 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orthman Crew 806 Summary
|
|
Lt Harry Orthman was one of the old hands in this group as he was part of the 12th AntiSubmaine Squadron (AS), the cadre source for the 492nd when it was first organized. He had flown numerous patrols over the Atlantic since early 1942. He received additional training in late 1943 at the School of Applied Tactics at Orlando, Florida. As one can see, he was an experienced pilot.
|
|
After the Group was placed under Col Snavely's command, a new crew was built around Orthman. Most of the crew were from the disassembled Hauger Crew. His navigator came over from the Nelson Crew (see Training links on the right). We aren't sure where two of the other men had come from. Perhaps they too came from the 12th AS. The new Orthman crew was assigned to the 858th BS, designated as Crew 806.
|
|
Orthman's nickname was "Herk." So after he signed out for B-24J, 44-40125, the crew decided to name their ship, "HERK'S JERKS." In April of '44 they flew their assigned ship to England via the southern route. They took their crew chief, Sgt Richardson, with them, thus bumping Sgt Angel on to the Queen Elizabeth.
|
|
While on route to England, they had the nose art painted on by a local artist hired at Forteleza, Brazil. See, Nose Art Story, link located on your right.
|
|
By our count, the Orthman Crew flew 13 missions for the 492nd. Orthman accepted a leadership role by flying as Lead or Deputy Lead on most of his missions. Lead pilots were given additional full time duties in the command staff so they didn't fly as often as regular crews. As a lead Crew there were several personnel substitutions made as well as taking additional men on some of the missions. Therefore, we aren't sure who flew with Orthman on each of his missions. Within the three months at North Pickenham, 2nd Lt Orthman rose to the rank of Captain.
|
|
On 19 Jun 44, the 858th was was reassigned to Cheddington as the 8th Composite Command for leaflet droppings. However, their air crews and planes were reassigned to the other three squadrons. Thus the 492nd became a three squadron group. Each squadron was allowed to have 24 crews instead of the traditional 18 crews. The Orthman Crew 806 was reassigned to the 857th BS to take the empty Liggett Crew's spot and redesignated as Crew 701.
|
|
When the 492nd was disbanded on 10 Aug 44, the Orthman Crew 701 was transferred to the 44th BG, 67th BS.
|
|
|
|
|
More Info |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Original Roster for
Orthman Crew 806
|
|
| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Orthman, Harry L |
2nd Lt |
O-522765 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Promoted Capt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Shumski, William V |
F/O |
T-121025 |
Reassigned to D Miller Crew 810
Interned in Sweden, 18 Jun 44, MACR 6767 |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Zink, Darell E |
2nd Lt |
O-703852 |
Promoted 1st Lt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Waldorf, Harold B |
2nd Lt |
O-694515 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Reassigned to Kuecker Crew R-07
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Willis, James H |
S/Sgt |
20349554 |
Promoted T/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
LeFebvre, Noel E |
S/Sgt |
11009694 |
Promoted T/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Seaton, Ellis R |
Sgt |
36442329 |
Promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Alvis, Charles W |
Sgt |
35422132 |
Promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Thrall, James R |
Cpl |
16300685 |
Promoted Sgt
Promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
Nose Gunner
MOS 611 |
Angel, James W |
Sgt |
16061167 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
| |
Others Who Flew with Orthman Crew 806
|
Crew Chief
MOS 750 |
Richardson, David H |
S/Sgt |
32447139 |
Flew to England with the crew
Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred to 859th BS |
Group
Command
MOS 1024 |
Adams, Louis C Jr |
Lt Col |
O-022616 |
Group Deputy Commander |
Group
Commander
MOS 1024 |
Snavely, Eugene H |
Col |
O-22364 |
Group Commander |
Staff
Officer
MOS 1024 |
Jaques, Louis Jr |
Capt |
O-372868 |
Staff Commander |
Staff
Officer
MOS 2161 |
Byrne, Austin P |
Capt |
O-025011 |
857th Squadron Operations Officer |
Squadron
Commander
MOS 2161 |
Heaton, Donald H |
Maj |
O-23705 |
857th Squadron Commander |
Co-Pilot
MOS |
Maynard, Raymond I |
2nd Lt |
O-822047 |
Obtained from Oliver Crew
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Heist, Charles M |
1st Lt |
O-698806 |
Orphaned from Tracey Crew 715
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Lyons, John |
1st Lt |
O-668714 |
857th Squadron Bombardier
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 67th BS
Seen ASN as O-663714 |
|
Orthman Crew 806
492nd BG Mission Record
858th Bomb Squadron
|
|
Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
|
11 May 44 |
44-40125 |
Mulhouse, France |
Target: Marshalling yard
Led B Section w/Adams |
| 02 |
|
13 May 44 |
|
Tutow, Germany |
Target: Airfield
Lead Ship w/Snavely |
| 03 |
|
23 May 44 |
|
Avord, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 04 |
|
2 Jun 44 |
44-40167 |
Berck-sur-Mer, France |
Target: Airfield
Deputy lead w/Jaques |
| 05 |
|
6 Jun 44 |
44-40125 |
Normandy, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast
Lead Ship w/Snavely |
| 06 |
|
11 Jun 44 |
44-40125 |
La Possonniere, France |
Target: Marshalling yard
Lead Ship |
| 07 |
|
18 Jun 44 |
44-40153 |
Luneburg, Germany |
Target: Airfield
A/C borrowed from 859th BS
Led B section
Bombed Wesermunde |
|
Mission Record as Crew 701, 857th Bomb Squadron
|
| 08 |
|
25 Jun 44 |
44-40125 |
Roye, France |
Target: Peronne Airfield
Lead Ship |
| 09 |
|
28 Jun 44 |
44-40125 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 10 |
|
12 Jul 44 |
44-40125 |
Munich, Germany |
Target: Railroad station
Lead Ship w/Byrne |
| 11 |
|
18 Jul 44 |
44-40125 |
Troarns, France |
Target: Tactical
Lead Ship w/Heaton |
| 12 |
|
31 Jul 44 |
44-40113 |
Ludwigshafen, Germany |
Target: Chemical plant
Led B Section |
| 13 |
|
3 Aug 44 |
44-40113 |
Mery-sur-Oise, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
