Lost Flight "C" of the 1st PRS (VH)
Sources: Mr. Glenn Carman & Mr. Shane Anderson
Crews and Aircraft
42-93854 "Brooklyn Bessie IV" - (Plane went down over China 2 Feb 1945)
Sources: Headquarters, Flight "C", 1st Photo Recon SQ (VH), APO 210 Histories, February, Exhibit 2; "The Humby Story"; and hand-written notes of John B. Leonard; Special Order #47, DS Photo Recon Det APO 210 dated 19 Feb 1945.
| Humby, Arthur J. | Captain | Pilot | 0-433373 # |
| Double, Arthur L. | 1st Lt | Co-Pilot | 0-371840 *# |
| Etling, Douglas C. | 1st Lt | Navigator | 0-667147 *# |
| Lovell, Harold K. | 2nd Lt | Navigator | 0-694886 *# |
| Morrison, Jim B. | 2nd Lt | Flight Engineer | 0-867946 # |
| Kimmel, William P. | 2nd Lt | Flight Engineer | 0-861590 * |
| Carnicelli, Enrico M. | T/Sgt | Photo | 6981260 *# |
| Oosterhouse, James H. | Sgt | Gunner | 36154174 *# |
| Kelsey, Ralph I. | Sgt | CFC | 17129063 *# |
| Tobey, Robert E. | Cpl | Radio | 19005483 *# |
| Fall, T.J. | Cpl | Right Gunner | 160064708 # |
| Kamiak, Alex | Cpl | Gunner | 16169709 *# |
| Odom Jr., Emory A. | S/Sgt | Gunner | 13014104 * |
* Crew members appearing on XX Bomber Command Orders dated 2 February
1945 detaching Humby?s crew to Flight ?C? of the 1st PRS. While Humby himself was not on that list, he was later detached under authority of Special Order #47, DS Photo Recon Det APO 210 dated 19 Feb 1945.
# Crew members on board 42-93854 on 2 February 1945 when the crew bailed out over China.
Notes: Humby's crew was a little different than the day he flew. There were replacements. Specifically, T.J. Fall replaced Emory A Odom Jr.; Fall was originally a gunner on Simpson's crew, 42-93865, so after Humby aircraft was lost Emory A. Odom Jr. flew with Simpson's crew.
Also, Jim B. Morrison replaced William P. Kimmel as Flight Engineer on Humby's crew on 2 February 1945; Jim B Morrison was originally on 42-93855 (Lazzaro's crew), so after Humby's aircraft was lost, William P. Kimmel flew as Engineer on 42-93855.
The replacement crew for Captain Humby's crew was Captain Albert Coe's crew (arrived from the rear area to augment the existing flying personnel). They had no plane assigned.
See "The Arthur Humby Story - Bail Out Over China And The Long Walk Home"
Coe's crew (on Detached Service from 462nd Bomb Group)
Source: Headquarters, Flight "C", 1st Photo Recon SQ (VH), APO 210 Histories, February, Exhibit 2.
| Coe, Alvin R. | Capt | Pilot | 0-420369 |
| Marr, Verne L. | 2nd Lt | Co-Pilot | 0-829261 |
| Sheets, Frederick | 1st Lt | Navigator | 0-797412 |
| Crawford, G. D. | T./Sgt | Flight Engineer | 13038172 |
| Perry, H. B. | Cpl | Radio | 31257350 |
| Fortner, T. E. | Cpl | CFC | 18116276 |
| Flick, R. R. | Cpl | Gunner | 19151928 |
| Hathcock, S. J. | Cpl | Gunner | 14154559 |
| Gustafson, D. V. | Cpl | Gunner | 42026046 |
| Dragoni, J. R. | Cpl | Gunner | 31369354 |
| Petty, J. T. | Sgt | Photographer | 32694042 |
42-93864 "Shutter Bug"
Source: Headquarters, Flight "C", 1st Photo Recon SQ (VH), APO 210 Histories, February, Exhibit 3.
| Alfke, George B. | Capt | Pilot | 0-884154 |
| Boydston, Jack J. | 2nd Lt. | Co-Pilot | 0-771277 |
| Flynn, William F. | Capt | Navigator | 0-728191 |
| McMillen, Franklin E. | 2nd Lt. | Flight Engineer | 0-864992 |
| Aisner, Jr., Julius | 2nd Lt. | Bomb | 0-691673 |
| Skvarna, Edward M. | Sgt | Gunner | 33439710 |
| Ladd, Wilfred A. | Sgt | Radio | 3664354 |
| Hendrich, Howard C. | Cpl | Gunner | 35900293 |
| Apgar, George N. | Cpl | Tail Gunner | 12133618 |
| Evans, Robert A. | Cpl | Photo | 14027309 |
| Lawrence, Robert L. | PFC | V | 33005004 |
| Tallas, Bennie C. | Cpl | CFC | 18104943 |
| Stephens, James A. | T/Sgt | Crew Chief | 17020572 |
42-93865 "Snoopin Kid"
Source: Headquarters, Flight "C", 1st Photo Recon SQ (VH), APO 210 Histories, February, Exhibit 3.
| Simpson, Thomas I. | 1st Lt. | Pilot | 0-734146 |
| Leonard, John B. | 2nd Lt. | Co-Pilot | 0-771453 |
| Bonnelli, John P. | 1st Lt. | Navigator | 0-1057964 |
| Yates, Jr., Paul C. | 2nd Lt. | Photo Navigator | 0-723494 |
| Hirschman, Aaron | Cpl | Radio | 32918665 |
| Albright, Robert | Cpl | Gunner | 37358730 |
| Meyer, Raymond H. | Cpl | CFC | 19205088 |
| Odom, Jr., Emery A. | S/Sgt | Gunner | 13014104 |
| Blinn, William H. | Cpl | V | 11081709 |
| Jones Robert K. | Cpl | Gunner | 39272879 |
| Harpster, Jr., Charles R. | S/Sgt | Photo | 16011585 |
| Perry, Richard E. | T/Sgt | Flight Engineer | 20813826 |
| Thompson, Lawrence H. | T/Sgt | Crew Chief | 6912143 |
Note: T. J. Fall was the original Right Gunner, but replaced Odom on Humby's flight; threafter Odom flew with Simpson's crew.
 |
| Back row (l to r): Aaron Hirschman (radio operator); Raymond M. Meyer (CFC); Robert "Pop" Albright (tail gunner and oldest crew member - age 35 yrs); Charles R. Harpster, Jr. (Photographer); Emory A. Odom (Right Gunner); Richard E. Perry (Flight Engineer)
Front row: Jack Bonelli (Navigator); James Jones (Left gunner); John B. Leonard (Co-Pilot); 1Lt Thomas Ingram Simpson (Pilot); Paul C. Yates, Jr. (Photo Navigator) |
42-24567
Source: Headquarters, Flight "C", 1st Photo Recon SQ (VH), APO 210 Histories, February, Exhibit 2.
| Gremmler, Paul E. | Capt | Pilot | 0-404756 |
| Economos, Jack W. | 2nd Lt. | Co-Pilot | 0777629 |
| Riddle, Paul E. | 1st Lt. | Navigator | 0-734603 |
| Fyffe, Pat C. | 1st Lt. | Navigator | 0-667149 |
| Herman, Robert W. | 2nd Lt. | Flight Engineer | 0-572007 |
| Elkins, Gerald A. | S/Sgt | Radio | 32347220 |
| Laurie, Walter L. | Cpl | Gunner | 11051996 |
| Beiler, William H. | Cpl | Gunner | 3251865 |
| Caswell, Peter J. | Cpl | CFC | 36566657 |
| Durilla, Michael | Cpl | Gunner | 13094167 |
| McGlohon, John A. | T/Sgt | Photo | 14049555 |
| Schreck, John P. | S/Sgt | Crew Chief | 32409940 |
After moving to Guam, Capt. Gremmler returned to US and Lt. Aubry Grice joined crew as Co-Pilot and Jack Economos took over as Pilot.
42-93855 "Double Exposure"
Source: Headquarters, Flight "C", 1st Photo Recon SQ (VH), APO 210 Histories, February, Exhibit 3.
| Lazzaro, Nunzio | 1st Lt. | Pilot | 0-660579 |
| Schardt, Fredrick W. | 2nd Lt. | Co-Pilot | 0-766960 |
| Bachman, Joel Z. | F/O | Navigator | T-126222 |
| Kimmel, William P. | 2nd Lt. | Flight Engineer | 0-861590 |
| Mead, Donald M. | 2nd Lt. | Navigator | 0-722927 |
| Hansford, Joseph W. | S/Sgt | Gunner | 20416074 |
| Gillespie, Robert P. | Cpl | Gunner | 36449047 |
| Badgley, Charles W. | Cpl | Radio | 36441571 |
| Harr, Orel D. | Sgt | CFC | 39300996 |
| Anglin, Franklin H. | Cpl | Gunner | 34269679 |
| Christian, Hubert H. | Cpl | Photo | 37370100 |
| Dougherty, Donald A. | Pvt | Crew Chief | 33276473 |
42-93871
| Swick, John P. | 1st Lt. | Pilot | 0734277 (KIA) |
| Haines, Henry W. | 2nd Lt. | Co-Pilot | 0823572 (KIA) |
| Cohn, Benjamin J. | 2nd Lt. | Navigator | 02056351 (KIA) |
| Williams, William A. | 2nd Lt. | Photo Navigator | 0-723546 (KIA) |
| Becker, Jr., Albert J. | S/Sgt | Flight Engineer | 18056889 (KIA) |
| Jackunas, Stanley R. | Cpl | Radio | 16080916 (KIA) |
| Lowe, Eugene L. | Cpl | CFC | 35299764 (KIA) |
| Macchia, Robert W. | Cpl | Right Gunner | 32721537 (KIA) |
| Lashbrook, Howard W. | Cpl | Left Gunner | 36477048 (KIA) |
| Scott, Samuel B. | Cpl | Tail Gunner | 35298659 (KIA) |
| Anzalone, Edmond F. | Cpl | Photographer | 33318592 (KIA) |
| Diedrich, John J. | T/Sgt | Crew Chief | |
Source: Sherman Wilkins in correspondence to B-29 Superfortress List.
Notes: On 16 December 16 1944 F-13 42-93871 and crew arrived at Dhudkundi, India and was assigned to the 678th BS, 444th BG for training. Captain Sherman Wilkins was their instructor pilot. He flew a couple of missions with them. Wilkins recalls that "On the longest mission with them in their F-13 we discovered the remnants of the Japanese Fleet after the great battle of Midway. They were hiding in Cape St. Jacques on the southwestern tip of Vietnam. After they were discovered other air and Navy units were sent after them to be sure they never returned to battle. And sadly, on their next mission they (this crew) crashed on takeoff from Dudhkundi and were killed."
Source: Accident Report dated 23 February 1945.
The accident report clarifies that the plane and crew were bound from APO 215 near Dhudkundi to APO 493 (A1). The accident report states in pertinent part:
"Aircraft number 42-93871 was cleared from this station to participate in a photographic mission en route to an advance base in China. The airplane completed what appeared to be a normal takeoff. Minutes after the aircraft became airborn it crashed in a rice paddy area free from trees and brush.
Trees on the edge of the clearing bear evidence that the aircraft struck the tops of them before crashing into the paddy area. The aircraft was immediately enveloped in flame and completely destroyed. All crew members perished in the crash."
The board found the cause of the accident to be undetermined; however, they did state that the most probable cause was that the flaps were raised before sufficient airspeed and altitude had been gained.
42-93849 "Under Exposed"
Source: Headquarters, Flight "C", 1st Photo Recon SQ (VH), APO 210 Histories, March, Exhibit 2.
| Wilkinson, Thomas D. | 1st Lt. | Pilot | 0-737685 |
| Heichel, John R. | 2nd Lt. | Co-Pilot | 0-774647 |
| Callahan, John J. | 2nd Lt. | Navigator | 0-674142 |
| Donnelly, Donald | 2nd Lt. | Navigator | 0-2060256 |
| Schimpke, Burton J. | 2nd Lt. | Flight Engineer | 0-869377 |
| La Pointe, Donald L. | Cpl | Gunner | 31375466 |
| Pare, Lawrence G. | Sgt | F | 12171315 |
| Evans, George R. | Cpl | Radio | 12214763 |
| Kinter, Kenneth C. | Cpl | Gunner | 33921143 |
| Hoover, Harry R. | Cpl | CFC | 37224364 |
| Krebs, Dale S. | Cpl | Gunner | 33873268 |
Note: Plane and crew joined the squadron on March 18, 1945. Seems that Wilkinson's aircraft may have been appropriated by a ranking crew. Wilkinson crew was essentially a replacement for 1st Lt. Swick's crew which was lost on Janaury of 1945. Swick's crew perished.
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