Mission 314 - 1

Sketch of Molesworth by Robert A. Hand

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 31414 February 1945

Target: Military Objectives at Dresden, GermanyCrews Dispatched: 39

Length of Mission: 9 hours, 5 minutes

Bomb Load: 6 x 500 lb H.E. M43 & 4 x 500 lb M17 Incendiaries

Bombing Altitudes: 27,900, 26,600, & 28,300 ft

Ammo Fired: 1,750 rounds

Major Charles W. Bagstad flew as co-pilot with 1Lt. Ingersall J. Roberts as 427BSDeputy Lead. Major Robert M. Nye flew as co-pilot with 2nd Lt. Jerome Milmanas 358BS Deputy Lead. Major Charles E. Kerwin flew in the Scouter B-17.

The primary target for the 39 303rd BG(H) Fortresses was military objectives inDresden (PFF). Three aircraft returned early due to mechanical problems:

#44-6921 (No Name), 427BS (Lt. Schlecht)#43-38532 (No Name), 360BS (Lt. Greenbaum)#43-38238 (No Name), 358BS (Lt. Poole)

The remaining 36 bombs dropped 210 500-lb. H.E. M43, 140 500-lb. M17 incendiarybombs, and ten units of leaflets on the primary by PFF from 27,900, 26,600 and 28,300feet. Although lead and low Squadron photos showed only clouds, high Squadron photosindicated bomb hits in the city. Over Dresden there were low clouds with tops at 5,000 to

6,000 feet, 8/10 multi-layeredmiddle clouds with tops at18,000 to 20,000 feet andmoderate, non-persistentcontrails. Visual bombing wasimpossible.

There was no enemyopposition and 281 1st AD P-51provided excellent support.Some meager to moderate andi n a c c u r a t e f l a k w a sencountered in the Frankfurtarea and in the vicinity of thebattle lines. There was none atDresden. Only one aircraftsustained minor battle damage.

One B-17, #43-38619,359BS (Lt. Towne) landed on the Continent and was salvaged. All others returned toEngland. There were no casualties. Lt. Gobrecht landed #43-37590 Neva-The SilverLady, 358BS, at Ridgewell to refuel.

Mission 314 - 2

THE POLITICAL ISSUE RAISED BY THE DRESDEN RAIDSby Lt/Col Harry D. Gobrecht, 303rd BGA Historian

The decision to bomb Dresden, Germany was made at the YaltaConference. The rationale was to weaken the city as it faced the impendingRussian advance in that direction. The city was filled with refugees and regularresidents who were complacent about the threat of raids.

On the night of 13 February, the RAF flew two raids against Dresden. Thetarget was marked with precision and the RAF bomber waves dropped theirbombs into the city through a thin overcast of clouds. A fire storm started, creatinghurricane-force winds that swept everything in its path into the inferno. There wereno regular air-raid shelters in Dresden — many who fled to their cellars wereasphyxiated. The famous Dresden Zoo was hit and the animals escaped, only tosuccumb to the fires that followed.

After several days of lay-offs due to bad weather, 311 1st Air Division B-17Fortresses attacked Dresden. When the 8th Air Force crews arrived over Dresdenon 14 February, the smoke was so dense that the city could not be seen.Bombing was done by radar. On the next day, 210 bombers from the 8th AirForce’s 1st Air Division returned. On the 15th of February, the RAF followed upwith another attack on the hapless city. Estimates of people killed ranged from35,000 to 135,000, with post-war recalculations closer to 30,000.

The Dresden attack quickly became a political issue. Criticism arose in theEnglish Parliament and newspapers against the barbarities of terror bombing. Anews story widely printed in the United States, proclaimed that the seniorAmerican Air Commanders had determined to terrorize the German people intosubmission. General Arnold was disconcerted about the publicity and cabledGeneral Spaatz for an explanation. Spaatz replied that he had not departed fromthe American policy in Europe, which satisfied General Arnold.

The combined British/American Chiefs of Staff had met in Malta on 13January 1945, just prior to the Yalta Conference, and established target priorities.As the second priority (after synthetic oil) came “Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, andassociated cities where heavy attack will cause great confusion in civilianevacuation from the East and hamper reinforcements.”

The charge of “deliberate terror bombing” caused considerable concern tothe 8th Air Force planners as well as to General Marshall and Arnold. Our owndoctrine held that the way to reduce civilian morale was not by killing people butby depriving them of the resources for further resistance. This was the doctrinewhich covered the employment of the 8th Air Force. In spite of the explanationsconcerning the bombing of Dresden, and Berlin, the controversy continued andexists to this day.

Mission 314 - 3

B-17G #44-8568 (No Name) (358BS) PFF VK-X41st CBW-B Lead (360BS) - Pilot Capt B.C. Fontana / CoPilot N.B. O'Beirne

(Back L-R) Capt Norman N. Jacobson (N), 1Lt Rufus S. Charlton (MN), Capt Nelson B. O'Beirne (CP),1Lt Francis G. Downey (B), Capt Bernard C. Fontana (P) - (Front L-R) F/O James H. Hardy (TG-O),

S/Sgt Ralph V. Evans (BT), T/Sgt Raymond C. King (R), T/Sgt Robert N. Perry (E), T/Sgt Thomas L. Weems (WG)

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group A

Fontana-O'Beirne568 - PFF

Holtorf Gravrock 870 537 - PFF

App672

Edmunds Austin 563 523

Middlemas Rybaltowski 516 609Armfield Bentley Harding Towne 544 860 944 619 Statton 842

Mission 314 - 4

MARVIN G. RICHESON CREW - 359th BS(crew assigned 359BS: 27 Dec 1944)

(Back L-R) 1Lt Marvin G. Richeson (P), 1Lt Emerson E. Heller (CP), 1Lt Robert H. Herrmann (N) (Front L-R) Sgt Jesus F. Ortega (BT), S/Sgt Charles R. Hoxie (TG), T/Sgt Alexander W. Gray (FE),

T/Sgt Charlie W. Benge (TOG), S/Sgt Dyle K. Davidson (WG), T/Sgt Dennis J. Mahoney (R)

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group B

Wallace-Hewitt545 - PFF

Roberts Demian 281 311

Schlecht921

Richter Turinsky 011 977

Petersen Gates 081 875Smith Bluethenthal Richeson Beasley 248 763 645 050 Ayers 958

Mission 314 - 5

B-17G #43-39160 358BS (VK-G) "G for George" also known as "Lil Bit"

The only B-17 in the 303BG with white sidewall tires.

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group C

Goering-Walter8590 - PFF

Dorsett Milman 462 999

Gobrecht7590

Greenbaum Taub 532 427

Heckendorf Rogers 065 127McLeod Garrett O'Donnell Stocks 160 096 289 608 Poole 238

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS

CREW POSITIONSCMP - Command PilotP - PilotCP - Co-PilotNAV - NavigatorANV - Ass't. NavigatorMNV - Mickey NavigatorENG - EngineerBOM - BombardierRO - Radio Operator

TOG - TogglierBT - Ball Turret OperatorTT - Top Turret OperatorTG - Tail GunnerWG - Waist GunnerLWG - Left Waist GunnerRWG - Right Waist GunnerGUN - GunnerVI - Voice InterpreterOBS - Observer

PAS - PassengerPHO - PhotographerY - Y-Operators (YRO,YO)RCM - Radio Cntr MeasuresSJ - Spot Jammer

RESULTS OF MISSION

KIA - Killed in actionWIA - Wounded in actionMIA - Missing in action

POW - Prisoner of warDOW - Died of woundsEVD - Evaded the enemyREP - RepatriatedRES - RescuedESC - EscapedBO - Bailed outDCH - DitchedCR-L - Crashed on landCR-S - Crashed at sea

Mission 314 - 6

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-37590 Neva-The Silver Lady

P Gobrecht, Harry D., 1LtCP Eby, Joe M., 2LtNAV McDonald, Walter H., 2LtBOM Jones, George W., 2LtENG Benefield, Lenville H., S/SgtWG Mays, Thomas G., SgtRO Quick, Edgar H., S/SgtBT McGrory, William P., S/SgtTG Buske, Phillip R., Sgt

B-17G #43-38065 Princess Pat 2

P Heckendorf, Marvin H., 1LtCP Gordon, Joseph, 2LtNAV McCorkle, Robert W., 2LtTOG Weaver, Robert J., T/SgtENG Gallman, Hubert W., T/SgtWG Barris, Robert L., SgtRO Windle, Bill, T/SgtTG Koerner, David M., SgtBT Lary, Raymond W., Sgt

B-17G #43-39160 G for George

P McLeod, William S., 2LtCP Elkins, Richard A., 2LtNAV Hopkins, William B., 2LtTOG Meade, Joseph J., SgtENG DeWillers, Edgar, SgtWG Rafferty, William A., SgtRO Guenin, Wayne E., T/SgtBT Nichols, William A., Jr., SgtTG James, Frank M., Sgt

B-17G #43-39096 Sky Demon

P Garrett, Charles E., 2LtCP Castillo, Joseph L.A., F/ONAV Leonhirth, Junius, F/OTOG Prudhoe, Charles E., S/SgtENG Hohstadt, Hollis H., SgtWG Frazier, Victor L., S/SgtRO Henson, Jessey B., SgtBT Walczak, John, SgtTG Van Cleave, Joseph A., Sgt

B-17G #43-38462 Teddy’s Rough Riders

P Dorsett, John D., 1LtCP Cunningham, Neil E., 2LtNAV Guerrieri, Joe C., F/OTOG Quig, Francix X., SgtENG Sprinkles, Leburn D., SgtWG Boone, Kenneth E., SgtRO Ennis, Charles S., SgtBT Carter, William J., SgtTG Crigger, Richard S., Sgt

B-17G #43-38999 Emma

P Milman, Jerome, 2LtCP Nye, Robert M., MajNAV Wilhelm, Frederick H., 2LtBOM Reed, Andrew T., 2LtENG Eygabroad, Robert J., SgtWG Beck, Harold P., S/SgtRO LaPerch, William J., T/SgtBT Fox, Raymond H., Jr., SgtTG Johnson, Jack W., Sgt

Mission 314 - 7

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #43-38532 (No Name)

P Greenbaum, Richard D., 2LtCP Cooper, John T., 2LtNAV Nicastro, John J., F/OTOG Miller, Robert J., S/SgtENG Bruce, Leonard F.., T/SgtTG Hawes, Kenneth D., SgtRO Dalton, Denver, SgtBT Dooley, Patrick, SgtWG Magusar, John F., Sgt(Abortive)

B-17G #43-38238 (No Name)

P Poole, Lawrence E., 2LtCP Cannon, Harley E., 2LtNAV Feezel, Ralph S., 2LtTOG Smith, Donald P., S/SgtENG Pullen, Rayford E., SgtWG Kinsland, Harry D., SgtRO Hoke, Marvin L., SgtBT Kampa, Vernon L., SgtTG Kindred, Beryl E., SgtPAS Scott, William R., Sgt(Abortive)

B-17G #44-8427 Henn's Revenge

P Taub, Francis R., 2LtCP Geile, Thomas A., 2LtNAV Johnson, Charles P., 2LtTOG Dugan, Michael A., SgtENG Chrisman, Warren F., SgtWG McWilliams, Elmer D., SgtRO Maluchnik, Chester S., S/SgtBT Hollowell, James L., SgtTG Spencer, Jams P., SgtVI Ready, William C., Sgt

B-17G #44-8590 (No Name) - PFF

P Goering, Werner G., 1LtCP Walter, Donald R., 2LtNAV Kaiser, James M., CaptMN Foltz, Leon P., F/OBOM Ford, Wilson, 1LtENG Eckert, Raymond C., T/SgtRO Johnson, Paul B., T/SgtWG Blinebury, Joseph A., S/SgtTG Hopkins, Harry F., 1Lt

Mission 314 - 8

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38289 Sweet LaRhonda

P O'Donnell, Thomas M., 2LtCP Goulding, Traynum D., 2LtNAV Jardarian, Zaven, 2LtTOG Wilson, Johnnie R., S/SgtENG Fischer, Norbert G., SgtRO Portney, Sol, S/SgtBT Gaumer, Billy A., SgtTG Hoffman, George F., SgtWG Redhage, Louis H., Sgt

B-17G #43-38875 Redwing

P Gates, Cecil J., 2Lt CP Zapora, Theodore T., 2LtNAV Christenson, LeRoy P., 2LtTOG McKinley, A.B., S/SgtENG Reseigh, John R., S/SgtRO Minnix, Glenn A., S/SgtBT Freese, Paul D., S/SgtTG Rose, G.L., S/SgtWG Wallis, Elton E., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38645 (No Name)

P Richeson, Marvin G., Jr., 2LtCP Heller, Emerson E., 2LtNAV Herrmann, Robert H., 2LtTOG Benge, Charlie W., SgtENG Gray, Alexander W., S/SgtRO Mahoney, Denis J., SgtBT Bechtold, Robert E., S/SgtTG Hoxie, Charles R., SgtWG Davidson, Dyle K., Sgt

B-17G #42-97944 Daddy's Delight

P Harding, Lawrence T., 2LtCP Force, James G., 2LtNAV Garvey, Richard J., 2LtTOG Otto, Kenneth, Jr., SgtENG O'Brien, William J., SgtRO Cornelius, Russell B., SgtBt Lammers, Roger G., SgtTG Johnson, Robert O., SgtWG Holden, Robert R., Sgt

B-17G #43-39127 (No Name)

P Rogers, Clem W., 2LtCP Powlus, Vernon F., F/ONAV Simon, Albert, 2LtTOG Goudy, William F., S/SgtENG Reese, Bobbie B., SgtRO Wysocki, John F., SgtBT Simpson, James A., S/SgtTG Palsa, Rudolph, SgtWG Westfall, Byron D., Sgt

B-17G #43-38619 (No Name)

P Towne, Harvey E., 2LtIP McClurg, Galt L., 2LtNAV West, Alonzo, III. 2LtBOM Miller, Joseph A., 2LtENG Dritz, Arthur, SgtRO Fiore, Thomas, SgtBT Syler, Allen B., SgtTG Proctor, Isaac H., SgtWG Taylor, Wallace K., Sgt

(McClurg was flying as an Instructor Pilot withthe newly assigned Towne Crew)

Mission 314 - 9

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #42-38050 Thunderbird

P Beasley, William M., 2LtCP Schopplein, Orin H., 2LtNAV Welsh, Harry A., 2LtBOM Mabary, George D.L., F/OENG Gornto, Jacob R., SgtRO Terrill, Jack W., SgtBT Thomas, David W., SgtTG Gracida, Henry J., Jr., SgtWG Harrigfeld, Thomas E., Sgt

B-17G #43-38608 Lucille

P Stocks, Jack E., 2LtCP Marsh, John F., 2LtNAV Malone, Roy P., 2LtTOG Fogle, Jerome W., Jr., S/SgtENG Copp, Edmond D., SgtRO Fiore, John, SgtBT Hamilton, John W., SgtTG Moser, Lawrence D., SgtWG Tanner, Henry C., SgtSJ Haley, James W., Sgt

B-17G #43-38609 (No Name)

P Rybaltowski, Vincent, 2LtCP Olson, John A., 2LtNAV McLeod, Harry A., 2LtTOG Bailey, John R., S/SgtENG Perlowitz, Murray A., S/SgtRO Capps, Douglas M., S/SgtBT Hollingsworth, Donald M., S/SgtTG O'Neal, Howard F., S/SgtWG Vitiritto, Joseph A., S/SgtSJ Reider, Enrique M., Sgt

Mission 314 - 10

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38842 (No Name)

P Statton, Roy F., 2LtCP Schroll, David A., 2LtNAV Donahue, Thomas R., 2LtTOG Woods, Heiber J., SgtENG Rhodes, William H., SgtRO Knowles, Charles D., SgtBT Hulterstrum, Joseph P., S/SgtTG Free, Ennis B., Jr., S/SgtWG Marchionda, Guido P., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-6516 My Darling

P Middlemas, Arthur B., 1LtCP Schultz, John W., 2LtNAV Cooley, Royal D., 2LtTOG Giancola, James V., S/SgtENG Marshall, Leroy H., SgtRO Avenia, James J., SgtBT Parrish, George K., S/SgtTG Cranshaw, John A., S/SgtWG Maurer, John L., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38563 Jackie

P Edmunds, Robert E., 2LtCP Bristol, Clarence D., 2LtNAV Lofquist, Gordon B., 2LtTOG Buchanan, Paul A., S/SgtENG Hammel, Norman D., SgtRO Polo, Matthew N., SgtBT Farnham, Gordon W., SgtTG Rumberger, Frank C., SgtWG King, Raymond H., Sgt

B-17G #42-102544 Sack Time

P Armfield, John M., 2LtCP Marten, Dudley V., 2LtNAV Stewart, James L., 2LtTOG Odegaard, Duane J., S/SgtENG Lemon, James M., Jr., SgtRO Haynes, Donald L., SgtBT McNeel, Morgan L., S/SgtTG Davis, Jesse W., SgtWG Goggin, Edward F., Sgt

B-17G #43-38870 (No Name)

P Holtorf, Ernest H., 2LtCP Fowler, Robert R., 2LtNAV Sarkis, George A., F/OTOG Bice, Lowell E., SgtENG Bryson, Emil M., S/SgtRO Ahland, Walter F., SgtBT Henager, Rudolph M., SgtTG King, Marvin O., SgtWG Jones, William P., Sgt

B-17G #42-97860 (No Name)

P Bentley, Andrew K., 2LtCP Lucien, Ralph A., 2LtNAV Dwyer, Marion J., 2LtBOM West, Albert G., F/OENG Fleming, James A., SgtRO Kirtner, Billy L., S/SgtBT Beckman, Charles W., SgtTG Moore, Bill A., SgtWG Mulqueen, John J., Sgt

Mission 314 - 11

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #43-38672 (No Name)

P App, Robert G., 1LtCP Moody, William S., 2LtNAV Dennis, Walter F., 2LtBOM Dee, Martin R., 2LtENG Leach, Norman E., T/SgtRO Matlock, Austin M., T/SgtBT Brady, Gene F., S/SgtTG Nabors, Herschell F., SgtWG Polaski, Duane L., S/SgtVI Brenner, Seyman, Sgt

B-17G #44-6523 (No Name)

P Austin, Charles A., 1LtCP Johnson, Arthur E., 2LtNAV Kokoska, Florian T., 2LtBOM Morgan, Clinton J., 2LtENG Ingles, Howard L., SgtRO Kummer, Burnell R., SgtBT Danielsen, Stanley K., SgtTG Krouse, Thomas R., SgtWG Stuckey, Edward C., Sgt

B-17G #43-37537 Queen of Hearts - PFF

P Gravrock, Howard C., 1LtCP Losiewicz, Benjamin, 2LtNAV Klanian, Charles S., 2LtMN Gibson, Cater M., 2LtBOM Rudolph, Gabriel, 1LtENG Schieferstein, Ernest G., SgtRO Engleman, George B., T/SgtTG Delaney, Howard F., SgtWG Relford, Robert S/SgtWG Kaufmann, William R., Sgt

B-17G #44-8568 (No Name) - PFF

P Fontana, Bernard C., CaptCP O'Beirne, Nelson B., CaptNAV Jacobson, Norman N., CaptMN Charlton, Rufus S., 1LtBOM Downey, Francis G., 1LtENG Perry, Robert N., T/SgtRO King, Raymond C., T/SgtWG Weems, Thomas L., T/SgtWG Evans, Ralph V., S/SgtTG Hardy, James H., F/O

Mission 314 - 12

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38958 Green Hill Belle

P Ayers, Roger D, 2LtCP Danna, Joseph, 2LtNAV Wagner, Charles D., 2Lt TOG Clarkson, Robert T., SgtTT Rys, Valentine J., SgtBT Bailey, George E., SgtRO Morris, Allen L., SgtTG Turkovich, Charles J., SgtWG Sears, William A., Sgt

B-17G #42-97311 Shoo Shoo Baby

P Demian, Julius C., F/OCP Weatherby, Earl R., F/ONAV Tractman, Bernard L., F/OTOG Ross, Joseph M., Jr., SgtTT Leach, Harry L., SgtBT Wilson, Alfred D., SgtRO Lombardi, Donato J., SgtTG Buford, Thomas A., SgtWG Dorner, Alvin W., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-39081 (No Name)

P Petersen, William H., 1LtCP Candido, Anthony N., 2LtNAV Bason, William A., 2LtTOG Price, John B., T/SgtTT Zarrella, Anthony A., S/SgtBT Czerwonka, Joseph A., T/SgtRO Whitely, Cull W., Jr., S/Sgt TG Coleman, Loyd, S/SgtWG Tanner, Loyd H., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-39011 (No Name)

P Richter, George K., 2LtCP McMullen, Robert A., 2LtNAV Thompson, John M., 2LtTOG Leas, Harry D., S/SgtTT Hardin, Joe A., S/SgtBT Smith, Donald S., SgtRO Kemmerer, Alfred G., S/SgtTG Chisholm, Robert E., SgtWG Vernon, James D., Sgt

B-17G #44-6977 Better Do'er

P Turinsky, George, 2LtCP Shaughnessy, William J., F/ONAV Witchey, Francis M., F/OTOG Renaud, Robert K., SgtTT Wismer, Donald E., S/SgtBT Newman, Harold E., SgtRO Longo, Angelo L., S/SgtTG Witcher, Marvin E., SgtWG Ray, Paul, Sgt

B-17G #43-38248 Jigger Rooche II

P Smith, Grafton N., 1LtCP Alderman, Melvin, 2LtNAV Cohen, Leo, F/OTOG Delcher, Merlin S., S/SgtTT Warner, Vester W., T/SgtBT Miller, Raymond M., SgtRO Parker, George F., S/SgtTG Mussi, James L., SgtWG Dussliere, Albert L., Sgt

Mission 314 - 13

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #44-6921 (No Name)

P Schlecht, Walter J., 1LtCP Ferrari, Walter J., 2LtNAV Tanner, Merlin A., 2LtBOM Rubins, William R., F/OTT Hedison, Ara H., S/SgtBT Hocknell, Raymond A., SgtRO Hradiskey, Joseph R., S/SgtTG Herod, William J., S/SgtWG Warburton, Arlis F., S/Sgt(Abortive)

B-17G #43-38763 (No Name)

P Bluethenthal, Arthur, 2LtCP Walder, Wilfred M., Jr., 2LtNAV Wolansky, John, 2LtBOM Short, Arthur E., F/OTT Engelhardt, Roy H., SgtBT Doles, David, Jr., SgtRO Gibbons, Francis M., SgtTG Mitchell, Donald C., SgtWG Teter, Winston C., SgtSJ Higginbotham, Frank D., Sgt

B-17G #42-97281 Queenie

P Roberts, Ingersall J., 1LtCP Bagstad, Charles W., MajNAV Russo, William D., 1LtBOM Stephens, Walton M., Jr., 2LtWG Carlson, Harold A., SgtTT Riveland, Alf, SgtRO Renzi, Frank, SgtTG Barber, Albert P., SgtBT Campbell, Gerald R., SgtVI Elkin, Samuel, S/Sgt

B-17G #44-8545 (No Name) - PFF

P Wallace, Walstein W., CaptCP Hewitt, Donald I., 2LtNAV Rogge, Richard W., 1LtMN Mylan, William G., 1LtBOM Umphress, F.E., Jr., 1LtTT Garrett, Joe W., T/SgtRO Schmidt, Elmer J., S/SgtWG Agrifoglio, Benjamin M., S/SgtTG Wilson, Jack G., 2Lt