384th 2025 REUNION
INFORMATION PAGE

Mission # 66

MISSION SUMMARY

Mission Date 24 February 1944
Eighth Air Force Operations Operations description not yet available.
Mission
384th BG Mission Number 66, Eighth AF Force Mission Number 233
Big Week, Day Five
The 384th Bombardment Group (H) provided two formations for today's mission. The main formation of group size flew as the lead group of the 41st 'Regular' Combat Bombardment Wing. The second formation, consisting of two squadrons, combined with a squadron from the 303rd BG to form the composite low group of the same combat wing. The weather cooperated, with CAVU conditions over the target area. A smoke screen did not hide the target very well, and, in fact, helped the bombardiers identify and confirm the target location! Bombing was by visual aiming and results were good.
Primary Target Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany
Target Attacked (Mode) Primary (Visual)
Sortie/Aircraft Summary Completed Mission, not including spares - 27
Aborted - 5
Mission Personnel Mission Personnel Roster or Mission Loading Lists
Mission Documents Combat Mission Records and Plans obtained from the National Archives
Other Mission Documents 1944-02-24, Wing Lead, T. Beckett, J. Merritt

32 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
41‑24560Knapp, Paul BernardCompleted MissionHigh Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
41‑24578Smith, Harry BaileyAborted Mission After Taking Off.Lead Squadron, low group. Turned back because #2 supercharger ran away and engine began losing oil and smoking; could not be feathered.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑3259Laboda, Joseph StanleyCompleted MissionHigh Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑3440Clayton, John EarlAborted Mission After Taking Off.Lead Squadron, lead group. Flying spare; aborted; took off one hour late and could not catch formation.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑3490Lecates, Robert LeslieCompleted MissionLead Squadron, lead group. Aircraft and crew supplied by the 482nd BG at Alconbury for PFF bombing.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑29632Hines, James WesleyCompleted MissionLow Squadron deputy, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑29717Larsen, Jack KirbyCompleted MissionHigh Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑29809Briley, Scott AndrewAborted Mission After Taking Off.High Squadron deputy, lead group. Turned back at 0950 hrs because of a sheared fuel transfer selector valve shaft.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑29828Heffley, Farris OrmondAborted Mission After Taking Off.Turned back at 1137 hrs because ball turret oxygen system hose broke after catching under electrical conduit elbow; later, flexible filler hose got caught in turret gears and entire system went out.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑29927Bennett, Phillip NathanCompleted MissionLead Squadron, low group
SORTIE REPORT
42‑30026Rich, John (NMI)Completed MissionLow Squadron, low group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31058Decker, Charles EdgarCompleted MissionLow Squadron, low group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31166Yelvington, Melton AlbertCompleted MissionLow Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31235Merritt, James MelvinCompleted MissionWing lead.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31346Goller, Theodore (NMI)Completed MissionWing deputy.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31364Morrison, Donald SylvesterCompleted MissionLead Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31375Courtemanche, Ralph EudorCompleted MissionLow Squadron deputy, low group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31433Stearns, Clarence GroverCompleted MissionLow group lead.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31484Jones, William ArchCompleted MissionHigh Squadron lead, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31495Booska, Maurice ArthurCompleted MissionWing deputy.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31871Smith, Roger ClementCompleted MissionLead Squadron, low group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑31926Pryor, Raymond ThomasCompleted MissionLow Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑37785Allison, Earl ThomasCompleted MissionHigh Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑37792Reed, Merlin HowardCompleted MissionLow Squadron, low group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑37848MacPhail, Philip RayCompleted MissionLow Squadron lead, low group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑37885West, George BerryCompleted MissionLead Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑37974Poole, George IrvinCompleted MissionLow Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑38014Miller, James GilmoreAborted Mission After Taking Off.Low Squadron, low group. Turned back at 1125 hrs when #4 engine began throwing out dense black smoke. It was ruled that the abort was not justified: the pilot was relieved (returned to co-pilot duty).
SORTIE REPORT
42‑38112Cosentino, George (NMI)Completed MissionLow Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑39888Foster, James EverettCompleted MissionHigh Squadron, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑39991Corcoran, John JosephCompleted MissionLow Squadron, low group.
SORTIE REPORT
42‑97477Bedsole, Joseph LinyerCompleted MissionLow Squadron lead, lead group.
SORTIE REPORT