COMMENTS & NOTES
MEMO 1:
CREW
1ST LT FRANCIS C. KINCANNON P POW 20 JUL 44 MERSEBURG
2ND LT BERNARD L. FARNUM CP POW 20 JUL 44 MERSEBURG
2ND LT LOUIS ABROMOWITZ NAV EVA 20 JUL 44 MERSEBURG
1ST LT ROBERT E. NANCE BOM EVA 20 JUL 44 MERSEBURG
S/SGT DANIEL B. DEASON TTE POW 20 JUL 44 MERSEBURG
SGT OSCAR L. EDGE ROG POW 20 JUL 44 MERSEBURG
SGT BERNARD M. TARNECKI BTG NOC
SGT CHARLES E. GARRETTE WG NOC
SGT THOMAS J. HOAGG WG CPT 24 JUL 44 ST LO
SGT ROBERT D. CHAVEZ TG POW 20 JUL 44 MERSEBURG
418TH SQDN.. CREW, AS ABOVE JOINED THE 100TH ON 09 MAR 1944
The Crew flew a/c 42-107011 "SHINING HOUR" starting on March 27, 1944.
Partial list of Missions of Lt Kincannon Crew: (all missions in Shining Hour unless otherwise noted…mpf)
1. 16/03/44 AUGSBURG (a/c 42-38175)
2. 18/03/44 LECHFELD/MUNICH (a/c 42-6087 "ROYAL FLUSH" flak damage to #2 Engine)
3. 27/03/44 BORDEAUX/MERIGNAC AF
4. 28/03/44 CHATEAUDUN, AF
31/03/44 LUDWIGSHAVEN (Recall)
01/04/44 LUDWIGSHAVEN (Recall)
5. 08/04/44 QUACKENBRUCK, AF
09/04/44 KRESZINKE (POSEN) (Recall)
6. 10/04/44 RHEIMS
7. 11/04/44 ROSTOCK
12/04/44 SCHKEUDITZ (LEIPZIG), AC FACTORY (Lt Col Kidd Command Pilot, Recall)
8. 13/04/44 AUGSBURG (flak damage to #3 engine)
9. 22/04/44 HAMM
10. 24/04/44 FLOTTENANVILLE (NO BALL)
About this time, Lt Kincannon's Crew became a Pathfinder Crew and were assigned a radar equipped Fort supplied by the 95th BG called "BELLE OF BERLIN". (I also believe the make up of this Crew changed at this point with BTG, and both WG's being taken off the Crew and either assigned to other crews or went into spare gunner pool..MPF)
Pathfinder Aircraft
DATE: 20 July 1944 418th Sqdn. A/C #42-97564 OE-F (95th BG Pathfinder) "Belle of Berlin"
MISSION: Merseburg,Ger. MACR #7414,Micro-fiche #2701
Major MaGee C.Fuller Com. P POW
Capt Francis C.Kincannon P POW
1st Lt Bernard L.Farnum CP POW
Capt Robert E.Nance BOM EVADEE
1st Lt Louis H.Abromowitz NAV EVADEE
Capt Henry C. Griffis RAD/N EVADEE (see Hermansen crew/ 350th Sqdn.)
1st Lt George E.Bonitz NAV EVADEE
T/Sgt Daniel B.Deason TTE POW
T/Sgt Oscar L.Edge ROG POW
S/Sgt Glen E.Snider RWG POW
S/Sgt Daniel M.Cargile LWG EVADEE
S/Sgt Robert D.Chavez TG POW
This A/C was leading the mission in a Pathfinder ship which accounts for the
seven officers aboard. Major Fuller,who had flown overseas as pilot of a 349th
Sqdn. Crew in June 1943, was now C.O. of the 418th.
EYEWITNESS: "Just as bombs were released A/C #564 received a direct hit by AA fire between #2 engine and fuselage.Shell did not explode but a large hole was torn in the wing and gasoline poured from the tanks. #2 engine feathered and A/C pulled out of formation directing deputy leader to take over. A/C fell behind and was escorted by fighters and it was reported that #564 was heard to tell fighters over radio that it
was all-right." This is all the information that interrogation of 100th "A" Group crews revealed.
From Bottisham (fighter base) to PFF War room to 100th BG the following report was received: "A/C #564 called for fighter support
after it began to lag and contact was made over channel "C" with the fighters which gave it cover. Subsequentlythe PFF had to crash
land near Louvain just east of Brusselsand prearranged plan (over channel "C") as soon as the crew had cleared the A/C the fighter strafed and set fire to the ship. Fighter did not see PFF explode but stated definitely that it was afire,and that all the crew was safe.'
Subj: 100thBG Feedback Form
Date: 6/3/2004 8:16:42 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From: bryans214@peoplepc.com
The following form contents were entered on 3rd Jun 4
Date = 3 Jun 4 15:16:28
subject = 100thBG Feedback Form
messages = 1443
CATEGORY = Other
EMAIL = bryans214@peoplepc.com
UNAME = William Bryan
INTEREST = I am the relative of a 100th veteran
FEEDBACK = My uncle (deceased in 1968)was a tail gunner on a 100 bomb group crew...I believe the name of the B-17 was "Shining Hour"...his name was Charles E. Garrett, from Charlottesville, VA...but when I go to your site's 'crew' page and do a search for him or his aircraft, nothing comes up...can you help me here as to why or where? Thanks.
Purpose: Request information
Email: victor.schutters@skynet.be
Name: victor schutters
Interest: Other
Comments: Dear Madam, dear Sir,
I am writting you from Belgium.
My grandfather,Victor Schutters, was a member of the belgian underground.On 1st August 1944, he picked up three airmen of the 100th BG in Westmalle and brought them to a safe house in Brussels.Those airmen are: Capt Robert E.Nance, 1st Lt George E.Bonitz and 1st Lt Louis H.Abramowitz.
I should want to know how they were helped after the crash. I wonder if they are still alive and if they remember their trip with my grandfather.
Yours sincerely, Victor Schutters.
NANCE, Robert Earl ''Bob''
Passed away September 12, 2010 at DGMC, Travis AFB. He was born in Altamont, IL to Robert E. Nance Sr. of IL and Mary Florence Skidmore of OK. Bob had made Vacaville his home since 1961. His health had been declining in recent months.
As a US Army/Air Corp cadet in 1943, Bob met and married Louise Albea of Eagle Pass, TX. Louise passed away in 1997. Bob is survived by his children, Kay Frank (Bob), Lyn, Earl (Susan), Janice Beach (Pat) and Nancy Bastida (Ken); grandchildren Jana Nobrega (John), Celeste Klanjac (Mark), Jade Nance, Jack Bastida, Sam Bastida and Kyria Bastida; and great-grandchildren Luke Nobrega, Jake Nobrega, Madeline Klanjac and Max Nobrega. He is also survived by his brother Jack of Osprey, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy.
Bob joined the Army/Air Force during WWII. He was a B-17 bombadier in the 8th AF/100th Bomb Group. He flew 35 missions over Germany, escaped and evaded the enemy by escaping into Belgium. He was protected by the underground until he was liberated by invading Allies. He held many positions until his military retirement in 1962 at Travis AFB.
He began a second career with the state government. He quickly moved into information services for the Div. of Hwys., spending time working for the CHP, Dept. of Health and filling in as the Governor's Press Secretary for both Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown. He retired from the state after 15 years and spent his time enjoying family, baseball and reading.
The family enjoyed get-togethers where Bob would delight everyone with stories from his childhood in Kankakee, IL of all the famous and infamous people he met throughout his life.
Private family services will be held. Bob will be inurned with Louise in Livermore. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?n=robert-earl-nance-bob&pid=145445182#ixzz10Ew2KPxG
MEMO 2:
