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The aircraft repair factory at Zwickau, Germany, was the target for 28 planes from the 392nd.
Take-offs began at 1:30pm. An account by 579th Sqdn pilot 2/Lt Robert V. Pardue describes the terrible conditions in the sky. "We took off with an overcast and were to form at 15,000 ft., but the clouds were much thicker than anticipated, and there were severe icing conditions; therefore the assembly was raised to about 20,000 ft. We loaded up with ice and stalled out in the clouds. It was a close call. [Copilot] Jernigen and I had a very hard time getting the plane level. We thought we were in a spin once. The plane stalled at 158 mph. By using full rated power we were able to finally get out of the clouds. There was no formation. Planes were everywhere. It was terribly dangerous in the clouds."
The entire 8th AF formation was finally recalled, about the time the 2nd Air Division was scheduled to depart the English coast. Three B-24s in the 2AD crashed due to the extremely bad weather.
392nd BG planes were generally in the air between 2.5 and 3.1 hours.
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CREW LOADING LIST FOR
21 April 1944Target: Aircraft Repair Factory at Zwickau, Germany
21 Apr 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 062 (no mission credit)P Bratton, K.D. 2nd Lt.
CP Hurd, W.F. 2nd Lt.
N Colbrook, W.L. 2nd Lt.
B Wytak, S.M. 2nd Lt.
E Simmons, W.W. S/Sgt.
R Lennert, B.J. S/Sgt.
RW Gereben, A. Sgt.
LW Friemuth, H.E. Sgt.
BT Simpson, C.S. Sgt.
TG Hamilton, W.S. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 131 (no mission credit)P Ellison, B.M. 1st Lt.
CP Jewett, G.A. 2nd Lt.
N Anderson, C.R. 2nd Lt.
N Hurdle, Q.C. 1st Lt.
E Samples, H.F. T/Sgt.
R Jean, R.P. T/Sgt.
RW Patenaude, E.J. S/Sgt.
LW Picking, H.E. S/Sgt.
BT Tupper, J.A. S/Sgt.
TG Anderson, C.S. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 433 (no mission credit)P Mathias, W.E. 1st Lt.
CP Jones, L.C. 2nd Lt.
N Mateyka, M.R. 2nd Lt.
B Thompson, M.A. 1st Lt.
E Chambless, S.L. T/Sgt.
R Slyhoff, K.G. T/Sgt.
RW Blackwell, R.B. S/Sgt.
LW Burke, W.N. S/Sgt.
BT Smock, J.M. S/Sgt.
TG Weverka, J.E. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 027 (no mission credit)P Tyler, A.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Ricci, J.A. 2nd Lt.
N Morris, J.C. 2nd Lt.
NG Podolski, P.D. S/Sgt.
E MacDonald, G.E. T/Sgt.
R Metz, W. T/Sgt.
RW Blaida, J.M. S/Sgt.
LW Brown, G.R. S/Sgt.
BT Wimberly, W.G. S/Sgt.
TG Miller, C.X. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 511 (no mission credit)P Neff, C.L. 1st Lt.
CP Simpson, H.L. 1st Lt.
N Smith, C.W. 1st Lt.
B Hadeka, A.A. 1st Lt.
E Benham, C.E. T/Sgt.
R Diaz, C.A. T/Sgt.
RW Hale, J.H. S/Sgt.
LW Walter, C.D. S/Sgt.
BT Pennington, E.B. S/Sgt.
TG Ware, J.W. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 129 (no mission credit)P Acebedo, B.H. 2nd Lt.
CP Coe, V.E. 2nd Lt.
N Kramer, L.G. 2nd Lt.
B Robinson, W.F. 2nd Lt.
E Bullard, R.E. S/Sgt.
R Kauffman, T.H. S/Sgt.
RW Keller, C.T. S/Sgt.
LW Allred, E.L. S/Sgt.
BT Blaney, R.E. Pvt.
TG Abraham, R.A. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 670 (no mission credit)P Barnes, L.J. Capt.
CP Marsters, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N McShane, W.F. 1st Lt.
B Jackson, G.J. 1st Lt.
E Lewis, E.L. Jr. T/Sgt.
R Jenkins, W.B. T/Sgt.
RW Malloy, P.D. S/Sgt.
LW Choromanski, J.E. S/Sgt.
BT Riley, A.J. S/Sgt.
TG Crowley, C.J. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 979 (no mission credit)P Bass, L.F. 2nd Lt.
CP Gahm, K.L. 2nd Lt.
N Steele, W.M. 2nd Lt.
B Stover, A.R. 2nd Lt.
E Knettel, G.A. S/Sgt.
R Thomas, J.W. T/Sgt.
RW Reeves, W.E. Sgt.
LW Brzostowski, J.J. Sgt.
BT Burnett, W.H. S/Sgt.
TG Norrell, R.E. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 058 (no mission credit)P Bradford, M.A. 2nd Lt.
CP Holben, W.P. 2nd Lt.
N Maxfield, W.P. 2nd Lt.
NG Leech, R.M. Sgt.
E Chapman, K.W. S/Sgt.
R O'Brien, W.W. S/Sgt.
RW Reausaw, F.M. Sgt.
LW Macklin, C.D. T/Sgt.
BT Wakelee, D.L. S/Sgt.
TG Yanora, M.R. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 649 (no mission credit)P Brauer, G.M. 1st Lt.
CP Clifford, J.F. 1st Lt.
N McGough, J.G. 1st Lt.
B Eldridge, H.N. 2nd Lt.
E LaRue, E.W. T/Sgt.
R Abraham, H.F. T/Sgt.
RW Whited, J.A. S/Sgt.
LW Keller, L.D. S/Sgt.
BT Branceforte, N. S/Sgt.
TG Rachell, W.W. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 495 (no mission credit)P Johnson, O.P. 2nd Lt.
CP Tedford, L.W. 2nd Lt.
N Roberts, M.E. 2nd Lt.
B Feagan, H.C. 1st Lt.
E Whitson, M.D. T/Sgt.
R Perlberg, A.C. T/Sgt.
RW Barnard, C.F. S/Sgt.
LW Joyce, R. S/Sgt.
BT Kaeble, R.R. S/Sgt.
TG Marchuk, J. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 546 (no mission credit)P Scheltens, G.A. 1st Lt.
CP Vaughan, H.C. 2nd Lt.
N Coward, D.M. 2nd Lt.
NG Desonne, M. S/Sgt.
E Morr, R.J. T/Sgt.
R Borden, K.L. T/Sgt.
RW Mandelkow, E. S/Sgt.
LW Crotty, W.L. S/Sgt.
BT Thompson, I.F. S/Sgt.
TG Freeman, J.B.S/ Sgt.21 Apr 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 100 (no mission credit)P Slafka, C.M. 2nd Lt.
CP Stroble, W.A. 2nd Lt.
N Daniels, A.S. 2nd Lt.
NG Haukom, C.R. Sgt.
E Vassey, E.E. S/Sgt.
R Bull, F.L. S/Sgt.
RW Spika, C.J. S/Sgt.
LW Vickery, P.C. Sgt.
BT Cook, E.J. S/Sgt.
TG Vetrano, A. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 548 (no mission credit)P Muldoon, J.E. 1st Lt.
CP Otis, J.J. 2nd Lt.
N Ortenberg, B. 2nd Lt.
B Morton, E.R. 2nd Lt.
E Byrd, J.M. T/Sgt.
R DeHoff, L.V. T/Sgt.
RW Carpenter, J.A. S/Sgt.
LW Bluejacket, J.W. S/Sgt.
BT Bednarcik, S.A. S/Sgt.
TG Eckert, J.A. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 105 (no mission credit)P Fletcher, R.E. 1st Lt.
CP McCarthy, C.G. 2nd Lt.
N Keck, R.W. 2nd Lt.
NG Wilk, H. S/Sgt.
E Kelly, J.E. T/Sgt.
R Biska, S.L. S/Sgt.
RW Osborne, J.H. S/Sgt.
LW Wukotich, M.L. S/Sgt.
BT Mancuso, M.A. S/Sgt.
TG Rider, F.D. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 688 (no mission credit)P Eiserman, G.O. 2nd Lt.
CP Fothergill, C.E. 2nd Lt.
N Smith, J.W. 2nd Lt.
B Yacavone, J.P. 2nd Lt.
E Downing, D.G. S/Sgt.
R Davis, R.D. S/Sgt.
RW Hall, N.L. Sgt.
LW McGlinn, M.J. Sgt.
BT Jenkins, R.N. Sgt.
TG Coleman, E.B. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 028 (no mission credit)P Sabourin, R.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Amble, E.F. 2nd Lt.
N Lipschitz, J. 2nd Lt.
B Singleton, W.T. 2nd Lt.
E Hollien, F.J. S/Sgt.
R Spagnola, J.T. Pfc.
RW Mateski, W.J. S/Sgt.
LW Robbins, K.H. S/Sgt.
BT Mahon, E.M. S/Sgt.
TG Moran, E.J. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 852 (no mission credit)P Bridson, G.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Green, J.A. 2nd Lt.
N White, R.L. 2nd Lt.
B Willemin, W.W. 2nd Lt.
E Ashcraft, B. S/Sgt.
R Paolucci, U. S/Sgt.
RW Seery, J.B. Sgt.
LW Stafford, J.A. Sgt.
BT Powers, G. Sgt.
TG Tatelbaum, G. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 517 (no mission credit)P Schildknecht, H.E. 1st Lt.
CP Long, J.D. Jr. 1st Lt.
N Hersh, A. 2nd Lt.
B Wasowicz, M.V. 2nd Lt.
E Sadler, R.S. T/Sgt.
R Begley, J.F. T/Sgt.
RW Gegere, G.P. S/Sgt.
LW Reade, G.J. S/Sgt.
BT Reid, H.A. S/Sgt.
TG Reed, B.P. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 448 (no mission credit)P Gann, D.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Dick, W.C. 2nd Lt.
N Spensley, R.E. 2nd Lt.
B Cunniff, V.L. 2nd Lt.
E Shrader, C. S/Sgt.
R Carroll, J.T. S/Sgt.
RW Anderson, A.R. Sgt.
LW Puchir, J. Sgt.
BT Reynolds, R.L. Sgt.
TG Sinclair, R.E. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 605 (no mission credit)P Cassell, H.S. Capt.
CP Colvin, J.A. 1st Lt.
N Bevan, K.S. 1st Lt.
B Cetin, W.F. 1st Lt.
E Heuser, W.M. T/Sgt.
R Geary, N.W. T/Sgt.
RW Dobrowolski, C.J. S/Sgt.
LW Quick, L.I. S/Sgt
BT Rothrock, C.T. S/Sgt.
TG Durant, W. T/Sgt.
NG Weber, F.J., 2nd Lt.21 Apr 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 474 (no mission credit)P Pardue, R.V. 2nd Lt.
CP Jernigen, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Semler, R.E. 2nd Lt.
B Crowell, R.K. 2nd Lt.
E McCary, L.F. S/Sgt.
R Evans, W.E. S/Sgt.
RW Koroluck, S. Sgt.
LW Lanning, E.G. Sgt.
BT Holley, C.B. Sgt.
TG Thornburg, R.C. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 552 (no mission credit)P Ellinger, C.F. 2nd Lt.
CP Morton, N.H. 2nd Lt.
N Wieland, J.L. 2nd Lt.
B Hall, R.H. 2nd Lt.
E Coble, A.D. S/Sgt.
R Olson, R. S/Sgt.
RW Wright, J.K. Sgt.
LW Phillips, H.E. Sgt.
BT Weeks, H.H. Sgt.
TG Hasenfratz, M.J. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 789 (no mission credit)P Bell, C.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Dorn, W.A. 2nd Lt.
N Orenbach, D. 2nd Lt.
B Bogie, W.T. 2nd Lt.
E Gilmore, E.E. S/Sgt.
R Knight, J.S. S/Sgt.
RW Seymour, A.G. Sgt.
LW Asch, H.W. Sgt.
BT Blanco, J.W. Sgt.
TG Egan, A.J. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 615 (no mission credit)P Lotterhos, R.H. Jr. 1st Lt.
CP Prouse, H.W. 2nd Lt.
N Healing, K.A. 2nd Lt.
B Sands, J.E. 2nd Lt.
E Thompson, R.L. T/Sgt.
R Garay, E.M. T/Sgt.
RW Womer, W.S. S/Sgt.
LW Rebiejo, F. S/Sgt
BT Bunyea, E.W. S/Sgt.
TG Moody, C.B. S/Sgt.
NG Ward, W.D. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 308 (no mission credit)P Hunt, N.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Roetzel, P.B. 2nd Lt.
N Shelton, O.W. 2nd Lt.
B Sullivan, F.J. 2nd Lt.
E McKinzie, W.L. S/Sgt.
R Wilkinson, H.C. S/Sgt.
RW Osment, M. Sgt.
LW Bennett, G.H. S/Sgt.
BT Jackson, L.A. Sgt.
TG Evans, G.B. S/Sgt.21 Apr 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 261 (no mission credit)P Wyatt, B.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Tufts, A.M. 2nd Lt.
N Franke, D.N. 2nd Lt.
B Gichan, W.W. 2nd Lt.
E Goetz, J.R. S/Sgt.
R Monroe, R.W. S/Sgt.
RW Sorrells, J.F. Sgt.
LW Thompson, R.E. Sgt.
BT Harbaugh, D.E. S/Sgt.
TG Archambeau, A.P. Sgt.21 Apr 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 510 (no mission credit)P Brunn, W.S. 2nd Lt.
CP Reinbold, H.L. F/O
N Griffith, R.C. 2nd Lt.
B Coyle, J.D. 2nd Lt.
E Harris, W.T. S/Sgt.
R Adams, R.V. T/Sgt.
RW Hair, J.H. S/Sgt.
LW Hassett, T.R. T/Sgt.
BT Goric, R.D. S/Sgt.
TG Fund, E.J. S/Sgt.14th CW Lead, PFF ship: Polking, W. Col.
Deputy Lead, PFF ship: Stauder, J.B. Capt.
CASUALTIES NOT LISTED IN MACR 21 APRIL 1944
:2/LT Bass, Louis F. (P) 577th KIA
2/LT Gahm, Kenneth L. (CP) 577th KIA
2/LT Steele, Wayne M. (N) 577th KIA
2/LT Stover, Arthur R. Jr. (B) 577th KIA
T/S Thomas, James W. (R) 577th KIA
SGT Reeves, Walter E. (RW) 577th KIA
SGT Burnett, Warren H. (BT) 577th KIA
S/S Norrell, Robert E. (TG) 577th KIAThis crew was forming up for the mission to Zwickau. For reasons unknown (but perhaps related to the severe weather), the left wing broke off at the outer panel during assembly. Around 1417 hours, the plane crashed at North Tuddenham, near East Dereham, Norfolk. Two crewmembers bailed out successfully but eight perished in this accident.
Their aircraft was B-24J Model #42-99979, which had completed eight combat missions up to this mishap. (Note: #979 was originally assigned to the 578th Sqdn and flew under the name Kentucky Baby, Call Letter "R Bar." She had a landing accident on 3 March 1944 during a non-operational flight; after being repaired, she was re-assigned to the 577th Sqdn in April 1944 with the nickname ESQUIRE LADY and Call Letter W.)
Sgt James W. Thomas is buried in Grave F-4-36 in Cambridge American Cemetery. He was awarded the Purple Heart as his only citation. His home state of record was Arkansas. 2/Lt Bass is buried in Altoga Cemetery, Collin, Texas. 2/Lt Gahm is buried in Sedgwick County, Nebraska. 2/Lt Stover is buried in Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln County, Nebraska. S/Sgt Burnett is buried in Old Chatham Colonial Cemetery, Valatie, New York, Sgt Reeves is buried in Little Texas Cemetery, Macon County, Alabama, and Sgt Norrell is buried in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Little remained of #42-99979 after it broke apart in the air during form-up for a mission.
The mission was later recalled due to bad weather.
