Personnel

CREW



2nd Lt Martin D.Rupert            P   KIA  19/5/44  BERLIN (On  WALLof THE MISSING)  

F/O Bertram D.Lobdell           CP   CPT  25/9/44  LUDWIGSHAFEN, MY

2nd Lt Greek R.James,Jr.    NAV  KIA  19/5/44    BERLIN (On WALL OF THE MISSING)

2nd Lt Lynn H.Barbour     BOM  POW  19/5/44    BERLIN

S/Sgt Ralph G.Hawk         ROG  KIA 19/5/44     BERLIN (On WALL OF THE MISSING)

S/Sgt Herbert H.Cole        TTE  KIA 19/5/44     BERLIN (On WALL OF THE MISSING)

S/Sgt Cecil J.McNeer         BTG  KIA 19/5/44     BERLIN (On WALL OF THE MISSING)

  Sgt Charles L.Haswell        LWG    KIA 19/5/44     BERLIN

  Sgt Thomas E.Hick           RWG    KIA 19/5/44     BERLIN

  Sgt William P.Hohman            TG    KIA 19/5/44     BERLIN ( On WALL OF THE MISSING)



350th Sqdn. Crew as above, joined the 100th Group on 12/4/44. MACR #4947, Micro fiche #4947 A/C B 17G 42 38191.



On 19/5/44, a 1st Lt John J.Raring was flying as CP and was KIA (He is on WALL OF THE MISSING)



A/C #191 was shot down by E/A on their first pass through the formation at 1518 hours. it went down under control circling to the right. Six chutes came out as a/c went down. When last seen all props were turning and there was no smoke coming from the a/c. The crash was seen by some fishermen from Rodbyhavn,and they went to the crash point and picked up Lt.Barbour, but despite intense search in the area no other survivors llere found. Body of S/Sgt Hick was found at sea near Vejlo Island in Nakskov Fjord on 24/7/44 and he was buried at Sandby Cemetary. Body of Haswell  & Hicks was found at sea 12 km W of Rodbyhavn on 22/7/44 They were buried in Rodby Cemetary. In 1948 S/Sgt Hick's remains were exhumed and returned to U.S.A. S/Sgt Haswell is still resting in the Rodby Cemetary.



Statement by Lynn Barbour "At the time of the first attack fire was started by enemy action, near the forward escape hatch. I immediately tried to extinguish it. In moving from my position; in the nose of the ship to the location of the fire, my inter phone & oxygen system were disconnected, therefore I was not in communication with the other members  of the crew from the time the attack started until I bailed out.  As we were immediately put  out of action, and the plane was out of control, there was no time to re-establish inter-phone communications.  Not certain whether the crew had been notified to abandon ship, I shouted at the navigator to ascertain that fact and he did so. The plane being out of control and pilotless we had no choice but to bail out".

 In your investigation as to the fate of my crew members, I suggest you contact Mr. James MacDougall, Nakskov Hospital, Nakskov, Denmark. He did, and should still be able to contact fishermen who rescued me from the Baltic Sea. I believe I was docked by these fishermen at a small town named Rodby, which is a small fishing village, believed to be East of the town of  Nakskov on the Island of Lloland. I am not certain this is the correct name of the village, but this could be definitely ascertained from Mr. MacDougall, mentioned above.

 Mr. MacDougall could also put you in touch with a Doctor from this village who attended me at the dock. When rescued from the sea I was unable to make the fishermen understand that there were other crew in the area, due to my own mental and physical incapacity from injuries and exposure and also due to the language difficulties. None of the fishermen could speak or understand English. Upon reaching land, I was able to contact a person who spoke English. When the situation was described to him he promised to send the boats to conduct a search for the other crew members. I personally believe this was not done and also further believe that if such a search had been conducted other members of the crew would definitely have been found alive or their bodies would have been found floating with the support of their Mae West life vests.

 I was a patient at Nakskov Hospital for a period of three months, and during this time, upon repeated inquiries, I never received definite confirmation other boats were sent out. All inquires were instituted through Mr, MacDongall, who is the son of Dr. MacDongall, Head of the Nakskov Hospital, Nakskov City, Island of Lloland, Denmark."

        Signed:  Lynn H. Barbour

        1st Lt. A.C. O-761287



Items found on the body of Sgt Hick, which washed ashore on 24 Jul 1944 :

 1 Plain finger ring

 1 Bracelet with plate engrave (Thomas E. Hicks and Caroline V. Barth)

 1 Chain with I.D. tag

 8 Photos

 1 Box of pills

 1 Rubber bag

 1 Dictionary in cellophane.



Barbour goes on to relate he was rescued from the sea by Danish fisherman and taken to the small town of Rodby, just east of Nakskow, Denmark on the island of Lioland. He attempted unsuccessfully to get the point across that others of his crew must be in the sea and a search should be conducted. Barbour says he was a patient at Nakskov hospital for three months.



List of Missions flown by 1st Lt Bert Lobdell-taken from personal Diary

1. 27/4/44-Cherbourg, France-Flak moderately heavy, all returned



2. 27/4/44-Air Field-France-Last ship in #3 postion of lead element, low squadron-flak light



3. 29/4/44-BIG B (Berlin)-flying in #6 position, Low Squadron-"Purple Heart Corner". Heavy Flak over Berlin, Ship hit after bombs away.  14 holes from flak.  1000 planes took place in raid, 100th flew with 390th "J".



4. 01/5/44-St Omer, France-witnessed many 24's exploding on takeoff, midair collisions, to many planes in the air at one time Like a living hell.  Brought back bombs-Moderate Flak.



5. 08/5/44-BIG B (Berlin)-Second Time in 5 missions-Flew in high Squadron, flak moderate, no enemy fighters



6. 09/5/44-Lyon, France-Airfield, easy mission, no flak



7. 11/5/44-Liege, Belgium-Flew "Purple heart Corner" Hit by flak over Antwerp, knocked out #4 engine-return to base.It was a rough target, hit continually by flak.



8. 12/5/44-Brux, Czechoslovakia-9hrs long, very heavy flak.  Moore in ship in front of us received a direct hit between #3 & #4 engines by large ground rocket.  Three chutes came out of his ship.  We flew diamond in low Squadron.  Saw several fighters go down in flames.  Saw one B-17 crash land

near Munich.



9. 19/5/44-My Crew was on their tenth Mission. Rupert was pilot.  They went to BIG B for the last time. I went to 3rd AD to see about commission to 2nd Lt.  My crew reported knocked out to formation by enemy fighters.  Lonesome around here now without my friends.  Guess I am very lucky.



10. 20/5/44-Brussells, Belgium-Now flying with Brewer.  overcast on takeoff, nearly cracked up on takeoff.  Undecided about Brewer, brought back Bombs



CREW



1st Lt Herbert Howard,Jr.             P    SEE NOTES OPERATIONS OFFICER, 350TH BS

2nd Lt Gerald A.Brewer               CP    CPT   14/7/44  SOUTH OF FRANCE SUPPLY DROP FOR MAQUIS

2nd Lt William P.Roche              NAV   RFS

2nd Lt Charles W.Harrison          BOM   CPT  19/6/44  CORME ECLUSE. AF

S/Sgt Edward C.Montgomery       ROG  CPT  19/6/44  CORME ECLUSE, AF   

S/Sgt Harmon W.Thomas           TTE  RFS   Sgt Mancini took over as TTE

Sgt Edward Q. Lupia                   BTG  CPT   25/7/44 ST LO GROUND SUPPORT

Sgt Robert E. "Ace" Mace          RWG  CPT   25/7/44 ST LO GROUND SUPPORT

Sgt Benjamin J.Mancini              LWG  CPT   19/6/44 CORME ECLUSE, AF (Moved to Top Turret Engineer when Thomas RFS)

Sgt Earl R.Wilbur                       TG    CPT   19/6/44 CORME ECLUSE, AF



350th Sqdn.  Crew,as above,joined the 100th Group on 17/3/44.

NOTES:

According to a letter from Edward Lupia (Dec.1983) Lt Howard was made Operations Officer of the 350th after 5 or 6 missions and Brewer became Pilot of the crew. "Lt.Roche & Sgt.Thomas quit after the 5th mission, if my memory serves me right ". Lupia adds that Ben Mancini "passed away some years ago".



350th Sqdn. Diary for Sept.1944 says Capt.Howard releived as Operations Officer and sent to 55th Fighter Group flying P51s. Replaced as Operations Officer by Capt.Henry Smith. See: T.N.H.I.5.G. p.115 for Howard.Hugh R.Davidson who joined the 100th without a crew flew as navigator with this crew from 1 June 1944.



Missions of Lt Herbert Howard as Pilot of this Crew



DATE:          LAST_NAME:  FIRST_NAME: RANK:  POSITION:     TARGET:                 CREW_NBR: MISSION_NBR:    PLANE_NBR:

3/26/1944         HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         SCHKEUDITZ/JU-88 PLANT         15         136                 31074

3/27/1944         HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         BORDEAUX/ MERIGNAC             15         137                 31074

3/28/1944         HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         CHATEAUDUN/ EVREUX             15         138                 107024

3/31/1944         HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         LUDWIGSHAFEN/RECALLED        15         139                 31991

4/1/1944           HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         LUDWIGSHAFEN                       15         140                 31991

4/9/1944           HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         KRZESINKI (POSEN)                  15         143                 31991

4/10/1944         HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         RHEIMS/ CHAMPAGNE               15         144                 31991

4/11/1944         HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         POSEN / ROSTOCK T.O.            15         145                 31991

4/12/1944         HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         SCHEUDITZ (RECALL)                15         146                  90

4/13/1944         HOWARD         H.G.         LT          P         AUGSBURG                               15         147                107024



Lt Gerald A. Brewster becomes first pilot of this crew 



DATE:        LAST_NAME:   FIRST_NAME: RANK:   POSITION:   TARGET:                CREW_NBR: MISSION_NBR: PLANE_NBR:

5/1/1944           BREWER         G.A.         LT         CP       SAARGUEMINES/WIZERNES         15         110         31991

5/11/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         LIEGE                                         15         115         31991

5/13/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         OSNABRUCK                               15         117         31903

5/19/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         BERLIN                                       15         118         97095

5/20/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         BRUSSELS                                  15         119         97095

5/29/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         LEIPZIG                                      15         125         102934

5/30/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         TROYES                                     15         126         102934

5/31/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         OSNABRUCK                               30         127         102934

6/2/1944           BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         BOULOGNE                                 15         128         97090

6/4/1944           BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         BOULOGNE                                 15         130         102934

6/5/1944           BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         BOULOGNE(CHG)                         15         131         102934

6/6/1944           BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         FALAISE/OUISTREHAM                15        -132         102611

6/8/1944           BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         TOURS (BRIDGES)                      15         -136         102695

6/11/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         BERCK sur MER (S.DEF)               15         -137         102934

6/15/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         MITBURG & WILSTER                  15         -140         102934

6/19/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         CORME ECLUSE, AF                    30         -142         102934

7/7/1944           BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         BOHLEN/MERSEBURG                  30         155          102934

7/8/1944           BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         CLAMECY-JOLGYN                      30          156          102934

7/12/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         MUNICH (IND. AREA)                  30         158           31991

7/13/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         MUNICH (JET ENGINES)              30         159           31991

7/14/1944         BREWER         G.A.         LT         P         SOUTH OF FRANCE                    30         160           31991



Bertram Lobdell,CP on the M.D.Rupert crew 350th flew with this crew for a while as CP. G.Brewer says Jack E.Smith joined his crew as WG (to replace Mancini)  but I can find no record of Smith,...jb



We find only these records of a J Smith in our Operational records.  More info is requested from our readers.(MPF-2014)

DATE:       LAST_NAME:   FIRST_NAME:      RANK:      POSITION:      TARGET:                        CREW_NBR:          MISSION_NBR: PLANE_NBR:

5/1/1944            SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          SAARGUEMINES/WIZERNES          15                   110          31991

5/11/1944          SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          LIEGE                                          15                   115          31991

5/19/1944          SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          BERLIN                                        15                   118          97095

5/20/1944          SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          BRUSSELS                                   15                   119          97095

6/19/1944          SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          CORME ECLUSE, AF                      30                  -142          102934

7/7/1944            SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          BOHLEN/MERSEBURG                    30                   155          102934

7/8/1944            SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          CLAMECY-JOLGYN                         30                   156          102934

7/12/1944          SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          MUNICH (IND. AREA)                     30                   158          102934

7/13/1944          SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          MUNICH (JET ENGINES)                 30                   159          31991

7/14/1944          SMITH          Jack E.          S/SGT          LWG          SOUTH OF FRANCE                       30                   160          31991



Note: See Lt Bert Lobdell record for information regarding 2nd Lt Brewers crew missions from May 20, 1944 until completion of tour.



10. 20/5/44-Brussells, Belgium-Now flying with Brewer.  overcast on takeoff, nearly cracked up on takeoff.  Undecided about Brewer, brought back Bombs

11. 29/5/44-Leipzig-Germany-2nd mission with Brewer- flew #934 LN-W, new ship.  Flew #6 position in lead Squadron, Col Kidd led group.  Composit lost 3 ships, none from 350th Sq.  On return a loose formation of B-24's about 40 in number ran head on into rear of our group.  

Two 24's "flying Coffins" struck  a B-17 and the 17 lost the top Turret, the 24's exploded in a terrible mass of flame.  One minute, two 4 engine bombers with 20 men, the next, nothing but a few pieces of burnt debrie floating down. Hope I never see such a thing again.

12. 30/5/44-Troyes, France-Marshalling Yards, poor formation, good fighter support.

13. 31/5/44-Osnabruck, Germany-rail road yards, heavy flak, Flew No 6 in high Squadron

14. 02/6/44-Versailles-Paris, France-Flak was very accurate.  390th lost 2 ships, I sweated it out for some reason. We came back with no losses.

15. 05/6/44-Abbeyville, France-some flak, two 349th ships ran together and went down.

16. 06/6/44-D-DAY-went to Oren River carried two external 1000 lb bombs Alot of airplanes, We were hit by flak over Gurnesey Island. Pretty Heavy flak.

17. 06/6/44-D-DAY-went to Falise, in the afternoon. Took off 4:50pm got back at 12pm.  Very tired, flew 15 hours without stopping.

18. 08/6/44-Tours, France-Easy mission.  Expect Dear "DoLittle" to increase missions again.

19. 11/6/44-Boulogne, France-a very easy mission, No Flak

20. 14/6/44-Mons, France-Airfield.  Did not drop bombs, returned to base.  Hydraulic pressure gave out on runway but we stopped it alright.

21, 15/6/44-Hanover, Germany- did not bomb due to clouds, hit small town Wilster.  Hit us once with flak and put several holes in ship.  Flew No 3 position on Rosenthal in lead squadron.

22. 16/6/44-Brunsbottelkoog,Germany (note that this mission looks like it was flown on June 18)-Rumoured we will run a shuttle mission to Russia,  Postponed.  No ships lost except out of 390th. Ship was apparently out of control and I saw chutes come out of it like popcorn.

23. 19/6/44-Marannis,France-Airfield, no flak, mission about nine hours long.  Hope to go on Flak leave.

24. 20/6/44-Fallerslaben, Germany-Flew with lead crew "Giles".  Direct hits, good results.

25. 07/7/44-Leipzig, Germany-Missions have been set at 35. Heavy flak, didn't drop bombs.  Went to airport called Gottingion. All ships came back. Two 95th ships (Andrews says planes were 390th) had mid air collision over Holland. Only four chutes seen.  I feltpretty rotten on this one.

26. 08/7/44-Clanecy-Joigny, France- took off 3:30am went on easy trip to france, return 8:30am. NICE. Rosino cracked up our ship "934" this evening at Manningtree. No one injured. SIDE NOTE: Ball Turret gun ran away and guns fired about 50 rounds. Turret gunner operating turret had his head blown off as he tried to get into a ditch.  "Brewer says he probably kicked a couple of times"

27. 12/7/44-Munich, Germany-Heavy Flak.  A 95th ship went down.  Broke in two pieces, no chutes. We flew "991" in No 3 position on lead.  Logged 9 hrs.  Boy am I tired.

28. 13/7/44-Munich, Germany-Flew no 2 on lead in low Sqandron.  Mission was 9 1/2 hrs long.  Heavy flak.  Four ships were lost, one of those went to Switzerland.  We were attacked by a ME 109 on return.  They made one pass at 12 O'Clock on one and 6 O'Clock.  My first glimpse of an ememy fighter and hope my last one.

29. 14/7/44-Brire, France- took ten parachutes, Bombs made up of food, medicine, and guns.  Dropped stuff on plateau out an altitude of 50 feet. 8 1/2 hour mission.  Brewer flew his 35th and last mission.

Second Crew:

Brewer-Pilot-Texas

Harrison-Bomb-Kansas

Huge R. Davidson-Nav.-Montana  Joined crew on May 30, 1944

Jack E. Smith-Left Waist Gunner see missions below

F.X. Kiren-Left Waist Gunner on May 29, June 2, 4, 1944



Lt Brewer Crew:



Date          Crew Nbr  Mission Nbr  Last Name        Initial        Rank        Position   Aircraft Nbr        Target

7/14/1944        30        160        LUPIA                E.Q.        S/SGT        BTG        31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

7/14/1944        30        160        WILBUR             E.R        S/SGT        TG          31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

7/14/1944        30        160        SMITH               J.E.        S/SGT        LWG        31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

7/14/1944        30        160        MACE                R.E.        S/SGT        RWG       31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

7/14/1944        30        160        MANCINI            B.J.        T/SGT        TTE        31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

7/14/1944        30        160        MONTGOMERY   E.C.        T/SGT        ROG        31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

7/14/1944        30        160        HARRISON        C.W.            LT        BOM         31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

7/14/1944        30        160        DAVIDSON        H.R.             LT        NAV        31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

7/14/1944        30        160        BREWER            G.A.            LT        P            31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

7/14/1944        30        160        LOBDELL            B.D.            LT        CP           31991        SOUTH OF FRANCE

 

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From Glasgow, Scotland via New Amsterdam on October 3, 1944.  Arrived Boston Mass, October 24, 1944



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100th BOMB GROUP TAPS REPORT

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Submitter's Name: Barry Lobdell

Submitter's Email: bklobdell@icloud.com

Submitter's Relationship: Child

=========================

Veteran's Name: Bert D. Lobdell

Death Date: February 19, 2005

Veteran's Unit: 350th

Veteran's Position: Copilot

=========================

Family Contact Information: 

Barry Lobdell   bklobdell@icloud.com