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Robert Bailey
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Group Edition sheet size: 25" wide x 35" high. Others: 23" wide x 34 1/4" high.
GROUP EDITION SIGNATURES: (108 Total Signatures) Staff Sgt. PAUL ZAK - 418th Squadron Luftwaffe Signatures: Signed in Germany with Robert Bailey
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America's entrance into war-torn Europe in 1942 was immediately at a strategic and tactical disadvantage. Germany had absorbed most of her neighbors into the Third Reich. Had it not been for England who stood defiant and largely alone, the scene that greeted the Americans would have been far more difficult. Europe by then was a fortress that had been carefully crafted by Germany's architects of war. The continent and coastline bristled defensively in an 'Atlantic Wall' that defied breaching. To combat 'Fortress Europa', America and England adopted an air war doctrine that was designed to soften up the expected German resistance and entrenchment, prior to the allied invasion. The heart of the air doctrine was centered on a bombing campaign that consisted of heavy bomber groups of both British and American design, that addressed both day and night bombing of industrial and population centers throughout occupied territories. America chose to follow the philosophy of daylight precision bombing, which was inherently more dangerous than night bombing, exposing both aircraft and crews alike to the onslaught of German day fighters. The casualty experiences in 1942-43 brought that philosophy to the brink of cancellation. Yet the aircrews and bombers like the B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator kept rising daily to do battle against the best that the Luftwaffe could muster. Time, effort and increased fighter escort proved to be the catalyst needed to change the picture of the air war. By the end of 1944, the Luftwaffe was losing ground to the mighty bomber streams that devastated their heartland. In Robert Bailey's painting, elements of the 100th Bomb Group are seen just after their bomb release above an oil refinery near Hamburg. Surprisingly, the aircrews reported no snow in or near the target area, even though it was the end of December. The mission lacked fighter cover, which had been diverted to another B-17 raid that day. The 'Bloody Hundredth' was attacked by Fw-190's, Me109's and Me262 jets. The fighters had been vectored to the scene by a captured B-17 flown by the Germans, who monitored the bomber stream, reporting height, speed and heading. The Hundredth lost 12 planes this day, but they had destroyed their target and then thundered home with an abiding faith in their fellow crewmembers and their formidable Fortresses.
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Feldwebel Oscar Boesch joined the Luftwaffe in 1942. He volunteered for Sturm
Staffel One, a special unit that attacked daylight four-engine
bombers. During his first mission in April 1944, he crash
landed his Fw190, which flipped onto its back. He was
shot down in May, but went on to score 18 victories, including
a Spitfire, Mustang, 6 B-17's, 2 B-24's, 4 IL-2's, 2 Lagg
5's and 2 Yak 9's. Oscar logged 120 combat missions, which
ended in April 1945 when his Fw190 collided with a Yak
9 over Berlin. He was captured by the Russians, but escaped
and walked 1,000km. back home to Austria.
Unteroffizier Heinz Kern was
born in 1922 on a farm in the Taunus region of Germany.
He was interested in aviation from his childhood on reading
books about famous pilots like the Red Baron. After flying
gliders, receiving his pilot's license (1943) and fighter
pilot training, he flew the Me109 and Fw190 in France,
Austria, Finland and Norway. He owns a hotel north of
Frankfurt where his old friends of JG-5 meet for their
annual reunion.
Leutnant Heinrich Frieherr von Podewils joined the Luftwaffe in 1939.
He flew Me109's and Fw190's in Bulgaria, Norway, and Finland
and in the 'Home Defence'. (Reichsverteidigung). His victories
include a Hurricane, a B-17 and a Beaufighter. He was
shot down twice, once over Germany by a P-47 Thunderbolt.
In 1945 he commanded 8./JG-5 in Norway, where he became
a P.O.W. of the Americans. He was turned over to the French.
In January 1947, he escaped from a P.O.W. camp in France
but was caught near the German border. He remained a prisoner
in France until June 1947, two years after the end of
the war.
Oberleutnant Ernst Scheufele was
born in Walldorf, Germany. He joined the Luftwaffe in
October 1940 and later flew the Me109 with 4./JG-4, on
'Defense of the Reich' missions. He also flew the Me109
with JG-5 from Norway. On December 3rd, 1944, he was shot
down by American ground fire near Aachen. He has a total
of 18 victories, including 3 four-engine bombers and 2
Mustangs. Ernst Scheufele flew 200 missions and holds
the Frontflugspange in Gold.
Oberleutnant Walter Schuck joined the Luftwaffe in 1937. He scored his first victory
while with 7./JG-5 based at Petsamo on the Polar Sea.
On June 5th, 1942, he shot down 4 Russian fighters. His
rate of victories increased steadily. During March, 1944,
he shot down 7 Boston bombers and by April had 84 victories.
On June 15th he scored 6 more, and on the 17th, 12 more
victories in 24 hours! By August he had 150. Later in
the war he flew the Me.262 jet with JG-7. He shot down
4 B-17's in the 262, with 8 victories. His all-up score
was 206 confirmed aerial victories. His awards include
the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.
Feldwebel Dieter Weinitschke was
born in 1920 in Berlin. He volunteered for the Luftwaffe
in 1941 and was stationed in Finland with JG-5. He was
soon recognized as an excellent fighter pilot in the Me109.
He also flew reconnaissance missions for Ju-87 and Ju-88
strikes against the Russian harbor of Murmansk. In 1942
he was shot down behind Russian lines, but three days
later he was rescued by a Fiessler Storch. A year later
he parachuted from his Me109 and became a P.O.W. in Russia.
He is credited with 19 victories. With his many poems
and writings he still has a special place in the hearts
of his old friends of the Jg-5 Eismeerjager.
1st.
Lieutenant Richard Ames was born in Greenville, Illinois.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet
and after time on the P-40 Warhawk, was assigned as a
co-pilot on B-17's. His crew was assigned to the 100th
Bomb Group in August 1944. He was on the Hamburg raid.
Lieutenant Ames was wounded in October 1944, having completed
33 missions. Awards include Air Medal, 5 clusters and
the Purple Heart. Also awards from the Polish Home Army
and Warsaw Resistance. His aircraft was 'Glory Bound'.
Captain Thomas M. Barrett flew 30 combat missions with the 100th Bomb Group. He
was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Captain Barrett
became the Lead Bombardier with the 418th Squadron and
on one mission was wounded over Mainz, Germany. On the
Hamburg raid, he was the Group Lead Bombardier. Decorations
include Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air
Medal with 4 O.L.C.'s, E.T.O. Ribbon, (6 Bronze Battle
Stars), American Theater Ribbon and Polish Freedom Medal.
He retired with the rank of Major.
2nd
Lieutenant Ralph Bradley was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Omaha, Nebraska.
He enlisted in the Army Air Force Cadet Program in December
1942, at the age of 18. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant
as a bombardier on May 21st, 1944. He and his crew joined
the 100th Bomb Group in September of 1944 and flew their
first mission, to Bonlen, on October 7th. He completed
31 missions including Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Mannheim,
Munich, Duisburg and Cottbus. When he returned to the
U.S.A., he became instructor to retrain bombardiers and
Chinese army officers. He retired from the Air Reserve
as a Lieutenant Colonel. Decorations include Air Medal
with 5 Clusters, E.T.O., American Defense Medal and Unit
Citation.
Major Harry Crosby was
commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1942. He flew 37 missions,
mostly as the Lead Navigator, including the longest missions
to the north (Trondheim, Norway), east (Berlin, landing
in Russia), and south (Regensberg, landing in North Africa).
Decorations include D.F.C. (three times), Air Medal (seven
times), Bronze Star, two Presidential Citations and the
Croix de Guerre with Silver Star (two times). He retired
as a Lt. Colonel. He is also author of the book 'On a
Wing and a Prayer'. (HarperCollins).
Lieutenant Victor E. Fienup was
born in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a B-17 pilot with
the 351st Squadron, 100th Bomb Group. On his 15th and
last mission to a target near Paris, France, his b-17
'Janie' is said to have collided with another b-17 flown
by 2nd Lieutenant Charles Floyd Jr. in 'Barker's Burden'.
Another report says that a bomb dropped on 'Janie'. In
any event, she went down, burning. Lt. Fienup tried to
exit through the pilot's window, but became stuck. The
aircraft then blew up, and he descended by parachute,
becoming a P.O.W. He has the D.F.C., ETO and Purple Heart.
1st.
Lieutenant Grant Fuller was co-pilot of the lead ship
of the lead squadron, the plane featured in FORMIDABLE
FORTRESS. During the attack, he sat in the tailgunner's
position and reported back his observations to the pilot.
Born in Ft. Sumner, New Mexico, he trained in San Antonio,
Perrin Field, Hicks Field, Ellington Field (all in Texas)
and Rapid City, South Dakota. He completed 30 combat missions.
Awards include Air Medal with O.L.C.'s, Unit Citation
and Polish Home Army Cross.
1st.
Lieutenant Chuck Harding was born in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania,
training in California, Texas, New Mexico and Tennessee.
Chuck was a B-17 pilot with the 100th Bomb Group and flew
the D-Day mission, Russian Shuttle mission (both led by
Colonel, now General, Tom Jeffrey). Chuck was shot down
on his 17th mission over Augsburg, Germany. He got to
Switzerland, where he was interned but escaped and returned
to American forces. His escape plan was adopted by Army
Intelligence and over 100 men were later able to escape,
using the plan. Decorations: Air Medal, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Sergeant Albert P. Lochra was
born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Training was in Sioux
Falls and Rapid City, South Dakota. He served in the 100th
Bomb Group, 351st Squadron as a Radio Operator/Gunner.
Combat missions total 19, plus a mission to Holland where
food was dropped to civilians. Decorations include Good
Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Victory WWII Ribbon,
American African-Middle East Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars
and Air Medal, with 2 O.L.C.'s.
Major Charles A. Martin was
born in Plaindealing, Louisiana, and trained at Randolph
and Kelly Fields, Texas. He flew 8 combat missions over
Germany in B-24's with the 458th Bomb Group before being
transferred to the 100th Bomb Group as Commander of the
349th Bomb Squadron. He was the COMMAND PILOT on the Hamburg
mission. (The main aircraft in FORMIDABLE FORTRESS). Decorations
include D.F.C., Air Medal with 4 O.L.C.'s and the Commendation
Medal with 3 O.L.C.'s.
Tech.
Sergeant James M. McCullough was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He served in the 349th and 350th Squadrons, 100th Bomb
Group. He flew 26 missions as Top Turret Gunner with the
following pilots: George Fowler, 'Hong Kong' Wilson, and
Joe King. His missions include Berlin, Chemnitz marshalling
yards, Nuremburg, Bremen, Brunswick (tank factory), Ulm
marshalling yard, Jena (Car Zeiss Optical Works), Ahlhorn
(jet field), Kiel docks, Leipzig and many others. Decorations
include Victory Medal, Air Medal (5 clusters), and Presidential
Citation with O.L.C.
Captain Glenn H. Rojohn was
born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He received his training
in the eastern States, and was Pilot-in-Command of 'The
Little Skipper' on the Hamburg raid with the 100th Bomb
Group this day. After bombing the target and on the way
home, another B-17 came up from underneath and collided
with his aircraft. The two planes left the formation locked
together, with Captain Rojohn controlling both planes
with throttles. Some aircrew baled out, and Captain Rojohn
crash-landed both aircraft on enemy territory. The Gestapo
interrogated him for a few days, believing that he had
commanded a new, 8-engined secret weapon. Awards include
the D.F.C. Air Medal, Purple Heart and P.O.W. Medal.
Lieutenant Robert Rosenthal enlisted
on December 8th, 1941 and joined the Hundredth Bomb Group
in 1943 as a pilot. On his third mission, 'Rosie' flew
the strike to Munster. Only Rosenthal and his crew in
'Royal Flush' returned to base at Thorpe Abbotts. During
the Bremen raid, he was a 2nd. Lieutenant. He went on
to complete 52 missions and was on his third tour when
the war ended. He was awarded sixteen decorations, including
the D.S.C., Silver Star (twice), D.F.C. (twice), Air Medal
with Seven Clusters, two Purple Hearts and British and
French decorations.
Captain Harold Switzer joined the service in 1943 and took basic training in
Atlantic City, New Jersey. His wings were received at
Freeman Field. He then took transitional training to fly
B-17's and joined the 100th Bomb Group. His most memorable
mission was Magdeburg in April 1945. Flying in the slot
(Purple Heart corner) his squadron was attacked by 262
jets. Second and Third Element Leads were knocked out,
so he moved up to Second. His tail gunner (Dan Radice)
and ball turret gunner (Pete Yarnot) shot down two jets
and received full credit. The lead ship dropped out, and
Captain Switzer led the squadron back to Thorpe Abbotts.
He flew ten missions during the war, and was decorated
with the Air Medal, Group Citation and Presidential Citation.
Staff
Sergeant Edward F. Tatro was born in Joliet, Illinois.
He trained in Minnesota, Nevada and Florida, becoming
a Waist Gunner with the 100th Bomb Group, 418th Squadron.
Decorations include Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters,
European Campaign, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal.
1st
Lieutenant 'Hong Kong'
Wilson was born in Dublin,
Texas. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was
trained in Prince Albert, (Saskatchewan), in Manitoba
and at Prince Edward Island. After service flying over
the North Atlantic, he joined the 100th Bomb Group and
flew missions to Germany from England. On the Hamburg
raid, 'Hong Kong' was leading the High Squadron, (B) with
Major Harry Cruver as Command Pilot. They were flying
deputy lead for the 100th Bomb Group that day. 'Hong Kong's'
Awards include the D.F.C. and Air Medal.
1st.
Lieutenant Robert H. Wolff was born in San Francisco and trained in Boise, Idaho
and Casper, Wyoming. Eventually assigned to the 100th
Bomb Group at Thorpe Abbotts, England. He flew many missions
to Germany and France, including the famous 'Shuttle Mission',
landing in Africa. His aircraft, 'Wolf Pack', was too
badly damaged to fly the return mission. On a later mission
he had three engines shot out on a raid to France and
ditched offshore, becoming a prisoner of war. Awards include
the D.F.C., Air Medal and Distinguished United Citation.
Staff
Sergeant Paul Zak is originally from Tourage, Lithuania. Trained at Army
Air Field, Las Vegas, he joined the 418th Squadron with
the 100th Bomb Group. He flew with Harold Bucklew's crew
in 'Silver Dollar,' as the ball turret gunner. On the
Hamburg raid, he disabled an Fw-190, causing its engine
to catch fire. On the return journey, he witnessed Glenn
Rojohn's B-17 collide with McNabb's, and both B-17's began
a wide descending circle, drifting towards the coast.
He reported the tail numbers at debriefing. Awards include
Air Medal (5 O.L.C.'s), Polish Flying Cross, and Russian
Victory Medal.