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 #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.
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.
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.
Jack A. Keating, 1st Lt., Bombardier, 381st BG, 535th Bomb Squadron
Overall Missions Map for the 493rd BG - USAAF Station 152 -Debach, UK noting missions flown by the Lt Bernard E Vaughan Crew
Missing in Action Altenbeken 26/11/44 with Adolph Miller, Co-pilot: Dick Prunty (2 Killed in Action); Tom Bottomley, Alton Lowe, Tom Kincade, Dan Moynihan, Lester Pearson, Bill Hurtley, Glenn Knudson (7 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, exploded and crashed Furstenau, Germany; Missing Air Crew Report 10838. 42-38128 "DEAR BECKY".
Not yet known
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BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
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RAIL VIADUCT
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MARSHALLING YARDS
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| 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 |
RAIL VIADUCT
Not yet known
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)
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...
| 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 |
MARSHALLING YARDS
Not yet known
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MARSHALLING YARDS
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MARSHALLING YARDS
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MARSHALLING YARDS
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OIL REFINERY
B-17 Flying Fortress
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
Squadron
OIL REFINERY
Not yet known
A mix of 292 P-47s and P-51s provide escort. Mix not given in available data.
MARSHALLING YARDS
Not yet known
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Military | Technical Sergeant | MOS 757 - Radio Operator / Mechanic / Gunner, AAF | 384th Bomb Group
Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 466th Bomb Group
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.
Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 95th Bomb Group
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 445th Bomb Group
Killed in Action (KIA) 26 November 1944 in B-24 #4250467
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot -- Squadron Operations Officer | 466th Bomb Group
Military | Staff Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 445th Bomb Group
Killed in Action (KIA) on 11/26/44 in B-24 #4250467
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 466th Bomb Group
Retired from the USAF with the rank of Lt. Colonel
Military | Captain | Pilot | 466th Bomb Group
Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 445th Bomb Group
Killed in Action (KIA) crashed on 11/26/44 in B-24 #4250467
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.
...
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;...
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.
...
B-24 Liberator
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...
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,...
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)...
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...
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...
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.
| 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 |
||
| 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 |
||
| 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 |
||
| 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 |
||
| 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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