Mission 100 - 1

303rd BG(H) Combat Mission No. 10021 Jan 1944

Target: Construction Sites:A Group, Bois-Coquerel, France

B Group, Bealieu, FranceCrews Dispatched: 29

Length of Mission: 3 hours, 45 minutes

Bomb Load: 12 x 500 lb G.P. bombs

Bombing Altitudes: A - 13,000 ft; B - 12,000 ft

Ammo Fired: 3,360 rounds

This mission was a classic "milk run" – there were no abortions, there were nocasualties, flak was meager and inaccurate at scattered points along the route, therewas no fighter opposition, only two aircraft had minor damage and all aircraft

returned to Molesworth.

The eight aircraft in the 303BG-A Group lead Squadron dropped their bombs in awooded area. The low Squadron of seven aircraft returned with their bombs. Four bombruns were made in the target area, but each time cloud conditions prevented sightings ofthe target. The bombing altitude was 13,000 feet ("A" Group) and 12,000 feet ("B" Group).

Major Cole said, "It was a comparatively easy mission. We didn't see either fightersor flak where we were. We made two runs over the target and our waist gunner said ourbombs hit right in there." Capt. Schulstad remarked, "There was no reason for anybodyto have trouble today. I didn't see a single enemy fighter and the only flak in the areawasn't directed anywhere near us." T/Sgt. Kenneth Fitzsimmons, radio operator on The'8' Ball MK II, finished his tour of operations and said, "I've been sweating this one out andI sure wasn't mad when it turned out to be an easy one."

24 January 1944-Mission RecalledThe weather closing in at bases, caused the recall of 14 Combat Wings, although

58-8th Air Force aircraft bombed last resort targets. The 303rd BG(H) had 39 aircraftairborne–the high Group of the 41st "A" and 41st "B" Combat Wing formations. There wereno abortives. Maj Snyder and Capt Hullar (427BS) led the 303BG-A Group formation. MajMitchell and Capt Lemmon (358BS) led the 303BG-B formation.

NEW 8TH AIR FORCE MISSION RECALL POLICYThis mission, like the 11 January 1944 mission to Oschersleben, was personally

recalled by General Doolittle because of bad weather that threatened to shut downEnglish airfields. Gen Doolittle was rebuked by Gen Tooey Spaatz, who established a newrecall doctrine. The new directive stated that no recall would be issued by 8th Air ForceHeadquarters after the aircraft crossed the enemy coast. Mission Air Commanders wereto be kept advised of changing weather conditions at English Bases and when theanticipated fighter cover could not be recalled. The decision to issue a recall was to bemade by the Air Commanders rather than 8th Air Force Headquarters. The directive led

Mission 100 - 2

Route Map

to problems in coordinating recall actions of the Bomber Air Commanders and the threeFighter Air Commanders. It led to the formation of the 1st Scouting Force, suggested byCol Budd J. Peaslee, Commanding Officer of the 384BG. This force, as part of the 355FG,was piloted by bomber pilots in P-51s who volunteered to serve a 2nd tour for the privilegeof flying fighters. The scouts determined the actual weather ahead of the bomber forcesand relayed this vital information to the bomber Air Commanders. The 2nd and 3rdScouting Forces were established later.

Mission 100 - 3

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group A

Brinkley-Schulstad931

Bordelon Parrott 788 393

Long340

Holdcroft Glass 973 054

Lawlor055

Clark Crook 583 854Litman Lake 810 224 Kyse 893 Stuermer Worthley 785 787 Smith 239

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 100 - 4

The '8' Ball Mk II #41-24635 (359BS) BN-O303rd BG-B - Pilot Maj R.H. Cole / CoPilot Capt G.T. Mackin

(Back L-R) 2Lt Byron F. Clark (N), 2Lt Charles J. McClain (B),Capt George T. Mackin (CP), Maj Richard H. Cole (CP), 2Lt Robert H. Halpen (TG)

(Front L-R) S/Sgt Harley F. Jennings (WG), T/Sgt George R. Keesling (E),T/Sgt Kenneth P. Fitzsimmons (R), T/Sgt Albert C. Santella (WG), S/Sgt LeRoy L. Mace (BT)

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group B

Cole-Mackin635

Stoulil Moncur 807 405

Young306

Hybert Dahleen 314 183

Bech483

Sheets-Dubell 341 Hoeg Wood 616 7875 Barnes 241 Sawyer McGarry 052 9875 Fowler 051

Mission 100 - 5

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-37893 Bam Bam

P Kyse, Walter R., 2LtCP Taylor, James B., 2LtNAV Abernathy, Milton B., 2LtBOM Mack, Austin J., 2LtENG Jones, Douglas L., S/SgtBT Kennard, Royal G., SgtRO Dulin, Woodroe G., S/SgtRWG Schweinebraten, Leslie H., SgtTG Cox, James B., S/SgtLWG Hitt, William T., S/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-39787 Wanton Woman

P Worthley, Joe R., 2LtCP Crook, Kenneth D., 2LtNAV Ratay, Joseph B., 2LtBOM Blum, Eugene C., 2LtENG Johnson, Edwin D., S/SgtBT Vanderhoff, Grant W., SgtRO Egan, Harry R., S/SgtRWG Malherbe, Benjamin F., S/SgtTG Lawson, Fred B., SgtLWG Robinson, Ray I., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-39810 Big A Bird

P Litman, Arnold S., 1LtCP Gorman, Quentin J., 2LtNAV Merthan, Lawrence C., 2LtBOM Stravinsky, Albert W., 2LtENG Smith, George A., S/SgtRWG Lawson, Tracy W., SgtRO Ebbighausen, Francis R., T/SgtBT Witherwax, Leon J., SgtTG Castillo, Buenaventura L., SgtLWG Miller, Victor R., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

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

P Lake, Lester A., Jr., 1LtCP Snyder, Robert W., 2LtNAV Williams, Jack N., 2LtBOM Morrison, James P., 2LtENG Haggerty, Jerome J., S/SgtLWG Delaney, Jessie L., SgtRO Rumpf, Charles W., S/SgtRWG Balzano, Christopher, SgtTG Hunt, John L., SgtBT Chadick, Neal T., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-31239 (No Name)

P Smith, Marshall L., 2LtCP Palecek, Francis J., 2LtNAV Neuwirth, Edward, 2LtBOM Troy, Edward J., 2LtENG Dick, Andrew, S/SgtLWG Schor, John, SgtRO Frolick, Edwin J., S/SgtBT Simon, Gustof J., S/SgtTG Fugate, Walter O., SgtRWG Stauter, Herman L., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-31583 Clover Leaf

P Clark, Martin L., 1LtCP Bass, Julius E., 2LtNAV Steely, Robert H., 1LtBOM Sweet, William T., 1LtENG Quevedo, Alfonso, S/SgtRWG Grsetic, John P., SgtRO Hensley, James C., S/SgtLWG Canale, Michael J., SgtTG Milliff, Mike C., Sgt.BT Brown, Harold J., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

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

P Stuermer, John W., 2LtCP Reynolds, Charles E., 2LtNAV Tielman, William A., 2LtBOM Newman, Clyde D., 2LtENG Harris, David W., S/SgtLWG Rogers, Thomas A., SgtRO Murray, Edward F., S/SgtBT Stark, Joseph, SgtTG Collins, Marvin B., SgtRWG Carroll, Marvin A., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

Mission 100 - 6

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17F #42-5306 (No Name)

P Young, Elmer W., 2LtCP Blossom, George H., 2LtNAV Schoner, George R., 2LtBOM Yelsky, Fred B., 2LtENG Steele, John C., S/SgtRO Dulick, Steve, S/SgtBT Lebeck, Richard H., SgtRWG Rohaly, Andrew, Jr., SgtLWG Withrow, John W., SgtTG Stapelton, Bill, Sgt

B-17G #42-39807 Nero

P Stoulil, Donald W., 2LtCP Callahan, Edward F., 2LtNAV Susskind, Harold A., 2LtBOM Trawicki, George J., 2LtENG Romer, Eugene A., SgtLWG Brown, William F., Jr., SgtRO Owen, James C., SgtBT Holder, Kenneth L., SgtRWG Greene, George P., Jr., SgtTG Turkington, Calvin G., Sgt

B-17G #42-31483 Bonnie B

P Bech, G. Neil, Jr., 2LtCP Hall, Franklin M., 2LtNAV Cotter, Edward R., 2LtBOM Van Zandt, Roland, 2LtENG Sanelli, Floyd L., S/SgtRWG Boatwright, Edward C., SgtRO Dennis, Julian E., S/SgtBT Johnson, Lawrence G., SgtLWG Cundiff, Robert W., SgtTG Cox, Elbert S., Jr., Sgt

B-17G #42-31405 Wallaroo MK II

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

B-17G #42-31314 Scorchy

P Hybert, Arthur J., 2LtCP Harrison, Weldon O., 2LtNAV Lunde, Frithjof M., 2LtBOM Kelly, James H., Jr., 2LtENG Broderick, George V., S/SgtRO Ratford, Edward V., S/SgtRWG Gilcrease, Roland L., SgtBT Jaehne, Charles R., SgtLWG Neathery, Ralph P., SgtTG Barmak, Paul J., Sgt

B-17G #42-31183 Bad Penny

P Dahleen, Howard D., 2LtCP Austin, John T., 2LtNAV Klingensmith, Russell S., 2LtBOM Gauthier, Raymond W., 2LtENG Malcolm, Orrick H., S/SgtRO Swanson, Clifford E., S/SgtRWG Smith, Harding W., SgtLWG Titsworth, William E., SgtBT Hirn, Edward M., SgtTG Covington, Charles G., Sgt

B-17F #41-24635 The '8' Ball MK II

P Cole, Richard H., MajCP Mackin, George T., CaptNAV Clark, Byron F., 2LtBOM McClain, Charles J., 2LtENG Keesling, George R., T/SgtRWG Santella, Albert G., S/SgtRO Fitzsimmons, Kenneth P., T/SgtBT Mace, LeRoy L., S/SgtLWG Jennings, Harley F., S/SgtTG Halpin, Robert H., 2Lt

Mission 100 - 7

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17F #42-5393 Thumper Again

P Parrott, John H., LtCP McGrath, Leo B., LtNAV Volk, Anthony D., LtBOM Walter, George M., LtENG Levin, Meyer, T/SgtLWG Green, Jack E., S/SgtRO DeWitte, Victor W., S/SgtBT Mayfield, James E., SgtRWG Huddleston, D.O., SgtTG Laible, Gilbert N., Sgt

B-17G #42-31055 Aloha

P Lawlor, John C., Jr., LtCP Hicks, David F., LtNAV Munroe, Linton S., Jr., LtBOM Barker, Havelock W., LtENG Tower, Jack W., S/SgtRWG Baker, Nelson, SgtRO Esposito, Frank B., S/SgtLWG Krenek, Joe W., SgtBT Kuntashian, Warren V., Sgt TG Butler, Raymond K., Sgt

B-17F #42-5054 Belle of San Joaquin

P Glass, Henry F., LtCP McMahan, Eugene A. LtNAV Pepe, Nicholas A., LtBOM Robrock, Paul A., LtENG Carbillano, Dominick J., SgtLWG Stellato, Francis A., SgtRO Miller, Gordon R., S/SgtRWG Patrone, Frank, S/SgtBT Michael, David O., SgtTG Roberts, James E., Sgt

B-17F #42-2973 Iza Vailable

P Holdcroft, Lloyd L., LtCP Chapman, John M., LtNAV Pace, Charles M., LtBOM O'Donnell, John J., LtENG DeMarco, John A., S/SgtRWG Hustus, Walter L., SgtRO Crowder, Gayther B., T/SgtLWG Slusser, Walter C., SgtBT Kern, Lloyd F., SgtTG Krumholz, Robert A., SgtPHO Lovett, William F., Sgt

B-17F #42-5854 Alley Oop

P Crook, Charles D., LtCP Evans, Ernest N., LtNAV Davis, Roscoe, LtBOM DeLuca, Joseph, F/OENG Breitenbach, Louis H., S/SgtRWG Chavez, Salvador, SgtRO Hannan, Robert J., S/SgtLWG Williams, Norris R., SgtBT Cheek, Roy A., SgtTG Hensley, James H., Sgt

B-17F #42-5788 A.O.G. Not in Stock

P Bordelon, Berton A., LtCP Coons, Charles L., LtNAV Cromwell, Frederick P., LtBOM Cottrell, John W., LtENG Barker, Forrest, S/SgtRWG Adams, Donald K., SgtRO Mirkin, Herman H., T/SgtLWG Patterson, Harry L., SgtBT Harrington, Joseph F., SgtTG Couch, Ted, Sgt

B-17G #42-31340 Miss Liberty

P Long, John A., LtCP Earhart, Amon E., LtNAV Carroll, George M., LtBOM Cascio, Guiseppe, LtENG Wilson, Clarence G., T/SgtLWG Ledley, Albert J., S/SgtRO Jennings, Ralph T., T/SgtRWG Henson, Mace, S/SgtTG Orlando, Anthony T., S/SgtBT Logan, Frank C., S/Sgt

B-17F #42-29931 Satan's Workshop

P Brinkley, Pharis C., 1LtCP Schulstad, Louis M., CaptNAV Becker, Sylvester J., LtBOM DeSousa, John, Jr., LtENG Worthington, Arthur J., T/SgtRWG Lance, Guy A., S/SgtRO Snyder, Richard N., T/SgtLWG Ferguson, Charles R., S/SgtBT Reid, Harold C., S/SgtTG Huguenin, Wesley V., LtPAS Rein, William E., S/Sgt

Mission 100 - 8

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-37875 Empress of D Street

P Wood, Vere A., LtCP Knutson, Wilmer A., LtNAV Pinnette, William S., LtBOM Brown, Thomas G., LtENG Snider, Otto L., S/Sgt BT Grant, Thomas V., S/SgtRO Brooks, Winnie R., S/SgTG Helton, Edward, SgtRWG Heathershaw, Charles L., SgtLWG Tevis, John E., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-39875 Buzz Blonde

P McGarry, John J., Jr., LtCP Cotham, Willie C., LtNAV Halligan, Robert W., LtBOM Foe, Kenneth D., LtENG Grace, Henry J., S/SgtBT Friedman, Ira, SgtRO Wilson, Elmer A., S/SgtTG Kowalonek, Walter A., SgtLWG Brown, Edgar S., SgtRWG Hilborn, Ervin, Sgt

B-17G #42-31616 Spirit of Flak Wolf

P Hoeg, Kenneth A., F/OCP O'Hare, Phil W., LtNAV Olsen, Kenneth L., LtBOM Cronin, Ernest L., LtENG Relyea, Ralph R., S/SgtBT McMahan, Bonnar P., SgtRO O'Connor, William S., S/SgtTG Vargas, Michael A., SgtLWG McFall, Leonard C., SgtRWG McLaughlin, Jesse W., Sgt

B-17F #42-5341 Vicious Virgin

P Sheets, Robert W., LtCP Dubell, Richard P., CaptNAV Brown, Elmer L., LtBOM McCormick, James E., LtENG Neuner, Francis X., S/SgtBT King, Earl J., SgtRO Du Bray, Ernest D., S/SgtTG Sullens, Tom C., SgtLWG Donnelly, James F., SgtRWG Smith, Leonard C., Sgt

B-17G #42-31241 Spirit of Wanette

P Barnes, Deane L., LtCP Raistrick, Albert G., LtNAV Randall, Everett Z., LtBOM Roode, William A.T., LtENG Sparks, Willie T., S/SgtBT Chancellor, John R., SgtRO Doyle, Edward J., S/SgtTG Underwood, Clifford B., SgtLWG Winters, Craig W., SgtRWG Price, John B., Sgt

B-17G #42-38051 My Yorkshire Dream

P Fowler, James F., LtCP Rawlings, Bernard W., LtNAV Thompson, Joseph C., LtBOM Taylor, Alvin L., LtENG Finley, Curtis E., T/SgtRWG Jackson, Miller O., SgtRO Dinwiddie, Donald J., S/SgtTG Ferguson, Jack D., SgtBT Arrington, Richard, S/SgtLWG Zimmer, Loren E., Sgt

B-17F #42-5052 Mizpah

P Sawyer, Frederick W., LtCP Sayers, Darwin D., LtNAV Arvanites, George L., LtBOM Umphress, F.E., Jr., Lt ENG Weed, Lowrey A., Jr., S/SgtBT Teno, James R., SgtRO Cohen, Leo, S/SgtTG La Frenier, James E., SgtLWG Wright, Edgar A., SgtRWG Kotel, Tofil P., SgtPHO Mulberry, Harold F., Sgt