Tuesday, January 4, 1944 - 386th Bomb Group Missions Number, 72 and 73.

Tuesday, January 4, 1944 - 386th Bomb Group Missions Number, 72 and 73:

Targets: Box One, Launching Site A-60 - Box Two, Launching Site A-37. Located respectively at Bois de Coqurel and Gorenflos, France. A secondary target is located at Noyelle-en-Chaussee, France. All targets are V-1 Rocket sites.

IX Bomber Command Field Order 170 directs the 386th Bomb Group to supply 36 aircraft in conjunction with the 322nd Bomb Group who will also supply 36 aircraft. Rendezvous will take place over Assembly Line with the 322nd Group, they will lead the formation to Splasher Beacon Number 9, flying at 12,000 feet. The formation will leave Splasher Beacon Number 9 at Zero Hour plus 12 minutes. Route out: Base to Splasher Number 9, to Beachy Head, to eight miles northeast of Neufchatel to navigation point 49 Degrees 46 Minutes North - 01 degree 46 Minutes East, to target. Route back: Target first box, left turn Cayeux. Second box to ten miles north of Cayeux to Hastings and return to base.

Altitudes: Bomb from 12,000 feet, exit enemy territory at 12,000 feet. Intervalometers set to 70 feet. The location of the I.P. is, 49 Degrees 46 Minutes North - 01 Degree 46 Minutes East. Aiming point is the center of the target. Axis of attack, generally from south to north. All bomb loads are 6 x 500 pound demolition type fused one-tenth nose and one-fortieth tail. Emergency airdromes are: Friston and West Malling. A ten second count down was called to synchronize watches, after which the briefing ended at 1315 hours. Flight crews arrived at their aircraft five minutes later to load on their personal equipment and check over their planes. The formation leader, Lieutenant Colonel Sherman Beaty, high flight leader, Captain Justin Lubojasky, and low flight leader Captain Bud Lambert. The second box lead, Major Thomas White, high flight leader, Albert Caney, and low flight leader Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Harris.

At 1400 hours the bombers began to taxi to the operational end of the runway, at 1405 hours a green light flashed, the formation leader advanced his throttles and the mission was underway. After gaining prescribed altitude the 36 planes departed the base area at 1455 hours on a 200 Degree true heading for Splasher Beacon Number 9. Upon arrival the Group made rendezvous with the 322nd Bomb Group at 1512 hours. With the 322nd in the lead a course of 121 degrees true was taken up for Beachy Head, which was reached at 1518 hours. They also met up with their fighter escort at that time.

A course of 140 degrees true was held across the channel, heavy type flak which was slight in amount, but accurate for position was encountered just off Dieppe. Enemy landfall was made after a slight dog leg left to a point eight miles northeast of Dieppe at 1534 hours. The Group picked up moderate and fairly accurate light type flak about ten miles east of Ault, France. A course of 154 degrees true was followed to Neutchatel which was reached at 1538 hours. All turns were made on timing since clouds obscured the ground. A course of 86 degrees true was made to a point 49 Degrees 45 Minutes North - 01 Degrees 45 Minutes East, just west of Poix. The first box of 18 (mission 72) made a left turn, which was started at 1542 hours - the second box of 18, continued on with the previous heading.

The first box of 18 was flying on a new course of 340 degrees true was held to the target, which was located just south of Abbeville. Clouds obscured most of the ground; the target was spotted too late for a run. A 360 degree turn was made for a second run, however the results were the same. They approached the target at 1559 hours, but too late to drop. The formation location was approximately seven and a half miles south-southwest of Abbeville; a course of 312 degrees true was taken for Cayeux on the enemy coast.

The second box of eighteen (mission 73) was proceeding on a heading of 90 Degrees true to a point 49 Degrees 45 Minutes North - 02 Degrees 05 Minutes East. That point was reached at 1546 hours, the bomb run was made on a heading of 350 degrees true. The Initial Point (I.P.) was reached at 1555 hours. The bomb run was made on a heading of 340 degrees true. The primary target could not be seen (sun and haze, plus a cloud) until they were directly over it at 1556 hours. Then the formation took up a heading of 345 degrees true to the secondary target. Bomb bay doors were open, a thirty second bomb run was flown at 190 m.p.h., altitude 12,000 feet - it was108 bombs away over Noyell-en-Chaussee at 1559 hours. Unfortunately all the bombs fell wide to the right of the prescribed aiming point!

Meanwhile in the first box of eighteen ships crews were unaware of an impending enemy fighter attack. Seconds later the author, flying with Lieutenant Vincent in our plane which was called, “BUZZ-N-BITCH II 131953 RG-T, heard Staff Sergeant James Wilkie on intercom saying, “Three fighters at 6 and 7 o’clock level, range 700 yards!” One of the enemy ships’ came in on us, the other two spread out a bit to attack other bombers. Staff Sergeant Wilkie began firing from his tail gun position. The FW-190 returned fire with three burst of 20mm cannon rounds - hardly seemed like a fair fight, Wilkie had two 50 caliber machine guns while the enemy pilot had two13mm machine guns plus four 20mm cannons! However Wilkie got the better of him, firing several hundred rounds. He scored hits in the engine which began to smoke - then burst into flame as it broke down and away. Our waist gunner Staff Sergeant Robert O’ Kane, managed to fire approximately fifty rounds at the doomed enemy plane.

We were flying in number two position, high flight, first box of 18 ships as a bomber showing evidence of battle damage joined our flight in number seven spot. It was from the 322nd Bomb Group, tail number 131888. A 322nd plane was easy to recognize due to the fact it was the only B-26 Bomb Group operating out of England which had no color code painted across its fin and rudder The air battle continued as Staff Sergeant Thornton B. Henry flying with Lieutenant Jerold Wendt in ship 131786 RG-Q, saw an enemy fighter plane flying parallel to the formation about 500 yards below. Then its pilot pulled up to a position approximately 200 yards below the bombers tail. Staff Sergeant Henry manning the waist position fired off some sixty rounds - the enemy began smoking badly. Then the enemy ship fell earthward assuming a continuous rolling motion, and appeared to be completely out of control! The waist gunner followed the plane’s fall until it was lost from view, disappearing into the haze far below. A fellow crewman Staff Sergeant McKim, who was flying in the tail gunner position, was a witness to the action.

Lieutenant John Petrey pilot of ship 131709 RG-X was flying in number two position of the low flight, first box of eighteen. Tail gunner Staff Sergeant Alfred Dumas and waist gunner Tech Sergeant Robert Fitzsimmons saw three FW-190’s coming in line abreast, two of which pulled off to the left side of the low flight. Staff Sergeant William Hunt was the top turret gunner in the same ship managed to get off 150 rounds at the remaining enemy plane at approximately 400 yards down to 250 yards. He scored possible hits in the nose and along the cockpit as the German pilot continued to fire until he broke down and away still under control. The ship’s color was all grey. That same crew witnessed a an enemy plane attacking a straggler flying off the right wing of their ship. The entire tail turret had been shot off the B-26 from the 322nd Bomb Group. That Group was at the time leading the 386th Bomb Group. That bomber had dropped back from its formation a few minutes earlier.

At 1600 hours Lieutenant Bud Lambert and crew were flying in ship 131630 RG-J, its name was, “GERONIMO”. They were number one position in the low flight, first box. An enemy plane was first seen approximately 1200 yards out. It began firing at the B-26 at 700-yard range. Tech Sergeant Edward Kahl fired 150 rounds at the interceptor with square wingtips and a yellow nose. Tracers could be seen going into the fuselage just back of the pilot canopy - pieces were observed flying off the enemy ship as it went into a dive under the bomber; smoke and two flashes of fire were in evidence!

The 552nd Squadron ship “GERONIMO” was again attacked from 5 o’clock low by an FW-190 - waist gunner Staff Sergeant Peter Silipini fired off 140 or so rounds at 400 yards. He fired an additional 60 rounds at 300 yards at a Me-109 trying to sneak in on the bomber from low astern position. Silipini scored strikes on top of the enemy plane which swerved away smoking. The attack took place two miles south of Abbeville, France. Another enemy plane was seen approximately 1200 yards to the rear of the formation as its pilot began maneuvering for attack. The yellow nose Me-109 fired several bursts at “GERONIMO” from 700 yards out. Tech Sergeant Edward Kahl tail gunner fired 150 rounds at 600 yards; scoring hits aft of the cockpit canopy of the enemy aircraft. Two other German fighters were attacking simultaneously out of the haze from 6 o’clock level at an altitude of 11,300 feet. Others gunners in the low flight took up the fight as the enemy pilots broke down and away amid hundreds of tracers fired from the B-26’s.

Flight Officer John Albers was the pilot flying, “SEDUCTIVE SUSIE” 131738 RG-O, his gunners were very active as two enemy planes bored in on the low flight, first box. Staff Sergeant David Sandbach in the top turret, Staff Sergeant Thomas Upton in the waist position, and William McGraw tail gunner. Two enemy fighters came in from 6 o’clock low, the enemy fire was constant from 500 yards down to 200 yards. Tail gunner McGraw opened fire with 100 rounds at 400, yards appearing to make hits in the fuselage of the nearest fighter. Waist gunner Upton picked up the enemy at 5 o’clock position and fired off 25 rounds at the first ship. The second fighter was seen coming in from 3 ‘clock. Upton fired 250 rounds at it from 300 yards down to 200 yards. The first plane had peeled off to the right as the second enemy ship started smoking very badly, and then pulled off the left of the low flight. Both planes were Me-109’s, and were silver-gray overall with yellow noses! The air action took place very close to Abbeville at 1602 hours.

The Lieutenant Ansel Brandstrom crew flying, “PANSEY YOKUM” 131638 RG-N in the low flight, number five ship in first box. A FW-190 pilot singled them out coming in from 5 o’clock low. Tail gunner Staff Sergeant Henry Stuebenrauch got off three long bursts at 400 yards. Staff Sergeant Harry Schwartz, a fellow crewman looked on as the enemy plane began to burn while it dropped below the formation. Three more enemy planes were seen attacking in line astern fashion.

Lieutenant Floyd Blackburn was the pilot flying, “HELL’S BELLE” 131623 YA-T. His position was number three in the lead flight in the first box of eighteen bombers--locale at the time was 10 miles west of Abbeville. The sun was at 10 o’clock high position. A Me-109 made a run on, “HELL’S BELLE”--Tech Sergeant Robert Morris was the waist gunner on that ship. The enemy pilot was firing his 20mm cannons as he closed from 9 o’clock below. All of his tracers passed under the bomber as the waist gunner fired from 400 yards down to 200 yards, then the Me-109 swerved sharply away from the line of fire emanating from the B-26.

The German pilots were not quite through with the 386th Bomb Group--Captain Boyd White flying in number four spot, lead flight with, “HELL’S ANGLE” 131615 YA-W. He was informed; three Me-109’s flying in line abreast attacked from1,000 yards, from 6 o’clock low! Suddenly two of them broke away sweeping down on the low flight bombers. The lone Me-109 continued his attack from 6 o’clock. Staff Sergeant H.F. Keisinger, tail gunner fired two bursts of 250 rounds each from 600 yards down to 200 yards. The enemy pilot began firing from approximately 500-yard range. Staff Sergeant Claud Goodwin got off 60 rounds at 800 yards. The plane was all gray except for some yellow on the vertical stabilizer. The enemy pilot peeled down into a split-S maneuver at 200 yards - the “HELL’S ANGEL” crew including Tech Sergeant Christian Wick saw the fighter plane hit the ground.

Staff Sergeant Lynch Everhart was the tail gunner on the Captain Justin Lubojasky crew. They were flying the lead plane in the high flight. The ship was named, “HOT PISTOL” 131633 RG-P. The tail gunner fired 140 rounds at 700 yards, he was scoring hits in the engine of a FW-190 - it was reported to have gone down flaming. Another FW-190 was observed braking down and away at 3 o’clock low. It was under heavy attack by a RAF Spitfire. Tech Sergeant Timothy Murphy flying in the waist of the same B-26 saw the fighter go down!

The Lieutenant Walter Novitsky crew was flying in ship 134962 RG-X; number six in the high flight, first box. An enemy plane came in level from the cloud cover. The tail gunner Staff Sergeant Hollis R. Hinson fired 600 rounds from 200 yards down to 50 yards, scoring hits in the engine of the FW-190. The enemy fighter made a turn and then attacked the extra B-26 flying in number seven position of the high flight. It was from the 322nd Bomb Group - and was seeking shelter from the 386th Group. The enemy was firing all the way in, down to 50 yards! It had a black and white engine cowling, and was one of three fighters that came in line abreast. The enemy plane began smoking, then went into a dive, and was seen to fall apart as it went down!

Lieutenant Russell Bowling was flying ship 131945 RG-W in number five position, high flight, first box. Time was 1603 hours, altitude 11,800 feet. Staff Sergeant Robert L. Conway fired 150 rounds from his tail gun spot from 800 yards down to 100 yards. The FW-190 fire was in continuous bursts all the way in from approximately 1,000 yards out. The German pilot came from 6 o’clock below, pulled up to level, and then rolled down never attempting to go through the formation. The plane was all black, indicating that it also had served as a night-fighter. Bits and pieces were observed coming off the aircraft as it flashed by the bomber formation!

The bombers were flying on a heading of 300 degrees, six miles South Southwest of Abbeville France. Lieutenant Romney J. Spencer was at the controls of his ship called, “Shadrack” 131586 RG-U, number three, high flight in the first box of eighteen. His tail gunner Staff Sergeant Aubrey L. Ruess fired 400 rounds at 700 yards range scoring hits in the right wing of a Me-109. Two other Me-109’s attacked in line astern, and then broke down through the clouds at 8 o’clock low position.

The enemy continued to attack ten miles Southeast of Cayeux. Tail gunner Harry Bailey fired 75 rounds from 500 yards down to 125 yards he saw tracers hit in the engine of the FW-190. He was flying with the Captain Ronald W. Aultman crew at 11,500 feet in a ship named, “MERT” 131616 RG-H. They were in number four position, high flight in the first box of Marauders. The enemy plane belched a large cloud of black smoke and started down, due to heavy clouds its final decent was unobserved! Emanuel B, Spero, a Staff Sergeant also on the Aultman crew viewed the black FW-190 drop into the cloud cover below. Five of the six bombers in the high flight fired at three FW-190’s that came into range from cloud cover - two of them banked off to the left at 5 o’clock low. The other enemy pilot opened fire at 600 yards while flying level, and was engaged by the bomber gunners immediately!

“LADY FROM HADES” 131685 YA-J was being flown by Lieutenant Dale Voorhees in number five position of the lead flight, first box. A Fw-190 came in attacking with its two machine guns and four cannon blazing! Staff Sergeant E.F. Neubert rattled off 150 rounds at 300 yards from his tail guns, as the enemy pilot broke down and away from the bomber formation. In the same B-26 Engineer Staff Sergeant Curtis C. Cox observed the enemy action. Lieutenant Allen Baker who was flying in the number six ship in the lead flight saw the FW-190 spin down. He was in a ship named, “STAR DUST” tail number 134937 YA-N. The pilot was Lieutenant Albert G. Burger, Jr.

Captain George S. Howard was flying his plane, “GAMBLER”S LUCK” 131639 RG-G in number four position in the low flight, first box. Altitude 10,000 feet and very near a place named Abbeville, it was well know for its very accurate flak and a nest for yellow nosed enemy fighter planes! A FW-190 attacked from 6 o’clock high, then moved over to 5 o’clock and dropping down to level. The German pilot fired continuously from 300 down to 100 yards!

The top turret gunner Staff Sergeant Richard H. Green saw his tracers go into the enemy ship as he fired 200 rounds at 150 yards. His tail gunner one Staff Sergeant Frank Anuscavage also joined the fusillade firing 150 rounds at 300 yards. Their co-pilot Lieutenant Burl D. Brown confirmed destruction of the enemy plane. The waist gunner, Tech Sergeant Gilbert J. Diorio in the same bomber also observed the air action. The enemy plane fell into a steep spin while emitting white smoke; then a RAF Spitfire came upon the scene. The British pilot held his plane in a tight spiral maneuver while following the German plane down!

After safely landing at base the flight crews were taken to interrogation where gunners filed their claims. Crews also reported what activity they observed on the ground. The Lubojasky crew reported that enemy fighters came up while light type flak was bursting below the formation. The Voorhees crew thought the briefing was too long for an old target. They also stated that the enemy fighter attack came from the Abbeville area about five minutes before the bombers crossed out of enemy territory. The Petrey crew said a B-26 from another group joined our formation in number seven position. Lieutenant Colonel Sherm Beaty crew saw a B-26 with the tail turret shot off at 1609 hours over the channel - going like hell for the English Coast. Considerable rail activity was reported in the vicinity of Abbeville. The Novitsky crew stated they thought the fighter escort was not good today. The first box of eighteen (mission 72) did not bomb due to cloud cover.

Enemy fighter claim results: Air Combat Board opinion: Staff Sergeant J.D. Wilkie to be given credit for one enemy aircraft destroyed. Staff Sergeant T.B. Henry to be given credit for one enemy aircraft destroyed. Staff Sergeants W.V. McGraw, T.S. Upton, and A.F. Dumas to be given equal credit for one enemy aircraft destroyed. Probable credits went to Staff Sergeants R.H. Green, H.B. Stubenrach, F.A. Anascavage, and Tech Sergeant E.H. Kahl. The German Air Force lost three fighter planes, plus four probable losses. All of our B-26’s returned safely to base.

The second box of eighteen plane formation after bombing took up a heading 320 degrees true to a point 50 Degrees 15 Minutes North - 01 Degrees 53 Minutes East which was reached at 1601 hours. A course of 287 degrees true was taken to the enemy coast, ten miles north of Cayeux, which was reached at 1606 hours. At that point a heading of 312 degrees true took the formation to Hastings on the English Coast at 1623 hours. Then a course of 351 degrees true brought the formation back to base at 1647 hours. The first box of bombers had already completed their landing sequence and was in the process of concluding their interrogation. The second box bomber crews were about to begin the recount of their portion of today’s mission assignment.

Chester P. Klier Historian, 386 Bomb Group