Mission 289 - 1

Wood Carving by William F. Adams

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 28923 December 1944

Target: Railroad Marshalling Yard at Ehrang, GermanyCrews Dispatched: 43

Length of Mission: 6 hours, 35 minutes

Bomb Load: 18 X 250 lb H.E. M57 & 2 x 500 lb M17 Incendiaries

Bombing Altitudes: 25,600, 26,000 & 24,200 ft

Ammo Fired: 0 rounds

Marshalling yards, communication centers and a rail junction in the rear of the Battleof the Bulge area were the assigned targets. The poor weather conditions onlyallowed for small forces to bomb.

The 303rd BG(H) dispatched 39 Fortresses to attack the Ehrang marshalling yardsnear Trier, Germany. The secondary target was another marshalling yard at Kaiserslauternand the last resort was a railroad junction at Worms. No aircraft returned early.

The weather was generally clear, but about 50 miles from the target high clouds anddense, persistent contrails developed. Thirty-seven aircraft dropped 623 250-lb. H.E. M57and 67 500-lb. M17 incendiary bombs from 25,600, 26,000 and 24,200 feet on the primarytarget. Bombing results were excellent. Although most bombs hit outside the assignedarea, some hit sections of the yards not previously bombed. Two aircraft jettisoned theirbombs before reaching the target.

There was no enemy opposition and friendly supportby 54 P-51s was very good. Flak was meager andinaccurate, but the low Squadron encountered someaccurate bursts that caused minor battle damage to nineaircraft. Chaff effect was uncertain.

The returning aircraft were unable to land atMolesworth due to bad weather. Thirty-eight landed atBassingbourn (91BG) and one at Gravely, an RAF Base.There were no casualties. The air crews were sent toMolesworth by truck. Skeleton ground crews were sent toBassingbourn to service the 303rd BG(H) B-17s.

The 303rd BG(H) also dispatched four Fortresses toother Groups. Two aircraft, #42-31574 Ole George, with358BS Navigator Lt. Kenneth R. Carnahan, and #44-8351(No Name), with 359BS Bombardier Lt. Thomas E. Quinlan,took off from Podington with the 92nd BG. Two otheraircraft, #44-8256 Yankee Girl, with Navigator Lt. William P.O'Brien, and #44-8125 Sparky, with Bombardier Lt. Earl J.Malerich, took off from Chelveston with the 305th BG.

Mission 289 - 2

303rd Bomb Group (H) B-17s in support of the Battle of the Bulge

Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge, which lasted from December 16, 1944 to January 28,1945, was the largest land battle of World War II in which the United States participated.More than a million men fought in this battle, including some 600,000 Germans, 500,000Americans and 55,000 British. The German military force consisted of two Armies with tencorps (equal to 29 divisions). The American military force consisted of a total of threearmies with six corps (equal to 31 divisions). At the conclusion of the battle, the casualtieswere as follows: 81,000 U.S. with 19,000 killed, 1400 British with 200 killed, and 100,000Germans killed, wounded or captured.

Mission 289 - 3

MARK ONE UP FOR THE RED CROSS !Unusual Experiences of Lt. Harley D. Snider

The 20th of December 1944 all of England was weathered in solid and the 8th AirForce was completely grounded. While lounging in my hut in the 358th Squadron area,I was instructed to report to the Operations Office nearby, where forthwith I was offeredan option that to this day seems incredible. Captain Lynch informed me that my brother,Sgt Evert Snider, was in the military hospital at Southhampton, England, and that a B-17was available if I wanted to visit him. After trying to grasp what he had just said, I askedhim to repeat and explain.

Captain Lynch stated all he knew was that authorization had come from the 8thAir Force. He said all of England was grounded, but if I wanted to try getting in someplace near the hospital, take the Captain, who was our Squadron Supply Officer and arated pilot, with me as co-pilot.

I asked what should be done with the plane and when I should return. He told meto leave the Captain with the plane and they would pick it up later. There was no date formy return, but they would need me when the weather lifted.

We took off in the soup and called Darky for a heading to a British field nearSouthhampton. When we approached the field on a runway heading and requested aflare at the end of the runway, we were curtly advised that we had been refused clearanceto land as the field was closed. There were no options, so I advised we were making a360 turn and coming in. They fired a flare and we landed under a very low ceiling.

I hitched a ride to the hospital and walked in to surprise my Brother just after theevening meal. Oh! What a reunion! I found him well. My family had received no mailfrom him since before my departure for the ETO in September 1944.

Evert was in General Patton’s 2nd Armored Division. He made the landing inAlgiers, went through the Kasserine Pass operation, Sicily, then to Europe and thebreakout at St. Lo and on into France.

Some time later, on the drive toward Germany, he lost two tanks and crews on hislast day ahead of the line. He was the last man of his original company and was relievedfrom combat duty and assigned to supply and transportation bringing materials to thefront.

Later they screened the support troops for soldiers like him, sent them to thehospital in England for evaluation and rotation to the states. A Red Cross lady hadcontacted him in the hospital. He told her he had a brother who flew B-17s and would bein the 8th Air Forces. He gave her my last letter from the States with my temporary APOaddress.

I bunked in the Ward with my brother two nights and returned to Molesworth onDecember 22nd, in time to fly the mission December 23rd to Ehrang, Germany, during theBattle of the Bulge.

Mark one up for the Red Cross! Whatever was put into plan and why, I have noclue, but I will be forever grateful.

Mission 289 - 4

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group A

O'Beirne-Hatch439 - PFF

Losiewicz Butler 517 318

Norris860

Beasley App 842 647

Kallet Frazier 523 206Hardin Geiger Bixby Bailey 516 544 502 764 Weaver 563

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group B

O'Leary-Newton038 - PFF

Rose Reed 281 411

Petersen569

Richter Wertz 885 689

Hewitt Knutzen 311 767Turinsky Barrat Rogers Embrey 597 763 645 289 McGinnis 734

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 GunnerWG - Waist GunnerLWG - Left Waist GunnerRWG - Right Waist GunnerGUN - GunnerVI - Voice InterpreterOBS - Observer

PAS - PassengerPHO - PhotographerY - Y-Operators (YRO,YO)RCM - Radio Cntr MeasuresSJ - Spot Jammer

RESULTS OF MISSION

KIA - Killed in actionWIA - Wounded in actionMIA - Missing in action

POW - Prisoner of warDOW - Died of woundsEVD - Evaded the enemyREP - RepatriatedRES - RescuedESC - EscapedBO - Bailed outDCH - DitchedCR-L - Crashed on landCR-S - Crashed at sea

Mission 289 - 5

LAWRENCE T. HARDING CREW - 359th BS(crew assigned 359BS: 22 Nov 1944)

(Back L-R) 2Lt Lawrence T. Harding (P), 2Lt James G. Force (CP), 2Lt Richard J. Garvey (N)(Front L-R) Sgt Russell B. Cornelius (R), Sgt Roger G. Lammers (BT), Sgt Robert O. Johnson (TG),

Sgt Robert R. Holden (WG), Sgt William J. O'Brien (E), Sgt Kenneth Otto, Jr. (TOG)

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group C

Rosser-Goering44-8238 - PFF

Greenbaum Snider 530 316

Holm554

Gobrecht Rencher 999 462

Grisham Knudson 427 309Goodberlet Poole Rybaltowski Harding 38238 949 609 944 McKinley 006

Mission 289 - 6

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38462 Teddy’s Rough Riders

P Rencher, Jack P., 2LtCP Erickson, Robert L., 2LtNAV Boland, Anthony J., 2LtTOG Reimche, George K., S/SgtENG Gustafson, Orall R., T/SgtTG Mahan, Weldon T., SgtRO LaPerch, William J., T/SgtBT Houseman, Clarence W., S/SgtWG Johnson, Marvin T., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38554 Bouncing Betty III

P Holm, Maurice M., 1LtCP Fletcher, Harold D., F/ONAV Howard, Paul A., 2LtBOM Mott, Charles A., 2LtENG Compton, M.C., T/SgtWG Huck, Robert L., SgtRO Dale, John A., T/SgtBT Ebert, Preston P., S/SgtTG Cox, Lyle M., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-6006 (No Name)

P McKinley, Ralph C., 1LtCP Harwick, James A., 2LtNAV Long, Donald C., Jr., 1LtTOG Rowe, Thomas M., S/SgtENG Jones, Burlen, T/SgtWG Devaney, Thomas J., S/SgtRO Moll, Richard S., T/SgtBT Blinebury, Joseph A., S/SgtTG Soule, Evan R., Sgt

B-17G #44-6316 (No Name)

P Snider, Harley D., 2LtCP Kunkel, Joe T., 2LtNAV Markt, Rex H., 2LtBOM Davis, Edward A., 2LtENG Work, John R., S/SgtBT Kudder, Edward P., SgtRO Ludington, Robert S., T/SgtWG Wade, Murray W., S/SgtTG Moran, George J., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-8427 Henn’s Revenge

P Grisham, Rufus M., Jr., 1LtCP Hopkins, Harry F., 2LtNAV Hartel, Gale E., 2LtTOG Stevenson, John L., SgtENG Scheuermann, Edwin P., T/SgtBT Loessin, Gerhard W., Jr., S/SgtRO Post, Harry R., T/SgtWG Buie, Ben M., S/SgtTG Willis, Arnold, Sgt

B-17G #43-38999 Emma

P Gobrecht, Harry D., 2LtCP Eby, Joe M., 2LtNAV McDonald, Walter H., 2LtTOG Miller, Robert J., SgtENG Benefield, Lenville H., SgtWG Mays, Thomas G., SgtRO Quick, Edgar H., SgtBT McGrory, William P., S/SgtTG Buske, Phillip R., Sgt

Mission 289 - 7

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #43-38530 (No Name)

P Greenbaum, Richard D., 2LtCP Balkcom, Robert E., 2LtNAV Nicastro, John J., F/OBOM McCall, John W., 1LtENG Bruce, Leonard F., SgtTG Hawes, Kenneth D., SgtRO Dalton, Denver, SgtBT Dooley, Patrick, SgtWG Armstrong, Henry L., Sgt

B-17G #44-8238 (No Name) - PFF

P Rosser, Samuel E., CaptCP Goering, Werner G., 1LtNAV Hansen, Heber D., 1LtNAV Koran, William C., 1LtNAV Buckner, James C., 2LtBOM Sachau, William D., 1LtENG O'Leary, James M., T/SgtRO Brodzinski, Chester, S/SgtTG Thompson, John A., 2LtWG Putney, Norman W., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-97949 (No Name)

P Poole, Lawrence E., 2LtCP Fletcher, Harold D., 2LtNAV Smith, Harold S., F/OTOG Smith, Donald P., SgtENG Pullen, Rayford E., SgtWG Kinsland, Harry D., SgtRO Hoke, Marvin L., SgtBT Morrill, Charles K., SgtTG Kindred, Beryl E., Sgt

B-17G #43-38238 (No Name)

P Goodberlet, Clarence J., 2LtCP Magid, Malcolm J., 2LtNAV Mylonas, Peter E., F/OBOM Mott, Charles A., 2LtENG Cotter, William J., SgtWG Karash, Matthew J., SgtRO Baloga, Stephen M., SgtBT Walling, James M., SgtTG Schultz, Frederick W., Sgt

Mission 289 - 8

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38609 (No Name)

P Rybaltowski, Vincent, 2LtCP Olson, John A., 2LtNAV Moon, Richard Y., 2LtBOM McLeod, Harry A., 2LtENG Perlowitz, Murray A., SgtRO Capps, Douglas M., SgtBT Hollingsworth, Donald M., SgtTG Reseigh, John R., SgtWG Vitiritto, Joseph A., Sgt

B-17G #43-38767 (No Name)

P Knutzen, Owen A., 2LtCP Bitler, Hower E., Jr., 2LtNAV Christenson, Leroy P., 2LtTOG Fogle, Jerome W., Jr., SgtENG Klym, Michael, SgtRO Jobe, Andrew K., Jr., SgtBT Kennedy, Jack B., SgtTG Hartmann, Alexander, T/SgtWG Tarnava, Christopher, Jr., Sgt

B-17G #44-6502 (No Name)

P Bixby, Kenneth E., 2LtCP Burns, James S., 2LtNAV Jones, Clayton C., F/OTOG Dittman, Robert J., S/SgtENG Robichaux, John B., S/SgtRO Krumwiede, Leland J., SgtBT Reese, Dale G., SgtTG Peters, John W., SgtWG Erdody, Joseph, S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38289 Sweet LaRhonda

P Embrey, Henry C., 1LtCP Sharp, Bryant M., 2LtNAV Anstrom, Ronald A., 2LtTOG Connor, Joseph C., S/SgtENG Miller, Harry C., T/SgtRO Zellar, Donald W., S/SgtBT Boyle, Francis L., Jr., S/SgtTG Gavin, William E., SgtWG Peters, Arthur R., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38764 (No Name)

P Bailey, Jack W., 2LtCP Hall, Merwin G., 2LtNAV Swenson, Glen R., 2LtBOM Johnson, David E., 2LtENG Muller, Carl A., SgtRO Darden, Elwyn J., SgtBT Zielinski, William J., S/SgtTG Eckert, Merle W., SgtWG McGuire, William E., Sgt

B-17G #44-6309 Duchess' Granddaughter

P Knudson, Darwin D., 2LtCP Heitman, David E., 2LtNAV Davis, Daryl W., 2LtTOG Wilson, Johnnie R., SgtENG Hurdle, Robert E., SgtRO Jones, Walter N., Jr., SgtBT Meichtry, Leo R., SgtTG McDonald, Billy L., SgtWG Palm, Kenneth A., Sgt

Mission 289 - 9

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #42-97944 Daddy's Delight

P Harding, Lawrence T., 2LtCP Force, James G., 2LtNAV Garvey, Richard J., 2LtTOG Otto, Kenneth, Jr., SgtENG O'Brien, William J., SgtRO Cornelius, Russell B., SgtBT Lammers, Roger G., SgtTG Johnson, Robert O., SgtWG Holden, Robert R., Sgt

B-17G #43-38645 (No Name)

P Rogers, Clem W., 2LtCP Powlus, Vernon F., F/ONAV Malone, Roy P., F/OBOM Kraft, Arthur C., 2LtENG Reese, Bobbie B., SgtRO Wysocki, John F., SgtBT Simpson, James A., S/SgtTG Palsa, Rudolph, SgtWG Westfall, Byron D., Sgt

B-17G #42-107206 Old Black Magic

P Frazier, Eugene C., 1LtCP McClurg, Galt L., 2LtNAV Goettman, Andrew T., 2LtBOM Barlow, Richard B., 2LtENG Borges, Gilbert C., T/SgtRO Trainor, Donald W., S/SgtBT Freese, Paul D., S/SgtTG McCullough, Luther, S/SgtWG Hrych, Robert C., S/Sgt

Mission 289 - 10

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-97860 (No Name)

P Norris, Loy R., 2LtCP White, Raymond E., 2LtNAV Papp, Melvin E., 2LtBOM Puryear, James L., 1LtENG Bostick, George F., T/SgtRO Lillis, Joseph D., T/SgtBT Buchanan, Paul A., SgtTG Patterson, Charles A., SgtWG Alexander, John P., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-6517 Old Cock

P Losiewicz, Benjamin, 2LtCP Stiver, Merrill M., 2LtNAV Beasley, Leon O., 2LtBOM Hight, Basil D., 2LtENG Auer, Kenneth R., SgtRO Godley, Walter M., SgtBT Pilgrim, Robert W., SgtTG Gilbert, Robert A., SgtWG Wilson, Robert T.C., Sgt

B-17G #43-38563 Jackie

P Weaver, Jack W., 2LtCP Chalmers, John D., F/ONAV Polkabla, William J., 2LtBOM Giancola, James V., S/SgtENG Murphy, Jason, SgtRO Cole, Robert L., SgtBT Lardie, Thomas D., SgtWG Yepes, William J., SgtTG Bailey, Arthur L., Sgt

B-17G #44-8318 (No Name)

P Butler, Milton C., 1LtCP Lovell, Brook H., 2LtNAV Klanian, Charles S., 2LtBOM Hackler, Maurice G., 2LtENG Bird, Harry G., T/SgtRO Christ, Donald R., T/SgtBT Boone, Everett D., S/SgtTG Johnson, David T., S/SgtWG Peterson, Robert E., Sgt

B-17G #44-8647 (No Name)

P App, Robert G., 1LtCP Moody, William S., 2LtNAV Dennis, Walter F., 2LtBOM Prince, James R., 1LtENG Leach, Norman L., S/SgtRO Matlock, Austin M., S/SgtBT Brady, Gene F., SgtTG Nabors, Herschell F., SgtWG Polaski, Duane L., Sgt

B-17G #42-102544 Sack Time

P Geiger, James E., 2LtCP Telford, Donald R., 2LtNAV Dennis, Walter F., 2LtBOM Dubin, Martin M., S/SgtENG Stockman, Leonard G., S/SgtRO Licht, Wilfred L., S/SgtBT Wentz, Roland L., SgtTG Germanine, Joseph R., SgtWG Doctor, Gordon C., Sgt

Mission 289 - 11

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #43-38842 (No Name)

P Beasley, Roland C., 2LtCP Kacus, Alexander T., F/ONAV Dee, Martin R., 2LtBOM Clippinger, Robert E., S/SgtENG Girard, Louis P., T/SgtRO Wimer, Maurice E., T/SgtBT Oberly, Eldridge C., S/SgtTG Englis, Hiram E., S/SgtWG Branin, James J., S/SgtOBS Taylor, Walter H., Sgt

B-17G #44-6523 (No Name)

P Kallet, Sidney, 1LtCP Muth, Clifford F., 2LtNAV Divine, Fred H., 2LtBOM Harrison, Lewis S., 2LtENG Lewis, William J., S/SgtRO Clarke, Frank W., S/SgtBT Macy, Edward J., SgtTG Terreri, Joseph, SgtWG Killelea, Raymond J., Sgt

B-17G #44-8439 (No Name) - PFF

P O'Beirne, Nelson B., CaptCP Hatch, Logan B., 1LtNAV Shipp, Gene N., 1LtNAV Dimick, Donald L., 2LtNAV Wilson, Thomas E., 2LtBOM Rape, Sylvester H., 1LtENG Fuczka, Peter, S/SgtRO Broughton, Averell M., S/SgtTG Lovold, Ole, 1LtWG Free, Ennis B., Jr., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-6516 My Darling

P Hardin, Thomas H., Jr., 1LtCP Brown, William W., 2LtNAV Hiebeler, George E., 2LtBOM Driver, Henderson M., Jr., S/SgtENG Mikulich, Stanley, T/SgtRO Kasper, Raymond H., S/SgtBT Kaber, Harvey N., SgtTG Rohrer, Elbert R., SgtWG Sersland, Paul V., Sgt

Mission 289 - 12

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38734 Cheshire Cat

P McGinnis, Martin S., CaptCP Doscher, Frederick C., 2LtNAV Russo, William D., 2LtBOM Simone, S.P., SgtTT Lyons, Robert J., S/SgtBT Beal, Donald L., SgtRO Muir, Keith R., T/SgtTG Stevenson, Lowell F., SgtWG Hamilton, Lois R., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-102569 Miss Lace

P Petersen, William H., 2LtCP Candido, Anthony N., 2LtNAV Bason, William A., 2LtBOM Nazarian, John K., 2LtTT Zarrella, Anthony A., SgtBT Grove, John W., S/SgtRO Whitely, Cull W., Jr., SgtTG Coleman, Loyd, SgtWG Tanner, Loyd H., Sgt

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

P Richter, George K., 2LtCP McMullen, Robert A., 2LtNAV Thompson, John M., 2LtBOM Ralph, William L., S/SgtTT Bates, Grover P., T/SgtBT Smith, Donald S., SgtRO Kemmerer, Alfred G., SgtTG Chisholm, Robert E., SgtWG Vernon, James D., Sgt

B-17G #43-38763 (No Name)

P Barrat, Robert J., 2LtCP Harvey, Dean, 2LtNAV Best, Shirl P., F/OBOM Karp, William T., SgtTT Reiss, Raymond F., SgtBT Linhart, Louis N., SgtRO Lazarowicz, Matthew, SgtTG Emerson, George H., SgtWG Link, Herbert D., Sgt

B-17G #43-37597 Earthquake McGoon

P Turinsky, George, 2LtCP Shaughnessy, William J., F/ONAV Witchey, Francis M., F/O BOM Renaud, Robert K., SgtTT Wismer, Donald E., SgtBT Newman, Harold E., SgtRO Breedlove, Edwin N., T/SgtTG Witcher, Marvin E., SgtWG Ray, Paul, Sgt

B-17G #43-38689 (No Name)

P Wertz, Robert M., 1LtCP Durst, Melvin A., 2LtNAV Hitt, Kenneth S., F/OBOM Leavell, Adelbert D., Jr., 2LtTT Warne, Ralph W., SgtBT Jensen, Kenneth E., SgtRO Giering, Edward J., SgtTG Bennett, Kenneth A., SgtWG Campbell, Walter C., Sgt

Mission 289 - 13

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #42-97281 Queenie

P Rose, Jack W., 1LtCP Johnston, Lawrence M., 2LtNAV Jenkins, John I., 1LtBOM Lewis, Willard L., Jr., 1LtTT Dyson, Flake S., S/SgtBT Brinkley, Lynn M., S/SgtRO Scaglione, Joseph, T/SgtTG Hester, Lloyd D., S/SgtWG Cottle, Clyde J., Jr., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-97311 Shoo Shoo Baby

P Hewitt, Donald I., 2LtCP Wilson, Jack G., 2LtNAV McMahon, William F., 2LtBOM Leas, Harry D., SgtTT Sabo, Stephen R., SgtBT Kohlmayer, Garth G., Sgt RO Schmidt, Elmer J., SgtTG Agrifoglio, Benjamin M., Sgt WG Mussi, James L., SgtY Elkins, Samuel, Sgt

B-17G #42-102411 Miss Lace

P Reed, Louis E., 2LtCP Smith, Grafton N., 1LtNAV Gardner, Edward W., Jr., 2LtBOM Dohm, William F., F/OTT Hardin, Joe A., SgtBT Miller, Raymond M., SgtRO Howell, Melvin, SgtTG Parker, George F., SgtWG Dussliere, Albert L., Sgt

B-17G #44-8038 (No Name) - PFF

P O'Leary, James W., 2LtCP Newton, George C., 1LtNAV Kacere, Michael J., 1LtGHN Clark, Floyd L., 2LtMN Mylan, William G., 2LtBOM Lyda, Robert E., 2LtTT Kernodle, John T., S/SgtBT Mittell, Phillip P., T/SgtTG Barrios, Alfred R., 2LtRO Mittell, Phillip P., T/SgtWG DeCicco, Frank C., Jr., SgtWG Carver, Harold R., Sgt