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Kilpatrick Crew R-06 (813)
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Back row, left to right...
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Donald Kilpatrick, pilot
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Thomas Flaherty, co-pilot
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Glen Wrobel, bombardier, waist gunner
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Charles Hanline, navigator
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Front row, left to right...
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Wilbur Idler, engineer
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James Coates, radio operator
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Herbert Novatny, nose gunner
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Kenneth Shinley, waist gunner
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Leon Byers, ball turret gunner
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Donald Brackins, tail gunner
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Kilpatrick Crew R-06 (813) Summary
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The Kilpatrick Replacement Crew was assembled at Colorado Springs. From there they proceeded to Westover Field, Massachusetts, for three months of Combat Crew Training. Upon completion they went to Mitchell Field, New York, where they picked up a brand new B-24H, 42-50279, to ferry over to the UK. They named their plane ENVY OF 'EM ALL. We believe that they flew over using the northern route.
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Lt Kilpatrick was one of the few replacement pilots that got to keep the same plane that he ferried over. Usually the crews and their flyover ships were sent to different groups. Kilpatrick arrived at North Pickenham with his ship on 27 May 44. After some in-house training they were assigned to the 858th BS, designated to take over the empty spot of the lost Lewis Crew 813.
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On 4 Jun 44 the Kilpatrick Crew began flying combat missions. According to our count they completed 8 missions with the 858th Bomb Squadron. On 19 Jun 44 the Group activated their consolidation plan that axed out the 858th BS. The command staff for the 858th was transferred to become the 8th Air Force Composite Command. All of its men and ships were reassigned to the other three squadrons. The Kilpatrick Crew was sent to the 859th to fill the vacant Crew 915 slot.
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With the 859th the Kilpatrick Crew flew 7 more missions. Their war career ended on 7 Jul 44 as they participated in one of the 492nd's biggest air battles. After they dropped their bombs they were attacked by an overwhelming force of FW-190s. The initial hit by enemy cannon fire killed Byers and Brackins on the spot. Hanline was wounded in both legs. The ship went out of control, spinning as it fell.
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Five men were able to bail out during the horror. As their chutes neared the ground the German soldiers below began firing at them. Lt Kilpatrick was killed before he could touch ground. The other four were captured. Two of them were taken to a POW hospital in Magdeburg. 6 KIA, 4 POW, MACR 7230.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Kilpatrick Crew R-06 (813)
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Kilpatrick, Donald M Jr |
1st Lt |
O-449356 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230
Buried in the USA |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Flaherty, Thomas L |
2nd Lt |
O-760183 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230, Stalag Luft I |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Hanline, Charles F |
2nd Lt |
O-707907 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230, Stalag Luft III
WIA, recovered in Magdeburg hospital |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Wrobel, Glen R |
2nd Lt |
O-702090 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230
Buried in Netherlands, M-22-3 |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Idler, Wilbur C |
S/Sgt |
39272464 |
Promoted T/Sgt
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230 |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Coates, James O |
S/Sgt |
34381779 |
Promoted T/Sgt
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230
Buried in Ardennes, B-36-55 |
Ball Turret
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Byers, Leon A |
S/Sgt |
18242246 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230
Buried in Netherlands, P-22-6 |
Tail Gunner
MOS 612 |
Brackins, Donald L |
Sgt |
34706951 |
Promoted S/Sgt
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230
Buried in the USA
Name seen as Breckins, see Footnotes |
Nose Gunner
MOS 748 |
Novotny, Herbert M |
S/Sgt |
36584465 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230
Buried in Netherlands, P-22-8 |
Waist
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Shinley, Kenneth D |
Sgt |
37342039 |
Promoted S/Sgt
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7230
WIA, recovered in Magdeburg hospital |
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Kilpatrick Crew R-06 (813)
492nd BG Mission Record
858th Bomb Squadron
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Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
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4 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
Avord, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 02 |
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6 Jun 44 |
44-40163 |
Caen, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast |
| 03 |
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8 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
Angers, France |
Target: Railroad junction |
| 04 |
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10 Jun 44 |
41-29470 |
Boulogne, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 05 |
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11 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
La Possonniere, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 06 |
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14 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
Chateaudun, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 07 |
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15 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
La Frilliere, France |
Target: Railroad bridge
Bombed target in Le Mans |
| 08 |
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17 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
Tours, France |
Target: Airfield |
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859th BS Missions as Crew 915
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| 09 |
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21 Jun 44 |
44-40132 |
Genshagen, Germany |
Target: Aircraft engine factory |
| 10 |
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23 Jun 44 |
44-40120 |
Juvincourt, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 11 |
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25 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
La Vaupeliere, France |
Target: Tactical |
| 12 |
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27 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
Creil, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 13 |
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28 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard
Damaged by flak |
| 14 |
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4 Jul 44 |
44-40156 |
Beaumont-le-Roger,
France |
Target: Airfield |
| 15 |
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7 Jul 44 |
44-40132 |
Bernburg, Germany |
Target: Aircraft manufacturing
Lost: 6 KIA, 4 POW, MACR 7230 |
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