Hometown: Inglewood, Cal.
Squadron: 345th BS 98th Bomb Group
Service# 32450078
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. August W. Sulflow DFC KIA
Target; Low level mission to destroy Rumanian Oil Fields, White IV. Ploesti.
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 41-24246
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:N
Aircraft Name: SEMPER FELIX
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti
Cause: Ground Fire Crew 10 9KIA 1POW
Sgt.Norman Meyer lost his life in action while on duty with the 98th Bomb Group for "Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the crew of SEMPER FELIX destroy Rumanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt. August W. Sulflow and crew. Briefed to fly extreme right position on the 5th and last wave attacking White IV. SEMPER FELIX flying at 300 ft took several MG and AA hits on the target run and was brought down shortly after bombing the target area through, explosions and smoke.
SEMPER FELIX and crew were on their 23rd mission. Sgt. Treichler was the sole survivor.
Later T/Sgt. Treichler recollected: I heard the pilot say "I can't see anything" and the Bombardier calls "steady" gave corrections then "bombs away". The pilot took us down on deck and I saw Politte hit by ground fire double up. Flames flew up at me from the bomb bay tank. Fire hitting upfront pitched us violently, then we exploded. I woke up a few days later in a Rumanian hospital.
Crew of SEMPER FELIX
1st/Lt.August W. Sulflow Pilot
1st/Lt.Leroy Frederick SchlenkerCo Pilot
2nd/Lt. Philip Millar Navigator
2nd/Lt. Anel B. Shay, Jr Bombardier
T/Sgt. Leonard E. Reger Engineer
T/Sgt. William E. Treichler Radio Op.
S/Sgt.Henry A. Gallas Gunner
S/Sgt. Norman L. Meyer Gunner
S/Sgt. Vincent L. Politte Gunner
Sgt. Jack G. Samson Gunner
Hometown: Inglewood, Cal.
Squadron: 345th BS 98th Bomb Group
Service# 32450078
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. August W. Sulflow DFC KIA
Target; Low level mission to destroy Rumanian Oil Fields, White IV. Ploesti.
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 41-24246
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:N
Aircraft Name: SEMPER FELIX
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti
Cause: Ground Fire Crew 10 9KIA 1POW
Sgt.Norman Meyer lost his life in action while on duty with the 98th Bomb Group for "Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the crew of SEMPER FELIX destroy Rumanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt. August W. Sulflow and crew. Briefed to fly extreme right position on the 5th and last wave attacking White IV. SEMPER FELIX flying at 300 ft took several MG and AA hits on the target run and was brought down shortly after bombing the target area through, explosions and smoke.
SEMPER FELIX and crew were on their 23rd mission. Sgt. Treichler was the sole survivor.
Later T/Sgt. Treichler recollected: I heard the pilot say "I can't see anything" and the Bombardier calls "steady" gave corrections then "bombs away". The pilot took us down on deck and I saw Politte hit by ground fire double up. Flames flew up at me from the bomb bay tank. Fire hitting upfront pitched us violently, then we exploded. I woke up a few days later in a Rumanian hospital.
Crew of SEMPER FELIX
1st/Lt.August W. Sulflow Pilot
1st/Lt.Leroy Frederick SchlenkerCo Pilot
2nd/Lt. Philip Millar Navigator
2nd/Lt. Anel B. Shay, Jr Bombardier
T/Sgt. Leonard E. Reger Engineer
T/Sgt. William E. Treichler Radio Op.
S/Sgt.Henry A. Gallas Gunner
S/Sgt. Norman L. Meyer Gunner
S/Sgt. Vincent L. Politte Gunner
Sgt. Jack G. Samson Gunner
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from California.
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