457th Bomb Group 457th Bomb Group Honor Roll
Mission No. 52		 751st Bomb Squadron
457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
                                         (457th Home) (Back)            Updated 12/03/2000, 19:17:06

Mission Narrative

Mission No. 52
Date - May 27, 1944
Target - Ludwigshaven
This mission was to the marshalling yards at Ludwigshaven and Mannheim. The 457th led the 94th Combat Wing with Col James Luper as Air Commander. Enroute to the target the group was savagely attacked by 50 or 60 ME-109's and several planes in the formation were lost. The fighter attack lasted 25 minutes and disrupted the formation causing the low box to bomb before the lead. The lead box did a 360 degree turn and made a second pass through the heavy flak. Thirteen planes received flak damage.
Plane s/n 42-31594, piloted by Lt Artie J. Whitlow when the fighter attacked. The ME-109's shot off the end of Whitlow's right wing and the aircraft fell into a tight spin and did not recover. The plane crashed near Bergheim, Germany. Two of the crew were killed, six became POW's and one managed to evade.

......... Crew

The crew was as follows:
     Plane s/n 42-31594     
PilotLt Artie J. Whitlow   KIA  
CopilotLt Robert H. Cunningham   POW
Navigator/BombardierDaniel G.. McLaughlin   POW
Aircraft EngineerSgt Paul R. Isker   KIA  
Radio OperatorSgt Paul R. Clark   POW
Left Waist GunnerSgt Lowell O'Masters   POW
Right Waist GunnerSgt Robert V. Towle   POW
Ball Turret GunnerSgt Roe S. Woodis   POW
Tail GunnerSgt James V. Ambrose  POW
                                         (457th Home) (Back)            Updated 12/03/2000, 19:17:06
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the Content:  Willard (Hap) Reese (Website Author)