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. "
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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.
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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.
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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)
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MEMO 2:
Original 100th, Crew #9. Enemy A/C attacked from 12 O'clock heavily damaged nose and killed Edeburn.
PHOTOS:
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Harry E. Edeburn 349th CP Pennsylvania KIA 6 Sep 43 Stuttgart Sumner H. Reeder Crew No Photo Shirley B. Eldridge 349th GND Massachusetts 17 Jul 43 |
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Lt Edeburn CP on Capt Sumner Reeder Crew. Received DSC for Sept 6, 1943 Stuttgart Mission where he was KIA. |
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Uniform of Lt Edeburn, CP on Capt Sumner Reeder Crew |
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photo by Richard Talent. Today at the American Madingly cemetery I spent a few quiet moments with Harry Edeburn. Flight Officer from the Squawking Hawk Harry was killed Whilst on a mission to Stuttgart on Sep 6 1943. God bless Harry you are not forgotten |
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Side by side comparison of Lt Harry Edeburn photo. Colorization of a very brave man by the name of Harry Edburn, of the 100th BG.-
Image repair and colorization - Nathan Howland - HowdiColour.
Credit: Richard Tallent Collection. |
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Article on the death of Harry Edeburn (courtesy of Laura Shivers) |
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Newspaper account of Capt Reeder crew on Sept 6, 1943 Stuttgart mission. (Courtesy of Matt Mabe) |
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Framed photo of Capt Sumner Reeder and F/O Harry Edeburn made by Harry Edeburn Family and given to Russ Engel. Photo courtesy of David Engel |
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Squawkin Hawk with first Crew names on Tail. |
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Article on F/O Edeburn |
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Nathan Howland colorization of Reeder Crew. Photo courtesy of David Engel |
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Artist Marc Poole sketch for David Engel |
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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) |
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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) |
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Sept 6, 1943 mission to Stuttgart flown by Sumner Reeder Crew. It is this damage that injured Russ Engel. |
SERVED IN:
- REEDER, Sumner H. - P
- EDEBURN, Harry E. - CP
- ENGEL, Russell W. - NAV
- DELAO, Peter F. - BOM
- POPE, Harold L. - TTE
- BREWSTER, Connor D. - ROG
- DOLSEN, Francis G. - BTG
- FURLONG, Orrin W. - WG
- LOVIN, Robert M. - WG
- MARASCO, James - TG
- PING, Charles J. - TG
