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725

26 November 1944

  • Crew #551 Seward M. Meinstma Crew Standing Left to Right: Jack Veach (R/O), George Wood (BTG), William Osborne (NG), John O'Donnell (FE), Howard Wade (TG), Sherell Campbell (G) Kneeling Left to Right: Seward Meinstma (P), Donald Vanderwall (CP), Eugene Gjertsen (N), Harvey Levine (B) This crew completed a 35 mission tour. Gjertsen transferred to the Welsh Crew of the 784th BS at some point during the tour. Also Daniel Chadbourne replaced O'Donnell as Flight Engineer during the tour.

    Crew #551 Seward M. Meinstma Crew Standing Left to Right: Jack Veach (R/O), George Wood (BTG), William Osborne (NG), John O'Donnell (FE), Howard Wade (TG), Sherell Campbell (G) Kneeling Left to Right: Seward Meinstma (P), Donald Vanderwall (CP), Eugene Gjertsen (N), Harvey Levine (B) This crew completed a 35 mission tour. Gjertsen transferred to the Welsh Crew of the 784th BS at some point during the tour. Also Daniel Chadbourne replaced O'Donnell as Flight Engineer during the tour.

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  • Crew #664 Elmo Maiden Crew 466th BG - 786th BS Standing Left to Right: Bernard M. Atkins (TG), Vernon R. Hayden (WG), William R. Hoopes (B), Gustave J. Roussel (E), Guerino G. Petti (N), Herbert Rosenkoff (CP), William A. Thomason (TT), Elmo Maiden (P), Kenneth W. Chester (NG), Joseph R. Zebrowski (R/O) B-24J-5-DT #42-51532 Code: U8-W Photo taken on 27 December 1944 after crash landing at an airfield in Belgium.

    Crew #664 Elmo Maiden Crew 466th BG - 786th BS Standing Left to Right: Bernard M. Atkins (TG), Vernon R. Hayden (WG), William R. Hoopes (B), Gustave J. Roussel (E), Guerino G. Petti (N), Herbert Rosenkoff (CP), William A. Thomason (TT), Elmo Maiden (P), Kenneth W. Chester (NG), Joseph R. Zebrowski (R/O) B-24J-5-DT #42-51532 Code: U8-W Photo taken on 27 December 1944 after crash landing at an airfield in Belgium.

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  • The Delirious Dolores (44-40200) shortly after arrival at Metfield, June 1944. The aircraft was named after pilot James C. McKeown's wife Delores. McKeown Crew: rear, L to R, (G) George McGee, (N) Ross Houston, (CP) Robert McIntyre, (P) James McKeown, (B) George Patton, (E) Francis Hawkins, front, L to R (RO) Joseph Rimassa, (G) Marshal Williams, (G) Frederick Borger, (G) John Murray. McKeown was severely wounded on 14 June 1944 over St. Cyr. The Delirious Dolores crashed with a replacement crew after returning from Saarbruken on 13 July 1944. (P) Max R. Shea, (CP) Charles A. Meadow, (N) Harold F. Simon, (TG) Percival M. Lewis, (RG) Solon W. Elliot Jr. were KIA and the aircraft was destroyed. Most of McKeown's crew continued to fly on the Moose (44-40205) piloted by Warren C. Moore which, along with the rest of the 853rd Bomb Squadron, was shot down over Misburg on 26 November 1944. Borger, Hawkins, Murray, Patten, and Williams were KIA. Houston, McGee, McIntyre, and Rimissa spent the rest of the war as POWs.

    The Delirious Dolores (44-40200) shortly after arrival at Metfield, June 1944. The aircraft was named after pilot James C. McKeown's wife Delores. McKeown Crew: rear, L to R, (G) George McGee, (N) Ross Houston, (CP) Robert McIntyre, (P) James McKeown, (B) George Patton, (E) Francis Hawkins, front, L to R (RO) Joseph Rimassa, (G) Marshal Williams, (G) Frederick Borger, (G) John Murray. McKeown was severely wounded on 14 June 1944 over St. Cyr. The Delirious Dolores crashed with a replacement crew after returning from Saarbruken on 13 July 1944. (P) Max R. Shea, (CP) Charles A. Meadow, (N) Harold F. Simon, (TG) Percival M. Lewis, (RG) Solon W. Elliot Jr. were KIA and the aircraft was destroyed. Most of McKeown's crew continued to fly on the Moose (44-40205) piloted by Warren C. Moore which, along with the rest of the 853rd Bomb Squadron, was shot down over Misburg on 26 November 1944. Borger, Hawkins, Murray, Patten, and Williams were KIA. Houston, McGee, McIntyre, and Rimissa spent the rest of the war as POWs.

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  • Picture of a B-17 crashed in the eastern Netherlands, apparently clandestinely made by my grandfather and a friend right after the crash. The backside is marked

    Picture of a B-17 crashed in the eastern Netherlands, apparently clandestinely made by my grandfather and a friend right after the crash. The backside is marked "1945, Velswijk, gevallen vliegtuig in de [...]", meaning "1945, Velswijk, crashed aircraft in the [...]". This leads me to believe it is 43-37846 from 398BG. The year is off by 2 months, but since the ink is another colour it may be a later addition.

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  • Jack A. Keating, 1st Lt., Bombardier, 381st BG, 535th Bomb Squadron

    Jack A. Keating, 1st Lt., Bombardier, 381st BG, 535th Bomb Squadron

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  • Overall Missions Map for the 493rd BG - USAAF Station 152 -Debach, UK noting missions flown by the Lt Bernard E Vaughan Crew

    Overall Missions Map for the 493rd BG - USAAF Station 152 -Debach, UK noting missions flown by the Lt Bernard E Vaughan Crew

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Official description

Not yet known

Description

Not yet known

Mission details

1.

Description

BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

2. ALTENBEKEN

Description

RAIL VIADUCT

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

3. BIELEFELD

Description

MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

Tonnage dropped
Number of aircraft Sent
Number of aircraft Effective
Number of aircraft Missing In Action 0
Number of aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair 0
Number of aircraft Damaged
Number of people Killed In Action 0
Number of people Wounded in Action 0
Number of people Missing In Action 0

4. BIELEFELD/SCHIDESCHE

Description

RAIL VIADUCT

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

A mix of 208 P-47s and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data. The 491st Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (1st of 1)

Units

  • 466th Bomb Group

    466th Bomb Group

    Group
    The 466th Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberators from Attlebridge, Norfolk, during the last year of the war in Europe. The Group flew 232 missions in the course of the year and celebrated the 100th one by inviting local people onto the base to mark the...

Mission Statistics

Tonnage dropped 122.5
Number of aircraft Sent 38
Number of aircraft Effective 35
Number of aircraft Missing In Action 0
Number of aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair 0
Number of aircraft Damaged 2
Number of people Killed In Action 0
Number of people Wounded in Action 0
Number of people Missing In Action 0

5. GUTERSLOH

Description

MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

6. HAMM

Description

MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

7. HANNOVER

Description

MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

8. HERFORD

Description

MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

9. MISBURG

Description

OIL REFINERY

Aircraft type

B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes

Note re: A/C 42-102565 and Joseph M. Price from source : http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=price&GSfn=joseph&...

"Sgt Price was a B-17 gunner flying a mission to Germany. Flying over Holland, he and other crew bailed out of the plane over Ijssel Lake, before it crashed in Apeldoorn."

Sgt Price's story, along with many others, may be found in the book, "Not Home for Christmas, A Day in the Life of the Mighty Eight", by John Meurs.

457th BG MISSION NO. 152 : MISBURG, GERMANY : 26 NOVEMBER, 1944
The natural oil refinery at Misburg was the target for the 457th. Although last hit by the 2nd Division on 4 November, it had been left completely undamaged.

The Group comprised the 94th B Combat Wing, with Major Peresich as Air Commander.

Assembly was accomplished without difficulty and the formation proceeded to the target area. The route to the IP was flown as briefed. Some difficulty was encountered over enemy territory when it became necessary for the Group to "S" on course in order to stay in proper position behind the preceding group. Following in trail of groups ahead, the Group overshot the IP. The bomb run was combined PFF and visual. The target area was visible from the IP, but the MPI was obscured by both clouds and smoke. The bombs were dropped, the lead aircraft performing the sighting operation.

The flak was moderate to intense and it was fairly accurate. A number of aircraft sustained damage. Bomb results were unobserved.

Units

  • 1st Bomb Division

    1st Bomb Division

    Division
    The groups under the command of the 1st Bomb Wing came under the command of the 1st Bomb Division in August 1943. In December 1944, the Division was redesginated the 1st Air Division.

  • 2nd Bomb Division

    2nd Bomb Division

    Division
    The groups under the command of the 2nd Bomb Wing came under the command of the 2nd Bomb Division in August 1943. In December 1944, the Division was redesginated the 2nd Air Division.

  • 398th Bomb Group

    398th Bomb Group

    Group
    The 398th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire on strategic bombing raids over Germany. The Group switched focus in the days before D-Day, when they targeted enemy positions on the Cherbourg peninsula. When the Allies...

  • 457th Bomb Group

    457th Bomb Group

    Group
    The 457th Bomb Group began combat operations during the Big Week of 20-25 February when American bombers carried out concentrated raids against German aircraft bases, factories and assembly plants. The air crews' targets on that first mission were...

  • 491st Bomb Group

    491st Bomb Group

    Group
    The 491st Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberators in bombing missions over northern France and Germany from June 1944 until April 1945. Missions over Germany included bombing the headquarters of the German General Staff at Zossen. The Group was awarded a DUC...

  • 853rd Bomb Squadron

    853rd Bomb Squadron

    Squadron

Mission Statistics

10. MISBURG

Description

OIL REFINERY

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

A mix of 292 P-47s and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data.

Mission Statistics

11. OSNABRUCK

Description

MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

Service

People

  • Harold Adams

    Military | Technical Sergeant | MOS 757 - Radio Operator / Mechanic / Gunner, AAF | 384th Bomb Group

  • Curtis Adamy

    Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 466th Bomb Group

  • Vermont Anderson

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 100th Bomb Group
    Assigned 349BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. 4 x missions (Aachen, Hamm, Hamm, Merseburg). Failed to Return (FTR) Merseburg; hit by flak after bombs away, crashed Flur Oberkotzau, Germany. 30-Nov-44 Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 10831 Awards: AM, PH.

  • George Asprocolas

    Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 95th Bomb Group

  • John Barringer

    Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 445th Bomb Group
    Killed in Action (KIA) 26 November 1944 in B-24 #4250467

  • Earl Beitler

    Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot -- Squadron Operations Officer | 466th Bomb Group

  • Joseph Black

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 445th Bomb Group
    Killed in Action (KIA) on 11/26/44 in B-24 #4250467

  • John Blumenstock

    Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 466th Bomb Group
    Retired from the USAF with the rank of Lt. Colonel

  • David Bridgers

    Military | Captain | Pilot | 466th Bomb Group

  • Norman Brunswig

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 445th Bomb Group
    Killed in Action (KIA) crashed on 11/26/44 in B-24 #4250467

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Aircraft

  • 42-102565 The Ugly Duckling

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 15/3/44; Kearney 31/3/44; Dow Fd 8/4/44; Assigned 601BS/398BG [3O-M/H] Nuthampstead 27/4/44. ...

  • 42-107062 Worry Bird/Miss Bea Haven

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Denver 9/2/44; Rapid City 2/3/44; Dow Fd 3/4/44; Assigned 398BG Nuthampstead 25/4/44; no ops, transferred 562BS/388BG Knettishall 29/4/44 WORRY BIRD; Returned to the USA Bradley 8/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 29/11/45;...

  • 42-39993 'Hells Angels Out Of Chute 13', 'Grossly Inadequate'

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Long Beach 26/10/43; Assigned 612BS/401BG [SC-C] Deenethorpe 1/1/44; 118m landing accident at base with Jim Nolan 7/5/45; sal 2 SAD Watton, Nfk 8/5/45. HELL’S ANGELS OUT OF CHUTE 13 aka GROSSLY INADEQUATE. ...

  • 42-50467

    B-24 Liberator

  • 42-97093 I'll Get By

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 28/1/44; Kearney 14/2/44; Presque Is 20/2/44; Assigned 568BS/390BG [BI-S] Framlingham 3/3/44 DOC'S FLYING CIRCUS, then GIRL OF MY DREAMS; on mission 21/7/44 with ? , Lt Sam Dubin (Killed in Action); severe icing during assembly for...

  • 42-97185

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 4/2/44; Wright 23/2/44; Gr Island 28/2/44; Grenier 13/3/44; Assigned 96BG Snetterton 20/3/44; transferred 369BS/306BG [WW-J] Thurleigh 31/3/44; Missing in Action Dresden 14/2/45 with Capt Boylston Lewis, Co-pilot: Bob Whitelaw,...

  • 43-38393

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 28/7/44; Hunter 8/8/44; Dow Fd 30/8/44; Assigned 569BS/390BG [CC-V] Framlingham 2/9/44; Returned to the USA Bradley 30/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 6/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA)...

  • 43-38776 Passion Wagon/Victory Devils

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Lincoln 20/9/44; Grenier 11/10/44; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-B] Horham 13/10/44; 67m, Returned to the USA Bradley 26/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 28/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 29...

  • 44-13707 "Lady Dorothy IV"

    P-51 Mustang
    Shot down by enemy Me109 fighter. Last sighted at 20,000ft 8mi NE of Dümmer Lake, about 45km NE of Osnabrück, Germany. Crashed near Grönloh, 12km NE of Bersenbrück, Germany. The caption for #44-13707 on page 63 of the book “’Down to Earth’ Strafing...

  • 44-6583 Cadet Nurse

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Lincoln 16/9/44; Dow Fd 2/10/44; Assigned 336BS/95BG [ET-Y] Horham 13/10/44; battle damaged Nurnberg 20/2/45 with R. Lee Young, #2 feathered, crash landed near A-78 AF Florennes, Bel; 9RTD; 39m, sal 28/2/45. CADET NURSE.

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Revisions

Date Contributor Update
23 April 2020 01:38:59 466thHistorian Changes to event
Sources

466th BG - Report on Mission No 144, RR Viaduct, Bielefeld, Germany, 26 Nov 1944
NARA Research by Brad Sullivan
Date Contributor Update
23 April 2020 01:37:59 466thHistorian Changes to event
Sources

466th BG - Report on Mission No 144, RR Viaduct, Bielefeld, Germany, 26 Nov 1944
NARA Research by Brad Sullivan
Date Contributor Update
23 April 2020 01:36:39 466thHistorian Changes to person associations and aircraft associations
Sources

466th BG - Report on Mission No 144, RR Viaduct, Bielefeld, Germany, 26 Nov 1944
NARA Research by Brad Sullivan
Date Contributor Update
23 April 2020 01:33:50 466thHistorian Changes to event
Sources

466th BG - Report on Mission No 144, RR Viaduct, Bielefeld, Germany, 26 Nov 1944
NARA Research by Brad Sullivan
Date Contributor Update
29 April 2015 10:31:20 general ira snapsorter Changes to event
Sources

Mission details added courtesy of Diane Elizabeth Reese from 457th Bomb Group Mission Documents. http://www.457thbombgroup.org/
Date Contributor Update
03 March 2015 14:51:30 Timothy McKeown Changes to event
Sources

C. Timothy McKeown
Date Contributor Update
03 March 2015 02:28:49 Timothy McKeown Changes to media associations
Sources

C. Timothy McKeown
Date Contributor Update
28 January 2015 16:03:02 general ira snapsorter Changes to event
Sources

Updated event details from source : http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=price&GSfn=joseph&...
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:43:08 AAM AAM ingest
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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