 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rasmussen Crew R-02 (709)
|
|
 |
|
Back row, left to right...
|
| • |
Paul Boos, navigator
|
| • |
Jack Wilson, bombardier
|
| • |
Arthur Rasmussen, pilot
|
| • |
Harold Koven, co-pilot
|
|
|
Front row, left to right...
|
| • |
Gandolfo LaPlaca, radio operator
|
| • |
Murray Friedenberg, gunner
|
| • |
Alvin Hungerford, gunner
|
| • |
Bernard Murtaugh, gunner
|
| • |
Paul Taylor, gunner
|
| • |
Charles Hollingsworth, engineer
|
|
|
|
Rasmussen Crew R-02 Summary
|
|
The Rasmussen Crew transferred to North Pickenham in May. Their original co-pilot (unknown) had been stripped from the crew to serve elsewhere. On the 25th they were assigned to the 857th BS to replace the Murray Crew 709 that was downed on 19 May 44. F/O Roven was assigned to them as their new co-pilot.
|
|
By our count, the Rasmussen Crew flew 20 missions with the 492nd beginning on 2 Jun 44. Since they were the second replacement crew to fly combat they were designated as Replacement Crew R-02. They were also designated as Crew 709. We haven't confirmed if there were any substitutions made on any of the missions but the Crew was intact when they transferred to the 44th BG, 66th BS on 10 Aug 44.
|
|
Looking at their record one can easily see that the Rasmussen Crew flew and survived some of the Group's toughest air battles. Their service with the Group was no picnic. It didn't take too long for them to be considered one of the older crews in the squadron.
|
|
In a letter sent to the HAPPY WARRIOR, Paul Boos said the worst mission they faced was the 20 Jun mission to Politz. They had one engine shot out and the hydraulic lines cut. Landing back at North Pickenham would be extremely difficult without flaps or brakes. Rasmussen made use of the tail skid to slow the plane down to a stop.
|
|
Boos went on to say that he flew 21 missions with the 492nd and 14 more with the 44th. His account revealed that on one of the 492nd missions he flew with the Frantz Crew 803. By that time the Frantz Crew had been transferred to the 857th BS.
|
|
|
|
|
More Info |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Original Roster for
Rasmussen Crew R-02
|
|
| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Rasmussen, Arthur H |
1st Lt |
O-742898 |
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Koven, Harold E |
F/O |
T-61761 |
Assigned to crew at North Pickenham
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Seen name spelled Roven |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Boos, Paul V |
2nd Lt |
O-564847 |
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Also spelled on records as Roos |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Wilson, Jack E |
2nd Lt |
O-694483 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Hollingsworth, Charles D |
S/Sgt |
18127732 |
Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
LaPlaca, Gandolfo S |
S/Sgt |
31275663 |
Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Hungerford, Alvin E |
Sgt |
13119209 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Murtaugh, Bernard J |
Sgt |
33584482 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Friedenburg, Murray L |
Sgt |
32694055 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Taylor, Paul J |
Sgt |
13099989 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS |
|
Rasmussen Crew R-02
492nd BG Mission Record
857th Bomb Squadron
|
|
Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
|
2 Jun 44 |
42-95023 |
Berck-sur-Mer, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 02 |
|
6 Jun 44 |
42-95177 |
Caen, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast |
| 03 |
|
11 Jun 44 |
42-51121 |
La Possonniere, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 04 |
|
12 Jun 44 |
42-51171 |
Dreux, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 05 |
|
14 Jun 44 |
42-95177 |
Emmerich, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 06 |
|
15 Jun 44 |
44-40050 |
La Frilliere, France |
Target: Railroad bridge
A/C borrowed from 859th BS |
| 07 |
|
20 Jun 44 |
42-94986 |
Politz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 08 |
|
22 Jun 44 |
42-50313 |
St Cyr, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 09 |
|
27 Jun 44 |
42-95177 |
Creil, France |
Target: Marshalling yard
Bombed w/44th BG |
| 10 |
|
28 Jun 44 |
44-40157 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| Abort |
|
7 Jul 44 |
44-40125 |
Bernburg, Germany |
Target: Aircraft manufacturing
Aborted, uncredited |
| 11 |
|
8 Jul 44 |
42-51091 |
Alost, Belgium |
Target: Railroad bridge
Couldn't drop bombs |
| 12 |
|
11 Jul 44 |
44-40158 |
Munich, Germany |
Target: Railroad station |
| 13 |
|
12 Jul 44 |
44-40158 |
Munich, Germany |
Target: Railroad station |
| 14 |
|
18 Jul 44 |
44-40071 |
Troarns, France |
Target: Tactical |
| 15 |
|
19 Jul 44 |
44-40173 |
Russelheim, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard
Bombed Koblenz |
| 16 |
|
21 Jul 44 |
44-40071 |
Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany |
Target: Aircraft factory |
| 17 |
|
24 Jul 44 |
44-40113 |
St Lo area, France |
Target: Tactical |
| 18 |
|
25 Jul 44 |
44-40071 |
St Lo area, France |
Target: Tactical |
| 19 |
|
4 Aug 44 |
42-50675 |
Kiel, Germany |
Target: Submarine base
A/C borrowed from 859th BS |
| 20 |
|
5 Aug 44 |
41-28978 |
Brunswick, Germany |
Target: Aircraft manufacturing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
