28 December 1944 Mission #216 Target: Kaiserslautern

The marshalling yards were scheduled for attack by the Group and at 0545-0630 hours (29) aircrews were given briefings. At 0900, (29) aircraft commenced launch in clear weather with excellent forecasts for bombing under visual conditions. All bombers went over target releasing a total of (588) 250 and 500 pounders. Results were judged fair with all impacting about 2000 feet south of the aiming point — a GH release having to be made because of the low cloud cover on the bomb run. One B-24 and aircrew were lost while (11) other bombers picked up extensive flak damage. In ship #623 from the 578th, Lieutenant Baetz’s crew was hit by AA fire approximately two minutes after bomb release with #2 engine catching fire and the bomber dropping from formation under control. The ship continued to lose altitude when #4 engine also caught fire and the bomber blew up. The time was 1242 hours, position 4925N-0755E, and (6) chutes were observed before the explosion. On the way home, another ship piloted by Lieutenant Scott of the 577th had to land at the emergency strip of Woodbridge, just northeast of Ipswich. All returning aircrews began recovery at Wendling around 1550 hours.

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CREW LOADING LIST FOR
28 DECEMBER 1944

MISSION #216      Target: Kaiserslautern



28 Dec 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 650

P Beder, J. 2nd Lt.
CP Samsell, J.A. 2nd Lt.
N Matishowski, J. 2nd Lt.
B Murray, J.G. 2nd Lt.
E Morley, J.P. S/Sgt.
R Murgatroyd, R.S. T/Sgt.
RW Carr, R.P. S/Sgt.
LW Roever, C.H. S/Sgt.
BT - -
PN Czyzewicz, C.H. 2nd Lt.
TG Schodrof, R.H. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 409

P Raczko, W. 2nd Lt.
CP McGill, C.L. F/O
N Cline, A.P. F/O
B Feldman, P. 2nd Lt.
E Reynolds, J.R. Sgt.
R VanDeven, J.K. Sgt.
RW Holland, J.R. Sgt.
LW Parker, R.J. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Adkins, J.E. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 272

P Crowell, R.K. 2nd Lt.
CP Berkley, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Byrnes, W.B. 2nd Lt.
B - -
E Hough, J.F. M/Sgt.
R Waggener, L.R. Sgt.
RW Tracy, R.D. Sgt.
LW Hamment, R.E. Sgt..
BT - -
TG Moffa, A.J. Sgt.
NG Colquhoun, R.N. Sgt.
RCM Malone, H.Q. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 194

P Sommers, O.L. 1st Lt.
CP Daniel, P.U. 1st Lt.
N Judd, G.C. 2nd Lt.
B Streicher, H.P. 1st Lt.
E Drummond, W.D. T/Sgt.
R Fender, J.F. T/Sgt.
RW O'Kane, R.P. S/Sgt.
LW McNeill, C.E. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Luciano, S. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 916

P Earl, P.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Smiley, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Perkins, R.W. 2nd Lt.
B Creme, A.R. 2nd Lt.
E Woods, R.E. Sgt.
R Irish, E.W. Sgt.
RW Marchetta, A. Sgt.
LW Keith, D.N. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Schafer, J.G. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 387

P DePalma, F.T. 2nd Lt.
CP Austin, G.E. 2nd Lt.
N Herzig, H. 1st Lt.
B Margarones, J.J. 2nd Lt.
E Betterini, A. Sgt.
R Corbosiero, J.L. Sgt.
RW Mowery, H.J. Sgt.
LW Bryan, C.F. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Ferdinando, A.P. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 031

P Meehan, J.L. 1st Lt.
CP Carey, H.V. 2nd Lt.
N McAfee, S.P. 2nd Lt.
NT Lynch, R.C. S/Sgt.
E  Sevier, R.M. T/Sgt.
R Candido, C.D. T/Sgt.
RW Lange, D.H. S/Sgt.
LW Conner, P.P. S/Sgt.
BT
TG Borroccini, P.J. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 299

P Smith, K.A. 1st Lt.
CP Perkins, G.A. 2nd Lt.
N Maceyra, E. 2nd Lt.
NG Dodge, H.F. Sgt.
E Benadum, T.E. T/Sgt.
R Carlstrand, R.E. T/Sgt.
RW Flesey, R.J. S/Sgt.
LW Martin, P.R. Pvt.
BT - -
TG Rubinstein, S.J. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 480

P Jones, T.A. 1st Lt.
CP McFarland, J.D. 1st Lt.
N Leonard, A.C. 1st Lt.
NG Malley, J.R. S/Sgt.
E Glover, B.E. T/Sgt.
R Isebrands, T.E. T/Sgt.
RW Daniel, F.E. S/Sgt.
LW Adelson, D. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Woerth, J.B. S/Sgt.

 28 Dec 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 813

P Nehring, E.H. 1st Lt.
CP Trigilio, G.J. 2nd Lt.
N Farrar, R.B. 2nd Lt.
B Krohn, O.G. S/Sgt.
E McJunkin, F.R. T/Sgt.
R Dobson, H.J. T/Sgt.
RW Koegen, F.J. S/Sgt.
LW Harrow, K.J. S/Sgt.
BT Thomas, W.J. S/Sgt.
TG Kent, C.L. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 989

P Clower, W.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Reel, H.D. 2nd Lt.
N Williams, R.B. 2nd Lt.
B - -
E Tomaszewski, E.A. S/Sgt.
R Stroh, J.E. S/Sgt.
RW Galvin, G.M. Sgt.
LW Schumacher, A.H. Sgt.
BT Letourneau, D.R. Sgt.
TG Hendrickson, R.H. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 223

P Pope, L.S. 2nd Lt.
CP Snowhill, T.B. 2nd Lt.
N Rodstein, B. 2nd Lt.
B Lane, T.C. S/Sgt.
E Turrist, J.R. Sgt.
R Reed, D.F. Sgt.
RW Fuller, M.A. Sgt.
LW Dardano, F.A. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Keach, G.T. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 164

P Enyart, D.W. 1st Lt.
CP Froehlich, S.S. 2nd Lt.
N Mertens, J.A. 2nd Lt.
B Snyderman, J. 2nd Lt.
E Aycock, C.E. Sgt.
R Gersten, G. Sgt.
RW Arneson, J.A. Sgt.
LW Mohan, V.L. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Barlow, S.N. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 079

P Inman, C.E. 1st Lt.
CP Ondrasek, J.G. 2nd Lt.
N Lange, E.A. 2nd Lt.
B Rees, R.R. 2nd Lt.
E Kamholz, E.J. T/Sgt.
R Flake, F.M. T/Sgt.
RW Finkelstein, B. S/Sgt.
LW Evans, H.D. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Gafin, B. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 647

P Cohn, A.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Runyon, D.S. 2nd Lt.
N Flugel, R.R. F/O
B - -
E Cross, G.H. S/Sgt.
R Kincaid, M.M. Sgt.
RW Korpi, W.B. Sgt.
LW Nogales, D. Sgt.
BT Norton, W.R. Sgt.
TG Avery, W.R. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 861

P Brandt, R.M. 1st Lt.
CP Fabiani, H.L. 2nd Lt.
N Boettcher, R.E. 1st Lt.
B Copple, R.N. 2nd Lt.
E Chelenyak, J.A. T/Sgt.
R Abraham, L.J. T/Sgt.
RW Richardson, W.C. S/Sgt.
LW Johnson, E.W. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Harmon, G.E. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 991

P Scott, D.A. 2nd Lt.
CP Jordan, E.B. 2nd Lt.
N Tucker, R.A. 2nd Lt.
NT Glasscock, J.B. S/Sgt.
E Karas, J. T/Sgt.
R Berger, S. T/Sgt.
RW Hanley, E.H. S/Sgt.
LW Scheide, H.W. S/Sgt.
BT Holder, O.E. S/Sgt.
TG - -

 28 Dec 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 186


P Miller, D.E. 1st Lt.
CP Heller, P. 1st Lt.
N Moos, J.C. 2nd Lt.
B Inamorato, J.T. 1st Lt.
E Myers, L.P. T/Sgt.
R Luczak, H.J. T/Sgt.
RW Agoglia, E.J. S/Sgt.
LW Duerr, E.E. S/Sgt.
BT Faulstick, A.F. S/Sgt.
TG Shea, H.A. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 337

P Ardinger, J. 2nd Lt.
CP Grandmontagne, E.T. 2nd Lt.
N Wagner, H.W. F/O
B Edwards, R.L. 2nd Lt.
E Wiedekehr, R.W. S/Sgt.
R Huitt, G.E. S/Sgt.
RW Gorback, B.S. Sgt.
LW Jones, J.F. Sgt.
BT - -
TG White, A. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 623

P Baetz, R.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Hirshberg, J.H. 2nd Lt.
N Merrill, J.R. 2nd Lt.
B Farlow, L.C. 2nd Lt.
E Scudder, M.A. Sgt.
R Davenport, B.J. Sgt.
RW Byars, A.C. Sgt.
LW Sobota, R.A. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Kamenko, A. Sgt.
S-27 Schaumberg, G. Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 249

P Bilz, J.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Slayter, D.W. 2nd Lt.
N Barnes, J.M. 2nd Lt.
B Overman, D.T. 2nd Lt.
E Grout, A.G. T/Sgt.
R Fahrenbruch, K.G. T/Sgt.
RW Poepping, R.F. S/Sgt.
LW Beals, B.M. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Ludwig, D.J. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 495

P Byrne, C.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Schmitt, F.J. 2nd Lt.
N Greene, D.A. 2nd Lt.
B Heilman, R.C. S/Sgt.
 E Bennett, L.F. T/Sgt.
R Trapp, M.W. T/Sgt.
RW Libby, J.E. S/Sgt.
LW Wagner, F.E. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Alper, M.A. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 446

P Rose, P.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Pratt, D.M. 2nd Lt.
N Rohde, C.R. 2nd Lt.
B Harnden, R.G. 2nd Lt.
E Scott, W.A. T/Sgt.
R Croy, O.N. T/Sgt.
RW Davidson, S.A. S/Sgt.
LW Manelick, N.L. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Beane, H.A. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 838

P Tokarsky, A. 2nd Lt.
CP Moore, M.R. F/O
N King, F.S. 2nd Lt.
B Ross, W.  S/Sgt.
E Dowling, R.L. S/Sgt.
R Vivero, D.L. S/Sgt.
RW Ridge, B.E. S/Sgt.
LW Granzow, L.J. S/Sgt.
BT Weissbeck, E.A. Sgt.
TG Harvie, W.M. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 268

P Mayer, E.H. 2nd Lt.
CP Fligge, S.G. 2nd Lt.
N Burros, R.S. 2nd Lt.
B Crosby, P.E. 2nd Lt.
E Fickel, S.A. T/Sgt.
R Hatfield, H.C. T/Sgt.
RW Gibson, C.P. S/Sgt.
LW Robinson, M.M. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Fulton, C.E. S/Sgt.

28 Dec 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 313

P Sturm, W.A. 1st Lt.
CP Jurczyn, B.J. 2nd Lt.
N Rawlings, J.L. 2nd Lt.
B Neetz, R.E. F/O
E LaChance, D.E. T/Sgt.
R Brown, J.C. T/Sgt.
RW Lingle, J.H. S/Sgt.
LW McCormick, J.E. S/Sgt.
BT Ivey, E.H. S/Sgt.
TG Huff, R.H. S/Sgt.

 28 Dec 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 459

P Daley, J.C. 1st Lt.
CP Stebner, O.G. 1st Lt.
N Thomas, C.P. 2nd Lt.
N Barger, G.W. 1st Lt.
B Cunningham, V.J. 2nd Lt.
E Minster, G.E. T/Sgt.
R Firquain, O.S. T/Sgt.
RW Bevill, B.T. S/Sgt.
LW Cole, R.A. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Berry, J.F. S/Sgt.
MV Bailey, D.C. 2nd Lt.

28 Dec 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 899

P Eggleston, J.W. 1st Lt.
CP Peters, M.J. 1st Lt.
N Zamor, R.J. 1st Lt.
B Hickok, H.E.  1st Lt.
E Smith, J.W. T/Sgt.
R Nika, L.E. T/Sgt.
RW Mitchell, R.L. S/Sgt.
LW Murray, J.J. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Mortimer, D.E. Sgt.
NN Wilfahrt, D.W. 2nd Lt.
NV Adelstein, R.L. 2nd Lt.

28 Dec 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 128

P Neundorf, C.A. Capt.
CP Washington, E.K. 1st Lt.
N Abrams, E.J. 1st Lt.
B Pipitone, S.R. 1st Lt.
E Moore, P.L. T/Sgt.
R Toniatti, L.A. T/Sgt.
RW Blalock, E.L. S/Sgt.
LW Sullivan, J.K. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Xander, C.H. S/Sgt.
PN Lipman, B.D. 2nd Lt.
NV Sprowls, R.W. 1st Lt.

Capt. Hunsaker was CP in the GH ship.

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MISSING AIR CREW REPORT SECTION


28 DECEMBER 1944
TARGET: KAISERLAUTERN

MISSING AIRCREW REPOAT: #11118   AIRCRAFT: #42-50623 "IDIOTS DELIGHT" "N-Bar" 82nd Mission

AIRCREW: BAETZ     *     SQUADRON: 578th

CREW POSITIONS AND STATUS:

P    2/LT  Baetz, Robert E.           KIA
CP   2/LT  Hirshberg, Jack H.         KIA
N    2/LT  Merrill, James R.          KIA 
B    2/LT  Farlow, Leland C.          POW
R/O  SGT   Davenport, Bobby J.        KIA
EnG  SGT   Scudder, Monroe A.         KIA
NG   SGT   Byars, Allen C.            KIA
WG   SGT   Sobota, Roman A.           POW
TG   SGT   Kamenko, Alexander (NMI)   KIA
S27* S/SGT Schaumberg, Gunther (NMI)  KIA

 *Voice Interpreter - German airborne radios.

MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Lt. Tokarsky, Pilot 578th, reported after this mission that the Baetz plane had been hit by flak one or two minutes before bombs away, dropped from the formation with #2 engine on fire and proceeded under control for about (2) minutes, losing altitude and with fire in the bomb bay. Then #4 engine caught fire, and this plane finally blew up at position 49-25N; 07-55E, (6) chutes seen. German Report #KU3549 reported this plane’s crash location as (800) meters east of Muenchweiler; downed by A-A fire from Kaiserlautern batteries and that the ship had exploded in mid-air with 95% destruction. This account went on to state that (6) crew members were found dead and identified as Baetz, Kamenko, Byars, and Schaumberg while (2) remaining members could not be determined due to their fire wounds. It was indicated that a search was underway for the remaining crewmen.

INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: Lt. Farlow gave a brief account later about the other crew members after his release and return from POW status. His account indicated that their emergency began just after the target; that he felt all other members did bail out of the stricken plane; but that Sgt. Sobota (the other survivor) had been knocked unconscious but came to at about 5,000 feet and the ship’s ensuing explosion had blown him clear. Another short account by Sgt. Sobota on the men who were listed later as casualties indicated that Pilot Baetz had given the "bail out" order, and as far as he believed, all men who were still missing did not have the opportunity to jump before the plane exploded going down. These survivor accounts further indicated this aircrew was on their 5th combat mission. German Report #KU 3549, Hqs Munchweiler - Kaiserlautern of 1400 hours, 28 December, indicated the two POWs, Farlow and Sobota, were being transferred to Dulag-Luft West.

BURIAL RECORDS: The above German Report also noted that the deceased crew members were buried in the community cemetery at Munchweiler on 29 December around 1250 hours. U.S. National Overseas Cemetery records indicate the following deceased members were re-interred, as follows, all in the LORRAINE Plot at St. Avold, France: Merrill (Grave K- 24-29); Davenport (Grave B-30-44); Scudder (Grave B-30-44); and Schaumberg (Grave B-21 -23), who had been awarded the Air Medal. All four members were awarded the Purple Heart. Sgt Kamenko is interred at Long Island National Cemetery, Section H Site 9382. No further information exists in the MACR on the burial dispositions of the other casualties.

NEXT OF KIN DATA IN WWII: No record is available in this MACR.





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