Personnel

CREW



2ND LT GLENN W. RAKE                    P  CPT 12 JUL 44 MUNCIH,

2ND LT DOUGLAS R. DRYSDALE      CP CPT 29 JUL 44 MERSEBURG,OIL REF & HILDESHEIM (TRANS. TO 364TH FG, SHOT DOWN, EVA)

2ND LT ROBERT L. MISHLER         NAV CPT 12 JUL 44 MUNICH, 

2ND LT FRANCIS L. CATE              BOM CPT 12 JUL 44 MUNICH, 

S/SGT EDWARD C. ROGERS           TTE CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES

S/SGT LEO A. MILLER                     ROG CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES

SGT EARL E. EVANS                         TG CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES

SGT LOUIS TEKEL                           BTG CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES (crediited with 2 fighers destroyed)

SGT ROBERT J. BOURQUIN             WG CPT DATE & MISSION UNK

SGT DAVID M. PFLAUM                    WG CPT DATE & MISSION UNK     TAPS: 31 AUG 1974



351ST SQDN.. CREW, AS ABOVE, JOINED THE 100TH ON 06 MAR 1944. (WHAT A DAY TO ARRIVE, THE 100TH LOST 15 AT BERLIN..pw). CREW TRANSFERRED TO 349TH SQUADRON ON JUNE 1, 1944. (MPF 2001)



AFTER 17-20 MISSIONS DRYSDALE TRANSFERRED TO SQUADRON LEAD CREW OF RAY MONRAD AND FLEW MOST OF HIS REMAINING MISSIONS WITH THE MONRAD CREW.  WAS MADE A "LUCKY BASTARD" AFTER 33 MISSIONS AND THEN APPLIED FOR A TOUR IN P-51S. ON HIS SECOND MISSION (AIR BOURNE INVASION OF HOLLAND, OPERATION: MARKET GARDEN) WAS HIT BY FLAK (BRIDGE AT NIJMEGEN) AND WAS HIDDEN BY THE DUTCH UNDERGROUND. RETURNED TO ENGLAND AND SENT IMMEDIATELY BACK TO THE USA OVER HIS OBJECTIONS. HIS COMMANDING OFFICER DECIEDING IT WAS ENOUGH COMBAT FOR LT DRYSDALE IN ONE WAR.



Lt Drysdale completed his tour and then joined the 364th Fighter Groug, 385th Fighter Squadron, flying P-51's.  On his second Mission on Septmeber 17, 1944 he was shot down by flak near Neimegan, (part of Operation Market Garden).  He was hid by the Dutch and then was rescued by 82nd Airborne. 

 

In a letter from Doug Drysdale dated Aug 11, 2003, Lt Drysdale states: "I was made First Pilot, effective 26 July 44.  I got a crew, and flew my 33rd mission as first pilot on 28 July 44 to Merseburg with it being the first mission for the rest of the Crew.  When I landed the crew chief welcomed me with a the salutation "You Lucky Bastard----you've finished your tour!"  They reduced me from the 35 missions requirement because of the lead crew missions with Ray Monrad.  

 

The Crew I flew with (Lt Coccia) went back to Merseburg the next day and got shot down.   Squadron Order No. 33 dated 16 Aug 44 confirmed my rating as First Pilot as of 26 July 44 signed by "Flak Willy" alias Bob Williams, Squadron Adjutant.  Incidentally, immediately after completion of the 33rd mission with the 100th I got "Pappy" the 351st truck driver to drive me to the 364th Fighter Group at Honington; walked in, and said, "I want to fly the little one" The Group CO talked to me and said, "Lt., I want you".  He Called LeMay at 3rd Division and about four days later I started my second tour in P-51's with the 364th.  I should have stayed home--------  I got shot down on my second mission, evaded, and got home in Oct 44. 

 

Finally: Lt Rake reported a mission in which he landed with 2 engines feathered.  This never happened; we never landed with a feathered fan. I was on the mission to which he referred, so the knowledge is first hand.  The A/C did get a thorough flakking however, a flat tire, bombay doors damaged to the extent that we flew back with them open the entire way, #3 engine leaking oil liberally, and leaving a trail of smoke the whole return trip."  …………Maj Douglas R. Drysdale



MISSIONS OF 2ND LT FRANCIS L. CATE sn# O-684606 and LT MISHLER



Mission # Date Target                   Aircraft #  Bomb Load

 1 15 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany      389                           (on Lt L.G. Lacy Crew)

 2 16 Mar 44  Augsburg                      256                           

 3 22 Mar 44 Berlin, Germany             983   Incnediary

 4 23 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany      983   Incendiary

 5 27 Mar 44 Merignac, France           047   Incendiary

 6 01 Apr 44 Ludwidshafen, Germany 256   Incendiary & Demolition

 7 11 Apr 44 Rostock, Germany          256   Demolition

 8 12 Apr 44 Leipzig, Germany         3938   Demolition

 9 13 Apr 44 Augsburg, Germany       018   Demolition

 10 18 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany           389   Incendiary & Demolition

 11 19 Apr 44 Lippstadt                       256   Demolition

 12 22 Apr 44 Hamm, Germany          767   Demolition

 13 24 Apr 44 Freidrichshafen, Ger     256   Demolition

 14 25 Apr 44 Dijon, France                 983   Demolition

 15 29 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany             256   Incendiary

 16 01 May 44 Saarquemines, France 412   Demolition

 17 07 May 44 Berlin, Germany           412   Demolition

 18 08 May 44 Berlin, Germany           007   Incendiary

 19 09 May 44 Paris, France AF Laon Atries  256   Demolition

 20 13 May 44 Osnabruck, Germany    256   Demolition

 21 19 May 44 Berlin, Germany           126   Demolition

 22 27 May 44 Strasbourg, Germany   256   Demolition

 23 28 May 44 Magdeburg, Germany   256   Demolition

 24 30 May 44 Troyes, France             256   Demolition

 25 05 Jun 44 Boulogne, France          416   Demolition

 26 06 Jun 44 French Coast (Falasie)  416   Demolition (D-day)

 27 08 Jun 44 Tours, France               416   Demolition

 28 11 Jun 44  Berck sur Mer              859   Demolition

 29 14 Jun 44 Le Culet                        859   Demolition

 30 04 Jul 44 Gien, France                  393   Demolition

 31 06 Jul 44 Secret (Fleury-Crepeoli) No-Ball  393   Demolition

 32 07 Jul 44 Bohlem, Germany           977   Demolition

 33 08 Jul 44 Calais, France area         977   Demolition

 34 11 Jul 44 Munich                             393   Incendiary

 35 12 Jul 44 Munich                             977   Incendiary

.   

Mission Log of Glenn W. Rake Crew



 Mission # Date    Target                        Aircraft #  Bomb Load

 1 16 Mar 44   Augsburg                              256

 2 22 Mar 44 Berlin, Germany                      983   Incnediary

 3 23 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany               983   Incendiary

 4 27 Mar 44 Merignac, France                     047   Incendiary

 5 01 Apr 44 Ludwidshafen, Germany           256   Incendiary & Demolition

 6 11 Apr 44 Rostock, Germany                    256   Demolition

 7 12 Apr 44 Leipzig, Germany                  3938   Demolition

 8 13 Apr 44 Augsburg, Germany                  018   Demolition

 9 18 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany                        389   Incendiary & Demolition

 10. 19 Apr 44 Lippstadt                                256   Demolition

 11 22 Apr 44 Hamm, Germany                    767   Demolition (Sgt Tekel shot down enemy fighter)

 12 24 Apr 44 Freidrichshafen, Germany     256   Demolition 

 12b 25 Apr 44 Dijon, France                        983   Demolition

 14 29 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany                     256   Incendiary

 15 01 May 44 Saarquemines, France          412   Demolition

 16 07 May 44 Berlin, Germany                    412   Demolition

 17 08 May 44 Berlin, Germany                    007   Incendiary (Sgt Tekel shot down enemy fighter)

 18 09 May 44 Paris, France AF Laon Atries  256   Demolition 

 19 13 May 44 Osnabruck, Germany             256   Demolition

 20 19 May 44 Berlin, Germany                    126   Demolition

 21 27 May 44 Strasbourg, Germany             256   Demolition

 22 28 May 44 Magdeburg, Germany            256   Demolition

 23 30 May 44 Troyes, France                     256   Demolition

 24 05 Jun 44 Boulogne, France                   416   Demolition

 25 06 Jun 44 French Coast (Falasie)            416   Demolition (D-day)

 26 08 Jun 44 Tours, France                        416   Demolition

 27 11 Jun 44  Berck sur Mer                       859   Demolition

 28 14 Jun 44 Le Culet                                 859   Demolition

 29 04 Jul 44 Gien, France                            393   Demolition

 30 06 Jul 44 Secret (Fleury-Crepeoli) No-Ball  393   Demolition

 31 07 Jul 44 Bohlem, Germany                    977   Demolition

 32 08 Jul 44 Calais, France area                 977   Demolition

 33 11 Jul 44 Munich                                   393   Incendiary

 34 12 Jul 44 Munich                                   977   Incendiary



Target names supplied by G. W. Rake and may ,in some cases, differ from those listed in 8th Air Force records…pw

Updated by Mfaley from LT F. L. CATE  Questionaire (1/9/2001)



  MISSIONS OF 2nd Lt Douglas Drysdale w/Rake Crew

#      Date          Target                          Aircraft #  Bomb Load

 1 16 Mar 44 Augsburg, Germany              256

 2 22 Mar 44 Berlin, Germany                    983   Incnediary

 3 23 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany             983   Incendiary

 4 27 Mar 44 Merignac, France                 047   Incendiary

 5 01 Apr 44 Ludwidshafen, Germany       256   Incendiary & Demolition

 6 04 Apr 44 Rostock, Germany                256   Demolition

 7 12 Apr 44 Leipzig, Germany                3938   Demolition

 8 13 Apr 44 Augsburg, Germany             018   Demolition

 9 18 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany                   389   Incendiary & Demolition

 10 19 Apr 44 Lippstadt                             256   Demolition

 11 22 Apr 44 Hamm, Germany                767   Demolition

 12 24 Apr 44 Freidrichshafen, Germany   256   Demolition

 13 25 Apr 44 Dijon, France                     983   Demolition

 14 29 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany                 256   Incendiary

 15 01 May 44 Saarquemines, France      412   Demolition

 16 07 May 44 Berlin, Germany                412   Demolition

 17 08 May 44 Berlin, Germany                007   Incendiary

 18.09 May 44 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP    31256 LAON/COUVRON; ANTHIES

 19.13 May 44 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP    31256 OSNABRUCK

 20.19 May 44 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP    97126 BERLIN

 21. 5/30/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 107233 TROYES                                  (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 22. 5/31/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31708 OSNABRUCK

 23. 6/15/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

 24. 6/19/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF             (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 25  6/21/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 ARAD (RUHLAND) BEGINNING OF RUSSIAN SHUTTLE MISSION

 26.  7/3/1944  DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

 27.  7/5/1944  DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY)

 28.  7/21/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG           REGENSBURG                       (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 29.  7/24/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)        (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 30.  7/25/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG            ST LO (GND SUPPORT)        (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 31.  7/28/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT P    37936 MERSEBURG



Target names supplied by G. W. Rake and may ,in some cases, differ from those listed in 8th Air Force records…pw

Updated by Mfaley from LT F. L. CATE  Questionaire (1/9/2001)