746
11 December 1944
Top row, from left to right : Pilot Leo Belskis; Co-Pilot Glenn C. Vaugh; Navigator James V. Collett; Bombardier Ross W. Perrin Jr.
Bottom, from left to right : Top Turret Gunner Walter R. Newman; Right Waist Gunner Durward V. Suggs; Tail Gunner Robert P. Rogers; Radio Operator Elvis A. McCoy; Ball Turret Gunner Lynn J. Lauret Jr.
All except Mc Coy and Lauret were killed on the 11 December 1944 mission to Mannheim – B-17G Serial 43-38780 of 381st Bomb Group / 532nd Bomb Squadron. (Photo via the Perrin family).
Added crew photo
Object Number - UPL 19981 - The Leo Belskis crew : Top row, from left to right : Pilot Leo Belskis; Co-Pilot Glenn C. Vaugh; Navigator James V. Collett; Bombardier Ross W....
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
EUSKIRCHEN
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
FRANKFURT
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: This is the largest formation of bombers despatched to date - 1,586 bombers escorted by 841 fighters. 457th BG MISSION NO. 158 : FRANKFURT, GERMANY : 11 DECEMBER, 1944 Striking again at rail facilities supplying the German armies in the West, the 457th attacked the marshalling yards at Frankfurt. The formation of thirty-six craft comprised the 94th C Combat Wing. Captain Dozier was Air Commander and Lt. Seesenguth was pilot. Assembly was at briefed altitude plus 3,000 feet, because of clouds. The route over England was flown above briefed altitude. While flying over enemy territory, the Group had to make slight deviations in order to remain in Division formation. The Group was about eight minutes early, because winds were not as briefed. At the IP, the Group was to the right of course, but a successful run was made. Complete overcast existed over the target area, and it was necessary to bomb in group formation by means of PFF equipment. Bombs were released from 25,000 feet. Flak was light and the Group sustained no losses.
GIESSEN
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Notes: A mix of 349 P-47s and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data.
HANAU
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
KARLSRUHE
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
KOBLENZ
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
MANNHEIM
Description: BRIDGES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Mitchell Crew MPI - R.R. Bridge over Rhine Bombing Altitude - 21,800 ft. Remarks: "Lousy weather all the way to target. 10/10 cirrus at target. Bombed G-H. Moderate flak at target but inaccurate on us-thank goodness. Results of bombing observed. Good escort. Saw "17" in our grp. go down from flak."
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 2-2000 & 2-1000 G.P. by "Julie Linda" of 535th BG
MAXIMILIANSAU
Description: BRIDGE
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35709304
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 35393626
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 787th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35803789
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39709688
- Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: GI Issue : Sandy's Refueling Boys
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lady Margaret
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Boss Lady
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Kathleen Lady of Victory
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Mister Completely, Home James
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Personal list of 30 missions Lloyd C. Kenagy participated in with the 401st Bomb Group 613th Squadron between Aug 1, 1944 and April 11, 1945.
Flight Diary of Jack A. Keating, 1st. Lt., Bombardier, 535th Squadron, 381st BG. I certify that I maintain the original diary and all information is a true and correct copy therefrom. Suzanne E. Keating 5/19/2016
Mission details added courtesy of Diane Elizabeth Reese from 457th Bomb Group Mission Documents. http://www.457thbombgroup.org/
Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.