoch, Sgt. Kenneth H.Stockman, and Sgt. Gildo Fugazziwere killed in the crash. Lt. Pursel, Lt.McClure, Lt. Drew, Sgt. Schoch andSgt. Fugazzi are buried in CambridgeAmerican Cemetery, England. Sgt.Robert G. Hannah, alone in thesevered tail section of the B-17,managed to reach the tail escape hatch

and bail out. He was the only survivor in the two B-17s.

Following the crash, Lt. Col. Raper received a letter, with a one-pound noteenclosed, stating, "Would you please place a small floral tribute on the graves of the boys,so far from home, who lost their lives near here." It was signed, "A Wenlock Mother."

Mission 270 - 3

B-17G (No Name) #42-97691 PFF 427BS (GN-Y)41st CBW-A (427BS) Lead - Pilot Capt Selwyn D. Flowers / CoPilot 1Lt Robert J. Hullar

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group A

Hullar-Flowers691 - PFF

Dumont-Petersen Cureton 411 125 - PFF

Griggs McGilvray 311 065Ackerman Eisenwinter Freeman Jameson 885 099 298 972 Pursel Rose 057 763Roberts Davis 248 666

Mission 270 - 4

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group B

Mainwaring-Kerwin621

Proffitt Green 309 600

Mickle McKinley 502 530Haynes Boulter White Heckendorf 609 830 238 427 Underdown Whitlock 878 608McDavid Embrey 206 944

NOTE: 1Lt Mainwaring was scheduled to fly in High Squadron Lead PFF B-17G #42-97557 Mercy'sMadhouse. Due to mechanical problems, he switched to B-17G #43-38621 50 Ragged and flewin a non-lead formation position. Lt James D. Mickle (P) and F/O Clark (CP) took over the lead inB-17G #44-6502. The High Squadron Loading list above shows the formation that was scheduledto fly at Briefing.

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group C

Mosel-Schuchard318

Kallet Middlemas 451 516

Hallum Grisham 523 554Hardin Duffield McCutcheon Woodson 422 861 442 503 Gravrock Geiger 055 563Arwood Fink 705 517

Mission 270 - 5

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38065 Princess Pat 2

P McGilvray, Richard L., 1LtCP Thompson, John A., 2LtNAV Fearn, Charles L., 2LtBOM Conder, Bill F., 2LtENG Eckert, Raymond C., SgtWG Frazier, Victor L., SgtRO Johnson, Paul B., SgtBT Garza, David, SgtTG Smith, Gardner B., Sgt

B-17G #43-38442 (No Name)

P McCutcheon, George E., 1LtCP Hower, Frederick C., 2LtNAV Starr, Ben, 2LtBOM Splawn, Elzie B., T/SgtENG Burcham, Johnnie O., T/SgtWG Foulk, Donald H., S/SgtRO Alexander, John C., S/SgtBT Aberdeen, James E., S/SgtTG Kinsman, George R., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38238 (No Name)

P White, Franklin F., 1LtCP Hopkins, Harry E., 2LtNAV Ross, Robert M., 2LtBOM Brown, James L., SgtENG Adams, William J., T/SgtWG Hein, Monroe C., S/SgtRO Vesely, Henry L., S/SgtBT Gilman, Frederick S., S/SgtTG Campbell, James R., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-8427 Henn’s Revenge

P Heckendorf, Marvin H., 2LtCP Erickson, Robert L., 2LtNAV Carnahan, Kenneth R., 2LtTOG Weaver, Robert J., SgtENG Gallman, Hubert W., SgtWG Barris, Robert L., SgtRO Windle, Bill, SgtTG Koerner, David M., SgtBT Lary, Raymond W., Sgt

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS

CREW POSITIONS

CMP - Command PilotP - PilotCP - Co-PilotNAV - NavigatorANV - Ass't. NavigatorMNV - Mickey NavigatorENG - EngineerBOM - BombardierRO - Radio Operator

TOG - TogglierBT - Ball Turret OperatorTT - Top Turret OperatorTG - Tail GunnerWG - Waist GunnerLWG - Left Waist GunnerRWG - Right Waist GunnerGUN - GunnerVI - Voice InterpreterOBS - Observer

PAS - PassengerPHO - PhotographerY - Y-Operators (YRO,YO)RCM - Radio Cntr MeasuresSJ - Spot Jammer

RESULTS OF MISSIONKIA - Killed in actionWIA - Wounded in actionMIA - Missing in action

POW - Prisoner of warDOW - Died of woundsEVD - Evaded the enemyREP - RepatriatedRES - RescuedESC - EscapedBO - Bailed outDCH - DitchedCR-L - Crashed on landCR-S - Crashed at sea

Mission 270 - 6

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #42-97298 The Floose

P Freeman, Clyde E., 1LtCP Canning, Glenn R., 2LtNAV Goldstein, Sheldon, 2LtBOM Birkenseer, Donald L., 2LtENG Fleck, Peter J., S/SgtTG Caporusso, Frank J., SgtRO VanLier, Donald E., S/SgtWG Cooper, Ray R., SgtBT Chesney, Alan D., Sgt

B-17G #43-38554 Bouncing Betty III

P Grisham, Rufus W., Jr., 2LtCP Cox, William H., 2LtNAV Hartel, Gale E., 2LtBOM Celich, Nicholas J., 2LtENG Scheuermann, Edwin P., S/SgtBT Loessin, Gerhard W., Jr., SgtRO Post, Harry R., SgtWG Buie, Ben M., SgtTG Willis, Arnold, Sgt

B-17G #43-38530 (No Name)

P McKinley, Ralph C., 1LtCP Harwick, James A., 2LtNAV Long, Donald C., Jr., 2LtBOM Simons, Robert A., 1LtENG Jones, Burlen, T/SgtWG Devaney, Thomas J., SgtRO Moll, Richard S., SgtBT Clark, Woodrow E., SgtTG Soule, Evan R., Sgt

B-17G #42-97972 (No Name)

P Jameson, Chet H., Jr., 1LtCP Blazey, Robert N., 2LtNAV Kaiser, James M., CaptBOM Garcia, Robert L., T/SgtENG Hall, Glenn W., T/SgtWG Haevers, Ferdinand P., T/SgtRO Hole, Howard D., S/SgtBT Bender, Rollin J., SgtTG Hoots, William L., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-6503 Lady Alta

P Woodson, William H., 2LtCP Gradle, Raymond B., 2LtNAV Foltz, Leon P., F/OBOM Finn, Russell C., F/OENG Brown, Richard A., SgtWG Riley, Lloyd S., SgtRO Gramiak, Victor J., SgtBT Burnette, R.L., SgtTG Farrell, Peter J., Sgt

Mission 270 - 7

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-97944 Daddy's Delight

P Embrey, Henry C., 2LtCP Sharp, Bryant M., 2LtNAV Hewitt, Leroy A., 2LtTOG Connor, Joseph C., SgtENG Miller, Harry C., S/SgtRO Zellar, Donald W., SgtBT Cottrell, Bert, S/SgtTG Gavin, William E., SgtWG Peters, Arthur R., Sgt

B-17G #43-38609 (No Name)

P Haynes, Charles D., 2LtCP McClurg, Galt L., 2LtNAV Smith, William A., 2LtBOM Dando, Charles A., 2LtENG Sherrill, Elliotte W., SgtRO Deen, Oscar A., SgtBT Freese, Paul D., SgtWG Hrych, Robert C., SgtTG Ipsen, Allen L., Sgt

B-17G #44-6309 Duchess' Granddaughter

P Proffitt, John S., 2LtCP Ogborn, Maurice E., 2LtNAV Malerich, Earl J., Jr., 2LtBOM Finke, John C., 2LtENG Young, James W., SgtRO Morris, Cornie, Jr., SgtBT Bechtold, Robert E., SgtTG O’Neal, Howard F., SgtWG Rose, G.L., Sgt

B-17G #44-6502 (No Name)

P Mickle, James D., 1LtCP Clarke, Loren M., F/ONAV O'Dell, Benjamin L., 2LtBOM Mitchell, Robert C., 2LtENG Humphrey, William B., SgtRO Eagon, Dennis G., SgtBT Garcia, Leonard A., SgtTG Van Zile, Raymond J., SgtWG Wentz, Robert D., Sgt

B-17G #42-107206 Old Black Magic

P McDavid, Philip H., 1Lt CP Beeman, Richard, 2LtNAV King, Robert L., 2LtTOG Dittman, Robert J., SgtENG Hall, Thomas M., S/SgtRO Sikkema, Wilfred J., SgtBT Johnson, Ralph R., SgtTG Martin, Anthony B., SgtWG Linville, Warren M., Sgt

B-17G #42-31830 Marie

P Boulter, Raymond A., 1LtCP Perry, Arthur F., 2LtNAV Craven, James M., 2LtTOG Ficken, Lewis P., T/SgtENG Wyly, Glen R., T/SgtRO McKelvey, Harold P., T/SgtBT Frymoyer, Carl E., T/SgtTG Finch, Stanley, S/SgtWG Sanzone, Joseph J., S/Sgt

Mission 270 - 8

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #43-38608 Lucille

P Whitlock, Garland M., 1LtCP Bach, Harold J., 2LtNAV Taylor, Albert R., 2Lt ?TOG McKinley, A.B., 2LtENG Popovich, William G., T/SgtRO Pomicter, Stanley, T/Sgt ?BT Boyle, Francis L., Jr., S/SgtTG Vogel, Cletus H., S/SgtWG Harwat, Edward D., S/Sgt ?

B-17G #43-38878 (No Name)

P Underdown, Sidney L., 1LtCP Knolle, William C., 2LtNAV Kenny, John P., 2LtBOM Tyree, Joseph C., 2LtENG Kuwik, John J., S/SgtRO Carman, Nolan W., S/SgtBT Guptill, Walter R., S/SgtTG Stevens, Richard G., SgtWG Bates, Roger K., Sgt

B-17G #44-6600 (No Name)

P Green, James F., 2LtCP Lorentz, Arthur P., 1LtNAV Gennaro, Louis T., 2LtTOG Roberts, James P., SgtENG Belcher, Rubin W., SgtRO Hinnershots, Bruce H., SgtBT Schilling, Lawrence E., SgtTG Foster, Delbert E., SgtWG Schoonover, Howard D., Sgt

B-17G #43-38621 50 Ragged

P Mainwaring, Charles O., 1LtCP Kerwin, Charles E., MajNAV Forve, Frank F., 1LtNAV Koran, William, 1LtNAV Weinstein, Irving, 2LtBOM Schulze, William A., 2LtENG Gauthier, Leon C., S/SgtRO Tognetti, Paul A., T/SgtTG Schopplein, Orin H., 2LtWG Angeloff, James P., S/Sgt

Mission 270 - 9

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38563 Jackie

P Geiger, James E., 2LtCP Telford, Donald R., F/ONAV Fetzko, John, 2LtBOM Emery, Roy F., 2LtENG Stockman, Leonard G., SgtRO Licht, Wilfred L., SgtBT Wentz, Roland L., SgtTG Germanine, Joseph R., SgtWG Doctor, Gordon C., Sgt

B-17G #44-6523 (No Name)

P Hallum, Bertrand, Jr., 1Lt CP Romstad, Alfred N., 2Lt NAV Papp, Melvin E., 2LtBOM Duros, Constentine J., 1Lt ENG Young, Horace B., T/Sgt RO Botkin, Jack S., T/Sgt BT Ax, Heinz R., S/Sgt TG Sabuda, Emil S., S/SgtWG Stroud, George E., Jr., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-6516 My Darling

P Middlemas, Arthur B., 2LtCP Schultz, John W., 2LtNAV Conard, Willard G., 2LtBOM Cooley, Royal D., 2LtENG Marshall, Leroy H., SgtRO Avenia, James J., SgtBT Parrish, George K., SgtTG Cranshaw, John A., SgtWG Maurer, John L., Sgt

B-17G #42-31055 Aloha

P Gravrock, Howard C., 1LtCP Losiewicz, Benjamin, 2LtNAV Klanian, Charles S., 2LtBOM Downey, Francis G., 2LtENG Levine, Raymond, T/SgtRO Engleman, George B., T/SgtBT Relford, Robert R., SgtTG Hensel, Phillip W., SgtWG Elliott, John C., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-97861 Iza Vailable III

P Duffield, Richard B., 1LtCP Beasley, Roland C., 2LtNAV Harding, Warren G., 2LtBOM Thomas, Edward H., 2LtENG Girard, Louis P., T/SgtRO Wimer, Maurice H., T/SgtBT Oberly, Eldridge C., S/SgtTG Englis, Hiram E., S/SgtWG Branin, James J., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38451 (No Name)

P Kallet, Sidney, 2LtCP Muth, Clifford F., 2LtNAV McCarty, Mike D., 2LtBOM Harrison, Lewis S., 2LtENG Lewis, William J., SgtRO Clarke, Frank W., SgtBT Macy, Edward J., SgtTG Terreri, Joseph, SgtWG Killelea, Raymond J., Sgt

Mission 270 - 10

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #43-38705 (No Name)

P Arwood, Joe B., 2LtCP Johnson, Walter E., 2LtNAV Fowler, William C., 2LtBOM Clippinger, Robert E., S/SgtENG Power, Thomas B., SgtRO Curry, Paul A., SgtBT Case, Donald G., S/SgtTG Sanchez, Crespin E., SgtWG Linn, James B., Sgt

B-17G #44-6517 Old Cock

P Fink, Marvin P., 2LtCP Reeves, Howard E., 2LtNAV Subkowsky, Harry, 2LtBOM Hand, Robert A., 2LtENG Holder, Jack E., SgtRO Dahl, Robert F., SgtBT Albright, Richard M., SgtTG Garcia, Cyprian M., SgtWG Peter, Robert C., Sgt

B-17F #42-29947 Wabash Cannonball

P Preston, Maurice A., Col (41 CBW)CP Crawford, William C., 1LtNAV Illgen, Frederick J., Maj (41 CBW)ENG LeRoux, Lyle W., T/SgtRO Miller, William L., T/SgtOBS Holmes, E.R.J., Maj (1 BD)

B-17G #44-8422 Duffy's Tavern

P Hardin, Thomas H., Jr., 1LtCP Brown, William W., 2LtNAV Hiebeler, George E., 2LtBOM Driver, Henderson M., Jr., SgtENG Mikulich, Stanley, S/SgtRO Kasper, Raymond H., SgtBT Waltmire, Harrel A., S/SgtTG Rohrer, Elbert R., SgtWG Sersland, Paul V., Sgt

B-17G #44-8318 (No Name)

P Mosel, Arnold, 1LtCP Schuchard, Virgil R., 2LtNAV Mundell, William K., 1LtBOM Rudolph, Gbriel, 2LtENG Conley, Donald H., T/SgtRO Groth, Gerald J., T/SgtTG Lovold, Ole, 2LtBT Crawford, Frank J., S/SgtWG Koshar, Jerome J., S/SgtWG Bialobrzeski, Joseph C., S/Sgt

Mission 270 - 11

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-39885 Sweet Rose O'Grady

P Ackerman, Stewart S., Jr., 2LtCP Johnston, Lawrence M., Jr., 2LtNAV Oswald, Alois G., Jr., 2LtBOM Ralph, William L., S/SgtTT Creaghan, Robert E., Sgt BT Highfill, Thomas W., SgtRO Ribesky, John V., Jr., S/SgtTG Wiencek, Edward J., Sgt WG Proper, George M., Sgt

B-17G #43-38248 Jigger Rooche II

P Roberts, Ingersall J., 1LtCP Bluethenthal, Arthur, 2LtNAV Haakonsen, Raymond E., 2LtBOM Long, Lloyd I., F/OWG Carlson, Harold A., SgtTT Riveland, Alf, SgtRO Renzi, Frank, SgtTG Barber, Albert P., SgtBT Grove, John W., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38057 (No Name) CR-L

P Pursel, Stanley E., 2Lt KIACP McClure, Richard H., 2Lt KIANAV Cecce, Joseph A., Jr., F/O KIABOM Drew, William F., 2Lt KIATT Kling, John E., Sgt KIABT Schoch, Phillip M., Sgt KIARO Stockman, Kenneth H., Sgt KIATG Hannah, Robert G., Sgt BOWG Fugazzi, Gildo, Sgt KIA

B-17G #42-107099 Old 99

P Eisenwinter, Philip D., 1LtCP Waggoner, Richard C., 2LtNAV Norman, Frederick J., 2LtBOM Campbell, Robert C., 2LtTT Jones, Jesse T., Jr., T/SgtBT Veljkov, Paul, S/SgtRO Grossman, Howard A., S/SgtTG Schulz, Paul H., S/SgtWG Leal, Raymond T., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-37666 Full House CR-L

P Davis, Robert W., 1Lt KIACP Sayre, Dorwin D., 2Lt KIANAV Martin, Walter E., Jr., 2Lt KIABOM Bryan, Fred W., F/O KIATT Hiibner, Okey L., S/Sgt KIABT Johnson, Charles H., S/Sgt KIARO Pope, Lester L., Sgt KIATG Henry, Donivan D., S/Sgt KIAWG Smirnes, E. "Nick", Jr., Sgt KIA

B-17G #43-38763 (No Name)

P Rose, Jack W., 2LtCP Cornyn, T. John, 2LtNAV Russo, William D., 2LtBOM Nazarian, John K., 2LtTT Dyson, Flake S., SgtBT Brinkley, Lynn M., SgtRO Islava, Joseph O., T/SgtTG McCall, Lamar H., SgtWG Cottle, Clyde J., Jr., Sgt

Mission 270 - 12

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #44-8125 Sparky - PFF

P Cureton, Peter F., Jr., 1Lt CP Barrios, Alfred R., 2LtNAV DuBois, Benjamin, 2LtMN Mylan, William G., 2LtBOM Ulrich, Carl L., 2LtTT Bourlier, Donald W., T/SgtBT Burford, Joseph A., Sgt RO Ellis, James A., S/SgtTG Celichowski, Ervin M., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-97311 Shoo Shoo Baby

P Griggs, John C., 1LtCP Smith, Donald R., 2LtNAV Morrison, Martin, 2LtBOM Rohner, William L., 1LtTT Monnig, Alvin R., Jr., S/SgtBT Duffel, Robert L., S/SgtRO Benning, Joseph F., Jr., S/SgtWG Means, Henry H., Jr., S/SgtTG Plesinger, Michael J., S/SgtYR Krenkel, Karl H., Sgt

B-17G #42-102411 Miss Lace

P Petersen, William H., 2LtCP Dumont, Merrill J., 2LtNAV Bason, William A., 2LtBOM Sommer, Sidney G., SgtTT Zarrella, Anthony A., SgtBT Millin, Louis, SgtRO Whitely, Cull W., Jr., SgtTG Coleman, Loyd, SgtWG Tanner, Loyd H., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-97691 (No Name) - PFF

P Flowers, Selwyn D., CaptCP Hullar, Robert J., CaptNAV Pandy, Bert J., 1LtMN Caldwell, Walter D., F/OGH Clark, Floyd L., F/OBOM Webster, Charles M., 1LtTT Kiely, Joseph P., T/SgtRO Kopriva, Charles P., S/SgtTG Harris, John R., 2LtWG Howell, Charles E., S/Sgt