COMMENTS & NOTES
MEMO 1:
CREW
CAPT JOSEPH L. ZELLER P FEH (CO OF 418TH)
2ND LT WILLIAM L. BOWEN CP FEH
2ND LT GEORGE E. BONITZ NAV EVA 20 JUL 44 MERSEBURG (WITH THE F.C. KINCANNON CREW see below)
F/O D.L. WHITE BOM CPT 12 SEP 44 MADGEBURG
S/SGT DANIEL A. LYNCH TTE CPT 12 SEP 44 MADGEBURG TAPS: 14 JAN 1964
S/SGT HARRY J. HENDRICKS ROG CPT 08 SEP 44 MAINZ
SGT MAX FRIEDMAN BTG NOC TAPS: 7 MAY 1983
SGT CHARLES L. GRIMES WG NOC
SGT WILLIAM V. LOMBARDI WG NOC
SGT WILLARD R. FREDERICK TG NOC TAPS: 28 AUG 1989
351ST SQDN… CREW, AS ABOVE, JOINED THE 100TH ON 09 MAR 1944
ZELLER BECAME COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 418TH AFTER MAGEE FULLER WAS LOST ON 20 JUL 44 (MERSEBURG, OIL REFINERY)
Capt Joseph L. Zeller Crew f;ew in Skipper II 42-31708 until May 28, 1944.
March 16, 1944 Augsburg
March 18, 1944 Lechfeld
March 19, 1944 Marquise, Mimmoyeques
March 22, 1944 Berlin (returned with serious battle damage to Skipper II)
March 23, 1944 Brunswick (flying 31389 which was later named " Lucious Lucy")
March 27, 1944 Bordeaux
March 28, 1944 Chateaudun
It appears that Capt Zeller's Crew became a Lead Crew in April 1944 and Lt Bowen was transferred to the crew of Lt Seymour Eichen
April 11, 1944 Pozen & Rostock Capt Swartout Command Pilot
April 12, 1944 Scheuditz (Recall) Lt Col William Veal Command Pilot (from 13th CBW)
May 13, 1944 Osnabruck Capt Zeller-Com P. Lt Monrad-Pilot
May 20, 1944 Brussels Capt. Zeller-Com P. Lt Monrad-Pilot
May 28, 1944 Magdeburg Capt. Zeller-Com P. Lt Monrad-Pilot
June 6, 1944 Falaise, D-Day Capt. Zeller-Lead P. PFF
June 20, 1944 Fallersleben Capt. Zeller-Com P. Lt Norman P. Scott-Pilot 42-107233 "Humpty Dumpty
July 7, 1944 Bohlen Capt. Zeller-Com P, Lt Monrad-Pilot 42-107233 "Humpty Dumpty"
CREW
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.'
Purpose: Request information
Email: victor.schutters@skynet.be
Name: victor schutters
Interest: Other
Comments: Dear Madam, dear Sir,
I am writing 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.
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100th BG veteran: George E. Bonitz
Date of death: 4/24/2009
Family contact information:
William A. (Bill) Bonitz, son
wabonitz@cox.net
MEMO 2:
