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The target was the coastal gun batteries at Royan, Fr. The 467th BG dropped napalm bombs for the first (and only) time this day. The ships of the 467th flew with smaller crews because of the possible danger of the new type of explosive. Most of the gunners (except on the Lead ships) were left behind as this mission was over friendly territory and there was no danger of enemy fighters.
Shown here are ships from the 2nd Squadron. Just at “Bombs Away”, the napalm bombs can be leaving ‘600’. The photo was taken from 42-94943 “The Cherub” (flown by Joseph Charles Wilson and crew #060-R3) flying in the #7 position of the 1st Section of the 2nd Squadron.
The tail of 44-10601 “Rosalyn” (flown by Edwin Vernon Bowman and crew #019-R3) flying in the #2 (Deputy Lead) position of the 1st Section can be seen leaving the frame to the left.
The aircraft in the foreground is 44-10600 “Piccadilly Commando” (flown by Carl Oscar Brasier and crew #021-R5) in the #5 position of the 1st (Lead) Section.
Finally, just above ‘600’, is 42-50816 (flown by Harold Edward Weeks and crew #012-R2) flying in the #1 (Lead) position of the 2nd Section
Crew on “The Cherub” was -
Joseph Charles Wilson - Pilot
Lawrence Donavan Swart - Co Pilot
John William Hillen - Navigator
Henry Lewis Fason - Toggler
Donald George Estes - Engineer
Robert Alfred Germain - Radio Operator
Earl Howard Fetzer - Waist Gunner
Crew on “Rosalyn” was -
Edwin Vernon Bowman - Pilot
Herbert Ezra Schram - Co Pilot
Kenneth Krakauer - Navigator
George Washington Stokes - Bombardier (he was probably the Pilotage Navigator)
Joseph Ernest Heiderman - Toggler
Richard John Butler - Engineer
Robert William Delozier - Radio Operator
Crew on ‘Piccadilly Commando” was -
Carl Oscar Brasier - Pilot
Harold Kahn - Co Pilot
Ralph Gluck - Navigator
Ray C Anderson - Toggler
James Crowe Skilton - Engineer.
*Alexander George Robertson - Radio Operator
* Not listed, however, assumed to be on board
Crew on ‘816’ was -
Harold Edward Weeks - Pilot
Dean Franklin Morrow - Co Pilot
Joseph Santo Imburgia - Navigator
Robert Lloyd Hammen - Toggler
Charles R Tucker - Engineer
Raymond Felix Gricus - Radio Operator
Source: 467th BGA Archives -
In the foreground is 44-10600 'Piccadilly Commando (flown by Francis Joseph Sweeney and crew #018-R2) flying in the #6 position of the 1st (Lead) Flight of the 1st (Lead) Squadron.
Above her is 42-94910 (flown by Victor Lee Neel and crew #014-R3) flying in the #4 position of the 1st (Lead) Flight of the 1st (Lead) Squadron.
Crew on 'Piccadilly Commando' was -
Francis Joseph Sweeney - Pilot
Edgar Robert Erikson - Co Pilot
Robert Clifford Flagg - Navigator
Floyd Eugene Yates - Toggler
Earl Stanley Hart - Engineer
Jack W Murray - Radio Operator
Loren Wendell Condon - Right Waist Gunner
Willis Hart Kirkton - Left Waist Gunner
Franklin D Zelik - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on '910' was -
Victor Lee Neel - Pilot
Joseph Gordon Perlmutter - Co Pilot
James Ollie King - Navigator
Bernard Richard Harris - Toggler
William Howard Schmitt - Engineer
Edward Patrick Kenney - Radio Operator
John Savage Hamel - Right Waist Gunner
Alfred Lidstone Goodman - Left Waist Gunner
James Joseph Grace - Tail Turret Gunner
Source: 467th BGA Archives -
Dean Franklin Morrow standing on the wing of 44-40155 'Feudin Wagon' while parked at her hardstand #05. In the background can be seen 44-10600 'Piccadilly Commando' parked at the #04 hardstand
The houses at 'Stone Hill' can be seen in the trees in the background. A jeep is just visible on the upper left at the end of runway '08'.
Source: Dean Morrow (Vet)