Sortie Report#: 0255

Mission Data:
Date 34th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 34th Primary Target
August 24, 1944 63 568 Kiel, Hemmingstadt
Last 34BG mission flying B-24s. 39 planes were dispatched. 32 planes dropped 91.5 tons on the primary target, 3 planes dropped 9 tons on the secondary target, 1 bombed a target of opportunity, dropping 3 tons, and 3 failed to bomb. 36 Credit Sorties. Three planes were listed as Missing in Action along with 27 crewmembers and 1 crewmember was Wounded in Action. This was perhaps the toughest mission flown by the 34BG. Nearly every plane in the formation reported some kind of battle damage, 15 of them characterized as Major damage, this in addition to the three planes that were lost. Returning planes brought home 5 wounded crewmen as well.
Sortie Data:
Combat CreditStatusTarget Attacked (Mode)
Yes Completed Primary (Visual)
Sortie Aircraft Data:
TypeSerial NumberSquadronSQ CodeName
B-24J 44-40458 4th D/Q Picadilly Tilly
Sortie Crew Data:
PositionCrew MemberUnitStatus
Pilot Robert G. Bice Jr. 4th Completed
Co-Pilot Francis O. Rowley 4th Completed
Bombardier Kenneth Humphreys 4th Completed
Radio Operator Carroll E. Forister 4th Completed
Engineer/Top Turret Jack F. Blackham 4th Completed
Gunner (Ball Turret) Leonard F. Bielas 4th Completed
Gunner (Tail) Ernie Woelfel 4th Completed
Gunner (Waist/Flexible) William R. Reschke 4th Completed
Sortie Notes:
Major battle damage