Mission 107 - 1

Capt Louis M. “Mel” Schulstad

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 1078 February 1944

City area, Frankfurt, Germany (PFF)Crew Dispatched: 20 plus 2 spares

Crew Members Lost or Wounded: 1 minor wound, 1 frostbite

Length of Mission: 7 hours, 40 minutes

Bomb Load: 21 or 42 x 65 lb M47A1 Indendiary bombs

Bombing Altitude: 26,400 ft

The 303rd dispatched 20 aircraft and five aborted: #42-3158, Max, 427BS-Y (Flesh) - supercharger regulator failure. #42-5306, (No Name), 359BS-Q (Hanselman) - No. 1 engine failure.#42-31483, Bonnie B, 359BS-P (Bech) - No. 3 engine failure.#42-31177, Lonesome Polecat, 359BS-L (Hybert) - No. 2 engine failure.#42-5257, Miss Bea Haven, 359BS-S (Stoulil) - TG ill (breathing).

Flak in the target area was moderate and very accurate. Two aircraft sustainedmajor damage and ten endured minor damage. About eight single-engine fighters, believedto be FW-190s and one ME-109 were the only enemy aircraft seen. They attacked only thelead 379BG with a loss of two fighters before friendly fighters drove them away. Fightersupport was as briefed and was very good. Chaff was effective in diverting the anti-aircraftfire.

The 17 attacking aircraft dropped 16 1/2 tons of 65-lb. M47A1 incendiary bombsfrom 26,400 feet. Germany was covered with 9/10 cloud cover with only a few breaks,necessitating PFF bombing. All aircraft returned safely, although twelve aircraft sustainedflak damage. S/Sgt. John Williams in #42-3158 Max claimed an ME-109 as “destroyed”though official confirmation credited him with a “damaged.”

According to Capt. Schulstad, "The toughest part of the missionwas flak. It was moderate and fairly accurate, but it certainlywasn't like we used to get at St. Nazaire in the old days." Lt.Heller, said, "Our fighter support was excellent. The clouds werepatchy, but we managed to see part of the target for an instantand it looked like our bombs went right into it." "I got a kick out ofa P-38 who had an engine knocked out at the target," Capt.Schulstad added. "He immediately flew up under a cluster ofForts and stayed there all the way back. Those boys have beengiving us good protection. I felt pretty good about being able toreciprocate the favor." Lt. Wilbur "Bud" Klint, pilot of My YorkshireDream related, “We put another ship in the hangar for majorrepairs and again it was over Frankfurt. I guess we are giving

those anti-aircraft boys too much practice. This was our second trip there in 5 days and,as on our previous visits, they put those shells right in the formation. We took some heavyhits in our left wing and various parts of the fuselage."

Mission 107 - 2

German FW-190 Fighter

S/Sgt. Walter Hein, ball turret gunner on 359BS Moncur crew, said he thought hesaw a little bit of the bombing. "There was a break in the clouds and I could see flasheswhere bombs were hitting, but couldn't tell in what part of the city it was. The cloud breaklasted just a few seconds."

From the Journal of Vern L. Moncur, 359th BS PilotMISSION #11

Date: February 8, 1944Target: Frankfurt, Germany

Altitude: 26,000 feetPlane: X-405

Position: No. 3, Low Squadron, High Group

This was our third trip to Frankfurt andthe flak seemed even thicker than before- if that were really possible. However, itwasn't quite so accurate on our groupbecause we were flying in the high groupposition. Immediately upon reaching theFrench coast, the lead group wasattacked by FW-190s. These Germanfighters shot down two Forts within aminute and a half. Three FW-190s wereshot down during this time, too. It allhappened so quickly that it hardly

seemed possible. The fighters only made one pass at the group, because withinfive minutes our P-47 escort got there and the Krauts didn't hang around for anymore.

Over the target the flak seemed thick enough to walk on. They were usingreal heavy guns on us this time (probably 155mm guns). We really sweated outour ride across the target. Nothing else of importance happened. Our ship wasthe only one in the low squadron to finish in its assigned squadron. In fact, wewere the entire low squadron the last 100 miles of the trip. Four of our squadron'sships returned to our base before we even reached the target. This left us byourselves in the low squadron.

The bomb load was 12 five-hundred pound high explosive bombs. Therewas no injury to any crew member, but our plane received a big jagged hole in theright wing.

Mission 107 - 3

Route Map

Mission 107 - 4

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point

Schulstad-Heller931

Holdcroft DeWall 973 841

Long432

Crook Coppom 340 055

Hanselman Barnes 306 341Moncur Newell Melton Headlee 405 807 200 885 Young Klint 605 051Stoulil Dahleen Flesh McGarry 257 183 158 616 Bech Sullivan 483 875 Hybert Spare - 177 Thomas Spare - 054

Five aircraft aborted this mission:Lt. Flesh in 158 Lt. Hanselman in 306Lt. Bech in 483 Lt. Hybert in 177Lt. Stoulil in 257

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS

CREW POSITIONSCMP - Command PilotP - PilotCP - Co-PilotNAV - NavigatorANV - Ass't. NavigatorMNV - Mickey NavigatorENG - EngineerBOM - BombardierRO - Radio Operator

TOG - TogglierBT - Ball Turret OperatorTT - Top Turret OperatorTG - Tail GunnerNG - Nose GunnerRG - Radio GunnerWG - Waist GunnerLWG - Left Waist GunnerRWG - Right Waist GunnerGUN - Gunner

VI - Voice InterpreterOBS - ObserverPAS - PassengerPHO - Photographer

RESULTS OF MISSIONKIA - Killed in actionWIA - Wounded in actionMIA - Missing in actionPOW - Prisoner of war

DOW - Died of woundsEVD - Evaded the enemyINT - Interned in neu cntryREP - RepatriatedRES - RescuedESC - EscapedBO - Bailed outDCH - DitchedCR-L - Crashed on landCR-S - Crashed at sea

Mission 107 - 5

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-39807 Nero

P Newell, Noel N., 1LtCP Donalson, Douglas C., 2LtNAV Carey, William D., 2LtBOM Hoover, William L., 2LtENG Freinwald, Earl C., T/SgtLWG McGee, Richard, S/SgtRO Weepie, Robert F., T/SgtTG Atkinson, William E., S/SgtBT Hart, Edgar B., Jr., S/SgtRWG Mendel, Myron R., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-31177 Lonesome Polecat

P Hybert, Arthur J., 2LtCP Harrison, Weldon O., 2LtNAV Lunde, Frithjof M., 2LtBOM Kelly, James H., Jr., 2LtENG Broderick, George V., S/SgtRO Ratford, Edward V., S/SgtRWG Gilcrease, Roland L., SgtBT Jaehne, Charles R., S/SgtLWG Neathery, Ralph P., S/SgtTG Barmak, Paul J., S/Sgt(Abortive - Spare)

B-17G #42-31183 Bad Penny

P Dahleen, Howard D., 1LtCP Edwards, Kenneth C., 2LtNAV Klingensmith, Russell S., 2LtBOM Gauthier, Raymond W., 2LtENG Malcolm, Orrick H., S/SgtRO Swanson, Clifford E., T/SgtRWG Smith, Harding W., S/SgtLWG Titsworth, William E., S/SgtBT Franceschini, James V., SgtTG Covington, Charles G., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-31483 Bonnie B

P Bech, G. Neil, Jr., 1LtCP Hall, Franklin M., 2LtNAV Cotter, Edward R., 2LtBOM Corbin, Frederick A., F/OENG Sanelli, Floyd L., T/SgtRWG Boatwright, Edward C., S/SgtRO Dennis, Julian E., T/SgtBT Johnson, Lawrence G., S/SgtLWG Cundiff, Robert W., SgtTG Cox, Elbert S., Jr., S/Sgt(Abortive)

B-17G #42-31405 Wallaroo MK II

P Moncur, Vern L., 2LtCP Cunningham, Billy A., 2LtNAV Brooks, James, 2LtBOM Chang, David K.S., 2LtENG Rosier, Robert L., S/SgtRO Andrus, James S., S/SgtBT Hein, Walter E., S/SgtRWG Baer, Richard K., S/SgtLWG Dickman, Thomas J., S/SgtTG Wike, Leonard L., S/Sgt

B-17F #42-5306 (No Name)

P Hanselman, Charles F., 1LtCP Calwell, Lucien B., 2LtNAV Ramsey, Elijah W., Jr., 1LtBOM Livermore, William D., 2LtENG Fouss, Howard E., T/SgtLWG Jaouen, Robert F., T/SgtRO Zitzler, George A., T/SgtLWG Armstrong, Keith N., S/SgtBT Williams, Walter S., S/SgtTG Tybuszewski, Mitchel J., S/Sgt(Abortive)

B-17F #41-24605 Knock-Out Dropper

P Young, Elmer W., 2LtCP Blossom, George H., 2LtNAV Schoner, George R., 2LtBOM Yelsky, Fred B., 2LtENG Steele, John C., T/SgtRO Dulick, Steve, T/SgtBT Lebeck, Richard H., S/SgtRWG Rohaly, Andrew, Jr., S/SgtLWG Withrow, John W., S/SgtTG Stapelton, Bill, S/SgtPHO Hunter, Robert G., S/Sgt

B-17F #42-5257 Miss Bea Haven

P Stoulil, Donald W., 2LtCP Callahan, Edward F., 2LtNAV Susskind, Harold A., 2LtBOM Trawicki, George J., 2LtENG Romer, Eugene A., S/SgtLWG Brown, William F., Jr., S/SgtRO Owen, James C., S/SgtBT Mace, LeRoy L., S/SgtRWG Greene, George P., Jr., S/SgtTG Turkington, Calvin G., S/Sgt(Abortive)

Mission 107 - 6

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17F #42-5054 Belle of San Joaquin

P Thomas, Earl N., LtCP Miller, Edgar C., 2LtNAV Walenta, Clarence V., LtBOM Scott, Harold L., LtENG Mason, John W., S/SgtTG Harvey, Roy D., SgtRO Crowder, Gayther B., T/SgtRWG Flenniken, William, SgtBT Johnston, Harold A., SgtLWG Books, Carl O., Sgt

B-17G #42-37841 Banshee

P DeWall, Hershel R., LtCP Chapman, John M., LtNAV Noland, James B., LtBOM Pierson, Lawrence C., S/SgtENG Serwa, Alphonse B., T/SgtRWG Hosso, Harry V., S/SgtRO Fontana, Joseph L., SgtBT Ayres, Arthur B., S/SgtLWG Friedman, Szymon A., SgtTG Davis, Paul J., S/Sgt

B-17F #42-2973 Iza Vailable

P Holdcroft, Lloyd L., LtCP Bradley, Clyde W., Jr., LtNAV Pace, Charles M., LtBOM O'Donnell, John J., LtENG DeMarco, John A., S/SgtRWG Hustus, Walter L., SgtRO Francis, Walter G., S/SgtLWG Slusser, Walter C., SgtBT Kern, Lloyd F., SgtTG Krumholz, Robert A., Sgt

B-17G #42-31340 Miss Liberty

P Crook, Charles D., LtCP Clark, William A., LtNAV Davis, Roscoe, LtBOM DeLuca, Joseph, F/OENG Breitenbach, Louis H., T/SgtRWG Chavez, Salvador, SgtRO Hannan, Robert J., T/SgtLWG Williams, Norris R., S/SgtBT Cheek, Roy A., S/SgtTG Hensley, James H., Sgt

B-17G #42-31055 Aloha

P Coppom, John F., LtCP Stevens, Joseph E., Lt NAV Fleming, Samuel P., LtBOM Finley, Robert A., LtENG Brewster, John L., S/SgtRWG Cole, Edgar W., SgtRO Geisman, Gaylord W., S/SgtLWG Fitko, Marion F., SgtBT Deffinger, John P., S/SgtTG Edwards, Marvin R., Sgt

B-17G #42-31432 Old Glory

P Long, John A., LtCP Earhart, Amon E., LtNAV Carroll, George M., LtBOM Cascio, Guiseppe, LtENG Wilson, Clarence G., T/SgtLWG Ledley, Albert J., S/SgtRO Jennings, Ralph T., T/SgtRWG Henson, Mace, S/SgtTG Orlando, Anthony T., S/SgtBT Logan, Frank C., S/Sgt

B-17F #42-29931 Satan's Workshop

P Heller, William C., LtCP Schulstad, Louis M., CaptNAV Zwayer, James P., LtBOM DeSousa, John, Jr., LtENG Huston, William J., T/SgtRWG Laurinitis, Anthony, S/SgtRO Spoerri, Felix, T/SgtLWG Lanier, Leo, Jr., S/SgtBT Schultz, Melvin E., S/SgtTG Massimiliano, Joseph, LtPHO Lovett, William F., Sgt

Mission 107 - 7

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-37875 Empress of D Street

P Sullivan, Francis X., LtCP Brangwin, Kenneth R., LtNAV Culpin, John J., Jr., LtBOM Bawol, Walter S., LtENG Frey, James L., S/SgtBT Latta, Thomas B., T/SgtRO Sullivan, James J., T /SgtTG Stone, Vernon W., S/SgtRWG Swanson, Charles A., S/SgtLWG Keely, Eugene F., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-31200 Old Crow

P Melton, James H., LtCP Belknap, Robert W., LtNAV Frechter, Harry G., LtBOM Clapp, Keith W., LtENG Souder, Lee F., Jr., SgtBT Moore, John J., Jr., SgtRO Stoberl, Donald L., S/SgtTG Anderson, Ralph R., SgtLWG Miller, Norman L., S/SgtRWG LaPlant, Willard R., Sgt

B-17G #42-31616 Spirit of Flak Wolf

P McGarry, John J., Jr., LtCP Cotham, Willie C., LtNAV Halligan, Robert W., LtBOM Foe, Kenneth D., LtENG Grace, Henry J., S/SgtBT Friedman, Ira, SgtRO Wilson, Elmer A., S/SgtTG Kowalonek, Walter A., SgtLWG Brown, Edgar S., SgtRWG Hilborn, Ervin, Sgt

B-17F #42-5341 Vicious Virgin

P Barnes, Deane L., LtCP Raistrick, Albert G., LtNAV Randall, Everett Z., LtBOM Roode, William A.T., LtENG Sparks, Willie T., T/SgtBT Chancellor, John R., S/SgtRO Kuehl, Fred T., S/SgtTG Underwood, Clifford B., S/SgtLWG Winters, Craig W., S/SgtRWG Price, John B., S/SgtPHO Mulberry, Harold F., Sgt

B-17G #42-38051 My Yorkshire Dream

P Klint, Wilbur, LtCP Jenkins, Elton L., LtNAV Eccleston, Edward F., LtBOM Meagher, Robert W., LtENG Walsh, Charles E., T/SgtBT Knight, Frederick B., S/SgtRO Ratliff, Leonard E., T/SgtTG Smith, Nyle F., S/SgtLWG McGrew, Robert H., S/SgtRWG Marson, Charles H., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-39885 Sweet Rose O'Grady

P Headlee, Dale C., LtCP Knutson, Wilmer A., LtNAV Schweitzer, Jerome D., LtBOM Handley, Donald J., LtENG Klunk, James A., S/SgtBT Almanzor, Berton F., SgtRO Moberg, Chester H., S/SgtTG Bell, Alton R., SgtLWG Kyle, Clarence C.E., SgtRWG Hoff, Henry, Sgt

B-17F #42-3158 Max

P Flesh, William R., LtCP Mars, Charles W., LtNAV Doyle, Robert V., LtBOM Reeder, John J., LtENG Albright, Glenn N., T/SgtRO Murphy, John J., T/SgtBT Price, Richard M., S/SgtTG Williams, John P., Jr., S/SgtLWG Strough, Kenneth C., S/SgtRWG Valis, William, SgtPHO Gervais, Joseph R., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)