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LT  Peter F. DELAO

UNIT: 349th BOMB Sqdn POSITION: BOM

 Peter Delao, Bombardier on the Sumner Reeder crew, severely wounded on the 6 Sept. 43 Stuttgart Mission. Reeder Crew Information (100th BG Archives) 

Lt Peter Delao, Bombardier on Capt Sumner Reeder Crew. Injured on Sept 6, 1943 mission to Stuttgart. He was awarded the DFC, Purple Heart and Air Medal. 

SERIAL #: STATUS: SWA
MACR:

Comments1: 6 SEP 43 STUTTGART (RTN USA DUE TO WOUNDS) Purple Heart

COMMENTS & NOTES

MEMO 1:

CREW 
                      1ST LT SUMNER H. REEDER
                           ORGINAL 100TH PILOT

349TH CREW #9  A/C #42-30088 "SQUAWKIN HAWK"

1ST LT  SUMNER H. REEDER       P:     CPT   13 JUL 44 MUNICH    (DSC and Purple Heart for Sept 6, 1943 mission) 
F/O     HARRY EDEBURN               CP:     KIA,    6 SEP 43 STUTTGART  (DSC and Purple Heart for Sept 6, 1943 mission.  F/O Edeburn got the bullet proof glass for Squawkin Hawk from Supply Depot)
2ND LT  RUSSELL W. ENGEL       NAV:    SWA,   6 SEP 43 STUTTGART (DSC & Purple Heart for Sept 6, 1943 mission.  Lt Engel First mission is flown with Lt Van Noy as a fill in on 25 JUN 43 mission to Bremen) 
2ND LT  PETER F. DELAO           BOM:    SWA,   6 SEP 43 STUTTGART (Purple Heart for Sept 6, 1943 Mission 
S/SGT   HAROLD L. POPE           TTE:    EVAD    5 NOV 43 GELSENKIRCHEN (DFC for Sept 6, 1943 mission)
PVT     ORRIN W. FURLONG       LWG:    RFS      (moved to Ground position after 6 Sept 43 Stuttgart Mission)
T/SGT   CONNOR D. BREWSTER ROG:     KIA ,    5 NOV 43 GELSENKIRCHEN (CHUTE FAILED TO OPEN) 
S/SGT   FRANCIS G. DOLSEN      BTG:     POW,   5 NOV 43 GELSENKIRCHEN
S/SGT   JAMES MARASCO            TG:     POW,   5 NOV 43 GELSENKIRCHEN
S/SGT   ROBERT M. LOVIN         RWG:    CPT     29 JAN 44 FRANKFURT

MISSIONS OF CAPT SUMNER H. REEDER AND HIS CREW

1.    29/06/43    LeMANNS           A/C 230088      SQUAWKIN HAWK
2.    04/07/43    LaPALLICE         A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK 
3.    10/07/43    LeBOURGET       A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
4.    14/07/43    LeBOURGET       A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
5.    17/07/43    HAMBURG          A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
6.    24/07/43    TRONDHEIM      A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
7.    29/07/43    WARNEMUNDE   A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
8.    30/07/43    KASSEL             A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
9.    12/08/43    BONN (S.T.)      A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
10.  19/08/43    WOENSDRECHT A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
11.  24/08/43    CONCHES          A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
12.  03/09/43    PARIS               A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
13.  06/09/43    STUTTGART      A/C 25957         HORNY II XR-D (FIRST MISSION FOR THIS PLANE) 
LT SUMNER REEDER WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION ON THIS MISSION AND FOR HIS HEROIC EFFORTS THIS DAY, RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS.  "From Somewhere in England" 

"ON THE 6 SEP 43 MISSION TO STUTTGART AS "SQUAWKIN HAWK" BEGAN THE BOMB RUN, FOUR FIGHTERS ATTACKED FROM TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH. 20 MM SHELLS RIDDLED THE NOSE SECTION AND THE COCKPIT.  THE CO-PILOT, F/O EDEBURN, WAS KILLED AND REEDER WAS WOUNDED.  FRAGMENTS FROM THE SHELL HITTING EDEBURN ALSO DAMAGED THE SHIP'S OXYGEN SYSTEM.  OTHER ROUNDS ENTERED THE NOSE COMPARTMENT, SEVERLY WOUNDING, RUSSELL ENGEL, THE NAVIAGATOR, WHO LOST AN EYE. PETER DELAO, THE BOMBARDIER, RECEIVED SEVERE HEAD AND BODY WOUNDS.  THE ENGINEER, HAROLD POPE, SUCCEEDED IN SALVOING THE BOMBS AND REEDER DIVED INTO A LOWER FORMATION SEEKING PROTECTION. POPE MANAGED TO HELP ENGEL IN THE CO-PILOT SEAT, WHERE DESPITE HIS WOUNDS HE AIDED REEDER WITH FLYING "SQUAWKIN HAWK. LACKING OXYGEN REEDER DECENDED TO MIMINUM TERRAIN CLEARANCE ALTIITUDE.  SUFFERING GRAVELY FROM WOUNDS AND UNSURE OF CORRECT HEADINGS FOR HOME, THEY SOMEHOW REACHED ENGLAND WHERE REEDER LANDED THE "SQUAWKIN HAWK ON A GRASS RUNWAY AT A RAF FIGHTER STRIP.  FOR BOTH RUSS ENGEL AND PETE DELAO THE WAR WAS OVER.  AFTER EXTENDED HOSPITAL STAYS IN ENGLAND THEY WERE RETURNED TO THE U.S.  THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS WAS AWARDED TO BOTH REEDER AND ENGEL AS WELL AS POSTHUMOUSLY TO HARRY EDEBURN (who was awarded the medal due to his continued effort to return to the controls and help his injured pilot fly the damaged plane even though he himself wasy dying from the wounds he sustaine from the 20 mm.) .  REEDER RECOVERED FROM HIS WOUNDS AND LATER BECAME C.O. OF THE 349TH. ON 19 MAR 44, HAVING COMPLETED HIS TOUR AND RETURNED TO THE STATES, SUMNER REEDER WAS KILLED IN A C-54 TRAINING ACCIDENT OFF THE FLORIDA COAST.
        THE BADLY DAMAGED "SQUAWKIN HAWK" WAS REPAIRED AND RESTORED TO OPERATIONS.  SHE BECAME THE FIRST 100TH AIRCRAFT TO COMPLETE 50 MISSIONS. WITH HER SKIN AUTOGRAPHED BY THE MEM OF THE 100TH SHE WAS FLOWN BACK TO THE STATES FOR A WAR BOND TOUR. "

*****************************************************************************************************************
 Interview with Frank Dolsen (oct 2007 by MPF):
"A few days after the Stutgartt we were sent to a "flak house" in the south of England  When we returned to the base Maj Veal came by and asked us if we wanted to continued to fly our missions or be taken off combat status. Orrin Furlong took the offer and was moved to Ground duties.  Maj Veal  explained that he was putting together pick up crews and said he would keep the Reeder enlisted men together if we continued to fly. We decided we would continue flying missions and Leon MacDonald (spare gunners pool) took Furlong's place at WG.  I always respected Maj Veal for coming to us and offering us the option. We were given new officers and Lt Flesh was the Pilot.  We had a S/Sgt Charles Ping fly with us as a TG on a few missions but he RFS afer a few missions. I remember once we came down through the soup out over the North Sea and came right out on top of two German Mine sweepers who through up some flak at us. Ping freaked out and had to be held down in the Radio room until the plane landed.    Our enlisted men were bunked with the enlisted men from Lt Jack Justice crew."        

(mpf) Lt William Flesh took over the crew of Capt. Sumner Reeder after Reeder and his officers were injured on Sept 6, 1943 mission to Stuttgart. The makeup of Lt Flesh Crew after Sept 6, 1943 contained the following members.

Lt William Flesh                 P (XFR to 482nd Bomb Group at Alconbury and ended up at 303rd BG)
Lt John Gossage              CP (POW Mar. 3, 1944 BERLIN)
Lt James Lux                 BOM 
Lt Omar Gonzales           NAV 
T/Sgt Harold Pope         TTE (From S. Reeder crew)
T/Sgt Connor Brewster- ROG (From S. Reeder crew)
S/Sgt Frank Dolson        BTG (From S. Reeder crew)
S/Sgt Orrin Furlong        WG (From S. Reeder crew)
S/Sgt Robert Lovin        WG (From S. Reeder crew)
S/Sgt Charles Ping          TG RFS


MISSION LIST OF LT FLESH CONTINUED:

SEPT. 23, 1943   VANNES        a/c 230799 BIGASSBIRD II
SEPT. 26, 1943   PARIS           a/c 230799 BIGASSBIRD II
OCT.    4, 1943   HANAU         a/c   25861 LADEN MAIDEN
NOV.    5, 1943  GELSENKIRCHEN (info below) a/c 230088 SQUAWKIN HAWK 

Mission: Gelsenkirchen
Date: 5 Nov 1943 349th Sqdn..
CREW:

 William R. Flesh              P CPT
 John G.Gossage           CP POW   Mar 3,1944 Berlin
 Omar Gonzales          NAV POW  (Group Navigator)
 James J. Lux             BOM POW
 Conner D. Brewster    ROG KIA  (From S. Reeder crew)
 Harold L. Pope           TTE EVADEE (From S. Reeder crew)
 Francis G. Dolsen        BTG POW  (From S. Reeder crew)
 George P. Gineikis       WG EVADEE (From G. Van Noy crew)
 Leon E. MacDonald     WG EVADEE
 James Marasco            TG POW  (From S. Reeder crew)

NOVEMBER 1943. MISSION GILSENKIRCHEN."SQUAWKIN HAWK" PILOTED BY WILLIAM FLESH AND CO-PILOTED BY JOHN GOSSAGE, LOST IT'S CREW, INCLUDING OMAR GONZALES, 'ONCE GROUP NAVIGATOR' WHEN AFTER SUSTAINING HEAVY BATTLE DAMAGE, THEY WERE ORDERED TO BAIL OUT AND EVERYBODY EXCEPT THE PILOTS JUMPED. ON RECOVERING CONTROL, LIEUTENANTS FLESH AND GOSSAGE BROUGHT THE SHATTERED PLANE BACK, TO LAND AT RAF TANGMERE IN KENT.UNFORTUNATELY, THE RADIO OPERATOR, CONNOR BREWSTER WAS KILLED WHEN HIS PARACHUTE FAILED TO OPEN. THE ENGINEER HAROLD POPE AVOIDED CAPTURE AND AIDED BY THE UNDERGROUND MANAGED TO GET BACK TO ENGLAND. WAIST GUNNER GEORGE GINEIKIS, ALSO BECAME AN EVADEE. THE REST WERE TAKEN PRISONER OF WAR.THIS FORTRESS WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO COMBAT STATUS.  THE BADLY DAMAGED "SQUAWKIN HAWK" WAS REPAIRED AND RESTORED TO OPERATIONS. SHE BECAME THE FIRST 100TH AIRCRAFT TO COMPLETE 50 MISSIONS. WITH HER SKIN AUTOGRAPHED BY THE MEN OF THE 100TH, SHE WAS FLOWN BACK TO THE STATES FOR A WAR BOND TOUR.


---> SUBMITTER INFORMATION
SUBMITTER: Michael Moores LeBlanc
EMAIL: mmleblanc@sympatico.ca
PURPOSE: Submit general feedback
INTEREST: I am researching WW2 history
 MESSAGE
Message:  I was checking details about the Wm R. Flesh crew 349 BS, FTR 5 Nov '43 and note an error in your information.
S/Sgt Leon E. 'Al' MacDonald, 32287971 was not a Pow. He is listed as E&E 256 and was the 208th evader helped by the famous Comete line, crossing into Spain on 27 Nov 43, together with fellow crew man George Gineikis….Michael LeBlanc

Operations Report says: "Plane was hit in #! Engine after bombs away. All crew members
except Pilot and Co-pilot bailed out, on orders, over the target area."
Flesh and Gossage managed to fly the ship back to England.
         
*************************************************************************************************************
Subj: Re: Question from eBay Member 
Date: 5/24/2003 4:13:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: squawk6980@yahoo.com
To:  MPFaley@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)


Hello Mike, Here is the list of missions, sorry for the delay! These are listed in the order written in the book! Berlin-2, Bremen-2, Brux, Hamburg, Krusnohori, Munster, Magdeburg, Regensberg, Ruhland, Stuttgart, Schmiedeberg, Paris, and Zeitz! Looks like there may have been one more that was erased! The artwork in the book shows 16 bombs, one that almost looks like half a mission? And 13 enemy A/C kills. I know that the missions were raised in late June, or July, 44 to 35! I belive Maj. Reeder completed in mid July, 44.I have heard that Squawkin Hawk was at a base in New Mexico for a time in August 44! Do you know if this aircraft was scrapped, or crashed? Did this aircraft have nose art on both sides? I appreciate your help! Cheers! Michael Minovich

SQUAWKIN HAWK WAS RETURNED TO THE STATES ON MAY 17, 1944 FOR A WAR BOND DRIVE.  AFTER THAT, SHE WAS KEPT STATESIDE AS A TRAINING AIRCRAFT AND EVENTUALLY ENDED UP AT WALNUT RIDGE, AK. WHERE SHE WAS SCRAPPED.  EVERY PHOTO WE HAVE OF THIS AIRCRAFT SHOWS NOSE ART ONLY ON THE PILOTS SIDE.  EVERY CREW SHOT AND PUBLICITY PHOTO IS TAKEN FROM THE PILOTS SIDE WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE WAS ONLY NOSE ART ON ONE SIDE.    ALSO, SOME OF THE NAMES YOU HAVE LISTED FROM REEDERS BOOK DO NOT CORRESPOND WITH THE TIME FRAME HE SERVERED. OTHERS WE CANNOT PINPOINT THE EXACT DATE.   BELOW ARE 24 MISSIONS THAT HE DEFINITELY FLEW ON.  THESE ARE COURTESY OF OUR DATABASE, PAUL ANDREWS APPENDICES IN FRANK MURPHY’S BOOK “LUCK OF THE DRAW”, AND THE 349TH BOMB SQUADRON DIARY.  

REGARDS,
MICHAEL FALEY
100TH BOMB GROUP PHOTO ARCHIVES
100TH BOMB GROUP HISTORIAN   

MISSIONS OF CAPT SUMNER REEDER

1.    29/06/43    LeMANNS           A/C 230088        SQUAWKIN HAWK
2.    04/07/43    LaPALLICE         A/C 230088         SQUAWKIN HAWK 
3.    10/07/43    LeBOURGET       A/C 230088        SQUAWKIN HAWK
4.    14/07/43    LeBOURGET       A/C 230088        SQUAWKIN HAWK
5.    17/07/43    HAMBURG          A/C 230088        SQUAWKIN HAWK
6.    24/07/43    TRONDHEIM      A/C 230088         SQUAWKIN HAWK
7.    29/07/43    WARNEMUNDE   A/C 230088        SQUAWKIN HAWK
8.    30/07/43    KASSEL             A/C 230088        SQUAWKIN HAWK
9.    12/08/43    BONN (S.T.)      A/C 230088        SQUAWKIN HAWK
10.  19/08/43    WOENSDRECHT A/C 230088        SQUAWKIN HAWK
11.  24/08/43    CONCHES          A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
12.  03/09/43    PARIS               A/C 230088       SQUAWKIN HAWK
13.  06/09/43    STUTTGART      A/C 25957         HORNY II XR-D
LT SUMNER REEDER WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION ON THIS MISSION AND FOR HIS HEROIC EFFORTS THIS DAY, RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. 
14.  07/01/44    LUDWIGSHAVEN (1ST MISSION BACK AFTER WOUNDS SUFFERED ON SEPT 6, 1943.  CAPT REEDER FLEW A PFF AIRCRAFT 
                        WHICH WAS CONSIDERABLY SHOT UP.) CAPT REEDER IS NOW OPERATIONS OFFICER 349TH BS.
15.  25/02/44    REGENSBURG 
16.  18/04/44    BERLIN  
       19/04/44    CAPT REEDER BECOMES COMMANDING OFFICER OF 349TH BS  
17.  27/04/44     LeCULOT 
     MAY 1944    CAPT REEDER IS PROMOTED TO MAJOR.
18.  09/05/44    LEON (FLEW AS AIR COMMANDER OF 13TH COMBAT WING)
19.  12/05/44    BRUX (CZECH)   
20.  23/05/44    TROYES
21.  28/05/44     MAGDEBURG 
22.  06/06/44    D-DAY- LEAD 100TH “B” GROUP
23.  07/07/44    BOHLEN, MERSEBURG
24.  13/07/44    MUNICH
BY JULY 19, 1944 MAJ SUMNER REEDER HAD COMPLETED HIS MISSIONS AND IS REPLACED AS SQUADRON C.O. BY MAJ SAMMY BARR. MAJ BARR HAD RELINGUISHED COMMAND OF THE 349TH TO MAJ REEDER WHEN HE WENT STATESIDE FOR R&R BEFORE RETURNING FOR A SECOND TOUR OF DUTY.

ON MARCH 19, 1945 MAJOR REEDER WAS LOST OFF THE COAST OF THE COAST, EAST OF ROCK HARBOR, FLORIDA WHEN A C-54 WITH REEDER FLYING AS A STUDENT CO-PILOT CRASHED FROM UNKNOWN CAUSES.
********************************************************************************************************
REEDER, SUMNER H.  DSC
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sumner H. Reeder, First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Officer of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 349th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 6 September 1943, against enemy targets in the European Theater of Operations. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Reeder on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 16 (1944)

*EDEBURN, HARRY E. (KIA)  DSC
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Harry E. Edeburn (T-060794), Flight Officer, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 349th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 6 September 1943, against enemy targets in European Theater of Operations. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Flight Officer Edeburn on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 97 (1943)
Home Town: Brookville, Pennsylvania
Personal Awards: Distinguished Service Cross (WWII), Air Medal, Purple Heart

ENGEL, RUSSEL W. DSC
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Russel W. Engel, Second Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Officer of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 349th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 6 September 1943, against enemy targets in the European Theater of Operations. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Engel on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 96 (1943)

*****************************************************************************************************************

MEMO 2:

Peter F. Delao Jr. 
(December 27, 1923 - January 28, 2017) 	
		
Peter F. Delao Jr, 93, of San Antonio, Texas died Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.

He was the devoted husband of Lila Steinger, his wife of 72 years, who survives. He also leaves behind his daughters: Meredith Key of Connecticut; Diane Preston also of Connecticut; Lisa Delao and Michelle Garcia of San Antonio; grand-daughter, Kimberly Skoulidas of Connecticut; niece, Lillian Sullivan of Texas; brother-in-law, William Steinger of Houston; and several grandnieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed as well by fellow veterans and friends of the 100th Bomb Group.

A lifelong resident of San Antonio, he was born on December 27, 1923, the second son of Peter F. Delao Sr. and Thelma Bowen Delao. During high school, he worked as an air mechanic’s apprentice at Kelly Field in San Antonio until early 1942. Shortly after his eighteenth birthday, Pete enlisted in the Army Air Corps, eager to volunteer for flying duty as the country entered World War II. He entered training as a bombardier, earned his officer’s commission as a Second Lieutenant, and joined a B-17 Flying Fortress crew assigned to the 349th Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group.

Deployed to England in 1943, Pete and his fellow crew members of the B-17 Squawkin’ Hawk participated in strategic daylight bombing missions against German military and industrial sites. Operating from Thorpe Abbotts airbase in rural eastern England, they carried out their missions over targets heavily defended by antiaircraft installations and fiercely determined German fighter pilots during a period in the war when American bomber crews suffered a more than two-thirds casualty rate.

Pete’s life and flying career changed abruptly when he was wounded in action during a massive air raid over Stuttgart, Germany on September 6, 1943. Enemy aircraft firing on Squawkin Hawk shattered Pete’s compartment at the front of the plane leaving him semi-conscious, partially paralyzed, and bleeding heavily as subzero air poured through a gaping hole in the front of the ship. With Pete and others on the crew too gravely injured to bail out, the plane’s pilot, himself wounded, spent the next three and a half hours evading enemy fighters to return the plane and crew to England.

The Stuttgart mission earned Pete the Purple Heart. After several months in British hospitals, Pete returned to the United States, spending additional recuperation time in New York City where he met his future wife Lila. After receiving his military discharge, Pete returned to San Antonio with his bride and a new job at Kelly Field. Before retiring from management at Kelly AFB Logistics in 1980, he received an award from Texas Governor, Mark White, honoring his work as a liaison between the US Air Force and Lockheed Martin. Pete enjoyed golfing, woodworking, gardening, world history, and caring for his family, remaining active until his death. He also was a proud Democrat and member of the 100th Bomb Group Foundation. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Forrest and Max. A memorial service will held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on March 10, 2017. The family also wants to thank Dr. Fried, Pete’s caregivers, and those making memorial contributions to organizations he supported.

Family and friends will meet at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for witnessing of Military Honors at 1:30 P.M. on March 10, 2017

KIA / MIA / EVA / INT INFORMATION:

TARGET: Stuttgart DATE: 1943-09-06  
AIRCRAFT: "Horny II" (42-5957 CAUSE: EAC  

BURIAL INFORMATION

PLOT: ROW:  
GRAVE: CEMETERY:  

PHOTOS:

 Drawing by Peter Delao of his "office" on Squawkin Hawk. Reeder Crew Information (100th BG Archives) 

Article noting Peter Delao and Russell Engel (courtesy of Laura Shivers)

Newspaper account of Capt Reeder crew on Sept 6, 1943 Stuttgart mission. (Courtesy of Matt Mabe)

Squawkin Hawk with first Crew names on Tail. 

Newspaper clipping of Lt Russell Engel (Nav) al Lt Peter Delao (Bom) from Sumner Reeders Crew.  Clipping courtesy of Son David Engel. 

Nathan Howland colorization of Reeder Crew. Photo courtesy of David Engel

6th Sep 1943 the 100th loses three ships "Raunchy" Sans Finis" The Poontang".on a mission to Stuttgart Among them 25957 XR-D (Later repaired and called Horny II) . This was a replacement aircraft for the Sumner Reeder crew who would have been in Squawkin Hawk with its newly acquired bullet proof glass by the co-pilot F/o Harry Edeburn 

During a desperate struggle with JG27, they were hit with a salvo of 20mm from the FW 190 which also fell to H Pope's top turret guns. 

However the attack was a catastrophe for the Reeder crew , leaving Russ Engel the navigator seriously wounded in the head and body and losing sight of one eye. Pete Delao also seriously wounded receiving critical medical treatmeny from Russ.

The Co pilot however was mortally wounded and although tried to help the wounded pilot on three occasions, staggering to climb back into his seat was eventually laid between the seats and died of his injuries. 

Russ Engel comforted the distraught pilot to help fly the badly damaged plane. The bombs jettisoned, oxygen low they broke formation and dived for the clouds pursued by the fighters. 
Hiding in cloud until low fuel meant they had to run for home.  Navigation equipment damaged the came out over lower France and arrived on a grass strip fighter base in Kent 

RIP Harry Edeburn

(Photo is colorized) 

6th Sep 1943 the 100th loses three ships "Raunchy" Sans Finis" The Poontang".on a mission to Stuttgart Among them 25957 XR-D (Later repaired and called Horny II) . This was a replacement aircraft for the Sumner Reeder crew who would have been in Squawkin Hawk with its newly acquired bullet proof glass by the co-pilot F/o Harry Edeburn 

During a desperate struggle with JG27, they were hit with a salvo of 20mm from the FW 190 which also fell to H Pope's top turret guns. 

However the attack was a catastrophe for the Reeder crew , leaving Russ Engel the navigator seriously wounded in the head and body and losing sight of one eye. Pete Delao also seriously wounded receiving critical medical treatmeny from Russ.

The Co pilot however was mortally wounded and although tried to help the wounded pilot on three occasions, staggering to climb back into his seat was eventually laid between the seats and died of his injuries. 

Russ Engel comforted the distraught pilot to help fly the badly damaged plane. The bombs jettisoned, oxygen low they broke formation and dived for the clouds pursued by the fighters. 
Hiding in cloud until low fuel meant they had to run for home.  Navigation equipment damaged the came out over lower France and arrived on a grass strip fighter base in Kent 

RIP Harry Edeburn

(Photo is colorized) 

 

SERVED IN:

Crew 1

ID: 1237