2-Mission 263 May 29, 2023

I originally posted this on May 31, 2021

My father flew B-17s in World War II. He was in the 15th Air Force, 2nd Bomb Group, 20th Bomb Squadron. He had many harrowing stories that he could tell but the worst was the mission he did not go on. A squadron would send up seven planes on each mission. This accounted for a half to a third of the squadrons aircraft and crews. His first two missions were as co-pilot, Missions 255 and 256. Once he checked out, he flew as pilot. He had one day off, Mission 257 before he flew his first three missions as pilot. He flew three straight days, Missions 258, 259, and 260. This earned him three Missions off, 261, 262, and 263. Mission 263 was to Moravsk Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, the Privoser Oil Refinery which supplied about 20% of the German’s fuel. These oil refineries had been taking a beating so on August 29, 1944, in a last ditch effort, the Nazi’s threw everything they could at the approaching B-17s. It was the worst loss for the 15th Air Force in the war. Nine aircraft were lost, 40 airmen killed and 46 taken prisoner. Only 4 that were shot down escaped. Of these, the entire 20th squadron of seven aircraft were lost, 39 airmen killed and 37 taken POW. Had my dad flown that mission, because he was a new pilot, he would have been in one of the last four positions. Two days later, my dad had to fly Mission 264. He survived his 50 missions with one crash landing and lots of flak. But today is the day we remember the forty men who gave their lives willingly along with all of the other men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The Greatest Generation.

Name Position Aircraft

Meyrick, Russell W Bomb/Togglier 297159

Marinello, Joseph Ball Turret 297159

Katz, Irving D Eng/Top Turret 2107118

Payne, Russell I Waist Gunner 2107118

Bullock, William Cobb Pilot 46359

Laratta, Joseph M Waist Gunner 46359

Nelson, Maurice E Tail Gunner 46359

Weiler, James A Pilot 232048

Embry, Robert L Navigator 232048

Sulkey, Frank A Bomb/Togglier 232048

Bumgardner, Lonnie H Eng/Top Turret 232048

Martin, John J Radio Operator 232048

Wagoner, Ernest W Ball Turret 232048

Adair, John H Waist Gunner 232048

Byam, Loren E Waist Gunner 232048

Dalcannale, George D Tail Gunner 232048

Helveston, Harold W Co-Pilot 231473

Everett, Edwin R Radio Operator 231473

Durette, Luther L Ball Turret 231473

Munden, Charles A Waist Gunner 231473

Schirmer, Harold Waist Gunner 231473

Pruitt, Elmer J Tail Gunner 231473

Goodman, Carl S Co-Pilot 238096

Hartman, Richard P Bomb/Togglier 238096

Brown, Robert L Eng/Top Turret 238096

Mays, William R Radio Operator 238096

Flahive, Robert J Ball Turret 238096

Bauman, Jerome Waist Gunner 238096

Johnson, James J Waist Gunner 238096