416th BG Mission 164

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)
Dec 2, 1944 Saturday	No_Report		44-093 A-20K	164	668	Station A-79, near Reims, France	Meagher, Joseph Francis (SWA, EUS) Burg, Jack J. (Not Injured) McCreery, Joseph E. (Not Injured) Fetko, Charles Jr. (Not Injured)

Mission # 164 -- December 2, 1944, Saturday AM
Saarlautern Area, Germany -- Defended Area

Box I -- Flight I
1 671st 44-106 5C-E A-20K Lt Col Willetts, D.L. Lt Royalty, P.G. S/Sgt Lempka, H.A. S/Sgt Cook, G.M.	2 668th 44-093 5H-V A-20K Lt Meagher, J.F. Lt Burg, J.J. S/Sgt McCreery, J.E. S/Sgt Fetko, C., Jr. [Landed at A-79 Radio & Hydraulics Systems Out. Pilot Wounded in Leg. Hospitalized in Reims]	3 671st 41-39237 5C-D A-26B Lt Andrews, H.D., Jr. S/Sgt Swank, O.E.

Box I -- Flight II
1 669th 44-178 2A-L A-20K Lt Miller, E.L. Lt Conner, J.K. Sgt Malloy, J.F. S/Sgt Pemberton, J.M.	2 669th 41-39229 2A-B A-26B Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. Cpl Brinkman, E.R. [Landed at A-62]	3 669th 41-39238 2A-M A-26B Lt Robertson, R.B. S/Sgt Cheney, M.W.
4 669th 41-39252 2A-D A-26B Lt Kehoe, J.W. Lt Britt, J.W. Cpl Richardson, L.L.

Box I -- Flight III
1 669th 44-075 2A-J A-20K Lt DuBose, M.W. Lt Berger, B.K. Sgt Griffin, D.L., Jr. Sgt Walters, J.H.	2 669th 41-39244 2A-I A-26B Lt VanMeter, G.C., Jr. Cpl Kirik, S.J.	3 669th 43-22301 2A-O A-26B Maj Napier, J.G. Cpl Perkins, H.W.
4 669th 41-39242 2A-Q A-26B Lt Clark, H.B. S/Sgt Sabadosh, J.W.

Box I -- Flight IV
1 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Lt Singletary, R.B. Lt Rosenquist, A.E. S/Sgt Wiggins, H.G.	2 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt McGlohn, C.L. S/Sgt Stobert, R.F.	3 670th 41-39235 F6-M A-26B Lt Ostrander, W.B. S/Sgt Wilson, J.E.
4 671st 41-39250 5C-A A-26B Lt Warren, J.R. S/Sgt Stroup, C.C., Jr.

Box I
SPARE 670th 43-22334 F6-G A-26B Lt Barausky, P.P. Pvt Wilson, B.R.

Box I -- Flight WINDOW
1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Capt Peck, W.A. Lt Madenfort, J. S/Sgt VanDuyne, J.E. S/Sgt Rodgers, H.C.	2 670th 44-173 F6-W A-20K Lt Tripp, W.F., Jr. S/Sgt Mallory, D.F. S/Sgt Scott, J.O.	3 670th 44-614 F6-A A-20K Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Vafiadis, C. S/Sgt Hoffman, R.C.

Box II -- Flight I
1 671st 44-185 5C-G A-20K Capt Marzolf, L.A. Lt Beck, J.T. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt DeGiusti, I.R.	2 671st 44-089 5C-R A-20K Lt Buskirk, J.A. Lt Hanna, R.C. S/Sgt Corbitt, C.H., Jr. Cpl Schmidt, K.W.	3 671st 41-39239 5C-N A-26B Capt McFadden, S.E. Sgt Elliott, F.W. [McFadden (Wright Field Repres)]
4 671st 41-39265 5C-V A-26B Lt Smith, R.H. S/Sgt Mahoney, R.J.	5 671st 41-39249 5C-F A-26B Lt Remiszewski, A. Sgt Miguez, J.H.	6 671st 41-39234 5C-P A-26B Lt Miller, J.H. S/Sgt Schrom, R.G.

Box II -- Flight II
1 668th 44-108 5H-M A-20K Lt Miracle, R.V. F/O McCartney, T.M. S/Sgt Flacks, F.L. S/Sgt Yost, C.H., Jr.	2 668th 41-39259 5H-H A-26B Lt Colquitt, J.K. S/Sgt Mohr, C.M. [Returned Early Electrical Troubles]	3 668th 41-39264 5H-I A-26B Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Schenck, D.R.
4 668th 41-39216 5H-Q A-26B Lt Meredith, R.G., Jr. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W.	5 668th 43-22317 5H-O A-26B Lt Kenny, J.P. Sgt Sittarich, J.J.	6 668th 43-22302 5H-D A-26B Lt Annin, W.W. Sgt Rivard, C.J.

Box II -- Flight III
1 670th 44-076 F6-Q A-20K Capt Harrold, F.J., Jr. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. S/Sgt Maziasz, C.W. S/Sgt Glynn, F.P.	2 670th 43-22307 F6-N A-26B Lt Johnson, E.L. T/Sgt Goggin, J.F.	3 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B Lt Merritt, T.S. Sgt Basile, A.C.
4 670th 41-39212 F6-K A-26B Lt Hall, R.B. S/Sgt Jackson, W.S. [Returned Early Landing Gear]	5 670th 41-39217 F6-I A-26B Lt Leonard, T.J. S/Sgt Palmer, T.A.	6 670th 41-39227 F6-F A-26B Lt Musgrove, W. S/Sgt Seighman, H.O. Mr. Schwab, E.F. [Schwab (Correspondent)]

Box II
SPARE 671st 41-39210 5C-J A-26B Lt Platter, E.T. Sgt Williford, C.W. Capt Lincoln, L.E. [Lincoln (97th CBW ), Williford (SQDN A Gunnery Instructor)]

Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 164 -- December 2, 1944, Saturday AM
Saarlautern Area, Germany -- Defended Area

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

The first mission in December, mission No. 164 for the Group, was flown on the 2nd. The aiming point was a small bridge in the town of Saarlautern, Germany. The target was bombed by PPF. One aircraft in Box I had a malfunction and dropped prematurely. Box II dropped on his bombs and hit enemy territory south of Merzig. The remainder of the planes dropped on the briefed target and scored a Superior. The center of the burst fell on the railroad, on buildings, and near the overpass. Hits were scored on roadways and factory buildings as well. Lt. Col. Willetts, Lt. Royalty, B-N, and Capt. Marzolf, Lt. Beck, B-N, led the two boxes. The flak was moderate and accurate on the bomb run onto the target. Captain Meagher's plane was hit by flak. He was painfully wounded in the feet. He had no radio contact with the other men in his plane to warn them about his condition or to check with them for injuries. He made what some called "the most perfect peel-off" they had ever seen when he left the formation after the target, even with his damaged plane. He made an emergency crash-landing near Reims. It was not until the other members of his crew crawled uninjured from the washed-out plane that they knew that their pilot was injured. Capt. Meagher was taken to the hospital and from there evacuated to the States.

"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 172 - 173

Mission #164 - 2 December - Saarlautern, Germany. Lt. Col. Willetts, and Lt. Royalty, BN led Box I - Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck took over Box II. Captain Meagher and Lt. Burg BN, flew deputy to Box I. Lts. Miracle and McCartney, BN led a flight. Heavy cloud cover required bombing with PFF help. Up to the target area, it was considered a Milk Run, but the skies opened up with accurate heavy flak, causing damage to 21 aircraft. Bombing was rated Superior for one flight, dropping their load within 1000 feet of the main aiming point. This mission was one in which other IX Bomber Command Marauders, and Havocs were called upon to hinder German Forces from amassing troops and equipment. Anti-tank positions, gun emplacements, and dug in tanks were aiming at advancing allied forces. The area bombing technique worked very well, helping Patton's boys advance. One of the flights released their bombs prematurely due to a malfunction.

This mission is one that a then 22 year old pilot said he would never forget.

Joe Meagher, flying deputy to a Box leader, approaching the target felt a burst of flak lifting his plane, an A-20K, up 15 feet, when he felt a numbing sensation on his right ankle. His manifold pressure went to zero on his right engine. He turned right out of the formation, feathering his dead engine and noticing his left engine smoking. He quickly enumerated six decisions he knew he would have to contend with including

l. having his crew bail out to safety

2. try to make it to friendly territory and bail out himself

3. stay with the plane and belly in

4. (his intercom was out so he could not communicate with his crew)

5. Fly the damaged ship to safety with a painful injury

He decided to go down under the overcast and look for a flat spot to belly in "What about my bombardier, up in the nose of the ship? He doesn't have much protection. I can't talk to my crew."

He trimmed up and started through the clouds, 240 MPH with one engine smoking.

He got down to 800 feet, skipped hedgerows, and God answering his prayers, gave him a flat surface being worked on by Caterpillar tractors. He knew he was in friendly territory, he thought, because Germans don't use yellow Cats. He buzzed the field 20 feet over the tractors, hoping they would pull the tractors off the flat surface. He pulled up into the clouds and dropped the plane nose sharply to force the wheels down since hydraulics were out. He heard the THUG and felt he was safe going in. On landing, and coming to a screeching halt, everybody scrambled out of the plane. Gunner McCreary gave Meagher a shot of morphine to ease the pain. His ankle was broken, requiring an eight month hospital stay. His BN, Burg was assigned to another pilot, Lt. Miracle. both of whom were shot down on Christmas Day during the Battle of the Bulge. Meagher says his prayers to God were answered for his crew.

This was Captain Meagher's 65th mission, along with his gunner, McCreary. On this mission, Lt. Renth, West Pointer, was knocked out of the formation, but he managed to land without injury to himself or his gunners. His plane was last seen going down, rapidly - from the formation.

December 3rd and 4th were "rain" days, with no missions. Lt. Miracle received his Captain bars. Lts H. D. Andrews and R. H. Smith, W. E. Downing, completed their 65th missions. But, ironically, it seems, the 65th missions are sometimes shakey. Lt. Andrews had his plane's rudder seriously damaged by flak bursts, but he was able to coax his way to safety. Downing signed up for a second tour and was transferred to the 670th squadron. New pilots keep coming in to replace those of the original group who are completing their tours and leaving for stateside rest and re-assignments. West Point Graduate, Richard V. Miracle received his promotion to Captain.

On December 1, Lt. Vernon Powell. the No. 1 Bombardier of the group was assigned as Group Bombardier-Navigator, transferring from the 670th Squadron to Group HDQS.

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

On 2d December, while returning from a combat mission, Captain Joseph F. Meagher, Flight Commander, was struck in the foot by a flak fragment and severely wounded. The same burst disabled the aircraft. Captain Meagher, without informing his crew that he was injured, lest he give them cause for alarm, left the formation and by a superb feat of airmanship, successfully crash-landed the battle damaged ship without injury to the crew. A veteran of sixty-three missions, Captain Meagher was transferred to a General Hospital and evacuated to England, whence he will be sent home. The heroic act on his last combat mission, together with the professional skill displayed throughout his tour, mark Captain Meagher as one of the distinguished combat pilots of the Squadron.

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

Ten of our crews took part in the first mission of December, which was an attack on the defended area of Saarlautern, Germany. Superior results were obtained. Hits were scored on roadways and factory buildings. Flak was described as moderate accurate.

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

December 2nd, 1944

The Invaders of the 416th Bomb Group struck by the Pathfinder technique at enemy Siegfried Line defenses at Saarlautern, 15 miles northwest of Saarbrucken, in a mid-morning attack on December 2nd, 1944. Nearly 250 of the triple-edge bomber force of the Ninth Bomb Division � Invaders, Havocs, and Marauders joined in pounding machine gun positions, dug in tanks and armor, and anti-tank traps in the path of Patton's forces.

The first box of the 416th, led by Lt.Col.Willetts and Lt. Royalty, received a superior rating on bombing results, the best and only one turned in that day. Ninety-eight per cent of the bombs fell within a radius of 1000 feet of the DMPI. The centers of the bursts were on the railroad and buildings, and several near misses to highway overpass. Possible hits and near misses were made on factory buildings, as well as strikes on several roadways.

The second box, led by Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck, did not fare as well. One of the aircraft in Box 1, released prematurely due to a malfunction and Lt. Beck dropped on the lead, his bombs falling one mile south of Mersig.

Moderate accurate heavy flak was encountered, 11 aircraft receiving battle damage, but none were lost.