16 March 1944 Mission #52 Target: Friedrichshafen

This first mission to Friedrichshafen and the Dornier Aircraft Assembly plant on Lake Constance's north shore was an easy one compared to the most disastrous mission to the same target area two days later. General briefing was held between 0345-0600 hours and at 0725 the first of 30 aircrews took off (one later aborted).

Maj. Lawrence G. Gilbert, 392nd Operations Officer, wrote in his Report that the 392nd was leading the lead combat wing until about 25 miles from the combat wing I.P. At this point, the leader of the 20th Combat Wing was contacted and instructed to take the lead with the PFF equipment. (The overcast, which had varied from 8/10 to 10/10 during the route in, had become a solid overcast with no likelihood of breaking at the target. As the 20th CW was abreast and on the left of the 14th CW, the 392nd S'ed to the right and fell in behind the 93rd Group.

Then, according to Gilbert, "The 392nd Group followed the 20th Combat Wing into the target area and when about five miles from the target, the bombardier was able to identify it through a large break in the overcast just south of the target. The 392nd Group started a cross-over turn to the left behind the lead Group in order to attempt a visual run but at almost the same instant, the lead Group started a very steep 90o left turn in front of the 392nd Group. The 392nd Group was forced to cross back over again to the outside of the turn of the lead group in order to avoid a collision.

"The 392nd Group followed the 93rd Group into the target but the lead section (11 planes) did not bomb on the PFF flares because they were observed to be dropping a considerable distance from the target in open country. The second section (18 planes), however, bombed on these flares. The lead section, failing to find a target of opportunity in the vicinity, dropped bombs thru the overcast about 20 minutes from the target."

Of the 780 M-47A2 100-pound incendiary bombs dropped, 728 were dropped on the primary target and 52 were dropped on a target of opportunity. Of the 168 500-pound AN-M64 general purpose bombs dropped, 48 were on the primary and 120 on the T/O.

Very few enemy fighters were reported and no attacks were made on the 392nd. Flak was moderate but inaccurate at the target, causing minor damage to four aircraft. All planes returned between 1529 and 1644 with one landing at Deanland due to shortage of fuel.

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CREW LOADING LIST FOR
16 MARCH 1944

MISSION #52      Target: Friedrichshafen



16 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 570

P Tyler, A.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Ricci, J.A. 2nd Lt.
N Mitchell, R. 2nd Lt.
B Stetson, H.E. 2nd Lt.
E MacDonald, G.E. Jr. S/Sgt.
R Metz, W. S/Sgt.
AE Miller, C.X. Sgt.
AR Brown, G.R. Sgt.
AG Podolski, P.D. Sgt.
G Blaida, J.M. Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 371

P Mathias, W.E. 1st Lt.
CP Jones, L.C. 2nd Lt.
N Mateyka, M.R. 2nd Lt.
NG Burke, W.N. Sgt.
E Chambless, S.L. T/Sgt.
R Slyhoff, K.G. T/Sgt.
AE Blackwell, R.B. S/Sgt.
AR Smock, J.M. S/Sgt.
AG Weverka, J.E. S/Sgt.
G Malloy, P.D. S/.Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 835

P Meighen, W.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Mason, J.J. 2nd Lt.
N Plunkett, F.A. 2nd Lt.
B Czyzewicz, C.H. 2nd Lt.
E Austin, L.D. S/Sgt.
R Epstein, B.B. S/Sgt.
AE Kuhns, R.H. Sgt.
AR Bode, J.E. Sgt.
AG MacDonnel, K.A. Sgt.
G Cuevas, D.E. Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 651

P Ford, J.H. 1st Lt.
CP Bunting, D.W. 2nd Lt.
N Duncan, R.N. 2nd Lt.
B Thompson, M.A. 2nd Lt.
E Lewis, G.F. T/Sgt.
R Kramer, A.W. T/Sgt.
AE Roberson, L.P. S/Sgt.
AR Saucedo, J.A. S/Sgt.
AG Overholt, H.R. S/Sgt.
G Harvison, W.P. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 692

P Miller, H.W. 1st Lt.
CP Hurd, E.A. Jr. 2nd Lt.
N Murray, F.P. 2nd Lt.
B Greene, D.R. 2nd Lt.
E Megenhardt, J.F. T/Sgt.
R Mallamaci, J.T. T/Sgt.
AE McCombs, A.D. S/Sgt.
AR Lorine, J.R. S/Sgt.
AG Wheeler, M. S/Sgt.
G Rausch, T.A. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 560

P Feran, J.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Hayes, F.N. 2nd Lt.
N Cummings, F.J. 2nd Lt.
B Henderson, A.D. 2nd Lt.
E Houser, B.M. T/Sgt.
R Dmoch, T.S. S/Sgt.
AE Wolfer, A.J. Sgt.
AR Hampton, W.R. S/Sgt.
AG Crowley, C.S. S/Sgt.
G Boord, W.M. Sgt.

 16 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 826

P Abell, G.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Eldridge, M.C. 2nd Lt.
N Boettcher, R.E. 2nd Lt.
B Lawrence, J.S. 2nd Lt.
E Tryboski, L.E. T/Sgt.
R Nemeth, P.J. S/Sgt.
AE Horton, H.E. Sgt.
AR Manville, F.E. Sgt.
AG Moore, J.R. Sgt.
G Roper, D.W. Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 432

P Griggs, R.H. 2nd Lt.
CP Wilde, A.H. 2nd Lt.
N Cohen, J.M. 2nd Lt.
B Rowe, G.F. 2nd Lt.
E Sackeli, A. S/Sgt.
R Kresser, F.M. S/Sgt.
AE Hanson, F.B. Sgt.
AR Moore, J.H. Sgt.
AG Tomak, J.E. S/Sgt.
G Lindsay, E.L. Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 495

CA Gilbert, L.G. Maj.
P Graper, M.H. Capt.
CP Jensen, A.H. 1st Lt.
N Jones, J.H. Capt.
N Beatson, R.J. 1st Lt.
B Weiland, H.F. Capt.
E McKinley, W.C. T/Sgt.
R Lorenzen, W.H. T/Sgt.
AE White, F.A. S/Sgt.
AR Kolczynski, W.J. S/Sgt.
AG Cordick, D.H. Sgt.
G Buzick, J.M. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 824

P Anderson,E.F. 2nd Lt.
CP Maben, J.F. 2nd Lt.
N Cashen,E.J. 2nd Lt.
B Linzey, J.D. 2nd Lt.
E Farren,E.L. S/Sgt.
R Masteka,G.F. S/Sgt.
AE Cagle,W.C. S/Sgt.
AR Brown, J.T. S/Sgt.
AG Hardic, A.M. S/Sgt.
G Bixby,G.C. Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 505

P Brauer, G.M. 1st Lt.
CP Clifford, J.F. 2nd Lt.
N McGough, J.G. 2nd Lt.
B Wargo, M.A. 1st Lt.
E LaRue, E.W. T/Sgt.
R Abraham, H.F. T/Sgt.
AE Branceforte, N. S/Sgt.
AR Whited, J.A. S/Sgt.
AG Keller, L.D. S/Sgt.
G Rachell, W.W. S/Sgt.
Taylor, A.L. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 546

Schoolmaster, C.F. Maj.
P McNichol, T.F. 1st Lt.
CP Lamer, M. 1st Lt.
N Delach, J.J. 1st Lt.
N Donaldson, C.D. 1st Lt.
B Whittaker, J.B. Capt.
E Trumpy, E. T/Sgt.
R O'Kon, M.A. T/Sgt.
AE Green, L.A. S/Sgt.
AR Rosenfeld, C.B. T/Sgt.
AG Rathburn, E.K. S/Sgt.
G Osterheldt, J.J. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 497

P Peterson, L.G. 1st Lt.
CP Lidgard, W.V. 1st Lt.
N Sherman, P. 2nd Lt.
B Gordon, A.M. 2nd Lt.
E Lawrence, H.F. T/Sgt.
R Bellerive, R.O. T/Sgt.
AE Opsahl, R.C. Sgt.
AR Smith, A.C. Sgt.
AG Apgar, D.R. S/Sgt.
G Feller, N.L. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 989

P Tiefenthal, D.E. 1st Lt.
CP Clifford, R.R. 2nd Lt.
N Chichetto, A.F. 2nd Lt.
B Fain, J.M. 2nd Lt.
E Wright, A. T/Sgt.
R DiCroce, J.A. T/Sgt.
AE Hull, W.W. S/Sgt.
AR Sopchak, J. S/Sgt.
AG Schulz, J.W. S/Sgt.
G Elston, R.C. S/Sgt.

 16 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 981

P Morefield, H.F. 1st Lt.
CP Grisell, R. 2nd Lt.
N Kaufman, K.S. 2nd Lt.
B Kuttner, F.F. 2nd Lt.
E Betterley, E.C. S/Sgt.
R Gerrard, R.W. T/Sgt.
AE Breithaupt, H.A. Sgt.
AR Coday, D.S. S/Sgt.
AG Blekkenk, J.H. S/Sgt.
G Adago, D.R. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 518

P Raschke, W.C. 1st Lt.
CP Holm, H.J. 2nd Lt.
N Petrozzella, B.C. 2nd Lt.
B Ward, M.E. 1st Lt.
E Wagonseller, R.W. T/Sgt.
R Krek, B.R. T/Sgt.
AE Davis, R.W. S/Sgt.
AR Gyure, F. Pvt.
AG Rankin, J.H. S/Sgt.
G Doub, H.G. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 100

P Muldoon, J.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Otis, J.J. 2nd Lt.
N Walsh, F.T. 2nd Lt.
B Savage, C.C. 2nd Lt.
E Byrd, J.M. S/Sgt.
R DeHoff, L.V. S/Sgt.
AE Carpenter, J.A. S/Sgt.
AR Bluejacket, J.W. S/Sgt.
AG Bednarcik, S.A. S/Sgt.
G Svoboda, J.J. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 187

P Young, M.N. 1st Lt.
CP Goodwin, J.J. 2nd Lt.
N Dunphy, R.J. 1st Lt.
B Cunningham, R.B. 2nd Lt.
E Triplett, W.F. T/Sgt.
R Garcia, P.J. T/Sgt.
AE Teater, R.S. S/Sgt.
AR Porter, C.C. S/Sgt.
AG Rickey, J.J. S/Sgt.
G Ross, J.D. Sgt.
G Rider, F.D. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 465

P Lishka, A. Jr. 1st Lt.
CP Feld, B.H. 1st Lt.
N Moorehead, J.C. 1st Lt.
B Brockway, O.E. 1st Lt.
E Carlson, C.E. T/Sgt.
R Dohm, H.E. S/Sgt.
AE Halstead, H.C. S/Sgt.
AR White, T.  S/Sgt.
AG Drylie, J. S/Sgt.
G Dedmon, S.E. S/Sgt.
NT Judd, G.W. 2nd Lt.

16 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 688

P Cohen, S. 1st Lt.
CP Shoenhair, R.D. 2nd Lt.
N Mardirosian, A. 2nd Lt.
B Valker, G.E. 2nd Lt.
E Hayes, F.W. T/Sgt.
R Buckley, G.J. T/Sgt.
AE Carr, H.L. S/Sgt.
AR Dellinger, T.G.S/Sgt.
AG Thrower, W.E. S/Sgt.
G McGee, R.G. Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 478

P Johnson, R.L. 1st Lt.
CP Buchanan, R.P. 2nd Lt.
N Johnson, D.C. 1st Lt.
B Hunter, R.M. 1st Lt.
E Stancik, M. T/Sgt.
R Wohlstrom, T.C. T/Sgt.
AE Reynolds, H.D. S/Sgt.
AR Milliken, E.W. S/Sgt.
AG Kimball, R.A. S/Sgt.
G Nixon, A.D. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 945

P Sooy, B.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Mardis, K.A. 2nd Lt.
N Jones, O.R. 2nd Lt.
B Schwartz, E.S. 2nd Lt.
E Serafine, J.M. S/Sgt.
R Terrell, P.J. S/Sgt.
AE Johnson, E.J.S/Sgt.
AR McBrayer, H.G. Sgt.
AG McArn, H.W. Sgt.
G Dorgan, W.J. Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 466

P Peterson, C.L. 1st Lt.
CP Vrieling, R.I. 2nd Lt.
N Keck, R.W. Jr. 2nd. Lt.
B Brown, E.J. 2nd Lt.
E Hinshaw, H.M. T/Sgt.
R Rosko, E.M. T/Sgt.
AE Harrell, O.L. S/Sgt.
AR Hancock, L.G. T/Sgt.
AG Masters, E.E. S/Sgt.
G Byrd, J.C. S/Sgt.

 16 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 990

P Books, D.O. 1st Lt.
CP Gray, H.E. 2nd Lt.
N Kornman, H.C. 2nd Lt.
NG Porter, C.T. Sgt.
E Morris, E.N. Sgt.
R Slack, G.E. S/Sgt.
AE Willig, N.K. Sgt.
AR Hampton, R.G. Sgt.
AG Strickler, C.C. Sgt.
G Beseda, J.F. Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 814

P Hammond, G.L. 1st Lt.
CP Schumacher, R. 2nd Lt.
N Sullivan, J.J. 2nd Lt.
B Rodriguez, J.B. 2nd Lt.
E Pearson, W.M. T/Sgt.
R Cauble, W.R. T/Sgt.
AE Hargrave, R.O. S/Sgt.
AR McGee, J.E. S/Sgt.
AG Goldberg, M.R. S/Sgt.
G Gaudreau, J.P. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 127

P Detrick, J.W. 1st Lt.
CP Anderson, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Sheridan, J.J. 2nd Lt.
B Bowen, H.A. 2nd Lt.
E Todd, R.E. S/Sgt.
R Mohr, D.C. S/Sgt.
AE Coveney, C.M. Sgt.
AR Grybos, T.J. Sgt.
AG Carroll, J.B. Sgt.
G Draper, J.W. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 117 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Darnell, J.F. Jr. 1st Lt.
CP Slagle, E.E. 2nd Lt.
N Stasney, A.J. 2nd Lt.
B Lory, R.C. 2nd Lt.
E Whitaker, J.W. S/Sgt.
R Mandel, R.F. T/Sgt.
AE Sundo, J.R. S/Sgt.
AR Ward, L.E. Sgt
AG Rego, M.A. S/Sgt.
G Courtney, E.J. Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 469

P Kubale, E.W. 1st Lt.
CP Dickson, J.W. 1st Lt.
N McDade, J.J. 1st Lt.
B White, E.F. 1st Lt.
E York, R.M. T/Sgt
R Zimpelman, J.G. T/Sgt.
AE Jones, D.C.  S/Sgt.
AR O'Neill, F.L. S/Sgt.
AG Reilly, B.A. S/Sgt.
G Wright, J.W. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 510

P Cordes, W.C. 1st Lt.
CP Sassaman, F.J. 2nd Lt.
N Hynes, J.J. 2nd Lt.
B Stupski, S.J. 1st Lt.
E Davis, H. T/Sgt.
R Kiss, J. T/Sgt.
AE Burns, R. T/Sgt.
AR Yost, J.W. S/Sgt.
AG Money, J.A. S/Sgt.
G Fons, J.P. S/Sgt.

16 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 599

P Lotterhos, R.H. 1st Lt.
CP Zolomy, E.M. 2nd Lt.
N Healing, K.A. 2nd Lt.
B Sands, J.E. 2nd Lt.
E Thompson, R.L. T/Sgt.
R Garay, M.W. T/Sgt.
AE Rebiejo, F. S/Sgt.
AR Bunyea, E.W. S/Sgt.
AG Moody, C.B. S/Sgt.
G Ward, W.D. S/Sgt.

A/C 605 (photo ship)
Keilman, M. Maj.

A/C 411 (weather ship)
Hebron, W.T. Jr. 1st Lt.





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