416th BG Mission 139

Missing Air Crew Reports, Aircraft Accident Reports, and other incidents
Date	Report		A/C Serial # Type	Mis- sion #	Bomb Sq	Location	Personnel (Status when available)
Sep 6, 1944 Wednesday	No_Report		43-9221 A-20G	139	671	Cherbourg Penninsula	Merchant, William A. (Not Injured) Harp, Clifford J. (WIA) Brown, Kenneth P. (WIA)

Box I -- Flight I
1 671st 43-22065 5C-E A-20J Maj Willetts, D.L. Lt Royalty, P.G. S/Sgt Swank, O.E. S/Sgt Lempka, H.A.	2 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Ames, W.H. Sgt Fessler, H.S. Sgt Brown, R.J.	3 671st 43-10214 5C-C A-20G Lt Lackovich, J.J. Sgt Barry, R.M. Sgt Connery, T.F.
4 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Perkins, R.D. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Linneman, R.H.	5 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt Gary, J.C. Sgt Cheuvront, R.W. Sgt Schoen, A.E., Jr.	6 671st 43-9493 5C-V A-20G Lt Henderson, F.W. S/Sgt Ashton, L.A. S/Sgt Coulombe, P.E.

Box I -- Flight II
1 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Capt Huff, M.J. Lt Kupits, J. Sgt Clark, R.A. Lt Hoppe, F.M.	2 669th 43-9202 2A-B A-20G Lt Tripp, W.F., Jr. S/Sgt Scott, J.O. S/Sgt Mallory, D.F.	3 669th 43-21767 2A-N A-20G Lt Robertson, R.B. S/Sgt Cheney, M.W. Sgt Reiter, G.E.
4 669th 43-10190 2A-I A-20G Lt Allen, J.F., Jr. Sgt Getgen, L.R. S/Sgt Veazey, C.W.	5 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Miller, E.L. Cpl Malloy, J.F. Sgt Pemberton, J.M.	6 669th 43-9692 2A-M A-20G Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Vafiadis, C. S/Sgt Hoffman, R.C.

Box I -- Flight III
1 669th 43-21469 2A-J A-20J Lt Greene, W.J. Lt Nichols, J.R. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. S/Sgt Colbert, W.F.	2 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. S/Sgt LaNave, O.D. Cpl Moskowitz, L.	3 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Hayter, E.R. S/Sgt Melchoir, F.E. S/Sgt Holloway, R.G.
4 669th 43-10155 2A-V A-20G Lt Connor, J.S. S/Sgt VanDuyne, J.E. S/Sgt Rodgers, H.C.	5 669th 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt Clark, H.B. S/Sgt Sabadosh, J.W. S/Sgt Floyd, C.F.	6 670th 43-9892 F6-L A-20G Lt DuBose, M.W. Cpl Griffin, D.L., Jr. Cpl Walters, J.H.

Box I
SPARE 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G F/O Turner, E.O. Sgt Sienkiewicz, J., Jr. Sgt Belcas, J.O. [Returned Early No Sortie]

Box II -- Flight I
1 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Capt Marzolf, L.A. Lt Beck, J.T. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G.	2 671st 43-10165 5C-H A-20G Lt Withington, D.L., III Sgt McElhattan, L.D. S/Sgt Huss, C.F.	3 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Miller, J.H. S/Sgt Marion, H.A. S/Sgt Galender, J.W.
4 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Merchant, W.A. S/Sgt Harp, C.J. S/Sgt Brown, K.P.	5 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Remiszewski, A. Sgt Miguez, J.H. Cpl DiOrio, F.M.	6 671st 43-9937 5C-B A-20G Lt Herman, A.E. S/Sgt Garrett, A.D. S/Sgt Young, J.O.

Box II -- Flight II
1 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. S/Sgt Maziasz, C.W.	2 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Singletary, R.B. Sgt Cianciosi, A.A. Sgt Wiggins, H.G.	3 670th 43-21810 F6-P A-20G Lt Grunig, D.B. Sgt Dias, M.E. Sgt Nowosielski, H.J., Jr.
4 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt Nordstrom, A.W. S/Sgt Gossett, J.D. S/Sgt Miller, R.L.	5 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Sewell, J.C. Sgt Hummer, J.A. Lt Castle, W.D.	6 670th 43-10211 F6-O A-20G Lt Sparling, J.R., Jr. Sgt Majewski, S.J. Sgt Leahigh, L.L.

Box II -- Flight III
1 668th 43-21719 5H-V A-20J Lt Bartmus, G.F. Lt Hardy, J.F. S/Sgt Orr, J.R. S/Sgt Flacks, F.L.	2 668th 43-21480 5H-B A-20G Lt Meredith, R.G., Jr. S/Sgt Hill, A.A. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W.	3 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Peede, L.G. Sgt Brown, D.M. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M.
4 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. S/Sgt Adair, F.L. S/Sgt Love, C.F.	5 668th 43-21760 5H-Z A-20G Lt Kenny, J.P. Sgt Metzler, L.V. Sgt Sittarich, J.J.	6 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Shelton, E.L. S/Sgt Schenck, D.R.

Box II
SPARE 668th 43-21717 5H-P A-20J Lt Col Aylesworth, T.R. Maj Thomas, W.P. Sgt Shafer, E.L. Sgt Euga, P.G.

Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 139 -- September 6, 1944, Wednesday PM
Brest, France -- Strong Points

"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives

In order to make all possible use of the good weather, another 36 ship formation took off for Brest that afternoon. The planes climbed to 12,000 feet. Clouds formed over the Channel and forced the formation down. When it reached the target area, it was down to 6,000 feet. Breaking off into flights, the attack started in a blinding rain. Some of the flights made as many as six bomb runs. Only three flights dropped, however, with fair to good results on the edge of the fortifications, roads, and buildings. On the return trip, when he was nearing the Cherbourg Penninsula, the right engine of Lt Wm. A. Merchant's airplane burst into flames. His two gunners, Staff Sergeants C.J. Harp and K.P. Brown, bailed out into the water and were later rescued. Lt Merchant crash-landed his plane on the Penninsula. Two tires blew on landing. Neither he nor his crew where injured.

"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 141 - 143

Mission #139 - 6 September - PM - Brest Stronghold. The planes hadn't had time to cool off when they were refueled, rearmed and ready to go again within three hours of getting back to base. Weather closed in again, but the boys got down below the heavy cloud layer and bombed at about 2000 feet. Only three flights were able to drop their bombs. Captain Huff and Lt. Kupits, BN, leading a flight made six bomb runs on the target but gave up when they could not see the aiming point. Lts. Greene and Nichols, BN scored a "good" on their run, this being their first bombing mission as a team. Good for them! Major Willetts and Lt. Royalty, BN led the group in. Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck, BN, - Lts. Bartmus and Hardy, BN led flights.

The STARS AND STRIPES daily newspaper of the armed forces, printed that an A-20 was missing after the afternoon mission at Brest. It developed that Lt. Merchant had taken a hit from the small arms fire and light flak at that low altitude. In about 1000 sorties our group made over Brest, this was the first downed aircraft.

This is a good story in itself. Lt. W. A. Merchant was flying in No. 3 slot in a flight when his right engine flamed out and a cylinder broke away. Merchant salvoed his bombs which landed in a farm area, pulling away from the formation. He gave the bail-out order to his gunners, S/Sgts. C. J. Harp and K. P. Brown. These gunners had flown 48 missions with Merchant. They were in plane No. 221 which had 86 white bombs painted on it, a real veteran of combat! The two gunners jumped and floated down, landing on a small peninsula. Merchant had feathered his disabled engine and headed toward Brest. The two gunners found each other and were picked up by some Artillery Soldiers. Sgt. Harp had sprained his ankle, having landed without his flying boots, losing them during his descent, causing him to hit the ground in bare feet. He received medical treatment and were put up in a chateau until the morning.

The next morning, they were taken to XII Army headquarters by jeep and then to Morlaix, a small town northeast of Brest. They saw an A-20 parked in the mud off a runway - it was their plane! A mechanic told them the pilot was okay and had walked away. His whereabouts were not known. The gunners hopped a ride on a C-47 and were returned to England.

Merchant's story went thusly:

With the engine feathered, the fire died out. I was at about 1400 feet altitude, losing about 50 feet a minute and going 150 MPH, looking for a place to land. I spotted this little field, and approached it at 90 degrees, put down on the runway, hit the air bottle about 1/3 down, and both tires blew out. We kept going straight. When we stopped, I threw the hatch and jumped out, running away thinking it might blow. I managed to meet an American Red Cross girl who invited me to her mobile unit, where she fixed me a fried egg sandwich at 0130. The next morning I got to Gael and in an L4-B, but there was no transportation to get me out of there.

He got back to the French coast and hitched a ride on a C-47 to London.

"668th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

The month of September began with a series of concentrated attacks upon Brest, heavily garrisonned Nazi stronghold at the tip of the Brittanny peninsula. Heavy overcast spelled failure for several missions, but we finally succeeded in hitting the target in a number of close support attacks which aided materially in the eventual capture of this vital port.

"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

On the morning of the 6th, Brest was again attacked. Capt. Morton, Lt. Moore, B-N, scored one of the five excellents, that were earned by the Group. That afternoon the weather closed in as the formation again approached a target at Brest. Only three flights were able to bomb although they dropped down to as low as 4,500 feet. Capt. Huff, leading a flight, made six bomb runs but was unable to drop because of the poor visibility. Lt. Greene, Lt. Nichols, B-N, scored a "good" in their first mission as a flight leader.

"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

The month of September opened with a series of concentrated attacks on the Port of Brest, France, by light and medium bombers, in which this Group and Squadron played a important part. With the Nazis tenaciously holding on to the Port of Brest, General Eisenhower called for an all out effort. Six missions were flown by our squadron in the first six days of the month. Twelve crews participated on a mission on Sept 1st, 20 crews on two missions on Sept 3rd, six crews on Sept 5th, and 18 crews on Sept 6th on two missions.

Lt Byrne was transferred on Sept 2nd. English money was converted to francs on this day and work started on embarkation rosters in preparation for a move to France. On this date, two officers received notice of their promotions, Lt Gruetzemacher to Captain, and 2d Lt Tollett to First Lieutenant.

The A-20's of our Group were part of a formation of 300 different types of planes that attacked Brest at 06:10, 6th Sept. Three assaults were made on the Port, when Marauders and Havocs dropped more that 500 tons of bombs in order to force a passage way for US troops beseiging the city. Also on this date, a TWX was received delaying our transfer to France, causing a great deal of disappointment to every member of the squadron.

Four "Buzz Bomb" alerts turned the night of September 5th into a sleepless one. One Robot was shot down which was visible from our field, and the explosion of another shook the huts of our area.

"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns

Bomber Command meant business when it set out to "bomb Brest until it surrendered". The 416th and the rest of the Ninth Bomber Command went out in successive waves against the port on September 5th and 6th, dropping over 1500 tons of explosives on the installations. The Weathersfield based Havocs flew one mission on the 5th and two on the 6th.

Bombing only a short distance ahead of American ground troops, the 416th tacked up three excellents on their evening mission on September 5th . Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck did it again with hits on buildings and strong-points. Crews reported severe damage. One pilot commented that there were so many planes over the city, that they practically had to queue up to drop their bombs.

Eleven light and medium bomb groups participated in an early morning assault on the harbor September 6th with excellent results. Good visibility offered the bombardiers a chance to show their skill. Each of the Groups scored at least one excellent and the 416th make off with the best record in the Command with five excellents and a probable sixth. There was a malfunction of the camera in the latter flight, but the Group bombardier reported an excellent by visual observation. Lt. Adams and his bombardier, Lt. Hanlon, leading the third flight in the second box released their bombs on the MPI causing severe damage. This was the second excellent turned in by this pair, who have been leading flights for just a short period. No losses, casualties or battle damage resulted on these two missions.

The weather took a turn for the worse in the afternoon, and the Havocs had to go in over the Brest area at 2100 feet. Visibility was still poor at this low altitude, but three flights were able to pick up their targets and bomb with fair to good results. Light flak and small arm fire were turned on the ships by the ground defenses. One A-20 failed to return... and the Stars and Stripes and English dailies came out with the statement that on Havoc was missing... the first ship to be lost in over 1,000 sorties against Brest.

Who else would be flying that lone A-20 but Lt. William A. Merchant...the Feather... who has crash landed everything from Piper Cubs to A-20s since he has been in the E.T.O. But the fellows who knew him had not given him up for lost because they felt that if anyone could bring down a ship in distress...it was this Wichita boy. Here's the way it happened: Lt. Merchant flying his old plane No. 221 which had 86 white bombs painted on the side. In No. three position of the first flight in the second box, Merchant approached the bomb run at 2,000 feet when his right engine spouted flames and one of his cylinders broke away. He ordered his gunners, S/Sgt.C.J.Harp and S/Sgt.K.P. Brown, who have flown with him through 48 missions, to bail out after he had salvoed his bombs in a farmer's field. Unable to stay in formation, he pulled out, feathering the right engine.

Crews in the other ships saw Harp and Brown land near the water on a little peninsula south of Brest. Lt. Merchant was last seen limping along on a single engine, headed northeast from Brest. That is the way it happened and no one heard any news of the trio until the morning of the 8th when Harp and Brown returned by Jeep from London, which they had reached by a C-47 from France.

S/Sgt. Brown related the following tale: "Harp and I landed on that little peninsula just south of Brest. We landed about 1� miles apart, but found each other in a few minutes. We were picked up by American soldiers of the Artillary and taken to a first aid station where S/Sgt. Harp received treatment for his sprained ankle. He lost his boots when he bailed out and landed barefooted. We spent the night here in an old French dwelling with the Medics attached to the Artillary." Brown continued, "Next morning we were taken to the Eighth Corps area by jeep, and then to Morlaix, northeast of Brest. To our surprise we saw an A-20...the Feather...parked in the mud off the runway, and we learned from the mechanic in charge that the pilot was well, but he had left. We waited about a half hour for a C-47 to unload Medical supplies and then boarded the ship and returned to England". Brown concluded, "if you want a thrill...just ask to fly with the Feather".

Getting back to the Wichita Flash who was last seen leaving the target area on one engine...he did get back to England and gave this story: "After I dropped by bombs, and my gunners, I feathered the right engine. The fire slackened and then went out which made me feel 100% better. I didn't want to chance it over the channel so I followed the Brest coastline, looking for a landing strip. I was at 1400 feet when I feathered my prop and I was losing about 50 feet a minute, hopping along at 150MPH. I finally spotted a field northeast of Brest which I later learned was Morlaix. I was at 600 feet then. That old landing strip looked good. I made a 90� side approach and set my wheels down on the pavement, hitting the air bottle when I was about 1/3rd down the runway. Both tires blew out, but the plane did not leave the runway. He continued, " I threw the hatch open and got out of the ship just as fast as I could and ran like Hell up the runway, dropping my equipment off as I went."

Asked what happened next, a smile came over the Feather's face...

"You may not believe me", he said, " but I spent the night there with an American Red Cross girl, eating fried egg sandwiches in her club-mobile at 0130 in the morning." Lt. Merchant wouldn't say that was all he did, but he was sure he had those fried eggs.

The next day he flew to Gael in an L4-B where he stayed three days. "There just wasn't any transportation", Merchant said. (The diary has no record of what happened on any one of those three days, but we'll leave it up to the readers' imagination.) Finally he got an AT-ride to the coast, and from there a C-47 carried him to London. Lt. Merchant finished up his itinerary by saying, "When and if I get to France...I know where I'm going...for some more fried egg sandwiches!

"671tst Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcribed from USAF Archives

As the Allies drove on into France their supply lines became more extended. Finally to alleviate this situation General Eisenhower ordered the Air Forces to attack Brest until it was captured. It first it appeared that the flight to Brest was beyond our range so arrangements were made for the Group to attack the target and land at St. Mawgin to refuel. Although extended almost to the limit, some of the planes were able to make it back to the base without refueling. However Brest was often protected by a heavy layer of clouds making it necessary for the Group to return several times before dropping their bombs. This was much to the liking of the men in the Squadron for Brest proved to be a "Cake Run" on most occasions. When flights to Brest were getting monotonous boys of the 671st did their part to add a bit of color and excitement to the affair. While over the target one of the engines of Lt. Merchant's plane caught fire. "Feather" immediately ordered his gunners to bail out while he nursed the plane along on one engine till he reached a landing strip at Morlaix. The gunners S Sgt C. J. Harp and S Sgt K. P. Brown returned the next day on a C-47 but for some reason Feather was not to be found, although his airplane was known to have landed safely. Three days later Feather ended the search and killed his MIA report in the personnel basket when he phoned the Operations Officer from Southern England asking for transportation back to the base.