Mission 316 - 1

Sketch by Bob Hand - Molesworth 1944

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 31616 February 1945

Target: Synthetic Oil Plant at Langendreer, GermanyCrews Dispatched: 39

Crews Lost: Lt. Wertz, 3 KIA, 6 POW

Crewmembers Lost or Wounded: 1 WIA

Length of Mission: 6 hours, 20 minutes

Bomb Load: 18 x 250 lb H.E. M57 bombs

Bombing Altitudes: 28,400, 28,300

Ammo Fired: 1,761 rounds

Afull Group of 39 B-17s were dispatched to attack the synthetic oil plant atLangendreer, Germany (visual or GEE-H). The secondary was Munster (visual orPFF). Aircraft #44-6006 (No Name), 358BS (Lt.Greene), returned early when the

No. 1 engine failed.

Eighteen aircraft dropped 351 250-lb. H.E. M57 bombs from 28,400 and 28,300 feetwith poor results. At the target there were 1/10 to 3/10 low clouds with tops at 2,000 feet,

no middle clouds, 5/10 high clouds with basesat 26,000 feet to 28,000 feet and dense,persistent contrails. The contrails and cloudsmade instrument bombs run necessary. Thelead Squadron made two bomb runs with avery busy "front office." The GEE-H failed onthe first bomb run and the target couldn't beidentified visually. The second run was madevisually from a different direction after the leadaircraft's No. 1 engine was out because of aflak hit. The engineer, T/Sgt Whitney Haskell,passed out when his oxygen mask failed. Theco-pilot revived him during the bomb run andthe pilot and co-pilot had difficulty readjustingthe AFCE and holding airspeed. Bombs werethen dropped but they hit one-half mile southof the target in an area 2 3/4 miles East ofHamm. The High Squadron lead planeNavigator and Bombardier interphones wereout. Three lead and six High Squadronaircraft jettisoned their bombs after being hitby flak. German GEE-H jamming equipmentwas very effective and contributed to the poorbombing results. The High and LowSquadrons became separated from the LeadSquadron on the route home.

Mission 316 - 2

ROBERT M. WERTZ CREW - 427th BSB-17G #43-38734 Cheshire Cat (427BS) GN-C

(crew assigned 427BS: 25 Nov 1944 - photo: Nov 1944)

Friendly air support was poor — most crews never saw any of the scheduled 38 P-51s. There was no enemy air opposition. The lead and High Squadrons encounteredintense and very accurate flak at the target. The low Squadron had moderate and generallyinaccurate flak. Nineteen aircraft sustained major and nine, minor battle damage. Sgt.Billis D. Frew, Waist Gunner on Lt. McKeon's crew, sustained serious flak wounds to hisright shoulder and was hospitalized.

One aircraft failed to return. B-17G #43-39081 (No Name), 427BS, piloted by 1Lt.Robert M. Wertz, received a direct flak hit in its No. 1 engine. The engine completely cameoff and hit the fuselage near the waist window. It blew a hole in the fuselage and then fellaway. The B-17 was momentarily out of control just after the hit, but the pilot regainedcontrol. When last seen, the aircraft was losing altitude and lagging behind the formation.The B-17 crashed near Kleive, Germany. T/Sgt. John B. Price, T/Sgt. Ralph W. Warneand Sgt. Kenneth A. Bennett were killed. T/Sgt. Warne is buried in Ardennes AmericanCemetery near Liege, Belgium. Lt. Wertz, 2Lt. Melvin A. Durst, 2Lt. Karl Minnis, T/Sgt.Edward J. Giering, S/Sgt. Kenneth E. Jensen and S/Sgt. Walter C. Campbell werecaptured and became Prisoners of War. At a special ceremony at the Mighty Eighth AirForce Museum on 16 March 1997, Distinguished Flying Cross Medals were presented toLt. Wertz, Lt. Durst, T/Sgt. Giering, S/Sgt. Jensen and T/Sgt. Warne for their heroicaction on this mission.

Mission 316 - 3

16 February 1945 Bomb Strike on Langendreer, Germany

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group A

Bergeron-McNamara568 - PFF

McKimmie Snider 590 256 - PFF

Goodberlet554

Taub Nester 427 316 Walker Wertz 462 081McLeod Greene McKeon Bluethenthal 160 006 248 311 Garrett 096

Mission 316 - 4

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group B

Cunningham-Knutzen537 - PFF

Gates Moore 875 127

Fravel609

Beasley Harding 206 944

Bixby Schlecht 645 921Tilsen Tarvid Richter Ayers 411 238 011 958 Stocks 621

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - C

Fontana-Jones125 - PFF

Lacker Hardin 860 451

Holtorf532

Edmunds Statton 523 672

Stiver Petersen 563 977Bentley Armfield Turinsky Smith 870 544 763 885 Schultz 281

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 MISSIONKIA - 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 316 - 5

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-39160 G for George

P McLeod, William S., 1LtCP Elkins, Richard A., 2LtNAV Guerrieri, Joe C., F/OTOG 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 Craig, Fred, Jr., 2LtNAV Nicastro, John J., F/OTOG Prudhoe, Charles E., S/SgtENG Hohstadt, Hollis H., SgtTG Van Cleave, Joseph A., SgtRO Henson, Jessey B., SgtBT Walczak, John, SgtWG Frazier, Victor L., S/Sgt

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

P McKimmie, William L., 2LtCP Sims, Allen R., 2LtNAV Leonhirth, Junius, F/OTOG Reimche, George K., S/SgtENG Farmer, Evert L., SgtWG Roberts, Thomas M., SgtRO Kilroy, Robert E., SgtBT Kampa, Vernon L., SgtTG Mogusar, John F., Sgt

B-17G #43-38462 Teddy’s Rough Riders

P Walker, Barton F., 2LtCP Smith, Orville H., F/ONAV Das, Mitchell C., 2LtTOG Magyar, Frank, SgtENG Wilhelm, Raymond G., SgtBT Diaczynski, Andrew J., SgtRO Jasut, Stanley, SgtWG Partsch, Warren L., SgtTG Massey, Ray N., Sgt

B-17G #44-8256 Yankee Girl - PFF

P Snider, Harley D., 1LtCP Kunkel, Joe T., 2LtNAV Fearn, Charles A., 1LtMN Magner, John H., Jr., F/OBOM Kruckemeyer, Thomas J., 2LtENG Work, John R., T/SgWG Kudder, Edward P., SgtRO Ludington, Robert S., T/SgtWG Smith, Gardner B., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38554 Bouncing Betty III

P Goodberlet, Clarence J., 2LtCP Magid, Malcolm J., 2LtNAV Mylonas, Peter E., F/OBOM Jones, George W., 2LtENG Cotter, William J., T/SgtWG Wade, Murray W., Jr., S/SgtRO Baloga, Stephen M., T/SgtBT Walling, James M., S/SgtTG Schultz, Frederick W., S/Sgt

Mission 316 - 6

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

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

P Taub, Francis R., 2LtCP Cooper, John T., 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., SgtSJ Atkinson, Gerald V., Sgt

B-17G #44-6006 (No Name)

P Greene, Robert E., 1LtCP Parson, Jerome G., 2LtNAV Milligan, William J., 2LtTOG Johnson, Vernon W., SgtENG Rollinger, Joseph C., SgtWG Williams, Ira J., SgtRO Thompson, Joe C., SgtBT Covert, John L., SgtTG Jobe, Milton L., Sgt(Abortive)

B-17G #44-6316 (No Name)

P Nester, Harry E., 2LtCP Castillo, Joseph L.A., F/ONAV Rainey, John L., 2LtBOM Kuester, Edward F., 2LtENG Kappardaki, Kermit P., SgtWG Jones, James P., SgtRO Strouse, Jacob J., SgtBT Bovey, Charles D., SgtTG Edleman, Robert W., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

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

P Bergeron, Willard H., CaptCP McNamara, James F., CaptNAV Metko, Earl D., 1LtPFF Beyeler, Earl R., 1LtGHN Carnahan, Kenneth, 1LtBOM Gorham, Raymond H., 1LtENG Haskell, Whitney, T/SgtWG Garza, David, S/SgtRO Jennings, Archie R., T/SgtTG Hopkins, Harry F., 1Lt

Mission 316 - 7

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

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

P Tarvid, Arthur J., 2LtCP Grandwilliams, Louis C., F/ONAV Hudson, Glenn V., 2LtBOM Webber, Gale M., 2LtENG Jenkins, Maurice L., SgtRO Root, Carmen W., SgtBT Muchmore, Gale F., SgtTG Dimick, Richard D., SgtWG Carlson, Dale H., 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 #42-107206 Old Black Magic

P Beasley, William M., 2LtCP Rich, Richard 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(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #43-38875 Redwing

P Gates, Cecil J., 2Lt CP Zapora, Theodore T., 2LtNAV Christenson, LeRoy P., 2LtBOM Elliott, Harold F., 2LtENG Belcher, Rubin W., S/SgtRO Minnix, Glenn A., S/SgtBT Schilling, Lawrence H., ,SgtTG Schoonover, Howard D., S/SgtWG Wallis, Elton E., S/Sgt

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

P Moore, Thomas L., 2LtCP Sharp, Bryant M., 2LtNAV Johnson, Herbert G., 2LtTOG Weise, William A., Jr., SgtENG Ogurchak, Joseph T., SgtRO Brookstra, William A., SgtBT Kohan, Frederick, SgtTG Pesta, Clarence A., SgtWG Jeandrevin, Robert R., Sgt

B-17G #42-102411 Miss Lace (427BS)

P Tilsen, Cyril, 2LtCP McDowell, James B., 2LtNAV Bielski, Casimir, Jr., 2LtTOG Wilson, Johnnie R., S/SgtENG Driggers, Sherod R., Jr., S/SgtRO Mawdsley, Arnold, SgtBT Hendon, William G., SgtTG McDonald, Billy L., SgtWG Cassino, Julian R, Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

Mission 316 - 8

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #43-38621 50 Ragged

P Stocks, Jack E., 2LtCP Marsh, John F., 2LtNAV Herrmann, Robert H., 2LtTOG McKinley, A.B., T/SgtENG Copp, Edmond D., SgtRO Fiore, John, SgtBT Hamilton, John W., SgtTG Hoxie, Charles R., SgtWG Davidson, Dyle K., SgtSJ Haley, James W., Sgt

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

P Fravel, Harold L., 2LtCP Bitler, Hower E., 2LtNAV Jardarian, ZavenBOM Barger, Donald T., 2LtENG Klym, Michael, S/SgtRO Jobe, Andrew K., Jr., S/SgtBT Kennedy, Jack B., SgtTG Hartmann, Alexander, T/SgtWG Westfall, Byron D., SgtSJ Eliott, Richard D., Sgt (360th)

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

P Bixby, Kenneth E., 1LtCP Barnett, James M., 2LtNAV Albertson, Edward, F/OTOG Roberts, James P., S/SgtENG Robichaux, John B., T/SgtRO Krumwiede, Leland J., S/SgtBT Reese, Dale G., S/SgtTG Peters, John W., S/SgtWG Palsa, Rudolph, Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

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

P Cunningham, Robert L., CaptCP Knutzen, Owen A., 1LtNAV Carriere, Lawrence C., 2LtNAV Malerich, Earl J., Jr., 1LtMN Gennaro, Louis T., 2Lt BOM Donovan, Thomas A., 2LtENG Gillespie, Norton A., T/SgtRO Carman, Nolan W., S/SgtTG Clarke, Loren M., F/OWG Ipsen, Allen L., S/Sgt

Mission 316 - 9

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-102544 Sack Time

P Armfield, John M., 1LtCP 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(Abortive Sortie)

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

P Holtorf, Ernest H., 1LtCP Fowler, Robert R., 2LtNAV Sarkis, George A., F/OBOM Hight, Basil D., 2LtENG Bryson, Emil M., S/SgtRO Ahland, Walter F., SgtBT Henager, Rudolph M., SgtTG King, Marvin O., SgtWG Jones, William P., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #43-38672 (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 Bialobrzeski, Joseph C., S/SgtWG Marchionda, Guido P., S/Sgt

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

P Edmunds, Robert E., 2LtCP Bristol, Clarence D., 2LtNAV Lofquist, Gordon B., 2LtTOG Driver, Henderson M., S/SgtENG Hammel, Norman D., SgtRO Polo, Matthew N., SgtBT Farnham, Gordon W., SgtTG Rumberger, Frank C., SgtWG King, Raymond H., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #43-38870 (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(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #43-38563 Jackie

P Stiver, Merrill M., 2LtCP Kacus, Alexander, F/ONAV Beasley, Leon O., 2LtTOG Bice, Lowell E., SgtENG Auer, Kenneth R., SgtRO Godley, Walter M., SgtBT Pilgrim, Robert W., SgtTG Free, Ennis B., Jr., S/SgtWG Power, Thomas B., T/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

Mission 316 - 10

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #42-97281 Queenie

P Schultz, John W., 2LtCP Boyles, Kenneth L., 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/SgtYR Brenner, Seymour, S/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

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

P Lacker, Howard C., 2LtCP Brown, William W., 1LtNAV O'Neil, James B., 2LtBOM Runnels, Billy L., 2LtENG Bratcher, Francis E., SgtRO Foster, Lane, SgtBT Reynolds, Robert R., SgtTG Garbarino, Louis V., Jr., SgtWG Mooneyham, Clarence, Jr., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #44-8125 Sparky - PFF

P Fontana, Bernard C., CaptCP Jones, William E., CaptNAV Papp, Melvin E., 1LtMN Gibson, Cater M., 2LtGHN Prince, Jams R., Jr., 1LtBOM Downey, Francis G., 1LtENG Perry, Robert N., T/SgtRO King, Raymond C., T/SgtWG Weems, Thomas L., T/SgtWG Koppes, Carl A., S/SgtTG Johnson, Ralph L., 2Lt

B-17G #43-38451 (No Name)

P Hardin, Thomas H., Jr., 1LtCP Schuchard, Virgil R., 1LtNAV Hiebeler, George E., 2LtBOM Shelly, David R., 1LtENG Mikulich, Stanley, T/SgtRO Kasper, Raymond H., S/SgtBT Kaber, Harvey N., SgtTG Ciezadlo, Eugene F., SgtWG Sersland, Paul V., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

Mission 316 - 11

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 #43-38248 Jigger Rooche II

P McKeon, Preston W., 2LtCP Kahler, Thoms F., 2LtNAV Smith, Charles W., 2LtTOG Fogarty, Richard T., Jr., SgtTT Lowery, Lloyd, SgtBT Broughton, William A., S/SgtRO Latz, Leslie L., SgtTG Wolski, Walter S., SgtWG Frew, Billis D., Sgt WIA

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

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

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

P Wertz, Robert M., 1Lt POWCP Durst, Melvin A., 2Lt POWNAV Minnis, Karl, 2Lt POWTOG Price, John B., T/Sgt KIATT Warne, Ralph W., T/Sgt KIABT Jensen, Kenneth E., S/Sgt POWRO Giering, Edward J., T/Sgt POWTG Bennett, Kenneth A., Sgt KIAWG Campbell, Walter C., S/Sgt POW

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

P Schlecht, Walter J., 1LtCP Ferrari, Walter J., 2LtNAV Tanner, Merlin A., 2LtTOG Hardin, Joe A., S/SgtTT Hedison, Ara H., S/SgtBT Hocknell, Raymond A., SgtRO Hradiskey, Joseph R., S/SgtTG Herod, William J., S/SgtWG Warburton, Arlis F., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-6977 Better Do’er

P Petersen, William H., 1LtCP Candido, Anthony N., 2LtNAV Bason, William A., 2LtBOM Slauson, Leon H., 2LtTT 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(Abortive Sortie)

Mission 316 - 12

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #42-97311 Shoo Shoo Baby

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., SgtVI Elkin, Samuel, Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-39885 Sweet Rose O'Grady

P Smith, Grafton N., 1LtCP Alderman, Melvin, 2LtNAV Cohen, Leo, F/OTOG Brown, Thomas P., PvtTT Warner, Vester W., T/SgtBT Miller, Raymond M., SgtRO Parker, George F., S/SgtTG Delcher, S/SgtWG Dussliere, Albert L., Sgt (Abortive Sortie)

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

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, SgtSJ Gilbert, M., Sgt(Abortive)