392nd Bomb Group

Targets: Belfort & Fecamp - 25 May 1944 - Missions #91 & #92

25 May 1944
  • Missions #91 & #92
  • Targets: Belfort & Fecamp
  • This mission was a two-pronged composite raid with six ships assigned to bomb heavy gun emplacements just north of Fecamp and the remaining to hit the marshalling yards at Belfort.

    The 577th Squadron was assigned Fecamp lead with Lieutenant Brennan as Bombardier. Between 0200-0230 hours, (34) aircrews were given briefings with six taking off for the Fecamp target at 0600 hours, bombing it with excellent results, and landing about 1000 hours.

    The second wave, to Belfort, took off beginning at 0615 hours with 28 ships - the 576th and 579th Squadrons leading with 1/Lts George J. Jackson and John B. Rodriguez as Bombardiers. This wave hit Belfort with fair results. Each plane was loaded with 12 500-pound General Purpose bombs. The lead ship suffered Sperry A-5 autopilot difficulties on the bomb run which affected bombing synchronization.

    On both missions, a total of 384 500-pound GP bombs were released. No fighters were encountered but seven aircraft on the Belfort raid suffered battle damage from flak. No casualties were suffered and the last wave of ships was back on the ground around 1715 hours.

    On 28 May 1944, Gen Leon Johnson, commander of the 14th Combat Wing, sent this congratulatory teletype to the 392nd BG: "Records show the 392nd Bombardment Group (H) dispatched 114 aircraft during five missions from May 21 to May 25, with only two early returns. This, in itself, is an outstanding accomplishment and it is my desire to commend your unit: especially the ground crews responsible."

    This photo, taken by the Brunn crew in #42-52615, shows bombs striking the marshalling yards at Belfort.
    Click on image to enlarge.

    CASUALTIES NOT LISTED IN MACR

    Major Schoolmaster, Clinton F. (P) 577th KILD*

    Maj Schoolmaster enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 21 July 1941. As early as January 1943, he was part of the unit that formed the initial cadre of the 392nd BG. He was originally the 578th Sqdn Operations Officer. When Maj William V. Taylor, 577th Sqdn Commanding Officer, was transferred in November 1943, he was selected as Taylor's replacement.

    Maj Schoolmaster flew diversion and combat missions with the 578th Sqdn from September 1943 through 16 November 1943 and then with the 577th Sqdn until 15 May 1944. On 22 May, he was transferred to the newly-formed 95th Combat Wing at Halesworth as Operations Officer. Three days later, he was killed in the line of duty while piloting a P-47.

    In a letter to his widow dated 26 May 1945, Major General J.A. Ulio, The Adjutant General of the Army, wrote, "Since your husband, Major Clinton F. Schoolmaster, 0435705, Air Corps, was reported missing 25 May 1944, the War Department has entertained the hope that he survived and that information would be revealed dispelling the uncertainty surrounding his absence. However, as in many cases, the conditions of warfare deny us such information. The record concerning your husband shows that he was the pilot and sole occupant of a P-47 airplane which was unreported after the take-off from Halesworth Airdrome, Suffolk County, England, at 9:07 a.in. 25 May 1944. The only available information indicates that Major Schoolmaster was monitoring aircraft that day, and that after helping the aircraft form for an operational mission, he was then to return to his home station."

    Maj. Schoolmaster's name appears on the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery. Awards were the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. His home of record was Wilmington, Delaware.

    * Carried with his former Squadron in his honor.
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    CREW LOADING LIST - MISSION #91

    Target: Belfort

    25 May 1944 576th Sqdn.
    A/C 433
    P Evans, A.W. 2nd Lt.
    CP Fenton, J.S. 2nd Lt.
    N Shoenberger, R.W. 2nd Lt.
    B Conner, J.K. 2nd Lt.
    E Patterson, R.C. S/Sgt.
    R Glowienke, G.A. S/Sgt.
    RW Jenkins, W.B. T/Sgt.
    LW Naber, H.W. Sgt.
    BT Powell, L.R. Sgt.
    TG Altschaft, W.L. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 576th Sqdn.
    A/C 916
    CA Gilbert, L.G. Lt. Col.
    P Neff, C.L. 1st Lt.
    CP Simpson, H.L. 1st Lt.
    N McShane, W.F. 1st Lt.
    N Smith, C.W. 1st Lt.
    B Jackson, G.J. 1st Lt.
    E Benham, C.E. T/Sgt.
    R Diaz, C.A. T/Sgt.
    RW Hale, J.L. S/Sgt.
    LW Walter, C.D. S/Sgt.
    BT Pennington, E.B. S/Sgt.
    TG Ware, J.W. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 576th Sqdn.
    A/C 772
    P Meighen, W.E. 1st Lt.
    CP Mason, J.J. 2nd Lt.
    N Plunkett, F.A. 2nd Lt.
    B Wimberly, W.G. S/Sgt.
    E Austin, L.D. T/Sgt.
    R Epstein, B.B. T/Sgt.
    RW Bode, J.E. S/Sgt.
    LW MacDonell, K.A.. S/Sgt.
    BT Kuhns, R.H. S/Sgt
    TG Cuevas, D.E. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 576th Sqdn.
    A/C 031
    P Demers, J.R. 2nd Lt.
    CP Sylvester, H. 2nd Lt.
    N Neisloss, S.L. 2nd Lt.
    B Adamson, J.C. 2nd Lt.
    E Bell, E.M. S/Sgt.
    R Galea, J.H.D. S/Sgt.
    RW Allen, W.J. Sgt.
    LW Baer, D.J. Sgt.
    BT Adelson, D. Sgt.
    TG Arnold, E.L. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 576th Sqdn.
    A/C 222
    P Hofmann, H.W. 2nd Lt.
    CP Gorton, C.E. 2nd Lt.
    N Randall, J.A. 2nd Lt.
    B Wise, D.C. 2nd Lt.
    E Boney, R.E. S/Sgt.
    R McNutt, W.H. Sgt.
    RW Dopson, V.H. Sgt.
    LW Kamacho, J.A. Sgt.
    BT Sanders, O.B. Sgt.
    TG Goo, R.F. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 576th Sqdn.
    A/C 670
    CA Lowell, C.L. Capt.
    P Filkel, O.H. 1st Lt.
    CP Hurd, J.S. 2nd Lt.
    N Tyson, E.E. 2nd Lt.
    B Robinson, W.F. 2nd Lt.
    B Tudor, J.R. 2nd Lt.
    E Blevins, R.E. T/Sgt.
    R Smith, R.C. T/Sgt.
    RW Kirkpatrick, H.K. S/Sgt.
    LW Farnwalt, W.H. Pvt.
    BT Jarrett, C.W. S/Sgt.
    TG Hoover, A.L. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 576th Sqdn.
    A/C 131
    P Wittel, E.F. 1st Lt.
    CP Marsters, W.R. 2nd Lt.
    N Karl, J.F. 1st Lt.
    B Zuk, J.C. 1st Lt.
    E Cannada, V.P. T/Sgt.
    R Jeffcoat, C.M. T/Sgt.
    RW Prost, B.J. S/Sgt.
    LW Williams, R.F. S/Sgt.
    BT Lancaster, P.M. S/Sgt.
    TG Roti, D.A. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 577th Sqdn.
    A/C 096
    P Monroe, D.E. 1st Lt.
    CP Neill, C.W. 2nd Lt.
    N Beezley, D.D. 2nd Lt.
    NG Lucas, L.M. S/Sgt.
    E Holmes, E.T. T/Sgt.
    R Lancy, N.J. T/Sgt.
    RW Hall, G.E. Sgt.
    LW Dilley, P.E. S/Sgt.
    BT Wambach, J. Sgt.
    TG Desonne, M. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 577th Sqdn.
    A/C 151
    P Anundson, P.F. 2nd Lt.
    CP Hadley, L.R. 2nd Lt.
    N Fehrenbacher, D.E. 2nd Lt.
    B Scott, W.J. 2nd Lt.
    E Cooke, W.B. S/Sgt.
    R Clendening, R.D. S/Sgt.
    RW Berry, H.F. Sgt.
    LW Schliesmayer, R.N. Sgt.
    BT Farrar, R.E. Sgt.
    TG Kleber, W.M. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 577th Sqdn.
    A/C 012
    P Scheltens, G.A. 1st Lt.
    CP Vaughan, H.C. 2nd Lt.
    N Coward, D.M. 2nd Lt.
    NG McGinley, W.C. 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. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 577th Sqdn.
    A/C 027
    P Whittemore, W.T. 1st Lt.
    CP Ackerman, J.M. 2nd Lt.
    N Issenberg, M. 2nd Lt.
    NG Lampe, M. S/Sgt.
    E Peterson, C.L. S/Sgt.
    R Ammon, R.H. S/Sgt.
    RW Shaeffer, R. S/Sgt.
    LW Altemus, C.V. Sgt.
    BT Holder, O.E. Sgt.
    TG Tremlett, R.S. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 577th Sqdn.
    A/C 287
    P Larsen, N.R. 2nd Lt.
    CP Stratton, C.R. 2nd Lt.
    N O'Neill, T.J. 2nd Lt.
    B Hiller, T.B. 2nd Lt.
    E Robinson, W.F. S/Sgt.
    R Fox, H.H. T/Sgt.
    RW Whitt, C.G. Sgt.
    LW Davis, E.T. Pvt.
    BT Barker, D.G. Sgt.
    TG Prazak, S.J. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 577th Sqdn.
    A/C 649 (no mission credit)
    P Belitz, H.G. 1st Lt.
    CP Cook, L.B. 2nd Lt.
    N Schofield, D.J. 2nd Lt.
    B Jones, A.V. 2nd Lt.
    E Sekul, J.G. S/Sgt.
    R Mulhern, R.T. S/Sgt.
    RW Vineall, B.H. Sgt.
    LW Smith, W.H. Sgt.
    BT Peters, H.J. Sgt.
    TG Walz, H.R. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 577th Sqdn.
    A/C 961
    P Hunsaker, B.W. 1st Lt.
    CP Lach, R.F. 2nd Lt.
    N Roy, D.G. 2nd Lt.
    B Hultengren, C.W. Sgt.
    E Bodkins, F.C. T/Sgt.
    R Rue, A.W. T/Sgt.
    RW Ligon, A.C. Sgt.
    LW Hawes, J.C. S/Sgt.
    BT Friedel, C.F. Sgt.
    TG Leech, R.M. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 578th Sqdn.
    A/C 896
    P Stroble, W.A. 2nd Lt.
    CP Slafka, C.M. 2nd Lt.
    N Daniels, A.S. 2nd Lt.
    B Haukom, C.B. S/Sgt.
    E Vassey, E.E. T/Sgt.
    R Bull, F.L. S/Sgt.
    RW Spika, C.J. S/Sgt.
    LW Vickery, P.C. S/Sgt.
    BT Brent, L.H. S/Sgt.
    TG Vetrano, A. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 578th Sqdn.
    A/C 338
    P Zweig, L.E. 2nd Lt.
    CP Burge, H.L. 2nd Lt.
    N Quail, J.L. 2nd Lt.
    B Bruce, J.C. 2nd Lt.
    E Baxter, O. S/Sgt.
    R Callahan, C.J. S/Sgt.
    RW Strally, S.R. S/Sgt.
    LW Jessen, M.M. Sgt.
    BT Shinske, J.C. Sgt.
    TG Smith, L.F. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 578th Sqdn.
    A/C 041
    P Henderson, P.B. 2nd Lt.
    CP Stull, R.B. 2nd Lt.
    N Allen, H.W. 1st Lt.
    B Williamson, R.D. 2nd Lt.
    E Thompson, A.W. S/Sgt.
    R Burns, P.J. S/Sgt.
    RW Smith, G.R. Sgt.
    LW Vantine, J.E. Sgt.
    BT Ivey, E.H. Jr. Jr. Sgt.
    TG Howell, J.L. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 578th Sqdn.
    A/C 966
    P Roberts, A.M. 2nd Lt.
    CP Houtz, G.B. 2nd Lt.
    N Prentice, C.L. 2nd Lt.
    B Hart, D.R. 2nd Lt.
    E Rojas, Y. S/Sgt.
    R Lippert, K.A. S/Sgt.
    RW Blaise, E.W. Sgt.
    LW Medel, M.N. Sgt.
    BT Collins, R.R. S/Sgt.
    TG Pryor, M.L. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 578th Sqdn.
    A/C 033
    P Hamblen, C.W. 1st Lt.
    CP McCarter, H.L. 2nd Lt.
    N Hurst, F.B. Jr. 2nd Lt.
    B Joyce, G.P. 2nd Lt.
    E Sears, A.R. T/Sgt.
    R Burnell, W.E. T/Sgt.
    RW Harris, H.E. S/Sgt.
    LW Butler, G.R. S/Sgt.
    BT McLain, B.G. Pvt.
    TG Lindsay, V.R. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 578th Sqdn.
    A/C 002
    P Eisermann, G.O. 1st Lt.
    CP Fothergill, C.E. 2nd Lt.
    N Smith, J.W. 2nd Lt.
    B Yacavone, J.P. 2nd Lt.
    E Cook, E.J. S/Sgt.
    R Davis, R.D. T/Sgt.
    RW Hall, N.L. S/Sgt.
    LW McGlinn, M.J. S/Sgt.
    BT Jenkins, R.N. S/Sgt.
    TG Coleman, E.B. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 578th Sqdn.
    A/C 337
    P McCarthy, C.G. 1st Lt.
    CP Long, J.D. 1st Lt.
    N Keck, R.W. 1st Lt.
    B Westbrook, J.W. Jr. 1st Lt.
    E Edwards, C.E. T/Sgt.
    R Biska, S.L. T/Sgt.
    RW Osborne, J.H. S/Sgt.
    LW Bluejacket, J.W. S/Sgt.
    BT Svoboda, J.J. S/Sgt.
    TG Wilk, H. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 579th Sqdn.
    A/C 261
    P White, H.A. 2nd Lt.
    CP Martin, J.W. 2nd Lt.
    N Forde, W.I. 2nd Lt.
    B Green, H.J. 2nd Lt.
    E Barnes, G.M. S/Sgt.
    R Reynolds, J.J. S/Sgt.
    RW Braccioforte, J.F. Sgt.
    LW Dunbar, R.J. Sgt.
    BT Weitkemper, R.C. Sgt.
    TG Wehunt, J.W. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 579th Sqdn.
    A/C 789
    P Darnell, J.F. Jr. 1st Lt.
    CP Slagle, E.E. 1st Lt.
    N Stasney, A.J. 1st Lt.
    B Lory, R.C. 1st Lt.
    E Pearson, W.M. T/Sgt.
    R Mandel, R.F. T/Sgt.
    RW Rego, M.A. S/Sgt.
    LW Sundo, J.R. S/Sgt.
    BT Courtney, E.J. S/Sgt.
    TG Ward, L.E. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 579th Sqdn.
    A/C 990
    P Thomas, J.F. 2nd Lt.
    CP Whitford, D. 2nd Lt.
    N McFarlin, J.F. F/O
    B Hyre, G.R. F/O
    E Nicolson, A. S/Sgt.
    R Haywood, H.F. S/Sgt.
    RW Powers, R.J. Sgt.
    LW McEvoy, P.S. Sgt.
    BT Eller, M. Sgt.
    TG O'Neill, W.P. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 579th Sqdn.
    A/C 137
    P Schafer, W.A. 2nd Lt.
    CP Winans, G.L. 2nd Lt.
    N Martin, A.V. F/O
    B Jaffe, A.J. 2nd Lt.
    E Reid, H.R. S/Sgt.
    R Ward, R.A. S/Sgt.
    RW Bell, R.N. Sgt.
    LW Razo, E.G. Sgt.
    BT Miller, S. Sgt.
    TG Pitts, J.B. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 579th Sqdn.
    A/C 615
    CA Holloman, C.C. Capt.
    P Brunn, W.S. 1st Lt.
    CP Reinbold, H.L. F/O
    N Griffith, R.C. 2nd Lt.
    B Rodriguez, J.B. 1st Lt.
    B Coyle, J.D. 2nd Lt.
    E Harris, W.T. S/Sgt.
    R Adams, R.V. T/Sgt.
    RW Hassett, T.R. T/Sgt.
    LW Hair, J.H. S/Sgt.
    BT Goric, R.D. S/Sgt.
    TG Fund, E.J. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 579th Sqdn.
    A/C 897
    P Niederriter, R.A. 2nd Lt.
    CP Spencer, F.R. 2nd Lt.
    N Richert, G.W. F/O
    B Correnty, R.D. 2nd Lt.
    E Maertens, H.J. S/Sgt.
    R Underwood, J.W. S/Sgt.
    RW Greenwood, I.G. Sgt.
    LW Flowers, W.C. Sgt.
    BT Traina, S. Sgt.
    TG Spurgeon, E.F. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 579th Sqdn.
    A/C 025
    P Hunt, N.J. 1st Lt.
    CP Roetzel, P.B. 2nd Lt.
    N Shelton, O.W. 2nd Lt.
    B Sullivan, F.J. 2nd Lt.
    E McKinzie, W.L. T/Sgt.
    R Wilkinson, H.C. T/Sgt.
    RW Osment, M. S/Sgt.
    LW Bennett, G.H. S/Sgt.
    BT Jackson, L.A. S/Sgt.
    TG Whitlock, G.E. Pvt.
    NG Gichan, W.W. 2nd Lt.
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    CREW LOADING LIST - MISSION #92

    Target: Fecamp

    25 May 1944 576th Sqdn.
    A/C 027
    P Johnston, H.F. 2nd Lt.
    CP Merriam, H. 2nd Lt.
    N Berman, M. 2nd Lt.
    B Moos, A.J. 2nd Lt.
    E Zonza, F.S. S/Sgt.
    R Thompson, T.E. S/Sgt.
    RW Mackin, L.B. S/Sgt.
    LW Ferry, C.W. S/Sgt.
    BT Planakis, B.J. S/Sgt.
    TG Porter, J.M. S/Sgt.
    Patenaude, E.J. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 576th Sqdn.
    A/C 136
    P Stoltz, C.W. 2nd Lt.
    CP Paine, A.E. 2nd Lt.
    N Anderson, C.R. 2nd Lt.
    B Dahl, C.R. S/Sgt.
    E Vowels, L.J. S/Sgt.
    R Coolidge, D.B. T/Sgt.
    RW Cole, M.A. S/Sgt.
    LW Blaida, J.M. S/Sgt.
    BT Torres, E.J. S/Sgt.
    TG Brown, G.R. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 577th Sqdn.
    A/C 495
    P Slipp, F.E. 1st Lt.
    CP Jensen, A.H. 1st Lt.
    N Sackler, H.J. 2nd Lt.
    B Brennan, A.F. 2nd Lt.
    E McKinley, W.C. T/Sgt.
    R Lorenzen, W.H. T/Sgt.
    RW Kolczynski, W.J. S/Sgt.
    LW White, F.A. S/Sgt.
    BT Feller, N.L. S/Sgt.
    TG Cordick, D.H. S/Sgt.
    25 May 1944 578th Sqdn.
    A/C 295
    P Smith, W.C. 2nd Lt.
    CP Wilson, E.R. 2nd Lt.
    N McMahon, E.J. F/O
    B Jackson, C.R. 2nd Lt.
    E Seaton, K.L. S/Sgt.
    R Kostrewski, G.T. S/Sgt.
    RW McRight, W.O. Sgt.
    LW LeBleu, L.W. S/Sgt.
    BT Humphreys, E.E. Sgt.
    TG VanVliet, P. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 578th Sqdn.
    A/C 241
    P Cheek, C.W. 2nd Lt.
    CP Szenegato, J. 2nd Lt.
    N Beddingfield, L.L. 2nd Lt.
    B Morse, A. 2nd Lt.
    E Curry, E.D. S/Sgt.
    R Schroeck, L.A. S/Sgt.
    RW Miles, V.G. Sgt.
    LW Layman, H.A. Sgt.
    BT Corcoran, R.G. Sgt.
    TG Miller, J.E. Sgt.
    25 May 1944 579th Sqdn.
    A/C 229
    P Ruvolis, L. Jr. 2nd Lt.
    CP Wunderlin, C.F. 2nd Lt.
    N Mayer, R.S. Jr. F/O
    B Young, E. 2nd Lt.
    E Cowley, J.C. S/Sgt.
    R Garvey, J.A. S/Sgt.
    RW Beltz, G.E. Sgt.
    LW Schenkenberger, J. Sgt.
    BT White, R.A. Sgt.
    TG Sheridan, T.V. Sgt.