U.S.A.A.F. Officers in Bomber Command

[David Layne]

Every time I read a squadrons orbs something piques my curiosity. From 97 Squadron Orbs I see a 2nd Lt. Russell and a 2nd Lt. Wright flying operationally. Would these have been members of the U.S.A.A.F. seconded to a Pathfinder Squadron for experience?

3/4 September 1943 - Berlin

ED875R 2nd Lt J.E.Russell, Sgt H.J.Lazenby, 2nd Lt R.Wright, F/Sgt L.W.Golden, Sgts J.P.Dow, B.W.Bark, F/Sgt R.H.Marston. Up 2034 Down 0441. 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 500lb. Berlin bombed. Clear sky, some haze. 20,000’. Target identified by red TIs and bend in river. Bombed cluster of red TIs – in bomb sight. Fires and explosions seen among red markers.

5/6 September 1943 - Mannheim

JA711Y 2nd Lt J.E.Russell, Sgt H.J.Lazenby, 2nd Lt R.Wright, Sgts L.W.Golden, J.R.Dow, H.Bark, F/Sgt R.H.Marston. Up 1944 Down 0229. 1 x 4000lb, 9 x 500lb. Mannheim attacked. No cloud, visibility good. 16,500’. River, bridges and built up area identified visually. Bombed built up area with red TIs in bomb sight. Fires starting up as aircraft left target.

6/7 September 1943 - Munich

ED870T 2nd Lt J.E.Russell, Sgt H.J.Lazenby, 2nd Lt R.Wright, F/Sgt L.W.Golden, J.P.Dow, E.W.Bark, F/Sgt R.H.Marston. Up 2001 Down 0440. 1 x 4000lb, 7 x 500lb. Target Munich attacked. 18,000’. 6/10ths cloud. Red and yellow TIs in bomb sight when bombs released. Aircraft early on target, thick cloud – nothing seen to report.

15/16 September 1943 – Montlucon

EE176O 2nd Lt J.E.Russell, Sgt H.J.Lazenby, 2nd Lt R.Wright, F/Sgt L.W.Golden, Sgts J.P.Dow, E.W.Bark, F/Sgt R.H.Marston. Up 2114 Down 0220. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb, 3 x 500lb. Montlucon bombed. 5,000’. Moon light. 6/10ths broken cloud. Target identified by great column of black smoke and visually. Bombed on red TI – in bomb sight.

2/23 September 1943 - Hanover

ED953X 2nd Lt J.E.Russell, Sgt H.J.Lazenby, 2nd Lt R.Wright, F/Sgt L.W.Golden, Sgts J.P.Dow, E.W.Bark, R.H.Marston. Up 1903 Down 0006. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb. Target Hanover bombed. No cloud, no moon, visibility good. 17,500’. Target identified by green TI markers which we bombed. Six large fires burning – visible 150 miles away on return.

23/24 September 1943 - Darmstadt

EE179T 2nd Lt J.E.Russell, Sgt H.J.Lazenby, 2nd Lt R.Wright, F/Sgt L.W.Golden, Sgts J.P.Dow, E.W.Bark, F/Sgt R.H.Martson. Up 1920 Down 0106. 1 x 4000lb, 158 incs. Target Darmstadt attacked. 16,000’. Clear sky, slight haze. Target identified visually. Centre of built up area and flares in bomb sight at time of bombing. Large explosion seen at 2134 hours. Fires taking good hold.

27/28 September 1943 – Hanover

EE197T 2nd Lt J.E.Russell, Sgt H.J.Lazenby, 2nd Lt R.Wright, F/Sgt L.W.Golden, Sgts J.P.Dow, E.W.Bark, R.H.Marston. Up 1943 Down 0049. 2 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb. Target Hanover attacked. 20,500’. No moon, no cloud, visibility good. Two green TI markers in bomb sight at time of bombing. Large orange explosion seen at 2210 hours. Some fires were burning.


2/3 October 1943 - Munich

EE179T 2nd Lt J.E.Russell, Sgts H.J.Lazenby, Saunders, F/Sgt L.W.Golden, J.P.Dow, E.W.Bark, F/Sgt R.H.Marston. Up 1905 Down 0231. 6 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 3 x 1000lb. Target Munich attacked. 17,500’. Clear sky, vis good. Centre of cluster of green TIs in bomb sight at time of bombing. Own TIs seen to cascade and ignite. Many fires burning and incendiaries rapidly as aircraft left target.

[jossleclercq]

hello,

In some cases, americans crossed the border and joined the R.C.A.F.. Gaining their wings with the R.C.A.F., some joined the U.S.A.A.F. when the United States entered WW2. I have such an example with 1st Lt Eugene L. ROSNER, who started his tour flying Lancasters with No. 106 Squadron. He passed on to U.S.A.A.F. about June 1943 but at the condition to finish the tour he had started with the R.C.A.F. (in this case in a R.A.F. Squadron). He was shot down on his very first mission as a U.S. 1st Lt, 8/9 July 1943, initially buried with his crewmates in Cambrai, but later moved to the Normandy American Cemetery. There's a mention about this story in "Lancaster at War", in the chapter by Fred Smooker, the bomb aimer and only survivor of the crew.

A few U.S.A.A.F. aircrew also flew with R.A.F. units to gain experience. I've seen a few flying Bostons with No. 226 Squadron in 1942, and others in No. 88 Squadron in 1943.

Sure other forumites will be able to expand on the subject.

Joss

[Andy Ingham]

Just a thought, could your 2 men could be from South Africa?
The SAAF used the rank 2nd Lt.
Andy

[David Layne]

Just a thought, could your 2 men could be from South Africa?
The SAAF used the rank 2nd Lt.


Andy

I bet your right, I may have jumped to the wrong conclusion.

[Andy Ingham]

If they are SAAF they may be listed in the book 'Springbok Fighter Victory' by Michael Schoeman.
I do not have this book but I was once send some info from it on several pilots I am researching. Sadley I cannot remember who gave me the info.
The rank 2nd Lt was also used by the Norwegians but your men don't sound Norwegian.
Andy

[David Layne]

The rank 2nd Lt was also used by the Norwegians but your men don't sound Norwegian.


Or South African.

[Marks]

David,

From 'The Distinguished Flying Cross & How it was won 1918-1995' - Nick & Carol Carter

Russell John Edmund 2nd Lt (0-885981) USAAF 57 Sqn
Approved 1/9/1943

I believe this is your man, he probably joined the Pathfinders, going to 97 Sqn maybe with his 57 Sqn crew.

I also have a note against his name (KIA) but can I find any details to hand (no !)

Mark

[David Layne]

Here's another example, again from 97 Squadron. 2nd Lt W.S.Treacy



12/13 June 1943 Bochum – Bomb Load 4 x TIs, 1 x 4000lb, 8 x 500lb unless stated

EE107F 2nd Lt W.S.Treacy, Sgt M.Eardley, P/O G.F.Brantingham, Sgts A.Roche, W.A.Halsey, P.G.Nickerson, W.Hussey. Up 2312 Down 0420. Target Bochum bombed. Thin low cloud. Visibility good. 19,000’. No TIs visible at time of bombing. Bombs released on concentration of fires. No definite target marked. Own greens brought back.


16/17 June 1943 Cologne – Bomb Load 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC

EE107F 2nd Lt W.S.Treacy, Sgt M.Eardley, P/O G.F.Brantingham, Sgts A.Roche, W.A.Halsey, P.G.Nickerson, W.Hussey. Up 2232 Down 0253. Primary objective Cologne attacked. 20,000’. Full moon. 10/10ths cloud. Red markers with green stars in sight when load released. Nothing seen in the way of ground detail.

24/25 June 1943 Elberfeld – Bomb Load 5 x TI, 1x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb unless stated

EE107F 2nd Lt W.S.Treacy, F/L D.Mackenzie (2nd Pilot), H.Eardley, P/O G.F.Brantingham, Sgts A.Roche, W.A.Halsey, P.G.Nickerson, W.Hussey. 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC. Up 2259 Down 0322. Primary target Cologne attacked. 10/10ths cloud. Ground visibility poor. 20,000’. Two red TI markers in bombsight when bombs released. Own results not observed. No indications of ground detail.

28/29 June 1943 Cologne – Bomb Load – 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb unless stated.

EE107F 2nd Lt W.S.Treacy, F/L D.Mackenzie (2nd Pilot), H.Eardley, P/O G.F.Brantingham, Sgts A.Roche, W.A.Halsey, P.G.Nickerson, W.Hussey. 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC. Up 2259 Down 0322. Primary target Cologne attacked. 10/10ths cloud. Ground visibility poor. 20,000’. Two red TI markers in bombsight when bombs released. Own results not observed. No indications of ground detail.


3/4 July 1943 Cologne – Bomb Load 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb unless stated

EE107F 2nd Lt W.S.Treacy, M.Eardley, P/O G.F.Brantingham, Sgts A.Roche, W.A.Halsey, P.G.Nickerson, W.Hussey. 1 x 4000lb 12 SBC. Up 2242 Down 0322. Primary objective Cologne bombed. 19,500’. Hazy. No cloud. Red TI marker in bombsight when load released. Large reddish explosion seen at 0137. Fires and incendiaries seen burning.

[Howdie]

You can find him here:http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwii.php

John E. Russell
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # O-885981
813th Bomber Squadron, 482nd Bomber Group, Pursuit
Entered the Service from: New York
Died: 10-Nov-43
Buried at: Plot C Row 3 Grave 21
Cambridge American Cemetery
Cambridge, England
Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

HTH

Howard

[Ari]

David:
You are not misstaken about USAAF officers flying Lancs. These were not Americans who had joined the RAF or RCAF. There were cases of pilot and copilot with RAF crew for an op. The cases are in PPF. If you thumb through Chorley some of the unfortunates show up. Around this time, the CBS W.R Morrow report " Dateline Berlin" aired in the US,which drew a lot of interest.
Ari