Gunner S/SGT Ralph I. Gustavson POW
Hometown: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Squadron: 578th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service #
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Harold E. Jones KIA
Target: Hannover Germany
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #08849
Date Lost: 11-Sep-44
Serial Number: #42-50358
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "Q-Bar"
Aircraft Name: "PLEASURE BENT" 12th Mission
Location: (12) kilometers southeast of Marburg
Cause: German fighters Crew of 10 10KIA
An ordnance manufacturing depot was attacked this day with excellent results achieved despite heavy aircraft and crew losses. Enemy fighters and flak would take a high toll. Briefings were given at 0400 and 0500 hours for 24 crews with Lieutenant Lawrence again leading Bombardier of the 576th. Group aircraft began take-offs at 0730 and just after crossing the Rhine River the first heavy enemy opposition was encountered with 20-30 ME-109s attacking for approximately five minutes. Five ships were forced to abort over target because of fighter-inflicted damage which caused many mechanical difficulties; 3 planes were shot down near Koblenz by the fierce fighter attacks. A total of 90 percent of the (186) 1000# bombs released fell within a 2000 foot radius of the briefed MPI. In all, 4 ships and 3 aircrews were lost this day with many others killed or wounded.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Eye-witness the Jones' crew reported this aircraft peeling off after an enemy fighter attack with the stabilizer shot up and the pilot's deck canopy completely shot off, and with comment he thought both pilots were killed then. A German Report #KU 2979, Airbase Hqs A 21/VIl, stated the location of the plane's crash site as (12) kilometers southeast of Marburg with (5) dead crew members found in the wreckage. The aircraft was 100% destroyed by fire after crashing. The casualties reported were: Jones, Doolittle, Matracia, Cicora, and Berezoysky. Time of crash was noted to be 1200 hours as a result of fighter attacks. A supplementary report to the above stated that (4) other crewmen were taken as prisoners at 1240 hours near the town of Giessen: Oppenheim, Gustavson, Ralston, and Lockhart. All casualties and prisoners were positively identified by the Germans.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: Detailed accounts of this crew downing were given later by the survivors. Sgt. Ralston, Waist gunner, rendered this account: "..We were attacked some place between Koblenz and Giessen, Germany. Our ship was hit on the first German fighter attack made. Their first hit was in the bomb bays resulting in a fire, which swept back through the plane and forced my fellow Waist Gunner to bail out. We tried to contact the flight deck several times right after being hit, but the interphone seemed dead". Later after the war on 17 November 1945, Ralston in a typewritten report (letter heading from the Polk County Veterans Information Des Moines, Iowa) added more information about the crew loss "… our tail gunner reported enemy fighters coming in a six o'clock low...and the last contact heard from the pilot over interphone was ‘make sure what those planes are'...The next instant there was an explosion on the Command Deck and in the bomb bays setting the plane on fire. Both myself and fellow Waist Gunner immediately attempted to contact the flight deck with no success. ....the Tail Gunner left his turret and came to the waist to bail out after the flames from the bomb bay came sweeping back through the waist filling the ship with smoke. During my fall I was unable to note any further development regarding our ship. I was captured by Germans immediately upon landing. Sergeant Gustavson and myself were picked up in the same vicinity and marched to a German air base at the edge of Giessen. Sergeant Gustavson was placed in a cell by himself, while I was placed in a cell with Sergeant Lockhart who had been injured in his jump. The next morning when we were released from our cells, we saw Lt. Oppenheim and later learned that he also was captured in the vicinity of Giessen. The foregoing are all the actual facts I am able to submit". In another survivor's statement given later, Lt. Oppenheim added briefly to the above account: … Immediately after the attack, I heard an explosion towards the waist o the ship. I attempted to contact the pilot, but found the interphone dead. However, continued this for a few seconds until dense clouds of smoke reached the nose through the companionway from the bomb bays. At this time I bailed out. I neither saw or spoke to Lt. Jones during or after the attack...as to the ship, I was informed by the 392nd Bomb Group that it had blown up...when my parachute opened, I noticed flaming debris dropping a short distance away. Whether this was my ship, I cannot say. It is my belief that Lt. Jones (and others) were in the ship if and when it blew up". Sgt. Ralston's later (typewritten) report concerning a ‘rumor' passed on to him while in POW Camp Stalag Luft #4:… I met another gunner, Sergeant Dobson, believed also from the 392nd Bomb Group, whose ship was shot down on the same mission (Ed's note: Lt Rudd's crew, Sgt. Dobson, Waist Gunner)...this gunner was wounded and placed in the hospital at Giessen. There he learned from the Germans that some American airmen had been killed by enraged German civilians. He also said while he was being brought in he saw the wreckage of approximately four planes".
BURIAL RECORDS: German Report #KU2979 in supplementary updates stated that (3) of the dead crew members found: Jones, Cicora, and Bereznoysky were buried in the village cemetery at Espa, District of Wetzlar at 1200 hours on 12 September While no specific mention was made of the remaining two casualties as to burial location, all (5) dead members were identified at the time by the Germans. U.S National (overseas) Cemetery records reflect that (1) crew man was recovered and re-interred at LORRAINE near St. AvoId, France: Matracia (Grave D- 26-10) with the Purple Heart award and an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. T/Sgt Berezovsky is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 34 Site 4294. There are no records concerning re-burials of any others of this crew in the MACR.
"PLEASURE BENT" CREW POSITIONS AND STATUS:
2nd/Lt. Harold E. Jones Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Anthony F. Cicora Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Alfred M. Oppenheim Navigator POW
T/Sgt. David R. Doolittle Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Alexander Berezovsky Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. August A. Matracia Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Ralph I. Gustavson Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Gerald J. Ralston Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Kenneth T. Lockhart Gunner POW
Hometown: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Squadron: 578th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service #
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Harold E. Jones KIA
Target: Hannover Germany
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #08849
Date Lost: 11-Sep-44
Serial Number: #42-50358
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "Q-Bar"
Aircraft Name: "PLEASURE BENT" 12th Mission
Location: (12) kilometers southeast of Marburg
Cause: German fighters Crew of 10 10KIA
An ordnance manufacturing depot was attacked this day with excellent results achieved despite heavy aircraft and crew losses. Enemy fighters and flak would take a high toll. Briefings were given at 0400 and 0500 hours for 24 crews with Lieutenant Lawrence again leading Bombardier of the 576th. Group aircraft began take-offs at 0730 and just after crossing the Rhine River the first heavy enemy opposition was encountered with 20-30 ME-109s attacking for approximately five minutes. Five ships were forced to abort over target because of fighter-inflicted damage which caused many mechanical difficulties; 3 planes were shot down near Koblenz by the fierce fighter attacks. A total of 90 percent of the (186) 1000# bombs released fell within a 2000 foot radius of the briefed MPI. In all, 4 ships and 3 aircrews were lost this day with many others killed or wounded.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Eye-witness the Jones' crew reported this aircraft peeling off after an enemy fighter attack with the stabilizer shot up and the pilot's deck canopy completely shot off, and with comment he thought both pilots were killed then. A German Report #KU 2979, Airbase Hqs A 21/VIl, stated the location of the plane's crash site as (12) kilometers southeast of Marburg with (5) dead crew members found in the wreckage. The aircraft was 100% destroyed by fire after crashing. The casualties reported were: Jones, Doolittle, Matracia, Cicora, and Berezoysky. Time of crash was noted to be 1200 hours as a result of fighter attacks. A supplementary report to the above stated that (4) other crewmen were taken as prisoners at 1240 hours near the town of Giessen: Oppenheim, Gustavson, Ralston, and Lockhart. All casualties and prisoners were positively identified by the Germans.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: Detailed accounts of this crew downing were given later by the survivors. Sgt. Ralston, Waist gunner, rendered this account: "..We were attacked some place between Koblenz and Giessen, Germany. Our ship was hit on the first German fighter attack made. Their first hit was in the bomb bays resulting in a fire, which swept back through the plane and forced my fellow Waist Gunner to bail out. We tried to contact the flight deck several times right after being hit, but the interphone seemed dead". Later after the war on 17 November 1945, Ralston in a typewritten report (letter heading from the Polk County Veterans Information Des Moines, Iowa) added more information about the crew loss "… our tail gunner reported enemy fighters coming in a six o'clock low...and the last contact heard from the pilot over interphone was ‘make sure what those planes are'...The next instant there was an explosion on the Command Deck and in the bomb bays setting the plane on fire. Both myself and fellow Waist Gunner immediately attempted to contact the flight deck with no success. ....the Tail Gunner left his turret and came to the waist to bail out after the flames from the bomb bay came sweeping back through the waist filling the ship with smoke. During my fall I was unable to note any further development regarding our ship. I was captured by Germans immediately upon landing. Sergeant Gustavson and myself were picked up in the same vicinity and marched to a German air base at the edge of Giessen. Sergeant Gustavson was placed in a cell by himself, while I was placed in a cell with Sergeant Lockhart who had been injured in his jump. The next morning when we were released from our cells, we saw Lt. Oppenheim and later learned that he also was captured in the vicinity of Giessen. The foregoing are all the actual facts I am able to submit". In another survivor's statement given later, Lt. Oppenheim added briefly to the above account: … Immediately after the attack, I heard an explosion towards the waist o the ship. I attempted to contact the pilot, but found the interphone dead. However, continued this for a few seconds until dense clouds of smoke reached the nose through the companionway from the bomb bays. At this time I bailed out. I neither saw or spoke to Lt. Jones during or after the attack...as to the ship, I was informed by the 392nd Bomb Group that it had blown up...when my parachute opened, I noticed flaming debris dropping a short distance away. Whether this was my ship, I cannot say. It is my belief that Lt. Jones (and others) were in the ship if and when it blew up". Sgt. Ralston's later (typewritten) report concerning a ‘rumor' passed on to him while in POW Camp Stalag Luft #4:… I met another gunner, Sergeant Dobson, believed also from the 392nd Bomb Group, whose ship was shot down on the same mission (Ed's note: Lt Rudd's crew, Sgt. Dobson, Waist Gunner)...this gunner was wounded and placed in the hospital at Giessen. There he learned from the Germans that some American airmen had been killed by enraged German civilians. He also said while he was being brought in he saw the wreckage of approximately four planes".
BURIAL RECORDS: German Report #KU2979 in supplementary updates stated that (3) of the dead crew members found: Jones, Cicora, and Bereznoysky were buried in the village cemetery at Espa, District of Wetzlar at 1200 hours on 12 September While no specific mention was made of the remaining two casualties as to burial location, all (5) dead members were identified at the time by the Germans. U.S National (overseas) Cemetery records reflect that (1) crew man was recovered and re-interred at LORRAINE near St. AvoId, France: Matracia (Grave D- 26-10) with the Purple Heart award and an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. T/Sgt Berezovsky is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 34 Site 4294. There are no records concerning re-burials of any others of this crew in the MACR.
"PLEASURE BENT" CREW POSITIONS AND STATUS:
2nd/Lt. Harold E. Jones Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Anthony F. Cicora Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Alfred M. Oppenheim Navigator POW
T/Sgt. David R. Doolittle Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Alexander Berezovsky Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. August A. Matracia Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Ralph I. Gustavson Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Gerald J. Ralston Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Kenneth T. Lockhart Gunner POW
Gunner S/SGT Ralph I. Gustavson POW
Hometown: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Squadron: 578th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service #
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Harold E. Jones KIA
Target: Hannover Germany
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #08849
Date Lost: 11-Sep-44
Serial Number: #42-50358
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "Q-Bar"
Aircraft Name: "PLEASURE BENT" 12th Mission
Location: (12) kilometers southeast of Marburg
Cause: German fighters Crew of 10 10KIA
An ordnance manufacturing depot was attacked this day with excellent results achieved despite heavy aircraft and crew losses. Enemy fighters and flak would take a high toll. Briefings were given at 0400 and 0500 hours for 24 crews with Lieutenant Lawrence again leading Bombardier of the 576th. Group aircraft began take-offs at 0730 and just after crossing the Rhine River the first heavy enemy opposition was encountered with 20-30 ME-109s attacking for approximately five minutes. Five ships were forced to abort over target because of fighter-inflicted damage which caused many mechanical difficulties; 3 planes were shot down near Koblenz by the fierce fighter attacks. A total of 90 percent of the (186) 1000# bombs released fell within a 2000 foot radius of the briefed MPI. In all, 4 ships and 3 aircrews were lost this day with many others killed or wounded.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Eye-witness the Jones' crew reported this aircraft peeling off after an enemy fighter attack with the stabilizer shot up and the pilot's deck canopy completely shot off, and with comment he thought both pilots were killed then. A German Report #KU 2979, Airbase Hqs A 21/VIl, stated the location of the plane's crash site as (12) kilometers southeast of Marburg with (5) dead crew members found in the wreckage. The aircraft was 100% destroyed by fire after crashing. The casualties reported were: Jones, Doolittle, Matracia, Cicora, and Berezoysky. Time of crash was noted to be 1200 hours as a result of fighter attacks. A supplementary report to the above stated that (4) other crewmen were taken as prisoners at 1240 hours near the town of Giessen: Oppenheim, Gustavson, Ralston, and Lockhart. All casualties and prisoners were positively identified by the Germans.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: Detailed accounts of this crew downing were given later by the survivors. Sgt. Ralston, Waist gunner, rendered this account: "..We were attacked some place between Koblenz and Giessen, Germany. Our ship was hit on the first German fighter attack made. Their first hit was in the bomb bays resulting in a fire, which swept back through the plane and forced my fellow Waist Gunner to bail out. We tried to contact the flight deck several times right after being hit, but the interphone seemed dead". Later after the war on 17 November 1945, Ralston in a typewritten report (letter heading from the Polk County Veterans Information Des Moines, Iowa) added more information about the crew loss "… our tail gunner reported enemy fighters coming in a six o'clock low...and the last contact heard from the pilot over interphone was ‘make sure what those planes are'...The next instant there was an explosion on the Command Deck and in the bomb bays setting the plane on fire. Both myself and fellow Waist Gunner immediately attempted to contact the flight deck with no success. ....the Tail Gunner left his turret and came to the waist to bail out after the flames from the bomb bay came sweeping back through the waist filling the ship with smoke. During my fall I was unable to note any further development regarding our ship. I was captured by Germans immediately upon landing. Sergeant Gustavson and myself were picked up in the same vicinity and marched to a German air base at the edge of Giessen. Sergeant Gustavson was placed in a cell by himself, while I was placed in a cell with Sergeant Lockhart who had been injured in his jump. The next morning when we were released from our cells, we saw Lt. Oppenheim and later learned that he also was captured in the vicinity of Giessen. The foregoing are all the actual facts I am able to submit". In another survivor's statement given later, Lt. Oppenheim added briefly to the above account: … Immediately after the attack, I heard an explosion towards the waist o the ship. I attempted to contact the pilot, but found the interphone dead. However, continued this for a few seconds until dense clouds of smoke reached the nose through the companionway from the bomb bays. At this time I bailed out. I neither saw or spoke to Lt. Jones during or after the attack...as to the ship, I was informed by the 392nd Bomb Group that it had blown up...when my parachute opened, I noticed flaming debris dropping a short distance away. Whether this was my ship, I cannot say. It is my belief that Lt. Jones (and others) were in the ship if and when it blew up". Sgt. Ralston's later (typewritten) report concerning a ‘rumor' passed on to him while in POW Camp Stalag Luft #4:… I met another gunner, Sergeant Dobson, believed also from the 392nd Bomb Group, whose ship was shot down on the same mission (Ed's note: Lt Rudd's crew, Sgt. Dobson, Waist Gunner)...this gunner was wounded and placed in the hospital at Giessen. There he learned from the Germans that some American airmen had been killed by enraged German civilians. He also said while he was being brought in he saw the wreckage of approximately four planes".
BURIAL RECORDS: German Report #KU2979 in supplementary updates stated that (3) of the dead crew members found: Jones, Cicora, and Bereznoysky were buried in the village cemetery at Espa, District of Wetzlar at 1200 hours on 12 September While no specific mention was made of the remaining two casualties as to burial location, all (5) dead members were identified at the time by the Germans. U.S National (overseas) Cemetery records reflect that (1) crew man was recovered and re-interred at LORRAINE near St. AvoId, France: Matracia (Grave D- 26-10) with the Purple Heart award and an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. T/Sgt Berezovsky is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 34 Site 4294. There are no records concerning re-burials of any others of this crew in the MACR.
"PLEASURE BENT" CREW POSITIONS AND STATUS:
2nd/Lt. Harold E. Jones Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Anthony F. Cicora Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Alfred M. Oppenheim Navigator POW
T/Sgt. David R. Doolittle Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Alexander Berezovsky Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. August A. Matracia Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Ralph I. Gustavson Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Gerald J. Ralston Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Kenneth T. Lockhart Gunner POW
Hometown: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Squadron: 578th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service #
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Harold E. Jones KIA
Target: Hannover Germany
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #08849
Date Lost: 11-Sep-44
Serial Number: #42-50358
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "Q-Bar"
Aircraft Name: "PLEASURE BENT" 12th Mission
Location: (12) kilometers southeast of Marburg
Cause: German fighters Crew of 10 10KIA
An ordnance manufacturing depot was attacked this day with excellent results achieved despite heavy aircraft and crew losses. Enemy fighters and flak would take a high toll. Briefings were given at 0400 and 0500 hours for 24 crews with Lieutenant Lawrence again leading Bombardier of the 576th. Group aircraft began take-offs at 0730 and just after crossing the Rhine River the first heavy enemy opposition was encountered with 20-30 ME-109s attacking for approximately five minutes. Five ships were forced to abort over target because of fighter-inflicted damage which caused many mechanical difficulties; 3 planes were shot down near Koblenz by the fierce fighter attacks. A total of 90 percent of the (186) 1000# bombs released fell within a 2000 foot radius of the briefed MPI. In all, 4 ships and 3 aircrews were lost this day with many others killed or wounded.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Eye-witness the Jones' crew reported this aircraft peeling off after an enemy fighter attack with the stabilizer shot up and the pilot's deck canopy completely shot off, and with comment he thought both pilots were killed then. A German Report #KU 2979, Airbase Hqs A 21/VIl, stated the location of the plane's crash site as (12) kilometers southeast of Marburg with (5) dead crew members found in the wreckage. The aircraft was 100% destroyed by fire after crashing. The casualties reported were: Jones, Doolittle, Matracia, Cicora, and Berezoysky. Time of crash was noted to be 1200 hours as a result of fighter attacks. A supplementary report to the above stated that (4) other crewmen were taken as prisoners at 1240 hours near the town of Giessen: Oppenheim, Gustavson, Ralston, and Lockhart. All casualties and prisoners were positively identified by the Germans.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: Detailed accounts of this crew downing were given later by the survivors. Sgt. Ralston, Waist gunner, rendered this account: "..We were attacked some place between Koblenz and Giessen, Germany. Our ship was hit on the first German fighter attack made. Their first hit was in the bomb bays resulting in a fire, which swept back through the plane and forced my fellow Waist Gunner to bail out. We tried to contact the flight deck several times right after being hit, but the interphone seemed dead". Later after the war on 17 November 1945, Ralston in a typewritten report (letter heading from the Polk County Veterans Information Des Moines, Iowa) added more information about the crew loss "… our tail gunner reported enemy fighters coming in a six o'clock low...and the last contact heard from the pilot over interphone was ‘make sure what those planes are'...The next instant there was an explosion on the Command Deck and in the bomb bays setting the plane on fire. Both myself and fellow Waist Gunner immediately attempted to contact the flight deck with no success. ....the Tail Gunner left his turret and came to the waist to bail out after the flames from the bomb bay came sweeping back through the waist filling the ship with smoke. During my fall I was unable to note any further development regarding our ship. I was captured by Germans immediately upon landing. Sergeant Gustavson and myself were picked up in the same vicinity and marched to a German air base at the edge of Giessen. Sergeant Gustavson was placed in a cell by himself, while I was placed in a cell with Sergeant Lockhart who had been injured in his jump. The next morning when we were released from our cells, we saw Lt. Oppenheim and later learned that he also was captured in the vicinity of Giessen. The foregoing are all the actual facts I am able to submit". In another survivor's statement given later, Lt. Oppenheim added briefly to the above account: … Immediately after the attack, I heard an explosion towards the waist o the ship. I attempted to contact the pilot, but found the interphone dead. However, continued this for a few seconds until dense clouds of smoke reached the nose through the companionway from the bomb bays. At this time I bailed out. I neither saw or spoke to Lt. Jones during or after the attack...as to the ship, I was informed by the 392nd Bomb Group that it had blown up...when my parachute opened, I noticed flaming debris dropping a short distance away. Whether this was my ship, I cannot say. It is my belief that Lt. Jones (and others) were in the ship if and when it blew up". Sgt. Ralston's later (typewritten) report concerning a ‘rumor' passed on to him while in POW Camp Stalag Luft #4:… I met another gunner, Sergeant Dobson, believed also from the 392nd Bomb Group, whose ship was shot down on the same mission (Ed's note: Lt Rudd's crew, Sgt. Dobson, Waist Gunner)...this gunner was wounded and placed in the hospital at Giessen. There he learned from the Germans that some American airmen had been killed by enraged German civilians. He also said while he was being brought in he saw the wreckage of approximately four planes".
BURIAL RECORDS: German Report #KU2979 in supplementary updates stated that (3) of the dead crew members found: Jones, Cicora, and Bereznoysky were buried in the village cemetery at Espa, District of Wetzlar at 1200 hours on 12 September While no specific mention was made of the remaining two casualties as to burial location, all (5) dead members were identified at the time by the Germans. U.S National (overseas) Cemetery records reflect that (1) crew man was recovered and re-interred at LORRAINE near St. AvoId, France: Matracia (Grave D- 26-10) with the Purple Heart award and an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. T/Sgt Berezovsky is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 34 Site 4294. There are no records concerning re-burials of any others of this crew in the MACR.
"PLEASURE BENT" CREW POSITIONS AND STATUS:
2nd/Lt. Harold E. Jones Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Anthony F. Cicora Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Alfred M. Oppenheim Navigator POW
T/Sgt. David R. Doolittle Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Alexander Berezovsky Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. August A. Matracia Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Ralph I. Gustavson Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Gerald J. Ralston Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Kenneth T. Lockhart Gunner POW
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