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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 58 -- May 27, 1944, Saturday PM Amiens, France Marshalling Yards
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 58 -- May 27, 1944, Saturday PM Amiens, France Marshalling Yards
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 41 Total -- 36 A-20G's, 5 A-20J's Tactical Target Dossier: 4902E/C/14 Illustration : 4902E/5 Illustration Ref : 104065 Summary of Results : Two boxes, 19 ships each box, with the last 3 ships in each flight and 3 ships preceding formation dispersing window. Box 1 - Majority of bombs were released prematurely on bomb run when a direct flak hit caused release of bombs of one ship with the result that 2 flights released under mistaken impression box leader had dropped. Box 2 - Fair Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 49.89030,2.30970 (49° 53' 25" N, 2° 18' 35" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on Google Maps, Visual match to Strike Photo) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
| Date | Report |   |
A/C Serial # Type |
Mis- sion # |
Bomb Sq |
Location | Personnel (Status when available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 1944 Saturday |
MACR 5033 |
|
43-10203 A-20G |
58 | 668 | Amiens, France | Siracusa, Lucian James (MIA, POW, RMC)
Hume, James Noland (MIA, POW, RMC) Brown, Floyd Edward (MIA, POW, RMC) |
| May 27, 1944 Saturday |
No_Report | 43-9893 A-20G |
58 | 671 | Coast of England | Sims, Thomas J. (WIA)
Williamson, Julius Caesar Jr. (MIA, POW, RMC) Larsen, Harry Walter (MIA, POW, RMC) |
|
| May 27, 1944 Saturday |
No_Report | 43-9680 A-20G |
58 | 670 | Sommers, Douglas T. (Not Injured)
Zaklikiewicz, Stanley Robert (WIA) Johnson, John Lennart (Not Injured) |
||
| May 27, 1944 Saturday |
MACR 5032 |
|
43-10206 A-20G |
58 | 669 | Amiens, France | Gullion, Allen Wyant Jr. (MIA, POW, RMC, RTD)
Coffey, Gerald Lemoyne (MIA, POW, RMC, RTD) Cope, Grady Franklin (MIA, POW, RMC, RTD) |
| May 27, 1944 Saturday |
MACR 5035 |
|
43-9983 A-20G |
58 | 669 | Amiens, France | Hewes, Harry Earl Jr. (MIA, POW, SWA, EUS)
Boyer, Harold Eugene (MIA, RMC, RTD) Kasper, Joseph Francis (MIA, POW, RMN, RTD) |
= Entries having actual Reports available for review. = Entries having additional Images or Photos.)Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 58 -- May 27, 1944, Saturday PM
Amiens, France -- Marshalling Yards
| 1 669th 43-9450 2A-S A-20J Maj Price, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. S/Sgt McCreery, J.E. S/Sgt Sylva, H.J. |
2 669th 43-9442 2A-D A-20J Capt Clark, R.A. Lt Jones, C.W. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. S/Sgt Radlich, N. |
3 668th 43-9684 5H-K A-20G Lt Ritchie, S.B., Jr. S/Sgt Anderson, E.A. S/Sgt Newkirk, A.W., Jr. |
| 4 668th 43-10203 5H-R A-20G Lt Siracusa, L.J. S/Sgt Hume, J.N. S/Sgt Brown, F.E. |
5 668th 43-9893 5H-P A-20G Lt Sims, T.J. Sgt Williamson, J.C., Jr. Sgt Larsen, H.W. |
6 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Svenson, R.R. Sgt Clark, C.J., Jr. Sgt Chustz, R.F. |
| 1 670th 43-9200 F6-A A-20G Lt Rudisill, R.S. S/Sgt Riley, R.K. S/Sgt Bonamo, A.J. |
2 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Johnson, E.L. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. S/Sgt Brayn, M.R. |
3 670th 43-9227 F6-F A-20G Lt Sewell, J.C. S/Sgt Evans, O.D. S/Sgt Palmer, T.A. |
| 4 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. Sgt Maziasz, C.W. |
5 670th 43-9680 F6-R A-20G Lt Sommers, D.T. S/Sgt Zaklikiewicz, S.R. Sgt Johnson, J.L. |
6 670th 43-9750 F6-M A-20G Lt Hall, R.B. Sgt Blackford, D.S. S/Sgt Eutsler, R.J. |
| 1 669th 43-10147 2A-K A-20G Lt Morton, R.J. S/Sgt Alden, S.F. S/Sgt Ballinger, R.L. |
2 669th 43-10206 2A-F A-20G Lt Gullion, A.W., Jr. S/Sgt Coffey, G.L. S/Sgt Cope, G.F. |
3 669th 43-9983 2A-J A-20G Lt Hewes, H.E., Jr. S/Sgt Kasper, J.F. S/Sgt Boyer, H.E. |
| 4 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Peck, W.A. S/Sgt Bergeron, A.E. S/Sgt Kelton, H.E. |
5 669th 43-9717 2A-N A-20G Lt Connor, J.S. Sgt Rodgers, H.C. Sgt VanDuyne, J.E. |
6 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Vleghels, A.J. Sgt Rice, R.W. Sgt Young, C.E. |
| SPARE 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. S/Sgt Perkins, H., Jr. Sgt Newell, S.P. |
| 1 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Lt Osborne, A.E., Jr. Lt Forma, W. S/Sgt Coe, W.H. S/Sgt Kelly, E.E. |
2 670th 43-9455 F6-T A-20J Maj Napier, J.G. Lt Smith, W.L. S/Sgt Dickenson, E.S. Sgt Hornbeck, K.E., Jr. |
3 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Bartmus, G.F. S/Sgt Orr, J.R. S/Sgt Flacks, F.L. |
| 4 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Meagher, J.F. Sgt Hantske, D. S/Sgt Damico, E.A. |
5 668th 43-9360 5H-S A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R. S/Sgt Antanaitis, A.J. |
6 668th 43-9963 5H-N A-20G Lt Miracle, R.V. S/Sgt Burkhalter, J.C. S/Sgt Sieg, B.C. |
| 1 671st 43-10165 5C-H A-20G Lt DeMand, F.W. Sgt Troyer, R.J. S/Sgt Middleton, C.W. |
2 671st 43-10164 5C-I A-20G Lt Wipperman, R.A. Sgt DeBower, D.H. Sgt Garrett, A.D. |
3 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Durante, A.R. S/Sgt Best, H.T. S/Sgt DeGiusti, I.R. |
| 4 671st 43-9925 5C-G A-20G Lt Platter, E.T. S/Sgt Johnson, K.L. S/Sgt Czech, J.L. |
5 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Henderson, F.W. Sgt Griswold, R.M. Sgt Coulombe, P.E. |
6 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Miller, J.H. Sgt Schrom, R.G. Sgt Galender, J.W. |
| 1 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Marzolf, L.A. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. |
2 671st 43-9220 5C-E A-20G Lt Perkins, R.D. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Linneman, R.H. |
3 671st 43-9493 5C-V A-20G Lt Smith, R.H. S/Sgt Stockham, A.A. Sgt Mahoney, R.J. |
| 4 671st 43-10214 5C-C A-20G Lt Wheeler, R.V. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. S/Sgt Corrin, E.W. |
5 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Lt Morehouse, R.C. Sgt Zygiel, L.A. Sgt Burgess, A.J. |
6 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt York, R.W. S/Sgt Cook, G.M. S/Sgt Werley, E.R. |
| SPARE 670th 43-9892 F6-L A-20G Lt Gruetzemacher, R.O. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. S/Sgt Risko, S. |
| 1 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Capt Jackson, C.R. Lt Maltby, A.H. S/Sgt Binney, I. S/Sgt Wilson, J.E. |
2 669th 43-9840 2A-V A-20G Lt Shainberg, N.V. Sgt Vafiadis, C. Sgt Hoffman, R.C. |
3 669th 43-9181 2A-A A-20G Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. S/Sgt LaNave, O.D. S/Sgt Citty, F.M. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 58 -- May 27, 1944, Saturday PM
Amiens, France -- Marshalling Yards
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
In the afternoon we were the ones to lose planes. The target was again the Marshalling Yards at Amiens. Some few bombs hit the target with fair results. The majority of box 1 dropped on the No. 4 plane, which, having received a direct hit by flak, salvoed its Bombs 10 seconds before the point for release. Six chutes were seen to come out of the planes flown by Lt Guillon and Lt Siracusa. Lt Simms was hit in the arm by flak, and gave the order to his two gunners to bail out over France. The two chutes were seen to open. Lt Simms managed to jockey the plane back across the Channel and crashed on the coast. Although badly injured, and the plane completely wrecked, he did an outstanding job getting the plane back to this side of the Channel. Lt Hewes was also hit over the target. He was last seen flying west from Amiens, slowly losing altitude. No chutes were seen and nothing further was reported on him. The four crews were: Lt Allen W. Gullion Jr., S/Sgt Grady F. Cope, and S/Sgt Gerald L. Coffey, Lt Lucien J. Siracusa, S/Sgt James M. Hume, and S/Sgt Floyd E. Brown Lt Harry E. Hewes, S/Sgt Joseph F. Kasper, and S/Sgt Harold E. Boyer Lt Tommie J. Simms, S/Sgt Julius C. Williamson, and S/Sgt Harry W. Larsen As the chutes from Lt Gullion's and Lt Siracusa's planes floated down, it was reported that light flak was fired at the parachutists from 8000 feet to the ground. The formation was led by Major Price, with Lt Hand, B-N, and Lt Osborne, with Lt Forma, B-N.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 81
Mission #58 - May 27 - PM - Amiens Marshalling Yard. The records do not show who led this formation in. The reports show that the pilot flying No. 4 slot of the first box took a flak burst, which caused his bombs to drop out, making the planes behind him to jettison their bombs. This was ten seconds before the leader was to drop his load. Some of the bombs did hit the target with fair results. Lt. A. W. Gullion of the 669th with gunners S/Sgts. Grady F. Cope and Gerald Coffey, and Lt. Lucien Siracusa with gunners, S/Sgts. James Hume and Floyd Brown were all hit by flak causing them all to parachute out with their planes crashing near the target area. Lt. Thomas J. Sims caught flak going on the bomb run, but he continued on to drop his bombs. He moved away from the flight, losing speed, feeling faint, he called to his gunners, Sgts. Harry W. Larsen and Julius J. Williamson, Jr. to bail out, which they did. Simms kept going and crash landed on the coast of England nursing his badly damaged ship and himself bleeding and hardly conscious. Upon landing, he passed out, was retrieved from the plane and carried to a nearby hospital. Siracusa was a POW and returned to duty. Lt. H. E. Hewes took a hit over the target and also went down. He evidently made it back to friendly territory since he was returned to the states carrying the designation SWA (Seriously Wounded in Action).
"668th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On 27 May, 1st Lt Lucian J. Siracusa, Flight Leader, and his combat crew S Sgt Floyd E. Brown (Mechanic-Gunner) and S Sgt James N. Hume (Armorer-Gunner) were reported Missing in Action. S Sgt Hume was a veteran of ninety-three combat missions, including 68 in the South Pacific.
On this same mission, 2nd Lt Tommie J. Sims, a newly assigned pilot flying his second combat mission, was seriously wounded and his aircraft severely damaged by enemy ground fire at the very outset of the bombing-run. Flying on one engine, the injured pilot heroically remained in formation for the duration of the run, and having released his bombs on the target, flew the ship back to England where he crash-landed. His crew, Sgt Harry W. Larsen (Mechanic-Gunner), and Sgt Julius C. Williamson Jr. (Armorer-Gunner), abandoned ship over enemy territory and are missing in action.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
We seemed to be headed for a whole month of operations without a loss, when on the 27th all hell broke loose. In an attack on the Amiens Marshalling Yard, both Lt. Allen W. Gullion's and Lt. Harry E. Hewes' planes were hit by flak in the target area. Lt. Gullion's plane caught on fire, and three chutes were seen to come out of it and open up. With him were S/Sgt. Grady F. Cope and S/Sgt. Gerald F. Coffey, his gunners. The plane flown by Lt. Hewes was seen to drop out of formation, losing altitude. This happened shortly after leaving the target area. No reports were ever received on him. With him were his two gunners, S/Sgt. Harold E. Boyer and S/Sgt. Joseph F. Kasper. All six crewmen are listed as "Missing in Action".
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
From May 23rd to May 30th, the squadron flew a total of ninety-eight
sorties on missions to attack the Beaumont-LeRoger airdrome; the
Abbeville-Drucat airdrome; the Monchy-Breton airdrome; the Beauvais-
Tille airdrome; the Amiens marshalling yards; the Bruges-St Michiel
Naval Radar Direction Finder Station in Belgium; the Vacqueriette
Noball site; the Behen Noball site; the Achiet airdrome and the
Denain-Prouby airdrome.
Lt Crispino was awarded the Purple Heart for the injuries
sustained on the 19th, and Sgt Zaklikiewicz for wounds sustained on
May 26th.
The Stars and Strips carried an article on May 24th, which
concerned the group. In the story about veteran gunners of other
campaigns of this war, S/Sgt Riley and S/Sgt Kidd of our unit,
received credit due them for previous operational experience. (See
Exhibit # 19 attached.)
Lt Maltby received his promotion to 1st Lt on May 22nd.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
The 416th crossed the Channel 10 times from May 26th through June 4th to paste the enemy Airdromes, Marshalling Yards and No-Balls in air operations which were intended to knock the blocks from under the Nazis transportation, communication, and defense set-up in occupied France.
May 27th , 1944 was a day, which the combat crews of this outfit won't forget so readily. The target was the Amiens Marshalling Yards. The 409th Bomb Group led the Wing in the morning, but the formations never reached the target... the leader being knocked out of the air. The planes returned with 50% battle damage, and the terrific flak barrage that had hit the formation had put a strain on the crews. The afternoon's news that The Outfit was going back to Amiens brought on a lot of moaning, for the crews realized it was going to be a rough ordeal. Our crews were in the last box, of the two to go out; luckily for us, for the first box caught all the hell and four planes were knocked out. However, one of them reached England safely, although the two gunners bailed out over enemy territory.