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Lt. Robert G. Smith Merkouris, Thomas M., Pilot Smith, Robert G., Co-pilot Mundy, Charles E., Navigator Merry, Kenneth E., Bombardier MacDonald, Thomas H., Engineer/Gunner Ten Haken, Melvin G., Radio Operator/Gunner Dunham, Harry M., Gunner Palmer, Jesse H., Gunner Byers, Thomas F., Gunner Haggerty, Paul T., Gunner
Wakefield, R. C., Gunner
Major Rider, Squadron leader, led a large
formation against a far distant and heavily defended target, the synthetic oil
refinery at Brux, CZ. The formation flew from Torretta, Italy between two
decks of clouds over the Adriatic, but experienced fairly good weather over the
Alps. Over the target the tops of the solid undercast were up to 20,000
feet. Taking advantage of the high solid undercast, Major Rider was able
to almost completely avoid the intense flack. The Boise Belle, flown by
1st Lt. Lee P. Ward, Jr., with most of the crew from ship #48 (2nd Lt. Thomas
Merkouris, F/O Kenneth Merry, 2nd Lt. Charles E. Mundy, Cpl. Thomas MacDonald,
Cpl. Paul Haggerty, Cpl. Thomas Byers, Cpl. Melvin Ten Haken, T/Sgt. Jesse
Palmer, Cpl. R. C. Wakefield, T/Sgt. Harry Dunham) was shot
down after clearing the Alps near Trieste, Italy. Lt. Ward was lost. |
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