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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 175 -- December 24, 1944, Sunday PM Zulpich, Germany Communications Center
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 175 -- December 24, 1944, Sunday PM Zulpich, Germany Communications Center
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Place of Take-Off : A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France A/C Dispatched : 43 Total -- 8 A-20's, 35 A-26's Modified British System Reference: F-237327 Secondary Target : Suitable Alternate Authorized Summary of Results : Flight results - one Unsatisfactory, one Undertermined, two Superor, two Excellet, one No Attack - Mechanical failure of bomb release system on flight leader ship. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.68886,6.65680 (50° 41' 20" N, 6° 39' 24" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (NGZ) wF237327) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
| Date | Report |   |
A/C Serial # Type |
Mis- sion # |
Bomb Sq |
Location | Personnel (Status when available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 1944 Sunday |
MACR 11922 |
|
41-39242 A-26B |
175 | 669 | 8 To 10 Miles West Of Zulpich | Robertson, Reece B. (MIA, POW, RMC, RTD)
Cheney, Marine W. (MIA, POW, DED) |
= Entries having actual Reports available for review. = Entries having additional Images or Photos.)Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 175 -- December 24, 1944, Sunday PM
Zulpich, Germany -- Communications Center
| 1 670th 44-614 F6-A A-20K Maj Dunn, L.F. Lt Maltby, A.H. S/Sgt Majewski, S.J. S/Sgt Teran, A. |
2 670th 41-39227 F6-F A-26B Lt Musgrove, W. S/Sgt Licker, M. |
3 670th 43-22315 F6-L A-26B Capt Gruetzemacher, R.O. Cpl Kubjalko, A. F/O Green, J.A. |
| 4 670th 43-22296 F6-D A-26B Lt Grunig, D.B. Sgt Nowosielski, H.J., Jr. |
5 670th 41-39212 F6-K A-26B Lt Bishop, E.G. Sgt Harris, M.C. |
6 670th 41-39217 F6-I A-26B Lt Errotabere, M. Cpl Lynch, P.R. |
| 1 668th 44-108 5H-M A-20K Lt Andersen, C.J., Jr. Lt Babbage, W. S/Sgt Euga, P.G. S/Sgt Schafer, E.L. |
2 668th 43-22317 5H-O A-26B Lt Svenson, R.R. S/Sgt Fild, P.G. |
3 668th 43-22290 5H-L A-26B Lt Hale, W.L. S/Sgt Geyer, J.F. |
| 4 668th 41-39213 5H-A A-26B Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Clark, C.J., Jr. |
5 668th 41-39219 5H-E A-26B Lt Harris, F.W. Sgt Williford, C.W. |
6 668th 41-39214 5H-B A-26B Lt Carver, J.H. Sgt Stewart, A.B. |
| 1 668th 44-081 5H-P A-20K Lt Evans, H.M. Lt McCartney, T.M. Sgt Merritt, O.N., Jr. Pfc Stindt, G.S. [Stindt (4th CCU)] |
2 668th 43-22302 5H-D A-26B Lt Roberts, W.H. Sgt Hood, A.R. |
3 668th 41-39218 5H-C A-26B Lt Buchanan, R.C. Sgt Calabrese, C.L. |
| 4 668th 41-39264 5H-I A-26B Lt Parker, P.E. Sgt Kochan, S.J. |
5 671st 41-39210 5C-J A-26B Lt Annin, W.W. Cpl Edenburn, J.C. |
6 671st 41-39249 5C-F A-26B Lt Russell, R.A. S/Sgt Bentzler, D.H. |
| SPARE 671st 41-39250 5C-A A-26B Lt Cannon, L.E. Sgt Robinson, J.W. |
| 1 670th 44-173 F6-W A-20K Lt Monroe, H.A. Lt Kirk, R.L. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. Cpl Carney, H.O. |
2 670th 44-076 F6-Q A-20K Capt Jackson, C.R. Lt McNutt, M.C. Cpl Willever, E.J. S/Sgt Burns, D.E. |
3 670th 41-39235 F6-M A-26B Lt Murphy, T.A. S/Sgt Ricketson, J.J. |
| 4 670th 43-22307 F6-N A-26B Lt Johnson, E.L. T/Sgt Goggin, J.F. Lt Turman, A.R. |
5 670th 41-39223 F6-B A-26B Lt Brown, N.G. S/Sgt Ottaviano, J.O. |
6 670th 43-22334 F6-G A-26B Lt Popeney, H.V. S/Sgt Candler, H.C.S. |
| 1 669th 44-085 2A-T A-20K Lt Miller, E.L. Lt Conner, J.K. S/Sgt Malloy, J.F. Pfc Rapacz, H.S. [Rapacz (4th CCU)] |
2 669th 43-22344 2A-C A-26B Lt Greene, W.J. S/Sgt Stephens, D.W. |
3 669th 43-22300 2A-P A-26B Lt Kehoe, J.W. Cpl Graham, R.F. |
| 4 669th 41-39232 2A-A A-26B Capt Peck, W.A. Lt Britt, J.W. S/Sgt Sharp, R.P., Jr. |
5 669th 41-39241 2A-F A-26B Lt Hackley, R.H. S/Sgt Holloway, R.G. |
6 669th 41-39229 2A-B A-26B Lt Smith, D.E. Cpl DeStefano, R. |
| 1 669th 44-075 2A-J A-20K Lt Cornell, R.H., Jr. Lt Enman, R.E. S/Sgt Carter, A.E. Sgt Reid, K.A. |
2 669th 41-39242 2A-Q A-26B Lt Robertson, R.B. S/Sgt Cheney, M.W. |
3 669th 41-39238 2A-M A-26B Lt DuBose, M.W. S/Sgt Walters, J.H. |
| 4 669th 41-39252 2A-D A-26B Lt Sorrels, D.W. S/Sgt Triber, H.I. |
5 669th 41-39244 2A-I A-26B Lt Willard, J.A. Cpl Hinker, C.V. [Not Airborne Induction Vibration] |
6 669th 41-39271 2A-R A-26B Lt Clark, H.B. S/Sgt Sabadosh, J.W. |
| SPARE 670th 41-39224 F6-E A-26B Lt Turner, E.O. Sgt Belcas, J.O. |
| 1 671st 44-089 5C-R A-20K Capt Marzolf, L.A. Lt Beck, J.T. S/Sgt Marion, H.A. S/Sgt Jones, R.J. |
2 671st 41-39284 5C-C A-26B Lt VanNoorden, H.M. S/Sgt Steffey, R.I. |
3 671st 41-39211 5C-K A-26B Lt Fero, D.A. S/Sgt Skelton, T.W. |
| 4 671st 41-39209 5C-M A-26B Lt Zubon, M. S/Sgt DiMartino, A.E. |
5 671st 41-39237 5C-D A-26B Capt Sears, A.C. Pvt Rose, J.W. |
6 671st 41-39265 5C-V A-26B Lt Winn, A.J.P. Sgt Davis, W.G., Jr. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 175 -- December 24, 1944, Sunday PM
Zulpich, Germany -- Communications Center
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
The next afternoon, a communications center at Zulpich was attacked, again in direct support of our defensive stand. This time 379 x 250 pound bombs were dropped with excellent results. Moderate, accurate flak at the target knocked down one plane and caused category "A" damage to 7 plane and category "AC" damage to four planes. Lt Reece B. Robertson's plane was hit in the right engine on the bomb run. He stayed with the formation and dropped his bombs even though his right engine was on fire. He peeled off from the formation after the target and started downward in a glide. One chute came out of the plane, which later crashed in a small town just on the German side of the bombline. Lt Robertson's gunner was Staff Sergeant Marine W. Cheney. Both are listed as MIA. The crews reported seeing Me 109s, FW 190s, and jet fighters in the distance, but they reported no attacks on the formation.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 181
Mission #175 - 24 December - Zulpich, Germany. Christmas Eve, but the mission has to be run. Forty-three aircraft took off early afternoon to hit this important military target. Flights were led by Lts. Anderson and Babbage, BN, - Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck, BN, and Lt. Evans with McCartney, BN. Heavy flak was thrown up at the target site. One A-26, piloted by Lt. Reece B. Robertson with Staff Sgt. M. W. Cheney, took a direct hit on the bomb run, but he continued on and dropped their bombs, after which it went down. Bombing scores were rated three excellents, two superior, one no attack and one unsatisfactory. Captain Marzolf was on his last (65th) mission. Christmas Eve back at the base meant guard duty for many, but the usual Midnight Mass was held with many Catholics as well as Non-Catholics attending.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On the 24th, a communications center at Zulpich was attacked. Lieutenant Cornell, Lieutenant Enman, B-N, leading a flight scored a "Superior", doing a fine job of bombing. Lieutenant Miller, Lieutenant Jack Conner, B-N, also lead a flight, but, due to their violent evasive action, there were no photographs of their bombing. Crew members rated their work as excellent. One plane, flown by Lieutenant Reece B. Robertson with Sergeant Cheney as gunner, was hit while on the bomb run. Despite the serious injury to his plane, Lieutenant Robertson continued on over the target with his flight. On the turn-off, his plane began to burn. The plane broke awar from the formation in a glide and was seen to crash just over the bomb-line. Crews reported one chute emerging from the plane. Both Lieutenant Robertson and Sergeant Cheney are listed as MIA.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The following day, December 24th, the communications center of Zulpich was attacked. Twelve of our crews took part in the attack, which scored excellent results.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
December 24th, 1944
Captain Lavern Marzolf and his bombardier, Lt. Beck, gave the 416th Bomb Group their last excellent as a team on the afternoon of December 24th, 1944 when the Invaders struck at the Communication center at Zulpich. It was only right that Lt. Beck should make his going away present to his boss-man one that would go down in the books. And it did go down on the books for "Gus", flying his 65th mission with the 671st, scored a superior rating on his bomb pattern, which blanketed the DMPI. All bombs were within 1000 feet and the center of the bursts was on the main point of impact. Several hits were made on the railroad tracks. So ends the partnership of Marzolf and Beck who have led flights and boxes over the target many times for the 416th Bomb Group and have chalked up a record comparable to any other pilot/bombardier teams in the outfit. Lt. Beck hit the fifty mark on this mission and is now being groomed to finish his tour with Captain Tutt.
S/Sgt.Herbert A. Marion flew with Captain Marzolf and completed his tour with Number 51. Marion had a tour in the South Pacific before he joined the 416th back in Lake Charles. S/Sgt. Marion was assigned to Lt. Pair when the outfit went on operational status and was with Pair when e crashed landed in March of 1944. Marion was back on flying status before his pilot. He racked up a number of missions with Major Dunn and a few other pilots, but joined Lt. Pair again when he returned to the Squadron in July.
Three other flights besides Captain Marzolf's received excellent and superior ratings on the target, which proved to be a rather hot one. One aircraft was knocked down and eleven were flak damaged, but all crews of the 46th returned.
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[December 24, 1944], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, December 24, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |