Posted By Roger on March 10, 2008 at 12:25:22:
In Reply to: Emden Dec.11th 1943 posted by chris on March 10, 2008 at 11:29:13:
: Who are flowing over Emden on Dec.11th 1943. Please let me know your personel story about that day.
: I am busy to try to find out what is happend that day.
: Thanks,
: Chris
THE 44TH BOMB GROUP WAS OVER EMDEN ON 11 DEC. 1943 HE IS THE MISSION REPORT FOR THAT DAY.
12/11/43
Today the Group dispatched 26 aircraft (6 each from the 66, 68; 7 each from the 67th and 506). The bombing run was to have been visual but the target was well covered by a dense smoke screen. Coupled with this fact, the run was made into the sun, making for poor bombing results. Flak over the target area was moderate and accurate, while flak at other points was negligible. Fierce enemy aircraft attacks were experienced in spite of the very fine fighter support we had. Forty to seventy fighters made the attacks with the Group making claims of 14 - 3 - 1. Lt. Ugarte's aircraft was struck by a new cable used by the Germans, injuring 2nd Lts Loeffler and Holm in the nose of his ship. This target is vital to traffic - a center for boat and rail, so it was defended well. The 67th, unfortunately lost another aircraft, this one over the target, and down by our own falling bombs. The pilot, 1st Lt. R. F. O'Neill was seen to swing over behind A/C 878 slightly to the right and about 5:30 o'clock high. They dropped their bombs on the swing as they were taking evasive actions at an altitude of 21,000 feet, 1225 hours. Just then the bombs from a plane above struck the right wing, breaking it off at #4 engine as well as knocking the tail assembly completely off. The ship went into a spin, caught fire, but no parachutes were seen. Lt. George Carvour saw the plane crash on land near the Emden estuary. All other planes returned to base, but six of them suffered battle damage. Weather was very cold - Sgt. Charochak suffered frost bite.
67th A/C #41-23232 M "Calaban"
O'Neill, Richard F. 1st Lt. Pilot Philadelphia, Penna. Later reported as POW, but now determined Dead
Worth, Woodrow N 2nd Lt. CO-pilot Winter Haven, Flor. Officially reported as POW, but now DEAD
Grimes, George G. 2nd Lt. Navigator Albia, Iowa Later determined Dead
Shaw, Charles M. Capt. Bombardier Liberty, Miss. Officially reported as POW, but later DEAD
Kennon, Daniel T/Sgt. Engineer Douglas, Arizona. Officially reported KIA
Allen, Norbert G. S/Sgt. Radio-Gun Des Moines, Iowa Unreported, but not on the Roll Of Honor
McAdams, Robert C. S/Sgt. Gunner Ensley, Alabama Officially reported POW
Hagmann, Paul A. Sgt. Gunner Mt. Shasta, Calif. Officially reported KIA
Lester, Julian V. Sgt. Gunner Minneapolis, Minn. Unreported, now on Roll Of Honor
Boggess, Boyd (NMI) Jr.S/Sgt. Gunner Richlands, Virginia Unreported, now on Roll Of Honor