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358th Heleen Crew
Carl M. Heleen, Pilot
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CARL M. HELEEN CREW - 358th BS
(crew assigned 358BS: 17 Aug 1944 - photo: Aug 1944)

(Back L-R) 2Lt Carl M. Heleen (P-KIA), 2Lt Grover C.H. Cummings (B-POW),
2Lt Stanley V. Davidson (CP-POW), 2Lt Frank L. Hodenius (N-POW)

(Front L-R) Sgt Jefferson Hulme Dunford (TG-POW), Sgt William H. Gast (R-POW)
Sgt Jennings G. Brown (WG-EVD-POW), Sgt Charles W. Gaudette (BT-POW)
Sgt Henry H. Brogani (WG), Sgt Charles L. Hahn (E-POW)

Six credited Combat missions flown by 2Lt Carl M. Heleen:
  1. (234) 30 Aug 1944 B-17G 43-38200 (No name) (358BS) VK-E to Cache D'Ecques, France
  2. (235) 03 Sept 1944 B-17G 42-97949 (No name) (358BS) VK-O to Ludwigshafen, Germany
  3. (237) 08 Sept 1944 B-17G 43-38200 (No name) (358BS) VK-E to Ludwigshafen, Germany
  4. (238) 09 Sept 1944 B-17G 42-102569 Miss Lace (427BS) GN-P to Ludwigshafen, Germany
  5. (240) 11 Sept 1944 B-17G 43-38200 (No name) (358BS) VK-E to Lutzkendorf Germany
  6. (242) 13 Sept 1944 B-17G 42-32027 Betty Jane (427BS) GN-E to Eisenach, Germany
Crew Notes:
  • 2Lt Carl M. Heleen (P)(KIA) - Mission 234 flown as CoPilot with Combat Orientation Pilot 2Lt Franklin F. White and his crew. Mission 235 flown as First Pilot with 2Lt John N. Peterson, an experienced CoPilot with the 2Lt Cecil M. Miller Crew. Other four missions flown as First Pilot with his own assigned crew.
  • 2Lt Stanley V. Davidson (CP)(POW) - Stood down on missions 234 and 235. Flew with the 2Lt Heleen Crew on four missions (237, 238, 240, 242)
  • Sgt Henry H. Brogani (WG) - Removed from the 2Lt Heleen crew before arrival at Molesworth when second crew Waist Gunner was removed from 303rd BG(H) crews. Flew no 303rd BG(H) combat missions.
  • Other crewmen (All POWs) - Flew on five missions with 2Lt Heleen (235, 237, 238, 240 & 242)
(KIA /POW) 358th BS Crewmen were on the 12 September 1944 Mission #242 to Eisenach, Germany in 427th BS B-17G #42-32027 Betty Jane (GN-F). The B-17 was hit by intense flak when flying over Merseburg, Germany. When last seen Betty Jane had two propellers feathered and had dropped out of formation still under control. The B-17 was abandoned shortly thereafter at about 1,500 ft. altitude. The parachute of Lt Carl H. Heleen failed to open. He was killed upon impact with the ground. Sgt Jennings G. Brown evaded capture for about six weeks, He was captured and made a POW when he had almost reached friendly territory. Brogani was not on the 12 September 1944 mission as the crew had been reduced to nine men.


Crashsite of B-17G #42-32027 Betty Jane, near Oberhof, East Germany

[crew photo courtesy of Jennings G. Brown - crashsite photo courtesy of Matthias Leich]
[Researched by 303rdBGA Historian Harry D. Gobrecht]