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Cpl. Wilson, 789th photo section, in front of Witchcraft. Look closely, you can seethe original 'Witchcraft' writing.
Source: Robert K Wilson (Vet)
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In front of Witchcraft are -
Standing, L-R:
David N Hill - Asst. Intelligence Officer
Merle H Brown - Ordinance Officer
Herbert N Barry - Bomb Sight Maintenance Officer
Robert O Wilson - Engineering Officer
Richard E Endress - Communications Officer
John R Munger - Medical Officer
Charles F Taylor - Engineering Officer
kneeling, L-R,
Robert A Keyes - Bombardier
Theodore H Ray - Personal Equipment Officer
James F Ritter - Adminstration Officer
Fred E Holdrege - Squadron Commanding Officer
William H. Barber - Squadron Adjutant
Henry I Lipsie - Armament Officer
Edward R Novak - Assistant Intelligence Officer
Photo taken in early 1945
Source: Robert K Wilson (Vet)
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Standing L-R:
Stephen H Arnold - Engineer
James G Buck - Navigator
Henry E Meyer - Co Pilot
S. T. Gray - Pilot
Kneeling L-R:
Clarence Tognarini - Radio Operator
Warren G. H. O'Neil - Gunner
Edmund Lacznski - Gunner
Allan L Francis - Gunner
James H Eberline - Gunner
Photo taken 15 Dec 44 in front of 'Witchcraft'.
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B-24’s from the 790th BS. This is from mission #04 on 13 Apr 44. The target was the airfield at Lechfeld, Ger. Taken from 42-52534 ‘Witchcraft’ (flown by George Wesley Reed and crew number 062-R2) we see four 790th BS flying in the Lead Squadron and 1st Section.
The first plane on the left (top) is a rare photo of 42-52497 ‘Osage Express’ (flown by Frank Paul Prokop and crew #056-R0). She is flying in the 3rd position of the Lead Squadron
The next plan on the left (bottom) is another rare photo. This one is 41-28730 (flown by Stanley John Neitzel and crew #070-R0). This plane had previously been the subject of the ‘Blond Bomber’ name (which so far there I no evidence that indicates she was called). She is flying I the 4th position of the Lead Squadron.
The plane in the middle is the Lead Ship 41-29270 ‘My Wild Irish Rose’ (flown by Robert David Sheehan and crew #061-R0). This is the only known (to date) positively identified photo of her. As mentioned, she is flying in the 1st position of the Lead Squadron. Note that there was a lot of “brass” on this crew)
And finally on the right, is 42-52571 ‘Snooper’ (flown by Howard Walter Johnson and crew #069-R0). She was in the Deputy Lead position (#2) of the Lead Squadron.
The crew on ‘534’ was -
George Wesley Reed - Pilot
John Gaylord Oder - Co Pilot
Charles Henry Mintzlaff - Navigator
John Charles Kraemer - Bombardier
Robert William Dekerf - Engineer
Melvin Leter Bland - Radio Operator
Alexander David McLean - Ball Turret Gunner
Vernon Walter Bunrock - Right Waist Gunner
Henry Walter Kubacek - Left Waist Gunner
Robert Beverley McEwen - Tail Turret Gunner
The crew on ‘497’ was -
Frank Paul Prokop - Pilot
Robert Jackson Pittman - Co Pilot
George William Milliron - Navigator
Edward Herbert Condon - Bombardier
Edward Joseph Dreksler - Engineer
James Russell Boucher - Radio Operator
Floyd Delbert Williams - Ball Turret Gunner
Richard Charles Peters - Right Waist Gunner
Leroy Melbourne Hill - Left Waist Gunner
John Henry Burgelin - Tail Turret Gunner
The crew on ‘730’ was -
Stanley John Neitzel - Pilot
Robert Thomas Sander - Co Pilot
Robert Charles Sprague - Navigator
William E Davis - Bombardier
Roy Leon Rainwater - Engineer
Joseph Victor Perreault - Radio Operator
Robert Brooks Finch - Ball Turret Gunner
George William Leeper - Right Waist Gunner
Carl Walter Kleinert - Left Waist Gunner
Benjamin Franklin Meredith - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on ‘270 was -
Walter Ray Smith - Command Pilot
Robert David Sheehan - Pilot
Anthony Robert Smolar - Navigator
Joseph Gleason Mulheron - Pilotage Navigator
Jesse Eugene Brooks - Bombardier
Martin Leo Altenburg - Engineer
John Jim Formols - Radio Operator
Robert Edmond Baker - Ball Turret Gunner
Caper Andrews Holmes - Right Waist Gunner (He was the Group Navigator)
Clarence Edwin Love - Left Waist Gunner
John Raymond Healy - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on ‘571’ was -
Howard Walter Johnson - Pilot
Robert Delos Moulton - Co Pilot
Donald Duane Kaynor - Navigator
Jack Merritt - Bombardier
David Anthony Baumhover - Engineer
Roger Elwood Rafford - Radio Operator
Glenn Lewis Permann - Ball Turret Gunner
Harold Joseph Peek - Right Waist Gunner
Gunter Heinz Staedicke - Left Waist Gunner
Woodrow Alexander Spacek - Tail Turret Gunner
Source: Carolyn Lyman - Daughter of Howard S Steffey (Vet)
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Mission #079 was to support the ground forces west of the village of Troarn, Fr. This was at the beginning of Operation Goodwood to secure the town of Caen which was still in German hands after D-Day.
Shown are B-24’s from the 790th BS of the 3rd (Low Left) Squadron. In the fore ground is 42-95273 (flown by J K Newhouse and crew #057-R1) in the Lead Section, 2nd (Deputy Lead) position.
The three ship element in the background are the B-24’s of the 2nd (High Right) Section. The aircraft leading this Section is 42-52571 ‘Snooper’ (flown by J E Thompson and crew #068-R0).
Just behind her is 41-29397 ‘Slugger Jr’ (flown by George W Dickinson and crew #067-R0) in the #2 position.
The aircraft furthest to the right is 42-52534 ‘Witchcraft’ (flown by Leonard Paul Vogt and crew #063-R2) in the #3 position.
The photo was taken from the Lead Ship of the 3rd Section 42-95154 ‘100 Proof (flown by Joseph Gleason Mulheran and crew #060-R0)
Unfortunately, I just ran across this photo and missed it being 80 years ago to the day by a couple of days. My apologies ;-)
Crew on ‘Snooper’ was -
John Edward Thompson - Pilot
Daniel Donald Wright - Co Pilot
Kenneth Hurst - Engineer
Cruz Salas Flores - Assistant Engineer (Waist Gunner)
Joseph P O’Conner - Radio Operator
Buel Edgar Rose - Assistant Radio Operator (Waist Gunner)
John William Barnum - Ball Turret Gunner (listed position is in question as the photo shows ball turret has probably already been removed)
William Robert Pollard - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on ‘Slugger Jr’ was -
George W Dickinson - Pilot
Edgar Chapman Jordan - Co Pilot
Robert Charles Sprague - Navigator
Charles Guthrie Seidell - Bombardier
James Coleman Little - Engineer
Thomas Berry Kennelly - Assistant Engineer
August Michael Lobianco - Radio Operator
Carl William Gutman - Assistant Radio Operator
Harlyn Kenneth Nelson - Ball Turret Gunner (listed position is in question as the photo shows ball turret has probably already been removed)
Robert Howard Erlewein - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on ‘Witchcraft’ was -
Leonard Paul Vogt - Pilot
Emmet Francisco Spencer - Co Pilot
Roland Herve Guay - Navigator
John R Kingston - Bombardier
Robert Leroy Belter - Engineer
Robert Gordon Luddy - Assistant Engineer (Waist Gunner)
William Thomas Nolan - Radio Operator
Berry Ervin - Assistant Radio Operator (Waist Gunner)
Charles Alfred Gupton - Ball Turret Gunner
John D Collins - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on ‘100 Proof’ was
Griffin Rhyne Beatty - Command Pilot
Joseph Gleason Mulheran - Pilot
Louis Jacob Schiavo - Navigator
Harold Wesley Cedergren - Pilotage Navigator
Robert Edward Dolan - Bombardier
Frank Terrace Desmond - Engineer
Donald Harvey Bisbing - Assistant Engineer (Waist Gunner)
Kenneth Eugene Laizure - Radio Operator
Elwin William Reed - Assistant Radio Operator (Waist Gunner)
Michael Stanley Slater - Tail Turret Gunner
Source: 8th AF Museum - Savannah
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Pictured is the 3rd Section/Squadron, 1st (Lead) Flight. The photo taken from 42-95224 ‘Lonely Heart’ (flown by John T Cockrell and crew #052-R3) in a position that seems to have been started later in the war which is “high left” of the regular Section positions.
Visible in the foreground is 42-52534 ‘Witchcraft (flown by James Watson McFarland and crew #073-R1) in the #3 position.
The far left ship is 44-48820 ‘Lucky ‘Leven (Always a Winner)’ (flown by Edward Theodore Holum and crew #088-R2) in the 1st ‘Lead’ position
The ship just behind and above is 44-10552 (flown by Robert Anthony Meyers and crew #062-R3) in the #2 ‘Deputy Lead’ position
Pictured just above ‘Witchcraft’ is 44-50482 (flown by Legrand Guild Steele and crew #059-R3) in the #4 position.
Just above and behind ‘482’ is 42-110171 ‘The Prowler’ (flown by Oscar Luther Leathers and crew #074-R0) in the #5 position
Finally, just coming into view to the right is 44-10596 ‘Rheinmachen’ (flown by James Gerald Coffey and crew #056-R4) in the #6 position.
Crew on ‘Lonely Heart’ was -
John T Cockrell - Pilot
Arthur Horovitz - Co Pilot
George Albert Bunch - Navigator
Roy Ronald Christian - Toggler
Albert Neil Coppedge - Engineer
Thomas Joseph McLaughlin - Radio Operator
Crew on ‘Witchcraft’ was -
James Watson McFarland - Pilot
Steve Joseph Maznio - Co Pilot
Joseph George Dzenowagis - Navigator
Edgar Sutton Collins - Toggler
Don Clifford Fields - Engineer
Robert E Lee Held - Radio Operator
Crew on ‘Lucky ‘Leven’ was -
Edward Theodore Holum - Pilot
Morris Lee Davidson - Co Pilot
Arthur Newton Gentry - Navigator
Frank Panetta - Pilotage Navigator
Willard Joseph Overlock - Bombardier
James Joseph Kish - Mickey Operator
Richard Jerome Muffoletto - Engineer
Alexander Kaiwi - Radio Operator
Lyle Dwaine Waite - Right Waist Gunner
Raymond Alton Swanson - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on ‘552’ was -
Robert Anthony Meyers - Pilot
Caswell Fincher Neal - Co Pilot
Henry Junior Storey - Navigator
Geoffrey Gibson Gregory - Bombardier
Leroy Wayne Reynolds - Toggler
James B Wilson - Engineer
James N Hunt - Radio Operator
Crew on ‘482’ was -
Legrand Guild Steele - Pilot
Fred Cecil Hudlow - Co Pilot
Maurice Beaty Dunn - Navigator
Kenneth Lee Orndorff - Toggler
Vernon Wayne Hibbs - Engineer
Chester A Olenik - Radio Operator
Crew on ‘The Prowler’ was -
Oscar Luther Leathers - Pilot
Lorain Darell Johns - Co Pilot
Robert Leonard Dotts - Navigator
Charles William Mohrman - Toggler
Robert Rothchild - Engineer
Paul B MacDonald - Radio Operator
Crew on ‘Rheinmachen’ was -
James Gerald Coffey - Pilot
Harmon Joseph Small - Co Pilot
Albert Anthony Muller - Navigator
Robert Leon Miller - Toggler
Horace Ellis Halpin - RCM Operator
Anthony Debiasse - Engineer
Donald Joseph Faford - Radio Operator
Source: 467th BGA Archives
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Photo taken after 'Witchcrat' had completed her 100th mission
Standing L-R:
Geza Laszlo - Pilot
Matthew Terrell Nemeyer - Co Pilot
Robert Marion Stone - Navigator
John Woodrow Dougherty - Gunner
Carl M Peterson - Engineer
Joe Walker Peterson - Gunner
Joseph John Kerchner - Gunner
Richard V Hall - Radio Operator
John Augustine O’Brien - Gunner
Kneeling L-R:
“League of Nations’ Ground Crew
Joe Rea Ramirez - Crew Chief
George Yee Dong - Asst. Crew Chief
Raymond Albert Betcher - Mechanic
Walter Leonard Elliot - Mechanic
Source: 467th BGA Archives
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Aircraft from the 790th BS at their hardstands. The two planes on the left, at hardstand #31, are 42-50309 'Plow Jockey/Tenovus' and 42-95237 'Normandy Queen'. 42-52534 'Witchcraft' can be prominently seen on the right at hardstand #32. The aircraft next to her (with her tail facing the camera) is unknown at this time.
Source: 467th BGA Archives
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'Witchcrafts' ground crew working st hardstand #32. The wing of 42-52534 'Witchcraft is just visible. Photo probably taken from the waist window.
Photo is reported to have been taken on D-Day. As 'Witchcraft' flew two of the three missions that day, this photo must have been taken inbetween the 1st and 3rd mission the Group flew on D-Day.
THe faces are a bit hard to make out, however, it's believed that the men pictured are (from L-R):
Unknown on the bkie.
Man in front is Joe Ramirez.
Behind Joe is Ray Betcher
Man with back to camera is Walter Elliot
Next to Elliot is George Dong.
Man on the far right is Joe Vetter
Notes: Date via Ray Betcher
Source: Carolyn Holt (granddaughter of Henry Kubacek)
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The results of a taxiing collision at Rackheath. The mission on 04 Dec 44 had been ordered and planes were prepped. Because of foul weather, a stand-by was ordered. To keep the drizzle out, covers were placed over the cockpits and turrets of the armed and gassed planes. Then the order came-mission is a GO!
Crew chief Madison Earl Dickerson, who had allegedly been on pass the previous evening, fired up all four engines on '273' without the brakes or chocks in place. With the covers still on. '273' rolled across the hardstand and taxi strip colliding with 'Mary Ellen'.
This happened within 30 yards of 'Witchcraft', even through both planes were fully gassed and armed there was no explosion or fire.
Source: George Dong (Vet)