Group Mission 84 - Rostock, Germany- April 11TH, 1944. Daniel was in Crew #6, and flew in A/C 42-32026 "Tis a Mystery".
The 40 aircraft of the 390TH "A" and "B" Groups attacked Rostock on the 11th of April, 1944. First phase photo interpretation stated that, for the "A" Group, the high explosive pattern was not distinguisable in the smoke and clouds. For the "B" Group, it stated that apparently the bombs fell into the existing smoke pattern at the lower end of the bay and built up area.
Clouds and contails prevented the Wing attacking the primary or the second target. Rostock, the last resort target, was bombed visually.
Although many enemy fighter attacks were seen, the hostile aircrafts did not attempt to engage the B-17's of the 390th which were flying a tight defensive formation.
Flak caused 21 of our aircraft to receive battle damage and 4 major battle damage. All of our aircraft returned safetly and there were no personnel casualities.
Eye Witness Accounts.
The following statements were made by combat crew members when interviewed in the briefing room on their return.
Lt Strawn: "Flak knocked out our oxygen system, hydraulic system and one engine, but you should have seen the way we left that target ...... a flaming hell."
Lt. Lipschitz: " I had a ringside seat when a bunch of JU 88's and ME 110's ganged up on the tail of a wing on our right. They swooped in three abreast, firing rockets and 20 mm. It was a terrific attack, but they knocked only one Fort out of formation."
Lt. Fitterman: "15 ME 210's roared out of the clouds over the Baltic, and broke up to attack the bombers in another wing in a group of five. The attacks were hard pressed."
Lt. Pease: "The formation set a beautiful pattern across the target. It was already flaming and smoking violently as our bombs went down concentrated in the smoke and fire."
Sgt. Kaufman: "A great red blaze stood out from the target area as our formation moved up for it's turn."
At 1140 hours at 5445N-1415E, 21 JU 88's were observed flying level and in the opposite direction to the wing ahead in line astern formation attacking with 20mm cannons from broadside level. Enemy aircrafts then circled to the right coming in from 9 o'clock level on the wing formation to the rear. The attacks on this wing were rockets attacks made singly. The enemy aircrafts went out to 1500 yards launching the rockets, then peeling to the left diving under. At 1325 hours near Warnemunde, 12 FW 190's were observed attacking the wing ahead from 11 o'clock to 2 o'clock level. Single attacks were made from line astern formation. Attacks lasted about 5 minutes. meagre to moderate continuous pointed fire was observed on the out lying cities around Rostock.
A Convoy, including 3 large ships, at 5434N - 1100E, headed 200 degrees true course. One crew reported vessels which looked like a pocket battleship in Mecklenburg bay at 1321 hours,escorted by 2 destroyers. 7 or 8 heavy bombers and at least 12 twin engine fighters observed on the ground at Tutow Airfield.
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"Anoxia Queen" A/C 42-39819 was a B-17G-1-VE (4) engine US Army Airforce bomber in WW2. It was lost on April 13,1944 by German flak outside Ostende, Belgium, along with all ten of her crew in the English Channel/North Sea. This is a complete list of all missions and crews, along with a little history.
Sgt Daniel J. Miller's 12th Mission
Group Mission 85 - Leipzig, Germany- April 12TH, 1944. Daniel was in Crew #6, and flew in A/C 42-32026 "Tis a Mystery".
The Group was credited with a sortie, when clouds forces the recall of the mission. The 390th "A" Group dispatched 20 aifcraft, and the "B" Group dispatched 20 aircraft plus 1 pathfinder A/C.
No enemy fighters were seen.
Landfall on the enemy coast was made at 1227 hours and 10 minute later the order to return was received.
Meagre flak was encountered, resulting in one case of minor battle damage. All our aircraft returned safely, and there were no personnel causalities.
3/10th stratus at 5000 feet. 6-8/10 middle cloud base 12,000 feet, tips 13,000 feet. 6-8/10th cirrus at 20,000 feet. Dense haze at 13,000 to 24,000 feet with visibility from 500 yards to 2 miles. Formation descended below middle clouds over England and North Sea, but similar weather conditions encountered from 10-20,000 feet after penetrating 30 miles into continent.
Airfield, not shown on map, between Ostend and Bruges at 5115N-0306 S. No activity. Airfield at 5106N-2345S not on map. No activity observed on airfields at Dunkerque, southwest of Nieuport, Nivelles,Charieroi, Calais, and Ostend. lowland flooding over 8-10 sqaure miles, 8 miles southeast of Dunkerque. Large truck convoy going toward the sea at Dunkerque at 1246 hours. 2 barrage balloons, 1 mile northeast of Nieuport, altitude 3000 feet. 1 balloon 21/2 miles southwest of Ostend, altitude 3000 feet.Large concentration of barges on canal running parallel to coast, east of Dunkerque. 1 flat top ship in harbor near Nieuport at 1250 hours.
Friendly fighter were observed going into form support for the bombers when they received the call to return.
A B-17 from group behind, at 1203 hours, five miles west of Orfordness was observed in a spin. At 6000 feet, some pieces came off and ship dove into the sea, no chutes.
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The Group was credited with a sortie, when clouds forces the recall of the mission. The 390th "A" Group dispatched 20 aifcraft, and the "B" Group dispatched 20 aircraft plus 1 pathfinder A/C.
No enemy fighters were seen.
Landfall on the enemy coast was made at 1227 hours and 10 minute later the order to return was received.
Meagre flak was encountered, resulting in one case of minor battle damage. All our aircraft returned safely, and there were no personnel causalities.
3/10th stratus at 5000 feet. 6-8/10 middle cloud base 12,000 feet, tips 13,000 feet. 6-8/10th cirrus at 20,000 feet. Dense haze at 13,000 to 24,000 feet with visibility from 500 yards to 2 miles. Formation descended below middle clouds over England and North Sea, but similar weather conditions encountered from 10-20,000 feet after penetrating 30 miles into continent.
Airfield, not shown on map, between Ostend and Bruges at 5115N-0306 S. No activity. Airfield at 5106N-2345S not on map. No activity observed on airfields at Dunkerque, southwest of Nieuport, Nivelles,Charieroi, Calais, and Ostend. lowland flooding over 8-10 sqaure miles, 8 miles southeast of Dunkerque. Large truck convoy going toward the sea at Dunkerque at 1246 hours. 2 barrage balloons, 1 mile northeast of Nieuport, altitude 3000 feet. 1 balloon 21/2 miles southwest of Ostend, altitude 3000 feet.Large concentration of barges on canal running parallel to coast, east of Dunkerque. 1 flat top ship in harbor near Nieuport at 1250 hours.
Friendly fighter were observed going into form support for the bombers when they received the call to return.
A B-17 from group behind, at 1203 hours, five miles west of Orfordness was observed in a spin. At 6000 feet, some pieces came off and ship dove into the sea, no chutes.
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Sgt Daniel J. Miller's 13th and final mission
Group Mission 86 - Augsburg, Germany- April 13TH, 1944. Daniel was in Crew #6, and flew in A/C 42-39819 "Anoxia Queen".
40 aircraft were dispatched by the 390th, flying "A" and "B" Group, to bomb the Messerschmidt plant at Augsburg on 13th, April. 1944. 38 of our aircraft attacked. Flak, accurate and intense at the target, knocked out 3 of our bombers. One ME 109 attacked the "A" group without damage to the bombers or itself.
First phase photo interpretation states that the bomb pattern of the 390th "A" group was hidden in smoke covering the MPI. The bombs of the 390th "B" group burst 1,000 yards west of the MPI.
The aircraft lost were piloted by 1/Lt. MF Swavel, 2/Lt. D.W. Zollars, and 1/Lt. D.L. Cooper. In addition to their crews being missing, the group lost, 1 killed and 6 wounded in the action.
The effectiveness of the anti aircraft fire is indicated by the causalities and by the fact that 20 of the aircraft returning suffered major battle damage and 14 minor battle damage.
Capt. Jerome A. Osadnick's aircraft had No. 3 and 4 engines knocked out by flak on the return route. No. 2 engine was hit, but continued to operate, He was forced to leave the formation. Between Dunkirk and Ostend, other flak hit his aircraft, knocking out the radio, radio compass and the hydraulic system. The captain landed his ship safely at an emergency field near Dover.
1/Lt M.F. Swavel's Aircraft Lost
The missing aircraft report stated as follows regarding the loss of 1/Lt. M.F. Swavel's aircraft:
"About 1649 hours near Brussels, A/C 819, 390th "A" Group was hit by flak. A/C fell out of formation and was last seen leaving the enemy coast near Ostend at about 10,000 feet. No chutes reported seen".
1/Lt. D.L. Cooper's Aircraft Lost
The missing aircraft report states as follows regarding the loss of 1/Lt. D.L. Cooper aircraft:
"About 1453 hours near Augsburg, A/C 691, 390th "B" group was hit by flak. Gasoline was observed leaving rapidly. A/C fell behind with No. 2 prop feathered. A/C 691 proceeded toward Switzerland as per instructions of Wing leader. No chutes were seen."
2/Lt. D.W. Zollors's Aircraft Lost
"About 1453 hours near Augsburg, A/C 821, 390th "B" Group was hit by flak, and dropped of formation with a engine smoking. A/C was under control, disappearing into the clouds at 1615 hours. One crew reported that 6, and another crew, 10 objects believed to be bodies were observed to come out of the B-17 from 390th "B" group at 1510 hours. No chutes were seen to open and the objects disappeared into the clouds. Whether these objects were equipment being thrown out to lighten the load,or personnel parachutes and delaying jumps cannot be ascertained. As above stated, crews reported seeing A/C 821 at 1615 hours near 50 degrees. 15 minutes N- 06 degrees. 20 minutes E. If personnel bailed out near 48 degrees. 50 minutes N-10 degrees 30 minutes E and A/C reached 50 degrees. 15 minutes N - 06 degrees. 30 minutes E, possibly A/C 821 continued flying on AFCE".
Eighth AAF Report:
The Eighth AAF Narrative of Operations states as follows: "207 B-17's dropped 1491 x 500lbs general purpose, and 2242 x 100 lbs incendiary bombs on the Messerschmidt plant at Augsburg. Preliminary assessment of strike photographs indicates hits on the sub-assembly machine shops, the power house, the flight hanger and other workshops, There are incendiary strikes on two round hangers and a machine and press shop".
The third bomb division lost 18 bombers on the mission. The 207 A/C which attacked were 3rd division aircraft.
Combat Crew Comments.
Combat crew personnel when interviewed in the briefing room on their return from the mission stated as follows:
Lt Col Robert O Good: "The worst flak I've ever encountered...... hundreds of bursts filled the sky over the target with big black clouds. The whole formation rocked up and down as a result of the terrific explosions."
Lt. Martin: "Broken clouds and the smoke screen partially obscured the target. A quick look through the opening, however indicated that the bombs hitting true. Red flashes marked the target area."
S/Sgt. Dunn: "A supercharger shot out, and more than 50 flak holes in our ship tells better than words the story of the flak we flew through today, but our bombs hit the target and started a column of smoke rising"
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40 aircraft were dispatched by the 390th, flying "A" and "B" Group, to bomb the Messerschmidt plant at Augsburg on 13th, April. 1944. 38 of our aircraft attacked. Flak, accurate and intense at the target, knocked out 3 of our bombers. One ME 109 attacked the "A" group without damage to the bombers or itself.
First phase photo interpretation states that the bomb pattern of the 390th "A" group was hidden in smoke covering the MPI. The bombs of the 390th "B" group burst 1,000 yards west of the MPI.
The aircraft lost were piloted by 1/Lt. MF Swavel, 2/Lt. D.W. Zollars, and 1/Lt. D.L. Cooper. In addition to their crews being missing, the group lost, 1 killed and 6 wounded in the action.
The effectiveness of the anti aircraft fire is indicated by the causalities and by the fact that 20 of the aircraft returning suffered major battle damage and 14 minor battle damage.
Capt. Jerome A. Osadnick's aircraft had No. 3 and 4 engines knocked out by flak on the return route. No. 2 engine was hit, but continued to operate, He was forced to leave the formation. Between Dunkirk and Ostend, other flak hit his aircraft, knocking out the radio, radio compass and the hydraulic system. The captain landed his ship safely at an emergency field near Dover.
1/Lt M.F. Swavel's Aircraft Lost
The missing aircraft report stated as follows regarding the loss of 1/Lt. M.F. Swavel's aircraft:
"About 1649 hours near Brussels, A/C 819, 390th "A" Group was hit by flak. A/C fell out of formation and was last seen leaving the enemy coast near Ostend at about 10,000 feet. No chutes reported seen".
1/Lt. D.L. Cooper's Aircraft Lost
The missing aircraft report states as follows regarding the loss of 1/Lt. D.L. Cooper aircraft:
"About 1453 hours near Augsburg, A/C 691, 390th "B" group was hit by flak. Gasoline was observed leaving rapidly. A/C fell behind with No. 2 prop feathered. A/C 691 proceeded toward Switzerland as per instructions of Wing leader. No chutes were seen."
2/Lt. D.W. Zollors's Aircraft Lost
"About 1453 hours near Augsburg, A/C 821, 390th "B" Group was hit by flak, and dropped of formation with a engine smoking. A/C was under control, disappearing into the clouds at 1615 hours. One crew reported that 6, and another crew, 10 objects believed to be bodies were observed to come out of the B-17 from 390th "B" group at 1510 hours. No chutes were seen to open and the objects disappeared into the clouds. Whether these objects were equipment being thrown out to lighten the load,or personnel parachutes and delaying jumps cannot be ascertained. As above stated, crews reported seeing A/C 821 at 1615 hours near 50 degrees. 15 minutes N- 06 degrees. 20 minutes E. If personnel bailed out near 48 degrees. 50 minutes N-10 degrees 30 minutes E and A/C reached 50 degrees. 15 minutes N - 06 degrees. 30 minutes E, possibly A/C 821 continued flying on AFCE".
Eighth AAF Report:
The Eighth AAF Narrative of Operations states as follows: "207 B-17's dropped 1491 x 500lbs general purpose, and 2242 x 100 lbs incendiary bombs on the Messerschmidt plant at Augsburg. Preliminary assessment of strike photographs indicates hits on the sub-assembly machine shops, the power house, the flight hanger and other workshops, There are incendiary strikes on two round hangers and a machine and press shop".
The third bomb division lost 18 bombers on the mission. The 207 A/C which attacked were 3rd division aircraft.
Combat Crew Comments.
Combat crew personnel when interviewed in the briefing room on their return from the mission stated as follows:
Lt Col Robert O Good: "The worst flak I've ever encountered...... hundreds of bursts filled the sky over the target with big black clouds. The whole formation rocked up and down as a result of the terrific explosions."
Lt. Martin: "Broken clouds and the smoke screen partially obscured the target. A quick look through the opening, however indicated that the bombs hitting true. Red flashes marked the target area."
S/Sgt. Dunn: "A supercharger shot out, and more than 50 flak holes in our ship tells better than words the story of the flak we flew through today, but our bombs hit the target and started a column of smoke rising"
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Final Comments
This is where the story ends unfortunately. Daniel and the rest of his crew perished on April 13 1944 . Their B-17, the "Anoxia Queen" hit by flak, went down in the English Channel/North Sea. All presumed drowned. Three (3) bodies washed up on the Ostend shore, about a month later. One of the bodies was identified as Robert J. Gibbs, the other two may have been Wilmer R. Goldinger and Theodore R. Lipchitz. My blog is in memory of Daniel J. Miller (Ball Turret Gunner) and the rest of the crew of the "Anoxia Queen" Morris F. Swavel (Pilot), Wilmer R. Goldinger ( Co-Pilot), Theodore R. Lipchitz (Navigator), Philip W. Wade (Bombardier), Frank C. Bobrowicz (Radio Operator), Alec NMI Gwazdosky (Top Turret Gunner), James T. O'Brien (Tail Gunner), Robert J. Gibbs (Right Waist Gunner), William L. Walker (Left Waist Gunner), and last but not least A/C B-17G 42-39819 "Anoxia Queen".
Some reports indicate the "Anoxia Queen" was getting ready to ditch in the English Channel/North Sea, while other reports indicate that the B-17 simply lost power and went down. No one knows for sure. As you read my entire blog, I will will leave it up to you to decide. I also want to preserve the memory of the veterans on WW2, so their memories are not forgotten after they are gone. Thank you for viewing my blog and enjoy.
- Dan Miller
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Some reports indicate the "Anoxia Queen" was getting ready to ditch in the English Channel/North Sea, while other reports indicate that the B-17 simply lost power and went down. No one knows for sure. As you read my entire blog, I will will leave it up to you to decide. I also want to preserve the memory of the veterans on WW2, so their memories are not forgotten after they are gone. Thank you for viewing my blog and enjoy.
- Dan Miller
* Click on the "Home" button at the bottom center of the post to go to the home page.
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