January 3, 2010
Volume II, Issue 1
www.303rdBG.com

"NEWS UPDATE" now "THE MOLESWORTH PILOT"

With the beginning of the new year, we are changing the name of the 303rd News Update to "The Molesworth Pilot." What started as a way to get occasional important news and TAPS names to the 303rd BG community has evolved into a regular newsletter. As before, issues will be emailed about every three or four weeks. The schedule may vary as news comes to us that may be of timely interest. The launch date of January 3, 2010 is in memory of 1Lt Vern L. Moncur, who passed away on this date 25 years ago. Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement. Your input, stories, articles and suggestions are always welcome.

REMEMBERING OSCHERSELBEN

Mission #98 - January 11, 1944

The targets were the AGO Flugzeugwerke Aircraft Manufacturing Company and the FW-190 Assembly Plant at Oschersleben, Germany. Forty crews were dispatched and eleven crews were lost. The Lead Pilots were B/Gen Robert F. Travis (AC), LtCol William R. Calhoun (P), shown in the photo following the mission.

Oschersleben proved to be one of the most disastrous 303rd BG(H) combat missions flown. The 303rd lost eleven B-17s and the 1st Bomb Division lost 34. The 8th Air Force lost 60 bombers and five fighters.

While the aircraft were airborne, the weather started closing in over English bases and a recall signal was issued. B/Gen. Robert F. Travis, 1st BD Air Commander, continued on to the target. He later claimed he had never received the recall order. Most of the 2nd BD and 3rd BD aircraft, whose target was Brunswick, elected to return to England and seek targets of opportunity. This left the 1st BD with greater exposure to enemy fighter attacks, which were the most numerous in the air since the October 14, 1943 mission to Schweinfurt.

Enemy fighters (FW-190s) first jumped the bombers over the Zuider Zee. Good fighter support was provided by P-47s on the penetration and by P-51s over the target. P-47s were airborne to provide withdrawal support, but they obeyed the recall order to return to England and left the bombers to fend for themselves on their return trip. Luftwaffe attacks intensified when our fighters left. Some of the German fighters attacked in groups of 15 to 30 aircraft. Over 300 enemy fighters were observed on single occasions. The Focke Wolfs carried belly tanks and attacked with them attached. They showed no hesitation in attacking the 1st BD bombers with intense determination. Some fired rockets. A few appeared willing to ram a B-17.

Meager and fairly accurate flak was experienced on the bomb run, with intermittent inaccurate flak on the return trip. This was the first mission on which chaff was employed. It was largely ineffective because of an inadequate supply of chaff bundles and the inexperience of men dropping it.

Bombing results were excellent. LtCol Calhoun described the mission as "...the roughest he had been on - but it was worth it!" B/Gen Travis agreed, but most of the crews on the mission did not. Many thought the losses were far too high. You can read B/Gen Travis' account of the mission at: http://www.303rdbg.com/lc098.html

Note in 1Lt Vern L. Moncur's Pilot's Log: "We almost had IT"

Yankee Doodle Dandy #42-5264, piloted by Lt. John F. Henderson, was hit in the vertical stabilizer by a rocket that blew a hole the size of the triangle "C" in the tail. Two members of the Henderson crew were killed. Tail Gunner Sgt. Ralph F. Burkart was killed by the blast. Right Waist Gunner Sgt. Robert A. Jeffrey was seriously wounded and died after landing. His left waist gunner, T/Sgt. W.H. Simpkins and Radio Operator T/Sgt. R.E. King were wounded.

George S. McClellan Crew

#41-24587 Bad Check, piloted by 1Lt. George S. McClellan, Jr., was the first 303rd BG B-17 to be lost. The ship was last seen in distress at 12,000 feet going down in a tight turn. Another crew reported it going down in a slow spin with wheels down. Five parachutes were seen. Bad Check went down between 1055 and 1105 hours in the Lienen area and crashed about 20 miles southwest of Osnabruck. Lt. McClellan, 2Lt. William A. Fisher, T/Sgt. David Tempesta and T/Sgt. George A. Callihan were killed. T/Sgt. Callihan is buried in Ardennes American Cemetery at Liege, Belgium. 2Lt. John C. Kaliher, 2Lt. Merlin L. Cornish, S/Sgt. Robert G. Yarian, S/Sgt. Barnell S. Heaton, S/Sgt. Alfred B. Chiles, Jr. and S/Sgt. Charles E. Dugan were captured and taken prisoner.

#41-24587 Sky Wolf, piloted by 1Lt. Aubrey L. Emerson, was in distress at 20,000 feet before reaching the target. The ship peeled off, although all four engines appeared to be functioning, and crashed at Wolsdorf, Germany. S/Sgt. Howard H. Zeitner was killed. Lt. Emerson, 2Lt. McDonald L. Riddick, 1Lt. J.B. Lewis Halliburton, 2Lt. Don J. DeLaura, T/Sgt. Grover C. Mullins, S/Sgt. James C. Supple, S/Sgt. John G. Viszneki, S/Sgt. James H. Pleasant and S/Sgt. Bernard J. Sutton were captured and taken prisoner. Both Bad Check and Sky Wolf were original 303rd BG(H) B-17s.

William C. DaShiell Crew

#42-39794 (No Name), piloted by 2Lt. William C. DaShiell was believed to be the ship that went down in an area between Dummer Lake and Oschersleben. It crashed just before reaching the target. Lt. DaShiell, 2Lt. Hilton C. Mabie, 2Lt. Thomas A. Sutherland, S/Sgt. George H. Fee, S/Sgt. Robert L. Stevenson, S/Sgt. Bernard J. Radebaugh, Sgt. Arthur H. Robinson, Sgt. Robert A. Parker, Sgt. Robert J. Owen and Sgt. Clifford M. McKinney were all killed. S/Sgt Radebaugh is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten, Netherlands. Lt. DaShiell, Lt. Mabie, Lt. Sutherland, S/Sgt. Stevenson and Sgt. Robinson are buried in a group burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at St. Louis, MO.

#42-5360 Old Faithful, piloted by 2Lt. Harry A. Schwaebe, peeled out of formation about 1110 hours and was last seen at 17,000 feet under control. No parachutes were reported. The ship crashed near Detmold, about 30 miles southeast of Osnabruck. Sgt. Russell O. Whitesell was killed. Lt. Schwaebe, 2Lt. Harold F. Dumse, 2Lt. Paul T. Degnan, 2Lt. Wilburn W. Wiley, S/Sgt. Roy Foreman, T/Sgt. Mark E. Tudor, Sgt. Benjamin F. Harvey, Sgt. James F. Malcolm and Sgt. George F. Iott were captured and taken prisoner.

Robert H. Hallden Crew

#42-37896 (No Name), piloted by 2Lt. Robert H. Hallden, was in distress at 19,000 feet on a 120E heading. The aircraft was on fire and went out of formation into a spin. The tail section came off. Three men, but no parachutes, were seen. The ship crashed near Kirchlengern. Lt. Hallden and 2Lt. Raymond L. Gentry were killed. Lt. Hallden is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery at Martgraten, Netherlands. 2Lt. Gerald N. Limon, F/O John W. Hubenschmidt, S/Sgt. Henry M. Binben, Sgt. Dalton R. Hutchins, Sgt. C.E. Moore, Sgt. Robert B. Robinson, Sgt. Hubert G. Hays and Sgt. Carl H. Chatoian were captured and taken prisoner.

#42-3131 Flak Wolf, piloted by 2Lt. John W. Carothers, crashed at Kloster Oesede just south of Osnabruck. Lt. Carothers, 2Lt. Charles E. Frost, S/Sgt. George S. Rajcula, Sgt. Robert T. Peavy, T/Sgt. Wiley A. Rogers, Sgt. Francis J. Morneau and Sgt. Roland R. Ziegler died. Lt. Carothers and Sgt. Morneau are buried in Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten, Netherlands. 2Lt. Arthur Linnehan, 2Lt. Howard W. Barriscale and S/Sgt. Harvey E. Scott were taken prisoner.

Paul W. Campbell Crew

#42-30865 (No Name), piloted by 1Lt. Paul W. Campbell, crashed near Nordhausen. 2Lt. William J. Millner, Sgt. Dante DiMartino, S/Sgt. John W. Brooks, S/Sgt. James F. Hoy, S/Sgt. Alexander Wisniewski and S/Sgt. Edward J. Cassidy were killed. Lt. Millner, Sgt. DiMartino, S/Sgt. Hoy, and S/Sgt. Cassidy are buried in Ardennes American Cemetery at Liege, Belgium. Lt. Campbell, 2Lt. John C. Doty, 1Lt. John P.D. Nothstein and T/Sgt. Stanley J. Backiel were captured and taken prisoner. Lt. Nothstein was later repatriated.

Thomas L. Simmons Crew

#41-24619 S for Sugar, piloted by 2Lt. Thomas L. Simmons, went down between 1110 and 1125 hours and crashed near Braunlage, Germany. B-17F #41-24619 was one of the original 303rd BG aircraft. Pilot 2Lt. Thomas L. Simmons, Copilot 2Lt. Fred E. Reichel, 2Lt. William L. Clyatt, Jr., 2Lt. R.W. Vaughn, S/Sgt. W.S. Elliott, Sgt. Joseph A. Bennett, Sgt. Dante C. DiPietra, Sgt. Robert F. Livingston, Sgt. Robert D. Stewart and Sgt. Wesley L. Hasty were captured and taken prisoner. Sgt. Livingston died of pneumonia on March 27, 1944 in Stalag 17B at Krems, Austria.

Henry J. Eich Crew

#42-3448 (No Name), piloted by 2Lt. Henry J. Eich, Jr., crashed in Steinhuder Lake, Germany. T/Sgt. D.S. Harvey was killed. His body washed up near Nienberg, Germany 6 March 1944. Lt. Eich, 2Lt. William E. Woodside, 2Lt. James E. Carroll, 2Lt. William G. Stein, S/Sgt. Harry Lenson, S/Sgt. J.P. Celoni, S/Sgt. Edmond A. Maggia, S/Sgt. D.C. Erdmann and S/Sgt. R.M. Gilstrap were captured and taken prisoner. S/Sgt. Lenson was later repatriated.

Jack W. Watson Crew

#42-29524 Meat Hound, piloted by 2Lt. Jack W. Watson, was last seen with two feathered props at 1329 hours on a heading of 270E at 15,000 feet. Nine parachutes were reported over the Netherlands, most making delayed jumps. Lt. Watson returned his damaged B-17 alone to a fighter field at Metfield, England. The crew bailed out over IJsselmeer (formerly Zuider Zee) Holland. 2Lt. Vance R. Colvin, S/Sgt. Samuel L. Rowland, Sgt. Fred H. Booth and Sgt. William H. Fussner drowned. Lt. Colvin is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. 2Lt. John G. Leverton, S/Sgt. Harry Romaniec, Sgt. Eugene R. Stewart and Sgt. Roman P. Kosinski were captured and taken prisoner. Lt. Clayton David successfully evaded capture and returned to England on May 25, 1944.

William A. Purcell Crew

#42-29894 Baltimore Bounce, piloted by 2Lt. William A. Purcell, blew up at 20,000 feet on a 115E heading. Another report stated that it left the formation, rolled over on its back, and crashed. Further reports alleged that a wing came off. The ship crashed near Laubke/Lippe. Lt. Purcell, 2Lt. Francis D. Krohn, 2Lt. Marvin H. Mussett, 2Lt. Joseph B. Kyne, S/Sgt. P.C. Castriciano, S/Sgt. J.C. Beeny, Sgt. Leon N. Faner, Sgt. K.W. Nye, Sgt. H.R. Eastburn and Sgt. J.W. Swanson were all killed. Lt. Mussett, S/Sgt. Castriciano, Sgt. Faner and Sgt. Eastburn are buried in Ardennes American Cemetery at Liege, Belgium.

On June 17, 1944, the First Bombardment Division and its Bombardment Groups were awarded the Presidential "Distinguished Unit Citation" for actions on the Oschersleben mission. One of the fiercest aerial battles of the war ensued in which the First Division fought brilliantly–and bombed the target. They received the citation from President Roosevelt.

Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation

The 1st Bombardment Division (H), is cited for extraordinary heroism, determination, and esprit de corps in action against the enemy on 11 January, 1944. On this occasion the 1st Bombardment Division led the entire Eighth Air Force penetration into central Germany to attack vital aircraft factories. After assembly was accomplished and the formation was proceeding toward Germany, adverse weather conditions were encountered which prevented effective fighter cover from reaching the 1st Bombardment Division. Taking full advantage of the relative vulnerability of the lead division, the enemy concentrated powerful forces against it. The scale of the enemy attack is graphically indicated by the fact that 400 encounters with enemy aircraft were recorded by units of the 1st Bombardment Division. The gunners met these continuous attacks with accurate fire, and the division continued toward the targets as briefed where bombs were dropped with excellent results. On the return trip the enemy continued to concentrate his efforts on the 1st Bombardment Division. Figures of enemy aircraft claimed by our gunners indicate that the heroism of this division inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in the air as well as on the ground. Two hundred and ten enemy aircraft, the largest number ever claimed by any division of the Eighth Air Force for any one mission confirmed as destroyed, 43 probably destroyed and 84 damaged. The division lost 42 heavy bombers and many of those which returned were heavily damaged. Four hundred and thirty officers and enlisted men failed to return, 2 were killed, and 32 were wounded. The extraordinary heroism and tenacious fighting spirit demonstrated by the 1st Bombardment Division accomplishing its assigned task under exceptionally difficult conditions reflect highest credit on this organization, the Army Air Forces, and the Armed Forces of the Unit.

THE BALL TURRET - THEN and NOW

In late 1943, S/Sgt Norman A. Sampson, Ball Turret Gunner on the 427th BS 1Lt Robert Hullar Crew,
demonstrates how the turret works.

On September 4, 2009, S/Sgt Walter E. Hein, Ball Turret Gunner on the 359th BS 1Lt Vern L. Moncur
Crew, demonstrates how the turret works with the Collings Foundation's B-17G "Nine O Nine."

Sixty-five years after flying as a part of the original "Thunderbird" crew, Walt Hein, Ball Turret Gunner and Flight Engineer, continues the legacy he helped create. When B-17s fly into New Jersey, Walt grabs his deck chair and heads to the flight line to talk about his favorite subject. In the cool shade of the B-17's wing, his captivated audience sits cross-legged asking questions about life as a World War II aviator. He explains the B-17's intricacies, aerodynamics, and the operation of the ball turret to fascinated adults and children. With encouragement, Walt provides colorful details of the missions he flew as part of Lt. Moncur’s Crew in the winter of 1943-44.

Walt Hein answering questions about the B-17. His audience grew larger and larger throughout the day.

Walt completed 28 combat missions, including the first daylight heavy bomber mission to Berlin on March 6, 1944 and the January 11, 1944 Oschersleben mission highlighted above. (story and photos courtesy of Larry and Carl Hein)

LOOSE ENDS

Lost in Translation: The photo at the left, sent to me by Jacky Emery, was labeled, "Jacky and Pres Obama." In fact, Jacky is in the upper left corner wearing the sunglasses. The gentleman on President Obama's left is one of the veterans invited to the ceremonies.

The Normandy American Cemetery plaque at the right reads: "REMEMBER - On June 6, 1944, around 01:20, these American crews gave their lives for freedom." Thanks to Michael Covington, son of S/Sgt Charles G. Covington, for the translation.

TAPS

2nd LT. Richard (Dick) Bowler, Jr. 84, died peacefully on Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at Birchwood Terrace Health Care following a long illness. Dick was born on Apr. 7, 1925, in North Hampton, Mass., the son of Richard and Frances (Messenger) Bowler. He attended High School in Marblehead Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Army Air Force after High School and served until 1945. He became a navigator at the rank of staff sergeant in a B-17 and a member of Hells Angels 303rd Bomber Group. His plane was shot down over Germany, was captured and he became a POW for several months. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He was then commissioned to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

Dick then attended and graduated from Wentworth College in Massachusetts as a professional engineer. He was a member of ASHRE, AFA and the Burlington Elks Club #916. Dick owned and operated North East Industries for many years. He enjoyed wood working, family gatherings and UVM Hockey. After retirement he enjoyed his work as a part time employee of Lake Shore Hardware in Colchester. On Aug. 27, 1988, he married Catherine Savage in South Burlington. The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at Birchwood Terrace for their care and compassion. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Cathy, his sons Wayne (Jane) Bowler, John (Brenda) Bowler, Ken (Joanne) Bowler, his daughter Caryl Munsell and her fiance Vinnie Burridge, his step children Mark Roussel and fiance Deedee Verreault, Bruce (Kristy) De Guise, Pam (Bill) Darby; seven grandchildren and six step grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and his brother-inlaw Jim Croke. He also leaves behind many close and dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents and one sister Muriel Croke of Wareham Mass. [Dick served as President of the 303rd Bomb Group Association from 2004 to 2005.]

FEEDBACK

Gary,

Might I send my thanks to you, and all who assist you, in keeping us informed of the latest happenings, regarding members of the former 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association.

Living so many thousands of miles from the USA it would, otherwise, be impossible for us to keep abreast of the many wonderful people Theresa and I got to know, through our 30 year’s association with the 303rd BG. I well remember attending my first reunion, at Dayton, Ohio, way back in 1979 as I recall.

Since those far-off days we have been fortunate in attending many reunions, within the States, and have organized, or been involved in, three reunions held within the UK. Over the years we have made many, many friends; sadly too many of whom have now passed on. We still stay closely in touch with all of the widows of our dear friends and, from time to time, welcome them into our home. In turn they, whenever we can get to the USA, receive us warmly into theirs.

So, Gary, that ‘special relationship’ between the peoples of your country and mine, first kindled in those dark days of war, continue to burn brightly in our lives. The fact that these flames still burn is due, in no small part, to your own dedication in keeping alive these memories. For this Theresa and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Warmest best wishes,
Ray Cossey

Gary, Your 303rd news lets us know there is still an interest in what we had and where we are. Without you and your dedication I doubt there would be someone to take on the responsibility. The "Taps" is not pleasant, but necessary. Thanks, Al Dussliere

Gary, I want to thank you, too, for the work you've done over the years for the memory of the 303rd. Your dedication has been obvious and I'm very appreciative of it! I look forward to always hearing from you. Maury Hassett - 358th.

Dear Gary, Thank you for sending me the 303rd newsletter. I thoroughly enjoy reading them, and wish I could meet many of the people in your articles. I was able to go to FL this summer and meet my uncle's (Harold J. Brown) pilot, J. Sam Bass and his wife Mary. Our visit was too short for me, but very enjoyable. Thank you for getting me in contact with him. He told me a few stories that my uncle did not include in his tape. It was good to laugh about the incidents that took place in such a grim time. Thank God for those stories that make you smile and laugh. I so wish that I could have gone to the reunion, but time and money did not permit. Maybe next year, I would so like to meet more of our heroes from WW2. Thanks again, for all you do.
Your friend, Becky Huffman

Keeping the Legacy Alive,