Early in the morning on 18 November 1943 eight planes of the 67th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group took off from Shipdam Airfield, England and headed for the Kjellar Airfield near Oslo, Norway to bomb the Motor Works facilities.
Among them was B-24H Liberator #41-29164 crewed by:
1Lt Joseph L. HOULE--Pilot
F/O Aaron F. JOHNSON, Jr.--Co-Pilot
2Lt William T. MURPHY--Navigator
2Lt Joseph H. STIGORA--Bombardier
T Sgt Jack C. DILLAHUNTY--Radio Operator/Gunner
T Sgt George E. GOODFELLOW--Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
S Sgt Ray O. PETERSON--Belly Gunner
Sgt Aron (NMI) GRUSHKEVICH--Right Waist Gunner
S Sgt Elmer H. POOLE--Left Waist Gunner
S Sgt Armel M. GOODE--Tail Gunner
The bombers roared into the target area uncontested and attacked the undamaged airdrome. Nearly all of the bombs dropped landed on target and the group departed the area leaving behind flames and billowing smoke. Once back on course for their base in England the formation of aircraft was suddenly attacked from out of the sun by German twin-engine fighters. Wave after wave of enemy fighters screamed in to press their attack on the bomber formation. The gunners defended their bombers valiantly but could not prevent enemy bullets from striking their aircraft as well. As suddenly as the attack began it ended with the enemy fighters breaking off and heading back to their bases in Norway. The battled damaged bombers would now continue their journey home with ever diminishing fuel supplies.
Lt. Houle's aircraft was suffering from severe battle damage but remained aloft until it's fuel indicators reached zero. Within sight of England, some fifty miles off the coast, his bomber attempted to ditch in the choppy North Sea. The aircraft broke in two during the attempt and sank. Between one and four crewmen were seen to exit the sinking aircraft. Despite the efforts of another circling B-24 to drop life rafts and an intensive search by Air Sea Rescue the following day no survivors were pulled from the icy waters of the North Sea.
Although the bombing mission was a success the 67th Bomb Squadron lost three bombers on this mission for a total of 30 men Missing In Action or Lost At Sea.
Information courtesy of: Todd Kenjorski
References:
Missing Air Craft Report #1379
History of the 67th Bombardment Squadron 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eight Balls
~
Entered the service from Kentucky on 6 Aug 1941.
Among them was B-24H Liberator #41-29164 crewed by:
1Lt Joseph L. HOULE--Pilot
F/O Aaron F. JOHNSON, Jr.--Co-Pilot
2Lt William T. MURPHY--Navigator
2Lt Joseph H. STIGORA--Bombardier
T Sgt Jack C. DILLAHUNTY--Radio Operator/Gunner
T Sgt George E. GOODFELLOW--Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
S Sgt Ray O. PETERSON--Belly Gunner
Sgt Aron (NMI) GRUSHKEVICH--Right Waist Gunner
S Sgt Elmer H. POOLE--Left Waist Gunner
S Sgt Armel M. GOODE--Tail Gunner
The bombers roared into the target area uncontested and attacked the undamaged airdrome. Nearly all of the bombs dropped landed on target and the group departed the area leaving behind flames and billowing smoke. Once back on course for their base in England the formation of aircraft was suddenly attacked from out of the sun by German twin-engine fighters. Wave after wave of enemy fighters screamed in to press their attack on the bomber formation. The gunners defended their bombers valiantly but could not prevent enemy bullets from striking their aircraft as well. As suddenly as the attack began it ended with the enemy fighters breaking off and heading back to their bases in Norway. The battled damaged bombers would now continue their journey home with ever diminishing fuel supplies.
Lt. Houle's aircraft was suffering from severe battle damage but remained aloft until it's fuel indicators reached zero. Within sight of England, some fifty miles off the coast, his bomber attempted to ditch in the choppy North Sea. The aircraft broke in two during the attempt and sank. Between one and four crewmen were seen to exit the sinking aircraft. Despite the efforts of another circling B-24 to drop life rafts and an intensive search by Air Sea Rescue the following day no survivors were pulled from the icy waters of the North Sea.
Although the bombing mission was a success the 67th Bomb Squadron lost three bombers on this mission for a total of 30 men Missing In Action or Lost At Sea.
Information courtesy of: Todd Kenjorski
References:
Missing Air Craft Report #1379
History of the 67th Bombardment Squadron 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eight Balls
~
Entered the service from Kentucky on 6 Aug 1941.
Early in the morning on 18 November 1943 eight planes of the 67th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group took off from Shipdam Airfield, England and headed for the Kjellar Airfield near Oslo, Norway to bomb the Motor Works facilities.
Among them was B-24H Liberator #41-29164 crewed by:
1Lt Joseph L. HOULE--Pilot
F/O Aaron F. JOHNSON, Jr.--Co-Pilot
2Lt William T. MURPHY--Navigator
2Lt Joseph H. STIGORA--Bombardier
T Sgt Jack C. DILLAHUNTY--Radio Operator/Gunner
T Sgt George E. GOODFELLOW--Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
S Sgt Ray O. PETERSON--Belly Gunner
Sgt Aron (NMI) GRUSHKEVICH--Right Waist Gunner
S Sgt Elmer H. POOLE--Left Waist Gunner
S Sgt Armel M. GOODE--Tail Gunner
The bombers roared into the target area uncontested and attacked the undamaged airdrome. Nearly all of the bombs dropped landed on target and the group departed the area leaving behind flames and billowing smoke. Once back on course for their base in England the formation of aircraft was suddenly attacked from out of the sun by German twin-engine fighters. Wave after wave of enemy fighters screamed in to press their attack on the bomber formation. The gunners defended their bombers valiantly but could not prevent enemy bullets from striking their aircraft as well. As suddenly as the attack began it ended with the enemy fighters breaking off and heading back to their bases in Norway. The battled damaged bombers would now continue their journey home with ever diminishing fuel supplies.
Lt. Houle's aircraft was suffering from severe battle damage but remained aloft until it's fuel indicators reached zero. Within sight of England, some fifty miles off the coast, his bomber attempted to ditch in the choppy North Sea. The aircraft broke in two during the attempt and sank. Between one and four crewmen were seen to exit the sinking aircraft. Despite the efforts of another circling B-24 to drop life rafts and an intensive search by Air Sea Rescue the following day no survivors were pulled from the icy waters of the North Sea.
Although the bombing mission was a success the 67th Bomb Squadron lost three bombers on this mission for a total of 30 men Missing In Action or Lost At Sea.
Information courtesy of: Todd Kenjorski
References:
Missing Air Craft Report #1379
History of the 67th Bombardment Squadron 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eight Balls
~
Entered the service from Kentucky on 6 Aug 1941.
Among them was B-24H Liberator #41-29164 crewed by:
1Lt Joseph L. HOULE--Pilot
F/O Aaron F. JOHNSON, Jr.--Co-Pilot
2Lt William T. MURPHY--Navigator
2Lt Joseph H. STIGORA--Bombardier
T Sgt Jack C. DILLAHUNTY--Radio Operator/Gunner
T Sgt George E. GOODFELLOW--Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
S Sgt Ray O. PETERSON--Belly Gunner
Sgt Aron (NMI) GRUSHKEVICH--Right Waist Gunner
S Sgt Elmer H. POOLE--Left Waist Gunner
S Sgt Armel M. GOODE--Tail Gunner
The bombers roared into the target area uncontested and attacked the undamaged airdrome. Nearly all of the bombs dropped landed on target and the group departed the area leaving behind flames and billowing smoke. Once back on course for their base in England the formation of aircraft was suddenly attacked from out of the sun by German twin-engine fighters. Wave after wave of enemy fighters screamed in to press their attack on the bomber formation. The gunners defended their bombers valiantly but could not prevent enemy bullets from striking their aircraft as well. As suddenly as the attack began it ended with the enemy fighters breaking off and heading back to their bases in Norway. The battled damaged bombers would now continue their journey home with ever diminishing fuel supplies.
Lt. Houle's aircraft was suffering from severe battle damage but remained aloft until it's fuel indicators reached zero. Within sight of England, some fifty miles off the coast, his bomber attempted to ditch in the choppy North Sea. The aircraft broke in two during the attempt and sank. Between one and four crewmen were seen to exit the sinking aircraft. Despite the efforts of another circling B-24 to drop life rafts and an intensive search by Air Sea Rescue the following day no survivors were pulled from the icy waters of the North Sea.
Although the bombing mission was a success the 67th Bomb Squadron lost three bombers on this mission for a total of 30 men Missing In Action or Lost At Sea.
Information courtesy of: Todd Kenjorski
References:
Missing Air Craft Report #1379
History of the 67th Bombardment Squadron 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eight Balls
~
Entered the service from Kentucky on 6 Aug 1941.
Inscription
FLT O, 67 AAF BOMB SQ, 44 BOMB GP WORLD WAR II
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