Bombing

The aircraft christened 'The Witch' was engaged in the 'Tidal Wave' operation consisting on an air raid over the oil refineries of Ploiești. En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed near Novo Bardo, at the border between Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. All 10 crew members evacuated safely. Six were taken PoW and four evaded. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew from the 343th BS.

The aircraft christened 'Hail Colombia/Little-Chief Big-Dog' was engaged in the 'Tidal Wave' operation consisting on an air raid over the oil refineries of Ploiești. En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to divert to Cyprus for an emergency landing. All 10 crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew from the 344th BS.

The aircraft christened 'Raunchy' was engaged in the 'Tidal Wave' operation consisting on an air raid over the oil refineries of Ploiești. While approaching the target, the heavy bomber was shot down by Flak and crashed in flames. 8 crew members were killed while two others were taken PoW.
Crew (343rd BS):
Sgt Alfred D. Cason,
1st Lt Joel I. Corn,
Sgt Earl T. Edelen,
Sgt Charles P. Geers,
2nd Lt Herman H. Henslee,
1st Lt Samuel R. Neeley,
2nd Lt Eugene L. Rodgen,
Sgt Robert P. Schultz.

The aircraft christened 'Jersey Jackass/Bashful' was engaged in the 'Tidal Wave' operation consisting on an air raid over the oil refineries of Ploiești. While approaching the target, the heavy bomber was shot down by Flak and crashed in flames. Seven crew members were killed while three others were taken PoW.
Crew (344th BS):
2nd Lt George F. Giblin,
S/Sgt Julius A. Kish,
1st Lt John J. McGraw,
2nd Lt Robert J. Senff,
T/Sgt Warren T. Townley,
T/Sgt James A. Utley,
T/Sgt Albert H. Wilmess.

The aircraft left RAF Bassingbourn on a bombing mission to Kassel, Germany. While overflying The Netherlands, it was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter (Focke-Wulf Fw.190A-6) and crashed in a field. Eight crew members were killed while both pilots survived.
Crew:
2nd Lt Keene C. McCammon, pilot,
2nd Lt John P. Bruce, copilot,
T/Sgt Douglas V. Blackwood,
T/Sgt Americo Cianfichi,
1st Lt Robert U. Duggan,
S/Sgt George R. Krueger,
2nd Lt Daniel V. Ohman,
S/Sgt Mike A. Perrotta,
S/Sgt Hermon D. Poling,
S/Sgt Harold R. Sparks .

The bomber left RAF Grimsby at 2244LT on a bombing mission to Hamburg. While approaching the Dutch coast, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea some 10 km off Terschelling. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (100th Squadron):
F/Sgt J. Lynch 6.

The crew left Carney Airfield in the early morning to attack the Kahili Airfield in Buin. Following a successful mission, the aircraft christened 'De-Icer' was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed in flames 5 miles northwest of the airfield. All ten crew members were killed.
Crew (5th BG):
1st Lt Karl G. Stubblefield, pilot,
2nd Lt William E. Nevling, copilot,
1st Lt Walter C. Witherspoon, navigator,
1st Lt Robert J. Jones, bombardier,
M/Sgt Lowell E. Symons, flight engineer,
T/Sgt John L. Larson, assistant engineer,
T/Sgt Thomas H. Shadrick, radio operator,
Sgt Don E. Christenson, assistant radio operator,
Sgt Ranier P. Payton,
S/Sgt Louis Penven Jr.

The four engine bomber left RAF Thurleigh in the morning on a bombing mission to Hanover, Germany. Following an uneventful mission and while returning to its base, the aircraft was hit by the German Flak and shot down by the pilot of a German fighter. A crew member was killed while nine other occupants bailed out. Unfortunately, two of them were killed as their parachute did not open properly.
Crew (423th Squadron):
Wes Courson, pilot,
Roy Bronson, copilot,
Ted Grezlak, navigator,
Henry Lynch, bombardier,
John Champion, flight engineer,
Cedric White, air gunner,
Bill Lamb, air gunner,
S/Sgt William G. Dayton, radio operator, †
Sgt Dock G. Thomas Jr., air gunner, †
Sgt Robert C. Stevens, air gunner. †

While cruising along the Vella Lavella Island, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by the pilots of eight Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea. Crew abandoned the sinking aircraft but were strafed by enemy fighters. Four of them were killed while the air gunner was able to reach the shore.
Crew (3rd Squadron):
F/Lt William Allison, †
P/O Frank Kerr, †
Sgt Ronald Douglas, †
Sgt James Johnstone, †
Sgt Trevor Ganley.

While approaching Salamaua on a bombing mission, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The captain attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed and came to rest. A crew member was killed while seven others were injured.
Crew (22nd BG):
Cpl Willard H. Lindeman. †