1 January 1945 -- Mission #220 -- Target: Engers

1 January 1945 Mission #220 Target: Engers

On this first day of the New Year, the Eighth Air Force’s relentless bombing of heartland Germany continued on pace. For this date, the Kronprinz Bridge north of Koblenz across the Rhine was targeted for the Group. General briefings were held between 0500 and 0600 for (29) aircrews. At 0815 hours, (27) bombers began launch but poor weather over the Continent consisting of rain and fog hampered bombing. The lead squadron bombed the primary by GH methods with unobserved results. The remaining two squadrons did not release due to weather. A total of (86) 1000 and 2000# GPs were released by the first squadron over. On the return leg, strong winds aloft forced a number of bomber5 to land at Le Culot in Belgium and at coastal fields in. England. Lieutenant Kaiser’s crew of the 578th was reported to have bailed out but later it was learned that the crew had crashed their bomber safely on an Allied strip on the Continent. Among those crews having to land short in Europe due to low fuel were Lieutenant Brandt’s in #560, Nehring’s in #040, Harcus’ in #340 and Lieutenant Myers in #906. Only about one-half of the crews were able to recover at Wendling from this mission. No fighters were seen but flak was accurate enough to damage (11) B-24s. Those recovering at base landed around 1525 hours.

After dropping his bombs at 1317 hours, 1/Lt Brandt ran short of fuel. Engineer T/Sgt John Chelenyak transferred all available fuel to keep the two inboard engines running as long as possible. When the third engine stopped, there was only enough fuel to get down to 1,000 feet -- and then that engine died too. 1/Lt Brandt "mushed" the air to try and slow down their descent. According to T/Sgt Chelenyak, it was due to Roger Brandt's "superior flying ability and experience" that "he was able to crash land the plane wheels up all intact without any injuries to his crew. Roger Brandt had asked the crew to bail out if they wanted to -- but after he said he was going to try to take it down, we all agreed to go with him." 1/Lt Brandt made a belly landing in a cornfield near Mons, Belgium. Sgt Harmon kicked out the large side window after they got down and that is how he, S/Sgt Johnson, S/Sgt Richardson, and Sgt Harmon exited the plane. 2/Lt Copple, 1/Lt Boettcher, 2/Lt Fabiani, 1/Lt Brandt, and T/Sgt Chelenyak got out via the top forward hatch. On 3 January 1945, the 5th Strategic Air Depot at Merville, France, informed the 392nd via teletype that the Brandt crew was there, awaiting transportation back to England. The crew enjoyed the hospitality of Mons for 7 days before they were flown back to England.

This photo of #41-29560, nicknamed "Rat Poison," was probably taken in the spring of 1945

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CREW LOADING LIST FOR
1 JANUARY 1945

MISSION #220 Target: Engers

1 Jan 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 659

P Peterson, T.W. 1st Lt.
CP Rohe, J.M. 2nd Lt.
N Damerst, W.A. 2nd Lt.
B Lawson, R.F. 2nd Lt.
E Bruney, G.L. T/Sgt.
R Green, C.H. T/Sgt.
RW Hankins, T.E. S/Sgt.
LW Mitchell, D.F. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Hoffman, G.A. S/Sgt.
PN Sullivan, A.P. 2nd Lt.

1 Jan 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 031

P Linzmeier, R.B. 2nd Lt.
CP Fisher, R.M. 2nd Lt.
N Vealey, S.L. F/O
B Schutze, G.C. 2nd Lt.
E Connor, E.J. S/Sgt.
R Hughes, C.B. Sgt.
RW Downing, J.E. Sgt.
LW Specht, C.O. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Watts, F. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 387

P Yasi, R.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Blanton, G.L. 2nd Lt.
N Hamilton, P.L. 2nd Lt.
B Johnson, F. 2nd Lt.
E Taylor, B.D. T/Sgt.
R Nalette, T.A. Sgt.
RW Pasko, W.J. Sgt.
LW Hensler, L.P. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Tingle, J.B. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 409

P Raczko, W. 2nd Lt.
CP McGill, C.L. 2nd Lt.
N Cline, A.P. F/O
B Feldman, P. 2nd Lt.
E Reynolds, J.R. Sgt.
R VanDeven, J.K. Sgt.
RW Holland, J.R. Sgt.
LW Parker, R.J. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Adkins, J.E. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 194

P Bell, J.W. 1st Lt.
CP Guegold, R.L. 2nd Lt.
N Forbes, L.R. 1st Lt.
B Wilson, H.W. 1st Lt.
E Radzikowski, L.S. T/Sgt.
R Cheshire, W.T. T/Sgt.
RW Noltkamper, A.A. T/Sgt.
LW Zwolinski, V.W. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Geron, H.E. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 480

P Smith, K.A. 1st Lt.
CP Perkins, G.A. 2nd Lt.
N Maceyra, E. 2nd Lt.
NG Dodge, H.F. Sgt.
E Benadum, T.E. T/Sgt.
R Carlstrand, R.E. T/Sgt.
RW Flesey, R.J. S/Sgt.
LW Connor, P.P. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Rubinstein, S.J. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 340

P Harcus, R.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Thompson, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Adler, M.N. 2nd Lt.
B - -
E Thomas, E. Sgt.
R Shanley, J.V. Sgt.
RW Wattles, L.C. S/Sgt.
LW Marshall, L.C. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Rosenberg, J.E. Sgt.
NG Brennan, R.W. Sgt.
RCM Cauchon, L.N. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 650

P Earl, P.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Smiley, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Perkins, R.W. 2nd Lt.
B Creme, A.R. 2nd Lt.
E Woods, R.E. Sgt.
R Irish, E.W. Sgt.
RW Marchetta, A. Sgt.
LW Keith, D.N. Pvt.
BT - -
TG Schafer, J.G. Sgt.
S-27 Helpern, H.M. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 489

P Kilmer, W.A. 1st Lt.
CP McConnell, C.W. 1st Lt.
N Isakson, E.J. 1st Lt.
B Sexton, W.C. 1st Lt.
E Cappello, E.J. T/Sgt.
R Chambers, R.L. T/Sgt.
RW Spears, D.D. S/Sgt.
LW Coffman, J.G. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Turner, E.C. S/Sgt.
RCM George, O. T/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 560

P Brandt, R.M. 1st Lt.
CP Fabiani, H.L. 2nd Lt.
N Boettcher, R.E. 1st Lt.
B Copple, R.N. 2nd Lt.
E Chelenyak, J.A. T/Sgt.
R Abraham, L.J. T/Sgt.
RW Richardson, W.C. S/Sgt.
LW Johnson, E.W. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Harmon, G.E. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 040

P Nehring, E.H. 1st Lt.
CP Trigilio, G.J. 2nd Lt.
N Farrar, R.B. 2nd Lt.
B - -
E McJunkin, F.R. T/Sgt.
R Dobson, H.J. T/Sgt.
RW Koegen, F.J. S/Sgt.
LW Harrow, K.J. S/Sgt.
BT Thomas, W.J. S/Sgt.
TG Kent, C.L. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 448

P Jordan, T.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Osojnicki, E.S. 2nd Lt.
N Sprosty, A.O. 2nd Lt.
NG Kirol, J. S/Sgt.
E Kinzler, S.J. T/Sgt.
R Brown, LE. T/Sgt.
RW Davis, T.N. S/Sgt.
LW Meister, R.H. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Kwiatowski, L.P. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 906

P Myers, C.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Anderson, K.W. 2nd Lt.
N Warntz, W. F/O
B Zgurich, E.E. 2nd Lt.
E Payton, J.B. Sgt.
R Jaklinski, B. Sgt.
RW Gillette, R.E. Sgt.
LW Thornton, A.H. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Kirk, G.A. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 164

P Enyart, D.W. 1st Lt.
CP Froehlich, S.S. 2nd Lt.
N Mertens, J.A. 2nd Lt.
B Snyderman, J. 2nd Lt.
E Aycock, C.E. T/Sgt.
R Gersten, G. t/Sgt.
RW Mohan, V.L. Sgt.
LW Arneson, J.A. Sgt.
BT Watson, C.B. S/Sgt.
TG Barlow, S.N. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 313

P Clower, W.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Reel, H.D. 2nd Lt.
N Williams, R.B. 2nd Lt.
B - -
E Tomaszewski, E.A. S/Sgt.
R Stroh, J.E. S/Sgt.
RW Galvin, G.M. Sgt.
LW Schumacher, A.H. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Hendrickson, R.H. Sgt.
NG Letourneau, D.R. Sgt.
RCM Lambert, E.G. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 151

P Dodson, G.H. 2nd Lt.
CP Jordan, E.B. 2nd Lt.
N Fletcher, W.J. 2nd Lt.
B Hochard, H.H. Cpl.
E Herrera, D.R. Cpl.
R Green, J.M. Cpl.
RW Allendorf, V.G. Cpl.
LW Peterson, F.H. Cpl.
BT - -
TG Jenkins, C.E. Cpl.

1 Jan 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 249 (no mission credit)

P Hoover, J.A. 2nd Lt.
CP Douglass, G.E. 2nd Lt.
N Fetter, G.R. F/O
B - -
E Marlowe, J.D. S/Sgt.
R Affinito, L.J. Sgt.
RW Janak, E.G. Sgt.
LW Gayda, F.M. Sgt.
BT Fitzgerald, T.R. Sgt.
TG Jones, L.A. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 241

P Downs, H.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Bickham, T.E. 2nd Lt.
N McKay, R.P. 2nd Lt.
B - -
E Lim, D.P. Sgt.
R Spicketts, J.G. Sgt.
RW Crane, T.P. Sgt.
LW Cinquina, E.A. Sgt.
BT Weatherman, H.W. Sgt.
TG Szerdi, A.W. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 446

P Rose, P.E. 1st Lt.
CP Pratt, D.M. 2nd Lt.
N Rohde, C.R. 2nd Lt.
B Harnden, R.G. 2nd Lt.
E Scott, W.A. T/Sgt.
R Croy, O.N. T/Sgt.
RW Davidson, S.A. S/Sgt.
LW Manelick, N.L. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Beane, H.A. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 268

P Kaiser, P.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Casstevens, R.C. 2nd Lt.
N Hoffman, W.A. F/O
B Martin, M. 2nd Lt.
E Krutys, E.V. S/Sgt.
R Brown, P.E. S/Sgt.
RW McGregor, W.B. S/Sgt.
LW Kilroy, B.R. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Wilkerson, L.D. Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 240

P Wood, D.R. 2nd Lt.
CP McCormick, J.J. 2nd Lt.
N Satterthwait, D.R. F/O
B Segraves, W.D. 2nd Lt.
E Morgan, K.W. S/Sgt.
R Fleischmann, R.L. S/Sgt.
RW McCormick, F.L. S/Sgt.
LW Stuck, W.F. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Wright, A.P. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 186

P Miller, D.E. 1st Lt.
CP Wilson, T.T. 1st Lt.
N Moos, J.C. 1st Lt.
B Inamorato, J.T. 1st Lt.
E Myers, L.P. T/Sgt.
R Luczak, H.J. T/Sgt.
RW Duerr, E.E. S/Sgt.
LW Agoglia, E.J. S/Sgt.
BT Faulstick, A.F. S/Sgt.
TG Shea, H.A. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 121

P Bell, W.M. 1st Lt.
CP Pope, C.H. 1st Lt.
N Cole, R.W. 1st Lt.
NG Bross, J.H. S/Sgt.
E Morse, J.H. T/Sgt.
R Clough, R.W. T/Sgt.
RW Case, R.F. S/Sgt.
LW Onstot, P.O. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Divers, C.B. S/Sgt.
RCM Appel, N.S. S/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 838

P Clarke, J.C. 2nd Lt.
CP Mackey, O. 2nd Lt.
N Eaton, C.B. 2nd Lt.
B Lowe, R.C. 2nd Lt.
E Brunett, E.C. T/Sgt.
R Brown, J.T. T/Sgt.
RW Peer, G.R. S/Sgt.
LW Heckman, J.K. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Killea, K.B. S/Sgt.
RCM Smith, E.L. T/Sgt.

1 Jan 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 899

P Sincock, W.R. 1st Lt.
CP Johnston, N.F. 2nd Lt.
N Balides, T. 1st Lt.
B Williams, A.R. 1st Lt.
E Swisher, W.O. T/Sgt.
R Ostrove, H. T/Sgt.
RW Domme, E.W. S/Sgt.
LW Manshack, B.R. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Peth, P.J. S/Sgt.
NV Bader, C.J. 2nd Lt.
PN Levin, W. 1st Lt.

1 Jan 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 519

P Miller, W.L. 1st Lt.
CP Cassity, J.J. 1st Lt.
N Mohr, J. 1st Lt.
B Mackelfresh, T.H. 1st Lt.
E Prach, F.T. T/Sgt.
R Hagopian, H.A. T/Sgt.
RW Hedges, N.E. S/Sgt.
LW Moles, W.F. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Walters, L. S/Sgt.
NG Gillett, F.A. 1st Lt.
NV Sprowls, R.W. 1st Lt.

1 Jan 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 459

P Porter, H.K. 1st Lt.
CP Bolstridge, C. 1st Lt.
N Behr, A.J. 2nd Lt.
B Fletcher, A.S. 1st Lt.
E DeSario, J.L. T/Sgt.
R Nero, R.A. T/Sgt.
RW Bennett, G.H. S/Sgt.
LW Amato, J.J. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Putnam, N.I. S/Sgt.
PN Cleverdon, R.N. 2nd Lt.
MV Kopecky, R.H. 2nd Lt.

Maj. H. Sather flew with the 44th Bomb Group in the GH aircraft.

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MISSING AIR CREW REPORT SECTION

1 JANUARY 1945 TARGET: ENGERS

MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #11239 AIRCR4AFT: #42-51268 "PLEASANT SURPRISE" "F-Bar" 49th Mission

AIRCREW: KAISER * SQUADRON: 578th

CREW POSITIONS AND STATUS:
P 2/LT Kaiser, Phillip W. RTD CP 2/LT Casstevens, Ralph C. RTD N F/O Hoffman, William A. RTD B 2/LT Martin, Michael RTD R/O S/SGT Brown, Paul E. RTD EnG S/SGT Krutys, Eugene V. RTD WG S/SGT Kilroy, Brandon R. RTD WG S/SGT McGregor, Walter R. RTD TG SGT Wilkerson, Leon D. RTD
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Returning aircrew reports indicated that this aircraft and aircrew had been battle damaged by AA fire and abandoned their ship over Belgium. Later confirmation to the Group reported that this plane had made a successful crash landing in Belgium, and all members were safe (except Sgt. Brown, the Radio Operator, whose whereabouts was not known as of 9 January, but later he was returned-to-duty, having been slightly injured as some of the crew had in fact bailed out before the crash landing).

INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: No records available in this MACR.

BURIAL RECORDS: No casualties suffered by the aircrew.

NEXT OF KIN DATA IN WWII: Records not available in this MACR file.

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