Mission # 39

MISSION SUMMARY

Mission Date 1 December 1943
384th Mission
Mission Number 39
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8th Air Force Mission Mission Number 145
Mission Comments Primary Target Attacked
The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew today's mission under very challenging conditions. During initial climb in wing formation, the low squadron was forced to fly through a cloud layer with icing conditions. This caused three aircraft to fall out of position, which were then unable to return to the formation. Also, during most of the mission, flying speeds were excessively high - as much as 175 mph - causing fuel shortages on return.
Primary Target Target: Non-Ferrous Metals Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Solingen, Germany
Target Attacked (Mode) Primary (PFF)
Sortie/Aircraft Summary Completed Mission, not including spares - 12
Failed To Return - 3
Aborted - 3
Scrubbed - 4
Flying Spare, Completed Mission - 2
Ditched - 1
Returned Early - 1
Mission Personnel Mission Personnel Roster⇗ or Mission Loading Lists⇗
Mission Documents Combat Mission Records and Plans obtained from the National Archives⇗

26 AIRCRAFT ASSIGNED TO THIS MISSION
Table is sorted by Pilot, and may be sorted by any column: click the column head.
Aircraft Pilot Results Mission/Sortie Information
41‑24525⇗Rich, John (NMI)Completed MissionGround Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑31274. Landed away at Woodbridge.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
41‑24557⇗Sundlun, Bruce GeorgeFailed to ReturnShot down by enemy aircraft, crashed near Ettingen, Germany; MACR 1334.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
41‑24578⇗Stearns, Clarence GroverFlying Spare,
Completed Mission		Flying Spare; joined formation. Landed away at Manston.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑3259⇗Bedsole, Joseph LinyerCompleted Mission SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑5838⇗[N/A]ScrubbedReplaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑39784.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑29554⇗Yelvington, Melton AlbertCompleted MissionLanded away at Molesworth.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑29632⇗Jones, William ArchCompleted MissionLanded away at Kimbolton.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑29703⇗Robinson, Robert LawrenceFlying Spare,
Completed Mission		Flying Spare; joined formation.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑29723⇗Reed, Merlin HCompleted MissionLow Squadron.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑29768⇗Nelson, Darwin GeorgeFailed to ReturnShot down by enemy aircraft; crashed near the Zwarteberg/Mont Noir on the Belgian-French border. The crewmembers bailed out, Easley landed near Boeschepe (Nord), France, some others landing near Abele, Belgium, and the rest near Westouter, Belgium. These locations are all within four miles south and west of Poperinge, Belgium; MACR 1336
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑29828⇗Edwards, Floyd ClintonCompleted MissionGround Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑37816.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑29935⇗Markow, Henry VScrubbedDid not take off
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑30033⇗Goulder, Edmund SamuelFailed to ReturnGroup lead; mechanical problems; crashed near Prüm, Germany; MACR 1335
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑31058⇗Wilson, William MonroeAbortedLow Squadron lead; turned back due to excessive icing (3/4' on wings), frozen guns, and lagging turbo.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑31073⇗Carter, T L (IO)Completed Mission SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑31211⇗MacPhail, Philip RayAbortedLow Squadron. Aborted due to excessive icing (3/4' on wings, etc.); aircraft stalled and went into a spiral.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑31274⇗[N/A]ScrubbedReplaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 41-24525.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑37727⇗Van der Haeghen, Joseph AlbertCompleted Mission SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑37776⇗Moore, Clifford OrvilleAbortedLow Squadron. Aborted due to excessive icing; aircraft stalled at 80mph and dropped 3000' after hitting propwash in icing conditions.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑37792⇗Thompson, Siguard (NMI)Completed MissionHigh Squadron lead; landed away at Woodbridge.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑37801⇗Booska, Maurice ArthurCompleted Mission SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑37816⇗[N/A]ScrubbedReplaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑29828.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑37848⇗Ulrey, Edgar EllsworthCompleted MissionLanded away at RAF Waterbeach, Cambs.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑37885⇗Jorgenson, Henry (NMI)Returned EarlyFlying Spare; joined formation; turned back over enemy territory due to a cracked cylinder head on #4 engine.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑39784⇗Willing, Mark SkinnerCompleted MissionLead Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑5838.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗
42‑39796⇗Martin, Rudolph AlfredFailed to Return,
Ditched		Ditched off Portsmouth, entire crew rescued; no MACR.
SORTIE REPORT ⇗