416th BG Mission 148

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 29, 1944 Friday	MACR 9273	43-21759 A-20G	148	670	Bitburg, Germany	Nordstrom, Arthur William (MIA, KIA) Gossett, Joseph Dervin (MIA, POW, RMC, RTD) Miller, Robert Lee (MIA, KIA)
Sep 29, 1944 Friday	MACR 9188	43-21961 A-20G	148	669		Boukamp, Tonnis NMI (MIA, KIA) Wing, Jeong Shew (MIA, POW, RTD) Colosimo, Russell Joseph (MIA, POW, RMC, RTD)
Sep 29, 1944 Friday	No_Report	43-10190 A-20G	148	669		Kehoe, John William (WIA) Arendt, Emil A. (Not Injured) Richardson, Lutie L. (Not Injured)

Mission # 148 -- September 29, 1944, Friday AM
Bitburg, Germany -- Warehouse and Marshalling Yard

Box I -- Flight I
1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Maj Price, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. S/Sgt Damico, E.A. Sgt Bentzler, D.H.	2 668th 43-21717 5H-P A-20J Lt Andersen, C.J., Jr. Lt Babbage, W. Sgt Euga, P.G. Sgt Schafer, E.L.	3 668th 43-9894 5H-R A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Schenck, D.R. S/Sgt Shelton, E.L.
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 McCready, T.D. Sgt Lemonds, W.E. Sgt Fuehrer, W.F.	6 668th 43-10226 5H-E A-20G Lt Saidla, J.B. Sgt Cavanagh, A.F. Sgt Harris, J.M.

Box I -- Flight II
1 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Lt Atkinson, P.G., Jr. Lt Ackerson, D.G. S/Sgt Swafford, J.O., Jr. S/Sgt Glynn, P.F. [Did Not Bomb]	2 670th 43-9892 F6-L A-20G Lt Murphy, T.A. Sgt Ricketson, J.J. Sgt O'Connell, L.W.	3 670th 43-21810 F6-P A-20G Lt Barausky, P.P. S/Sgt Wilson, B.R. Sgt Hall, M.
4 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Ostrander, W.B. S/Sgt Wilson, J.E. S/Sgt Binney, I.	5 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Musgrove, W. Sgt Seighman, H.O. Sgt Licker, M.	6 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Merritt, T.S. Sgt Basile, A.C. S/Sgt Gatti, R.J.

Box I -- Flight III
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. [Did Not Bomb]	2 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt Popeney, H.V. Sgt Arnett, W.E. Sgt Candler, H.C.S.	3 670th 43-9720 F6-F A-20G Lt Warren, J.R. Sgt Stroup, C.C., Jr. Sgt Turpin, S.J.
4 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Nordstrom, A.W. S/Sgt Gossett, J.D. S/Sgt Miller, R.L. [Missing]	5 670th 43-9674 F6-R A-20G Lt Turner, E.O. Sgt Sienkiewicz, J., Jr. Sgt Belcas, J.O.	6 670th 43-9905 F6-K A-20G Lt Sheley, S.H. Sgt Friday, L.R. Sgt Collier, J.L.

Box I
SPARE 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt DuBose, M.W. Sgt Griffin, D.L., Jr. Sgt Walters, J.H. [Returned Early as Briefed]

Box II -- Flight I
1 668th 43-10125 5H-M A-20J Capt McNulty, G.M. Lt Bursiel, F.H. S/Sgt Fejes, J.A., Jr. S/Sgt Judd, E.R., Jr.	2 668th 43-21719 5H-V A-20J Lt Miracle, R.V. F/O McCartney, T.M. S/Sgt Sieg, B.C. S/Sgt Burkhalter, J.C.	3 668th 43-9362 5H-L A-20G Lt Evans, H.M. Sgt Skeens, C.L. Sgt Merritt, O.N., Jr.
4 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. Sgt Heitell, S.L. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R.	5 668th 43-21764 5H-X A-20G Lt Cannon, L.E. Sgt Robinson, J.W. Sgt Brzezinski, E.P.	6 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Harris, F.W. S/Sgt Hantske, D. S/Sgt Chustz, R.F.

Box II -- Flight II
1 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Lt Adams, J.D. Lt Hanlon, R.J. S/Sgt Hinson, A.H. S/Sgt Herr, R.E.	2 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Lt Pair, H.F. Lt Corum, J.L. S/Sgt Marion, H.A. S/Sgt Adams, V.P.	3 671st 43-9841 5C-O A-20G Lt Ames, W.H. Sgt Fessler, H.S. Sgt Brown, R.J.
4 671st 43-9956 5C-Z A-20G Lt Lackovich, J.J. Sgt Connery, T.F. Sgt Barry, R.M.	5 671st 43-10200 5C-F A-20G Lt Winn, A.J.P. Cpl Davis, W.G., Jr. Sgt Stephenson, G.G.	6 671st 43-9719 5C-J A-20G Lt Fero, D.A. Cpl Skelton, T.W. Cpl Rojas, A.A.

Box II -- Flight III
1 669th 43-21469 2A-J A-20J Capt Morton, R.J. Lt Moore, D.L. S/Sgt Webb, C.L. S/Sgt Citty, F.M. [Did Not Bomb]	2 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Lt Miller, E.L. Lt Conner, J.K. Sgt Malloy, J.F. S/Sgt Pemberton, J.M.	3 669th 43-10155 2A-V A-20G Lt Connor, J.S. S/Sgt Rodgers, H.C. S/Sgt VanDuyne, J.E.
4 669th 43-21961 2A-P A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Colosimo, R.J. S/Sgt Wing, J.S. [Missing]	5 669th 43-10190 2A-I A-20G Lt Kehoe, J.W. Cpl Arendt, E.A. Pvt Richardson, L.L.	6 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Butler, G.S. Cpl McClain, H.B. Sgt McGaughy, W.S.

Box II
SPARE 671st 43-9937 5C-B A-20G Lt VanNoorden, H.M. Sgt Thompson, G.H., Jr. Cpl Steffey, R.I. [Returned Early as Briefed]

Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 148 -- September 29, 1944, Friday AM
Bitburg, Germany -- Warehouse and Marshalling Yard

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

Early in the morning on the 29th, 36 planes took off to begin the most costly day in our history. The target was the high priority warehouses and marshalling yards at Bitburg, behind the Siegfried Line. The weather was poor, but three flights picked up the target and bombed with excellent results. The target was attacked by both the 409th and 416th Bomb Groups (L). First phase photo reports on the bombing read: "Track facilities completely severed in marshalling yard by approximately 25 direct hits. Twenty goods wagons destroyed or damaged. Railroad facilities adjacent to marshalling yards are heavily damaged by direct hits. Warehouse type of buildings east of marshalling yard are heavily damaged, with only seven buildings in this area undamaged. The marshalling yard and railroad facilities are unserviceable." Moderate to intense flak at the target cost us two planes, both flown by our original crews from the States. A direct hit in the tunnel gunner's hatch of Lt Arthur W. Nordsrom's plane broke it in the middle. As the plane fell in the target area, one parachute was seen. Lt Tonnis Boukamp's plane was also hit, but in both engines. With both engines on fire, the plane was last seen falling away in a gentle glide, still under control on a southwesterly heading, 8 miles southwest of the target. No chutes were seen. Lt Nordstrom's gunners were Staff Sergeants Joseph D. Gossett and Robert L. Miller. Lt Boukamp's gunners were Staff Sergeants Russell J. Colosimo and Jeong S. Wing. Major Price and Captain McNulty led the formation.

"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 155

Mission #148 - 29 September - AM - Bitburg Marshalling Yard, Germany. Major Price with Lt. Hand, BN, led Box I with Captain Osborne and Lt. Forma, BN on Box II. Lts. Adams and Hanlon BN, and Lts. Pair and Corum BN led flights. This target was well protected by anti-aircraft gunners, and manned by experts. At least eight gun emplacements were firing at the group, with shots hitting the planes as they formed up for the IP (Initial Point of the Bomb Run when all planes fly straight and level without evasive action). Lt. Nordstrom of the 670th squadron with gunners S/Sgts. Gossett and Miller, took a direct hit and the airplane exploded, breaking in half. Only one chute emerged, that of S/Sgt Gossett. Lt. Boukamp of the 669th squadron and his gunners were lost when their plane's both engines caught fire and glided away from the formation. His gunners, S/Sgts R. J. Colosimo and Joeng S. Wing got out and made POWs. Boukamp was lost. All other planes returned to base with flak shots, so no one escaped the fury of the gunners.

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

On the 29th, the warehouse and marshalling yard at Bitburg was attacked. Only 17 planes dropped but their results were excellent. Capt. Morton, leading a flight, was unable to drop because of weather. Phot [Photo] reconnaissance showed the warehouse and yard completely destroyed. Exhibit #58 Lt. Boukamp's plane was hit by the in tense flak that defended the target. Both engines were hit and were on fire. The plane broke away from the formation in a gentle glide, but the plane was still under control, heading southwest, 8 miles southwest of the target. No chutes were seen. His gunners were Staff Sergeants Russell J. Colosimo and Jeong S. Wing. All three of them had almost completed their tours of duty.

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

September 29th proved to be one of the most disastrous days the Group had experienced. Two missions were flown on this day and seventeen crew members from the whole group were lost. Our squadron received its share of casualties, having one crew missing in action, and one gunner killed in action. On the morning mission, an attack against the Bitburg Marshalling Yards in Germany, Lt Nordstrom and his crew of S/Sgts Gossett and Miller received a direct hit over the target and the airplane exploded and broke in half. One parachute was observed leaving the ship, believed to have been that of the pilot.

In the afternoon, a mission was sent against troop concentration at Julich, Germany. Flak was extremely heavy, and the aircraft severly damaged. The ship flown by Capt Jackson was badly shot up and his gunner, S/Sgt Daniel was severly hit in the leg, severing an artery. After dropping his bombs, Captain Jackson raced his plane back to the base in an effort to get aid for his stricken gunner, but to no avail. S/Sgt Daniel died before they landed. In this raid, Lts Maltby, McGlohn and S/Sgts Addleman and Eutsler were slightly wounded.

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

September 29th, 1944

The 416th and the 671st had one of its most disastrous days on the 29th of September 1944 running of missions No. 148 and 149. Moderate to intense accurate heavy flak was met on both morning and afternoon attacks on marshalling yards inside Germany. In the morning sortie Lt. Boukamp of the 669th Squadron and Lt. Nordstrom of the 670th Squadron were shot down over the target area. In the afternoon the 671st caught the wrath the Germans flung up. Lt. Francis W. De Mand, Lt. Robert W. York and Lt. Ray C. Morehouse and their crews were knocked out of the air by a flak barrage that tore their flight apart just over the target. Lt. De Mand's ship, which was leading the third flight in the second box, received a direct hit on the gas tank, and the plane exploded in mid-air. The other two planes were seen going down over the target.

The personal loss of Lt. De Mand and his crew was one of the greatest that could hit this Squadron. Lt. De Mand joined the Group in July of 1943 and saw the 416th move from training to combat in which he played a most important part. Known as "Frenchie" to his pilot pals, he had piled up 53 sorties and had been leading flights since June. It is a sure bet that Lt. De Mand will find himself a bright spot in the Pilot's heaven...cause they don't come any better.

Lt. De Mand's bombardier-navigator, Lt. Alwin C. Burns, just joined this outfit in August, but had chalked up nine missions, and the De Mand/Burns combination was shaping up as a top flight team. De Mand's two gunners S/Sgt. Reuben J.Troyer and S/Sgt.Clyde W. Middleton, were two of the oldest gunners in the Squadron and were among the best liked. Troyer was a member of the original 671st Bomb Squadron formed back at Will Rogers Field in February of 1943, while Middleton joined the Squadron at Laural, Mississippi in December. S/Sgt. Troyer had 57 missions to his credit while S/Sgt. Middleton had 53.

1st Lt. York and his gunners, S/Sgt. Harlay J. Wilds and S/Sgt. Lewis A. Ashton, and Lt. Morehouse and his gunners, S/Sgt. Arthur J. Burgess and S/Sgt. Leonard A. Zygiel came to the 416th as replacements in the early part of May and had turned into combat veterans. They were an integral part of the 671st . Lt. York racked up 42 missions and Lt. Morehouse, 35 missions. S/Sgt.

Wilds had 37 sorties, S/Sgt. Ashton had 42, S/Sgt. Burgess and S/Sgt. Zygiel both had 35.

In the morning the Havocs went to the Bitburg marshalling yard and warehouse 15 miles north of Trier. They struck in direct support of the U.S. ground forces. Major Price led the Group and his flight layed an excellent pattern of bursts on the yards. Lt. Adams and Lt. Hanlon led the 671st flight, but a camera malfunction prevented results from being obtained. Flak started one minute before the I.P. and continued to the target. Eight heavy guns were known to be present and it is believed that the enemy moved in railway guns also. After their experience in France, the Nazis will probably give transportation centers and choke points high defense priority.

The afternoon assault by the A-20s was against the Julich marshalling yards, 10 miles inside the German-Holland border and 25 miles west of Cologne. Object of this Operation was to destroy troops and supplies being shipped through this M/Y for reinforcement of the Seigfried Line. The Julich depot is on an important railway and highway leading from Cologne to the Aachen sector.

Clouds covered the target area when the 416th went over. Flight leaders were instructed to drop their bombs one-minute after passing the target area when targets could not be picked out through the clouds. Therefore results are not know, but damage was believed to have been done.

Intense accurate heavy flak was encountered at the target and between Kerkrade and Eschweiler. The flak at the target probably came from Railway guns placed in the Marshalling yard. The flak enroute was possibly from mobile guns as there are two Panzer Divisions located near the area.