Hello, Im trying to find out some info on the crew that my great uncle flew with. His name is Wendall Hillsmier and he was a pilot. Got out after the war as a captain and was awarded the distingushed flying cross for a mission he led over an ammunition dump in Germany. I do know that he had a bombardier named Bill Churchman and would like some info on him if anyone knows. He has plenty pics of him.  Also I have ALL of my uncles pics from the war as well as his letters. I would like some info on the planes he flew. I think one was "twin engine qweenie" but not sure. Thanks to anyone who can help.

He may be listed here.  Someone has the wrong spelling:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inwells/gs/military/ww2honorroll.html

Jim McCabe
My father, Lt. Mike McCabe(deceased 4/26/05), 307th BG, 424th BS, was a Navigator based at Morotai. Mission dates ranged from 2/20/45-8/1/45.

ORIGINAL: bombzaway

Hello, Im trying to find out some info on the crew that my great uncle flew with. His name is Wendall Hillsmier and he was a pilot. Got out after the war as a captain and was awarded the distingushed flying cross for a mission he led over an ammunition dump in Germany. I do know that he had a bombardier named Bill Churchman and would like some info on him if anyone knows. He has plenty pics of him.  Also I have ALL of my uncles pics from the war as well as his letters. I would like some info on the planes he flew. I think one was "twin engine qweenie" but not sure. Thanks to anyone who can help.

Jeremy, according to my records "Twin Engine Queenie" was originally a 319th BG 40th BS Marauder, serial 41-17769. The nose art was quite distinctive; a nude flying woman with propellers on her breasts. But I also have photographic evidence of another name for this serial, "Night Mare", so this is info is somewhat uncertain. Anyway, 319th BG had "Twin Engine Queenie II", B/N 76, serial 41-34895 said to have been transferred to 17th BG 95th BS.

But the 95th BS aircraft roster does not list that serial, however they had a "Twin Engine Queenie" in service from medio November 1944, which is in accord with a possible transfer from 319th BG, as they had their last Marauder mission on October 31st 1944, and then their first B-25 Mitchell mission on November 4th 1944. This 17th BG 95th BS "Twin Engine Queenie" had serial 42-95740 and B/N 51 (big number on tail), and survived the war. My record says that this a/c originally was with 319th BG 439th BS as B/N 51 named "4Q".  Maybe you have photo of this one (serial on nose and tail, + Battle Number). If you have more names from photos and/or serials maybe I can help you further regarding the a/c. Bill Churchman might be named William?

You mention target Ammunition Dump over Germany. The 17th BG came to Dijon in France late November 1944. 320th BG had also their base at Dijon. 17th BG had their first mission over Germany on December 1st 1944. Do you know the date for your great uncle's mission for which he was awarded the DFC?
 
On February 25th 1945 17th BG bombed Siegelsbach Ammunition Dump (as did 320th BG). The explosion was huge, one 17th BG Marauder got the windshield cracked from the explosion at 11000 feet, and the smoke billowed up to 8000 feet; could it be this one? 34th BS history tells that one of their a/c escorted a Marauder from another squadron which flew on one engine.

Attached scan shows 95th BS aircraft roster as it looked May 1945, B/N 51 on top of blackboard.

Attached Image(s)

Hey, thanks for the info! It was in fact Feb.25th 1945. I know this because I have the letter sent home to his parents(my great grand parents) from Brigadier General, John Doyle. I will try to scan the letter and post it.  The letter was for the Distingushed Flying cross and says he led a formation of mediums bombers in a decisive attack directed against a large ammo dump in Siegelsbach, Germany. As far as his crew.... Well I have a photo from Barksdale Field, LA. On the back it says 335th Bomb group R.T.U. school. Would this be the same as in the war?  The crew was-LTO hilsmier(pilot),F.O. Dennison(co-pilot), LT. Hardy(bomb-Nav.) SGT. Floherty(eng. gunner) Sgt. Girz(radio-gunner) and SGT. Draper(armorer-gunner). I will post some pics soon. Thanks for the help.

OK, according to a web site I came across( indexof/vaughan/images.) these records show serial # 41-34895 as a plane called "Grim Reaper" and 41-34896 as "twin engine queenie" as far as the picture goes. In fact im pretty sure that the pilot of 41-34896 is my great uncle in the picture! I dont know where all this info comes from, but would love to know where the pic came from.

ORIGINAL: bombzaway

Hey, thanks for the info! It was in fact Feb.25th 1945. I know this because I have the letter sent home to his parents(my great grand parents) from Brigadier General, John Doyle. I will try to scan the letter and post it.  The letter was for the Distingushed Flying cross and says he led a formation of mediums bombers in a decisive attack directed against a large ammo dump in Siegelsbach, Germany. As far as his crew.... Well I have a photo from Barksdale Field, LA. On the back it says 335th Bomb group R.T.U. school. Would this be the same as in the war?  The crew was-LTO hilsmier(pilot),F.O. Dennison(co-pilot), LT. Hardy(bomb-Nav.) SGT. Floherty(eng. gunner) Sgt. Girz(radio-gunner) and SGT. Draper(armorer-gunner). I will post some pics soon. Thanks for the help.

So we hit the bull's eye as your great uncle and the men of 17th BG....335 BG was stateside training unit, you'll find an overview here: http://www.b26.com/page/bombardment_groups.htm

• 335th Bomb Group  Replacement Training Unit
  474th, 475th, 476th, and 477th Sqdns

These crew photos shows an "original" crew, that is a crew that left USA for combat service in a Theater of Operations (as MTO originally for 17th BG, later ETO; M=Mediterranean; E=European). Will scan a photo of the explosion at Siegelsbach later today and post here.
 
PS. you can read the 320th BG 25 Feb 1945 mission report and see their strike photo + locate the site today via Google Earth at the 320th BG website: http://320thbg.org/1945_missions.html

ORIGINAL: bombzaway

OK, according to a web site I came across( indexof/vaughan/images.) these records show serial # 41-34895 as a plane called "Grim Reaper" and 41-34896 as "twin engine queenie" as far as the picture goes. In fact im pretty sure that the pilot of 41-34896 is my great uncle in the picture! I dont know where all this info comes from, but would love to know where the pic came from.

 
The great website you refer to is this: http://home.fuse.net/vaughan/ , as you see made by a veteran B-26 Marauder Man. According to my records the 319th BG "Twin Engine Queenie" was 41-34895. I have 386th BG "Grim Reaper II" as 41-34888. But this needs a check with another source....anyway...old Marauders can be quite puzzling to ID. The scan added here came from 319th BG, the serial is quite visible.

Attached Image(s)

Wow. you are right with the photo!! After seeing it blown up you can clearly see the SN. Im almost positive this is my uncle in the photo. I will scan some pics I have in the morning at work.

Do you know what ever happened to this plane??

His name is Wendall Hillsmier and he was a pilot. Got out after the war as a captain and was awarded the distingushed flying cross for a mission he led over an ammunition dump in Germany.

 
Added scan of 17th BG mission to Siegelsbach Ammunition Dump February 25th 1945. Marauder close is 42-107798 B/N 60 of 95th BS (probably named "Gorgeous Betty").

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