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457th Bomb Group Honor Roll
Mission No. 29 |
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| 457th Bomb Group | 751st Bomb Squadron |
| (457th Home) (Back) Updated 12/03/2000, 19:17:12 |
Mission NarrativeMission No. 29Date - April 20, 1944 Target - Gorenflos This was an afternoon mission to bomb V-1 flying bomb sites along the French coast near Gorenflos, France. This was the first mission that the 457th used a 12 plane V formation for each Squadron. The mission to bomb 'flying bomb' sites were called "No Balls". Bombing results were excellent. The flak was moderate but accurate. On the bomb run one plane s/n 42-97137, named "Silver Queen," and piloted by Lt Walter S. Milne, took a direct hit and exploded in mid air. No parachutes were ovserved. Plane s/n 42-97137, named "Silver Queen," and piloted by Lt Walter S. Milne, took a direct hit from flak in the radio room. The plane broke in half and part of the plane exploded. It was seen spiraling down in two pieces and no parachutes were observed. Some airmen in the nose section were seen to fall from the plane but parachutes did not open. There were only two survivors who parachuted safely. |
......... Crew
| Pilot |  | Lt Walter S. Milne | KIA |
| Copilot | | Lt Robert E. Ensminger | KIA |
| Navigator | | Lt John D. English | KIA |
| Bombardier | | Lt Edward C. Cannon | KIA |
| Aircraft Engineer | Sgt Jerome A. Folgeman | POW | |
| Radio Operator | | Sgt Lyle W. Johnson | KIA |
| Left Waist Gunner | | Sgt Alton A. Schaffner | KIA |
| Right Waist Gunner | | Sgt Ralph L. Haldiman | KIA |
| Ball Turret Gunner | | Sgt Helner Beck | KIA |
| Tail Gunner | Lt. Carl E. Gamblin --------------POW | POW |
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