792
14 January 1945![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/media/media-6521.jpeg)
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.
Attlebridge Arsenal - Brassfield & Wassom
Object Number - UPL 6521 - 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),...
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Description: FIGHTER SWEEPS
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
Notes: A mix of 116 P-47s and P-51s fly a fighter seep over North. Germany. Mix not given in available data. After escorting Bombers, pilots of the 353rd Fighter Group, 351st Fighter Squadron lead by Blue Flight Leader, Lt. Billy J. Murray with Pilots Lt. John W. Rohrs, Lt. George J. Rosen, and Lt. Clarence Geiger observed 2 ME262's traveling north at 10,000ft. Murray maneuvered the flight to bounce out of the sun from 20,000ft and took the jet on the left, observing strikes from the left nacelle to the right. The pilot immediately veered high and right to evade almost hitting his wingman. The pilot was observed to bail out at this point. Rohrs managed to get behind the right ME262 wingman and raked him with fire. Rosen joined in and the plane began an immediate dive straight into the ground. No chute was observed and both pilots Rohr and Rosen reported that the German pilot was most likely wounded or dead prior to the crash. Murray would be credited with a confirmed victory and Rosen and Rohrs shared the second plane.
Germany
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Notes: BERG, Germany
COLOGNE
Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
COLOGNE/DEUTZ
Description: HIGHWAY BRIDGE
COLOGNE/HOHENZOLLERN
Description: HIGHWAY BRIDGE
COLOGNE/RODENKIRCHEN
Description: HIGHWAY BRIDGE
DERBEN GERMANY
Description: OIL REFINERY
EHMEN
Description: OIL REFINERY
HALLENDORF
Description: OIL REFINERY
HEMMINGSTEDT
Description: OIL REFINERY
MAGDEBURG
Description: OIL REFINERY
OSNABRUCK
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
WANGEROOGE ISLAND
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-42098.png?itok=9a-vDsiP)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18135419
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-46239.jpeg?itok=bHotW3IR)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33721705
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-17388.jpeg?itok=batx-lDg)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 371st Fighter Group 405th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19124617 and O-710733
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-6415.jpeg?itok=qFlKvWDp)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-705752
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-26286.jpeg?itok=cXYQyigY)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18162953 / O-708745
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot 353rd
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-23786.jpeg?itok=RICVxyI4)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Evasive Action
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Honey Pie Dutches of Idaho
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
Related media
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 53866
- Description: 401st Bomb Group, Mission No. 196, 14 Jan 1945, Cologne, Germany. Briefing was held at 0600 hours. Twelve of the fifteen 401st aircraft were assigned...
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.
"Jonah's Feet are Dry" --a history of the 353rd FG by Graham Cross
Murray was credited on this date with shooting down his only air kill of a ME-262 fighter.
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'.