}J ~ j~ r1j fJDjJl~J [-~ J r IJ r JjJ JU lJJ ~l JU iJJ JJ in Rction ouer Europe with the P-47i1nd P-51
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
Also by the Author
FIGHTER UNrrs & PILOTS OF THE 8TH AIR FORCE: SEPTEMBER 1942 - MAY 1945 Volume I: Day~to-Day Operations· Fighter Group Histories Volume 2: Aerial Victories· Ace Data
THE 363RD FIGHTER GROUP IN WORW WAR If: IN ACTION OVER EUROPE WITH THE P-51 MUSTANG
THE 356TH FIGHTER GROUP
in World War II in Action over Europe with the P-47 and P-51
Kent D. Miller
Schiffer Military History Atglen, PA
Dust jacket and aircraft profile artwork by S.W. Ferguson, Colorado Springs, CO.
all the COl'er: TH\VAITES WADES IN By May 19, 1944, David Thwaites, eventually to be the first aerial ace in the 356th Fighter Group, had scored two and one half victories while flying with the 361 st Fighter Squadron. On this date, the 356th Dew a penetration support and ran into over 100 enemy fighters in the Celle-QuackenbruckHanover area. Thwaites and his wingman took on 25·plus Fw 190s that were attacking some B~24s, and in a matter of minutes he had shot down one Focke- Wulf and damaged another three.
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710
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Contents Introduction The 356th Fighter Group in World War II Appendices Appendix J: Appendix 2: Appendix 3: Appendix 4: Appendix 5: Appendix 6: Appendix 7: Appendix 8: Appendix 9: Appendix J 0: Appendix JJ: Appendix 12:
,. ,
, ,
Distinguished Unit Citation 356th Fighter Group Battle Honors/Assignments 356th Fighter Group Commanders 356th Fighter Group Squadron Commanders Squadron Operations Officers 356th Fighter Group Statistical Report Air and Ground Aces of the 356th Fighter Group 356th Fighter Group Scorers Pilot List Aircraft Markings Representative Aircraft Non-Flying Personnel
Photo Section 356th Fighter Group Aircraft in Profile
,
7 8
117 118 119 120 121 122 124 125 128 167 168 180
192 320
Introduction
This is the story of an American fighter group which flew in the European Theater of Operations during the Second World War. Known officially as the 356th Fighter Group, the unit spent over two years in England, occupying the airfield at Martlesham Heath, in the county of Suffolk. Originally entering combat flying P-47 Thunderliolts and later switching to P-51 Mustangs, the 356th dispatched its aircraft on 407 missions across the Channel. Between the time of the first, on October 15, 1943, and the final mission on May 7, 1945, the 356th was credited with destroying 277 enemy planes, probably destroying 23 more, and damaging 192. Because the principle of bomber escort was strictly adhered to by the 356th's leaders, pilots of the group often had to pass up opportunities to engage enemy fighters and increase their scores. While this fact helped earn the 356th a reputation as being a "hard luck" outfit, due to their low victory to loss
ratio, the gratitude and praise from the bomber crews more
than offset this misnomer. While the majority of the information contained in this history came from the official group and squadron records, much was also supplied by members of the 356th. A large number responded to my requests for assistance and photographs, and to all ofthem I am extremely grateful. Unfortunately, quite a few of them have since passed away, and it is to their memory, and to all those who gave their lives in Europe, that I dedicate this book. In addition, I would like to thank the staffs of both the Air Force Museum and the Air Force Historical Research Center, Henry Kidd, Steve Blake, Ted Damick, and Tom Ivie. Kent D. Miller Hicksville, Ohio, October 2002
7
The 356th Fighter Group in World War"
The 356th Fighter Group was formally constituted on December 8, 1942, pursuant to War Department Letter AG 320.2. Four days later, the 356th was officially activated at
the pilots worked closely with radio-navigation aids and un-
dertook instrument and cross-country flights. The 356th was split into air and ground echelons on August 13, with the pilots flying the P-4Ts to Newark, New Jersey. The ground personnel traveled to Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts, and prepared for overseas staging. They boarded the "Queen Eliza-
Westover Field, Massachusetts, and placed under the control of the First Air Force. Initial commander was Lt. Joseph Morris, Jr., who took charge on December 28. His duration was but
one day, as Capt. Harold J. Lister took command the following day. The 356th began to take shape in early January of 1943, as the 359th, 360th, and 361 st Fighter Squadrons were activated on the 7th. Then on February 9, 1943, Maj. Harold J. Rau took command of the 356th and the next few weeks were
beth" on August 20, and after a five day journey, arrived at
Gourock, Scotland. After dis-embarking, the ground echelon settled into the group's first English home, Station F-345, Goxhill, Lincolnshire. On the same day, August 26, the 356th was attached to the 65th Fighter Wing, VIlJ Fighter Command, of the 8th Air Force. Meanwhile, the air echelon sailed aboard the "HMS Orion" on September 5, 1943. They arrived at Glascow, Scotland, on the 15th, then proceeded to Goxhill.
spent procuring supplies, equipment, and most importantly,
pilots. The initial cadre of fliers came from the 326th Fighter Group (a Ist Air Force Replacement Training Group) and by the end of February the squadrons were almost at full strength. Beginning on March 9, Headquarters and the 359th and 360th moved to Trumbull Field, Connecticut, while the 361 st flew out of New Haven Army Air Base, Connecticut. P-47B Thunderbolts were assigned to the group and both flight and
Once things were organized the group moved one more
time, leaving Goxhill on October 5. The 356th's permanent home was to be F-369, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, situated between Ipswich and Woodbridge. The air components arrived
on the 9th, with the 361st pilots taking up residence on the base itself, while the 359th and 360th pilots resided in Kesgrave Hall and Playford Hall, respectively, both located a short distance from the field. To assist the 356th, the 85th Service Group (later designated the 447th Air Service Group), commanded by LtCol. Austin L. Sands, was stationed at Martlesham Heath. The 85th was comprised of the 54th Station Complement Squadron, the 394th Service Squadron, the IlOlst Signal Company, a Quartermaster section, the 1834th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Company, and the I I84th Military Police Company. With everything now in place, the 356th Fighter Group was ready to
ground echelons attended various schools. Topics of lectures included high altitude flying, aircraft identification, intelligence reports, first aid, and subjects relating to the various departments within each squadron.
May 30 saw the group move to Mitchel Field, New York. With Headquarters at Mitchel, the squadrons rotated out ofWest
Haven Municipal Airport and Bradley Field, Connecticut. Here, P-47D's were taken on and training consisted of transition flying, gunnery and gun camera practice, aerobatics, formation,
navigation, high altitude and night flying, instrument training and Link trainer time. On the 8th of June, the 361st moved once more, this time to Suffolk County Airfield, New York. The 356th's final phase of training began on July 4, 1943, as the group moved to Grenier Field, New Hampshire. Here
enter the air war over Europe.
The following pages comprise the 356th's operational history. All 407 combat missions are covered with the following 8
The 356th Fighter Group in World War Jl
information supplied (where known): date, mission number,
seven RAF Spitfires in the Bruges area. Maj. Baccus was the sole 359th pilot on the mission as the rest were still enroute
leader, details of the mission itself, a listing of each pilot on the flight, and a listing of claims made. There are gaps in the squad-
from Goxhil\.
ron line-ups in several instances; early 359th Fighter Squadron records omit pilots for October and November of 1943,
Line-up
and the other squadrons have a gap or two in 1944 and 1945. An (*) indicates a pilot who aborted, and here only the 359th
359th: 360th:
kept accurate records. Also throughout the mission summaries, sections of
"Notes" appear, filling in other happenings of the day with the 361 sl:
356th. Chief among these are command changes, accidents, and the names of pilots completing their tours. Unless otherwise indicated, a pilot was sent back to the States after finishing his tour. Scoring is indicated in the following manner: 0-0-
none (see 360th) Kinnard, L'Heureux, Koczak, Halverson Johnson, Kress, Cook, Withers
Ellingson, Hockmeyer, McCullough, McLaughlin Evans, Bennett, Adams, Baccus(359th) Edner, Rau, Roberts, Von Holzhausen Montgomery, Porter, Hyde, Perrin
Wood, Metzger, Strait, Bailey Price, Racine, Korhorn, Gansberg
ofor air claims is destroyed-probables-damaged, while 0-0 for aged.
October 16 (#2) LlCo\. Rau led a sweep from 1516 to 1726. The P-4Ts
Below are the radio call signs for the group and each squadron. During the course of the text these names will appear and these will give the reader an idea of what unit is involved:
crossed in at 1551 near Noordwaal with the spares returning earlier when ten miles from landfall. After crossing in, the group turned north over Waordin, flew to Amsterdam, then turned
Group Leader: Soundwave until April 22, 1944 then; "A" Group: Lampshade "B" Group: Notebook "c" Group: Seaweed
overcast was encountered from mid-Channel onwards and the
359th Ftr Sqn: Beachhouse until April 22, 1944 then;
359th: 360th:
ground claims (aircraft and other targets) is destroyed-dam-
west and made landfall-out at 163 I near Noordwaa\. Solid only other planes seen were some 55th Fighter Group P-38's near Rotterdam.
"A" Group: Farmhouse
"B" Group: Bucket 360th Ftr Sqn: Plaster until April 22, 1944 then; 361st:
"A" Group: Vortex "B" Group: Deansgate
361st Ftr Sqn: Molecoat until April 22, 1944 then;
Line-up Rau, Edner, Baccus (rest are unknown) Kinnard, Halverson, Borelli Bennett, Johnson, Hockmeyer Evans, McCullough, Walters
Fletcher, Asbridge (spares) Montgomery, Metzger, Wood, Johnson Hyde, McDowell, Price, Gibson Campbell, Porter, Hewett, Hayden Dendle, Erickson, Tuckey, Martin
"A" Group: Chinwag
October 17
"B" Group: Webber
(#3) LlCo\. Rau led a sweep from 1625 to 1808. Landfall was made at 1705 east of Calais and the pilots then swept the Calais-
• • •
St. Inglevert area. The 360th spotted four Gennan fighters over Calais but no contact was made and everyone later crossed out
at 1730.
October 15, 1943 (#1) With Maj. Seldon R. Edner (on loan from the 4th Fighter Group) in the lead, 32 P-4Ts took off at 1411 for a sweep. The fighters crossed in at 1458 overWesthoofd, then flew south to
359th: 360th: 3618t:
Haist and later made a ninety degree turn towards Ostend. All
of the planes crossed out near Ostend from 1522 to 1532 with the 361st landing at 1553, followed by the 360th at 1600. No enemy aircraft were seen on the flight, though 360th pilots saw
9
Line-up Baccus (rest are unknown)
Rau, Withers (rest are unknown) Roberts, Leyser, Wood, Vangos Porter, Campbell, Erickson, Tuckey Strait, Gibson, Metzger, McDowell Johnson, Gansberg
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
October 18
Line-up
(#4) LlCol. Rau led a planned escort from 1431 to 1614. The
359th: 360th:
group made landfall at 1515 over Schouwen Island then proceeded to the Breda area. Upon arrival there the pilots were informed the bombers were being recalled, so the Thunderbolts also headed for home, crossing out south of Schouwen.
361 st: Line-up
359th: 360th:
361 Sl:
Baccus, Smith (rest are unknown) Kinnard, Fletcher, McCullough, Maxwell Bennett, Garvey, Withers, Walters Cota, Halverson, Borelli, McHale Evans, Johnson, Martin Rau, Montgomery, Perrin, Campbell Roberts, Von Holzhausen, Price, Gibson Hyde, Korhom, Vangos, Martin Edner, Wood, Leyser, Hotchkiss
October 24 (#7) LtCol. Rau led a sweep from 1150 to 1357. Landfall was at 1240 near Cabourg and the pilots swept theArgentan-Bemay area without incident. Landfall-out then came near Fecamp at 1317. Line-up
359th: 36Otb:
October 20 (#5) LlCol. Rau led a withdrawal support from 1401 to 1601. The pilots made landfall at 1450 over Schouwen Island and made RN at 1457 west of Gilze-Rijen. The 359th, flying as top cover, saw several Germans but did not make contact. The P-4Ts later crossed out near Westhoofd and broke from the bombers over the Channel.
361 sl:
Line-up
359th: 360th:
361sl:
Baccus, Smith, Weber, Knudsen (rest are unknown) Kinnard, Evans, Adams, Maxwell Bennett, Fletcher, Borelli, McHale Cook, L'Heureux, Koczak, McLaughlin Cota, Parker, Martin, Withers Edner, Dendle, Von Holzhausen, Hayden Montgomery, Leyser, Metzger, Price Hewett, Erickson, Strait, Gibson
Rau (rest are unknown) Kinnard, Niemi, Martin, Johnson Kress, Hockmeyer, Halverson, Asbridge Ellingson, Garvey, Withers Bennett, Parker, Vitali Roberts, Hewett, Hayden, Korhorn Hyde, Dendle, Hotchkiss, Racine Montgomery, Strait, Tuckey, Bailey Perrin, Porter, Johnson, Martin Gansberg(spare)
Rau, Baccus (rest are unknown) Kinnard, L'Heureux, Asbridge Bennett, McCullough, Hockmeyer Cook, Martin, Parker Kress, Adams, McHale Vitali(spare) Wood, Bailey, McDowell Hyde, Metzger, Korhom Porter, Von Holzhausen, Perrin Johnson, Racine, Leyser
November 3 (#8) LlCol. Rau led a penetration support from 1137 to 1430. Landfall was at 1238 over Tessel Island with RN coming at 1243 near Schiermontkoog. The bombers were taken to fifty miles east of Graningen, and while six Fw 190's were spotted by the 359th, no enemy planes were engaged. While heading home, Capt. Hyde led his flight down to strafe in the Zuider Zee area. The pilots claimed 0-1 barge, 0-1 boat, 0-1 truck, and 0-1 factory, while flak gunners scored a few hits on Hyde's right wing.
October 22 (#6) Maj. Edner led the group on a planned B-26 escort from 1520 to 1638. Landfall was at 1550 near Gravelines, and while the P-4Ts reached the RN area on time, the bombers never showed up due to weather. Fairly heavy flak was encountered and five Thunderbolts were damaged but everyone later crossed out at 1620 in the Calais area. While landing, a P-47 hit and killed Pvt. Andrew P. Girasek, who was an airfield controller attached to the 54th Station Complement Squadron.
Line-up
359th: 360th:
361st:
10
Rau, Henry (rest are unknown) Bennett, Garvey, McCullough, Hockmeyer Cook, Johnson, Niemi, Maxwell Evans, Kress, Ellingson, McLaughlin Fletcher, Withers, McHale, Walters Roberts, Bailey, Dendle, Tuckey Montgomery, Hayden, Strait, Martin Hyde, Gansberg, Hewett, Campbell Edner, Vangos, Perrin, Erickson
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
November 5
361 st:
(#9) LtCol. Coen led the group on a penetration support from 1149 to 1429. The planes made landfall north of Ijmuiden at 1246, minus four 36lst aborts. R/V was accomplished near Meppel at 1256 and the bombers were taken to the Borken area. Escort was broken at 1328 and the P-47's crossed out over Knocke at 1350. A few German fighters were seen in the Gladbach area and a Me 109 was damaged near Roermond for the 356th's first air claim. Lt. Vangos (361 st) also claimed another 109 as damaged but it was later disallowed by the Victory Credit Board. (0-0-1 air)
359th: 360th:
36lst:
November 10 (#11) LtCol. Rau led a B-26 escort from 1330 to 1544. R/V with the bombers was at 1430 in mid-Channel with landfall following at 1435 near Dieppe. Heading home after an uneventful flight, eight P-47's of the 359th became separated and made landfall-out by themselves in the Dunkirk area and landed at other fields in England. The rest of the group broke away at 1523 over the Channel and headed home.
Line-up Baccus (others are unknown) Kinnard, Garvey, Koczak Bennett, Halverson, L'Heureux
Line-up
359th: 360th:
36lst:
Parker, Withers, L'Heureux, Borelli Ellingson, Hockmeyer, Koczak, Maxwell Montgomery, Gibson, Bailey, Hayden
Wood*, Korhorn*, Racine*, Gibson*
Wood, Vangos, Racine, Johnson
Hyde, Dendle, Hayden, Gansberg
Hyde, Gansberg, Erickson, Tuckey Strait, Metzger, McDowell, Martin
Capt. P.H. Hyde
Claims
Location
Me 109 dam(air)
Roennond
November 11 (#12) LtCol. Rau led a withdrawal support from 1245 to 1524. Landfall was made at 1325 over the Dutch Islands with R/V coming at 1400 in the Munster area. The group later crossed out west of Schouwen around 1500 minus one P-47, the 356th's first loss of the war. Lt. Dolor A. Martin (360th) was last heard
Notes: The 356th's new Flying Exec, LtCol. Oscar H. Coen, came to the group as an experienced combat pilot/leader. He
earlier flew with 71 Squadron, RAF and had claimed 1.5 kills with that unit. Transferring into the new 4th Fighter Group when
the Eagle Squadrons were disbanded, Coen claimed two more victories while flying with them. By the time he joined the 356th in late October, he had flown some 100 sorties for 295
from near Amhem and was believed to have had an oxygen
failure. Also while heading out, a 36lst flight picked up a straggling B-17. As they neared Heusden, two Fw 190's made a bounce but no damage was done. Upon landing at Martlesham Heath, Lt. Brown and Lt. Brearley (359th) collided, causing slight damage to both Thunderbolts. (llost)
combat hours.
November 7 (#10) LtCol. Rau led a penetration support from 0925 to 1150. RN and landfall were made southeast of Ostend at 1016 and the bombers were taken to west of Soignes then to west of Binden. Escort was terminated near Givet at 1045 and the group crossed out near Blankenberge at 1114.
359th: 360th:
Line-up
359th: 360th:
Rau, Baccus, Henry (others are unknown) Bennett, Cook, Fletcher, Garvey Evans, Halverson, Niemi, Adams
Cota, Niemi, McLaughlin Evans, Adams, Vitali Coen, Johnson, Vangos, Von Holzhausen Roberts, Hewett, Porter, Bailey
Sqll
361st:
Montgomery, Metzger, Tuckey, Strait Roberts, Racine, McDowell, Von Holzhausen Wood, Porter, Gansberg Leyser, Dendle, Martin
Rau (others are unknown) Kinnard, Johnson, Parker, Hockmeyer Cook, L'Heureux, Adams, Walters Cota, McCullough, Kress, Martin Fletcher, Niemi, McLaughlin
361st:
Jl
Line-up Baccus, Brown, Brearley (others are unknown) Kinnard, Halverson, Kress, L'Heureux
Bennett, Vitali, Adams, Walters Evans, Martin, Maxwell, McHale Parker, Borelli, Ellingson, McLaughlin Rau, Martin, Erickson, Tuckey Wood, Bailey, Racine, Hayden Roberts, Johnson, Porter, Dendle Gibson, McDowell, Von Holzhausen
The 356th Fighter Group ill World War II
November 25 (#15) LtCo!. Rau led an escort for the 56th Fighter Group from 1205 to 1339. The planes made R/V with the 56th near Dungeness and both units crossed in south of Boulogne at 1250. The 356th escorted the other P-4Ts to SI. Omer where the 56th bombed the airfield. After they were finished, the group swept the area before crossing out between Calais and Gravelines.
November 13 (#13) LtCo!' Coen led a withdrawal support from 1129 to 1403. Landfall was north of Ijmuiden and upon arrival in the R/V area near Meppel, no bombers were seen. The pilots circled west of Meppel to Emmen twice, then headed home, crossing out south of Amsterdam at 1312. Lt. McCullough (360th) was on his way home when two Fw 190's bounced him. He turned into them and the Germans broke off the action.
Line-up Line~up
359th: 360th:
361 st:
359th: 360th:
Coen, Farmer (others are unknown) Bennett, Garvey, Johnson, L'Heureux Evans, McHale, McLaughlin, Niemi Cota, Hockmeyer, Koczak, Vitali Ellingson, Withers, Walters McCullough(spare) Montgomery, Gibson, McDowell, Martin Hyde, Johnson, Hewett, Leyser, Metzger Wood, Korhom, Racine, Hayden Porter, Dendle, Perrin, Campbell, Erickson
36lst:
Rau, Baccus, Smith (others are unknown) Bennett, Vitali, Parker, Maxwell Kress, Adams, Withers, L' Heureux Evans, Ellingson, Cook, Asbridge Halverson, Koczak, Hockmeyer, Fletcher Montgomery, Alexander, Erickson, Leyser Wood, Jack, Racine, Von Holzhausen Metzger, Hewett, Korhorn, Campbell Hyde, Gansberg, Perrin, Martin
November 26 (#16) LtCo!. Rau led a withdrawal support from 1129 to 1348. Landfall came at 1219 north of Bergen with RN following west of Groningen at 1235. Both forces later crossed out over Texel Island at 1258. A pair ofFw 190's were seen by LI. Rubncr (359th) but no contact was made.
November 18 Notes: The 360th Fighter Squadron underwent a command change as Maj. Kinnard was transferred to the 35Sth Fighter Group at Steeple Morden. He would command that unit's 354th Fighter Squadron, then later be CO of the 4th and 355th Fighter Groups. During his tours in England, Kinnard would claim 25 kills, 8 aerial and 17 on the ground. With his departure, Capt. Joseph Bennett took temporary command of the 360th.
359th: 360th:
November 19 (#14) LtCo!' Rau led a penetration support from 1043 to 1318. RN was in mid-Channel at I 159 and the planes crossed in at 1200 near Egmond. The mission was without incident and the bombers were later left back at the Channel at 1223.
361st:
Line-up Baccus, Rubner (rest are unknown) Rau, Walters, Withers*, Dunn
Halverson, Koczak, McCullough, Fletcher Bennett, Maxwell, Vitali, Brock Evans, Borelli, Asbridge, Ellingson Montgomery, Jack, McDowell, Johnson Hyde, Hewett, Wood, Leyser Korhorn, Porter, Von Holzhausen, Racine Krieger, Gansberg, Erickson, Tuckey
Line-up
359th: 360th:
361sl:
Baccus, O'Barr (others are unknown) Bennett, Cook, Cota, Garvey, Johnson Kress, McCullough, Niemi, Parker, Withers Borelli, Maxwell, Vitali, Walters Rau, Gibson, Perrin, Campbell Wood, McDowell, Roberts, Bailey Hyde, Vangos, Erickson, Tuckey Martin, Hewett, Leyser, Strait
Notes: Capt. Montgomery was relieved as CO of the 361 5t and newly arrived Maj. William Waller, 1JI, assumed command.
November 28 Notes: A number of changes took place within the 356th on this date. First, LtCo!. Rau was transferred to a Wing Headquarters job and taking command of the 356th was LtCo!. Einar Axel Malmstrom. A former private in the National Guard, Malmstrom received his commission in the Air Corps Reserve in 1931. Flying with Observation Squadrons in pre-war days, he was called to active duty in 1940 and came overseas with 8th Air Force Headquarters in 1943. As for Harold Rau, he would later command the 20th Fighter Group on two occasions and claim one aerial and four ground victories.
November 23 Notes: The 361 st Fighter Squadron also saw a change in commanders as Maj. Roberts was relieved. Taking over as temporary CO was Capt. Emery H. Montgomery.
/2
The 356th Fighter Group ill World War II
In the 360th, Maj. Joseph R. Williams took command from Capt. Bennett, and Capt. Gerald W. Johnson took over as Operations Officer. Williams came from the 355th Fighter Group (where he commanded the 354th Fighter Squadron, now run by Claiborne Kinnard) and Johnson was a veteran of the European war, having gained 7.5 kills flying with the 56th Fighter Group earlier in 1943. Joc Bennett went to the 56th, later transferred to the 4th Fighter Group, and claimed 8.5 kills before becoming a POW in May of 1944. Although transferred on paper, Bennett would fly one more mission with the 360th.
November 30 (# J 8) LtCo!. Coen led a penetration support from 1024 to 1251. Landfall was made at I 103 over Tholen and RlV came near Rosendaal at 1130. On the way in, Maj. Baccus chased two enemy fighters without inflicting any damage and a Me 109 made an ineffectual pass against the 361 st. Lt. Rubner (359th), returning early with engine trouble, was jumped by four Me 109's but they did not press their attack. The bombers were later left at 1] 45 near Julich and the group crossed out near Walcheren at 1205.
November 29 (#17) LtCo!. Coen led an escort from 1348 to 1632. Landfall was made at 1457 with R/V at the same time southwest of Aschendorf. As the 359th moved to the rear of the bombers, numerous German fighters were engaged near Meppel. Elements of the other squadrons also became involved and the 356th claimed its tirst victories of the war. However, five P47's were also lost, including Lt. John D. Hull and Lt. Warren A. Beach (359th), Lt. Julius B. Asbridge (360th), and Lt. Allen M. Metzger and Lt. Johnnie F. Martin (361 st). All were lost in the fights or due to low gas and bad weather except for Beach. While making RN, he was hit by a gunner in a B-17 and with no oil pressure, was forced to bailout. After the Germans were dispersed, the group tried to reform and escOli was broken in mid-Channel at 1506.
359th: 360th:
361 st:
Deeember 1 (#19) Maj. Williams led an escort from 1139 to 1412. LtCo!. Coen was originally to lead the mission, but while taxi-ing in the mud, he damaged his drop tank. Landfall was at 1212 near Walcheren with RlV coming southwest of Munchen at 1232. Shortly after this, near Louvain, two Fw 190's bounced Lt. Bailey (361 st). While he escaped with minor wounds, Lt. Price attacked the 190's, destroying one and probably destroying the second. The 360th saw five Fw 190's and Me 109's but did not engage them, while Capt. Wood (36 Ist) was bounced by a Me 109 which failed to register any hits. The bombers were left at 1305 near Thourout and the P-47's crossed out at 1312 between Dunkirk and Nieuport. White Flight of the 361 sl also escorted five stragglers then crossed out in the Dunkirk-Calais area. (1-1-0 air)
(5-2-2 air) (5 lost)
359th: 360th:
361 st:
Line-up Baccus, Beach, Hull, Smith, Rann White, Richason, Peet, Craig (others are unknown) Williams, Cota, Cook, Fletcher Bennett, Garvey, Withers, L' Heureux Ellingson, McCullough, McLaughlin, Borelli Adams, Maxwell, Vitali, Brock, Asbridge Coen, Malmstrom, Korhorn, Martin Tucker, Perrin, Campbell, Von Holzhausen Wood, Bailey, Vangos Hyde, Metzger, Hewett, Dendle
359th: Sqn 359th:
360th:
361st:
Claims
Location
Maj. D.A. Baccus
Me 109 dest(air)
NEMeppel
Capt. E.J. While
Me 109 dest(air)
NEMeppel
Lt. J.B. Smith
Me 109 dest(air)
NEMeppel
Me 109 prob(air)
NEMeppel
Lt. G.B. Peet
Me 109 dam(air)
NEMeppel
Lt. L.F. Richason
Me 109 dam(air)
NE Meppel
Lt. R.R. Withers
Me 109 dest(air)
Meppel
Capt. J.H. Bennett
Me 109 prob(air)
Meppel
Lt. A.M. Metzger
Me 109 dest(air)
Meppel
Line-up Coen, Baccus, Rubner* (olhers are unknown) Williams, Cook, Johnson, Kress Withers, Walters, Hockmeyer, McCullough McLaughlin, Garvey, Vitali, Dunn Borelli, Ellingson, McHale, Maxwell Montgomery, Waller, Racine, McDowell Hyde, Jack, Perrin, Campbell Porter, Erickson, Johnson*, Gansberg Price, Bailey, Strait, Hayden
360th:
36 Jst:
13
Line-up Baccus, Vossler, Henry, Conroy Burke, Cook (360th), Smith, Wadlow White, Brearley, Cotter, Rann Holm, Holtz, Weber, Bradshaw, Johnson (361 st) Malmstrom, Vitali, Parker, Maxwell Adams, Kress, Ellingson Williams, Borelli, Evans, Fletcher Johnson, Koczak, Hockmeyer, Walters L' Heureux, Brock Montgomery, Alexander, Hayden, Porter Wood, Jack, Price, Dendle
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
Montgomery', Jack', Perrin, Dendle Wood, Strait, Hyde, Korhorn
Waller, Strait, Johnson, Vangos Bailey, Perrin, Campbell, Von Holzhausen Claims
Sqn 361st:
Lt. J.T. Price
Location
Fw 190 dest(air)
Brussels-Louvain
Fw 190 prob(air)
Brussels·Louvain
December 5 (#20) LlCo!. Coen led a withdrawal support from 1040 to 1302. The planes made landfall at 1123 near Le Treport and RJV'd at 1155 in the Rambouillet area. Escort was broken at landfallout, Le Treport, at 1218. The 360th spotted seven Me 110's but the Germans turned away before contact.
December 13 (#22) LtCo!. Coen was in the lead for an escort from 1101 to 1339. Landfall was north ofIjmuiden at 1200 with RJV at 1234 near Heede. The bombers were then left over Den Helder at 1246 and the P-4Ts headed home. Lt. Henry (359th) saw a Me 109 near Egmond but lost it after a short chase. Line-up
359th:
Line-up
359th:
360th:
361 st:
Baccus, Bradshaw, Smith, Earnhart Thorne, Ogden, Knudsen, Henry Burke, Rubner, Holtz, Craig White, Brearley, Cotter, Rann Wadlow, Conroy(spares) Williams, McHale, Parker', Niemi' Cota', Walters, Withers, L'Heureux Evans, Johnson, Borelli, Ellingson Halverson, Fletcher, McCullough, Koczak Coen, Johnson, Hewett, Korhorn Wood, Gansberg, Porter, Leyser Montgomery, Jack, Racine, Campbell Waller, Erickson, Price, Hyde
360th:
361 st:
December 16 (#23) LtCo!. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 1220 to 1514. On the way out from England, Lt. James T. Price (361 st) spun-in northeast of Felixstowe, the victim of either mechanical problems or becoming disoriented in the overcast. According to the 361st diary, "The approximate course on take-off was 120 degress and Lt. Price was !lying tightly on his (Lt. Hewett) wing. About 500 feet off the ground, Lt. Hewett noticed Lt Price lower his wheels then pull them up again, then
December 11 (#21) LlCo!. Coen led a withdrawal support from 1110 to 1400. Landfall came at 1230 south of Tessel1sland and RJV was accomplished southwest of Groningen at 1250. After crossing out over Egmond, the bombers were left in mid-Channel at
1316. A pair of Fw 190's were seen by lhe 360th and two Me 110's were sighted by the 359th, but no contact was made.
he entered the overcast and noticed Lt. Price on his wing for about one minute. Upon coming out of the overcast he could not locate Lt. Price."
The rest of the planes crossed in al 1320 near Ijmuiden with RJV coming at 1340. The heavies were left over Tessel Island at 1410 after an uneventful trip. (llost)
Line-up
359th:
360th:
361 st:
Baccus, Krieger, Henry, Burke Ogden, Earnhart, Meholic, Conriy Thome, Engel, Holm, Holtz While, Bradshaw, O'Barr, Richason Farmer(spare) Coen, L'Heureux, Hockmeyer, Maxwell Williams, W. Johnson, Parker, Cook Evans, McCullough, McHale, Vilali Adams, Borelli, McLaughlin, Hall Waller, Leyser, Erickson, Jack Wood, Korhom, Racine, Von Holzhausen Hyde, Hayden, Price, Tuckey Porter, Dendle, Vangos, Johnson
Coen, Bradshaw, Baccus, Peet Malmstrom, Burke, Henry, Rubner Thorne, Engel, Holm, Holtz Ogden, Knudsen, Weber, Brown Rann, Meholic, Smith(spares) Williams, Cook, Cota, Garvey G. Johnson, Hockmeyer, W. Johnson, Koczak Halverson, L'Heureux, McCullough, Niemi Vitali, Walters, Brock, Dunn, Borelli' Waller, Leyser, McDowell, Hayden Porter, Campbell, Hewett, Tuckey'
Line-up
359th:
Baccus, Henry, Farmer, Brown Burke, Holm, Holtz, Weber Thome, Peet, Knudsen, Ogden
360th:
/4
White, Bradshaw, O'Barr, Rann Rubner, Earnhart(spares) G. Johnson, Cook, L'Heureux, McCullough Evans, Hockmeyer, Koczak, Withers
The 356th Fighter Group in World War 1I
361sl:
Maxwell, Vitali, McLaughlin, Borelli McHale, Walters, Brock, Hall Malmstrom, Hyde, Gansberg, Gibson Hewett, Price, Korhom, Johnson, Waller, Perrin, Racine Coen, Wood, Strait, Vangos
36lst:
December 20 (#24) LtCol. Coen led an escort from 1037 to 1315. The planes made landfall at I 132 south of Den Helder with RN at 1315 south of Groningen. While forming up with the bombers, a B24 collided with Capt. Paul H. Hyde (36Ist) and both aircraft
Halverson, Koczak, McCullough, Fletcher Hall(spare) Waller, Leyser, Perrin, Jack Hyde, Alexander, Bailey, Tuckey, Montgomery, Von Holzhausen, Hewett, Gibson Korhom, Strait, Erickson, Racine
December 21 (#25) LtCo!. Coen led a sweep from 1045 to 1319. Landfall was made at 1135 near Le Treport and the pilots swept the Amiens-Cambrai-Le Treport area. Everyone later crossed out north of Dieppe at 1212.
spun down out of control. FlO Alexander later wrote, "I was flying White #2, the
Line-up
wing of Capt. Paul H. Hyde, White #1. We broke through the overcast before we hit the enemy coast, in the vicinity of Den Helder, flying a course of 80 degrees, and still climbing to a height of 25,000 feet. At approximately 1115 hours I noticed a 8-24 approaching from about I o'clock, 200 or 300 feet below, apparently being attacked by a P-47 from the rear. About 800 yards before it reached us, it started a gentle turn to the starboard, and at about 300 yards, it pulled up sharply in front of our formation and straight at Capt. Hyde. I saw the B-24 pull up and I pulled back on the control sharply, thus avoiding collision with the B-24. Between the time the B-24 pulled up and hit Capl. Hyde, I had no time to warn him. There was a terrific explosion and a tremendous cloud of black smoke and flame. The 8-24 was missing its port wing from inboard of the inboard engine and was cartwheeling down when I last saw it. All I could see of Capt. Hyde's ship was the motor with the prop intact and approximately four to six feet of the fuselage attached to the motor. It made a gentle spiral dive down. The 8-24 hit Capt Hyde with the port wing approximately where the leading edge of the starboard wing joins the fuselage. No
359th:
360th:
361 Sl:
Baccus, Weber, Richason, Peet Burke, Vossler, Smith, Earnhart Thome, Holtz, Meholic, Brown White, Bradshaw, Engel, Rann Cotter(spare) Coen, Adams, Williams, Kress Halverson, Garvey, Hockmeyer, Fletcher Evans, Borelli, Cook, Ellingson Parker, Brock, W. Johnson, Maxwell CotaCspare) Waller, Hayden, Erickson, Alexander Wood, Korhom, Perrin, Tuckey Montgomery, Gansberg, McDowell, Leyser Porter, Gibson, Von Holzhausen, Johnson
December 22 (#26) LtCo!. Coen led an escort from 1302 to 1546. Landfall was made at 1349 north of Gravelines with RN following at 1413. The bombers were left at 1455 near Herstaar and the group crossed out near ljmuiden at 1500.
chutes were seen to open from either plane."
The bombers were left southwest of Oldenburg at 1156 and the pilots crossed out near ljmuiden at 1215. After reaching England, Ll. Koczak (360th) bellied-in at Bromeswell but
Line-up
359th:
was unhurt.
(J lost)
360th:
Line-up
359th:
360th:
Coen, Wadlow, Burke, Ogden Krieger, Meholic. Cotter, Richason Thorne, Craig, Brearley White, Bradshaw, Engel, Rann Williams, Kress, Walters, Dunn Parker, Maxwell, Vitali, Niemi Withers, Ellingson, W. Johnson, McLaughlin
361 st:
/5
Baccus, O'Barr, Brown, Rubner Burke, Vossler, Craig, Peet Thome, Ogden, Engel, Rann Holm, Knudsen, Meholic, Wadlow Bradshaw(spare) Williams, McHale, Withers, Niemi Cora, Dunn, Kress, L'Heureux Evans, Ellingson, W. Johnson, Borelli Halverson, Garvey, Hockmeyer, Koczak Brock(spare) Coen, Krieger, Bailey, Hayden Porter, Vangos, Erickson, Tuckey Waller, Von Holzhausen, Strait, Alexander Johnson, Gansberg, McDowell, Jack
The 3561h Fighler Group ill World War /I
Deeember 27 (#27) LlCol. Coen led an area palrol from 1245 to 1535. The planes crossed in southwest of as tend at 1313 and patrolled the Arras-Le Touquet area until 1430. A trio of 361st P-47's (Montgomery, Tuckey, Erickson) were hit by flak and went home early, and the rest of the group crossed out at 1442 near Berck-Sur-Mer.
Escort was broken at 1350 and while most of the group crossed out near Dieppe at 1415, the 361st made landfall-out at 141 I near Fecamp. (0-0-1 air) (2 lost) Line-up
359th: 359th:
360th:
361 st:
Coen, Meholic, Burke, Brown Baccus, 0' Barr, Henry, Rubner Thorne, Craig, Holm, Holtz White, Bradshaw, Cotter, Rann Engel, Farmer, Peet, Breariey(spares) Williams, Cota, Kress, Walters Fletcher, Garvey, Hockmeyer, Hall
Baccus, Brown', Smith, W. Brown Cotter, Bradshaw, 0' Barr, Richason
Line-up
Thorne, Vossler, Craig, Peet Holm, Holtz, Meholic, Conroy Burke, Collins, Rubner, Rann • - J.R. Brown was a D.S. pilot from the 362nd Ftr Grp, 9th Air Force 360th: Coen, Fletcher, McCullough, Koczak Kress, Withers, L'Heureux, Borelli
Parker, Niemi, Maxwell, Dunn
Evans, McLaughlin, Cook, Ellingson
Evans, McLaughlin, Cook, Borelli Waller, Hayden, Racine, Leyser Wood, Vangos, Bailey, Gansberg
Parker, Niemi, Vitali, Brock Walters(spare) 361st:
Montgomery, Erickson, Tuckey, Hewett Porter, Gibson, Perrin, Johnson
Waller, Erickson, Porter, Perrin Montgomery, Hewett, Tuckey, Bailey Racine, Jack, Gansberg, Gibson
Von Holzhausen, Alexander(spares)
Wood, Leyser, Dendle, Korhorn Vangos, Hayden
December 30 (#28) LlCol. Coen led a withdrawal support from 1220 to 1515. The pilots crossed in northeast of Dunkirk at 1240 and made RN at 1324. Shortly before picking the bombers up near Sr. Menehould, a number of Fw 190's were spotted. Several 359th
Sqll
359th:
Maj. D.A. Baccus
Claims
Locll/ion
Fw 190 dam(air)
NE 51. Menehould
December 31 (#29) LlCol. Coen led an area patrol from 1040 to 1316. The planes crossed in east of Dunkirk at 1120 and patrolled the
pilots fired on targets but only one Focke Wulf was damaged
(Capt. Burke and Lt. Cotter claimed Fw 190's damaged but these were later rejected). Near Montdidier, FlO Everett L. Brock (360th) and Lt. William R. Hayden (361 st) collided and both fliers were killed. Capt. Wood later filed this report, "I was leading Molecoat Green Section on the mission of30 December 1943. At 1350, just after the group had made at 180 degree turn to go along the
Lille-Paris area without incident. The group later crossed out
at 1235 near St. Valery. Line-up
359th:
Baccus, Ogden, Craig, Brown White, Bradshaw, O'Barr, Richason Thorne, Conroy, Holm, Holtz Cotter, Brearley, Smith, Earnhart
360th:
Williams, Parker, Vitali, Niemi' Ellingson, Halverson, Garvey, McCullough W. Johnson, McLaughlin, Cook, Hall Borelli', Kress, Withers, Dunn Adams, Walters(spares) Coen, Porter, Parham, Korhorn Wood, Bailey, Vangos, Alexander Waller, Strait, Hewett, Jack Montgomery, Tuckey, Gibson, Thwaites Voo Holzhausen, Leyser(spares)
bomber track, I was flying to the left rear of the last section of Plaster Squadron. A lone P-47 traveling 180 degrees to us tried
to make a sharp 180 degree turn to join the end of the last section of Plaster Squadron. I observed a large portion of wing fall off one of the airplanes. One ship immediately went into
Krieger, Farmer, Meholic
an uncontrolled spin. This plane was last seen as it spun into
the overcast. The other ship did a snap roll when it was hit and then glided straight ahead, losing altitude rapidly. I lost sight of the ship after it had lost about 4,000 feet of altitude. This
361 st:
collision occurred approximately over Soissons_ I was flying
at 23,000 feet and on the same level as the ships that collided."
16
The 356th Fighter Group in World War /I
January 4, 1944 (#30) LlCol. Coenled a withdrawal support from 1016 to 1221. The planes made landfall at 1051 near the Hook of Holland and RIY took place at 1103 south of Mook. The spares turned back here and one of them, Lt. Bradshaw (359th), ran across two Me 109's near Nijmegen. No damage was done to either side and Bradshaw returned home without problem. The bombers were taken to Walcheren and left there at landfall-out at 1125.
359th:
360th:
361 sl:
Line-up Coen, Krieger, Craig*, Peet Baccus, Brearley, Engel*, Wadlow Holm, Holtz, Ogden, Rann Burke, Collins, Smith, Farmer Bradshaw, Rubner, Meholic(spares) Williams, Niemi, Parker, Maxwell Kress, Adams, L' Heureux, Dunn Evans, Ellingson, W. Johnson, Borelli Halverson, Fletcher, Hockmeyer, Koczak Cook, Hall(spares) Waller, Vangos, McDowell, Alexander Wood, Gansberg, Bailey, Dendle Montgomery, Thwaites, Johnson, Gibson Porter, Parham, Strait, Perrin Leyser, Racine, Von Holzhausen
Also during the day, a number of practice flights were undertaken. According to the 359th diary, aLt. Ray C. Fortner, a new pilot, was killed in a crash near Witnesham, five miles north of Ipswich during his first orientation t1ight." (1 killed)
360th:
361st:
Sqn 361s(:
Lt. T.F. Bailey
Claims
Location
Fw 190 prob(air)
Sf Liege
January 7 (#32) LlCol. Coen led a withdrawal support from 0954 to 1231. Landfall came at l03l over the Hook of Holland and the bombers were met near Heusden at 1042. The group later broke near Mayenne at 1111, and while heading out, Lt. William F. Brown (359th) was hit by flak near Aachen. The 359th diary stated, "His plane was hit by flak near Aachen. He continued with his formation for a distance of approximately eighty miles before he announced over the Rff that his oil was gone and that he would have to bailout. Before bailing out Lt. Brown shouted, 'Good Luck!' to his formation." Evidently Brown's luck ran out, as he was later reponed to have been killed on the ground by angry civilians. The remainder of the PATs crossed out near Walcheren at 1155. (1 lost) Line-up Baccus, J.R. Brown#*, Ogden, Knudsen Thorne, Conroy", Meholic, Wadlow Cotter, Brearley, Engel, Richason Holm, Holtz, W. Brown, Collins • - D.S. pilot from 362nd FIr Grp, 9th Air Force 360th: Williams, Koczak, Halverson, Fletcher Kress, Adams, Withers, Walters Evans, McLaughlin, Johnson, Ellingson Parker, Dunn, Vitali, Hockmeyer Cota, Cook(spares) 36lst: Coen, Campbell, Erickson, Jack Hewett, Thwaites, Perrin, Parham Waller, Von Holzhausen, Strait, Alexander Tuckey, McDowell 359th:
January 5 (#31) LtCol. Coen was up front on a withdrawal support from 1128 to 1402. The pilots crossed in at 1158 near Knocke and made RIY southwest of Aachen at 1228. Just after RIY, a Fw 190 was seen attacking a lone B-17 south of Liege. Eight 361st pilots bounced the 190, and even though a wing was seen to snap off, it was credited only as a probable. The bombers were later left near Antwerp and the group crossed out at 1305.
(0·1·0 air)
359th:
Coen, Parker, Williams, Niemi W. Johnson, Garvey, Hockmeyer, Koczak Evans, Fletcher, Cook, Borelli Kress, Dunn, Withers, Adams Waller, Vangos, Bailey, Gibson Porter, Parham, McDowell, Tuckey Wood, Thwaites, Racine, Johnson Perrin, Dendle, Von Holzhausen, Gansberg Alexander(spare)
Line-up Thorne, Vossler, Smith, Henry White, Brearley, O'Barr, Conroy Engel, Brown, Farmer, Rann Rubner, Meholic, Wadlow, Cotter Richason(spare)
January 11 (#33) LtCo!. Malmstrom led a penetration support from 0951 to 1225. The planes crossed in at 1034 nOith of Ijmuiden and made RlV at 1046. Escort was given until 1100 in the Lingen area then the group orbitted until heading out at 1137 near The
17
The 356th Fighter Group it! World War Il
Hague. Right before breaking off, 15-20 enemy fighters bounced Red Flight of the 359th, and in tum, White Flight engaged these. Capt. White chased a Me 109 to 14,000 feet and probably destroyed it, while Lt. Rann fired on another but scored no hits. In addition, Capt. Evans and Lt. Kress (360th) claimed a Me 109 and Me 210, respectively, as damaged but
360th: 361 Sl:
Coen*, Kress (two others are unknown)
Waller, Perrin, Racine, Alexander Porter, Leyser*
Sqll 359th:
neither claim was allowed. (0-1-0 air) 361st:
Claims
Location
Maj. D.A. Baccus
(.5)Me II0dest(air) $teinhudcr Lake
Lt. J.B. Smith
Ju 88 dest(air)
Lt. J.H. Wadlow
(.5)Me 110 dest(air) Steinhuder Lake
Lt. R.W. Racine
Me 110 dest(air)
$tcinhudcr Lake
NW Hanover
Line·up
359th:
360th:
361 st:
Malmstrom, Bradshaw, Ogden, Knudsen Thorne, Vossler, Cotter, Peet White, Brearley, Rann, Richason Henry, Rubner, Weber, Collins Williams, Vitali, Parker, Dunn Halverson, Garvey, McCullough, Koczak Evans, Cook, W. Johnson, McLaughlin Cota, Walters, Withers, Adams Kress, Borelli(spares) Montgomery, Thwaites, Johnson, Tuckey
January 14 (#35) LtCo!' Coen led an area patrol from 1413 to 1707. The planes made landfall east of Dunkirk at 1443 and arrived in the Arras area at 1455. From there they patrolled the Lille-AlbertCambrai-Bethunne area. At 1537, near Arras, a single Me 109 bounced the 359th and shot down Lt. Robert B. Conroy. The rest of the group later erossed out at 1624 near Gravelines. The 360th spares made the only claims on the mission as they strafed and damaged a minelayer north of Gravelines on their way home. (llost)
Hewett, Fremaux, Erickson, Jack
Wood, Korhorn, Bailey, Gibson Strait, Parham, McDowell, Gansberg
Line-up
359th: Sqll
359th:
Capt. EJ. White
Baccus, Knudsen, Meholic, Wadlow
Claims
Locatioll
White, Cotter, Rann, Henry
Me 109 prob(air)
Lingen
Thorne, Conroy, Holtz, Collins Burke, Vossler, Smith, Ogden
January 11 (#34) After LtCo!. Coen aborted, Maj. Baccus led a small force on a withdrawal support from 1150 to 1450. The pilots crossed in at 1231 and proceeded to the Steinhuder Lake area. 40-50
360th:
Coen, Koczak, Williams, Garvey Malmstrom, McHale, Vitali, Niemi
Gennans were seen and a number were engaged with 3 being
claimed as destroyed. Lt. Rolland W. Racine (361st) had downed a Me I 10 then was last seen heading east back toward
361 st:
Cota, Withers, Kress, Walters Evans, Stratford, Cook, Borelli Fletcher, McCuliough(spares) Waller, Fremaux, McDowell, Gansberg Krieger, Jack, Erickson, Leyser
the enemy fighters and he failed to return. The remaining P-
Montgomery*, Johnson, Porter, Gibson
47's made landfall-out at 1420. Lt. Smith of the 359th filed this report about Lt. Racine, "...we engaged in combat at about 23,000 feet in this vicinity
Wood, Korhorn, Strait, Campbell Hewett, Bailey(spares)
(Hanover-author) and I became separated from my section. I
January 21 (#36) LtCo!. Malmstrom led an area patrol from 1307 to 1603. Landfall came east of Dunkirk at 1342 and at that point, Maj. Montgomery aborted. As he headed home, two Me 109's bounced him northeast of Dunkirk. He managed to damage one before they broke off. The rest of the group arrived in the Arras area at 1355 and swept the Lille-Cambrai area. Some 359th pilots attacked St. Leger Airfield and hit a Ju 88 in the
was heading west at 21 ,000 feet, looking for my section, when I saw a lone P-47 come zooming up. It was QI-V and 1joined him. After a few moments he suddenly made a 180 degree rturn to the left and headed easterly in a 45 degree di ve, going very
fast. I started to follow but could see nothing to the east, so I again turned west and proceeded alone." (3-0-0 air) (llost)
359th:
air and a Fw 190 on the ground. Meanwhile, the 361st flew
Line-up
over Cambrai Airfield and knocked down another Ju 88. The 360th saw a trio of Fw 190's near Cambrai but made no con-
Baccus, Wadlow, Burke, Smith
tact. After reforming, everyone crossed out at 1533 near
Blankenberge. /8
Tile 356tll Fighter Group in World War /I
361 st:
(1-1-1 air) (0-1 groulld) Line-lip
Malmstrom, Campbell, Vangos, Tuckey Waller, Gibson, Engelhorn, Fremaux, Strait Montgomery, Von Holzhausen, Perrin, Parham Wood, Korhorn, McDowell, Gansberg, Thwaites
359th:
Thorne, Earnhart, Fanner, J.R. Brown·* White*, Bradshaw, Engel, Smith Krieger, Weber*, Holm, Holtz Coen, Burke, Henry, Vossler Peet, Rann(spares) • - D.S. pilot from the 362nd Ftr Grp, 9th Air Force 360th: Kress, Stratford, Ellingson, McLaughlin Cota, Dunn, Withers, L'Heureux Halverson, McCullough, Hockmeyer, Fletcher Parker, Vitali, Niemi, Maxwell Borelli(spare) 361st: Malmstrom, Fremaux, Korhorn, Jack Waller, Parham, Campbell, Tuckey Montgomery*, Gibson, Porter, Von Holzhausen Bailey, McDowell, Thwaites, Hewett Sqll
Claims
HdQts:
LtCo!. O.H. Coen
(.5)Fw 190 dam{grd) 51. Leger
FlO R.O. Vossler
Ju 88 prob(air)
Lt. J.D. Henry
(.5)Fw 190 dam(grd) 5t. Leger
Lt. S.H. Hewett
(.5)Ju 88 dest(air)
Cambrai
Lt. D.F. Thwaites
(.5)Ju 88 dest(air)
Cambrai
Maj. E.H. Montgomery Me 109 dam(air)
Line-lip
359th:
Location
359th: 361st:
January 24 (#38) LlCo!. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 0936 to 1240. Crossing in at 1007 over Nieuwe Sluis, RlV came east of Malmedy at 1030. The heavies were taken past Antwerp and escort was broken at I 124 between Ghent and the coast. 30-plus Germans were engaged in the Brussels area and later, near Antwerp, 8 more were hit. When the fights were over, the 356th had registered its best day thus far. 00-0-4 air)
360th:
51. Leger
361 st:
NE Dunkirk
January 23 (#37) LtCo!. Malmstrom led a dive-bombing effort from 1534 to 1733. The 359th put up I I "bombers" and 8 escorts, the 360th had 12 "bombers" and 8 escorts, while the 36 Ist provided top cover. Landfall was made near Schouwen at 1608 and the pilots flew to Gilze-Rijen. Attacking the field from east to west, some hits were scored on the dispersal areas and southwest runway. The group later crossed out near Walcheren at 1645.
359th:
360th:
Baccus, Bradshaw, Krieger, Peet Henry, Farmer, Meholic, Wadlow White, Vossler, Ogden, Weber Burke, Brearley, Engel, Rann Holtz, Earnhart(spares) Coen, Stratford, W. Johnson, McLaughlin Malmstrom, Dunn, Kress, Walters G. Johnson, Maxwell, Vitali, Niemi Williams, Hall, McCullough, Fletcher Waller, Vangos, Erickson, Gansberg Wood, Korhorn. Strait, Bailey Montgomery, Von Holzhausen, Hewett, Fremaux Porter, Culp, McDowell, Tuckey Parham, Perrin Claims
Sqn
3601h:
Lt. C.A. Vitali
Maj. G.W. Johnson
LocatiOIl
(3)Fw 190 dest(air) NW Lille Fw 190 dam(air)
NW Lille
Fw 190 dest(air)
NE Ypres
(.5)Fw 190 dam(air) NE Ypres Capt. 1.B. Stratford
Fw 190 dest(air)
SW Antwerp
Lt. WE. Johnson
Me 109 dest(air)
W/Bruges
Line-up
Lt. L.F. Kress
Me 109dest(air)
NE Litle
Caen, Burke, Henry, Rann Thorne, Holtz, Cotter, Engel }bombers Baccus, Brearley, O'Barr*, Bradshaw White, Peet, Farmer, Smith }fighters Meholic, Richason, Holtz, Vossler Williams, Ellingson, W. Johnson, Koczak Kress, Adams, Garvey, Fletcher )bombers G. Johnson, McHale, Vitali, iemi Halverson, Hall, Hockmeyer, Dunn }fighters Cota, Maxwell, McLaughlin, Stratford
Lt. WG. Maxwell
Fw 190 dest(air)
NlLille
(.5)Fw 190dam(air) NEYprcs Ll. A.Y. Niemi 361st:
Fw 190 dest(air)
N/LilIe
Fw 190 dam(air)
NlLilIe
Ll. M.F. Erickson
(.5)Fw 190 dest(air) Ghenl-Bruges
Ll. R.H. Gansberg
(.5)Fw 190 dest(air) Ghent-Bruges
Ll. S.H. Hewett
Fw 190 dam(air)
Bruges-Ostend
January 29 (#39) LtCo!. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from lOll to 1358. Landfall came at 1045 near Flushing and RN fol-
19
The 356/11 Fighter G,Vllp in World War /I
lowed west of Coblenz at I 125. The bombers were left at 1208 south of Louvain and moments later, two Fw 190's were seen. Lt. L'Heureux bounced them, scored hits on one, and it went down in flames. Everyone later crossed Ollt near Blankenberge at 1240 without problem, but Lt. Bradshaw (359th) crash-landed at Langham after he ran out of fuel.
January 30 (#41) Maj. Baccus led a small withdrawal support from 1259 to 1544. The P-4Ts made landfall at 1340 near Zandevoort and proceeded along the bomber track to Dummer Lake. They orbitted there until 1425, saw no aircraft of any kind, flew to Meppel, then crossed out near Schouwen at 1512.
(1-0-0 air)
Line-up Baccus, Brearley, Smith, Earnhart Hubbard', Bradshaw, Cotter, Rann Thome*, Peet*, Ogden*, Rubner* • - Wing pilot flying as an observer 360th: Williams. Adams, L'Heureux, Kress G. Johnson, Cook, W. Johnson, McLaughlin Halverson, Garvey, McCullough. Fletcher Parker, McHale. Vitali. iemi Dunn, Maxwell(spares) 361st: Malmstrom, Vangos, Johnson, Von Holzhausen Porter, Thwaites, Gansberg. Fremaux, Jack* Waller, Campbell, Parham, Gibson, LeyserStrait, Korhorn, McDowell, Erickson*
359th:
359th:
Sql1
360th:
Lt. R.C. L'Heureux
Claims
Locarioll
Fw 190dest(air)
LOllvain
360th: 361 st:
January 31 (#42) LtCo!. Coon led a penetration support from 1302 to 1524. Landfall came at 1339 with RN following at 1344 northwest of Dieppe. The bombers were left west of Manford at 1430 with landfall near Calais at 1440. Due to bad weather. most of the pilots landed at Manston.
359th:
360th: January 30 (#40) LtCo!. Coen led a penetration support from 1057 to 1412. Landfall came south of The Hague at 1135 and the main force of B-24's was never found, A few B-1 Ts were taken to Dummer Lake where they were left at 1230, then landfall-out came at 1335 near Schouwen.
359th:
360th:
361 st:
Line-up Baccus, Holm, Holtz Burke, Smith, Ogden none Malmstrom, Montgomery, Strait, Jack
361 st:
Line-up Coen, Collins, Brearley, Knudsen Engel, Wadlow, Rann, Weber Thorne, Vossler, 0' Barr, Peet Henry, Earnhart, Burke*, Smith* Williams, Koezak, Hockmeyer, Hall Parker, Niemi, Vitali, Maxwell Evans, Cook, McLaughlin, Stratford* Kress, McHale. L'Heureux, Adams* Waller, Hewett, Johnson, Von Holzhausen Korhorn, Perrin, Campbell-, McDowell Gibson, Vangas. Tuckey* Wood, Fremaux, Porter, Leyser Bailey, Gansberg(relays)
Line-up Coen, Smith, Ogden, Wadlow Henry, Meholic, Holm, Holtz Thorne, Earnhart*, O'Barr, Peet Krieger, Collins*, Engel, Rann Malmstrom, Koczak, McCullough, Garvey G, Johnson, Borelli, Ellingson, McLaughlin Cota, L' Heureux. Kress, Stratford Vitali, Maxwell, McHale, Niemi Waller, Erickson. Gibson, Vangos* Wood, Johnson, Strait, Korhorn Hewell, Perrin, Tuckey Porter, Bailey, Fremaux, Gansberg
February 2 (#43) LlCo!. Coen led a penetration-target-withdrawal support from 1300 to 1521. RIV came at 1352 over the Channel wilh landfall at 1400 northwest of Dieppe. The bombers were taken to SI. Pol and then back out to the coast. Afler breaking, the pilots swept the area until landfall-out at 1423 north of Dunkirk.
359th:
360th:
20
Line-up Baccus, Collins. Holm, Holtz White, Brearley, Engel, Wadlow Thorne. Vossler, Cotter, Rann Krieger, O'Barr, Ogden, Earnhart Williams, Stratford, Ellingson, McLaughlin Cota, L'Heureux, Kress, Dunn G. Johnson, McHale, Vitali. Niemi Halverson, Hall, Hockmeyer, Fletcher Cook(spare)
The 356tll Fighter Group in World War JJ
361 st:
February 5 (#46) LtCo\. Malmstrom was up front on an escort from 0917 to 1243. Landfall came at 1007 near St. Valery and the B-24's were picked up at 1026 near Mammers. Escort was given until southeast of Blois at 1050 and the P-4Ts crossed out at 1140 near St. Valery. Maj. Baccus bounced a Fw i90 southwest of Vendome but made no claim. Returning to England, FlO Earnhart (359th) safely put-down at Manston while the rest of the group landed at home.
Coen, Thwaites, Johnson, Gibson Leyser, Erickson, Fremaux*, Campbell Wood, Korhorn, McDowell, Parham Montgomery*, Bailey, Tuckey, Vangos
February 3 (#44) LtCo!. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 0949
to 1307. Landfall came at 1030 north of Ijmuiden and RN was accomplished near Meppel at 1041. After an uneventful flight, the bombers were left over the orth Sea at 1123.
Line-up
359th:
Line-up
359th:
360th:
361 Sl:
Malmstrom, Farmer, Cotter, Brearley Baccus, Rann, O'BaIT, Peet Krieger, Vossler, White*, Bradshaw Burke, Smith*, Holm, Holtz Ogden, Collins*(spares) G. Johnson, Ellingson, W. Johnson, Cook Halverson, Hall, McCullough, Fletcher Williams, Maxwell, Vitali, McLaughlin Cota, Adams, Kress, Dunn Stratford, Koczak(spares) Montgomery, Bell, McDowell, Leyser* Porter, Perrin, Gibson, Fremaux Wood, Sai ley, Yon Holzhausen Hewett, Thwaites, Johnson Korhorn, Parham(relays)
360th:
361sl:
February 6 (#47) LtCo!. Coen led an escort from 1057 to 1427. On takeoff, Lt. Collins (359th) suffered mechanical failure and safely crash-landed at Manston. The rest ofthe group crossed in northeast of Dunkirk at 1133 and made RN at 1215 west of Troyes. The bombers were later left at 1250 near Etampes and just after breaking, two Fw 190'5 were spotted near Dreux. One was shot down and two 361st pilots, Lt. Erickson and FlO Jack, strafed some flak towers near Soissons with poor results. Landfall-out then came southwest of Hon Fleur and Maj. Baccus landed at Bradwell Bay while Lts. Engel and O'Barr (359th) set down at Woodbridge.
February 4 (#45) LtCo!. Coen led a penetration support from 105410 1347. Landfall was near Walcheren at 1131 and RlV was made near Duren at 1155. The bombers were taken to Weisbaden and left there at 1212 as P-38's took over. All was quiet and everyone crossed out at 1300 near Overflakkee. Line-up
359th:
360th:
361 Sl:
Baccus, Richason, Craig, Weber Henry, Knudsen, Brearley*, Collins Thorne, Rann, Holm, Holtz White, Bradshaw, Engel, Earnhart Williams, McHale, Niemi, Maxwell Cota, Kress, Borelli, Green G. Johnson, Hockmeyer, Fletcher, Koczak Evans, W. Johnson, Ellingson, Cook Malmstrom, Fremaux, Campbell, Gibson Porter, Yoakum, McDowell, Parham, Gansberg Montgomery, Bell, Bailey, Strait Hewett, Thwaites, Tuckey*, DeMerit, Vangos
Thome, Richason, Holm, Holtz Engel, Rann. Henry*, Craig* Burke, Knudsen, Farmer, Weber Ogden(relay) Caen, Maxwell, Vitali, Garvey Malmstrom, Koczak, Halverson, Hall W. Johnson, McLaughlin, Ellingson, Borelli Fletcher, McHale(spares) Waller, Von Holzhausen, Leyser, Gansberg Porter, Yoakum, Campbell, Thwaites Montgomery*, Bell, Johnson, DeMerit Strait, Tuckey, Hewett, Parham
(1-0-0 air) Line-up
359th:
360th:
21
Coen, Wadlow, Burke, Earnhart Malmstrom, Craig, Ogden, Weber* Thorne, Richason, Cotter, Farmer White, Brearley, Engel, O'Barr Baccus, Collins*(spares) Williams, Maxwell, McHale, Green G. Johnson, Adams, L' Heureux, Dunn Evans, Borelli, W. Johnson, Stratford Halverson*, Fletcher, Hockmeyer, Hall Ellingson, McLaughlin(spares)
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
361st:
Wood, DeMerit, Perrin, Parham Campbell, Bell, Korhorn, Tuckey Strait, Yoakum, Erickson, Jack Porter, Vangos, Fremaux, McDowell
Sqll 361st:
Lt. OJ. Strait
Claims
Location
Fw 190 dest(air)
Paris-Soissons
• - D.S. pilot from the 365th Ftr Grp, 9th Air Force 360th: Williams, Adams, Kress, Dunn Parker, Green, iemi, Walters Evans, McLaughlin, W. Johnson, Ellingson Hockmeyer, Hall, McCullough, Garvey 361 st: Coen, Jack, Perrin, Yoakum Malmstrom*, Campbell*, Gibson*, Leyser* Strait, Parham, Johnson, Bell Wood, DeMerit, McDowell, Vangos
February 8 (#48) LtCol. Malmstrom led a penetration support from 1007 to 1302. Landfall was at 1035 near Ostend with RN at 1104
Sqn
southwest of Malmedy. The bombers were taken to northwest
HdQlS:
of Linburg and left there at 1125. The group later crossed out north of Dunkirk from 1218 to 1224.
359'h:
359th:
361st:
Claims
Locatioll
Fw 190 dam(air)
NE Lingen Meppen
Maj. J.H. Thorne
Fw 190 dest(air)
Capt. EJ. White
(.33)Fw 190 dest(air) Meppcn
Lt. R.D. Bradshaw
(.33)Fw 190 dest(air) Mcppen
Line-up
Ll. G.W Engel
(.33)Fw 190 dest(air) Mcppcn
Baccus, Richason, Ogden, Weber Holm, Holtz, Craig, Earnhart
Lt. We. O· Barr
Fw 190 dam(air)
Meppen
Lt. WE. Johnson
Fw 190 dest(air)
Ruhlcrtwist
Lt. L.F. Kress
(.5)Fw 190 dest(air) Ruhlcrtwist
3601h:
Thorne. Vossler, Farmer
360th:
LtCol. O.H. Coen
Colter, Knudsen, O'Barr, Smith White, Bradshaw(relays) Malmstrom, McCullough, Halverson, Garvey
361st:
FlO C. W. Dunn
(.5)w 190 dest(air)
Capt. J.N. Wood
(1.5)Fw 190 dest(air) NE Lingen
Ruhlenwist
FlO J.Y. Jack
Fw 190 dest(air)
NE Lingen
Cota, Walters, L'Heureux, Adams Williams, Maxwell, Parker, Niemi Evans, Stratford, Cook, McLaughlin
Lt. R.C. McDowell
Fw 190 dest(air)
NE Lingen
Lt. J.P. Perrin
Fw 190 dest(air)
NE Lingen
Fw 190 dam(air)
NE Lingen
Hall, Koczak(spares) Montgomery, Bell, Korhorn, Tuckey
Lt. DJ. Strait
Me 109 dest(air)
NE Lingen
Lt. M.W. DeMerit
(.5)Fw 190 dest(air) NE Lingen
Strait, Gansberg, Vangos, Leyser
Wood, DeMerit, Erickson, Thwaites Porter, Yoakum, Campbell, Fremaux
February 11 (#50) Maj. Krieger led a penetration support from 0905 to 1135. RlV came over the Channel at 0952 with landfall near Fecamp at 0956. The 360th was vectored towards bogies but nothing was seen and they crossed out at 1100 near Brilogne. The rest of the group broke from the bombers at 1039 near St. Valery and crossed out near Dieppe at 1100.
February 10 (#49) LtCol. Caen led a withdrawal support from 1123 to 1412. Landfall came at 1225 south of Bergen Alkmaar and the group then flew to Zwolle. From there they proceeded to the Lingen
area and made RlV at 1245. Escort was given until 1330 near Ijmuiden with landfall coming there. Near the RlV point, 40-
Line-up
359th:
plus Germans were engaged with the 361 st making claims
northeast of Lingen, the 359th near Meppen, and the 360th near Ruhlertwist. On the debit side, Lt. Merrill W. DeMerit (361 st) was shot up and bailed out near Lingen. (l0-0-3 air) (llost)
360th:
COla, Walters, L' Heureux, Dunn
Evans, Fletcher, Hockmeyer, Koczak W. Johnson, Stratford, Cook, Borelli 361sl: Montgomery, l.R. Murphy', Korhorn, Fremaux Porter, Gansberg, Campbell, Thwaites McDowell, Gibson, Von Holzhausen, Tuckey Hewett, Johnson, Dendle, Leyser • - D.S. pilot from the 365th Ftr Grp, 9th Air Force
Line-up
359th:
Malmstrom, Mehollc, Burke, Weber White, Warren, Engel, Richason Thorne, Rann, Farmer, Brearley Henry, Rubner, Bradshaw, Wadlow Krieger, Maxwell, Parker, Niemi
Thome, J.R. Murphy', O'Barr, Vossler Burke*. Craig*, Farmer*, Peet
White, Bradshaw, Engel, Richason Holm, Mehollc*, Henry, Rubner* Cotter, Rann(spares)
22
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
February 11 (#51) LtCo!. Coen led a withdrawal support from 1207 to 1450. Landfall was at 1251 near Ostend and RlV followed northwest of Charleville. In the vicinity of Guise-Villiers, 20-plus Germans were engaged. Coen and Lt. Peet chased a Me 109 to the deck and destroyed it northwest of Charieville and others knocked down two Fw 190's. Capt. Byron A. Evans (360th) was last seen near St. Quentin and his loss was summed up in a short 360th entry, "Capt. Evans' aircraft was last seen chasing a Me 109 in a vertical dive entering a cloud layer at 6,000 feet." The bombers were taken out to the coast where landfall was made at 1400 near Le Treport, except for a 361st flight which crossed out at 1352 near Berck-Sur-Mer. (3-1-1 air) (1 lost)
Holzhausen (361st) also claimed a 190 as damaged but all three were later disallowed. Lt. Koczak (360th) became separated near Dieppe and he ran across a trio ofFw 190's hitting some B-I?'s. He destroyed one Focke Wulf and chased the others away before breaking off. Lt. Meholic (359th) had his hydraulics shot out by flak near Rouen and he safely crash-landed at Manston.
(6·0·3 air)
359th:
360th:
Line-up Cocn, Peet Baccus, Cotter, Holm, Holtz Thorne*, Clayborne*, Burke, Meholic White*, Farmer, Rann, Richason Henry, Wyatt, Bradshaw, Wadlow 360th: Williams, Maxwell, Parker, Niemi Kress, Adams, L'Heureux, Walters Evans, Fletcher, Bockmeyer, Koczak W. Johnson, Stratford, Cook, Borelli 361st: Montgomery, J.R Murphy~, Korhorn*, Fremaux McDowell, Gansberg, Campbell, Leyser, Parham Porter, Gibson, Von Holzhausen, Tuckey Hewett, Dendle, Perrin, Johnson, Thwaites* • - D.S. pilot from the 365th Ftr Grp, 9th Air Force
359th:
36 J sl:
Line-up Thorne, Vossler, Craig, Peet Krieger, Richason, Henry, Weber Burke, O'Barr, Engel, Wadlow Holm, Farmer, Meholic, Earnhart Rann, Bradshaw, Warren *(spotters) Coen, Borelli, Ellingson, Stratford Parker, Maxwell, Niemi, Green Kress, L'Heureux, Walters, Adams McCullough, Koczak, Fletcher, Hall Montgomery, Leyser, Korhorn, Parham Wood, Bell, Hewett, Thwaites Waller*, Vangos, Von Holzhausen, Dendle Porter, Yoakum, Johnson, Jack
Sqn 360th:
36lst:
Claims
Location
Lt. B.E. Ellingson
Me 109 dest(air)
Chartres
Lt. A.S. Koczak
Fw 190 dest(air)
Dieppe
Lt. w.G. Maxwell
Fw 190 dest(air)
Chartres
Lt. H.D. Parker
Fw 190 dest(air)
Chartres
Lt. P.E. McCullough Fw 190 dam(air)
Chartres
Lt. S.H. Hewett
SE Paris
(2)Fw 190 dam(air) SE Paris Lt. D.F. Thwaites
Sqn
Claims
Me 109 dest(air)
SW Paris
Location
HdQlS:
LtCol. a.H. Coen
(.5)Me 109 dest(air) NW Charleville
359th:
Lt. G.B. Peet
(.5)Me 109 dest(air) NW Charleville
360,h,
Lt. P.E. McCullough Fw 190 dest(air)
3615t:
Me 109 dest(air)
February IS (#53) LtCo!. Coen led a dive-bombing mission from 1300 to 1513. The group made landfall at 1345 near Nieuport and upon reaching the target area, discovered it totally obscured by clouds. Heading home, the field at Coxyde was hit with only a few bombs landing near a runway. Landfall was then made at 1429 from Ostend to Dunkirk.
MarIe
Fw 190 prob(air)
S/Albert
Ll. C.J. Garvey
Fw 190 dest(air)
S/Albert
Lt. J.P. Perrin
Fw 190 dam(air)
Charlevillc
February 13 (#52) LtCo!. Coen led a Type-16 Control from 1345 to 1635. The planes crossed in at 1430 near Le Treport then were vectored to the Chartres area where 20-plus fighters were engaged. Five kills were registered then the P-47's were vectored to Amiens but nothing further was seen before landfall-out at 1556 near Le Treport. Lts. Weber and Henry (359th) claimed a Fw 190 and Me 109, respectively, as damaged, while Lt. Von
Line-up 359th: Thorne, Vossler, Rann, Wadlow Holm, Brearley*, Holtz, Richson }bombers Cotter, Meholic, Bradshaw Coen, J.Auton', O'Barr }fighters White, Engel, Smith , - CO of the 65th Fighter Wing
23
The 356th Fighter Group ill World War 1I
360th:
361st:
Williams, Koczak, McCullough, Hall' }bombers Cota, L'Heureux, Withers, Dunn W. Johnson, Borelli, Cook, Ellingson Parker, Maxwell, Niemi }fighters Fletcher, Vitali, Green Malmstrom, Vangos, Von Holzhausen, Tuckey Montgomery', Erickson, Strait, McDowell }bombers Waller', Campbell, Parbam, Thwaites Bailey, Yoakum, Culp }fighters Leyser, Jack, Johnson'
Lin.e~llp
359th:
360th:
Krieger, McLaughlin, Cook, Ellingson
361s1:
Waller, Culp, Erickson, Leyser Strait, Yoakum, Bailey, Jack February 21 (#56) LtCol. Malmstrom led an escort from 1213 to 1545. Landfall came at 1309 near Noordwijerhout and RlV was made. oorthwest of Minden at 1356. Several flights took one box of bombers past Hanover and broke at 1412 while the rest broke from their heavies west of Oldenburg. Near Hanover, 20-plus Me I09's were engaged by parts of the 359th and 361 st and Lt. Thomas Von Holzhausen (36Ist) was last seen in this fight. His loss was recorded as follows: "Lt. Von Holzhausen helped to engage a formation of Me 109's. He and his element leader
February 20 (#54) LtCol. Malmstrom led a penetration support from 1044 to 1326. Landfall came south of Ijmuiden at 1137 with RN at 1150 northeast of Zwolle. The bombers were left io the Lingen area at 1215 and the group crossed out near Bergen Alkmaar at 1241. Lt. Weber (359th) hit some trees while landing at Ipswich, aod while totally demolishing his P-47, he walked away with-
turned into two Me I09's with Lt. Von Holzhausen wide and to the right of his element leader in a left turn. The turn came so
out injury.
steep that the element leader lost sight of Von Holzhausen. He was not seen after this. The leader observed approximately 15 Me 109's in a gaggle above them but did not believe the enemy aircraft were near enough to fire at Lt. Von Holzhausen. No Rtf was received by group planes, base, or wing control-
Lille~llp
Baccus, Wyatt', O'Barr, Smith Henry, Rubner, Engel*, Richason Thorne, Warren, Cotter, Rann*
360th:
Holm, Craig, Holtz, Weber Brearley, Meholic(spares) Williams, Withers, Kress, Walters
ler."
One flight of the 360th ran across some Me 109's near Celie and hit two without loss. Afterwards, the main part of the group crossed out at 1438 near Egmond with others going out near Zandervoort at 1450. (1-1-3 air) (lIos!)
Krieger, Maxwell, Vitali, McHale
361 st:
Parker, McHale, Vitali, Maxwell Walters(spare) Malmstrom, Vangos, McDowell, Bell Porter, Johnson, Hewett, Fremaux
Notes: This was the last mission with the 356th for LtCol. Oscar Coen. He went to help break-in the 365th Fighter Group of the 9th Air Force, then later took a Headquarters job with the 9th. With his departure, the Deputy CO spot was temporarily unfilled.
359th:
Baccus, Clayborne, O'Barr, Knudsen Bradshaw, Holtz, Engel, Wadlow Thorne', Vossler, Cotter, Rann Williams, Dunn, L'Heureux, Hall Halverson, Koczak, McCullough
Cota, Hall, McCullough, Fletcher W. Johnson, McLaughlio, Cook, Borelli L'Heureux(spare), Halverson, Dunn(relays) Malmstrom, Perrin, Montgomery, Korbom Waller, Erickson, Wood, Bailey Vangos, Bell, Gibson, Culp Fremaux, Leyser, Yoakum, Von Holzhausen
Line-up
359th:
Malmstrom, Peet, Farmer, Knudsen Baccus, Vossler, Meholic, Rubner
February 20 (#55) LtCol. Malmstrom led ao area patrol from 1427 to 1655. After crossing io northwest of Flushing at 1510, the pilots flew
360th:
to west of Antwerp, south to Vancure, west to Bethunne, then
northwest to Gravelines where landfall was made at 1620.
24
White, Brearley, Cotter, Rann Holm, Holtz, Smith, Earnhart Williams, McHale, Krieger, Maxwell Cota, Withers, Kress, Adams Johnson, McLaughlin, Cook, Ellingson Halverson, Fletcher, Vitali, Koczak Walters, Dunn(spares), Hall(relay)
The 356rh Fighter Group in World War II
36lst:
Waller, Culp, Perrin, Jack Wood, Campbell, Bailey, Von Holzhausen Montgomery*, Gibson*, Erickson, Jobnson Porter, Tuckey, Strait, Gansberg
Sqn
359th:
Claims
Location
Lt. W.w. Cotter
Me 109 dest(air)
Hanover
Capt. E.J. White
Me 109 dam(air)
Hanover
Lt. 360th:
w.A.
Holm
Me 109 dam(air)
360th:
Hanover
Lt. H.B. McLaughlin Me 109 prob(air)
Celie
Lt. J.R. Cook
Celle
Me 109 dam(air)
Line~up
359th:
36lst:
February 22 (#57) LtCol. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 1316 to 1613. Crossing in north of Walcheren at 1405, twenty-five bombers were picked up by tbe 359th north of Limburg at 1450. These were left near Liege at 1520 and the squadron crossed out near Knocke at 1542. The rest of the group R!V'd north of Limburg at 1510, broke east of Malmedy at 1520, and crossed out at 1550 near Knocke.
359th:
360th:
361 st:
Baccus, Rubner, Farmer, Peet Krieger, Knudsen, Ogden, Earnhart White, Bradshaw, Cotter, Rann Holm, Holtz, Meholic, Smith Richason(spare), Wadlow, Wyatt(relays) Cota, Withers, L'Heureux, Adams Halverson, Fletcher, Koczak Parker, Niemi, McHale, Vitali Williams, Stratford, Cook, Ellingson Malmstrom, Leyser, Strait, Gansberg Montgomery, Yoakum, Bailey, Campbell Waller, Culp, Perrin, Bell Porter, Gibson, Johnson, Tuckey
5qn
360th:
Ll. W.H. Fletcher
Claims
Location
Me 109 dam(air)
SW Aachen
February 25 (#59) LtCol. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 1342 to 1645. Lt. Erickson (36lst) spun-out while forming up (he landed o.k.) and the rest made landfall at 1418. The 359th RI V'd near Metz at 1503, the 360th southeast of Luxembourg at 1505, and the 361 st at 1512. As the 359th made R!V, three Me I09's were bounced and two were damaged after Capt. Ogden chased them to the deck. The bombers were left east of St. Quentin at 1548 and the group headed borne, while Capt. Ogden and Lt. Weber (359th) landed at Manston.
Line-up Baccus, Vossler, Henry, Wadlow Burke, Peet*, Ogden*, Rubner White, Brearley, Engel, Rann Holm, Farmer, Meholic, Earnhart Malmstrom, McCullough, Halverson, Koczak Parker, McHale, Vitali, Niemi Williams, Stratford, Johnson, Cook Cota, Walters, Withers, L'Heureux Waller, Campbell, Vangos, Leyser Wood, Fremaux, Erickson, Culp Montgomery*, Gibson, McDowell, Korborn Hewett, Bell, Tuckey
(0-0-2 air) Line~up
359th:
February 24 (#58) LtCol. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 1244 to 1520. Landfall came at 1327 north of Walcheren and RlV was accomplished southwest of Bonn at 1407. The 359th and 361st picked up sixty B-24's while the 360th escorted sixty more. The main box was left near the coast at 1445 and the P47's crossed out at 1448 near Ostend. The 360th broke west of Brussels at 1450 and crossed out at 1455 near Ostend. White Flight of the 360th bounced two Me 109's southwest of Aachen and damaged one, while a 361 st flight bounced a Me 410 taking-off from Flushing but the German escaped in the haze.
360th:
361st:
Malmstrom, Warren, Baccus, Peet Burke, Rubner, Ogden, Weber White, Bradshaw, Engel, Richason Holm, Wadlow, Smith, Earnhart Williams, Hall, McCullough, Garvey Parker, Niemi, Vitali, Green Johnson, Stratford, Ellingson, Borelli Krieger, Walters, Withers, Dunn Waller, Yoakum, Vangos, Jack Strait, Culp, Perrin, Bell Montgomery, Parham, McDowell, Leyser Wood, Bailey, Thwaites, Erickson* Claims
Sqn
HdQts:
Capt. H.A. Ogden
Location
(2)Me 109 dam(air) Metz
(0-0-1 air)
February 26 Notes: The 356th stood down from operations but several pilots went up on test flights. Lt. William W. Cotter (359th) was 25
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
buzzing the field when his prop hit the ground. He was unable to turn around to line-up on the runway and he died of the injuries sustained in the resultant crash. (1 killed) February 28 (#60) Maj. Williams led an area patrol from 1323 to 1620. Landfall came at 1418 northeast of Dieppe and the group flew to Le Havre. From there they flew to Rouen, then back to Dieppe, circled there until 1536, then crossed out southwest of Le Treport.
March 2 (#62) LtCo!. Malmstrom led a bomber support from 1222 to 1510. The group crossed in near Knocke at 1259 and the 361st R!V'd with some B-24's at 1318 near Spa. The othertwo squadrons swept up the bomber track and the 360th picked up some B-I?'s at 1320, while the 359th R!V'd with some B-I?'s near Eupen at 1325. The 361 st broke at landfall, Schouwen, at 1421 and the other squadrons broke at 1435 near Bruges then crossed out north of Ostend at 1440.
359th: 359th:
360th:
36lst:
Line-up Baccus, Vossler, Henry, Brearley O'Barr, Warren, Craig*, Wyatt Burke, Clayborne, Rann, Smith Holm, Peet, Holtz, Earnhart Williams, Green, McCullough, Maxwell Malmstrom, Fletcher, Halverson, Garvey Cota, L'Heureux, Adams, Walters Krieger, McLaughlin, Cook, Borelli Waller, Vangos, Perrin, Culp Wood, Tuckey, Hewett, Thwaites Montgomery, Campbell, Yoakum, Korhorn Porter, Parham, Erickson, Gibson
360th:
361 st:
March 3 (#63) L1Co!. Malmstrom led an area support from 1253 to 1608. Landfall was at 1326 north of Beveland and since no bombers were at the RN point, the group flew on the track to Giessen. The pilots circled here until 1410, then were vectored north until landfall south of The Hague at 1518. Some extremely heavy flak was encountered and 11 P-4?,s (6 from the 359th, 3 from the 361 st, and 2 from the 360th) were damaged but none were lost.
February 29 (#61) L1Co!. Malmstrom led a Type-I 6 Control from 1055 to 1400. After landfall at 1155 near Egmond, the planes were vectored to Zwolle, then to Apeldoorn, then back to Zwolle. From there they flew east until 1236, headed west over the Zuider Zee, and later crossed out southwest of Zandervoort at 1316.
359th:
360th:
36lst:
Line-up Malmstrom, Farmer, Ogden, Weber White, Wyatt, 0' Barr, Bradshaw Thorne, Meholic, Engel, Craig Burke, Peet, Henry, Rubner Williams, Withers, L'Heureux, Dunn Halverson, Fletcher, Hocksmeyer, Garvey Parker, Green, Vitali, Maxwell Johnson, McLaughlin, Borelli, Stratford Montgomery, Engelhom, Leyser, Hewett Wood, Campbell, Fremaux, Yoakum Strait, Nystrom, Culp, Perrin McDowell, Thwaites, Gibson Johnson, Bell(relays)
Line-up Baccus, Warren, O'Barr, Holtz Krieger, Clayborne, Meholic, Peet Thorne, Vossler, Ogden, Craig Burke*, Richason, Henry, Rubner Farmer, Wyatt(spotters) Williams, Stratford, Cook, Ellingson Cota, Hall, Withers, Dunn Parker, McHale, Vitali, Niemi McCullough(spare) Malmstrom, Leyser, Korhom, Bell Montgomery, Thwaites, Bailey, Yoakum Waller, Erickson, Jack, Gibson, Campbell* Porter, Johnson, Culp, Hewett, Vangos Perrin, Lee(relays)
359th:
360th:
361st:
26
Line-up Thorne, Bradshaw, Engel Henry, Rubner, Meholic, Farmer White, Brearley, Ogden, Weber Burke, Earnhart, Peet, O'Barr Rann, Wadlow(relays) Malmstrom, Williams, McCullough, Garvey Parker, Niemi, McHale, Green Cota, Stratford, McLaughlin, Borelli Kress, Adams, L'Heureux, Dunn Waller, Engelhom, Perrin, Johnson Montgomery*, Culp, Parham, Gansberg* Wood, Dendle, McDowell, Gibson Porter, Campbell, Korhorn, Yoakum Hewett, Thwaites(spotters)
The 356rh Fighter Group in World War II
March 4 (#64) LtCol. Malmstrom led a penetration-withdrawal support from 1029 to 1230. Landfall was at 1102 in the Dunkirk-Ostend area with RN coming at 1117. The bombers were left south of Huyat 1133, and along with several stragglers, landfall-out was at 1200 in the Dunkirk-Ostend area.
361st:
March 6 (#67) LtCol. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 1237 to 1550. Landfall was made north of Nordwijk at 1330 and RI V near Nienburg at 1420. Just before RN, six Fw 190's were engaged and one was damaged by a 359th pilot. Moments later, 20 more Germans approached from the northwest and six of these were shot down. Lt. Milton F. Erickson (36Ist) was hit in this scrap and bailed out in the Lingen area. The bombers were later left over the Northeast Polder at 1504 with landfall following at IS I0 north of The Hague. The 361st diary recorded Erickson's loss like this, "At 1445 Lt. Parham heard Lt. Erickson say that it was getting late and was about time to set course for home. Shortly thereafter was the last seen of Lt. Erickson as he went down into a cloud layer and was not seen from then on. In a break between the clouds, a P-47 was seen being attacked by three enemy aircraft-in back of them were three more enemy aircraft, and in back of those six were three more enemy aircraft. The 47 may have been Lt. Erickson's ship." (6-1-2 air) (1 lost)
Line-up
359th:
360th:
361st:
Thorne, Wyatt, O'Barr, Wadlow White, Bradshaw, Engel, Rann Burke, Smith, Farmer, Earnhart Williams, Krieger, Maxwell, Green Halverson, Hockmeyer, Fletcher, Hall Cota, Kress, Adams, Dunn Johnson, Borelli, J. Cook, McLaughlin Malmstrom, Strait, Gansberg, Lee Campbell, Erickson, Dendle, Bell Montgomery, Bailey, Fremaux, Nystrom
March 4 (#65) Maj. Williams led a Type-l 6 Controlfrom 1430 to 1635. Crossing in at 1515 near Dunkirk, the pilots were vectored to west of Lille then to St. Orner. No bombers were seen and the P-47's crossed out ncar Calais at 1614. Line-up
359th:
360th:
361st:
Baccus, Warren, O'Barr, Wadlow Henry*, Weber, Meholic, Knudsen Burke, Brearley, Smith*, Earnhart Williams, Green, Stratford, Borelli Hockmeyer, L'Heureux, Fletcher, Hall Parker, Niemi, Maxwell, McHale Waller, Hewett, Vangos, Nystrom Porter, Lee, Jack, Parham Korhorn*, Johnson, Dendle, Tuckey*
Line-up
359th:
360th:
March 5 (#66) Maj. Baccus led a penetration support from 0909 to 1222. Landfall came west of Cabourg at 1001 and RN was made west of Laval at 1018. The B-24's were left south of Cholet at 1033 and the group crossed out at 1120 northwest ofBayeaux.
359th:
360th:
Parker, Maxwell, Niemi Wood, Nystrom, Bailey, Yoakum Montgomery, Engelhorn, Korhom, Dendle Porter, Lee, Campbell, Gibson Strait, Leyser, McDowell, Bell
36lst:
Line-up
Sqn
Baccus, Engel, O'Barr, Wadlow Henry, Rubner, Meholic, Knudsen White, Bradshaw, Brearley, Rann Burke, Farmer, Smith, Earnhart Cota, McCullough, McHale Williams, Stratford, J. Cook, Ellingson Kress, Dunn, Withers, L'Heureux
359th:
361Sl:
27
Baccus, Rann, O'Barr, Wadlow White, Bradshaw, Brearley, Peet Burke*, Clayborne, Farmer, Weber* Henry, Rubner, Meholic, Engel Malmstrom, Fletcher, McCullough, Garvey Williams, Niemi, Parker, Maxwell Cota, Adams, Withers, L'Heureux Johnson, Stratford, Ellingson, McLaughlin Waller, Leyser, Vangos, Jack Porter, Culp, Erickson, Parham, Bell Montgomery, Lee, Johnson, Fremaux Wood, Nystrom, Hewett, Thwaites Claims
Location
Lt. W.L. Farmer
Me 109 desl(air)
Nienburg
Lt. U. Meholic
Me 109 desl(air)
Nienburg
Lt. C.H. Rubner
Me 109 desl(air)
Nienburg Nienburg
Lt. G.w. Engel
Me 109 prob(air)
Lt. J.D. Henry
Fw 190 dam(air)
Nienburg
Capt. F.S. Porter
Me 109 desl(air)
N/Steinhuder Lake
Lt. S.H. Hewetl
Me 109 dest(air)
NW Steinhuder Lake
The 3561h Fighrer Group in World War II
Maj. W. Walle
(.5)Me 109 dest(air) N/Steinhuder Lake (.5)Me 109 dam(air) !'\/Steinhuder Lake
Lt. H.C. Leyser
(.5)Me 109 dest(air) N/Steinhuder Lake (.5)Me 109 dam(air) N/Steinhuder Lake
March 8 (#68) LtCol. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 1403 to 1711. Landfall came near Zandrood at 1502 with RN south of Quackenbruck at 1535. Just before RIV, Lt. Justus D. Henry and Lt. Wadlow (359th) strafed Hesepe Airfield and each damaged a Me 110. Making a second pass, Henry was hit by flak, cartwheeled into a Me 110, then into a hangar which exploded. Northwest of Lingen, three Me I09's attacked the bombers and the 360th broke these up and downed two. The heavies were taken out with landfall at 1625 near Egmond and escort was broken in mid-Channel. (2-0-0 air) (l-2 ground) (lios/)
March 9 (#69) LtCol. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 1253 to 1552. Crossing in at 1346 near Zandevoort, RN came at 1445 north of Steinhuder Lake. Escort was broken northeast of Lingen at 1455 and the planes crossed out at 1522 near Egmond. The only excitement came when the 360th saw a Fw 190 which avoided contact near Zwolle. Line-up
359th:
360th:
361st:
Line-up
359th:
360th:
361st:
While, Bradshaw, Rann, Warren Krieger, Richason, Ogden, Peet* Burke, Clayborne, Farmer, Craig* Holm, Holtz, Henry, Wadlow Meholic, Wyatt(spotters) Williams, Borelli, Johnson, Ellingson Halverson, Koczak. Hockmeyer, Garvey Cota, Maxwell, McHale, Niemi Kress, Walters, Withers, Adams Malmstrom, Gansberg, Tukey, Tuckey Strait, Lee, McDowell, Fremaux Montgomery, Engelhom, Korhom, Yoakum Waller, Nystrom, Campbell, Culp
Sqn 359(h:
360th:
Claims
Location
Me 110 dest(grd)
Hesepe
Me liD dam(grd)
Hesepe
LL J.H. Wadlow
Me liD dam(grd)
Hesepe
Maj. 1.R. Williams
Me 109 dest(air)
NW Lingen
Lt. B. Borelli
Me 109 dest(air)
t\W Lingen
Lt. J.D. Henry
Malmstrom, Richason, Baccus, Rubner Ogden, O'Barr, Brearley, Peet Holm, Clayborne, Meholic, Knudsen Engel, Wadlow, Rann, Warren Cota, Niemi, Maxwell, Green Kress, Withers, L'Heureux, Walters Johnson, Borelli, Stratford, Ellingson Halverson, Garvey, Hockmeyer, Fletcher Waller, Gansberg, Vangos, Jack Strait, Lee, Campbell, Tuckey' Wood, Engelhorn, Johnson, Parham* Krieger, Leyser, Hewett, Thwaites
March 11 (#70) LtCol. Malmstrom led a penetration and target support from 0813 to 1115. Landfall was near Den Helder at 0900 with RlV two minutes later near Egmond. The bombers were taken to southwest of Munster and later left at 1005. The P-4Ts then crossed out at 1040 near Walcheren. Line-lip
359th:
360th:
361 st:
NOTes: New Deputy CO for the 356th was LtCol. Philip E.
Tukey, Jr. He had won his wings in May of 1940 and initially served with the 8th Fighter Group. Joining the 56th Fighter Group in 1942, he came overseas as CO of the 63rd Fighter Squadron. Transferred in September of 1943, Tukey served as Assistant Operations Officer for VIII Fighter Command until being posted to the 356th.
Baccus, Rubner, Brearley, Wadlow Krieger, Clayborne, Ogden*, Farmer* White, Bradshaw, Rann, Warren Holm, Peet, Meholic, Smith Engel, Richason(relays) Malmstrom, Niemi, Parker, McHale J. Cook, L'Heureux, Stratford, Ellingson Williams, McCullough, Hockmeyer, Green Kress, Waiters, Withers, Adams Waller, Parham, McDowell, Tuckey* Korhom, Nystrom, Leyser, Penin Porter*, Johnson, Strait, Gibson Hewett, Culp, Fremaux*
March 13 (#71) LtCol. Malmstrom led a Type-I 6 Control from 0847 to 1203. Crossing in northeast of Dieppe at 0934, the P-4Ts were vectored to the Evreux-Amiens-Cambrai area. Some bombers were seen near Levs but were not picked up and the group made landfall-out over Calais at 1134.
28
The 3561h Fighter GlVup ill World War II
359th:
360th:
3615t:
Line-up Baccus, Knudsen, Meholic, Wadlow White, Bradshaw, Rann, Warren Holm", Clayborne, Enge], Peet Smith, Farmer(spares) Cota, Dunn, Kress, Walters Johnson, Ellingson, J. Cook, McLaughlin Parker, Max well, McHale, Green Krieger, Hall(spares) Malmstrom, Tuckey, Campbell, Dendle Waller, Perrin, Vangos, Jack POiler, Engelhorn, Gansberg, Lee Korhorn, Thwaites(spares)
southwest of St. Dizier. Near this point, one Me 109 bounced Red Flight of the 359th and it was in turn shot down. The bombers were taken to Compiegne and left there at 1350 and landfall-out was strung out from 1330 to 1340 from Le Treport to Cape Gris Nez. The 361st strafed two airfields on the way home, claiming 0-2 buildings and 0-1 flak tower. Lt. Bradshaw (359th) shot up an aircraft south of Dummer Lake, then he and Capt. White damaged a loco in the same area. (1-0-0 air) (0-1 groulld)
359th:
March IS (#72) LtCol. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 1023 to 1345. Landfall came near Zandvoort at ] 105 with R/V nonh of Minden at 1145. Southeast of Nijmegen, a Me 109 was sighted and downed by a pair of 359th pilots. While the other two squadrons stayed with the bombers, the 359th strafed in the Munster area, claiming 3-0 locos, 0-5 railcars, 1-0 truck, and 0-1 flak lower. (Maj. Baccus' flight shared in 1-0 loco and the railcars, Lt. Peet claimed 1-0 loco and the flak tower, Baccus claimed the truck, and Capt. White and Lt. Bradshaw shared the third 10co).The bombers were brought back to the coast without incident and left in mid-Channel. (1-0-0 air)
360lh:
361st:
359th:
Claims
Sqll
(.5)Me 109 dest(air) SE Nijmegen
Lt. H. Weber
(.5)Me 109 dest(air) SE Nijmegen
Location
w.c. O'Barr
(.5)Me 109 dest(air) 5E $1. Oizier
Lt. R.B. Warren
(.5)Me 109 dest(air) 5E S1. Dizier
u. R.O. Bradshaw
u/i ale dam(grd)
Lt.
S/Dummer Lake
March 17 Notes: Due to injuries suffered in an accident on this date, Maj. Joseph R. Williams was sent home. Taking over as 360th CO was Maj. Andrew E. Krieger, Jr., a veteran of the Philippines campaign with the 3rd Pursuit Squadron. Krieger had been Group Operations Officer since his arrival in September of 1943. March 18 (#74) LtCo!. Malmstrom led a penetration support from] 142 to 1515. After landfall northeast of Dunkirk at 1218, the 360lh and 36] st made RIV at 1256 near St. Dizier. The 359th acted as freelance and two flights strafed a field west of Nancy damaging two craft. One of these flights then escorted some stragglers back out to the coast. The main group took the bombers to Aelesta] and broke at 1330. Lt. B]eftlleriosA. Vangos (36Ist) was hit by flak in the Lille area and be]lied-in southeast of Cambrai.
Location
Lt. J.J. MehoJic
Claims
Sqn
Line-up 3591h: Ma]mstrom, Knudsen, Engel, Wyatt , Burke, Clayborne, Ogden, Craig White, Bradshaw, O'Barr, Wadlow Baccus, Weber, Meholic, Peet 360th: Williams, McHale, Vitali, Green Withers, Dunn, Adams, Walters Cota, McCullough, Hockmeyer, Hall Johnson, Ellingson, J. Cook, McLaughlin L' Heureux, Maupin(relays) 361 st: Waller, Dendle, Hewett, Thwaites Montgomery, Fremaux, Korhorn, Nystrom Porter, Johnson, Gibson, Bell Strait, Leyser, Yoakum
359th:
Line-up Thorne, Knudsen, O'Barr, Warren, White Krieger, Richason, Ogden, PeeL Burke, Clayborne, Farmer, Craig Holm, Wyatl, Holtz, Rubner, Bradshaw Williams, Maupin, Ellingson, Borelli Parker, E. Cook, Vitali, Niemi Cota, Maxwell, Withers, Walters Hockmeyer, Hall, Garvey, McLaughlin McCuliough(spare) Ma]mstrom, Gibson, Perrin, Campbell Wood, Vangos, McDowell, Johnson Jack, Lee, Dendle, Culp Parham, Bell, Yoakum, Engelhorn
March 16 (#73) LtCol. Ma]mstrom led a withdrawal suppon from] 203 to ]517. Landfall came near Ostend at 124] with R/V at ]325
29
The 356th Fighter Group ill World War 1I
T. Bell (36Ist) strafed an airfield northeast of Brussels. Porter
Lt. Engelhom submitted this report ofVangos' loss, "I was flying Red #4 as Lt. Vangos' wingman. Over the Lille area at 1237 hours at 18,000 feet, we encountered light bur accurate flak. At 1240 we caught up with Red I and 2 and flew on until 1245 hours when Lt. Vangos called and said he was going back. I followed him and he made a 180 degree tum and started down. At 15,000 feet he turned to 270 degrees and started gliding due west. At 13,000 feet his prop stopped and he opened his canopy. He made a half-roll as if to bailout but pulled out and started gliding towards an open field. He made a beautiful belly landing in a large field." The 360th saw four Fw 190's south of Luneville but lost them in the overcast. The pilots later crossed out from 1435 to 1455 in the Dunkirk-St. Valery area. (0-2 groulld) (I/ost)
359th:
360th:
361 st:
359th:
Line-up Baccus, Peet, O'Barr, Holtz Burke, Clayborne, Farmer*, Weber* White, Wadlow, Rann, Warren Tukey, Rubner, Brearley, Knudsen Smith, Craig(spares) Krieger, McCullough, Hockmeyer, Hall J. Cook, McLaughlin, Stratford, Borelli Parker, E. Cook, Vitali, Green Kress, Walters, Withers, Dunn Ellingson, Maupin(relays) Malmstrom, Jack, Bell, Engelhorn Strait, Nystrom, Thwaites, Culp Montgomery, Vangos, Korhorn* Porter, Campbell, Yoakum
Sqll
359th:
damaged a Me 110 but he and Bell were both downed by flak gunners. Lt. Bernard A. Tuckey (361 st) crashed off Orfordness on the way in, and a trio of 360th pilots, Lt. Charles J. Garvey, Lt. Philip E. McCullough, and FlO Howard P. Maupin, went down over the Continent. Tuckey and Bell were killed, Maupin evaded capture and returned to England in September, and the others were captured. (I-O-O air) (0-1 groulld) (6/ost)
Lt. W.e. O'Barr
Claims
Locatioll
glider dam(grd)
W/Nancy
360th:
361 st:
(.25) 00 217 dam(grd) WlNancy
Ll. R.K. Holtz
(.25)00217 dam(grd) WfNancy
Lt. G.B. Peel
(.25)00217 dam(grd) W/Nancy
Clai/lLt
Sqll
Location
HdQts:
LtCo!. E.A. Malmstrom Me 109 desl(air) Charleville
36 1st:
Capt F.S. Porter
Me II0dam(grd)
NlBrussels
March 21 Notes: Due to Maj. Krieger taking over as 360th CO, Maj. James H. Thorne moved up to become Group Operations Officer. With his departure from the 359th, Capt. Ernest J. White, Jr., took over as that squadron's Operations Officer.
(.25)Oo217dam(grd) W/Nancy Maj. O.A. Baccus
Line-up Malmstrom, Craig, Smith, Richason Meholic, Weber, Engel, Peet White, Bradshaw, Rann, Warren Holm, Wyatt, Holtz, Vossler Tukey, Niemi, Vitali, E. Cook Halverson, Hall, McCullough, Garvey Johnson, Maupin, J. Cook, Stratford Krieger, Dunn, Walters, Adams Borelli, McLaughlin(relays) Montgomery, Engelhorn, Gansberg, Fremaux Bailey, Yoakum, Perrin, Parham Porter, Tuckey, Dendle, Bell Wood, Nystrom, Hewett, Lee
March 22 (#76) LtCo!. Malmstrom led a withdrawal support from 1242 to 1625. Landfall came south of Ijmuiden at 1335 and a small force of B-ITs was picked up shortly after. Another force of bombers was later met northeast of Lingen at 1445 and these were left at landfall, Egmond, at 1516. Lt. Jack (361 st) also escorted a crippled P-38 back home.
March 20 (#75) LtCo!. Malmstrom was in the lead on an escort from 1142 to 1450. Landfall came northeast of Astende in horrible weather and no RfV was made as the bombers turned back. Malmstrom and his flight did fly to the RJV area and ran across three Me 109's near Charleville. In a short fight, the Colonel dispatched one of the Germans. Lt. Hewett and Lt. Lee (361 st) strafed in the Abbeville area on the way out and shot up two flak towers. Six pilots were MIA on the mission, with four being lost due to the weather. Capt. Fred S. Porter and Lt. DeWitt
359th:
30
Line-up Baccus', Weber, Smith, Earnhart Rann, Warren, Bradshaw, O'Barr Thorne, Richason', Engel, Knudsen Burke, Clayborne, Farmer*, Vossler
The 356tll Fighter Group ill World War I!
360th:
361 st:
Malmstrom, J. Cook, Stratford, Borelli Kress, Ellingson, Withers, Adams Krieger, Hockmeyer, Halverson, Hall Parker, Niemi, Vitali, Green (squadron had 3 aborts but pilots are unknown) Tukey, Jack, McDowell, Lee Waller, Thwaites, Gibson, Fremaux Strait, Culp, Johnson, Engelhorn
360th:
361 st:
March 27 (#79) LtCol. Tukey led a withdrawal support from 1417[0 1745. The pilots crossed in near Cabourg at 1515 and made RN near the Loire River at 1540. The bombers were left at Grandcampe and the planes crossed out at 1645 near Bayeaux. Capt. Halverson (360th) cracked-up at Martlesham Heath after his gear collapsed while landing his damaged plane. The ship was a write·off but Halverson was unhUll.
March 23 (#77) LtCol. Tukey led a penetration-withdrawal support from 0910 to 1310. Crossing in at 0950 near Walcheren, RN came east of Bonn at 1030. One squadron took the bombers to Gertruidenburg, left them at I 145, and crossed out near Flushing at 1220. The rest of the group brought their bombers out to Schouwen and left them at 1210. Capt. White and Lt. Smith (359th) destroyed a loco near Duren, then Smith shot up a Me 110 on Diest-Schaffen Airfield. Lt. J. Cook and FlO Green (360lh) also damaged an E-boat in the North Sea. (0·/ groulld)
359th:
360th:
361 st:
359m:
Line·up
359th:
360th:
Une·up Baccus, Weber, Farmer, Craig Engel*, Knudsen, Peet, Earnhart* White, Clayborne*, Smith, Ogden Holm, Brearley, Holtz, Vossler Cota, Adams, Kress, Walters Parker, E. Cook, Vitali, Niemi Johnson, McLaughlin, Ellingson, Borelli Hockmeyer, Hall, J. Cook, Green Tukey, Leyser, Hewett, Thwaites Malmstrom, Gansberg, Culp, Lee Waller, Engelhom, Perrin, Fremaux Wood, Yoakum
Sq1l LI. J.B. Smith
Claims
Locatio/!
Me 110 dam(grd)
WlDuren
361 st:
Baccus, Wood, Maholic, Weber Engel, Earnhart, Peet, Craig Holm, Wyatt, Holtz, Vossler Rann, Bradshaw, G'Barr Tukey, McHale, Parker, E. Cook Kress, Adams, Withers, L' Heureux Krieger, Borelli, Stratford, Ellingsoo Halverson, Hall, Hockmeyer, McLaughlin (squadroo had 2 aborts, pilots unknown) Montgomery, Eogelhorn, Johnson, Thorne Parham, Perrin, Culp, Campbell Wood, Fremaux, Gansberg, Leyser* Bailey, Jack, Hewett, Dendle
March 29 (#80) LtCol. Tukey led a penetration SUpp0I1 from 1154 to 1545. Landfall was near Egmond at 1235 and RIV came near Quackenbruck at 1301. Three Me 109's were seen in the Steinhuder Lake area and a two were destroyed with the third claimed as a probable. A 360th flight also strafed Cloppenburg Airfield and shot up four Me 410's. Some 359th and 361st pilots strafed near Steinhuder Lake with the 359th getting 3-1 locos and 0-1 tug, and the 361st claimed 0-7 locos. Landfallout was made near Egmond at 1447 and Lt. Lee (36Ist) crashlanded at Leiston due to damage he received when he hit a pole while strafing. (2-1-0 air)
March 24 (#78) LtCol. Malmstrom led a penetration support from 0726 to 1110. Landfall was nearOstend and RN came south ofBrus· sels at 0822. The bombers were left at 0918 north of Coblenz as the 4th Fighter Group relieved the PATs. Everyone later landed at Debden and Braintree as Martlesham Heath was covered with heavy clouds.
359th:
Parker, McLaughlin, Vitali, Niemi Johnson, Borelli, Stratford, Ellingson Kress, Walters, L'Heureux, Adams (squadron had one abort, pilot unknown) Waller, Gansberg, Gibson, Culp Strait, Jack, McDowell, Parham, Bailey
(3-1 groulld)
Line·up Malmstrom, Knudsen, Ogden, Richason Holm, Wyatt, Smith, Vossler White, Craig, Bradshaw, Warren Farmer, Earnhart(relays)
359th:
3/
Line·up Baccus, Wood, Holtz, Knudsen Burke, Clayborne, Farmer, Earnhart White*, Craig, Bradshaw, Warren Thorne, Rubner, Smith, Brearley
The 356/h Fighter Croup
360th:
361 Sl:
Krieger*, Withers, Green, Walters Halverson, Hall, Hockmeyer, Fletcher* Cota, McHale*, Niemi*, Vitali Stratford, McLaughlin, Johnson, Borelli Tukey, Leyser, Dendle, Lee McDowell, Engelhom, Gibson, Thwaites Waller, Culp, Yoakum Strait, Fremaux, Gansberg, Parham
Sqll
Claims
Locatioll
Me 109 desl(air)
5teinhuder Lake
HdQts:
Maj. J.H. Thorne
359th:
LI. C.H. Rubner
Me 109 desl(air)
5leinhuder Lake
LI. J.B. Smilh
Me 109 prob(air)
Sleinhuder Lake
Lt. WE. Johnson
(2)Me 410 dcst(grd) Cloppenburg AIF
3601h:
Lt. H.B. McLaughlin Me 410 dcst(grd)
Cloppenburg AIF
LL B. Borelli
Cloppenburg AlF
Me 410 dam(grd)
ill
World War /I
AprilS (#82) Col. Malmstrom led a sweep from 1330 to 1633. Landfall was at 1416 and the pilots flew to the Munster area. Turning for home due to the weather, the group crossed out at 1543 near Walcheren.
359th:
360th:
361 st: April 1 (#81) LtCol. Tukey led a sweep from 0748 to 1106. Landfall was made at 0840 north of Ijmuiden, then the squadrons split up to look for targets. The 359th dive-bombed Diepholz Airfield without result, then strafed in the Dummer Lake area for clai ms of 2-0 locos, 1-0 tug, 0-1 barge, and 0-2 flak towers. Two flights also hit Rheine Airfield destroying four Me 410'5 and damaging two more. The 360th damaged 4 locos, then shot up some shipping in the Dortmund Canal. The 361 st claimed 6-6 locos, 1-3 tugs, 0-7 barges, and 0-1 flak tower. The squadrons later crossed out near Ijmuiden around 1005.
AprilS (#83) LlCo!. Tukey led a penetration-target-withdrawal support from 1215 to 1526, Landfall came north of Ijmuiden at 1304 and the 359th and 360th made RIV ne,,, Zwolle at 1316. The 361st acted as freelance and tlew along the bomber track. A 359th flight strafed Salzbergen Airfield where a Do 217 was damaged and Capt. Ogden (HdQts) claimed a flak tower, gun emplacement, auto, and building as damaged. The P-47's later crossed out near Ijmuiden at 1435.
(4-2 ground)
359th:
360th:
36lst:
Line-up Tukey, Craig', Smith, Knudsen Burke, Bradshaw', Farmer, Earnhart Baccus, Wadlow, Meholic, Weber Holm, Wyatt, Ogden, Warren Cota, Fletcher, Halverson, Hall Vitali. McHale, Niemi, Maxwell Thorne, McLaughlin, Stratford, Ellingson Montgomery, Fremaux, Johnson, Leyser Strait, Jack, Gibson, Dendle Wood, Parham, Hewett, Thwaites Bailey, Burns, McDowell, Lee
Sqll
Claims
LocaTion
Dummer Lake
HdQts:
CapL H.A. Ogden
Me 410 desl(grd)
3591h:
Lt. R.B. Warren
(2)Me 410 dest(grd) Dummer Lake
LtCol. D.A. Baccus
Me 410 dest(grd)
Lt. JJ. Meholic
(.5)Me 410 dam(grd)
Dummer Lake
(.5)Me 41 0 dam(grd)
Dummer Lake
(.5)Me 41 0 dam(grd)
Dummer Lake
(.5)Me 41 0 dam(grd)
Dummer Lake
Lt. H. Weber
Line-up White, Wood', Meholic, Vossler Engel, Weber, Peet. Knudsen Burke, Craig, Farmer, Claybome Ogden, Wyatt*, Holm, Smith Wadlow, Forsyth(relays) , Malmstrom, Fletcher, Halverson, Hall Krieger, L'Heureux, Kress, Walters Parker, E, Cook, Vitali, McHale Cota, Dunn. Ellingson, Borelli* Waller, Gansberg, Hewett, Thwaites McDowell, Parham, Bailey, Lee Wood, Engelhorn, Johnson, Burns Perrin, Yoakum, Campbell, Dendle
(0-1 groul/d)
359th:
360th:
36151:
Line-up White, Craig', Brearley, Wyatt Meholic, Wadlow, 0' Barr, Warren Burke*, Clayborne, Ogden, Smith Engel, Weber, Peet, Earnhart Krieger, Borelli, Stratford, Ellingson Parker, E. Cook, McHale, Maxwell Cota, Knapp, Hockmeyer, Halverson Kress, Adams, Walters, Dunn Tukey, Dendle, Bailey, Leyser Perrin, Lee, Gibson, Jack Hewett. Engelhorn, Korhorn, Fremaux Johnson, Parham, Campbell, Thwaites
Sqll
Dummer L..1ke
3591h:
32
Lt. J.B. Smith
Claims
LoCaiiOIl
Do 217 dam(grd)
Salzbergen A/F
The 356th Fighter Group ill World War II
April 9 (#84) Col. Malmstrom led a sweep from 1348 to 1633. After crossing in north of Ijmuiden at 1440. the pilots flew to the Dummer Lake area. The 359lh then strafed between Dummer Lake and Meppen, claiming 0-1 loco, 1-0 railcar, 0-10 barges. 0-1 factory, and 0-1 barracks. The group later crossed OUl in the Ijmuiden area at 1552. Lt. Carl W. Dunn (360th) acted as a spotter on the mission and he was killed when he spun-in near Gissing in bad weather. His loss was noted as this, "Lt. Dunn was returning from a spotting mission, climbing through an overcast. when he apparently developed vertigo and spun-in and crashed about a mile north of Bueston Station." (llost)
359th:
360th:
36151:
359th:
360th:
361st:
Line-up White, Wood, O'Barr, Wadlow Holm, Wyatt'" Brearley, Vossler Burke, Clayborne, Smith, Craig Rann, Warren, Bradshaw, Earnhart Tukey, Fletcher, Koczak, Knapp Johnson, McLaughlin, Ogden, Borelli Krieger, E. Cook, Vitali, Maxwell Kress, Adams, L'Heureux. Walters Waller, Decker, Perrin, Bums McDowell, Lee, Gibson, Jack Montgomery, Leyser, Korhorn, Engelhorn Wood, Campbell, Johnson, Gansberg
Aprilll (#86) Col. Malmstrom led a penetration support from 0856 to 1354. Landfall was made at 0941 near Ijmuiden and the 360th and 361 st RIV'd northwest ofDulllmer Lake at 0950. The 359th swept the bomber track and the heavies were later left north of Brunswick. After this, pilots strafed wilh claims of 13-3 air~ craft, 2-6 locos, 4-6 railcars, and 0-2 hangars. The 361 st got the planes at Gifhorn Airfield where Lt. Ernest Nt Parham was downed by flak. Lt. Joseph V. Jack was also hit, limped back to England, and was taken off operations due to his wounds. Part of the report of Parham's loss follows, "On his second pass on this field, Lt. Parham joined up with Ll. Leyser. After this pass, Lt. Leyser saw Lt. Parham's engine to smoke badly and be on fire for several seconds, evidently hit by enemy fire. They pulled up from the field and at an altitude of 3,000 feet Lt. Parham called on the RIT saying he thought he could make it. Two minutes later he called again saying his oil pressure was gone and he was bailing out. No parachute was seen but it was thought he got out since his plane was under eomrol at all times. Lt. Leyser says Lt. Parham's plane crashed several seconds later and exploded on hitting the ground." Meanwhile, Capt. Hunter D. Parker (360th) was hit while strafing and bailed out southwest of Dummer Lake. The squad~ ron diary stated, "Green Flight then went down on an airdrome believed to have been Havern, 7 miles west ofSteinhuder Lake. After this arrack, Green Leader radioed that he was hit in his engine but was trying to make it. Another five minutes revealed that it was necessary for him to bailout, estimated at 10 miles southwest of Dummer Lake." Landfall-out was made by squadrons from 1200 to 1205 in the Egmond-The Hague area.
Une-lip Malmstrom, Knudsen*, Brearley*, Vossler White, Craig, Holtz, Wyatt Burke, Clayborne, Smith, Earnhart Engel, Peel, Meholic, Weber Krieger, L' Heureux, Kress, Adams Halverson, Knapp, Hockmeyer, Hall Parker, E. Cook, Vitali, Maxwell Johnson, Borelli, McLaughlin, Fletcher Dunn, Walters(spotters) Wood, Engelhorn, Hewelt, Fremaux Strait, McDowell, Leyser, Perrin Gansberg, Burns, Korhorn, Thwaites Campbell, Jack, Lee
April 10 (#85) LlCol. Tukey led a withdrawal support from 0900 to 1240. Landfall came at 0956 near Le Treport, RN at 1037 southwest ofTours. and more bombers were then picked up near Vendome. They were taken to south ofTrovilie and left at 1118 while the P-47's crossed out at 1145 northeast of Caen. Near Argentan, the 360th fought twelve Germans witham making any claims. However. Lt. \Villiam E. Johnson was last seen chasing an enemy fighter through the bomber formation and he failed to retum.
The 360th diary noted, "Lt. Johnson was last seen about 1145 about 20 miles east of Argentan making an attack on EJA from 12,000 feet. One chute was seen shortly after he was last seen, also a naming plane. Unable to determine if this was Lt. Johnson. He may have been hit by fire from B-24's while following ElA lhru the formation." Capt. White and Lt. Wood (359th) collided on the mission but both managed to land safely in England, and Lt. Wadlow (359tl1) landed at Woodbridge. (I lost)
(13-3 groulld) (2 lost)
359th:
33
Lille-up Burke, Wood, Brearley, Craig
The 356th Fighter Group in World War /I
360th:
361 st:
Ogden, Warren, 0' Barr, Wadlow Holm, Wyatt, Holtz, Vossler Engel*. Weber, Peet, Knudsen Krieger, Koczak, Fletcher, Hall Stratford, McLaughlin, Ellingson, Borelli Kress, Walters, L'Heureux, Adams Parker, E. Cook, Vitali, McHale Malmstrom, Decker, Gibson, Jack McDowell, Engelhorn, Bailey, Leyser Montgomery, Parham, Korhorn, Fremaux Hewett, Gansberg, Campbell, Burns Claims
Sqll
HdQts:
Location
Col. E.A. Malmstrom (2)Me 110 dest(grd) All claims are at Gifhom (.251Me 109 des'(grd) (.25)Ju 88 deSl(grd)
361s1:
Lt. R.H. Gansberg
(2)Me II0dest(grd) (2)Ju 88 dest(grd)
Lt. S.H. Hewett
(2)Ju 88 dest(grd) (.5)Fw 190 dest(grd) Ju 52 dam(grd)
Lt E.M. Parham
Ju 88 dest(grd)
Lt. W.w. Burns
Ju 88 dest(grd)
360th:
361st:
April 13 (#88) LtCol. Tukey led a penetration support from 1218 to 1606. Landfall and RN came at 1300 near Nieuport and shortly after, Maj. Montgomery (361 st) became separated. Heading home alone, he ran across two Fw 190'5 near Huy and downed them both. Meanwhile, the 359th and 361 st took their bombers to south of KaiserIautern and broke at 1416, while the 360th broke from their bombers at 1430 southeast of Strasbourg. A 359th flight bounced a Me 109 on the way out but the German evaded without damage. Some 361 st pilots strafed on the Rhine claiming 2-1 tugs, 1-0 paddle-wheeler, and 0-3 barges while another flight hit Bishwiller Airfield and burned a pair of Me llO's. Finally, Lt. Lee shot up four He 111 's on Hagenow Airfield. (2-0-0 air) (2-6 ground)
(.5)Fw 190 dcst(grd)
1I/i ale dam(grd)
Lt. J.Y. Jack
359th:
(.25)Me 109 dest(grd) (.25)Ju 88 dest(grd)
Lt. R. Gibson
(.25)Me 109 dest(grd) (.25)Ju 88 dest(grd)
FlO E.L. Decker
(.25)Me 109 dest{grd)
360th:
(.25)Ju 88 dest(grd) Lt. H.C. Leyser
uli ale dam(grd)
April 12 (#87) Col. Malmstrom led a planned escort from 1241 to 1536. Landfall came near Knocke at 1320 then the squadrons split up. The 359th did not RlV but flew to Frankfurt then strafed an airfield east of Ghent where Malmstrom damaged a building. They then crossed out near Ostend at 1505. The 360th RN'd with some B-24's at 1345, took them to Dison, and crossed out near Dunkirk. The 361 st did not RN and flew along the bomber track to Limburg. One flight strafed Buvrinnes Airfield and damaged some buildings then the squadron crossed out at IS 10 near Le Touquet.
359th:
White, Wood, Holtz, Warren Engel, Knudsen, Weber, Vossler Krieger, Fletcher, Koczak, Knapp Vitali, McHale, Niemi, E. Cook Kress, Adams, Ogden, Withers Stratford, Borelli, McLaughlin, Ellingson Wood, Thwaites, Korhorn, Decker (rest of squadron not recorded)
361 st:
Line-up White, Wood, Brearley, Warren Smith, Earnhart, Craig, Clayborne Holm, Wyatt, Holtz, Vossler Engel, Knudsen, Meholic, Weber Bradshaw, Krowiak(relays) Tukey, Koczak, Fletcher, Knapp Stratford, Ellingson, Borelli, McLaughlin Withers, Walters, Niemi, Hall Montgomery, Engelhorn, Ogden, Decker Perrin, Gibson, Korhorn, Burns Hewett, Dendle, Bai ley, Gansberg McDowell, Lee
Sqll
HdQts:
Capt. H.A. Ogden
Cltlims
Location
Me 110 dest(grd)
Bischwiller NF
(2)Me 110 dam(grd) Bischwiller NF 361st:
Maj. E.H. Montgomery (2)Fw 190dest(air) Huy FlO E.L. Decker
Me 110 dest(grd)
Lt. E.P. Lee
(4)He III dam(grd) Hagenow
Bischwiller NF
April 15 (#89) Col. Malmstrom led a sweep from 1236 to 1435. Due to bad weather, the planes were recalled just after penetrating Dutch air space.
Line-up Malmstrom, Craig, Wadlow, Wyatt Burke, Clayborne, Smith, Earnhart
34
The 356th Fighter Group ill World War 1I
359th:
360th:
361sl:
Line-up While, Rubner, Bradshaw, Wood Engel, Collins", Meholic, Weber Holm, Vossler, Brearley, Wyatt Rann, Warren, O'BaIT, Wadlow Cota, Wilhers, Ellingson, McLaughlin Vitali, Walters, McHale, E. Cook Hal verson, Knapp, Hockmeyer, Hall Malmstrom, Lee. Perrin, Gansberg Bailey, Thwaites, Campbell, Bums Waller, Culp, Hewett, Gibson Wood, Korhorn, McDowell, Fremaux
359th:
360th:
361 st:
April 18 (#90) LtCol. Tukey led a penelration support from I 155 10 1615. Landfall and RlV came northeast of Cuxhaven al 1335 and the bombers were later left al 1414 near Oslerberg. The P-4Ts then crossed out at 1510 from Den Helder to ljmuiden.
359th:
3601h:
361sl:
Line-lip Burke, Forsyth, Bradshaw, Vossler Rann, Warren, O'Barr, Wadlow Holm, Wood, Brearley, Rubner Meholic, Weber, Engel, Collins Malmstrom, McLaughlin, McHale, E. Cook Stratford, Ellingson, Ogden, Borelli Cota, Perryman, Withers, Adams Halverson, Knapp, Hockmeyer, L'Heureux Waller, Morgan, Gibson, Culp Bailey, Kaczynski, Campbell, Lee Montgomery, Ingram, Korhom, Fremaux Hewett, Faison, Johnson, Bums
April 19 (#93) Capt. Strait led another orientation sweep from 1530 to 1759. Landfall was near Egmond at 1622, then the pilots swept beyond Meppel and back to landfall-oul at Schouwen at 1720. The planes then flew down the coast to Calais before heading home.
Line-up Tukey, Collins, Bradshaw, Earnhart Ogden, Warren, 0' Barr, Wadlow Burke, Craig, Farmer, Clayborne Engel, Rubner, Holtz, Wyatt Cota, Withers, Ellingson, McLaughlin Vitali, Walters, McHale, E. Cook Halverson, Knapp, Hockmeyer, Fletcher Rann, Wood, Brearley, Vossler (all 3591h pilots) Wood, Thwaites, Campbell, Culp Bailey, Decker, Leyser, Engelhorn Johnson, Fremaux, McDowell, Lee
Line-up Sirait (361 st), Leathers (360th), Gansberg (361 st), Tucker (360th) McDowell, Engle (361 st), Wyatt, Krowiak (359th) Maxwell, Mercer (360th), Warren (359th), Obosla (360th) McLaughlin (360th), Lubbers (359th), Thwaites (361 st), Perryman (360th) April 20 (#94) LtCol. Tukey led a Type-16 Control from 1719 to 2002. After landfall north of Dunkirk at 1754, the planes arrived in the Cambrai area at 1810. The group was veclOred to Paris, saw nothing, then crossed out from 1915 to 1921 in the SI. Valery-Le Treport area.
April 18 (#91) Capl. Strait led an oricmation sweep for new pilots from 1700 to 1940. The planes made landfall at 1757 near ljmuiden, new to Meppel, then southeast to Eindhoven, then crossed out overlhe Dutch Islands at 1852.
359th:
une·up Strait, Faison, Gansberg, Kaczynski (all 361 st) Peet (359th), Ingram (361 Sl), Weber (359Ih), Bruce (361 st) L'Heureux, Perryman, McLaughlin (all 360th), Engle (361 st) Maxwell (360th), Krowiak (359th), Bums (36Ist), Lubbers (359th)
360th:
April 19 (#92) Col. Malmslrom led a withdrawal support from 0951 to 1250. Landfall came at 1026 north of Walcheren and RlV was made west ofCoblenz at 1103. The bombers were broughl back to Ostend and the group crossed out northeast of Dunkirk al 1152.
361 st:
35
Line-up Burke, Forsyth, Farmer, Clayborne Rann, Lubbers, Peet, Collins Holm, Krowiak, Weber, Rubner Bradshaw, Wood, O'Barr, Warren Craig, Vossler(relays) COla, Leathers, Borelli, E. Cook Wilhers, Obosla, L'Heureux, Adams Halverson, Tucker, Hockmeyer, Fletcher Stratford, Mercer, McLaughlin Tukey, Piper", Ogden, Decker Strait, Engle, McDowell, Leyser Wood, Morgan, Korhorn, Burns Hewett, Bruce, Campbell, Gibson
The 356t1l Fighter Group ill World War 1I
, - Wing pilot who would shortly be assigned to the 56th Ftr Grp
360th: 361st:
April 22 (#95) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration support from 1747 to 2103. Landfall came north of Ijmuiden at 1833 with RIV coming southeast of Zwolle at 1850. The bombers were taken to Munster and left at 1915 as P-38's took over escorl. Pilots then strafed in the Munster-Hamm-Gutersloh area, claiming] -1 I locos, 1- J tugs, 0-21 barges, 0-1 house, 0-1 bridge, and 0-2 switch houses. Landfall out was spread out from Overflakkee to Ijmuiden from 2000 to 2009.
Local;OI1
Sqll
HdQls:
Col. E.A. Malmstrom (3)He 111 dest(grd) All claims area at Hagenau Capt. H.A. Ogdcn
He 111 dest(grd) (.5)Go 242 dam(grd)*
Maj. J.H. Thorne 359th:
Line-up 359th: Tukey, Vossler, Meholic, Peet Rann, Warren, 0' Barr, Wood Burke, Forsyth, Craig, Clayborne Holm, Wyatt, Rubner, Wadlow 360th: Krieger, Leathers, Maxwell, J. Cook Kress, Obasla, L'Heureux, Perryman Stfmrord, Tucker,McLaughlin, Ellingson Halverson, Hall, Hockmeyer, Knapp 3615t: Waller, Pipe,', Leyser, Decker Bailey, Ingram, Korhorn, Engelhorn Hewett, Morgan, Johnson, Engle McDowell, Kaczynski*, Campbell, Faison , - Wing pilot 011 D.S.
(.5)He III dam(grd)*"
Lt. W.C Brearley
Go 242 dam(grd)
Lt. M.M. Clayborne
(.5)Go 2-12 dam(grd)**" (.5)He III dam(grd)@
FlO EA. Forsyth
Lt. C.E Krowiak
(.5)Go 242 dam(grd)* He III dam(grd) (.5)Go 2-12 dam(grd)@@@
Lt. R.B. Warren
(.5)He III dam(grd)@ (.5)Go 242 dam(grd)***
360tl1:
LI. RJ. Collins
(.5)Hc 111 dam(grd)**
LI. W.L. Farmcr
(.5)Go 242 dam(grd)@@@
Lt. L.H. Knapp
He III dest(grd) (J.5)Oo 242 dam(grd)#
Notes: Today was the last operational mission for Maj. Krieger, CO of the 360th. He would stay on as commander, however, umil the end ofthe momh.
361st:
April 23 (#96) Col. Malmstrom led a sweep from 1300 to 1650. The group crossed in at 1343 near Ostend then proceeded to Hagenau Airfield. The 359th led the attack by dropping parachute frag-bombs, followed by the other squadrons dive-bombing the field. After this, most pilots made from three to five strafing passes claiming 6 kills, but flak gunners knocked down Col. Malmstrom, Ll. Daughtry L. Hall (360Ih), and Ll. Henry J. Kaczynski (36Ist). The rest of the group re-formed and crossed out at 1615 near Niewe Sluis. (6-24 groulld) (3 lost)
359lh:
Malmstrom, Knapp, Hockmeyer, Hall Kress. Adams, Withers. L'Heureux Wood*, Thwaites*, Perrin, Fremaux Strait, Kaczynski. Gansberg, Yoakum McDowell, Bruce, Campbell, Cull'
Capt. L.F. Kress
(1.5)00242 dam(grd)#
Lt. C.W. Adams
(.5)Go 242 dam(grd)##
Lt. R.C LHeureux
(.5)Go 242 dam(grd)##
LL V. Hockmeyer
(1.5)Go 242 dam(grd)@@
LI. R.R. Withers
(1.5)Go 242 dam(grd)@@
FlO J.H. Culp
Me 109 dest(grd)
Lt. J.P. Perrin
He III dam(grd)
Lt. G.L. Yoakum
(2)Go 242 dam(grd)
LL H.J. Kaczynski
(2)He 111 dam(grd)
Ll. R.L. Campbell
He 1I I dam(grd)
Me 109 dam(grd)
LI. E.c. Fremaux
He I I I dam(grd)
Lt. R.H. Gansbcrg
Hc 111 dam(grd)
Lt. J.L. Bruce
Go 242 dam(grd)
April 24 (#97) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration support from 1054 to 1522. Landfall was near Ault at 1148 and some B-24's were picked lip there. These were later left near Nancy at 1300. Lt. William B. Ingram (3615t) was last heard from saying he was Iowan fuel northwest of Lille and ended up as a prisoner. Lt. Thwaites filed this report on Ingram's loss, "I was escorting Lt. Ingram back home. He had two wing tanks 011 and was running Iowan gasoline. We got rid of the tanks, one went off and r knocked the other off with my wing. At Lille we got some flak butl don't believe any of the bursts were close enough
Line-up Thorne, Collins, Rubner*, Knudsen' Rann*, Forsyth, Brearley, Warren Ogden, Krowiak, Farmer, Clayborne
36
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
to hit us. After we had passed Lille, I checked on his gas and he said he had 30 gallons. I told him to get his prop back as far as
April 26 (#99) LtCol. Tukey (with "A" Group) and LtCol. Baccus (with "B" Group) were in the lead for a penetration-withdrawal support from 0728 to 1135. "A" crossed in at 0824 near Den Helder and R!V'd north of Hardenburgh at 0835. They took the bombers through the target and out, making landfall from 1015 to 1040 from Egmond to Ijmuiden. "B" Group (the 359th) crossed in at 0826 and R!V'd at 0835 near Zwolle. Landfall-out for them was at 1004 and escort was broken over the Channel at 1015. Back over England, Lt. Richard B. Warren (359th) at-
he could and he would make it. He said for me not to stay with him and I told him I was OK. Then he called and said for me to
climb up and try to contact Manston. I climbed up over him, we were at 8,000 feet, I got up to 12,000 feet, called and could receive no one. rcalled him back and could not get an answer. I orbitted and lost altitude but could not find him." The rest of the group crossed out at 1440 from Boulogne
to Calais. One side note on the flight was that at the R!V point, the oxygen hose of LtCo!. Baccus became dis- connected. He men flew through the B-24 formation while unconcious! He came-to near Paris, hooked the hose back up, and continued on his way. (llosl)
359th:
tempted to pass under Lt. Rann's PA? However, he hit Rann's starboard wing and crashed near Bromeswell. Rann retained
control of his ship and landed safely at Woodbridge. The 359th diary recorded the collision as this, ''The only unfortunate accident occurred just after crossing the English coast and cost the life ofLt. Warren. While crossing below and {Q the right of Lt. Rann in a crossover turn, Lt. Warren hit the
Li"e-up Baccus, Clayborne, Peet, Wadlow Rann, Lubbers, O'Barr, Wood
right wing of the aircraft of Lt. Rann, probably with his canopy, and it is believed that the inpact stunned him, his aircraft spinning into the ground out of control onto the golf course east of
Meholic, Knudsen, Farmer, Earnhart
360th:
Cota, Green, Maxwell, E. Cook
Woodbridge." (llosl)
Kress, Perryman, Withers, Obosla
361sl:
Stratford, Mercer, McLaughlin, Tucker Tukey, Decker, Leyser, Culp
Line-up
359th:
Strait, Engle, Johnson, Fremaux
Waller, Ingram, Hewett, Yoakum, Korhorn Perrin, Morgan, Thwaites, Faison, Engelhorn
Notes: With the loss of Col. Malmstrom, LtCol. Tukey took command of the 356th. With this move, the Deputy CO slot would be vacant for a few days.
360th:
April 25 (#98) LtCol. Tukey led a withdrawal support from 1000 to 1345. After crossing in at 1046 near Dieppe, the group reached the RN point, Compiegne, at 1149. The bombers were brought out to the coast and left near Le Treport at 1235.
361 st:
359th:
360th:
361sl:
Baccus, Clayborne, Smith, Craig Holtz, Kro.wiak*, Rubner, Vossler Thorne, Forsyth, Fanner, Earnhart
Rann, ¥farren,O'Barr, ¥food Tukey, Green, Maxwell, E. Cook Halverson, Knapp, Hockmeyer, Fletcher Stratford, McLaughlin, J. Cook, Mercer COla, Perryman, Withers, Adams Waller, Leyser, Korhorn, Decker Hewett, Morgan, Gansberg, Lee Wood, Faison, Johnson, Thwaites Perrin, Bruce, Engle
Notes: LtCol. Donald Baccus was moved up to become Deputy Group Commander. Taking his spot as 359th CO was Capt. Ernest J. White, Jr., with Capt. Mark J. Burke filling the 359th Operations slot.
Lille-up Tukey, Wyan, Weber, Richason Meholic, Forsyth, Farmer, Earnhart Burke, Krowiak, Ogden, Craig Holtz, Collins, Rubner, Knudsen Cota, Leathers, Maxwell, Green Halverson, Fletcher, Hockrneyer, Knapp Thorne, McLaughlin, J. Cook, Mercer Adams(spares) McDowell, Burns, Korhom, Engelhom Wood, Bruce, Campbell, Culp
April 27 (#100) LtCol. Baccus led a Type-I 6 Control from 1625 to 1925. Landfall was near Ostend at 170 I and after reaching Reims, the group was vectored west. Near Laon, 14 Gennans were engaged by various flights with four kills claimed against three
losses. Lt. Raymond K. Holtz (359th) shot down the same Fw 190 which had just shot him up and he bailed out (Holtz eventually returned to England by way of Spain). Capt. John B.
Strait, Lee, Perrin, Fremaux
37
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
Stratford (360th) and Lt. Casimir F. Krowiak (359th) were also shot down and both pilots were killed. After the fight, the group re-formed and crossed out in the Dieppe area from 1821 to 1840. Following are the three short reports relating to the losses, "On arriving at the melee, Lt. Brearley spotted three E/A. He and his wingman, Lt. Clayborne, followed them down to the deck after asking Lt. Holtz to cover the attack. Lt. Holtz acknowledged the call and shortly thereafter was heard to say he was bailing Ollt. None of the pilots of the other squadrons saw Lt. Holtz or Lt. Krowiak after the 359th engaged in combat. Lt. Krowiak was not heard on the RII'. The only statement from Lt. Holtz was a very calm statement to the effect that he was bailing out." The 360th's entry for Stratford was very short, "Capt. Stratford last seen in no trouble in combat area, peeling off to attack 1730-35 hours." (4-0-1 air) (3 lost)
360th:
361 st:
April 29 (#102) Capt. Strait led a penetration support from 0840 to 1113. Landfall was south ofljmuiden at 0935 and RIV came over the Zuider Zee at 0945. The bombers were escorted until 1004 when the 4th Fighter Group took over and the group later crossed out at 1035 near Zandvoort. Line~llp
359th:
Line-lip
359th:
360th:
361 st:
Burke, Lubbers, Peet, Wood Meholic, Forsyth, Ogden, Collins Holtz, Krowiak, Brearley, Clayborne Cota, Fletcher, Hockmeyer, Obosla Withers, Adams, L'Heureux, Walters, Leathers Stratford, Tucker, McLaughlin, Mercer Baccus, Yoakum, Bailey, Bruce Strait, Gansberg, Thwaites McDowell, Faison, Campbell, Burns
Sqll
Cla.ims Capt. H.A. Ogden
(.5)Fw 190 dcst(air) Rebns-Chateau Thierry
359th:
Lt. R.K. Holtz
Fw 190 dcst(air)
Lt. R.J. Collins
(.5)Fw 190 dest(air) Reims-Chateau Thierry
Lt. D.B. Mercer
Fw 190 dest(air)
Laon
Fw 190 dam(air)
Laon
Fw 190 dest(air)
Laon
Lt. W.E. Leathers
360th:
361 st:
Reims-Chateau Thierry
359th:
April 28 (#101) LtCo!. Tukey led a Type-16 Control from 0830 to 1215. The 359th and 360th picked up some bomhers at 0950 east of the Jersey Islands and crossed in near Cherbourg ar 0953. While they took the bombers to theirtargets, the 361st swept theEvreux area. All three squadrons later joined up and crossed out at 1120 near Dieppe.
359th:
Burke, Lubbers, Farmer, Clayborne Engel, Craig, Peet, Forsyth Rann, Wood, Bradshaw, Wyatt Cota, Adams, J. Cook, Mercer Vitali, Leathers, Maxwell, Green Kress, L'Heureux, Withers, Perryman Strait, Bruce, Gibson, Yoakum Perrin, Lee, Gansberg, Culp Johnson, Engle, Thwaites
April 29 (#103) LtCo!' Waller led a sweep from Inl to 1545. Landfall was near Noordwijk at 1308 and the group flew to Amsterdam. From there they flew to Lingen, picked up a few bombers at 1340, and broke at 1435 near Ijmuiden.
Location
HdQts:
Meholic, Wyatt, Peet, Knudsen Kress, Perryman, Withers, Walters J. Cook, Leathers, L' Heureux, Mercer Hal verson, abasia, Hockmeyer, Knapp Vitali, E. Cook, Maxwell, Green Waller, Lee, Dendle, Culp Strait, Engle, Gansberg Wood, Fremaux, Campbell, Engelhorn Perlin, Morgan, Gibson, Yoakum
360th:
36lst:
Line-up Tukey, Lubbers, Brearley, Rubner Rann, Wood, Bradshaw, Wadlow Burke, Clayborne, Farmer, Earnhart
Line-up Meholic, Lubbers, Brearley, Rubner Peet, Forsyth, Knudsen, Clayborne Rann, Wood, O'Barr, Wyatt* Bradshaw, Collins, Craig, Farmer Halverson, Knapp, Fletcher, Ohosla Vitali, Walters, Maxwell, E. Cook 1. Cook, Adams, L'Heureux, Mercer Hockmeyer, Perryman, Ellingson, Borelli Waller, Leyser, Campbell, Engle McDowell, Faison, Dendle, Engelhorn Wood, Bruce, Fremaux, Burns Bailey, Culp, Yoakum, Lee
Notes: Later that evening, Maj. Thorne (HdQts) and Capt. Meholic, Lt. Peet, and Lt. Knudsen (359th) took part in an AirSea Rescue search. 38
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
April 30 (#104) LlCo!. Waller led a withdrawal support from 1012 to 1406. The group crossed in at 1055 near Dieppe and made RN over the Loire River at 1136. The bombers were then escorted to landfall-out, Cabourg, at 1258. Lt. Thwaites (36Ist) attempted to bounce a Fw 190 southeast of Orleans but some P-51's beat him to it.
359th:
360th:
361sl:
Line-up Waller (36lst), Lubbers, Brearley, Rubner Engel, Collins, Wadlow, Wood Ogden, Forsyth, O'Barr, C1ayborne* Rann, Farmer*(spares) Cota, Borelli, Ellingson, Mercer Kress, Perryman, Walters, Adams Halverson, Knapp, Hockmeyer, Obosla Vitali, Leathers, Niemi, Green Wood, Faison, Campbell, Thwaites Bailey, Bruce, Dendle, Yoakum Perrin, Burns, Gibson, Culp Johnson, Leyser
May 1 (#105) LlCo!. Tukey led an area support from 0734 to 1028. After crossing in at 0837 near Le Treport, the pilots circled the Amiens area until 0948. The group later crossed out near St. Valery at 0950.
359th:
360th:
361S1:
Line-up White, Craig*, Brearley, Wood Rann, Lubbers, O'Barr, Forsyth Thorne, Earnhart, Farmer, Clayborne Tukey, Niemi, Maxwell, E. Cook Withers, Walters, L'Heureux, Perryman Hockrneyer, Obosla, Fletcher, Knapp Strait, Morgan, Gibson, Lee McDowell, Engelhorn, Campbell, Fremaux Johnson, Dendle, Decker, Yoakum
May 1 (#106) LlCo!. Waller led a penetration support from 1619 to 1900. RJV came near Nieuport at 1659 and the bombers were taken to south of Sedan. The P-4Ts later crossed out near Dunkirk at 1824.
359th:
Line-up Rann*, Craig*, Brearley, Clayborne Holm, Lubbers, Farmer, Knudsen Bradshaw, Wood, Wadlow, Earnhart
360th:
36lst:
Cota, Ellingson, J. Cook, Borelli Vitali, Leathers, Niemi, Green Kress, Withers, L'Heureux, Perryman Waller, Leyser, Gansberg, Lee Hewett, Culp, Korhorn, Yoakum Wood, Faison, Johnson, Fremaux Perrin, Burns, Dend1e, Decker
Notes: The 360th received a new commander as Maj. Krieger went to VlII Fighter Command. New CO was Capt. John W. Vogt, Jr., a 56th Fighter Group veteran returning for a second tour. He had claimed 5 victories while flying with the 63rd Fighter Squadron on his first.
May4 (#107) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration support from 0820 to 1145. Landfall came at 0922 and since the bombers aborted, the group flew to the Gottingen area. Blue Flight ofthe 360th strafed in the Herford-Bielefeld area and claimed 0-3 locos (all shared by Capt. Kress, and LIs. Walters, L' Heureux, and Perryman) while the 361 stlangled with some Fw 190's in the Dummer Lake-Steinhuder Lake area. Six 190's were downed, but Capt. Sidney H. Hewett and Lt. Jack H. Culp were hit and bailed out. Landfall-out was then by flights south of Egmond from 1030 to 1105. Lt. John L. Bruce (36Ist), acting as relay, turned too tight while trying to land and died in the crash which resulted. Capt Wood filed this report on Hewett and Culp, "When we were in the vicinity of Steinhuder Lake, our squadron spotted two boxes of enemy aircraft, approximately 40 in each box, below us at about 20,000 feet. We were flying at approximately 24,000 feet when Capt. Hewett called and said they were Fw 190's. I immediately led Blue and Green Flights down to bounce the EfA. Capt. Hewett and Lt. Cnlp were the only two left in White Flight at this time. It is believed they went down and joined in the fight. The last time they were seen was when Blue and Green Flights went down to attack." Lt. Kahle wrote of Bruce's loss, "Lt. Bruce and I were on a relay mission on 4 May 1944. We returned to the field and broke away. LI. Bruce broke too hard and was halfway around still along side the runway. He had to bank it up steep and pull it to make it. It appeared he stalled out with flaps down and did not have enough altitude to recover because his wing hit the ground and the plane blew apart." (6-0-1 air) (3 lost)
359th:
39
Line-up Tukey, Lubbers, Ogden, Weber Engel, Knudsen, O'Barr, Rubner
The 356111 Fighter Group ill World War 1I
360th:
361 st:
Holm, Wyatt, Brearley, Vossler Rann, Wood, Bradshaw, Farmer Cota, E. Cook, McHale, Green J. Cook, Mercer, Ellingson, Borelli Kress, Walters, L'Heureux, Perryman Halverson, Leathers, Hockrneyer, Knapp Waller, Leyser, Gansberg, Lee Hewett, Cnlp, Korhorn, Yoakum Wood, Faison, Johnson, Fremaux Perrin, Burns, Dendle, Decker
Thorne, Leyser, Gibson, Lee McDowell, Faison, Korhorn, Engle Notes: Completed tour: Capt. Roland J. Halverson May 8 (#109) Maj. Thorne led an escort from 0748 to lO08. Landfall and RN came south of Egmond at 0839 and the bombers were left west of Lingen at 0915 as other P-47's arrived. Everyone turned for home and crossed out near Ijmuiden at 0930.
Kahle, Bruce(relays) Claims
Sqll
361st:
Location
Capl. J.N. Wood
(3)Fw 190 desl(air) :-1/Sleinhuder Lake
Ll. J.H. Culp
(2)Fw 190 dest(air) N/Steinhuder Lake
Capt. J.P. Perrin
Fw 190 dest(air)
N/Steinhuder Lake
Ll. J.K. Johnson
Fw 190 dam(air)
N/Steinhudcr Lake
359th:
360th:
361st:
Notes: Completed Tour: Capt. James N. Wood became the first group pilot to finish a combat tour. He signed up for a second and returned to the States on leave.
May7 (#108) LtCo!. Tukey led an aborted escort from 1025 to 1415. Crossing in at 1117 near Egmond, heavy overcast was encountered and no RlV was made. The group flew to the Wittenburg area and left there at 1220. While heading home. the 360th picked up a straggler, as did the 361 st, and these were left at the coast. Lt. William H. Wood (359th) lost oil pressure and bailed out north of Lingen and the rest of the group made landfall-out at 1320 near Ameland. The 359th diary stated, "Ll. Wood experienced trouble with his engine shortly after passing Bremen, losing oil pressure and being unable to maintain altitude. He announced he was going to bail out~ however. no one actually saw him bailout. His position was fixed as just north of Lingen andjust west of Quackenbruck." (llost)
360th:
361 st:
Kress, L'Heureux, Withers, Adams J. Cook, Obosla, Ellingson, Borelli Thorne, Burns, Johnson, Thwaites Strait, Leyser, Korhorn, Yoakum McDowell, Faison, Campbell, Lee
May 8 (#110) LtCo!. Waller led a withdrawal support from 1130 to 1424. Landfall came south of Egmond at 1224 with RIV coming northwest of Lingen at 1243. The bombers were taken back to Egmond and left at 1317 then the 359th and 360th swept south while the 361 st swept back to Meppe!. Afterwards, the squadrons crossed out near Egmond at 1325.
359th:
360th:
361 st: 359th:
Line-lip White, Lubbers, Ogden, Wyatt Meholic, Knudsen, Peet, Weber Rann, Earnhart, Bradshaw, Vossler Vogt, E. Cook, Niemi, Green
Line-up Burke, Lubbers, Farmer, Clayborne Rann, Wood, Bradshaw, Earnhart Holm, Smith*, Brearley*, Vossler* Engel, Knudsen, Peet*, Weber Tukey, Fletcher, Halverson, Knapp
Lille-up Burke, Lubbers, Ogden, Clayborne Engel, Knudsen, Farmer, Earnhart Rann, Smith, Brearley, Wyatt Cota, Obosla, Ellingson, Knapp Kress, Adams, Withers, L'Heureux Vitali, Leathers, Maxwell, Niemi McLaughlin, Hepfer(relays) Waller, Dendle, Gibson, Engle Strait, Faison, Leyser, Engelhorn Perrin, Fremaux, Korhorn, Decker
May 9 (#111) LtCo!. Tukey led a withdrawal support from 0740 to lO50. Landfall came at 0832 near Nieuport and the squadrons then split up. The 359th flew to southwest of Brussels, then to Florennes, then went out with some bombers over the Dutch Islands. The 360th RN'd at 0835 southeast of Ostend, and while seeing four Me 109's, made no contact. The 36lst made RJV near Florennes at 0835 and later broke at 1018 near Schouwen.
Kress, L'Heureux, Withers, Walters Vogt, Ellingson, J. Cook, Borelli Vitali, Leathers, Maxwell, Obosla Waller, Dendle, Johnson, Yoakum Perrin, Engelhorn, Fremaux, Decker
40
The 356,h Fighter Group in World War 1l
359th:
360th:
361sl:
Line-up Tukey, Lubbers, Peet, Weber Ogden, Rubner, Brearley, Clayborne Rann, Knudsen, Bradshaw', Earnhart Vogt, Knapp, Hockmeyer, Obosla 1. Cook, Mercer, Borelli, Ellingson Withers, Perryman, L'Heureux, Adams McDowell, Thwaites, Campbell, Decker Johnson, Dendle, Gibson, Fremaux
Line-up
359th:
360th:
Vitali, Leathers, Maxwell, Green
361 sl:
Perrin, Lee, Gansberg, Burns
May 11 (#112) L1Co!. Tukey lOok off as leader of an area support from 1434 to 1833. After he aborted, L1Co!. Waller lOok over and landfall was made at 1527 near Dieppe. The pilots flew to the until 1640. Landfall-out was made north of Avranches, then the P-47's crossed back in, and made final landfall south of Pointe de Barneur at 1730.
May 13 (#114) L1Co!. Baccus led a penetration support from J 122 to 1615. RIV and landfall were at 1259 east of Siellsland and the bombers were later left northeast of Kiel at 1400. Just as they
Line-up
360th:
361 sl:
Tukey, Dendle, Fremaux, Decker Korhorn, Kahle, Campbell, Yoakum Strait, Thompson, Gansberg, Thwaites McDowell, Engelhorn, Gibson, Burns
Notes: Completed Tour: Lt. Harry B. McLaughlin: to 27th Air Transport Group
Loire River, then back and forth between Orleans and Gien
359th:
White, Lubbers, Brearley, Wyatt Bradshaw, Wadlow, O'Barr*, Vossler* Holm, Craig, Peet, Earnhart Engel, Weber, Farmer, Clayborne Vogt, Anderson, Hockrneyer, Obosla Withers, Walters, Adams, Perryman Thorne, Mercer, McLaughlin, Borelli
Burke, Coughenour, Peet, Earnhart Rann, Lubbers, Bradshaw, Rubner
were breaking off, three gaggles of 40-plus Germans were seen
heading in from north of Lubeck. The 356th swung in behind them and followed, and as they neared some B-24's, the Thunderbolts struck. The 360th and 361 st chased two gaggles to Kiel and the 359th chased the third to Hamburg. Intense fighting netted six kills for one loss plus two P-47's badly damaged. Capt. Willis A. Holm (359th) was killed while Lt. James A. Wyatt (359th) was badly hit but managed to land at
Holm, Cline, Meholic, Brearley Engel, Weber, Farmer, Clayborne Tukey', McLaughlin, E. Cook, Ellingson Hockmeyer, Anderson, Maxwell, Leathers Cota, Obosla, McHale, Green Kress, Russell, Withers, Walters Waller, Engle, Gibson, Faison Korhorn, Kahle, Yoakum, Engelhorn Ogden, Swift, Dendle, Lee McDowell, Thompson, Thwaites, Decker
Woodbridge (due to his wounds he did not return to combat),
and Lt. Adams (360th) was shot up and bellied-in at Beccles. Finally, on the way home, Lt. Weber (359th) strafed in tbe Nordholz area and damaged 8 buildings. Landfall was by flights north of Tessel from 1445 to 1455. Lt. Wyatt reported that he and Capt. Holm bounced two Fw 190's. After attacking one 190, Wyatt stated, "1 then started worrying about Capt. Holm, so I pulled up and joined him. As
Notes: Completed Tour: Lt. Ricbard A. Rann, Lt. Bertrum E. Ellingson; both pilots returned to the States on leave before returning for second tours.
I crossed under him I saw that flames were starting to come from his supercharger section." Wyatt then dove after another
May 12 (#113) L1Co!. Tukey led a penetration-target-withdrawal support from 1047 to 1452. Landfall was near Furness at 1126 with RN coming southwest of Brussels at 1153. The bombers were taken to the Fulda area and then left northeast of Frankfurt at 1317. From the Rhine River 10 Fulda, the group was repeatedly bounced by P-51's but no damage was done. Lt. McLaughlin (360th) also fired upon a pair of Me 109's but was too far out of range. Landfall later came near Gravelines from 1406 to 1415.
190 and that was the last he saw of Holm. (6-4-3 air)
(1 lost) Line-up
359th:
360th:
4/
Baccus, Coughenour, Ogden, Weber Peet, Hoffert, Smith, Knudsen Holm, Wyatt, Farmer, Vossler Bradshaw, Wadlow, Brearley, Earnhart Cota, Anderson, Hockmeyer, Koczak J. Cook, Mercer, Borelli, Hepfer
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
361st:
Withers, Russell, Adams, Perryman McHale, Green, Walters, E. Cook McDowell, Engle, Johnson, Dendle Perrin, Swift, Campbell, Thwaites Thorne, Thompson, Gansberg, Burns Bailey, Kahle, Gibson, Faison
361sl:
Vogt, Perryman, Hockmeyer, Russell Withers, Borelli, L'Heureux, Walters Waller, Swift, Johnson, Leyser Perrin, Dendle, Korhorn, Engle Bailey, Faison, Thwaites, Burns Strait, Decker, Gansberg, Engelhorn
Sqn
Claims
Location
Sqn
HdQts:
Lteo!' D.A. Baccus
(.5)Fw 190 dest(air)
Kiel~Lubeck
3591h:
Lt. H. Weber
Fw 190 dam(air)
Kiel-Lubeck
3601h:
3591h:
Lt. WL. Farmer
Fw 190 desl(air)
Kiel-Lubeck
3601h:
36Is(:
Claims
Locatioll
Me 109 dest(air)
Steinhuder Luke
Capt. J. W. Vogt
Fw 190 desl(air)
SW Celle
Lt. WO. Maxwell
Me 109 dest(air)
Nienburg
LL R.L. Coughenour (.5)Fw 190 dcs((air) Kiel-Lubeck
Lt. A.A. Perryman
Fw 190 dest(air)
$W Celie
Capt. W.A. Holm
Fw 190 prob(air)
Kiel-Lubeck
Lt. EM. Russell
Fw 190 dest(air)
Hanover
Lt. J.A. Wyatt
Fw 190 prob(air)
Kiel-Lubeck
LI. C.A. Vitali
Me 109 dest(air)
Steinhuder Lake
Fw 190 dam(air)
Kiel-Lubeck
LI. R.R. Withers
Me 109 desl(air)
Hanover
Ll. R.R. Withers
Fw 190 dcst(uir)
Kiel
Me 109 dam(air)
Hanover
Ll. C.W. Adams
Fw 190 prob(uir)
Kiel
Lt. R.c. L· Hcurcux
Me 109 dam(air)
Hanover
LI. A.A. Perryman
Fw 190 dam(uir)
Kiel
Capt. OJ. Strait
Me 109 dest(air)
Quackcnbruck
Capt. T.E Bailey
Fw 190 desl(uir)
SE Lubeck
Lt. H.M. Engelhom
Me 109 dest(air)
Quackenbruck
Lt. B.A. Swift
Fw 190 dest(air)
SlKiel
LI. R.H. Gansberg
Me 109 dest(air)
Quackenbruck
Lt. O.E Thwaites
Fw 190 dest(air)
Hamburg
LI. D.E Thwaites
Fw 190 dest(air)
Quackenbruck
Lt. E.L. Faison
Fw 190 prob(air)
SE Lubeck
361st:
(3)Fw 190 dam(air) Quackenbruck Lteo!. W Waller
NOles: Completed Tour: Capt. Reginald C. McDowell; went to States on leave before coming back for a second tOUf.
360th:
NE Dummer LakeElMinden
May 20 (#116) LtCo!. Baccus led a penetration support from 0903 to 1205. RN came over the Channel at 0935 with landfall near Ostend at 0945. The bombers were left near Louvain at 1055 and the group crossed out over the Dutch Islands at 1119. Lt. Alex S. Koczak (360th) suffered engine failure near Valenciennes and bailed out to become a POW. Also on the way home, Lt. Vossler and Lt. O'Barr (359th) covered a bomber crew which bailed out over the Channel. (llost)
May 19 (#115) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration support from 1105 to 1509. Landfall came near Egmond at 1205 with RN over the Zuider Zee. North of Steinhuder Lake, 14 Germans were seen by the 359th. Lt. Weber chased a Me 109 into compressibility and the 109 crashed. The other squadrons took on two boxes of 40-plus bandits in the Celle-Quackenbruck-Hanover area, claiming 10 kills for 3 losses. Lt. Allen A. Perryman (360th) bailed out after being hit by a Me 109, and Lt. Edwin D. Cook (360th) and Lt. James K. Johnson (36 Ist) were also shot down by fighters. The bombers were later left north of Hanover at 1315 and landfall was near Egmond at 1415. Capt. Perrin (36Ist) also strafed on the way out and damaged a gun emplacement. (11-0-6 air) (3 last)
359th:
Me 109 dam(air)
359th:
360th:
361sl:
Line·up Burke, Coughenour, Knudsen', Clayborne* Meholic, Cline, Craig, Rubner Bradshaw, Earnhart, Brearley, Weber Tukey, Obosla, Koczak, Knapp Vitali, Leathers, Maxwell, E. Cook
Line-up Burke, Coughenour, Brearley, Clayborne Engel, Hoffert, Farmer, Earnhart Bradshaw, Rubner, 0' Barr, Vossler Cota, Leathers, Maxwell, Obosla J. Cook, Mercer, Koczak, Borelli Hockrneyer, Anderson, Fletcher, Knapp Baccus, Yoakum, Decker, Lee Perrin, Kahle, Fremaux, Burns Bailey, Thompson, Gibson, Leyser
May 21 (#117) LtCo!. Tukey led a sweep against rail and transportation targets from 1016 to 1500. Landfall was near Overflakkee
42
The 3561h FighTer Group if! World War II
at 1056 and the pilots looked for targets in the WilhelmshavenBremerhaven-Hamburg area. The 359th claimed 2-2 locos and 0-1 flak tower, while the 360th claimed 0-2 locos and the 36 Ist scored hits on four rail junctions. A He-177 was also bounced as it took off from Stade Airfield and shot down. Landfall was by flights in the Ijmuiden area but two pilots were MIA: Lt. Edwin E. Anderson (360th) went down near Oldenburg, and Lt. Wallace G. Maxwell (360th) went down in the North Sea off Wilhelmshaven and his body washed ashore the next day.
360th:
361st:
Thorne, Lee, Korhorn, Burns
Bailey, Engelhorn, Gansberg, Decker
NOles: Completed Tour: Lt. William L. Farmer: to 27th Air Transport Group; Lt. Chester A. Vitali: to 495th Fighter Training Group; Capt. John P. Perrin: to 27th Air Transport Group and later killed in an accident.
(1-0-0 air)
(2 lost) Line-lip
359th:
Tukey, Hoffert, Brearley, Craig White, Cline, Bradshaw, Wadlow
May 22 (#119) LtCo!. Tukey led a dive-bombing mission from 1704 to 2003. Landfall carne near Westhoofd at 1757 and bombing results were poor. Four planes of the 359th dropped on the
Thome, Vossler, Fanner, Weber
360th:
361 st:
Meholic, O'Barr, Knudsen, Rubner Vogt, Anderson, Knapp, Mercer Withers, Russell, Hockmeyer, Obosla Cota, Leidy, Maxwell, Leathers Cook, Borelli, L'Heureux, Walters Bailey, Leyser, Gibson, Fremaux
railbridge at Hassell, scored two hits, but caused no damage.
Four P-47's of the 360th missed the bridge entirely, and four 361 st ships put one bomb on a secondary bridge three miles away. Everyone then headed for home, crossing out at 1930 in the Blankenberge area.
Perrin, Thompson, Thwaites, Swift Baccus, Burns, Korhorn, Lee Strait, Yoakum, Gansberg, Engelhorn
Line-up
359th: Sql/ 360lh:
Capt. N.D. COla
Claims
Location
He-l77 desl(air)
Stade AIF
360th:
NOles: Completed Tour: Lt. Robert D. Bradshaw; Lt. William C. Brearley; back to States on leave before returning for a second tour; Lt. Bernard Borelli; back to the States before return-
361st:
ing for a second tour; Lt. Vincent Hockmeyer; to States on leave before returning for a second tour.
Thorne, Hoffert, Clayborne, Rubner Burke, Chickering, Wadlow, Bergstrom Ogden, Weber, Smith, Vossler Cota, Leidy, Knapp, Hepfer L'Heureux, Goldwasser, Walters, Obosla Tukey, Lee, Gansberg, Burns Bailey, Morel, Gibson, Hargreaves
NOles: Completed Tour: Lt. Robert Gibson: to 27th Air Transport Group; Lt. Clifford D. Walters.
May 22 (#118) LtCo!. Baccus led a sweep from Iml to 1419. After landfall at 1111 near Westhoofd, the squadrons flew to east of Quackenbruck and split up. The 359th flew a course from
May 23 (# 120) LtCo!. Tukey led an escort from 0704 to 10 I5. Landfall and RJV came at 0755 near Le Treport and the bombers were later left at 0830 near Chalons-Sur-Marne. The planes then crossed out at 0910 near St. Valery.
Dummer Lake to Bremen to Nienburg and later crossed out at
1315 near Egmond. The 360th flew to Steinhuder Lake and Bremen, saw a Me 110 which evaded the P-47's, then headed for home. The 361 st flew to Hanover, Munster, and Paderborn,
Line-up
359th:
then crossed out in the Egmond-Ijrnuiden-Schouwen area. Line-up
359th:
Baccus, Mercer, Cook L'Heureux, Russell, Knapp, Obosla Cota, Leidy, Fletcher, Hepfer Withers, Walters, Vitali, Leathers Waller, Swift, Gibson, Faison Perrin, Kahle, Fremaux, Engle
360th:
Whire, Malo, Farmer, O'Barr Engel, Cline, Knudsen, Lubbers Meholic, Hoffert, Wadlow, Clayborne Smith, Earnhart, Weber, Vossler
43
Tukey, Chickering, Rubner, Hoffert Meholic, Cline, Clayborne, Lubbers Engel, Malo·, Craig, Earnhart Vogt, Leidy, Knapp, Hepfer L'Heureux, Russell, Fletcher, Niemi Kress, Goldwasser, Cook, Mercer
The 3561h Fighter Group ill World War II
361sl:
Strait, Kovacs, Fremaux, Leyser Korhorn, Kahle, Lee, Thompson Gansberg, Yoakum, Clayton, Decker
360th:
May 23 An off day for the 356th but several new pilots were up on training flights. Lt. Grant F. Moyer (360th) was killed and the 360th wrote, "Lt. Moyer, while training with the group trainiog school, was on a dive-bombing pass on the target off Bradwell Bay. He came in too low, struck the water, and crashed." (l killed)
361 Sl:
Sqn
May 24 (#121) LtCo!. Baccus led a penetration support from 0847 to 1249. The 359th and 361st made RJV north of the coast and landfall came at 1030 near Meldorf. The bombers were left near Hagenow at 1050 when P-51's took over and the group turned for home. Back over England, Baccus lost oil pressure and had to glide-in at Manston. In doing so, he hit a truck and tractor which wrecked his P-47 but he emerged unhurt.
360th:
361 st:
Claims
Location
360th,
Lt. R.M. Leidy
Me 109 dcst(air)
W/Neufchateau
3615(:
Lt. D.F. Thwaitcs
Me 109 dest(air)
Neufchateau
May 27 (#123) LtCol. Baccus took off a.leader of an escort from 1000 10 1329. After he aborted, Capt. Meholic lOok the lead and landfall was made southwest of Le Treport at 1055. The bombers were picked up near 01 isy at I 104 and left near Chaumont at 1200. The 359th and 360th then swept the Nancy-Metz area and crossed out at 1255 southwest of Ostend. The 361 st swept the Orleans area and made landfall at 1248 northeast of Chateaudun.
Lil1e~up
359th:
Meholic, Cline, O'Barr, Lubbers Smith, Vossler, Weber, Earnhart Vogt, Leidy, Fletcher, Leathers Ogden, Obosla, iemi, Green Kress, Goldwasser, Knapp, Russell Tukey, Thompson, Lee, Clayton Thwaites, Kovacs, Leyser, Swift Waller, Hargreaves, Engelhorn, Engle Bailey, Morel, Fremaux, Decker
Burke*, Malo*, Craig*. Clayborne Meholic*. Bergstrom, Wadlow, Hoffert Engel, Cline, Knudsen, Lubbers Smith, Vossler, Weber, Earnhart Baccus, Fletcher, L'Heureux, Obosla Thorne, Leathers, Niemi, Leidy Kress, Russell, Knapp, Goldwasser Waller, Swift, Fremaux, Engle Korhorn, Kahle, Thwaites, Lee Bailey, Leyser, Yoakum, Decker Strait, Faison, Gansberg, Engelhorn
359th:
360th:
361 st:
NOles: Maj. Emery Montgomery left the 361st and Capt. Thomas F. Bailey was given the job of Operations Officer for the
Line-up Baccus*, Malo, Wadlow, Clayborne Engel, Bergstrom, Knudsen, Cline Meholic, 0' Barr, Rubner, Lubbers Smith. Forsyth, Weber, Earnhart Vogt, Leathers, L' Heureux, Fletcher Ogden, Russell, Knapp, Goldwasser Cook, Niemi, Green, Mercer Waller, Clayton, Campbell, Leyser Korhorn, Kovacs, Lee, Thompson Strait, Kahle, Yoakum, Decker Gansberg, Burns, Engelhorn, Faison
squadron.
Nores: Completed tour: Lt. Harry C. Leyser
May2S (#122) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration support from 0703 to 1102. Landfall was at 0758 near Le Treport with RJV coming southeast of Soissons at 0835. The bombers were left at 0905 east of Chaumont and after breaking, 20-plus Me 109's were
May 27 (#124) LtCol. Baccus led a Type-16 Control from 1505 to 1708. Landfall was made at 1550 northeast of Knocke and the pilots then flew to Brussels. Nothing was seen and the ships crossed out north of astend at 1615.
seen near Neufchateau. Two were shot down before the group
crossed out north of Dunkirk at 1015. (2-0-0 air)
359th:
359th:
Line-lip White, Bergstrom, Wadlow, Clayborne Engel, Chickering, Knudsen, Hoffert
360th:
44
Line-up Baccus, Forsyth, Rubner, Chickering White, Hoffert, Knudsen, Lubbers Cota, Sova, Knapp, Mercer Kress, Goldwasser, Tierni, Green
The 356th Fighter Group ill World War 1/
361 st:
Strait, Hargreaves, Yoakum, Decker Korhorn, Kahle, Gansberg, Faison
May 28 (#125) LtCol. Baccus led a penetration support from 1204 to 1537. On lake-off, the P-47 flown by Lt. Craig (359th) lost power just as he lined off. Though he set the plane back down, it flipped over after hitting a ditch at the end of the runway. The craft caught tire but Craig was pulled out safely. The rest of the group crossed in near Egmond and made R/V west of Lingen at 1325. After breaking at 1400 near Nienburg, the group swept north until 1415 then headed out. Some 361st pilots strafed the Dortmund-Ems canal claiming 0-12 barges and 0-1 gun emplacement. Lille~up
3591h:
360th:
361 st:
O'Barr later wrote, "I lost my oil pressure and had engine failure. I bailed out over the N.E. Polder, a drained section of the Zuider Zee. I rolled my ship over at 15,000 feet to bailout, fell about halfway out and my seat pack chute caught under the canopy. The nose fell through and the air stream forced me against the canopy with my left foot caught under the right canopy rail. When 1 finally realized what happened. 1 began to struggle to free myself. 1 managed to reach back over my head and grab the back of the canopy giving me enough leverage to pull my chute from under the canopy and at the same time to jerk my foot from under the canopy track. 1 was immediately flipped off the plane and since I had no idea how high I was, I pulled the rip cord. II just so happened that I was upside down when the chute opened, so it was like being on the end of a whiplash when the opening shock came." (Itos!)
White, Bergstrom, Craig*, Lubbers Meholic, Malo, O'Barr, Cline Engel, Broxton, Knudsen, Hoffert Smith, Clayborne, Weber, Earnhart, Wilmot Baccus, Mercer, Niemi, Leidy Kress, Russell, Knapp, Goldwasser Cota, Leathers, Fletcher, abasia Strait, Clayton, Burns, Hargreaves Thwaites, Hurley, Decker, Swift Korhorn, Engle, Campbell, Thompson Gansberg, Kahle, Engelhorn, Faison
3591h:
360th:
361st:
May 28 (#126) Capt. Vogt led a Type-16 Control from 1556 to 1826. Landfall was at 1634 north of Dunkirk, then the pilots flew to south of Brussels and northeast of Luxembourg. Nothing developed and the planes crossed out at 1745 near Dunkirk.
May 30 (#128) LtCol. Baccus led a withdrawal support from 0907 to 1328. RIV came at 1035 over the Northeast Polder and the bombers were left at 1158 near Egmond. The 36lst then swept the Meppel-Osnabruck-Dummer Lake-Steinhuder Lake area, while the 360th strafed in the Hamburg area with claims of 02 boats.
Line~l/p
359th: 360th: 361 s1:
Line-lip White, Bergstrom, 0' Barr, Lubbers Rubner, Chickering, Clayborne, Cline Meholic, Malo, Knudsen, Forsyth Smith, Earnhart, Weber, Vossler Vogt, Leathers, Niemi, Olive Cook, Leidy, Green, Mercer Kress, Goldwasser, Knapp, Russell Tukey, Burns, Fremaux, Thompson Korhorn, Clayton, Thwaites, Engle Bailey, Kahle, Campbell, Swift Yoakum, Kovacs, Lee, Faison
(see 360th) Vogt, Olive, Cook, Green Cota, Sova, Wadlow(359th), Forsyth(359th) Ogden, Morel, Lee, Wiggins Fremaux, Harris, Yoakum, Kovacs
359th:
May 29 (#127) LtCol. Tukey led a penetration support from 0936 to 1419. RIV was made north ofCuxhaven at 1129 and the bombers were left northwest of Berlin at 1218. Heading southwest, the group later crossed out north of Ijmuiden. A single Me 109 was seen near Hamburg but that was all. Lt. William C. O'Barr (359th) suffered engine problems and was forced to bailout southwest of the Northeast Polder.
360tl"
361 st:
45
Line-up Baccus, Malo, Clayborne, Hoffert Wadlow, Wilmot, Rubner, Chickering Meholic, Bergstrom, Knudsen, Cline Weber, Forsyth, Vossler, Lubbers Cota, Soya, Fletcher, abasia McHale, Olive, Niemi, Goldwasser Cook, Mercer, Green, Leidy Waller, Hargreaves, Thwaites, Engle Bailey, Hurley, Burns, Swift Strait, Harris, Yoakum, Decker Gansberg, Kovacs, Engelhorn, Faison
The 356th Fighter Gmtlp in World War lf
May 30 (#129) LtCo!. Baccus led a dive-bombing mission from 1616 to 1909. Landfall was at 1711 near Le Treport and the pilots flew to the rail bridge at Soissons. Not a single hit was recorded on the structure but some track was tol11 up. The P-4Ts then crossed out near Dieppe at 1810.
359th: 360th: 361 st:
360th:
361 st:
Korhorn, Hurley, Fremaux, Wiggins
Bailey, Hargreaves, Engelhorn, Morel
Line-up
June 3
Tukey, Pietruszka, Lubbers, Forsyth Ogden, Clayborne, Weber, Vossler Baccus, Leidy, Fletcher, Goldwasser Vogt, Douglas, Bluhm, Kariva Waller, Kahle, Fremaux, Swift
(#132) Maj. White led a Type-I 6 Control from 1234 to 1540. Aftercrossing in southwcst of Ostend at 1309, the planes swept the Mons-Antwerp-Paris area. Nothing was seen and the planes crossed out near Dunkirk at 1457. Line-up
Campbell, Morel, Faison, Wiggins
Bailey, Clayton, Engle, Thompson
359th:
May 31 (#130) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration support from 0850 to 1250. RN came at 1022 between Meppel and Lingen and the bombers were left nOltheast of Hamburg at 1125. Lt. Lawrence L. Goldwasser (360th) lost oil pressure on the way in and bailed
360th:
361 st:
out near Zevenburgen.
The 360th diary stated it thus, "Lt. Goldwasser's oil pressure dropped to zero. He bailed out o.k., at 1148 hours from 11,000 feet near Zevenburgen, south of Rotterdam."
(#133) This was it' The invasion of Europe began and the 356th put up five missions in support of the landings. LtCol. Tukey led the day's first effort, a patrol of the invasion area, from 0340 to 0758. Heavy overcast was encountered and the pilots patrolled from 0420 to 0645 without sighting any aircraft. Lt. George C. Kariva (360th) suffered engine trouble and bailed out over the Channel; he eventually drifted ashore near Dunkirk and was captured.
Line-up
Burke', Bergstrom, Lubbers, Malo Knudsen, Chickering, Wadlow, Cline Meholic, Broxton, Rubner, Coughenour*
360th:
361 st:
White, Pietruszka, Vossler, Wilmot' Knudsen, Bergstrom, Craig, Hoffen Meholic. Chickering, Lubbers, Cline VOgI, Mercer, Bluhm, Leidy McHale, Kariva, Leathers, Olive Fletcher, Sova, Herin, Obosla Strait, Kahle, Faison, Engle Gansberg, Mills, Burns, Swift Thwaites, Kovacs, Decker, Thompson
June 6
(J Lost)
359th:
Cota, Russell, Knapp, Douglas Ogden, Obasla, Herin, Soya Cook, Mercer, Green, Leidy Baccus, Engle, Lee, Hams
Smith, Earnhart, Clayborne, Earnhart Tukey, Herin, McHale, Olive Kress, Douglas, Knapp, Goldwasser Vogt, Leidy, Bluhm, Green Waller, Harris, Fremaux, Thompson Thwaites, Morel, Lee, Kahle
(1/ost)
Line-up
359th:
Korhorn, Wiggins. Engle, Decker
Yoakum, Kovacs, Faison, Clayton
360th:
June 2 (#131) LtCo!. Baccus led a Type-16 Control from 1032 to 1338. Landfall came at I 137 near Ostend and the group then swept the Tournai-Peronne-Brussels-Sedan area. Landfall-out was later made at 1315 near Dunkirk after an uneventful flight.
361 st:
Tukey, Craig, Smith, Vossler' Engel, Earnhart, Knudsen, Rubner Burke, Weber, Peet, Wadlow Vogt, Bluhm, Cook, Green McHale, Kariva, Niemi, Olive Waller, Morel, Engle, Mills Thorne, Hargreaves, Lee, Wiggins Bailey, Kovacs, Engelhorn, Clayton
June 6 Line-up
359th:
(#134) LtCo!. Baccus led a beach-head patrol from 0558 to 0945. The pilots were in their assigned area from 0645 to 0905 but saw nothing.
Burke, Wilmot, Rubner, Coughenour Wadlow, Broxton, Clayborne, Lubbers Weber, Forsyth, Earnhart, Vossler
46
The 356111 Fighrer Group in World War II
359th: 360th: 361 sl:
Line-up White, Coughenour, Richason, Forsyth Baccus, Douglas, Knapp, Russell L'Heureux, Obosla, Herin, Sova Campbell, Thompson, Bums, Swift
June 6 (#135) LtCol. Tukey led a fighter-bomber show to the Angars area from 1047 to 1428. Crossing in near lo Treport, the pilots hit targets northeast of los Audelys and Chateau du Lar, claiming 6-21 trucks, 1-0 loco, and 1-0 auto. FlO Emil F. Sova (360m) was shot up by flak and bailed out to become a paw. (llost)
359th:
360th: 361sl:
Line-lip Tukey, Earnhart, Smith, Vossler Burke, Weber, Peet, Rubner Engel, Cline, Wadlow, Hoffert Vogt, Olive, McHale, Niemi Cook, Leidy, Green, Sova Ogden, Burns, Thompson, Swift
June 6 (#136) LtCol. Baccus led a dive-bombing mission from 1417
360th:
Kress, Russell, Knapp, Herin
361st:
Cook, Mercer, Bluhm, Green L'Heureux, Leidy, Leathers, Olive none
June 7 (# 138) LtCol. Tukey led a small fighter-bomber mission from 0442 to 0807. The planes swept the Avranches-DomfrontMayenne-Forges area with the following claims: the 359th strafed 7 trucks and two lines of railcars and put a few bombs
on a supply dump. The 360th destroyed 8 trucks and bombed a train, and the 361st destroyed at least 10 trucks and damaged 20 more.
359th: 360th: 361st:
Line-up Ogden, Pietruszka, Vossler, Earnhart Tukey, Douglas, Niemi, Russell
Thwaites, Hurley, Decker, Mills
June7 (#139) Capt. Bailey led a mission to the same area as #138 from 0705 to 1047. Strafing and bombing in the DomfrontMortain area produced claims of 35-25 vehicles and 2-8 rai]cars. 8-12 Fw 190'5 were also seen but they avoided contact.
to 1754. Targets in the Tours~Le Mans area were attacked with
known claims of 1-0 loco, 4-35 railcars, 8-0 vehicles, and 0-1 bridge.
359th: 360th: 361 sf:
Line-up
359th: 360th: 361 sl:
White, Coughenour, Knudsen, Forsyth
Line-up Weber, Forsyth, Clayborne, Wilmot Kress, Leidy, Knapp, Bluhm Bai]ey, Kahle, Yoakum, Kovacs Fremaux, Hargreaves, Lee, Thompson
Baccus, Leathers, Douglas L'Heureux, Mercer, Herin, Obosla
June 7 (#140) LtCol. Waller led a third fighter-bomber show to the same area from 1026 to 1439. Strafing and bombing netted 0I loco, 0-20 railcars, 0-1 tank, and 4-5 vehicles before landfall-out at 1336 near St. Valery.
Waller, Clayton, Faison, Hurley Thorne, Engle, Decker, Mills Korhorn, Lee, Thwaites, Kovacs Gansberg, Hargreaves, Engelhorn, Wiggins
June 6 (# 137) After LtCol. Baccus aborted, Lt. Wadlow led a Type-16 Control from 1819 to 222]. Landfall was at 1930 near Le
359m:
Line-up Burke*, LeMoyne, Earnhart, Broxton' Peel, Coughenour, Rubner, Craig
360th:
Treport and the pilots then swept the Beauvais-Amiens-ParisRouen-Dieppe area. One truck was destroyed near Beauviasl Tille Airfield and some tanks were strafed with unknown results near Rauen. The group crossed out near Le Trepon at
Cook, Teel, Green, Russell L'Heureux, Williams, Herin, Olive
361 st:
Waller, Swift, Burns, Morel Korhorn, Wiggins, Engelhom, Clayton
2142 and Lt. Hoffert (359th) landed at Manston with a broken June 7 (#141) LtCo!. Baccus led a mission to the Laval area from] 126 to 1553. Part of the 359th hit Laval Airfield claiming 5-1 by strafing and destroying four more with bombs. Ll. Thwaites (361 st) also tagged along on this attack and burned a Ju 52 as well. White Flight of the 359th was bounced by a dozen Fw
oil line.
359th:
Line-up Baccus·, Pelletier, Richason, Broxton Wadlow, Wilmot, Cline, Ma]o Knudsen, Chickering, Hoffert, Bergstrom 47
Tile 356tll Fighter Group ill World War II
190's but no damage was done, while FlO Decker downed one of three 190's seen near Laval. Other claims amounted to 3-0 locos, I-I truck. and 1-0 auto.
ing Orfordness at 1500 feet at 0735 he said he would have to bailout because of lack of oil pressure and because the prop was running away. It is unknown whether he crash-landed or went into the Channel." abasia's loss was stated thus, "Lt. abasia was dive-bombing a train; one of his bombs hit a railroad car and there was an explosion which he flew through. His plane then crashed in a woods near Rauen, France." (2 lost)
(1-0-0 air) (6-1 groul/d)
359th: 360th: 36 1st:
Line-up Baccus, Malo, Richason, Bergstrom Engel, Pelletier, Vossler, Pietruszka Ogden, Laviolette, Mercer, Douglas McHale, Pleasant, abasia Gansberg, Mills, Thwaites, Hurley Campbell, Engle, Decker, Faison
359th: 360th:
Sqn HdQ1S:
LtCol. D.A. Baccus
359th:
Ll. L.P. Richason
361 $1:
Claims
Locmioll
Ju 52 desl(grd)
Laval
Me 109 dest(grd)
Laval
Ju 52 dest(grd)
Laval
Me 109 dam(grd)
Laval
Capl. G. w. Engel
Ju 52 dest(grd)
Laval
Ll. A.E. Bergstrom
Me 109 dest(grd)
Laval
FlO E.L. Decker
Fw 190 dest(air)
SE Laval
Lt. D.F. Thwaites
J u 52 dcst(grd)
Laval
361 st:
June 8 (#144) LlCo!. Tukey led a mission which took off at 0713 but a flak hit at landfall (Boulogne) forced him home. The rest of the pilots hit a number of targels claiming 1-0 loco, 8-0 trucks, and 0-2 bridges, plus tracks were Cllt in several places. The 361 st also lost a pair of pilots: FlO Edmund L. Decker hit the ground while strafing near Bouconvillers and Ll. Ray F. Engle was missing in the Abbeville area after calling in he was low on fuel. Lt. Swift wrote this report on FlO Decker's loss, "I was flying Red #4 on the mission. FlO Decker and myself were strafing two trucks around 25 miles southwest of Beauvais, France, at approximately 0850. On our first pass, FlO Decker racked his plane around violently to the left, causing streamers lO come off the wings and went inlO a vertical bank. When I finished shooting and turned left to rejoin him. he had hit the ground and aliI saw was a hole in the ground and a mass of flames where the plane exploded." As for Engle, the 361 st wrote, "After a strafing pass in adverse weather, Lt. Engle became separated from his flight. At approximately 0955 hours he was heard to say over the RJT that his fuel pressure was falling off and his engine cutting out. He then transmitted over the Rtf that he was bailing out." (2 lost)
June 7 (#142) Maj. Vogt led an area patrol from 1720 to 2258. Landfall came near Lannien at 1920 and the 359th and 361 st gave support to some B-24's in the Kerlin-Bastard area. The 360th swept and shot lip two trains and 15 railcars.
359th: 360th: 36lst:
Line-up Meholic, Broxton, Rubner, Coughenour Peet, Vossler, Weber, Wilmot* Cota, Russell, Green, Douglas Kress, Olive, Herin, abasia Strait, Clayton, Lee, Wiggins Campbell, Kahle, Burns, Kovacs
Line-lip White, Hoffert, Cline, Lubbers Burke, Chickering, Clayborne, Forsyth Vogt, Leidy, Niemi, Bluhm Kress, Leathers, L' Heureux, Knapp Strait, Morel, Yoakum, Kahle Gansberg, Hargreaves, Lee, Thompson
June 8 (#143) Capt. Strait led a dive-bombing mission from 0453 to 0759. Landfall came at 0600 near Dieppe and targets were hit in the Forges-Rauen area. The 359th destroyed a loco and at least three railcars; the 360th blew up a loco and a few railcars but Lt. Joseph Obosla was lost. He was evidently caught in a bomb blast and crashed near Rauen. 361st pilots turned in claims for 2-3 locos and 4-0 trucks. Heading home, Lt. Robert A. Coughenour (359th) lost oil pressure and he crashed off Orfordness. The 359th recorded, "Lt. Coughenour was apparently hit and he headed for base escorted by Lt. Rubner. While approach-
359th: 360th: 36 Ist:
48
Line-up Tukey*, Bergstrom, Wadlow, Pelletier Smith, Pietruszka, Craig, Malo Cook, McHale, Bluhm Ogden, Rideout, Knapp, Mercer Waller, Hurley, Decker, Swift Fremaux, Mills, Yoakum, Engle
The 356th Fighter Group in World War 11
June 8 (#145) LtCol. Baccus led a fighter-bomber mission to the Beauvais area from 1046 to ]359. Strafing and bombing saw considerable damage to tracks and warehouses, one bridge, and a number of vehicles and railcars. Line-up
359th: 360th: 36lst:
Engel, Shelton, Lubbers, Chickering Knudsen, Tucker, Earnhart, Hoffert Baccus, Thorne, Knapp, Olive Cota, Servocky, Herin, Russell Bailey, Thompson, Engelhorn, Kahle Korhorn, Hargreaves, Thwaites, Faison
Lt. Engelhorn witnessed his loss and wrote, "1 was flying Red #3 on the mission. We were strafing an armored convoy about 6 miles eastofMontdidier, France, at approximately 1900 hours. After the second pass, I pulled up to the right and over to my left I saw Lt. Lee's airplane in a climb on tire with a lot of flame coming out. It fell off into a stall and did about a full spin and hit the ground a quarter of a mile south of the convoy and exploded." As for Smith, the 359th diary stated, "At 1905, east of Amiens, Lt. Smith was bounced by a single Me 109. Hit in the tail section, his aircraft caught fire and he bailed out. Maj. White followed his chute down and reports that he landed safely along the Somme River east of Amiens." (2 lost)
June 8 (#146) Maj. Vogt led a mission to the Beauvais area from 1350 to 1636. At BeauvaislNiviliers Airfield, two Fw 190's were bounced as they took off. Both were destroyed and a third Focke Wulf was burned on the ground. The 360th also saw eight Fw 190's north of Beauvais but no contact was made. Other claims amounted to 2-2 locos and 21-]5 railcars. (2-0-0 air)
Line-up
359th: 360th: 361st:
White, Thorne, Cline, Hoffert Smith, Alphonse, Richason, LeMoyne Cook, Robinson, Leathers, Douglas Knapp, Nebinger, Niemi, Williams Ogden, Hurley, Engelhorn, Swift Campbell, Mills, Lee, Faison
(1-0-0 groltltd)
June 10 (#148) LtCo!. Waller led a dive-bombing mission from 0730 to 1106. The group patrolled the Caen-Lisieux-Bernay area and made the following claims: the 359th bombed a convoy of 40 trucks, scoring many hits, hit a marshalling yard with at least two railcars destroyed, and attacked another convoy with claims of 2-4 trucks. The 360th claimed 4-4 railcars and 0-1 truck west of Bernay, and the 361 st got 1-0 truck plus strafed over 100 railcars in a marshalling yard with undeterminable results.
Line-lip
359th: 360th: 361st:
Burke, Bruner, Wadlow, Forsyth Meholic, Mellinger, Clayborne, Bergstrom Vogt, Romine, Bluhm, Teel McHaJe, Green Strait, Wiggins, Yoakum, Clayton Gansberg, Morel, Burns, Kovacs
Sql!
Claims
Locatioll
359th:
Lt. M.M. Clayborne
Fw 190 dest(air)
All claims are at
3615(:
Lt. H.E. Wiggins
(.5)Fw 190 dest(air) Beauvais-Nivillers
LL G.L. Yoakum
(.5)Fw 190 dest(air)
Capt. 0.8. Clayton
(.5)Fw 190 dest(grd)
Line-up
359th:
(.5)Fw 190 dest(grd)
360th:
June 8 (#147) Maj. White led a dive-bombing mission from 1716 to 2003. 359th pilots hit a marshalling yard at Amiens and scored hits on the SO-plus railcars there. At 1905, east of Amiens, a Me 109 bounced one flight and shot down Lt. James B. Smith. He bailed out east of Amiens, evaded capture, and returned to England in August. The 360th shot up a truck, power station, and two barges, while the 361 st claimed 2-0 locos and 5-0 railcars. Lt. Edward P. Lee was hit by ground fire while strafing a convoy near Montdidier and he crashed with his ship.
361st:
Ogden, Chickering, Lubbers, Hoffert Peet, Tucker, Rubner, Bergstrom Meholic, Forsyth, Craig, Pelletier Weber*, Malo, Clayborne, Wilmot Vogt, Romine, Herin, Douglas Cook, Phillips, Bluhm, Russell L'Heureux, Laviolette, Green, Leidy Niemi, Pleasant, Leathers, Olive Waller, Clayton, Faison, Hurley Yoakum, Morel, Swift, Mills Korhorn, Gillette, Thompson, Harris Gansberg, Hall, Engelhorn, Wiggins
June 10 (#149) LtCo!. Tukey led an area patrol from 1414 to 1729. Landfall came near Le Treport and the pilots attacked targets
49
The 356th Fighter Group in World War 1/
in the Chartres-Reims-Chambray area. A 359th flight strafed an airfield southeast of Dreux claiming I-I plane, 0-2 hangars, and 0-1 truck. The rest of the 359th got 2-8 vehicles and scored hits on a marshalling yard near Nantes. 360th pilots got one truck and the 361 st shot up two trains and a number of vehicles. Lt. Elijah PHarris (361 st) had his P-47 cut in half by a flak hit near Gassicourt while Lt. Fremaux (361 st) was also hit and made a one-wheel landing at Woodbridge. Fremaux later filed this report, "We were bombing a train and I was unable to release my bomb and belly tank. This was on the railroad between Dreux and Paris, France. Being low on gas, I called White Leader and told him my wingman, Lt. Harris, and I were going home. We started out on a heading of 0 degrees north in a slow climb. In about 10 minutes and at an altitude of 5,000 feet we started getting heavy, intense, accurate flak. This was in the Mantes-Gassicourt, France, area. My wingman, Lt. Harris, and I were hit almost immediately and at about the same time. When I saw Lt. Harris, his ship had been subject to a direct hit and split right behind the cockpit. He went straight down into the clouds and I followed him down as soon as the flak ceased. I saw his plane burning on the ground but was unable to observe any chute." (1-1 ground) (1 lost)
359th:
360th:
361st:
360th:
361st:
Lt. L.F. Richason
Claims
Lucation
Fw 190 desl(grd)
SE Dreux
Fw 190 dam(grd)
SE Dreux
Line-up Meholic*, Mellinger, Earnhart, Malo Peet'\ Tucker*, Lubbers*, Broxton Engel, Shelton, Wadlow, Pelletier Knudsen, Cline, Vossler, Pietruszka Cota, Rideout, Russell, Leidy Bluhm, Pleasant, Olive Withers, Garlent, Knapp, Servocky L'Heureux, Peacock, Leathers, Williams Tukey, Kovacs, Burns, Hargreaves Campbell, Roberts, Thompson, Drake Bailey, Engelhorn, Scheible, Wiggins Gansberg, Schlack, Kahle, Gillette Claims
Sqn
361st:
Location
Lt. R.H. Gansberg
Me 109 dest(air)
SW Bernay
Lt. D. Kahle
Me 109 dest(air)
SW Bernay
June 12 (#151) LlCo!. Baccus leda sweep from 1118 to 1440. Landfall was at 1212 near Le Treport and the pilots swept the AmiensCreil area. They shot up and bombed two trains and over 20 railcars and trucks south of Amiens and Beauvais. The planes later crossed out at 1347 near Le TrepOlt.
Line-up White, Cline, Vossler, Pietruszka Engel, Shelton*, Wadlow, Broxton Burke, Bruner, Richason, Forsyth Knudsen, Mellinger*, Earnhart, Malo Tukey, Thorne, Knapp, Gleason L'Heureux, Taylor, Niemi, Servocky Withers, Herin, Rhoades Green, Leidy Strait, Schlack, Kahle, Hargreaves Campbell, Roberts, Fremaux, Harris Bailey, Drake, Thompson, Hurley Thwaites, Kovacs, Burns, Wiggins
Sqn
359th:
359th:
359th:
360th:
361sl:
Line-up Baccus, Shelton, White, Pietruszka Wadlow, Bruner, Forsyth, Mellinger Meholic, Pelletier*, Earnhart, Wilmot Peet, LeMoyne, Richason, Malo vogt, Burke(359th), Herin, Douglas L'Heureux, Phillips, Niemi, Laviolette Withers, Leidy, Olive, Romine McHale, Robinson, Russell, Teel Strait, Mills, Fremaux, Hurley Yoakum, Hall, Wiggins, Schlack Korhorn, Scheible, Swift, Morel Thorne, Faison, Thwaites, Hargreaves
June 13 (#152) LlCoJ. Tukey led an area patrol from 1826 to 2216. Landfall came at 1929 near Le Treport and three boxes of BiTs were picked up east of Beauvais at 2020. Heavy overcast prevented any ground attacks and the group crossed out around 2135 in the Ostend-Boulogne-Calais area.
June 11 (#150) LlCo!. Tukey led an area patrol from 0540 to 0945. Landfall came near Dieppe at 0634 and the pilots covered the Chartres-Abbeville area until 0805. Southwest of Bernay, the 361 st engaged six Me I09's and two were destroyed. The only ground attacks were made by 360th pilots who claimed 1-0 loco and 0-5 railcars southwest of Abbeville.
359th:
(2-0-0 air) 50
Line-up Burke, Tucker, Clayborne, Broxton Ogden, Forsyth, Lubbers, Hoffert Engel*, Alphonse*, Cline*, Bruner* Baccus, Chickering, Rubner, Bergstrom
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
360th:
361 st:
Tukey, Rhoades, Russell, Nebinger McHale, Taylor, Leathers, Garlent Withers, Servocky, Olive, Gleason Cook, Teel, Grecn, Leidy Bailey, Roberts, Burns, Clayton Campbell, Hurley, Kahle, Drake Thorne, Engelhorn, Scheible, Swift Korhorn, Gillette, Thompson, Kovacs
361st:
June 14 (#154) LtCo!. Baccus led a sweep from 1911 to 2240. Landfall came at 20 I5 in the Le Trepon-Dieppe area and the 359th gave top cover as the other squadrons looked for targets. Near Peronne, 12 Me I 09's bounced the 360th and damaged a P-47. A 359th night gave chase but the Germans escaped. Due to the bounce the 360thjeltisoned its bombs while the 361 5t destroyed or damaged 30 railcars near Thourite. The group re-formed and crossed out at 2155 from Le Touquet to Le Trepon.
Notes: Completed tour: Capt. Ray R. Withers; went to States on leave before returning for a second tour. June 14 (#153) LtCo!. Waller led an area support from 0628 to 0947. Landfall came at 0704 in the Dunkirk-Ostend area and the 360th made RN with a few B-ITs near St. Trond and later near Ghent. These were taken to Bruges without incident, but Ll. Fred C. Phillips suffered engine trouble and bailed out near Hel1ogenbosch. The other squadrons circled the Brussels area until 0905 then crossed out near Knocke at 091 I. Following is Capt. L'Heureux's report of Phillips' loss, "I was leading Vortex Green and Lt. Phillips was Vortex Green 4. Over the overcast, about 25 miles east of Henogenbosch, he reported that his engine was missing. Thinking the cause was with the supercharger regulator, Vortex Red Leader wid him to go down to a lower altitude and see if he could overcome the trouble. As I was experiencing regulator trouble, [ told him to let down through the overcast on course and 1would meet him below the overcast. I let down and met him at 20,000 feet in a glide, on course. My trouble had disappeared and I was able to stay with him. We advised him to try various methods of regaining power, but he kept in a glide without power. He reponed his oil pressure as very low and going down. This may have been due to the fact that the engine was not running. Vortex Red Leadertold him to bailout at 8,000 feet ifhecould not succeed in starting the engine. I followed him down to 8,000 feet where he half-rolled and bailed out safely. Circling the area in his vicinity, I observed he landed safely, 3 miles west of Hertogenbosch Airdrome. The ship crashed and burst into flames some 25 miles further west."
359th:
360th:
361st:
360th:
Line-up Burke, Tucker, Clayborne, Broxton Knudsen, Pelletier, Lubbers, Malo Engel, Shelton, Richason, Wilmot Weber, Alphonse, Earnhart, Pietruszka* Vogt, Garient, Leathers, Taylor L'Heureux, Nebinger, Herin, Rhoades Ogden, Robinson, Olive, Servocky Cook, Leidy, Bluhm, Green Baccus, Wiggins, Faison, Hurley Korhorn, Hall, Campbell, Schlack Thorne, Gillette, Engelhorn, Swift Bailey, Morel, Thompson, Mills
June 15 (#155) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration-Iargel-withdrawal suppan from 0534 to 0943. Landfall came al 0700 near BerckSur-Mer and fifteen B-ITs were taken to Frevent and Doulles. The 360th and 361st broke at Doulles and swept while the 359th look the bombers to landfall-out, Dunkirk, at 0820. While sweeping the Amiens-Arras-Dreux area, three Me 109's were engaged southeast of Rouen and one was destroyed.
(1·0·2 air)
(11051)
359th:
Cota, Gleason, Olive, Douglas L'Heureux, Nebinger, Herin, Phillips Waller, Hargreaves, Burns, Clayton Fremaux, Roberts, Swift, Kovacs Strait, Hall, Wiggins, Schlack Thwaites, Morel, Faison, Mills Yoakum, Scheible, Kahle, Drake
Line-up White, Bruner, Craig, Collins Knudsen*', LeMoyne*, Richason, Wilmot Meholic, Mellinger, Forsyth, Bergstrom Peet, Chickering, Lubbers, Hoffert Engel, Shelton, Weber, Malo VagI, Green, Bluhm, Teel McHale, Pleasant, Leathers, Laviolette
3591h:
360th:
5/
Line-up Meholic, Bruner, Earnhart, Bergstrom Rubner, LeMoyne, Hoffert, Broxton Peet, Tucker, Richason, Pietruszka Tukey, Williams, Russell, Rideout Thome, Laviolette, Olive, Pleasant Cota, Nebinger, Leathers, Rhoades
The 356111 Fighter Group in World War /I
361st:
June 17 (#158) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration,target,withdrawal sup' port from 1849 to 2305. RIV and landfall came at 1950 near
Bailey, Roberts, Swift, Gillette Gansberg, Kovacs, Yoakum, Clayton
Korhorn" Scheible, Kahle, Drake Sqn 361st:
Claims
Cabourg and the 8-24's were taken to Tours. After escorting them back out to the coast, the group broke at 2240.
Location
Capt. W.R. Scheible
Me 109 dest(air)
SE Rouen
Capt. E. Korhorn
Me 109 dam(air)
SE Rouen
Lt. D. Kahle
Me 109 dam(air)
SE Rouen
359th:
June 16 (#156) LtCo!. Baccus led a dive,bombing mission from 1715 to 2023, After landfall at 1815 near Dunkirk, Ihe planes were
360th:
vectored to their target area. The 359th hit a marshalling yard and shot up a train with to railcars, then damaged 5 vehicles
361st:
and 10 barges, The 360th attacked a marshalling yard at Baupanne claiming 0,12 railcars and 0,1 truck there plus 0,3 barges later. 361st pilots bombed a marshalling yard at Nesle
June 18 (#159) LtCo!. Waller led a penetration,target,withdrawal sup, port from 0646 to 1050. RIV came north of Heligoland at 0840
where 50-plus railcars were damaged with frag-bombs, then three vehicles and a train were strafed.
359th:
360th:
361 st:
Line-up Baccus, Mellinger, Forsyth, Malo Clayborne, Bruner, Lubbers, Broxton Engel, LeMoyne, Craig, Chickering Vogt, Douglas, Green, Gleason Cook, Teel, Bluhm, Leidy Niemi, Rhoades, Herin, Robinson Bailey, Schlack, Faison, Thompson Thwaites, Hurley, Wiggins, Hall Campbell, Drake, Swift, Kovacs
with landfall coming shortly after. The bombers were taken to Misburg and Bremen then left at 0920 northwest of HeIigoland.
359th:
360th:
June 17 (#157) Maj. Thorne led a Type, 16 Control from 1103 to 1453. Landfall was at 1154 near Dieppe and the group patrolled the
361 st:
Dreux-Paris area. The mission was uneventful and the planes crossed out aL 1346 near Le Havre.
359th:
Line-up Burke, Mellinger, Forsyth, Malo Clayborne, Bruner, Lubbers, Broxton Engel, LeMoyne, Craig, Chickering Vogt, Gleason, Knapp, Servocky McHale, Garlent, Niemi, Taylor Cook, Teel, Green, Romine Tukey, Kovacs, Faison, Hall Thorne, Swift, Burns, Hurley Bailey, Schlack, Thwaites, Gillette
Line-up White, Alphonse, Earnhart, Pietruszka
Line-up White*, Alphonse, Earnhart, Pietruszka Wadlow, Bergstrom, Cline, Wilmot Meholic, Shelton, Richason*, Pelletier Peet, Tucker, Vossler, Hoffert Lubbers, Broxton(relays) Cota, Rideout, Mercer, Teel L' Heureux, Rhoades, Herin, Peacock Kress, Williams, Russell, Gleason Green, Laviolette, Leathers, Pleasant Waller, Thompson, Kahle, Roberts Campbell, Drake, Engelhorn, Hargreaves Bailey. Morel, Thwaites, Mills Yoaknm, Hurley, Burns, Scheible
Notes: Completed tour: Capt. Lester F. Kress
Wadlow, Bergstrom, Cline, Wilmot
360th:
Meholic, Shelton, Richason, Pelletier Peet, Tucker, Vossler, Hoffert Cota, Romine, Mercer, Rideout Kress, Servocky, Knapp, Williams
June 20 (#160) Maj. Thorne led a penetration,target,withdrawal sup' port from 0657 to 1118. Landfall came south of Egmond at 0808 and the B,24's were picked lip northeast of Hanover at 0900. These were taken to Misburg and back out to landfall,
Herin, Peacock, Olive, Robinson
from Bremerhaven to Cuxhaven, being left at 0950.
McHale, Garlent, Niemi, Pleasant
361st:
Thorne, Roberts, Burns, Hargreaves Waller, Thompson, Yoakum, Claylon Strait, Scheible, Kahle, Gillette Gansberg, Morel, Engelhorn, Mills
359th:
Line-up Thorne, Mellinger, Forsyth, Malo Peet, Bruner, Clayborne, Broxton*
52
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
360th:
361st:
Burke, LeMoyne, Craig, Chickering Engel, Wilmot, Vossler, Bergstrom Vogt, Gleason, Knapp, Servocky McHale, Garlent, Niemi, Taylor Cota, Robinson, Russell, Nebinger Cook, Rideout, Bluhm, Romine Strait, Schlack, Kovacs, Clayton Campbell, Gillette, Faison, Wiggins Gansberg, Mills, Swift, Hargreaves Fremaux, Morel, Kahle, Hall
June 21 (#163) Maj. Thorne led an area patrol from 1844 to 2102. The group covered the Berck-Sur-Mer-Neufchatel-Nayon area from 1925 until landfall-out at 20 I O.
359th: 360th: 361 st:
June 20 (#161) Maj. Thorne led an area support from 1856 to 2201. After landfall at 1942 near Le Touquet, the pilots patrolled the Arras area. Nothing developed and the group crossed out at 2117 near Le Treport.
359th:
360th:
361st:
June 22 (#164) Maj. Thorne led a penetration support from 1012 to 1350. RJV and landfall came near St. Valery at II 19 and the bombers hit V-I sites in the NUC01ll1 area. Two 359th flights strafed in the Gourney area shooting up four strings of railcars and two vehicles. The 361 st swept the Beauvais area after breaking off and crossed out at 1240 while the rest of the group broke at 1233 near St. Valery.
Line-up Ogden, Alphonse, Richason, Hoffert Knudsen, Tucker, Cline, Pelletier Meholic, Shelton, Weber, Broxton Thorne, Rhoades, Herin, Peacock Leathers, Taylor, Olive, Laviolette Green, Teel, Leidy, Douglas Bailey, Roberts, Burns, Hurley Engelhorn, Gillette, Thompson, Hargreaves Korhorn, Scheible, Yoakum, Drake
Line-up 359th: Burke*, Bergstrom, Rubner, Malo Ogden, Bruner, Clayborne, Pietruszka Engel*, LeMoyne, Broxton, Chickering 360th: Thorne, Romine, Green, Williams Adriani', Taylor, Niemi, Pleasant L'Heureux, Peacock, Herin, Nebinger • - possibly an observer from Wing HdQts 361st: Strait, Clayton, Fremaux, Gansberg Scheible, Gillette, Thompson, Morel Campbell, Roberts, Swift, Hargreaves
June 21 (#162) LtCol. Tukey led a penetration support from 0649 to 1147. The bombers were picked up north of Heligoland at 0850 and taken to Muritz Lake. After breaking near Schwerin at 0925, the group swept until landfall at 1045 near Egmond.
359th:
360th:
361 st:
Line-up Thorne, Bergstrom, Richason, Pelletier Weber, Shelton, Lubbers, Hoffert Cota, Garlent, Olive, Rhoades Leathers, Servocky, Leidy, Teel Waller, Mills, Kovacs, Hall Fremaux, Gillette, Thompson, Morel Strait, Roberts, Faison, Kahle
Line-up Burke, Bergstrom*, Rubner, Malo Clayborne, Bruner, Lubbers*, Pietruszka Engel, LeMoyne, Broxton, Chickering Peet, Mellinger*, Vossler, Wilmot Cline, Alphonse(relays) Vogt, Nebinger, Herin, Robinson McHale, Garlent, Niemi, Laviolette Cook, Rideout, Bluhm, Romine Knapp, Olive, Leidy, Gleason Tukey, Schlack, Wiggins, Drake Yoakum, Hurley, Burns, Clayton Bailey, Faison, Scheible, Mills Korhorn, Morel, Kahle, Hall
June 22 (#165) Capt. Cota led a Type-16 Control from 1706 to 2032. Landfall came near Dieppe at 1735 and the 359th flew to Rouen while the rest went to Dreux. A pair of Fw 190's were chased by a 359th flight from northwest ofRouen to northwest of Paris but no damage was done. A pair of 361 st pilots wok on a half dozen Me 109's near Evreux and downed one in a short scrap. Landfall was by flights from 1930 to 1945 in the Fecamp-Le Treport area. (1-0-0 air)
359th:
53
Line-up Meholic, Shelton, Wadlow, Pelletier Weber, Tucker, Richason, Hoffert Peet, Alphonse, Earnhart, Cline
The 356th Fighter Group ill World War II
360th:
36lst:
Cota, Rhoades, Leathers, Robinson Knapp, Douglas, Russell, Servocky Cook, Mercer, Bluhm, Leidy Korhorn, Mills, Kahle, Hall Faison, Drake, Wiggins, Morel Yoakum, Hurley, Burns, Schlack Claims
Sq1l
3615t:
Noles: Completed tour: Capt. Donald 1. Strait; Lt. Ray H.
Gansberg; both went to the States on leave before returning for a second tour. Also, both had completed their tours in late May but signed up for extensions due to the impending invasion.
June 25 (#168) Capt. Cota led a Type-I 6 Control from 0535 to 0830. Landfall came at 0625 near Le Treport and the group patrolled the Evreux-Rouen-Paris area. The 359th saw a train, but suspecting a flak trap, did not attack. The group later crossed out at 0744 near Le Touquet.
Locatio1l
Lt. \V.S. Hurley
(.5)Me 109 dest{air) Evreux
Lt. G.L. Yoakum
(.5)Me 109 desl(air) Evreux
June 23 (#166) Maj. Burke led an area patrol from 1812 to 2209. Landfall came at 1906 near Le Treport and a few bombers were picked up south of Paris at 1930. The bombers went to Soissons and were later left at landfaH, Schouwen, at 2130.
Line-up
359th:
360th: Line-up
359th:
360th:
361st:
Burke, Shelton, Weber, Pelletier' Wadlow, Tucker, Richason, Cline Peet, Alphonse, Vossler', Pietruszka* L' Heureux, Williams, Knapp, Gleason Green, Teel, Leidy, Romine Ogden, Peacock, Fletcher, Nebinger Strait, Swift, Engelhorn, Thompson Fremaux, Kahle, Clayton, Hargreaves Gansberg, Gillette, Kovacs, Scheible
361 st:
June 25 (#169) Lt. Rubner led a small withdrawal support from 0814 to II 10. Landfall was at 0847 near Furness and a single B-17 was picked up at 1015 south of Ostend. Escort was given lO Manston where the pilots broke at 1040.
June 24 (#167) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration-target-withdrawal support. RlV came at 1236 between Heligoland and Cuxhaven and the bombers split into two sections. The 360th and 361 st (plus a 359th flight) took some to Bremen and later left them over the Frisian Islands. Two flights of the 359th went to the Bremen area and broke north of Ijmuiden at 1343. The other 359th flight had broken earlier and crossed out over the Frisians.
Line-up
359th: 360th: 361 st:
360th:
361st:
Rubner, Mellinger, Craig, Bergstrom none Fremaux, Kahle, Robel1s, Clayton
June 25 (#170) Capt. Ogden led a Type-16 Control from 1049 to 1431. Landfall came at 1124 near Nieuport and the pilots flew to the St. Quentin area. The 361 st did RJV with a few B-I7's at 1230 near Arras and brought them out. The other squadrons swept the Arras-Mons-Hirshorn area then made landfall from 1303 to 1317 near Gravelines.
Line-lip
359th:
Meholic, Bruner, Clayborne, Forsyth Weber, LeMoyne, Earnhart, Malo Peet, Chickering, Lubbers, Pietruszka Cota, Romine, Bluhm, Leidy Leathers, Pleasant, Olive, Laviolette L'Heureux, Nebinger, Mercer, Peacock Korhorn, Morel, Kovacs, Gillette Faison, Mills, Swift, Hall Engelhorn, Upp, Thompson, Scheible
Meholic, Bruner, Clayborne, Forsyth Rubner*, Mellinger*, Craig*, Bergstrom* Engel, Chickering, Lubbers, Hoffert Knudsen, LeMoyne, Earnhart, Malo Vogt, Robinson, Fletcher, Rhoades Niemi, Garlent, Leathers, Pleasant Cook, Rideout, Bluhm, Mercer Thorne, Williams, Russell, Douglas Tukey, Mills, Yoakum, Hargreaves Campbell, Gillette, Wiggins, Drake Strait, Roberts, Hurley, Schlack Gansberg, Hall, Faison, Morel
Line~rtp
359th:
360th:
54
Ogden, Alphonse, Vossler, Broxton Knudsen, Shelton, Richason, Pelletier Engel, Tucker, Wadlow, Wilmot Cota. Teel, Leidy, Rideout Fletcher, Rhoades, Olive, Garlent Knapp, Douglas, Russell, Robinson
The 356(11 Fighter Group in World War Jl
361st:
Bailey, Upp, Swift, Hurley Engelhorn, Hargreaves, Bums, Schlack Faison, Drake, Thompson, Morel
June 29 (#173) Capt. Meholic led a penetration support from 0713 to 1140. Landfall was at 0804 near Egmond and some B-24's were picked up at 0818 over the Northeast Polder. Escort was broken at 0910 southwest of Hanover and the P-4Ts crossed out at 1005 near The Hague. Some 359th pilots strafed in the Meppen area and claimed I-I locos and 0-4 railcars.
June 27 (#171) Maj. Thome led a dive-bombing mission from 1814 to 2140. Landfall was at 1926 near Le Treport and the pilots attacked Coulommiers Airfield with little result. The group later crossed out at 2100 near Berck-Sur-Mer.
359th: 359th:
360th:
361sl:
Line¥up Burke', Shelton, Vossler, Hoffert Clayborne, Bruner, Forsyth, Chickering Weber, LeMoyne, Lubbers, Pietruszka Vogt, Laviolette, Niemi, Taylor Knapp, Servocky, Russell, Williams Fletcher, Peacock, Herin, ebinger Thorne, Hall, Kahle, Drake Fremaux, Upp, Thompson, Schlack Korhorn, Gillette, Hurley, Scheible
360th:
361 st:
June 28 (#172) LlCo!. Baccus led a sweep/withdrawal support from 0621 to 1015. Landfall came at 0720 between Dieppe and Le Treport, and while the 359th swept north, the other squadrons new to east of Paris to RIV with some bombers. The 359th strafed in the Ghent-Brussels area claiming 1-0 loco and 0-5 vehicles. Lt. Charles B. Earnhart hit either a tree or pole and bellied-in, evaded capture, and returned to England in September. A few 360th pilots also strafed after breaking and claimed 1-0 loco and 0-8 railcars. Landfall was by flights from 0915 to 0927 in the Walcheren area. Here is how the 359th stated Earnhart's loss, "Lt. Earnhart probably hit a tree or telephone pole while strafing trucks. He stated over the Rff that he was in trouble and was seen to crashland and run away from his aircraft, which was then strafed by Ll. Wadlow and Lt. Alphonse."
June 30 (#174) Maj. Thorne led a dive-bombing mission from 1847 to 2203. Landfall was at 1942 north of Le Treport and everyone later crossed out south ofLe Touquet at 2113. Near Montdidier, two 359th flights jettisoned their bombs as I I Me 109's were seen. No contact was made then one flight strafed near Arras claiming 3-1 locos and 3-2 railcars. The 360th had little success, claiming 0-1 bridge and 0-5 barges, while the 361 st did not attack as they were bounced (without damage) west of Laon by a dozen Me 109's. All pilots returned to England in good shape, though Lt. Clayborne (359th) landed dead-stick at Manston.
359th:
(llos!)
359th:
360th:
361sl:
Line-up White*, Shelton, Vossler, Hoffert Knudsen, Bruner, Clayborne, Bergstrom Meholic, Alphonse, Craig, Forsyth Weber, leMoyne, Lubbers, Malo' Vogt, Nebinger, Fletcher, Peacock Cook, Rideout, Leidy, Romine Knapp, Williams, Russell, Servocky Niemi, Taylor, Herin, Laviolette Korhorn, Hargreaves, Wiggins, Hall Thwaites, Schlack, Thompson, Upp Campbell, Drake, Kahle, Morel Fremaux, Roberts, Clayton, Gillette
360th:
Line-up Baccus, Mellinger, Rubner, Wilmot Wadlow, Alphonse, Earnhart, Pelletier Burke, Tucker, Richason, Broxton Ogden, Rhoades, Mercer, Robinson Leathers, Pleasant, Olive, Garlent Cook, Romine, Bluhm, Rideout Waller, Mills, Kovacs, Yoakum Scheible, Morel, Swift, Upp Bailey, Roberts, Clayton, Gillette
361 sl:
Line-up Burke, Mellinger, Cline, Wilmot Weber, LeMoyne, Clayborne, Hoffert Engel, Tucker, Forsyth, Bruner Vogt, Rideout, Knapp, Servocky Fletcher, Robinson, Leidy, Rhoades Herin, Teel, Bluhm, Gleason Thorne, Upp, Hurley, Schlack Bailey, Roberts, Swift, Scheible Campbell, Drake, Kahle, Hall
NOles: Completed tour: Lt. Robert L. Campbell: to 65th Fighter Wing HdQts
55
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
July 1 (#175) LtCo!. Baccus led an aborted dive-bombing mission from 1851 to 1947. Bad weather caused the pilots to be recalled just after reaching enemy territory.
Herin, Garlent, Olive, Laviolette
361st:
Knapp, Servocky, Green, Gleason Thorne, Wiggins, Thompson, Scheible Fremaux, Robens, Bums, Hall Korhorn, Schlack, Faison, Mills
Line-up
359th:
360th:
361 st:
Baccus, Shelton, Craig, Pietruszka Meholic, Malo, Lubbers, Bergstrom Peet, Alphonse, Vossler, Broxton Cota, Nebinger, Bluhm, Teel McHale, Pleasant, Olive, Taylor Ogden, Gleason, Russell, Williams none listed
JulyS (#178) LtCo!. Tukey led a sweep from 0744 to 1057. After crossing in at 0834 near Le Trepon, the pilots swept the OrIeans-Rouen area until crossing out east of Dieppe at 1005. With the 359th providing cover, the rest claimed 0-1 barge plus two trains and over 50 railcars damaged. Line-up
July 4 (#176) LtCo!' Waller led a penetration-target-withdrawal support from 0600 to 0927. RIV and landfall came at 0712 in the
359th:
Dieppe-Le Treport area and the B-I7's were taken lO their tar-
get and back out. The 360th broke at 0755 to chase some bo-
360th:
gies but nothing developed and they re-joined the rest of the
group. Landfall-out was then from 0831 to 0835 in the BayeauxAult area.
Tukey, Peacock, Fletcher, Rhoades Knapp, Gleason, Bluhm, Williams L'Heureux, Taylor, Olive, Pleasant Green, Rideout, Mercer, Teel
361st: Line-lip
359th:
Burke, Tarbutton, Lubbers, Bruner Engel, Chickering, Cline, Wilmot Rubner, Tucker, Clayborne, Hoffert Knudsen, Alphonse, Craig*', Malo
Burke, Tarbutton, Lubbers, LeMoyne Rubner, Tucker, Clayborne, Hoffert
Bailey, Lewis, Kovacs, Upp Engelhom, Gillette, Kahle, Drake Ogden, Ashby, Clayton, Mills Thwaites, Hargreaves, Hurley, Scheible
Engel, Chickering, Cline, Wilmot
360th:
July 6 (#179) LtCo!. Baccus led a dive-bombing mission from 0511 to 0841. Landfall was at 0605 northeast of Dieppe and a num-
Ogden, Gleason. Green, Williams L'Heureux, Rhoades, Aetcher, Robinson
Cook, Mercer, Bluhm, Teel McHale, Pleasant, Olive, Taylor 361 st:
ber of targets were attacked in the Fithviers-Gisors-Pontoise-
Fontainbleau area. A stray Me 109 was picked off on the deck south of Fontainbleau and other claims included 2-5 locos, 360 railcars, 1-0 truck, and a number of hits on tracks. The group then crossed out from 0802 to 0805 in the Cayeaux-Le Treport
Waller, Roberts, Wiggins, Morel
Yoakum, Upp, Thompson, Schlack Korhorn, Drake, Clayton, Hall Thwaites, Hurley, Kahle, Scheible
area.
July 4 (#177) LtCo!. Baccus led a dive-bombing mission from 1508 to 1850. Landfall was at 1557 in the Dunkirk-Ostend area and
(1-0-0 air) Line-up
359th:
targets were hit in the Versoull-Cambrai-Joinville area. Claims
amounted to 4-4 locos, 0-6 railcars, 0-6 trucks, 2-5 barges, and 0-1 flak tower. The group later crossed out by squadrons from 1745 to 1830 near Gravelines. 360th: Line-up
359th:
Baccus, Shelton, Wadlow, Bergstrom Weber, Malo, Forsyth, Pietruszka
361st:
Meholic, Pelletier, Richason, Broxton
360th:
Cook, Peacock, Leidy, Romine
56
Burke, Tarbutton, Lubbers, Bruner Rubner, Tucker, Clayborne, Hoffert Engel, Chickering, Cline, Pietruszka Knudsen, Alphonse, Craig, Malo Cota, Douglas, Knapp, Servocky McHale, Garlent, Leathers, Taylor Cook, Teel, Green, Romine Baccus, Tillman, Thompson, Gillette Yoakum, Schlack, Wiggins, Upp Thome, Roberts, Kovacs, Hargreaves Faison, Mills, Clayton, Hall
The 356r1l Fighter Group ;/1 World War II
Sqll 361st:
Ll. E.L. Thompson
Claims
Location
Nores: LtCo!. William Waller flew his last mission today but
Me 109 dest(air)
SlFontainbleau
he would stay on as 361st CO until his replacement arrived on July 16.
July 6 (#180) Capt. Ogden led aType-16 Control from 1843 to 2215. After landfall at 1940 over Le Trepon, the 359th flew to south of Rouen where they picked up some B-24's. These were taken to west of Amiens and left at the coast, then the squadron flew back in and swept the Rouen-Paris area. The 360th dive-bombed the airfield at Dreux aud started a number of fires, while the 361 st patrolled the Beauvais area without incident. After reforming, the group crossed out south of Bologne at 2 I30.
July 8 (#182) LtCo!. Tukey led MEW Control sweep from 051410 0845. Landfall came at 0607 near Le Trepon and the pilots later crossed out at 0808 in the same area. The Dunkirk-AmiensLille area was covered and claims amounted to 2-0 trucks and 0-8 railcars.
359th: 359th:
360th:
361 Sl:
Line-up Ogden, Shelton, Craig, Bergstrom Wadlow, Pelletier, Richason, Malo Peet, Tarbutton, Cline, Broxton Weber. Tucker, Forsyth, Pietruszka Thorne, Taylor, Leathers, Pleasant Knapp, Gleason, Russell, Williams Fletcher, Nebinger, Herin, Peacock Bluhm, Romine, Mercer, Rideout Waller, Rodgers, Kahle, Drake Korhorn, Ashby, Kovacs, Mills Bailey, Whitmore, Scheible, Gillette Fremaux, Lewis, Burns, Hall
360th:
361st:
July 8 (#183) LlCo!. Baccus led a dive-bombing mission from 1146 to 1503. After landfall at 1235 southwest of Le Treport, Cormeilles-en-Vixen Airfield was bombed with poor results. Pilots then strafed in the Beauvais area and claimed 1-2 locos and 0-50 railcars. The group iater crossed out at 1415 in the Le Trepan area.
July7 (#181) LlCo!. Tukey led a penetration suppon from 0645 to 1130. RN was made at 0800 near Meppel and the bombers were left south of I ordhausen at 0915. Capt. Weber and Lt. leMoyne (359th) destroyed a loco on the way out and the group crossed out from Egmond to Overflakkee.
359th:
360th:
361sl:
Line-up White, Tarbutton, Lubbers, Chickering Wadlow', Pelletier, Richason, Malo Peet, Mellinger, Craig, Bergstrom Cota, Taylor, Olive, Laviolette Green, Rideout, Mercer, Leidy Knapp, Gleason, Russell, Servocky Tukey, Ashby, Kovacs, Morel Thwaites, Tillman, Gillette, Scheible Engelhom, Whitmore, Swift, Hargreaves
359th:
360th:
Line-up Peet, Tarbutton, Cline*, Broxton Wadlow, Pelletier, Richason* Weber, LeMoyne, Forsyth, Pietruszka Knudsen, Mellinger, Lubbers, Bergstrom Hoffen(relay) Tukey, Servocky, Russell, Douglas Cota, Teel, Green, Romine L'Heureux, Robinson, Fletcher, Nebinger McHale, Pleasant, Leathers, Garlent Waller, Ashby, Swift, Morel Thwaites, Tillman, Thompson, Schlack Bailey, Lewis, Kahle, Hargreaves Korhom, Robens, Burns, Upp
361 Sl:
Line-up Baccus, Alphonse, Rubner, Broxton Burke, Cline, Clayborne, Hoffen Weber, LeMoyne, Forsyth, Pietruszka Thorne, Servocky, Knapp, Gleason McHale, Taylor, Leathers, Pleasant Cota, Peacock, Herin, Robinson Ogden, Teel, Russell, Rideout Tukey, Rodgers, Kahle, Gillette Fremaux, Lewis, Thompson, Drake Bailey, Robens, Mills, Schlack Faison, Upp, Swift, Morel
July 9 (#184) Capt. Weber led a MEW Control sweep from 1130 to 145 I. The original leader, Maj. White, was forced to crashland at Woodbridge just after take-off. Landfall was made at 1216 in the Ostend-Dunkirk area and after an uneventful patrol of the Cambrai-Reims-Brussels area, the group crossed out at 1410 near Ostend.
57
The 356th Fighter Group in World War !l
359th:
360th:
Line-up
361st:
Baccus, Whitmore, Scheible, Hargreaves Engelhorn, Tillman, Bums, Schlack Bailey, Ashby, Hurley, Hall Thwaites, Lewis, Wiggins, Rodgers
White*, Tarbutton, Cline, Chickering Wadlow, Pelletier, Richason, Malo Weber, LeMoyne, Forsyth, Pietruszka L'Heureux, Garlent, Leidy, Laviolette Green, Taylor, Mercer, Rideout
Notes: Completed tour: Capt. James R. Cook
Fletcher, Nebinger, Herin, Peacock
361st:
Thwaites, Rodgers, Bums, Hargreaves Engelhorn, Whitmore, Yoakum, Scheible Kovacs, Ashby, Upp, Drake
July 12 (#187) Maj. Thorne led a withdrawal support from 1451 to 1756. Landfall was made at 1542 near Ostend and R/V with some stragglers was at 1605 near St. Michel. The 360th made
July 11 (#185) Maj. Vogt led an escort from 0940 to 1350. Landfall came at 1025 and RN followed at 1035 near Ghent. The bombers were left west of Donauworth at 1140 although three B-24
two trips back in after the first box was left at the coast to bring other bombers out.
stragglers were taken out to the coast.
359th:
Line-up
White, Tarbutton, Richason, Chickering Wadlow, Pelletier, Bruner*, Tucker*
Line~up
359th:
360th:
White, Tarbutton, Richason, Chickering Wadlow, Pelletier, Cline, Malo Peet, Mellinger, Bruner, Bergstrom
360th:
361 st:
Weber, LeMoyne, Forsyth, Pietruszka Hoffert, Shelton(relays) Vogt, Gleason, Knapp, Williams Fletcher, Laviolette, Leathers, Pleasant L'Heureux, Nebinger, Herin, Rhoades
361st:
Notes: Completed tour: Lt. William G. Craig
Bluhm, Teel, Mercer, Leidy Bailey, Roberts, Kahle, Schlack
July 14 (#188) LtCo!' Tukey led a withdrawal support from 0904 to 1313. Landfall was at 0945 near Le Treport with RN coming southwest of Orleans at 1025. The bombers were left at 1130 near St. Valery, then the group swept the Evreux area before
Faison, Hall, Swift, Lewis
Korhorn, Tillman, Clayton, Morel Fremaux, Drake, Mills, Hargreaves
July 12 (#186) LtCo!. Baccus led a penetration support from 1007 to 1345. Landfall came at 1057 near Knocke and RN was accomplished at IllS near Ghent. The B-I?'s were left southeast
crossing out near Dieppe. Line-up
359th:
Tukey, Chickering, Lubbers, Tucker Rubner, Mellinger, Bruner, Shelton Engel, Pelletier, Cline, Malo Peet, Alphonse, Hoffert*, Bergstrom
360th:
Cota, Romine, Bluhm, Rideout Niemi, Laviolette, Olive, Taylor L'Heureux, Peacock, Leidy, Nebinger Knapp, Williams, Russell, Servocky Thorne, Rodgers, Swift, Gillette
of Luxembourg at I 157 and the group crossed out at 1243 near
Knocke.
Wadlow, LeMoyne, Richason, Pietruszka
Line-up
359th:
Burke, Bruner, Lubbers, Tucker Rubner, Alphonse, Vossler, Shelton Engel*, Pelletier, Cline*, Malo Peet, Mellinger, Hoffert, Bergstrom
360th:
Engel, Alphonse, Cline, Shelton L'Heureux, Rideout, Mercer, Pleasant Knapp, Servocky, Russell, Williams Bluhm, Teel, Leidy, Taylor Thorne, Mills, Kahle, Morel Korhorn, Hurley, Clayton, Drake Weber, LeMoyne, Craig, Pietruszka (all 359th pilots)
Cook, Romine, Mercer, Rideout Adrian', Williams, Russell, Gleason
361st:
Fremaux, Lewis, Burns, Hall
Korhorn, Upp, Kahle, Whitmore Faison, Tillman, Scheible, Ashby
L'Heureux, Robinson, Herin, Peacock McHale, Laviolette, Niemi, Olive • - possibly an observer from Wing HdQts
58
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
July 15 (11189) Maj. Vogl led a strafing mission from 1727 to 2035. While the 359th gave cover, the rest looked for targets in the Sens-Compiegne area. A rail-line near Gisors was bombed by the 360lh while the 361 st brought their bombs home. A Me 109 was seen near Beauvais but it evaded in the overcast.
359th:
360th:
361s!:
Line-up Meholic, Perry, Richason, Chickering Vossler, leMoyne, Forsyth, Malo Knudsen, Bergstrom, Broxton, Pietruszka Lubbers, Griswold(relays) Yogt, Rhoades, Fletcher, Peacock Green, Garlenl, Leidy, Romine L'Heureux, Douglas, Russell, Servocky Korhorn, Ashby, Clayton, Roberts Thwaites, Whitmore, Kovacs, Mills Yoakum, Wiggins, Swift, Tillman
359th:
Notes: Maj. James M. Cooper took command of the 361 st this day, replacing LtCol. Waller. Cooper, overseas since 1942, had completed an earlier 250 hour tour with Ihe PA7 equipped 78th Fighter Group and had two damaged claims to his credit.
July 18 (11192) LICol. Tukey led a patrol from 1850 to 2220. Landfall was northeast of Dieppe at 1945 and the group covered the Evreux-Dreux area. At 2130 they were vectored 10 Triqueville, nothing was seen, and the PATs crossed out at 2138 near Dieppe.
359th:
360th:
July 16 (11190) LICol. Baccus led a penetration support from 0642 to 1033. RlV was over the North Sea at 0725 and landfall came at 0734 over the Dutch Islands. The 4th Fighler Group relieved the PATs at 0755 near Brussels, then the group made a second RJV at 0830. These bombers were left easl of Trier at 0905 and the pilots crossed out near Knocke.
361 sl:
Line-lip Tukey, Malo, Forsyth, Bergslrom Engel, Griswold, Weber, Tucker Bruner, Chickering(relays) Vogt, Servocky, Knapp, Douglas Ogden, Pleasant, Olive, Laviolette Thorne, Whitmore, Kovacs, Schlack Cooper, Tillman, Swift, Mills
Notes: An aflernoon practice flight by some 360th pilots ended with the dealh of one man. Ll. Shirley J. Green and Lt. Wayne E. Leather; collided, and while Leather; put down safely, Green died in the crash of his plane near Woodbridge. The following is an account of the accident, "Lt. Green scheduled a four ship training flight. Just before take·off it was discovered Ihat IWO of the ships would be late in taking-off. Arrangements were made to join up with Lt. Green over the field. Ll. Leathers, on a solo hop, asked to fly wilh Lt. Green and his wingman until the others arrived. Thus, a three ship flight was in close formation when the olhers joined them. One of the ships pulled oul in front of the three ship formation and did a barrell roll. This so surprised Ll. Green that he nosed over sharply. Both Lt. Green's wingmen lost sight of him and proceeded straight ahead in a slight climb. Ll. Green then pulled up evidently still walching the ship roll and hit the ship piloted by Ll. Leathers. The propellor of Lt. Leather's ship cut the tail off of Ll. Green's ship and he crashed near Woodbridge, Suffolk." (l killed)
Line·lip Burke, Chickering, Lubbers', Tucker Rubner, Mellinger, Bruner, Shelton Engel, Pellelier, Cline, Malo Meholic, Alphonse, Vossler, Bergstrom 3601h: Cota, Williams, Russell, Douglas Bluhm, Rideout, Leidy, Teel Adrian·, Taylor, Olive, Laviolette Flelcher, Nebinger, Rhoades • - possibly an observer from Wing HdQls 361 sl: Baccus, Schlack, Hurley, Lewis Fremaux, Hall, Kahle, Hargreaves Korhorn, Morel, Thompson, Gilletle Faison, Rodgers, Burns, Upp
359th:
July 16 (11191) LtCol. Baccus led four PATs on a weather recon with bombs. Landfall was at 1545 near Le Treport and the pilots flew to the Paris area. Lt. Forsyth scored one hit on a runway at Conches, and Baccus and Lt. Perry had two near hits on some tracks. The planes later crossed out near Le Treport at 1705.
July 19 (#193) LtCol. Baccus led an escort/sweep from 0720 to 1127. RJV with some B-24's came over the North Sea at 0748 and these were left southeast of Strasbourg at 0912. At this point the group splil, with the 3591h flying to northeaSI of Saarbrucken
59
\
Line-up Baccus, Pen'y, Forsyth, Pietruszka
The 3561h Fighter Group in World War 1/
where RIV was made with four small boxes of bombers. They later broke northeast of Trier at 0938 without problem. Three flights of the 36lst patrolled the Ludwigshafen area, while the 360th and parts of the 359th did some strafing. A pair of Me
359th:
410's were damaged at Le Culot and other claims were 3-0
360th:
locos, 0-5 railcars, and 0-1 staff car before landfall at 1050 near Nieuport. Lt. LeMoyne was wounded by flak and he landed
Engel, Perry, Richason, Tucker Knudsen, Bergstrom, Broxton, Tarbutton Meholic, Alphonse, Pietruszka, Mellinger Weber, Shelton, Vossler, Forsyth Vogt, Teel, Mercer, Rideout McHale, Taylor, Niemi, Pleasant Cota, Gleason, Russell, Williams
at Manston where his ship was a write-off.
L'Heureux, Robinson, Rhoades, Nebinger
(0·2 ground)
361sl:
Tukey, Hurley, Burns, Ashby Engelhorn, Hargreaves, Clayton, Mills
Cooper, Upp, Kovacs, Schlack Thwaites, Morel, Thompson, Hall
Line-up
359th:
Engel, Perry, Richason, Tucker Knudsen, Bergstrom, Broxton, Tarbutton
360th:
361st:
Meholic, Alphonse, Pietruszka, Mellinger Weber, LeMoyne, Forsyth, Shelton Baccus, Williams, Knapp, Gleason McHale, Taylor, Niemi, Pleasant
July 20 (#196) Maj. Thorne led a withdrawal support from 1010 to 1400. Landfall came at 1050 near Ostend with RIV at 1153 in
Fletcher, Peacock, Rhoades, Robinson
with landfall coming there.
the Giessen area. The bombers were left at Schouwen at 1135
Bailey, Lewis, Hurley, Hargreaves Ogden, Hall, Clayton, Morel
Line-up
Yoakum, Drake, Kahle, Schlack
359th: 360th: 361 sl:
Engelhorn, Roberts, Wiggins, Tillman Sqn 359th:
Claims
Location
Capl. H. Weber
Me 410 dam(grd)
Le Culot
Ll. H.P. LeMoyne
Me 410 dam(grd)
Le Culot
Clayborne, Bruner, Malo, Pelletier* Knapp, Servocky, Bluhm, Romine Thorne, Tillman, Kahle, Drake
July 21 (#197) LtCo!. Baccus led a penetration support from 0803 to 1203. Landfall was at 0855 near Schouwen and RIV followcd at 0910. The 359th broke at 0935 northwest of Karlsruhe and
July 19 (#194) Maj. White led a withdrawal support from 0953 to 1310. Landfall came at 1036 near Knocke and RN followed at 1050 near Antwerp. The bombers were left at the coast at 1055, then
one flight strafed on the way out, claiming] -0 loco and]-5
vehicles. The rest brokefrom 1010 to 1015 in the Neuenkirchen area and landfall was from 1107 to IJ 16 in the Ostend-
the group flew back in, took more bombers out, and broke from
Schouwen area.
these at 1230 over the Channe!. Line-up
359th: 360th: 36lst:
359th:
Line-up White, Bruner, Lubbers, Pelletier* none
Korhorn, Whitmore, Swift, Mills
Baccus, Perry, Vossler, Forsyth Weber, Hoffert*, Pietruszka, Mellinger Knudsen, Alphonse, Broxton, Tarbutton Engel, Shelton, Richason, Tucker
360th:
July 20 (#195) LtCo!. Tukey led a penetration support from 0855 to 1400. After landfall near Walcheren at 0942, R/V was made at 0945 near Turnhout. The bombers were left at 1200 southwest of Coblenz and landfall was near Walcheren at 1304. Capt. Carmen F. Rhoades and Lt. Robert A. Robinson (360th) collided near Hisenden but both bailed out safely.
Vogt, Servocky, Russell, Gleason Bluhm, Rideout, Mercer, Romine
L'Heureux, Nebinger, Fletcher, Peacock McHale, Pleasant, Niemi, Taylor
36lst:
Bailey, Rodgers, Wiggins, Lewis Engelhorn, Roberts, Thompson, Hall Fremaux, Ashby, Swift, Whitmore Yoakum, Mills, Scheible, Tillman
(2 lost)
July 21 (#198) Capt. Mehohc led a withdrawal support from 0952 to 1420. Landfall came at 1035 near Coxyde and R/V with the B-
Line-up
60
The 356th Fighter Group in World War Il
24's was at I 143 northeast of Saarbrucken. The bombers were then taken to landfall, Westhoofd, at 1303.
359th: 360th: 361 sl:
July 25 (#20 I) Capt. Bailey led an area cover from 1826 to 2227. The four planes crossed in at 1915 near Le TrepOit and the pilots looked over Creton Airfield but made no attacks.
Line-up Meholic, Bruner, Lubbers, Pelletier Cota, Knapp, Teel, Williams Korhorn, Hurley, Clayton, Drake
361 st:
July 24 (# 199) Maj. Vogt led an area support from 1128 to 1527. Landfall came at 1223 near St. Valery and the pilots swept to southwest ofRennes until 1415. Nothing developed and they crossed out at 1433 near Le Havre.
359th:
360th:
361st:
July 25 (#202) Maj. Vogt led an area patrol from 1841 to 2215. The 479th Fighter Group was picked up over its base at Wattisham but the P-38's later aborted at the enemy coast. The 56th Fighter Group was then contacted and given cover while they attacked targets in the Beauvais-Paris area. North of Paris, a lone Me 109 was chased and damaged and the planes later crossed oul at 2145 in the Dieppe-Le Treport area. (0-0-1 air)
Line-up Weber, Perry, Vossler, Forsyth Engel, Mellinger, Bruner, Hoffert Meholic, Shelton, Richason, Tucker Ogden*, Alphonse, Broxton, Tarbutton Vogl, Romine, Mercer, Teel McHale, Taylor, Niemi, Laviolette L' Heureux, Peacock, Olive, Nebinger Knapp, Douglas, Servocky, Gleason Cooper, Mills, Hurley, Hargreaves Faison, Swift, Schlack, Morel Yoakum, Upp, Kovacs, Drake Engelhorn, Scheible, Kahle, Rodgers
359th:
360th:
361st: NOles: Completed tour: Capt. Gardner W. Engel; Capt. Herbert
Weber July 25 (#200) LtCo!' Baccus led an area support from 0946 to 1323. Landfall was in the Dieppe-St. Valery area at 1045, the group swept the Paris area without incident, and landfall-out came at
361sl:
Claims
Loea/ioll
Capl. N.D. COla
(.5)Mc 109 dam(air) NW Paris
Lt. C.M. Taylor
(.5)Mc 109dam(air) NW Paris
July 26 (#203) Maj. White led a dive-bombing effort from 1706 to 2008. The group crossed in at 1755 near Le Treport and due to overcast had to orbit the Beauvais area until a hole was found. The main target, an oil dump, was then attacked with the 56th Fighter Group and flames were seen afterward. The 360th also shot up a few vehicles and 65 railcars before the planes made landfall at 1912 near St. Valery.
Line~tlp
360th:
Line-up White, Perry, Bruner, Chickering Clayborne, Shelton, Hoffert, Alphonse Knudsen, LeMoyne, Vossler, Pietmszka Peet, Griswold, Forsyth, Tucker Vogt, Leidy, Mercer, Romine Cota, Olive, Taylor, Laviolette Knapp, Teel, Herin, Douglas L'Heureux, Pleasant, Russell, Nebinger Cooper, Mills, Swift, Whitmore Faison, Morel, Scheible, Drake Ogden, Roberts, Kovacs, Gillette
Sqn
360th:
1230.
359th:
Line-up Bailey, Morgan, Kahle, Schlack
Burke, Griswold, Cline*, Malo Rubner, Mellinger, Bruner, Hoffert Meholic, Shelton, Clayborne, Bergstrom Wadlow, Tarbutton, Broxton, Alphonse Cota, Pleasant, Olive, Peacock McHale, Taylor, Niemi, Laviolette Ogden, Servocky, Douglas, Williams Bluhm, Teel, Russell, Romine Baccus, Tillman, Gillette, Clayton Fremaux, Whitmore, Thompson, Roberts Cooper, Hall, Swift, Upp Thwaites, Ashby, Hurley, Lewis
359th:
61
Line-up White, Griswold, Cline, Malo Rubner, Mellinger, Bruner, Chickering Meholic, Tucker, Forsyth, LeMoyne Wadlow, Tarbutton, Broxton, Pietruszka
The 356th Fighter Group in World War II
360th:
361 Sl:
L'Heureux, Nebinger, Fletcher, Peacock McHale, Laviolette, Leathers, Garlent Knapp, Taylor, Williams, Douglas Bluhm, Rideout, Mercer, Teel Korhom, Ashby, Scheible, Upp Fremaux, Hargreaves, Swift, Lewis Thwaites, Schlack, Kovacs, Morgan Yoakum, Gillette, Clayton, Roberts
361 st:
Notes: Completed tour: Capt. James J. Meholic
July 29 (#206) Maj. Cooper led an area patrol from 0643 to 1045. Landfall came at 0741 near Le Trepan and the group patrolled the Evreux-Paris-Argentan area. A 359th flight strafed Illiers L'Euegne Airfield and damaged some trucks while another flight hit St. Andre de L'Eure and damaged a He III. The pilots later crossed out at 0945 in the Le Trepon area.
NOles: Completed tour: Capt. Evert Korhorn
July 27 (#204) LtCo!. Baccus led a Type-I 6 Control from 0543 to 0901. Landfall was at 0630 near Ostend and the pilots swept the St. Quentin-Paris area. Baccus and part of the 361 st strafed COlmeilles-en-Vixen Airfield where he destroyed a He III and others claimed 2-0 trucks and 0-2 buildings. Landfall-out was spread from St. Valery to Ostend around 0820.
(0-1 ground) Lil1e~up
359th:
(1-0 groul/d)
360th:
Line-up
3591h:
3601h:
361 sl:
Burke, Griswold, Hoffert, Malo Vossler, Pelletier, Forsyth, LeMoyne Meholic, Perry, Bruner, Chickering Peel, Tarbutton, Clayborne, Bergstrom Vogt, Leidy, Douglas, Williams Mercer, Teel, Russell, Romine Fletcher, Peacock, Olive, Pleasant Leathers, Garlent, Taylor, Laviolette Baccus, Rodgers, Hurley, Drake Faison, Gillette, Kahle, Ashby Fremaux, Lewis, Thompson, Morgan Yoakum, Hall, Mills, Roberts
Sq1l
HdQts:
LtCal. D.A. Baccus
Claims
Location
He III dest(grd)
Carmeilles·en·Vixen
36lst:
360th:
White, Griswold, Bruner, Shelton Vossler, Pietruszka, Forsyth, Alphonse Peet, Perry, Cline, Bergstrom Knudsen, Chickering, Mellinger, Malo Baccus, Rideout, Mercer, Romine McHale, Garlent, Niemi, Taylor Knapp, Williams, Gleason, Servoeky Fletcher, Douglas, Olive, Nebinger Cooper, Lewis, Hurley, Rodgers Ogden, Gillette, Swift, Morel Bailey, Morgan, Thompson, Tillman Fremaux, Whitmore, Upp, Hall
Sqll
359th:
Capt. G.B. Peel
Claims
Location
He III darn(grd)
$1.
Andre de L'Eure
Noles: Completed tour: Capt. Thomas F. Bailey
July 31 (#207) Maj. Vogt led an area patrol from 1002 to 1308. Landfall was at 1046 near Nieupon and the group swept the I amurLaon-Amiens-Paris-Dieppe area until crossing out at 1235 near Dunkirk.
July 28 (#205) Maj. Thorne led a Type-l 6 Control from 0720 to 1003. Landfall was made at 0800 near Berck-Sur-Mer and the group later crossed out at 0940 near St. Valery. Attacks in the Reims area netted 1-2 locos and 13-0 vehicles.
359th:
Cooper, Ashby, Kovacs, Sehlack Yoakum, Hargreaves, Upp, Morel Fremaux, Roberts, Seheible, Gillette
359th:
Line-up Thorne, Griswold, Richason, Tucker Rubner, Tarbutton, Bruner, Broxton Meholic, Perry, Hoffert, Pelletier Ogden, Garlent, Leathers, Laviolette Bluhm, Leidy, Romine, Rideout Herin, Servocky, Douglas, Gleason
360th:
361st:
62
Line-up Ogden, Griswold, Richason, Tarbutton Clayborne, Alphonse, Broxton, LeMoyne Peet, Perry, Hoffert, Pietruszka Vogt, Williams, Herin, Servocky Niemi, Garlent, Taylor, Lavioletre L' Heureux, Pleasant, Fletcher, Peacock Cooper, Lewis, Hurley, Ashby Faison, Schlack, Swift, Roberts Thwaites, Drake, Clayton, Tillman
The 356rh Fighrer Group ill World War Il
Notes: Completed tour: Capt. Robert C. L'Heureux
August 2 (#211) Maj. Thorne led a dive-bombing mission from 1744 to 2042. After landfall at 1848, the pilots new to Clermont and
July 31 (#208) Maj. White led a sweep from 1220 to 1610. After landfall northeast of Ostend at 1301, the PATs swept the GilzeRijen-Liege-Laon-Ghent-Brussels area until landfall over the Dutch Islands from 1530 to 1550.
made these claims: the 359th scored some hits on a bridge and
damaged a train; the 360th hit a marshalling yard at Clermont and damaged 15 railcars plus hit a bridge. The 361 st gave cover, and while doing this, Lt. Swift and Ll. Hall collided. Both, however, managed to make it home and land safely.
359th: 360th: 361st:
Line·up White, Pelletier, Forsyth, Shelton Russell, Leidy, Rideout, Teel Yoakum, Kahle, Upp, Morgan
Line-up
359th:
360th:
Notes: Completed tour: Maj. Ernest J. White; stayed on as CO until early August then went back to the States on leave prior to returning for a second tour.
361st: July 31 (#209) Maj. Cooper led an area patrol from 1349 to 1715. Landfall came near Knocke at 1432, the pilots orbitted the LiegeTrier area until 1630, then crossed out at 1654 over the Dutch Islands.
359th:
Yoakum, Rodgers, Hurley, Morgan
Notes: Maj. James N. Wood returned to the 361 st for a second tour. He assumed the job of Operations Officer as Capl. Thomas F. Bailey prepared to return to the States.
Line-up Wadlow, Griswold, Richason, Chickering
August 3 (#212) LlCo!. Baccus led a MEW Cono'ol from 1811 to 2050. Landfall came in the Knocke area at 1854 and all three squadrons made attacks against ground targets. The 360th and 361 st
Vossler, Bergstrom, LeMoyne, Malo
360th:
Rubner, Tarbutton, Pietruszka, Mellinger Cota, Pleasant, Olive, Nebinger Herin, Williams, Douglas, Gleason
361sl:
Thorne, Alphonse, Richason, Chickering Vossler, leMoyne, Forsyth, Pietruszka Peet, Tarbutton, Lubbers, Broxton Ogden, Romine, Russell, Rideout Herin, Williams, Servocky, Gleason Fletcher, Peacock, Olive, Pleasant Cooper, Schlack, Swift, Hall Engelhorn, Drake, Kahle, Clayton
hit a field near Chievres and left fires among the hangars and buildings. the 359th bombed a marshalling yard near Namur and recorded a few hits. The group later crossed alit at 2027 near Knocke.
Bluhm, Laviolene, Taylor, Garlent Cooper, Nystrom, Thompson, Whitmore Swift, Gillene, Kovacs, Scheible Thwaites, Lewis, Hargreaves, Rodgers
Line-up
August 1 (#210) LtCo!. Tukey led a Type-16 Control from 1347 to 1734. The pilots made landfall at 1445 near Le Treport, flew to Beauvais and Paris, then crossed out at 1630 north of Fecamp.
359th:
Burke, Malo, Bruner, Shelton Rubner, Tucker, Cline, Pelletier
360th:
Baccus, Kennedy, Olive, Teel
Ogden, Mellinger, Hoffert, Bergstrom McHale, Garlent,
359th:
360th:
361st:
Line-up Peet, Griswold, Cline, Chickering Clayborne, Bergstrom, Hoffert, Alphonse Wadlow, Perry, Shehon, Malo Vogt, Garlent, Leathers, Laviolette Mercer, Teel, Russell, Rideout Knapp, Servocky, Douglas, Gleason Tukey, Whitmore, Kovacs, Rodgers Ogden, Ashby, Thompson, Nystrom
361sl:
iemi, Laviolette
Knapp, Taylor, Douglas, Servocky Thwaites, Whitmore, Hargreaves, Tillman Kahle, Nystrom, Upp, Ashby Yoakum, Lewis, Mills, Morel
August 4 (#213) LlCo!. Tukey led a penetration-target-withdrawal support from 1044 to 1533. Landfall came at 1233 south of Cuxhaven and RlV was made at 1240. The bombers were taken to Luneburg and back out to south of Hamburg, being left at 1315. Right before breaking, 25-plus Me 109's were sighted
Thwaites, Tillman, Hargreaves, Lewis
63
The 3561h Fighter Group in World War If
The 361 st pilots R!V'd off Orfordness and broke from their aborting bomber at 1945 near Dunkirk. The 359th's B-17 also abolted at Dunkirk and was left at 1955 off Orfordness. The
and engaged near Hamburg. 15 ki lis were recorded with three
pilots claiming doubles, including Lt. Fletcher, who bagged his without firing a shot! While he chased a pair of 109's on the deck, one hit a tree and exploded, and the second touched
360th's charge did fly its mission, crossing in at 1945 near Dunkirk and crossing out at 20 12. In addition, four P-47's flew cover patrol, crossing in at 1940 near Gravelines and crossing out near Dunkirkat 2000.
ground, skidded a ways, then burst into flames. Lt. Joseph ,",V.
Mills (361 st) was last heard from near Hamburg and was still MIA at war's end. Following is a description of his loss. "Lt. Mills helped to engage 75 plus hostile aircraft. Climbing to 38,000 feet he dropped back approximately 300 yards behind his element
Line-lip
359th: 360th: 361st:
leader. When his element leader went to protect the Flight
Leader from a Me 109, Lt. Mills became separated. At 20,000 feet when his element leader pulled out of a dive, he heard on
bombers were picked up south of Hamburg at 1235. After RlV, one squadron swept to east of Wittenberg while the others broke
Wadlow, Collins*, Richason*, Broxton* Lubbers, Griswold, Shelton, Pietruszka
at 1335 over the Zuider Zee. A Me 410 (possibly a Me 262)
Peet, Perry, LeMoyne, Chickering
Zwolle and claimed 2-0 locos.
was chased but not caught and a 361 st section strafed near
Clayborne, Alphonse, Tarbutton, Mellinger Vogt, Gleason, Herin, Williams Fletcher, Nebinger, Pleasant, Peacock Thorne, Romine, Mercer, Teel Niemi, Taylor, Leathers, Laviolette
361st:
Yoakum, Whitmore, Hargreaves. Tillman
AugustS (#215) LtCo!' Baccus led a withdrawal support from 1027 to 1447. Landfall was made south of Ijmuiden at 1125 and the
Line-up
360th:
Cota, Servocky, Herin, Rideout Engelhorn, Lewis, Upp, Ashby
the radio, 'Green 4 bailing auf. Almost immediately the element leader saw a chute open." (15-0-1 air) (llosl)
359th:
Rubner, Pelletier, Rann, Bergstrom
359th:
Line-lip Baccus, Griswold, Richason, BroxlOn
Lubbers, Malo, Cline, LeMoyne Peet, Perry, Bruner, Tucker
Tukey, Roberts, Wiggins, Gillette Faison, Rodgers, Hurley, Drake Cooper, Morgan, Kovacs, Hall
360th:
Thwaites, Nystrom, Clayton, Mills
Clayborne, Bergstrom, Hoffert, Chickering Cota, Peacock, Pleasant, Nebinger Knapp, Servocky, McHale, Williams Bluhm, Tee!, Russell, Romine Ogden, Laviolette, Niemi, Gartent
Claims
Location
Capl. G.B. Peel
Me 109 dest(air)
NE Bremen
Ll. L.G. Alphonsc
Me 109 dest(air)
Selseingen-Ouersberg
Ll. M.M. Clayborne
Me 109 dest(air)
Sclseingcn-Ouersberg
Maj. l.W. Vogt
(2)Me 109 dest(air) SW Hamburg
Lt. W.H. Aetcher
(2)Mc 109 dcsl(air) SW Hamburg
Lt. R.S. Gleason
Me 109 dcst(air)
SW Hamburg
Ll. T.O. Teel
Me 109 dest(air)
SW Hamburg
LL l.H. Williams
Me 109 dest(air)
SW Hamburg
LL H.E. Wiggins
(2)Me 109 dest(air) Bremen-Hamburg
Lt. E.L. Faison
Me 109 dest(air)
Bremen-Hamburg
Lt. W.S. Hurlcy
Me 109 dest(air)
Bremen-Hamburg
Lt. D.E Thwaites
Me 109 dest(air)
Bremcn·Hamburg
Lt. R.E. Rodgers
Me 109 dam(air)
Bremen-Hamburg
Sqll
3591h:
36Oth:
361sl:
361st:
Cooper, Schlack, Morel, Drake Faison, Nystrom, Wiggins. Moran Thwaites, Hall, Kovacs, Rodgers Yoakum, Gilletle, Hargreaves, Roberts
Notes: Completed tour: LtCo!. Donald A. Baccus; went to the States on leave before returning for a second tour.
August 6 (#216) LtCo!. Tukey led a withdrawal support from 0927 to 1418. The group crossed in south of Husum at L 115 and R!V'd with the B-24's at 1125. One squadron went to LuneburgSchleswig and LOok out two boxes of 8-24's while the rest broke
at 1230 at landfall. Lt. Vossler (359th) chased a bogie near Flensburg but could not catch it.
August 4 (#214) Capt. Cota led a special escort from 1758 to 2040. Three B-I7's were to be escorted but things did not go as planned.
359th:
64
Line-up Rubner, Collins, Rann, Mellinger
The 356th Fighter Group i/1 World War II
360th:
361sl:
Lubbers, Shelton, LeMoyne, Pelletier Clayborne, Perry', Tarbutton, Bergstrom Vossler, Alphonse, Forsyth, Pietruszka Tukey, Douglas, Servocky, Gleason McHale, Taylor, Leathers, Laviolette Cota, Pleasant, Oli ve, Peacock Russell, Romine, Mercer, Rideout Thwaites, Lewis, Hurley, Ashby Swift, Whitmore, Wiggins, Tillman Engelhorn. Morgan, Kahle, Gillette Thompson, Schlack, Clayton, Roberts
August 7 (#217) Maj. Thorne led a penetration-larget-withdrawal support from 0905 to 1206. Landfall was at 0945 near Schouwen and RN with Ihe B-24's came at 1020 near Turnhollt. The bombers were left west of Brussels at 1130 and landfall-out was at 1205 near Knocke. Line-up
359th:
360th:
361 sL:
Ogden, Griswold, Tucker", Alphonse Rann, Pelletier, Bruner, Collins Peel, Perry, Hoffert, Chickering Vogt, Rideout, Mercer, Teel Knapp, Gleason, Douglas, Servocky Bluhm, Laviolette, Leathers, Taylor Thorne, Rodgers, Kovacs, Tillman Faison, Drake, Hall Yoakum, Whitmore, Swift, Gillette
361 st:
August 9 (#219) LtCo!' Tukey led a sweep from 1055 to 1455. Landfall came at 1127 north of Ostend and the group later crossed out at 1402 near Schouwen. The planes penetrated to west of Stuttgart untjl 1245, then strafed in the Namur-Liege-Trier area on the way Ollt. Lt. Robert E. Rodgers (361 st) was hit and badly wounded and had to belly-in southwest of Liege. Claims amounted to 7-2 locos, 0-10 railcars, and 2-0 trucks. Lt Faison later filed this report, "We left Red Flight to strafe a trajn, which we destroyed, and continued alit on course. I spotted a truck approximately 25 miles SSE of Liege, Belgium, and told the flight I would be right back; however, they followed me down and I called them 10 join up while I essed out on course. White #2, Lt. Rodgers, did not join lip. I called him twice but he did not answer. I noticed a few tracers coming up in that area and think maybe White #2 had been hit." (llos/) Line-up
359th:
360th:
August 8 (#218) Maj. Cooper led an area patrol from 1207 to 1510. Landfall was at 1302 near Le Treport and targets in the AmiensBeauvais area were hit. Most of the 359th dropped their bombs on a marshalling yard at Achet Ie Grande, then strafed another yard at HamelencoUrl. The 360th strafed a string of railcars and the 361 st attacked targets near Arras. Total claims ran to 7II locos, 6-113 railcars, 2-6 vehicles, and 0-5 flak towers. Landfall was then from 1430 to 1443 near Berck-Sur-Mer.
361 Sl:
360th:
Tukey, GriSWOld, Bruner, Mellinger Rann, Bergstrom, Shelton, Pietruszka Peet, Pen'y, Hoffert*, Chickering Rubner, Pelletier, LeMoyne, Malo Vogt, Rjdeout, Mercer, Romine McHale, Garlenl, Leathers, Taylor Knapp, Tucker, Servocky, Douglas Olive, Peacock, Pleasant, Nebinger Cooper, Morel, Kahle, Tillman Faison, Rodgers, Upp, Drake Fremaux, Gillette, Thompson, Hall Yoakum, Lewis, Swift, Ashby
Notes: Completed tour: Capl. George B. Peel.
August 9 (#220) Maj. Thome led a dive-bombing mission from 1745 to 2054. After landfall south of Ostend at 1829, marshalling yards in the Montcomet and Valienciennes area were hit. Tracks were cut and other claims came to 4-0 locos, 0-40 railcars, 0- I flak tower, and 1-0 building. Landfall was from 1955 to 20 I0 south of Dunkirk.
Line-up
359th:
Cooper, Ashby, Clayton, Upp Swift, Roberts, Thompson, Nystrom Engelhom, Morgan, Wiggins, Lewis Kahle, Morel, Kovacs, Hargreaves
Peet, Griswold, Tarbutton, Bergstrom Knudsen, Pelletier, leMoyne, Malo Clayborne, Perry, Shelton, Pietruszka* Vossler, Alphonse, Tucker, Mellinger Cota, Rideout, Teel, Romine Fletcher, Nebinger, Peacock, Pleasant Ogden, Laviolette, Olive, Garlent Herin, Tucker, Gleason, Williams
Line-up
359th:
65
Burke, O'Quinn, Lubbers, Hoffert Vossler, Kennedy, Tucker, Alphonse Knudsen, Schamberg, Tarbutton, Mellinger
The 356rh Fighter Group in World War lJ
360th:
Thorne, Teel, Leidy, Laviolette
August 11 (#223) LlCo!. Tukey led aType-16 Control from 1117 to 1537. The planes crossed in at 1210 near Le Treport, patrolled the
Herin, Gleason, Williams, Tucker Fletcher, Nebinger, Olive, Peacock
361st:
Thwaites, Nystrom, Hargreaves, Roberts Thompson, Upp, Hurley, Morgan Engelhorn, Morel, Wiggins, Tillman
Chartres area, then made landfall at 1430 near Cayeaux. Line-up
359th: Notes: Maj. Mark J. Burke took command of the 359th as Maj. White went to the States. Taking over as Operations Officer was Capt. Richard A. Rann.
Vossler, Broxton*, Hoffert, Chickering
360th:
361st:
lines in the Coulommiers-Vitry-Esternay-Compiegne area.
Before landfall-out at 1228 near St. Valery, the group claimed 7-2 locos, 25-65 railcars, 8-22 vehicles, and 0-1 tank.
Rubner, Griswold, Shelton, Bergstrom Lubbers*, Broxton, Bruner, Malo Clayborne, Perry, Pelletier, Pietruszka Tarbutton, O'Quinn(relays) Vogt, Williams, Douglas, Servocky
then swept the Amiens-Beauvais area until landfall-out near
St. Valery at 2025.
Mercer, Rideout, Leidy, Romine
361 st:
McHale, Taylor, Leathers, Garlent Fremaux, Hall, Wiggins, Gillette
359th: 360th: 36lst:
Faison, Whitmore, Kovacs, Schlack Yoakum, Morel, Hurley, Tillman
August 10 (#222) Maj. Burke led a dive-bombing mission from 1638 to 2032. Landfall came at 1738 near Le Treport and targets in the 1-2 locos, 62-152 railcars, 10-5 trucks, 4-0 armored cars, and 1-0 bridge, everyone crossed out near Le Treport from 1920 to 1945.
360th:
361 st:
Line-up Bruner, Scharnberg, Tarbutton, Collins Vogt, Leidy, Quigley, Nebinger
Fremaux, Gillette, Clayton Yoakum, Roberts, Swift, Drake
August 12 (#225) LlCo!. Tukey led a dive-bombing mission from 0522 to 0814. Landfall came at 0606 near Knocke and a number of targets were attacked. The 359th dropped on a marshalling yard
Epernay-Compiegne-Paris area were attacked. After claiming
359th:
Tukey, Hall, Thompson, Nystrom Cooper, Morgan, Kovacs, Upp Faison, Schlack, Wiggins, Morel
August 11 (#224) Maj. Vogt led a special escort from 1850 to 2115. R/V with two 482nd Bomb Group B-I7's was over England and landfall came at 1934 near Fecamp. One bomber aborted and the second was taken to La Chenaie and left there. The P-47's
Line-up
360th:
Cota, Barnhart, Mercer, Rideout Herin, Douglas, Servocky, Peacock McHale, Causer, Leathers, Garlent
August 10 (#221) Maj. Vogt led a dive-bombing mission from 0937 to 1257. After landfall at 1028 near Le Treport, the planes hit rail
359th:
Knudsen, O'Quinn, Shelton, Pietruszka Lubbers, Pelletier, LeMoyne, Malo
at Auberton, scoring hits in the yard, then strafed for claims of
0-6 locos, 0-10 railcars, and 1-0 truck. The 360th shot up the St. Trond area for claims of 14-3 locos, 6-42 railcars, and 2-0 trucks. The 361st caught a pair of 1u 88's on the deck at Guise-
Line-up Burke, Scharnberg, Tucker, Alphonse Lubbers*, Griswold, LeMoyne, Pelletier Rann, Perry, Mellinger, Chickering Knapp, Romine, Niemi, Taylor
Avesnes and bagged them both while strafing netted 7-0 locos
and 6-34 railcars. (2-0-0 air) Line-up
Olive, Rideout, Peacock, Nebinger Herin, Williams, Leidy, Tucker
359th:
Thwaites, Schlack, Kahle, Nystrom Swift, Drake, Hargreaves, Roberts Engelhorn, Whitmore, Clayton, Morgan
360th: 361 st:
66
Tukey, Griswold, Tarbutton, Pelletier Tucker, Alphonse, Mellinger, Broxton Knapp, Douglas, Williams, Tucker Mercer, Barnhart, Leidy, Rideout Fremaux, Gillette, Clayton Yoakum, Roberts, Swift, Drake
The 356th Fighter Group ill World War II
Sqll
361st
Claims
Locatioll
(.5)Ju 88 dcst(air)
Guise-Avesncs
(.5)Ju 88 dcst(air)
Guise-Avesnes
Capl. 0.8. ClaYlOn
(.5)Ju 88 desl(air)
Guise-Avcsnes
Lt. R.W. Gillette
(.5)Ju 88 dest(air)
Guisc-Avcsnes
Ll. E.C. Frcmaux
360th: 361st:
August 12 (#229) Maj. Vogt led a Type-I 6 Control from 1757 to 2133. After landfall at 1852 near Le Treport, the planes patrolled the
August 12 (#226) Maj. Cooper led a dive-bombing mission from 0735 to 1032. Landfall came at 0813 near Knocke and the pilots later
Falaise- Vire-Caen area and gave cover to 9th Air Force B-26's
crossed out at 1003 near Dunkirk. Targets in the Douai and Sedan areas were hit with claims of 1-2 locos, 0-30 railcars, and a number of rail cuts.
until 2030. Landfall then followed at 2035 near St. Valery. Line-Lip
359th: Rubner, O'Quinn', leMoyne, Malo Lubbers, Collins, Shelton, Chickering Vogt, Peacock, Olive, Pleasant McHale, Causer, Laviolette, Garlent Cooper, Lewis, Hurley, Ashby
360th:
Lubbers, Perry, Chickering, Broxton Tucker, Scharnberg, Cline, Pietruszka Vogt, ebinger, Olive, Tucker
361 st:
Cooper, Ashby, Kovacs, Lewis
Wood, Schlack, Kovacs, Hargreaves
August 13 (#230) Capt. Knudsen led a dive-bombing mission from 0508 to 0810. Landfall came near Le Treport and pilots attacked targets in the Rouen-Neufchatel area. Claims came to 9-7 locos, 17-38 railcars, and 2-1 flak towers. On the way back to
Lille-up
359th: 360lh: 361s!:
Knapp, Causer, Douglas, Peacock Mercer, Pleasant, Leidy, Rideout Thome, Morgan, Swift, Drake Faison, Nystrom, Kahle, Roberts
Niemi, Teel, Laviolette, Williams Engelhorn, Gillette, Hargreaves. Schlack
August 12 (#227) Capt. Knudsen led a dive-bombing mission from IlO9 to 1405. Landfall was near Knocke at 1146 and targels were attacked in the Charleroi-La Chateau-Lumes area. Claims
Martlesham Heath, British anti-aircraft gunners fired on the P-
amounted to 4-8 locos, 30-229 railcars, and 4-4 vehicles before landfall carne near Ostend from 1328 to 1339.
47's. Lt. Henry L. Lewis (361 st) reported he was hit badly and failed to return.
The write-up of Lewis' loss follows, "Lt. Lewis and Lt. Broxton (359th-author) crossed out northeast of Fecamp, France at 16,000 feet returning to base after strafing and dive-bomb-
Lille-up
359th: 360lh:
Knudsen, Kennedy, Hoffert, Pietruszka Bruner, Perry, Mellinger, Alphonse Cota, Nebinger, Leathers, Teel
ing in France. After crossing out they flew a heading of 03 degrees for about fifteen minutes, letting down to about 4,000 feet. Lt. Broxton noticed overcast over the Channel at about 5,000 feet and they changed course to ]0 degrees and started
Niemi, Quigley, Herin, Tucker
361s!:
Engelhorn, Hall, Thompson, Upp Yoakum, Clayton, Wiggins, Morel
climbing to lO,OOO feet. Lt. Broxton then called Wing Control and was told to steer 35 degrees for 8 minutes and that would
August 12 (#228) Maj. Thorne led a dive-bombing mission from 1337 to 1650. Landfall was made at 1424 near Oslend and targets in
bring him lo Manston. Because of the overcast, Lt. Broxton was unable to determine where he crossed into England, but he was sure he was still over the Channel when he recei ved the 35 degree vector. Immediately after turning to 35 degrees, they encountered intense heavy flak at 8,000 feet. Lt. Broxton observed a few bursts in front of Lt. Lewis who was flying 400
the Montcornet-Hirshorn-Charleville area were hit. Near
Montcornel, Lt. Lester H. Knapp (360Ih) was knocked down by nak and Lt. H. Philip Causer (360th) was downed near Paris. While Knapp was killed, Causer managed to evade capture. In
yards to his left and slightly below. Lt. Broxton commenced a steep climbing tum to the right with full power and Lt. Lewis broke down and slightly to the left. Upon leveling off at 11,000
exchange, claims were made for 3-2 locos, 29-56 railcars, and
9-0 vehicles. (2 lost)
359th:
feet, Lt. Broxton observed Lt. Lewis on course at about 5,000 feet. About 5 minutes later Lt. Broxton observed Lt. Lewis at
Line-up
the same altitude and still on course. He then advised Lt. Lewis
Rann, O'Quinn, Shelton, Collins' LeMoyne, Griswold, Tarbutton, Malo
on the R!f that he was 2 minutes from Manston but received
no reply. He then let down through the overcast in places over
67
The 356th Fighter Group in World War If
the Thames Estuary down to 200 feet. A pilot with another squadron identified himself and said they were 2 minutes from
Line-up
359th:
Manston. He then heard Lt. Lewis acknowledge and say he thought he could make it." (1 lost)
Lubbers, PeITY, Tarbutton, Pietruszka
360th:
Vogt, Romine, Teel, Rideout
361 st:
Thwaites, Gillette, Kahle, Ashby Faison, Schlack, Hurley, Nystrom
Fletcher, Taylor, Pleasant, Laviolette
Line-up
359th: 360th: 361st:
Knudsen, 0' Quinn, Shelton, Broxton LeMoyne, Griswold, Pelletier, Malo McHale, Leidy, Leathers, Garlent Fletcher, Quigley, Pleasant, Nebinger Schlack, Thompson, Ashby Faison, Lewis, Hurley, Upp
August 13 (#231) LtCo!. Tukey led a dive-bombing mission from 0649 to 1028. Landfall was near Dieppe at 0750 and the pilots hunted in the Paris-Rouen-Forges area. Claims amounted to 18-40 railcars and 8-3 trucks before landfall at 0930 from Le Touquet
August 14 (#234) Maj. Cooper led a dive-bombing mission from 0455 to 0830. After landfall at 0557 near Le Treport, the pilots swept the Reims-Chalons-Sedan area until landfall-out at 0727 near Berck-Sur-Mer. Pilots made claims for 1-0 loco, 2-11 railcars, and 0-3 tanks while a P-47 was lost. A Fw 190 was seen near
Amiens and Lt. Tucker and Lt. Louis G. Alphonse (359th) gave chase. As the pair approached Laval, American ground gunners opened fire and knocked down Alphonse, who was killed. (llost)
to Dieppe.
Line-up
359th:
360th:
Tukey, Scharnberg, Tarbutton, Chickering Bruner, Mellinger, Cline, Alphonse
360th:
Niemi, Nebinger, Olive, Peacock
Cota, Barnhart, Teel, Peacock
361 st:
Leathers, Barnhart, Laviolette, GaI·lent Cooper, Tillman, Wiggins, Whitmore Thompson, Hargreaves, Kovacs, Schalck
Herin, Tucker, Douglas, Williams
36 Ist:
Rann, O'Quinn, Cline, Pelletier Bruner, Perry, Tucker, Alphonse
Line-up
359th:
Rann, Schamberg, Alphonse, Cline
Fremaux, Morel, Clayton, Gillette Kahle, Hall, Wiggins, Nystrom
August 15 (#235) LtCo!. Tukey led an area support for RAF bombers from 0959 to 1335. Landfall was near Schouwen at 1046 and the group then split up to patrol airfields while the bombers unloaded. The 359th covered Volkel, the 360th Gilze-Rijen and Eindhoven, and the 361 st Soesterberg and Deelan. After this,
August 13 (#232) Maj. Cooper led a dive-bombing mission to the Paris-
Rauen area from 1421 to 1746. Landfall came at 1516 near Le Treport and the planes later crossed out east of Dieppe at 1707. Bombing and strafing netted 0-2 trains, 1-0 truck, and 1-0 bridge, plus 15 railcars destroyed or damaged and a number of hits on a marshalling yard.
some 361st pilots strafed in the Tillburg-Breda area claiming
6-2 locos, 0-15 railcars, and 0-1 radar station. Line-up
359th:
Line-lip
359th: 360th: 361st:
Vossler, Griswold, Pelletier, Malo Tucker, O'Quinn, LeMoyne, Shelton Niemi, Garlent, Mercer, Leidy Herin, Quigley, Olive, Servocky Cooper, Upp, Kovacs, Hargreaves
Tukey, Kennedy, Richason, Collins LeMoyne, Griswold, Shelton, Bergstrom Rann, Scharnberg, Mellinger, Malo
360th:
Tucker, Perry, Forsyth, Pelletier Vogt, Tucker, Douglas, Williams Mercer, Barnhart, Leidy, Romine
Engelhorn, Drake, Swift, Roberts
August 13 (#233) Maj. Vogt led a dive-bombing mission from 1600 to 1925. Landfall was made at 1645 near Dieppe and the group
361 st:
later crossed out at 1840 near Le Treport. A few targets were seen in the Forges and Beauvais area for claims of 3-15 rail-
cars and 0-1 truck. 68
McHale, Laviolette, Leathers, Garlent Olive, Quigley, Pleasant, Nebinger Ogden, Nystrom, Kahle, Roberts Swift, Gillette, Hurley, Drake Wood, Tillman, Morel, Whitmore Fremaux, Ashby, Kovacs, Upp
Tile 356rll righrer Group in World War 11
Notes: Completed lour: Capt. Harold A. Ogden.
The loss was reported,
