Sortie2BDB-24Bombed Primary
“Big Noise II”.Over Koblenz/Mosel.
Mission 647 · 25 September 1944 · Koblenz, Germany
Serial
42-109989
B-24J
Fuselage Code
AG
Squadron
330th
Ted's Traveling Circus
Takeoff
08:35
Hardwick (Sta. 104)
Over Target
11:59
Landing
14:30
Hardwick (Sta. 104)
Duration
5:55
Bombing Altitude
22300
Aboard
9
men
The narrative.
§ This Ship
Beckett’s 989-J took off at 08:35, released on PFF at 11:59 from 22,300 feet on a heading of 360°, and landed at Hardwick at 14:30. The crew carried twelve 500-pound G.P. bombs; all went away. Results were 10/10 cloud. They reported no flak and no enemy fighters. Fighter support was good. The wounded line notes one minor frostbite case, unnamed.
The crew.
§ 9 aboard
Name
Position
Serial
Hometown
On this flight
2LtFrederick A. Beckett
Pilot
Station 1
—
—
Returned
→
2LtFloyd F. Redderson
Co-Pilot
Station 2
—
—
Returned
→
1LtNick J. DiFrancesco
Navigator
Station 3
—
—
Returned
→
F/OGeorge F. Knedler
Bombardier
Station 4
—
—
Returned
→
SgtRichard P. Petko
Engineer / Top Turret
Station 5
—
—
Returned
→
SgtJacob A. Falasca
Radio Operator
Station 6
—
—
Returned
→
SgtJohn E. Fristoe
Waist Gunner
Station 8
—
—
Returned
→
2LtWilliam Scott
Nose Gunner
O-796608
—
Returned
→
SgtSidney Stein
Tail Gunner
Station 9
—
—
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
Takeoff08:35
Over target11:59
Landing14:30
Time in the air5:55
Took off fromHardwick (Sta. 104)
Landed atHardwick (Sta. 104)
Bombing altitude22300
The Record
ResultBombed Primary
Sortie creditFull
Counted toward tourYes
Landing dispositionHome base
Record confidenceValidated against a source
Formation
Flew with330th Squadron
Fuel & Equipment
H2X scope photoNo
The target.
§ As Briefed
Koblenz/MoselMarshalling Yard
LocationKoblenz, Germany