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Emil A. Uhlig

391st Bomb Group, 573rd Bomb Squadron

Emil A. Uhlig in front of a plane before a mission
Emil A. Uhlig in front of a plane before a mission
 
Pilot: Mike Dobda; Co-Pilot: Archie Sink; Bombardier-Navigator: Sid Solomon; Engineer: Renois Weeks; Radio Operator: Emil Uhlig; Armourer: Jack Barrier
Pilot: Mike Dobda; Co-Pilot: Archie Sink; Bombardier-Navigator: Sid Solomon; Engineer: Renois Weeks; Radio Operator: Emil Uhlig; Armourer: Jack Barrier
 
Emil Uhlig and Renois Weeks
Emil Uhlig and Renois Weeks

Formation bomb run

Letter from War Department

WAR DEPARTMENT

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE

IN REPLY REFER TO: AG 201 Uhlig, Emil A.
PC-N ET0054
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
5 March 1945

Mrs. Concetta A. Uhlig

Dear Mrs. Uhlig:

This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Technical Sergeant Emil A. Uhlig, has been reported missing in action since 13 February 1945 over Germany.

I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive more information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the "Missing Air Crew Report" to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.

The term "missing in action" is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case is closed. I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize.

Newspaper clipping

SERGEANT EMIL UHLIG MISSING IN AIR ACTION OVER GERMANY

Lansdale Soldier Unreported Since February 13 Bomber Attack; Served With "Black Death" Marauder Group in Attacks on Nazi Territory

RECEIVED PRESIDENTIAL CITATION

Technical Sergeant Emil A. Uhlig, of Lansdale, is reported missing in action over Germany. He has been unreported since February 13.

Notice was received yesterday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William M. Uhlig. It came several days after an Army public relations release had been received by The Reporter, in which the flier had been cited for outstanding gallantry in action.

The Lansdale man was a member of a crew on a Marauder bomber, and had received the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Citation, and the Army Air Medal.

The citation mentioned in an earlier release by the Army listed him as one of the "Black Death" bombers that have been active over Germany. Most recent honors won by the group were accorded for standout performance between December 23 and 26, in which the group "fought magnificently despite overwhelming odds, and men who were wounded at their posts continued firing."

Sergeant Uhlig is a graduate of Lansdale High School, Class of 1942. He was employed at the Victory Hosiery Mills, New Britain, before entering the service.

He went into the air corps in April 1943, and was stationed at Miami Beach, Fla. Later he was trained further at Scott Field, Ill., at Fort Myers, Fla., and at Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was sent overseas in June 1944.

Mission sheet

Missions flown

Missions Flown by the Group (Partial list)

August 1944

September 1944

October 1944

November 1944

December 1944

Emil was a member of the "Dobda Crew", who flew their first mission with the 391st on August 25, 1944.
Francis P. Brown was the crew's regular Armorer/Gunner, who I assume replaced Jack Barrier before the crew flew overseas.
Their regular bombardier, Sidney Solomon, flew with the crew on their first 8 missions until late September 1944, when he seems to have been "promoted" to fly with lead and deputy lead crews.
After a number of missions with various other bombardiers, Gilbert T. Bennet became the Dobda Crew's regular Bombardier/Navigator.
The Dobda crew were shot down on February 13, 1945 when their aircraft, 42-95822 T6-O "Black Jack", was hit by Flak. The crew successfully bailed out before the aircraft exploded, except for Bennet who was unable to retrieve his parachute from the radio compartment due to the intense fire. All survivors became POW.
https://www.391bombgroup.org.uk/macr_list.php?individual=0#M12244
Emil had flown 21 combat mission. https://www.391bombgroup.org.uk/loadlist_crew_list.php?asn=33623397

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