Personnel

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

Howison-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

 

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



I'd like to submit the following obituary from the Houston Chronicle:

 

1st Lt. Gerald Averitt Brewer, 8th AAC, 3rd Division, 13th CW, 100th BG, 350th Sqdn.

 

    Houston. . .Former Vernon, TX resident Gerald Averitt Brewer, 77, died Thursday, October 3, 1996 in Houston.  A graveside military funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm Monday at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston with the Rev. Harry Adamson officiating.

    Brewer was born August 15, 1919 in Kerens, TX to Donald and Corinne Mitten Brewer.  He graduated from Vernon High School with academic honors and attended the Rice Institute in Houston, where he earned a bachelor's degree.  There he met and married Patricia Helton.

    In May 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 100th Bombardment Group as a pilot.  He was credited with 35 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with oak leaf clusters, and the WWII Victory Medal.

    Following his discharge he owned and operated Brewer Sales Company in Houston until his retirement in 1992.  He was a member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.

    Surviving is his daughter, Donna Brewer Jackson of Houston, and his stepmother, Leta Brewer Peck of Vernon.

 

Thank you very much.

Donna Brewer Jackson, daughter  (9/25/51)



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

Missions ofT/Sgt Harmon W. Thomas TTE 



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

1.    3/26/1944 15 136 THOMAS H.W. T/SGT TTE 31074   SCHKEUDITZ/JU-88 PLANT

2.    3/27/1944 15 137 THOMAS H.W. T/SGT TTE 31074   BORDEAUX/ MERIGNAC

3.    3/28/1944 15 138 THOMAS H.W. T/SGT TTE 107024 CHATEAUDUN/ EVREUX

       3/31/1944 15 139 THOMAS H.W. T/SGT TTE 31991   LUDWIGSHAFEN/RECALLED

4.      4/1/1944 15 140 THOMAS H.W. T/SGT TTE 31991   LUDWIGSHAFEN

5.      4/9/1944 15 143 THOMAS H.W. T/SGT TTE 31991   KRZESINKI (POSEN)

6.    4/10/1944 15 144 THOMAS H.W. T/SGT TTE 31991   RHEIMS/ CHAMPAGNE

7.    4/11/1944 15 145 THOMAS H.W. T/SGT TTE 991       POSEN / ROSTOCK T.O.

8.    4/12/1944 15 146 THOMAS H.W. T/SGT TTE 90        SCHEUDITZ (RECALL)



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

Missions of Lt William R. Roche 



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

1.    3/26/1944 15 136 ROCHE W.R. LT NAV 31074     SCHKEUDITZ/JU-88 PLANT

2.    3/27/1944 15 137 ROCHE W.R. LT NAV 31074     BORDEAUX/ MERIGNAC

3.    3/28/1944 15 138 ROCHE W.R. LT NAV 107024   CHATEAUDUN/ EVREUX

4.    3/31/1944 15 139 ROCHE W.R. LT NAV 31991     LUDWIGSHAFEN/RECALLED

5.      4/1/1944 15 140 ROCHE W.R. LT NAV 31991     LUDWIGSHAFEN

6.      4/9/1944 15 143 ROCHE W.R. LT NAV 31991     KRZESINKI (POSEN)

7.    4/10/1944 15 144 ROCHE W.R. LT NAV 31991     RHEIMS/ CHAMPAGNE

8.    4/13/1944 15 147 ROCHE W.A. LT NAV 24          AUGSBURG

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