Mission 130 - 1

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 13028 March 1944

Target: Dijon/Longvic Airdromes, FranceCrews Dispatched: 20

Length of Mission: 6 hours, 30 minutes

Bomb Load: 42 x 65 lb M-47A1 Incendiary bombs

Bombing Altitude: 16,900 ft

Ammo Fired: 440 rounds

Another Nazi airfield was partially missing after being visited by 303rd BG(H)Fortresses. With perfect visibility at 16,900 feet, Group bombardiers could take timeto position for the run-up on the target. 838 65-lb. M47A1 incendiary bombs

dropped in a compact mass on the building in the corner of the airdrome. Tall plumes ofsmoke could be seen rising from the burning building and petrol dumps 150 miles awayfrom the target.

In many respects, it was one of the best missions ever executed by the 303rdBG(H). In addition to the good bombing, there was no opposition of any kind–enemyfighters or flak. The bombers flew a perfect bombing formation. The fighter escort, mostlyP-47s, was present throughout the mission, although there were no German airplanes inthe air. Only a few very distant bursts of anti-aircraft fire were seen. There were nocasualties and no battle damage to the B-17s. All aircraft returned safely to Molesworth.

Capt. Louis M. Schulstad, Group Air Commander said, "It was the most perfectmission I've ever been on. Absolutely no opposition and bombing couldn't have beenbetter." 1Lt. Edwin H. Assenheimer, a Fortress pilot said, "The visibility was unlimited andwe could see the target for half an hour before we got to it. We had a good chance toplaster it and the bombardiers did a good job." S/Sgt. Charles W. Robb, tail gunner said,"When we were 150 miles away from the target on the way home I could still see smokecoming up from the field."

A total of 117 Eighth Air Force B-17s dropped 902 x 500 General Purpose and 1718x 65 Incendiary bombs - 280 tons - from 16,900 feet at 1442 to 1453 hours. TheDijon/Longvic Airdrome is an operational base for twin-engine fighters, probably ME-110s.In the main hangar-administration area on the west side of the airfield, two heavyconcentrations of incendiaries and one concentration of G.P. bombs were seen. Fireswere started in two of five large double-bay hangars and damage was expected to besevere. Two square-type hangars received direct incendiary hits and were burning fiercely.A large workshop was hit. The whole administration area was covered by incendiaries. Inthe hangar-workshop area on the northwest side of the field, a three-bay hangar receivedthree direct hits and was severely damaged. Four workshops received direct hits and twoof them were completely demolished. Blast damage by near misses on four mediumworkshops could be seen. Twenty-nine medium, four S/E enemy aircraft and one twin-fuselage enemy aircraft were seen on the field. Four medium enemy aircraft weredamaged.

Mission 130 - 2

This photo was taken from the camera pit in Thunderbird on March 28, 1944. The target was an

airfield at Dijon, France. Bomb strikes can be seen in one area of buildings. A following group of

fortresses wiped out the next group of buildings, while a third group demolished the third group of

buildings. The airfield was completely destroyed.

From the Journal of Vern L. Moncur, 359th BS PilotMISSION #25

Date: March 28, 1944Target: Dijon, FranceAltitude: 16,900 feet

Plane: U-050 "Thunderbird"Position: No. 4, Lead Squadron, Low Group

This was the easiest mission we were ever on. We did not have a singleshot fired at our group, and our bombing was excellent. There wasn't a cloud in thesky, and it really was pleasure to see how nice and pretty everything looked inFrance. Our altitude was low enough to be comfortable and warm.

This was one of the very few raids which we didn't pick up any battledamage to the plane. Again there was no injury to the crew.

Mission 130 - 3

Commendation

Received from Brigadier General Robert B. Williams

on 22 April, 1944

1. The outstanding performance of duty rendered by the 303rd Bombardment Group onthe attack 28 March 1944 at Dijon/Longvic, occupied France, is continued evidence of theexcellent teamwork contributed by combat personnel of your organization in sustainedoperations.

2. Interpretation of Strike Attack Photographs resulted in the following tabulatedpercentages of the total bombs identified.

Bombs within 500 feet of A.P. twenty-four (24) percent

Bombs within 1000 feet of A.P. sixty-eight (68) percent

Bombs within 2000 feet of A.P. one hundred (100) percent

3. The exemplary teamwork exhibited by the following personnel, 359th BombardmentSquadron, lead aircraft of the group formation, is reflected in the remarkable resultsattained. It is gratifying to note that Lieutenant Hoover and Lieutenant Schoner haveagain demonstrated a high degree of skill and coordination as members of a combatteam.

1Lt. Billy M. Goolsby 0-676778 Pilot

Capt. Louis M. Schulstad 0-442237 Co-Pilot

2Lt. George R. Schoner 0-738667 Navigator

2Lt. William L. Hoover 0-746720 Bombardier

2Lt. Victor T. Gorecki, Jr. 0-672798 Tail Gunner

T/Sgt. Donald Bumgarner 36026873 Engineer

T/Sgt. Chester W. Greenhalgh 11136123 Radio Operator

S/Sgt. William Chraniuk 32438176 Ball Turret Gunner

S/Sgt. Harry J. Rothrock 15334202 Waist Gunner

S/Sgt. Frank Z. Cueto 12156789 Waist Gunner

ROBERT B. WILLIAMS

Brigadier General, U.S. Army

Commanding

Mission 130 - 4

Route Map

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 GunnerNG - Nose GunnerRG - Radio GunnerWG - Waist GunnerLWG - Left Waist GunnerRWG - Right Waist GunnerGUN - Gunner

VI - Voice InterpreterOBS - ObserverPAS - PassengerPHO - Photographer

RESULTS OF MISSIONKIA - Killed in actionWIA - Wounded in actionMIA - Missing in actionPOW - Prisoner of war

DOW - Died of woundsEVD - Evaded the enemyINT - Interned in neu cntryREP - RepatriatedRES - RescuedESC - EscapedBO - Bailed outDCH - DitchedCR-L - Crashed on landCR-S - Crashed at sea

Mission 130 - 5

B-17G #42-97546 Idaliza (360BS) PU-E

In front of Hangar "K". The Contro l Tower is just out of the picture to the right.

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point

Schulstad-Goolsby168

Hybert Savage 830 213

Moncur050

Newell Assenheimer 405 386

Taylor Harrison 669 241Ferguson Moreau Wood Jones 224 754 483 051 Gorman Flesh 622 020Viets Ames Headlee Shope 617 002 885 807 Larson Estes 785 546

Hofmann Earhart Spare - 037 Spare - 204

Mission 130 - 6

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-39785 Thru Hel'en Hiwater

P Larson, Roy A., 2LtCP Duncan, Ronald E., 2LtNAV Mikulich, Louis F., 2LtBOM Wilson, Claud, Jr., 2LtENG Campbell, Thomas J., SgtBT Brim, Lee R., SgtRO Culp, Everett E., SgtLWG Schinker, Arthur W., SgtTG Hodge, Herman L., SgtRWG Gamon, Edward J., Sgt

B-17G #42-31224 Hell in the Heavens

P Ferguson, Wendell Z., 2LtCP Moody, James D., 2LtNAV Brown, James F., 2LtBOM Schmid, Ralph D., 2LtENG Matthews, David R., SgtLWG Smithson, Clyde E., SgtRO Phillips, Robert B., S/SgtRWG Rogers, Thomas J., SgtTG Brooks, Richard S., SgtBT Rhodes, Kenneth G., Sgt

B-17G #42-97622 Paper Dollie

P Gorman, Quentin J., 1LtCP Knight, R.A., 2LtNAV Williams, Jack N., 2LtBOM Morrison, James P., 2LtENG Gonsalves, John D., S/SgtBT Swain, Norman F., PvtRO Rabun, Clifford G., SgtLWG Johnston, Wendell B., SgtTG Angelo, George L., S/SgtRWG Hodgins, Robert A., Sgt

B-17G #42-31669 Shoo Shoo Baby

P Taylor, James B., 1LtCP Hall, Charles M., 2LtNAV Binder, Carroll, Jr., 2LtBOM Israelson, Elmer P., 2LtENG Jones, Douglas J., S/SgtBT Czeczotka, Theodore R., SgtRO Dulin, Woodroe G., S/SgtRWG Schweinebraten, Leslie H., SgtTG Cox, James B., S/SgtLWG Loveland, William H., Sgt

B-17G #42-31754 (No Name)

P Moreau, Joseph A., 2LtCP Hudson, Hendric S., 2LtNAV Kelly, William T., 2LtBOM Larson, Albert W., 2LtENG Rossman, Carl H., SgtRWG Tate, Royce G., SgtRO Lowe, Gareth W., SgtLWG Tomasini, Michael, SgtTG Fox, Howard E., SgtBT Ross, Ben A., Sgt

B-17G #42-107002 Mairzy Doats

P Ames, Walter J., Jr., 2LtCP Howell, Ernest F., 2LtNAV Williams, Grover C., 2LtBOM Campbell, William D., 2LtENG West, Jerome H., SgtRWG Stafford, Sheldon A., SgtRO Lesser, Edward R., SgtLWG Strickland, Frank L., SgtTG MacFarland, Kendall H., S/SgtBT Stone, Robert L., Jr., Sgt

B-17G #42-97617 (No Name)

P Viets, John B., 2LtCP Bennett, John C., 2LtNAV Heibert, David C., F/OBOM Rodgers, Burton, 2LtENG Robinson, Frank E., S/SgtLWG Madarchik, Michael, SgtRO York, Franklin F., S/SgtRWG Rademacher, Don J., SgtTG Ferrell, William R., SgtBT Holland, Ambrose J., Sgt

B-17G #42-32037 (No Name)

P Hofmann, Raymond, 2LtCP Brothers, Calvin S., 2LtNAV Levy, Herbert E., 2LtBOM Feinman, Milton, 2LtENG Blakeney, William R., Jr., S/SgtBT Crenshaw, Ollie G., SgtRO Berman, Seymour, S/SgtRWG Miller, David I., SgtLWG Lawson, Tracy W., S/SgtTG Castello, Benaventura L., S/Sgt(Spare)

Mission 130 - 7

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-31830 Marie

P Hybert, Arthur J., 1LtCP Calwell, Lucien B., 2LtNAV Carey, William D., 2LtBOM Corbin, Frederick A., F/OENG Broderick, George V., S/SgtRO Ratford, Edward V., S/SgtRWG Gilcrease, Roland L., SgtBT Jaehne, Charles R., S/SgtTG Barmak, Paul J., S/SgtLWG Neathery, Ralph P., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-31386 Sky Duster

P Assenheimer, Edwin H., 1LtP Sassone, Joseph C., 2LtNAV Palmer, Gerald M., 1LtBOM Livermore, William D., 1LtENG Mayhugh, John C., S/SgtRO Mouser, Lloyd C., T/SgtLWG Jones, Derrell S., S/SgtRWG Hermann, Kurt J., II, T/SgtBT Franceschini, James V., SgtTG Robb, Charles W., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-38050 Thunderbird

P Moncur, Vern L., 1LtCP Peterson, Edwin V., 2LtNAV Brooks, James, 2LtBOM Chang, David K.S., 2LtENG Rosier, Robert L., S/SgtRO Andrus, James S., S/SgtBT Hein, Walter E., S/SgtRWG Baer, Richard K., S/SgtLWG Dickman, Thomas J., S/SgtTG Wike, Leonard L., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-31213 Pistol Packin' Mama

P Savage, John N., 1LtCP Marsh, Richard K., 2LtNAV Walsh, Myles J., 2LtBOM Joyce, John D., 2LtENG Davis, Eugene B., S/SgtRO Minks, George A., S/SgtBT Munson, James E., S/SgtTG Moessner, Raymond J., S/SgtLWG Rogers, Warren G., SgtRWG Dean, Raymond N., Sgt

B-17G #42-31405 Wallaroo MK II

P Newell, Noel N., 1LtCP Donalson, Douglas C., 2LtBOM Sanders, Coleman, 2LtBOM Yelsky, Fred B., 2LtENG Freinwald, Earl C., T/SgtRWG McGee, Richard, S/SgtRO Weepie, Robert F., T/SgtLWG Mendel, Myron R., S/SgtBT Hart, Edgar B., S/SgtTG Atkinson, William E., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-38168 Dear Mom

P Goolsby, Billy M., 1LtCP Schulstad, Louis M., CaptNAV Schoner, George R., 2LtBOM Hoover, William L., 2LtENG Bumgarner, Donald, T/SgtRO Greenhalgh, Chester W., T/SgtLWG Rothrock, Harry J., S/SgtBT Chraniuk, William, S/SgtRWG Cueto, Frank Z., S/SgtTG Gorecki, Victor T., 2Lt

Mission 130 - 8

Dear Mom #42-33168 (359BS) BN-M41st CBW Low (359BS) - Pilot 1Lt B.M. Goolsby / CoPilot Capt L.M Schulstad

(Back L-R) 2Lt V.T. Gorecki (TG-O), 2Lt W.L. Hoover (B),

1Lt B.M. Goolsby (P), 2Lt G.R. Schoner (N), Capt L.M. Schulstad (CP)

(Front L-R) T/Sgt C.W. Greenhalgh (R), S/Sgt W. Chraniuk (BT),

T/Sgt D. Bumgarner (E), S/Sgt F.Z. Cueto (WG), S/Sgt H.J. Rothrock (WG)

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew List

B-17G #42-38204 (No Name)

P Earhart, Amon E., 1LtCP O'Beirne, Nelson B., 2LtNAV Shipp, Gene K., 2LtBOM Dello Buono, Thomas J., 2LtENG Henselman, Miles A., S/SgtRO Blumberg, Marvin R., S/SgtBT Faraone, Sam S., SgtTG Studt, Allo L., SgtRWG Rogers, Winford E., SgtLWG Cammack, Francis C., Sgt(Spare)

Mission 130 - 9

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-31483 Bonnie B

P Wood, Vere A., 1LtCP Knutson, Wilmer A., 2LtNAV Pinnette, William S., 2LtBOM Brown, Thomas G., 2LtTT Tevis, John E., S/SgtBT Grant, Thomas V., S/SgtRO Brooks, Winnie R., T/SgtRWG Heathershaw, Charles L., S/SgtTG Helton, Edward, S/SgtLWG Wright, Edgar A., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-39807 Nero

P Shope, George W., Jr., 1LtCP Jenkins, Elton L., 2LtNAV Landry, Robert J., 2LtBOM Meagher, Robert W., 2LtTT Relyea, Ralph R., T/SgtRO Cohen, Leo, T/SgtBT Plante, Royal F., S/SgtTG Smith, Nyle F., S/SgtLWG Doyle, Robert V., S/SgtRWG Hadley, Owen W., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-38020 V-Packet

P Flesh, William R., 1LtCP Greenwood, Ernest G., 2LtNAV Kurnik, Walter F., 2LtBOM Biedanski, Edmund J., 2LtTT Souder, Lee F., Jr., SgtRO Benevento, Andrew G., S/SgtBT McMahan, Bonnar P., S/SgtTG McLaughlin, Jesse W., S/SgtLWG Kossin, Jack, S/SgtRWG Rider, Wilbert, Sgt

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

P Headlee, Dale C., 2LtCP O'Hare, Phil W., 2LtNAV Schweitzer, Jerome D., 2LtBOM Handley, Donald J., 2LtENG Klunk, James A., S/SgtBT Teno, James R., S/SgtRO Moberg, Chester H., S/SgtTG Hoff, Henry, S/SgtLWG Wilson, Robert J., S/SgtRWG Kyle, Clarence, S/Sgt

B-17G #42-38051 My Yorkshire Dream

P Jones, Wilbur H., 2LtCP Wallace, Walstein W., 2LtNAV Skarsten, Albert B., 2LtBOM Kennedy, William J., 2Lt TT Weed, Lowrey A., Jr., S/SgtBT Calnon, Frederick N., S/SgtRO Kosher, Albert J., SgtTG Underwood, Clifford B., S/SgtLWG Thompson, Frederick A., SgtRWG Dimowitz, Morris, Sgt

B-17G #42-31241 Spirit of Wanette

P Harrison, Emmittes S., Jr., 1LtCP Bastean, Stephen B., 2LtNAV Peacock, Lawrence A., 1LtBOM Umphress, F.E., Jr., 2LtENG Rombach, Joseph H., T/SgtBT Dye, James W., S/SgtRO Volmer, Lawrence O., T/SgtTG LaFrenier, James E., S/SgtLWG Campbell, Kenneth H., S/SgtRWG Hawk, Kenneth L., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-97546 Idaliza

P Estes, Shirley W., LtCP Byers, Ballard T., LtNAV Shemwell, John T., 2LtBOM Minter, Thomas W., LtTT Price, Jack J., S/SgtBT Wiley, Nathan H., SgtRO Wagner, Wayne, S/SgtTG Ross, Samuel C., S/SgtRWG Silrum, Orvis K., SgtLWG Ford, Thomas P., Sgt(Abortive)