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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 41 -- May 9, 1944, Tuesday AM Aerschot, Belgium Marshalling Yards
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 41 -- May 9, 1944, Tuesday AM Aerschot, Belgium Marshalling Yards
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 42 Total -- 36 A-20G's, 6 A-20J's Target Operational Number: ZB 925 Illustration : NEG. 3100 Illustration Ref : 023057 Summary of Results : Box 1 - Good Box 2 - Poor Box 3 - Good Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.98446,4.82404 (50° 59' 4" N, 4° 49' 27" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on Google Maps, Visual match to Strike Photo) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 41 -- May 9, 1944, Tuesday AM
Aerschot, Belgium -- Marshalling Yards
| 1 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Maj Campbell, M.W. Lt Palin, W.H. S/Sgt Kelly, W.J. S/Sgt Ferguson, W.G. |
2 671st 43-9914 5C-X A-20J Capt Clark, R.A. Lt Jones, C.W. S/Sgt Alden, S.F. S/Sgt Ballinger, R.L. |
3 669th 43-9189 2A-P A-20G Lt Gullion, A.W., Jr. S/Sgt Webb, C.L. S/Sgt Coffey, G.L. |
| 4 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Peck, W.A. S/Sgt Bergeron, A.E. S/Sgt Kelton, H.E. [Returned Early Fuel Pressure/No Sortie] |
5 669th 43-9840 2A-V A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Colosimo, R.J. S/Sgt Wing, J.S. |
6 669th 43-9673 2A-I A-20G Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. S/Sgt LaNave, O.D. S/Sgt Cope, G.F. |
| 1 669th 43-9211 2A-C A-20G Capt Huff, M.J. S/Sgt Thompson, J.B. S/Sgt Hatch, H.F. |
2 669th 43-9679 2A-R A-20G Lt Street, M.S. S/Sgt Prindle, C.A. S/Sgt Epps, E.T. |
3 669th 43-9983 2A-J A-20G Lt Hewes, H.E., Jr. S/Sgt Kasper, J.F. S/Sgt Boyer, H.E. |
| 4 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Durante, A.R. S/Sgt Best, H.T. S/Sgt DeGiusti, I.R. |
| 1 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Hixon, S.M. T/Sgt Larronde, F.H. S/Sgt Lempka, H.A. |
2 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Greenley, R.E. S/Sgt Worden, H.C. S/Sgt Rzepka, J.J. |
3 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Merchant, W.A. S/Sgt Harp, C.J. S/Sgt Adams, V.P. |
| 4 671st 43-9493 5C-V A-20G Lt Adams, J.D. S/Sgt Clearman, P.L., Jr. Sgt Zeikus, A.J. |
| 1 668th 43-9640 5H-Z A-20J Capt Battersby, W. Lt Lytle, W.M. S/Sgt Damico, E.A. Cpl Mirabella, P.A. [Mirabella (4th CCU)] |
2 668th 43-10125 5H-M A-20J Capt Conant, H.F. Lt McBrien, R.T. S/Sgt McCreery, J.E. S/Sgt Orr, J.R. |
3 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Bradford, B.H. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W. S/Sgt Hill, A.A. |
| 4 671st 43-9225 5C-G A-20G Lt Cole, H.P. S/Sgt Fandre, B.G. S/Sgt Chvatal, F.R. |
5 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Andrews, H.D., Jr. S/Sgt Cook, G.M. S/Sgt Werley, E.R. |
6 671st 43-9220 5C-E A-20G Lt Perkins, R.D. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Linneman, R.H. |
| 1 668th 43-9362 5H-L A-20G Lt Shaefer, R.F. S/Sgt Judd, E.R., Jr. S/Sgt Fejes, J.A., Jr. |
2 668th 43-9360 5H-S A-20G Lt Peede, L.G. S/Sgt Hibbs, C.L. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M. |
3 668th 43-9182 5H-B A-20G Lt Kleopfel, M.E., Jr. S/Sgt Shaw, L.R. S/Sgt Bankston, R., Jr. |
| 4 668th 43-9745 5H-I A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. S/Sgt Antanaitis, A.J. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R. |
| 1 670th 43-9386 F6-W A-20G Lt Greene, W.J. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. Sgt Colbert, W.F. |
2 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Johnson, E.L. S/Sgt Donahue, W.J. S/Sgt Brayn, M.R. |
3 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt McBride, L.R. S/Sgt White, H.E. S/Sgt Addleman, R.F. [Returned Early Nose Wheel Would Not Retract] |
| 4 668th 43-9893 5H-P A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Hume, J.N. S/Sgt Brown, F.E. |
| 1 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Capt Hulse, D.A., Jr. Lt Conte, R.F., Sr. Sgt Swafford, J.O., Jr. S/Sgt Glynn, P.F. |
2 671st 43-10129 5C-I A-20J Lt Stockwell, R.E. Lt Jedinak, A. S/Sgt Johnson, K.L. S/Sgt Czech, J.L. |
3 670th 43-9387 F6-H A-20G Lt Nordstrom, A.W. S/Sgt Gossett, J.D. S/Sgt Miller, R.L. |
| 4 670th 43-9209 F6-K A-20G Lt Crispino, J.C. S/Sgt Walsh, T.I., Jr. S/Sgt Conopask, R.E. |
5 670th 43-9696 F6-G A-20G Lt Shea, D.F. S/Sgt Lee, R.E., Jr. Sgt Falk, F.G. |
6 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Sewell, J.C. S/Sgt Moran, J.W. S/Sgt Driskill, P.B. |
| 1 670th 43-9200 F6-A A-20G Lt Rudisill, R.S. S/Sgt Riley, R.K. S/Sgt Bonamo, A.J. |
2 670th 43-9680 F6-R A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. S/Sgt Eutsler, R.J. S/Sgt Risko, S. |
3 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Leonard, T.J. S/Sgt Evans, O.D. Sgt Palmer, T.A. |
| 4 670th 43-9978 F6-S A-20G Lt Rooney, R.J. S/Sgt McCleary, H.M. S/Sgt DiNapoli, S.F. |
| 1 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Marzolf, L.A. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G. |
2 669th 43-9214 2A-C A-20G Lt Wheeler, R.V. S/Sgt Corrin, E.W. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. |
3 671st 43-10165 5C-H A-20G Lt Zubon, M. T/Sgt Tanner, J.R.L. S/Sgt Russell, W.C. |
| 4 669th 43-9717 2A-N A-20G Lt Hill, L.E. S/Sgt Yost, C.H., Jr. S/Sgt Burch, R.W. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 41 -- May 9, 1944, Tuesday AM
Aerschot, Belgium -- Marshalling Yards
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
The Aerschot Marshalling Yards, that had the day previous, the 8th, escaped because of bad weather, suffered vital damage when 41 planes dropped almost 40 tons of bombs on it. Split into three boxes, they were led by Major Campbell, with Lt Palin B-N, Captain Battersby, with Lt Lytle, B-N; Captain Hulse, with Lt Conte, B-N. The engine turn-table was severely damaged. A 3-bay workshop and an 8-bay building were partially destroyed. Forty-five cars were destroyed and all the tracks opposite the turn-table were blocked by a large crater. Two of our planes suffered battle damage.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 72 - 73
Mission #41 - May 9 - AM - Aerschot Marshalling Yard -
Three boxes let by Major Campbell and Lt. Palin, BN, Captain
Hulse with Lt. Conte, BN, and Captain Battersby with Lt. Lytle,
BN. Lt. Stockwell and Lt. Jedinak, BN led a flight. A total of 41
planes dropped on this target, destroying a turntable, a 3-bay
building and a 3-bay workshop. In addition, 45 boxcars were
destroyed and the tracks to the turntable wore torn up.
A real sad entry here, to report that Captain Battersby,
668th Operations Officer, after returning from the morning mission,
his 18th, took a newly arrived plane up for a test flight. On
these test flights, evidently other than regular crew members are
permitted to ride with them. PFC Charles W. Coleman, a parachute
rigger, went up with Battersby. When they tried to land, for
some unknown reason, the plane nose-dived, plunged to earth
and exploded, killing both occupants. Battersby, a proud parent,
a superb pilot, and an excellent officer, died in the line of duty.
Chester Wysocki wrote:
A reason cannot be given for this tragedy. An
expert pilot and a good ship, but fate deemed it not
to be a "happy landing." It will be hard to forget this
man, who was more of a father, than a superior officer.
Who always had time to listen to your troubles,
and give a hand when needed. Who bolstered
morale, when it was low. Who fought for the rights
of his "boys" when the going was rough. We won't
forget.
There is a place "in the blue" where all eagles go
to rest when their time is up. Hope they are now sitting
in the front row with the best of them.
Yes, Bat, you will be with us when we break a
bottle in Berlin, and when we drink a toast in Tokyo.
When it is over, and we are home, America won't
forget you breed of men, who made the supreme
sacrifice for her freedom and democracy.
We are proud of you, each and every one of us, to
have served with you, and now, humbly in comradeship,
- we salute you.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On the 9th, Major Campbell led a formation against the Aerschot Marshalling Yards deep in Belgium. The engine turntable was severely damaged. A 3-bay workshop and an 8-bay building were partially destroyed. Forty-five cars were destroyed and all tracks opposite the turntable were blocked by a large crater.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The Aerschot marshalling yards and the Bois D'Enfer Noball site were attacked on May 9, with a total of twenty crews flying.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
After a four day recess the 416th Bomb Group reached a new bombing high, crossing the English Channel 11 times from May 7th thru May 13th to smash enemy installations in France and Belgium. The Havocs were out in force twice on the 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12th of May, while just once on the 13th. No mission was flown on May 10th because of poor weather.
Marshalling Yards, Airdromes and "No-Balls" were hit in the weeks operations which culminated in a great loss to the 671st Bomb Squadron.