16 February 1945 -- Mission #239 -- Target: Salzbergen

16 February 1945 Mission #239 Target: Salzbergen

The primary on this date was the fuel plant at Salzbergen with a secondary target of the Rheine marshalling yards. A force of (30) crews were given briefings at 0715 and 0830 but fog delayed take-offs until 1130 hours. At this time, (27) were launched with all going over the primary to release (300) 500 pounders on a GH ship, results being unobserved once again. While the Group’s mission was in progress, Wendling was closed down due to zero-zero fog conditions. As the Group force of (26) ships diverted into A-72 on the Continent an unusual and near tragic even took place back over the base. Lieutenant A. J. Novik’s crew from the 576th, flying in #031 (P for Peter), had suffered a unique accident to their bomber earlier on the mission when a ship from the High Squadron had released its bombs, knocking off the left elevator and rudder of Novik’s bomber. Through superb airmanship, the crew managed to keep the crippled bomber in formation and return back over base where ceilings from 0-75 ft. existed for landing. After being directed over various alternate bases including Attlebridge and Colchester where landing conditions were equally poor, Novik climbed the ship to 10,000 feet, headed the bomber out toward the Wash, and ordered crew bailout over the base. All managed to bail out safely including Novik, who had extreme difficulty in extracting himself from the spinning Liberator but finally was successful, sustaining some injuries. His superlative efforts were later recognized as a feat of exemplary skill and airmanship due to the almost impossible situation in flying such an extremely damaged bomber home to save the crew. 1/Lt. Novik was awarded the DFC in recognition of his accomplishment on this mission.

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CREW LOADING LIST FOR
16 FEBRUARY 1945

MISSION #239 Target: Salzbergen

16 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 659

P Crowell, R.K. 2nd Lt.
CP Berkley, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Byrnes, W.B. 2nd Lt.
B Colquhoun, R.N. S/Sgt.
R Waggener, L.R. S/Sgt.
E Hough, J.F. M/Sgt.
RW Anastos, G. S/Sgt.
LW Tracy, R.D. S/Sgt.
TG Moffa, A.J. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 031

P Novik, A.J. 1st Lt.
CP Graves, J.H. 1st Lt.
N Hampton, W. F/O
B Graves, R.H. S/Sgt.
R Hildebrand, R.O. T/Sgt.
E DiMarco, F.J. T/Sgt.
RW Cheshire, W.T. Sgt.
LW Watkins, M.F. S/Sgt.
TG Buckley, C.A. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 194

P Linzmeier, R.B. 2nd Lt.
CP Fisher, R.M. 2nd Lt.
N Leonard, A.C. 1st Lt.
B Schutze, G.C. 2nd Lt.
R Hughes, C.B. S/Sgt.
E Connor, E.J. T/Sgt.
RW Specht, C.O. S/Sgt.
LW Downing, J.E. S/Sgt.
TG Watts, F. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 340

P Markuson, C.O. 2nd Lt.
CP Hutchcroft, H.W. 2nd Lt.
N Maceyra, E. 2nd Lt.
B Hunter, E.R. S/Sgt.
R Burke, J.E. T/Sgt.
E Cain, P.L. T/Sgt.
RW Monaghan, T.D. S/Sgt.
LW Howard, J.B. S/Sgt.
TG Horn, J.E. S/Sgt.
RCM Hairston, R.T. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 916

P Hummel, J.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Reynolds, J.E. 2nd Lt.
N Knudson, B.L. 2nd Lt.
B Chadwick, R.H. 2nd Lt.
R Deaton, J.A. Cpl.
E Keagle, P.E. Cpl.
RW Finney, H.H. Cpl.
LW Milchak, E.A. Cpl.
TG Powell, H. Cpl.

16 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 302

P Wolak, S. 2nd Lt.
CP Willett, C.E. 2nd Lt.
N Longenecker, J.R. 2nd Lt.
B Kutner, J.M. 2nd Lt.
R Murphy, R.C. S/Sgt.
E Bobish, A. S/Sgt.
RW Ruigh, R.E. Sgt.
LW Czop, J.A. S/Sgt.
TG Schick, F.W. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 476

P Harcus, R.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Thompson, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Adler, M.N. 2nd Lt.
B Brennan, R.W. S/Sgt.
R Shanley, J.V. T/Sgt.
E Thomas, E. T/Sgt.
RW Spears, D.D. S/Sgt.
LW Marshall, L.C. S/Sgt.
TG Rosenberg, J.E. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 448

P Stoddard, K.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Wilson, J.A. 2nd Lt.
N Koke, D.H. 2nd Lt.
B Ringness, J.R. Sgt.
R Logue, R.V. Sgt.
E O'Hara, R.F. Sgt.
RW Hoffman, R.A. Sgt.
LW Hores, G.P. Sgt.
TG Szews, S.M. Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 875

P Grabarkiewicz, L. F/O
CP Phillips, C.E. 2nd Lt.
N Hickson, R. 2nd Lt.
B Axvig, W.E. S/Sgt.
R Quagliano, F.A. S/Sgt.
E Duggan, J.J. T/Sgt.
RW Cooper, J.T. Pvt.
LW Baker, E.R. S/Sgt.
TG Moskowicz, S. Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 901

P Shaw, B.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Bachman, L.W. 2nd Lt.
N Anstey, M.P. F/O
B Hoover, R.C. Sgt.
R Sturm, W.A. S/Sgt.
E Kedenburg, J.H. S/Sgt.
RW Rice, W.W. Sgt.
LW Perlingiero, C.P. Sgt.
TG Schunke, C.W. Sgt.
RCM Taylor, J. Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 898

P Prater, W.K. 2nd Lt.
CP Levin, R.J. 2nd Lt.
N Pilcher, W.L. 2nd Lt.
B Venuti, L.C. Sgt.
R Killian, C.J. Sgt.
E Lawrence, L.J. Sgt.
RW Kegler, S.D. Sgt.
LW Healey, J. Sgt.
TG Deshantz, D. Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 792

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

16 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 118

P Scott, D.A. 2nd Lt.
CP Jordan, E.B. 2nd Lt.
N Tucker, R.A. 2nd Lt.
B Glasscock, J.B. S/Sgt.
R Berger, S. T/Sgt.
E Karas, J. T/Sgt.
RW Hanley, E.H. S/Sgt.
LW Surbaugh, E.R. S/Sgt.
TG McKee, S.P. S/Sgt.
S-27 Halpern, H.M. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 299

P Inman, C.E. 1st Lt.
CP Ondrasek, J.G. 2nd Lt.
N Lange, E.A. 2nd Lt.
B Rees, R.R. 2nd Lt.
R Flake, F.M. T/Sgt.
E Kamholz, E.J. T/Sgt.
RW Finkelstein, B. S/Sgt.
LW Evans, H.D. S/Sgt.
TG Gafin, B. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 772

P Pope, L.S. 2nd Lt.
CP Snowhill, T.B. 2nd Lt.
N Rodstein, B. 2nd Lt.
B Lane, T.C. S/Sgt.
R Reed, D.F. S/Sgt.
E Turrisi, J.R. S/Sgt.
RW Fuller, M.A. S/Sgt.
LW Dardano, F.A. S/Sgt.
TG Keach, G.T. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 238

P Popek, E. 2nd Lt.
CP Henry, H.E. 2nd Lt.
N Frederickson, L.T. 2nd Lt.
B Irvine, E.C. S/Sgt.
R Yuhas, G. T/Sgt.
E Bombardier, W.J. T/Sgt.
RW Trofnoff, F. S/Sgt.
LW Thompson, J.R. S/Sgt.
TG Swee, E.A. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 636

P Garcia, A.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Pollack, M. 2nd Lt.
N Hoffman, W.A. F/O
B Westlund, J.K. S/Sgt.
R Nelson, D.A. T/Sgt.
E Landes, I.B. T/Sgt.
RW Pennington, M.E. S/Sgt.
LW Merda, A. S/Sgt.
TG Rauscher, J.G. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 446

P Rose, P.E. 1st Lt.
CP Pratt, D.M. 1st Lt.
N Rohde, C.R. 1st Lt.
B Harnden, R.G. 1st Lt.
R Croy, O.N. T/Sgt.
E Scott, W.A. T/Sgt.
RW Manelick, N.L. S/Sgt.
LW Davidson, S.A. S/Sgt.
TG Beane, H.A. S/Sgt.
S-27 Belsky, M. T/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 205

P Vaden, J.C. 2nd Lt.
CP Tichenor, N.K. 2nd Lt.
N Vrable, E.G. 2nd Lt.
B Sieg, R.J. 2nd Lt.
R Crockett, J.G. Sgt.
E Perry, C.E.O. Sgt.
RW Wojtowicz, C.T. Sgt.
LW Beaton, S.O. Sgt.
TG Smith, C.W. Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 313

P Ebersole, H.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Culp, A.B. 2nd Lt.
N Sauter, J.C. 2nd Lt.
B Greene, H.B. Sgt.
R Chew, W.B. Sgt.
E Gabris, J.M. Sgt.
RW McDonald, C.L. Sgt.
LW Flint, D.W. Sgt.
TG Lynch, H.F. Sgt.
RCM Watson, C.B. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 436

P Walker, J.R. 1st Lt.
CP Casstevens, R.C. 2nd Lt.
N Donohue, J.J. 1st Lt.
B Pataki, S.M. S/Sgt.
R Louizides, S. T/Sgt.
E Morse, J.H. T/Sgt.
RW Agoglia, E.J. S/Sgt.
LW Lingle, J.A. Cpl.
TG Duerr, E.E. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 495

P Tays, R.H. 1st Lt.
CP Ferguson, T.B. 2nd Lt.
N Holzinger, J.J. 1st Lt.
B Sorensen, A.C. 1st Lt.
R Berger, J.T. Sgt.
E King, C.C. T/Sgt.
RW Coury, G.A. S/Sgt.
LW Turner, M.E. S/Sgt.
TG Fetterhoff, E.E. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 240

P Bilz, J.J. 1st Lt.
CP Slayter, D.W. 1st Lt.
N Barnes, J.M. 1st Lt.
B Overman, D.T. 1st Lt.
R Fahrenbruch, K.G. T/Sgt.
E Grout, A.G. T/Sgt.
RW Poepping, R.F. S/Sgt.
LW Shea, H.A. S/Sgt.
TG Ludwig, D.J. S/Sgt.
NG Beals, B.M. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 801

P Ansbro, M.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Wernsman, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Lindahl, E.A. 2nd Lt.
B Christman, H.E. F/O
R O'Brien, B.M. Cpl.
E Brierley, A.R. Cpl.
RW O'Farrell, R.H. Cpl.
LW Nichols, P.F. Cpl.
TG McLaughlin, M.M. Cpl.
RCM Slater, R.E. S/Sgt.

16 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 459

P Beder, J. 1st Lt.
CP Samsell, J.A. 2nd Lt.
N Matishowski, J. 1st Lt.
B Murray, J.G. 1st Lt.
R Murgatroyd, R.S. T/Sgt.
E Morley, J.P. T/Sgt.
RW Carr, R.P. S/Sgt.
LW Roever, C.H. S/Sgt.
TG Schodrof, R.H. S/Sgt.
PN Shumaker, M.C. 2nd Lt.
NV McDevitt, J.P. 2nd Lt.

16 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 801

P Solomon, R.H. Capt.
CP Kressig, E.L. 1st Lt.
N Gridley, C. 1st Lt.
B Mace, J.E. 1st Lt.
R Herzlich, L. T/Sgt.
E Moeller, H.E. T/Sgt.
RW Farquharson, G. S/Sgt.
LW Psyk, E.J. S/Sgt.
TG Capik, J.H. S/Sgt.
NV Cleverdon, R.N. 1st Lt.
MN Edmundson, R.H. 1st Lt.

16 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 519

P McClellan, H.B. Capt.
CP Connor, J.A. 1st Lt.
N Richert, G.W. 1st Lt.
B Snoden, C.A. 1st Lt.
R Kingston, D.B. T/Sgt.
E Berger, R.F. T/Sgt.
RW Markle, J.M. S/Sgt.
LW Phillabaum, R.J. T/Sgt.
TG Denton, W. S/Sgt.
NV Fowler, R.T. 1st Lt.
PN Lipman, B.D. 2nd Lt.

Col. Johnson flew in the lead GH ship and Capt. Pennypacker flew in the deputy lead GH ship.

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