889

15 March 1945
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Six men standing to the rear and four men sitting in front.  UPL 66770 UPL 66770 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews/15 March 1945, Zossen (German GHQ).
Back L-R: 1st Lt. William McKay (P); Frank V. Zinser Jr. (B); Harry L. Roupe (TT); 1st Lt. Frederick Blencowe (MN); F/O Vernon Stern (OBS/TG); Sgt. Billy Simpson (FG).
Front L-R: Maj. Arthur Bean (CA/CP), Charles J. Burkhart (N); Henry Dolson (N); Ralph L. Vickroy (RO).
546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 889 44-8649 Grafton Underwood William M McKay Frank V Zinser Harry Leroy Roupe Frederick A Blencowe Vernon M Stern Billy J Simpson Arthur E Bean Henry J Dolson Ralph L Vickroy On

Object Number - UPL 66770 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews/15 March 1945, Zossen (German GHQ). Back L-R: 1st Lt. William McKay (P); Frank V. Zinser Jr. (B); Harry L. Roupe (TT);...

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

DEDELSDORF

Description: AIRFIELD

DURSTADT

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

GARDLINGEN

Description: RAIL CENTER

HAVELBERG

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

MELLENDORF

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

ORANIENBURG

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Parey

Description: RAIL BRIDGE

SCHMARSAU

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

STENDAL

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

WITTENBURG

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

ZOSSEN

Description: GERMAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS

Notes: A mix of 397 P-47s and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data.

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-20558065
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 02-068357
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-131707
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron 703rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33507972 / O-2064220
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Worry Bird : Voan : Snuffy
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 711th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell's Messenger
  • Unit: 2nd Strategic Air Depot 364th Fighter Group 544th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew of the 458th Bomb Group with their B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51110) nicknamed "Top O' the Mark.' The crew are: (back row, left to right) Carl Johnson - Nose Gunner, Chuck Frazer - Gunner, Charles Gretz - Top Turret Gunner, "Bubba" Monroe - Co-Pilot, (front row, left to right) Dick Eselgroth - Navigator, Al Miller - Bombardier, Billy Duke - Pilot "Luke" Lucas - Radio Operator, Baldamore Garcia - Engineer, "Pan" Panarese - Tail Gunner . Image via RM Eselgroth. Written on slide casing: '
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Top O The Mark
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron 754th Bomb Squadron
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95183) nicknamed "Briney Marlin" of the 458th Bomb Group flies low over countryside.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Briney Marlin
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ill Get By
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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'.

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