Sortie2BDB-24Bombed Primary
“Missouri Sue”.Over Koblenz/Mosel.
Mission 647 · 25 September 1944 · Koblenz, Germany
Serial
42-100370
B-24J
Fuselage Code
YM
Squadron
409th
Ted's Traveling Circus
Takeoff
09:30
Hardwick (Sta. 104)
Over Target
11:59
Landing
14:45
Hardwick (Sta. 104)
Duration
5:15
Bombing Altitude
22000
Aboard
10
men
The narrative.
§ This Ship
Gilbert's 370-S took off at 09:30, released twelve 500-pound GPs on the primary by PFF at 11:59 from 22,000 feet on a heading of 356° magnetic, and landed at Hardwick at 14:45. Results were 10/10 cloud. CAMERA is written at the top of the form; the camera-carried box is Yes. Sortie credit was given. Fighter cover was good. No flak and no enemy fighters.
The crew.
§ 10 aboard
Name
Position
Serial
Hometown
On this flight
CaptKenneth L. Gilbert
“Ken”
Pilot
Station 1
O-542404
—
Returned
→
1LtWilliam Schmoller
“Bob”
Co-Pilot
Station 2
O-711807
South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Killed in action
Returned
→
2LtGeorge H. Johnson
Navigator
Station 3
—
Minneapolis
Completed his tour
Returned
→
2LtEugene M. Heller
Bombardier
Station 4
—
—
Returned
→
T/SgtDave Threadgill
Engineer / Top Turret
Station 5
38432542
TX
Killed in action
Returned
→
SgtCharles W. Curran
Radio Operator
Station 6
32836006
—
Prisoner of war
Returned
→
S/SgtIra A. Glass
Waist Gunner
Station 8
35807205
KY
Killed in action
Returned
→
S/SgtHarvey Reiquam
Waist Gunner
Station 8
17113941
—
Killed in action
Returned
→
S/SgtJohn H. Cowden
Nose Gunner
18071001
CO
Killed in action
Returned
→
S/SgtCornelius J. Davison
Tail Gunner
Station 9
12221225
NY
Killed in action
Returned
→
The load.
§ 6,000 lb aboard
AN-M64
500-pounder
12× 500 lb
TypeGeneral Purpose · TNT/Amatol
Weight6,000 lb
FuzingNose AN-M103 (1/10) · Tail AN-M101A2 (.025)
The flight.
§ Ship’s Record
The Day
Takeoff09:30
Over target11:59
Landing14:45
Time in the air5:15
Took off fromHardwick (Sta. 104)
Landed atHardwick (Sta. 104)
Bombing altitude22000
The Record
ResultBombed Primary
Sortie creditFull
Counted toward tourYes
Landing dispositionHome base
Record confidenceValidated against a source
Formation
Formation12-ship, four 3-ship elements (T-bar)
Slot, as written1-3
Element1
SeatRight wing
DescribesOn the bomb run
Flew with409th Squadron
Fuel & Equipment
Strike cameraCarried
H2X scope photoNo
The target.
§ As Briefed
Koblenz/MoselMarshalling Yard
LocationKoblenz, Germany