B-17 Miss Liberty Belle in WWII

[TAdan]

rtoneil, welcome to WIX. After following the effort to restore the Grissom Miss Liberty Bell, it is very exciting to hear from someone that served aboard the original.

I will echo MustangDriver and say that I'd love to hear any additional information or stories about your service.

[Jigs Bumper]

I flew about fifteen missions on the original Miss Liberty Belle serial number 42-31255. I have the original hand written form 1 listing the crew members for 42-31255's mission on June 14, 1944 (also have form ones from other 42-31255 missions). This mission was to Etampes, France (an airfield). The pilot was Harrison T Blakey from Donners Grove, Illinois. I mention this particular mission because the radio operator, Chester Jablonski and I (waist gunner) were wounded on it and I have a picture of me being taken off the airplane. Not much of the airplane shows in the photo but i'm wondering if it's the only known picture of the real Miss Liberty Belle.

Dear Mr O'Neil, wonderful to see you join this conversation.
From 305th records here, I see that you and your original crew arrived at Chelveston 26th April '44. Not sure when your first mission was? Like many crews its possible you received additional schooling at the Squadron, plus limited local orientation flights before that first mission. Some crews were also tasked to fly air-sea rescue flights over North Sea, not sure if you did any of those before flying missions? Such search flights helped to sharpen skills especially navigation.

Checking Blakey, who is deceased, the tour for his crew ranged from April to November 1944. This would indicate you were at the Squadron when Miss Liberty Belle was lost Aug 3rd 1944. You may have recalled witnessing the plume of smoke from a distance, if at the base that evening? Many eyewitnesses have stated the smoke plume was seen as the mission started to land. I'm also told the crash was a talking point for many that evening.

Your arrival with the 365th Sqn was timed as this B-17's original crew were departing, that of Richard Wolff. From April-May of '44, several crews flew her on one or more missions. However, one crew does stand out that of Lt. Challen Hunt, who flew consistant missions through June and July '44. They were on furlough at the very end of July and away from the field, when Miss Liberty Belle was lost Aug 3rd 1944. You may have known some of the Hunt crew as they were around at the same time period as your crew.

Other names, past members of our BGMA, of your crew which are recorded as deceased are Louis Braun and Harold James. Current status of Arakelian, Fetzer, Jablonski, Purdy and Kovach is not known.

Your personal recollections of those times would be much appreciated. I know Chris Henry especially is interested in this.

I know you are a current dues paying member of our BGMA, thank you. You would have seen in a recent newsletter (Vol '10 number 1, June 2010), an article from myself concerning the Wymington crash and the memorial to that crew. Its dedication was part of a UK reunion of the 305th in May 2000.

You mentioned having a photo of yourself being removed from this B-17, after being wounded on a mission. I am curious to perhaps see this as I have a number of pictures of wounded personnel being removed from B-17s at Chelveston which sadly have no identification. Its possible I have a copy of the photo you have? If it is possible to exchange info this would solve that mystery.

Email IW.305cando@googlemail.com

Hope to hear from you.

Just as an exercise I pulled the immediate files available here on my desk, for July '44. 42-31255 flew 12 missions between 2nd and 25th July. Frustratingly, The microfilms are cut off from then till end of July and I know the group flew a few more missions on those last few days. However, MLB flew as follows:- 2nd July to Fleury Fr (Hunt crew), 7th to Leipzig Gr (Hunt crew as air spare), 9th to Challones Fr (Galen Wiley crew as air spare), 11th to Munich Gr (Hunt crew), 13th again Munich (Hunt crew), 16th yet again Munich (Hunt crew) ** Those Munich raids were a very long endurance mission and I would think the Hunt crew were pretty PO'd from hitting it three times in succession. 17th to Doullens Fr (Hunt crew), 18th to Peenemunde Germany (Hunt crew). Peenemunde was the famed secret testing facility for V-1's and V-2's amongst other exotic machinery. 19th to Daun Gr (Hunt crew), 20th to Kothen Gr (Marion R. Wood crew), 21st to Edelsbach Gr (Galen Wiley crew), 25th to St. Lo France (Hunt crew). The crew lists stop at this point! The Squadron and group did fly two further missions; 28th to Merseberg Gr and 31st to Munich (Again!). I cannot verify at this time if MLB flew on either or both these and which crew flew them. At the very least MLB racked up TEN missions completed in July minimum, plus two air spares, nine of which were crewed by Lt Challen Hunt and his men. The air spare on July 7th was in fact the near fatal day when two other '17s above MLB collided while forming up locally, showering her with incendiary sticks. One lodged into the skin of her Port wing, punching into one of the fuel tanks. Hunt and his CoPilot Harry Gourley dropped out of the 305th group and nursed MLB back to Chelveston, landing with what they beleived was a live incendiary stick protruding out of the wing and tank full of fuel. Ive posted pic (Chris uses this on Grissom pages) of the PR shot taken that afternoon with Hunt and his men, while behind them ground mechanics set too repairing the damaged skin with new aluminium sheet.

Checking the Blakey crew for any remarks on lists during July '44 I found some major holes on the whole crew actually being together at one time. One or more of them seem to be placed on other crews that month while some are missing completely, appearing not to have flown at all in July; Blakey flew on 2nd July with his CoPilot Fetzer, Engineer Braun and Kovach Waist Gunner on an as yet unidentified ship #576 or could be #675? Poor microfilm is just too bad to read. 9th July Braun flew as Engineer on the lead plane with Colonel Mustoe and Capt John Collins Jr (42-31365 XK-U 'THE FLAG SHIP') along with Purdy as Waist Gunner. 17th sees Fetzer CoPilot and Purdy as Tail Gunner, flying with the Joseph 'Deacon' Towers crew (42-31480 XK-M 'REICHS RUIN'). 19th I found Lt. Harold James Navigator on Bob Polich crew (42-37945 XK-N 'LADY LIBERTY'). 20th sees the biggest numbers of the Blakey crew together in one ship, Blakey as Pilot, Fetzer CP, James N, Braun E, Kovach WG and Purdy TG. (42-37945 XK-N 'THE FLAG SHIP').

Interestingly, on 29th July the Squadron record Blakey and Fetzer on DS to Furzedown Rest Home (for R and R), and Braun, Kovach and Purdy also on DS to Walhampton House Rest Home (R and R). Would seem they have been flying missions to some extent to warrant R and R, but not showing up on 365th Sqn crew lists!!! Needs some investigation.

Thanks
Ian White
305th BGMA UK-EU Contact
2nd VP
Hon Life Associate

Last edited by Jigs Bumper on Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Misterg97]

Ian,

Glad to see you joined this "great Warbird" exchange site ... Enjoyed the knowledge you offered regarding MLB in your last posting.

I have met Chris a few times here at the Museum and as I told you earlier, I will do what I can to assist them in items for their coming museum gift shop.

Hope to meet up again some day here at NMUSAF ... enjoyed the last one.

Jerry

[Jigs Bumper]

Ian,

Glad to see you joined this "great Warbird" exchange site ... Enjoyed the knowledge you offered regarding MLB in your last posting.

I have met Chris a few times here at the Museum and as I told you earlier, I will do what I can to assist them in items for their coming museum gift shop.

Hope to meet up again some day here at NMUSAF ... enjoyed the last one.

Jerry

Howdy Friend!! Its a very small world we all live in!! I hope one day very soon to be in Dayton and will of course swing on by your section and meet up again.
Hope the plans you are working on with Chris come to something. And, I'll keep in touch on our project for Seattle....
Cheerio
Ian

[Django]

I flew about fifteen missions on the original Miss Liberty Belle serial number 42-31255. I have the original hand written form 1 listing the crew members for 42-31255's mission on June 14, 1944 (also have form ones from other 42-31255 missions). This mission was to Etampes, France (an airfield). The pilot was Harrison T Blakey from Donners Grove, Illinois. I mention this particular mission because the radio operator, Chester Jablonski and I (waist gunner) were wounded on it and I have a picture of me being taken off the airplane. Not much of the airplane shows in the photo but i'm wondering if it's the only known picture of the real Miss Liberty Belle.

Wow is right! Welcome to the board sir and thanks for posting. We would all love anything and everything you would like to share with us!

Do you know if the aircraft ever got the nose art before it was lost?

[lmritger]

I'm sure I can't be the only one who literally got a tingle up the spine reading Mr. O'Neil's message here... to have history come alive right before our eyes is just amazing and wonderful.

Sir, you have my deepest appreciation for your service, and my thanks for joining this board to share your information with us.

Lynn

[rtoneil]

The following is from the memory, notes and papers of Roy T. O'Neil, 365th Bomb Sqdn, 305th Bomb Group, AAF, while at Chelveston, England. (2% from memory, 98% from notes and papers). I was rated as a Flight Maint Instr 748 and qualified as a toggleer, but flew all my missions as a waist gunner. While grounded, I worked in the operations office. I'M currently 86.97 years old.

First, more information about Harrison T. Blakey's crew and their relationship to the Miss Liberty Belle. Here's a picture of the crew:



Standing, left to right: Louis G. Braun, E; Charles H. Arakelian, B; Harrison T. Blakey,P; Theodore J Fetzer,CP; Harold R. James, N; Squatting, left to right: Alfred H Purdy, TG; Albert M Schwenedman, BG; Roy T O'Neil,WG; Chester A Jablonski, RO; Joseph M Kovach, WG.

Arakelian was killed when flak came in under his flak vest. He was buried in Cambridge, England. James was shot down while flying with another crew and taken prisoner by the Germans.

Our first mission, and the first with the Miss Liberty Bell, was May 4th, 1944 with Berlin the intended target (it was recalled near Hamburg).

Our second mission, also with MLB, was three days later May 7th to Berlin. We were briefed for 1009 flak guns and I believe they were all working because MLB received fifty flak holes. Nine self-sealing Tokyo tanks in the left wing were hit.

On May 13th, 1944, we took MLB to Posen, Poland. 11 hour mission. Heavy flak, few rockets, an estimaated 75 FWs & 109s jumped group on our left and about 8 b-17s went down. Bomb load was propaganda bombs dropped from 13,000 feet. Some holes.
Three planes from squadron went to Sweden.

May 19th, took MLB back to Berlin (1200 miles, 9 1/2 hrs) Intense flak but only a few holes.

May 28th to Zwickau (1200 miles, 8 hrs) Accuraate flak. Lost one crew from squadron ( Herric's crew). MLB mission.

May 29th to Cottbus (FW assembly plant) 1200 miles, 10 hrs. Were attacked by about 13 fighters. Shields got one. 7.7 machine gun holes in right wing. Group lost 3 B-17s . We lost one crew to fighters (Hanson) MLB mission.

May 31st Liege (primary target Strasburg) 500 miles. Two holes in waist One took corner off my ammo box. On long missions we sat on our wooden ammo boxes in the waist. I think I was standing at the time. MLB


June 2nd Boulogne, Fr-- (400 miles, 4 hours) No flak, no fighters, no escort---milk run MLB

June 14th Etampes, Fr Had one fighter attack. Jablonski and I were wounded by flak over Reims, MLB

My last mission Nov 26th, 1944 was memorable . It was aboard B-17 44- 8141 to Misburg Germany. The pilot was Capt R.G. Lawton, the copilot was Col A.Q. Mustoe, the navigators were Capt Robertson and Capt C.B. Gleason, The bombadier was Capt R.P Carrington, 1st Lt D.C. Flanagan was on board, the engineer was T/Sgt W.G. Brown, The radio Operator was T/Sgt A. Anwaeiler, the waist gunners were S/Sgts R.E. Stanton and R.T. O'Neil (me) and the tail gunner was 2nd Lt W. Mozeley. According to my notes, the flak was intense--20-30 holes-- one 2 1/2 feet from me. Saw many dog fights. Lost one plane from squadron (Schmid). Was lead ship, lead sqdn, lead group, lead division of the Eigth Air Force.

[Jigs Bumper]

The following is from the memory, notes and papers of Roy T. O'Neil, 365th Bomb Sqdn, 305th Bomb Group, AAF, while at Chelveston, England. (2% from memory, 98% from notes and papers). I was rated as a Flight Maint Instr 748 and qualified as a toggleer, but flew all my missions as a waist gunner. While grounded, I worked in the operations office. I'M currently 86.97 years old.

First, more information about Harrison T. Blakey's crew and their relationship to the Miss Liberty Belle. Here's a picture of the crew:



Standing, left to right: Louis G. Braun, E; Charles H. Arakelian, B; Harrison T. Blakey,P; Theodore J Fetzer,CP; Harold R. James, N; Squatting, left to right: Alfred H Purdy, TG; Albert M Schwenedman, BG; Roy T O'Neil,WG; Chester A Jablonski, RO; Joseph M Kovach, WG.

Arakelian was killed when flak came in under his flak vest. He was buried in Cambridge, England. James was shot down while flying with another crew and taken prisoner by the Germans.

Our first mission, and the first with the Miss Liberty Bell, was May 4th, 1944 with Berlin the intended target (it was recalled near Hamburg).

Our second mission, also with MLB, was three days later May 7th to Berlin. We were briefed for 1009 flak guns and I believe they were all working because MLB received fifty flak holes. Nine self-sealing Tokyo tanks in the left wing were hit.

On May 13th, 1944, we took MLB to Posen, Poland. 11 hour mission. Heavy flak, few rockets, an estimaated 75 FWs & 109s jumped group on our left and about 8 b-17s went down. Bomb load was propaganda bombs dropped from 13,000 feet. Some holes.
Three planes from squadron went to Sweden.

May 19th, took MLB back to Berlin (1200 miles, 9 1/2 hrs) Intense flak but only a few holes.

May 28th to Zwickau (1200 miles, 8 hrs) Accuraate flak. Lost one crew from squadron ( Herric's crew). MLB mission.

May 29th to Cottbus (FW assembly plant) 1200 miles, 10 hrs. Were attacked by about 13 fighters. Shields got one. 7.7 machine gun holes in right wing. Group lost 3 B-17s . We lost one crew to fighters (Hanson) MLB mission.

May 31st Liege (primary target Strasburg) 500 miles. Two holes in waist One took corner off my ammo box. On long missions we sat on our wooden ammo boxes in the waist. I think I was standing at the time. MLB


June 2nd Boulogne, Fr-- (400 miles, 4 hours) No flak, no fighters, no escort---milk run MLB

June 14th Etampes, Fr Had one fighter attack. Jablonski and I were wounded by flak over Reims, MLB

My last mission Nov 26th, 1944 was memorable . It was aboard B-17 44- 8141 to Misburg Germany. The pilot was Capt R.G. Lawton, the copilot was Col A.Q. Mustoe, the navigators were Capt Robertson and Capt C.B. Gleason, The bombadier was Capt R.P Carrington, 1st Lt D.C. Flanagan was on board, the engineer was T/Sgt W.G. Brown, The radio Operator was T/Sgt A. Anwaeiler, the waist gunners were S/Sgts R.E. Stanton and R.T. O'Neil (me) and the tail gunner was 2nd Lt W. Mozeley. According to my notes, the flak was intense--20-30 holes-- one 2 1/2 feet from me. Saw many dog fights. Lost one plane from squadron (Schmid). Was lead ship, lead sqdn, lead group, lead division of the Eigth Air Force.

Mr O'Neil
Thank you for sharing the above information. The photo looks to be taken while training in ZI?

Charles Arakelian was indeed killed in action, 8th Aug 1944. Flying as Bombardier with the Roland Heusser crew that day, on 42-102609 XK-B. A regular ship for the Heusser crew. The mission was in support of the ground forces, recently landed allied units, in the Normandy area who were surrounding German resistance at that time in Caen and wishing to break out.

May 13th mission, interesting to recall one of those men that found themselves heading for Sweden was Richard Finley. Finley was flying aboard another crew to his original (Richard Wolff crew and the first original to fly MLB Dec-Apr 1944). Finley exchanged placed with fellow Wolff crewmember Harry Comer early that morning; both had been asked to 'volunteer' to stand in on a crew with a missing man (who was sick). Finley accepted to go, I beleive his thinking was to complete one last mission and get to go home....just shows you should think a little when volunteering. Finley remained guests of the Swede's till end of WW2.

May 7th Mission to Berlin, you have as a recall. I checked the 365th daily logs and it doesnt mention the mission was recalled, only all personal returned no losses.

May 31st Mission to Liege (diary just states 'Germany' ?) does however note mission was recalled.

Over the years Ive come to see that some of the diary pages are very limited on detail, and often are at odd's with some information from other sources, even between each of the four Squadron's who all kept daily operational logs. However, fr the most part they do generally match the information at hand.

For May and June I regret the archive material here does not carry the crew lists for each missions on those months. Somehow, the data from Maxwell was not transcribed across on the CD's sent. I'm sure they are there in Alabama archives, but I dont have them right now here.

I looked at September and found that Fetzer the Co-Pilot had been promoted up as a 1st Pilot and was flying with several crews under his command. Harrison Blakey continued to fly missions, and again with several mixed crews as a Command Pilot. September 10th 1944 he was removed from combat flying and reassigned to a replacement centre, out of Chelveston. He had attained rank of Captain.

It would be wonderful to gather up the missions you flew as a whole, and especially those aboard MISS LIBERTY BELLE 42-31255 XK-O.

Thanks for being here.
Regards Ian

[rtoneil]

I misspoke in my first post. I did fly fifteen missions, but on further review, only nine were on the Miss Liberty Belle.
Also, on that first post, I mentioned a picture of me being taken off the MLB. This is that picture. Unfortunately, not much of the MLB shows



Another fairly vivid memory: On one mission, don't remember which one, a huge group of fighters looking like a swarm of bees was headed
straight for us and closing fast. At seemingly the last moment, they turned sharply and went after another group that probaably looked more
vulnerable. We credited our tight formation to their decision.

Ian: I had the May 4th mission as a recall.

Roy O'Neil

[Jigs Bumper]

Roy
Thanks for posting this photo of you being helped from MLB after mission. This is the picture I also have but has no remaks, its great to now have an ID on this, thank you. It was part of a number of photos received from one of our medics, William Teague. I'm guessing he must have had these given to him over a period of time. Other photos show one guy being lifted on stretcher out of the waist window. His boots are off and you can see bare feet, legs covered with a flying jacket. Others have one airman on ground being treated beneath fuselage, another standing with bandage around his neck.... You are right, the ship behind is not easy to ID if you didnt know the personal circumstance. The 'XK' is readable so it is 365th Sqn. Thanks for sharing and updating info on this.

May 4th mission: I checked on the other Sqn diaries. The 364th shows 16 Officers and 24 EM's on mission over 'Holland'. No other comment. 366th Sqn regret I dont have month of May '44 n the CD material, so cannot follow up. The 422nd Sqn does however say, 15 Officers and 18 EM's participated on a mission to Germany. Quote 'The four crews were recalled but credited with the sortie'. Unquote. The 422nd were flying at that time as a specialist night op's unit, and, a PFF Pathfinder unit. Their combat crews were split between these two tasks, with many PFF crews actually on DS (Detached Service) at other 1st Air Div groups. On the 4th May, the 422nd led the 305th and other groups. The comment of a recall does indicate the mission was scrubbed; with no PFF lead ships it would not have been viable to complete. Its still unusual to have the 365th Sqn diary make the comment they have, that '25 Officers and 30 EM's participated on a mission over Germany. All personnel returned safe'. Like I said before, the records from Squadron to Squadron very often vary in content.

I looked at the later missions for yourself and saw you flew a number on lead crews, PFF, with Colonel Anthony Mustoe. Can you recall how that happens, your selection to fly on the CO's aircraft, which was quite an acknowledgement to all those selected. Most lead crews were just that, selected for above average skills. Mustoe is sadly gone now, but I beleive he was well liked as a group Commander during his time with the 305th, before he moved up to 40th Combat Wing HQ's.

Thanks for your further recollections.

Ian

[dreamscaperunner]

As some one who has been to Wymington I can let everyone know that the villagers- old and new remember the Liberty Belle crash and will not be forgotton..

[mustangdriver]

Rob and I looked at that phot yesterday and discussed just how powerful of a photo it is. We are honored to have your input.

[Django]

Thanks for posting here Mr O'Neil.

Do you have any recollection of the nose art on the aircraft? Just curious what your thoughts are on the nose art we are planning for the B-17 at Grissom. I based the art on the logbook sketch that was found (with the slight change of adding a bathing suit rather than being nude per the museum's request)...

[Jigs Bumper]

Hi Chad...
Great artwork. I need to correct the 'logbook' idea, which somehow started a while back. The copy of the sketch I sent to Chris and Rob came from a personal note book, belonging to the original Pilot who first flew MLB Richard Wolff. Not within the aircraft log book. Wolff pencilled this idea for the artwork and as said many times we still dont know for sure it actually did get painted, certainly before Wolff and his crew finished their tour in the Spring of '44. I have from the files here a V-Mail which Dick Wolff wrote home to his Mom and Dad and it seems to indicate the artwork was to be done, the name was decided upon as MISS LIBERTY BELLE. The one illusive photo which could confirm this remains AWOL!!! I sent another crew shot of Wolff and his men taken just at the tail end of their combat tour, posed beside what we beleive could be MLB. If it is her and it isnt 100% certain it is, it shows the Port side with no artwork present. The best we can conclude is there was every intention to have artwork as per Wolff's pencil sketch in a pocket note book, not the aircraft's log book. The V-Mail letter upholds that intention.
Ian

[rtoneil]

Roy
Thanks for posting this photo of you being helped from MLB after mission. This is the picture I also have but has no remaks, its great to now have an ID on this, thank you. It was part of a number of photos received from one of our medics, William Teague. I'm guessing he must have had these given to him over a period of time. Other photos show one guy being lifted on stretcher out of the waist window. His boots are off and you can see bare feet, legs covered with a flying jacket. Others have one airman on ground being treated beneath fuselage, another standing with bandage around his neck.... You are right, the ship behind is not easy to ID if you didnt know the personal circumstance. The 'XK' is readable so it is 365th Sqn. Thanks for sharing and updating info on this.

May 4th mission: I checked on the other Sqn diaries. The 364th shows 16 Officers and 24 EM's on mission over 'Holland'. No other comment. 366th Sqn regret I dont have month of May '44 n the CD material, so cannot follow up. The 422nd Sqn does however say, 15 Officers and 18 EM's participated on a mission to Germany. Quote 'The four crews were recalled but credited with the sortie'. Unquote. The 422nd were flying at that time as a specialist night op's unit, and, a PFF Pathfinder unit. Their combat crews were split between these two tasks, with many PFF crews actually on DS (Detached Service) at other 1st Air Div groups. On the 4th May, the 422nd led the 305th and other groups. The comment of a recall does indicate the mission was scrubbed; with no PFF lead ships it would not have been viable to complete. Its still unusual to have the 365th Sqn diary make the comment they have, that '25 Officers and 30 EM's participated on a mission over Germany. All personnel returned safe'. Like I said before, the records from Squadron to Squadron very often vary in content.

I looked at the later missions for yourself and saw you flew a number on lead crews, PFF, with Colonel Anthony Mustoe. Can you recall how that happens, your selection to fly on the CO's aircraft, which was quite an acknowledgement to all those selected. Most lead crews were just that, selected for above average skills. Mustoe is sadly gone now, but I beleive he was well liked as a group Commander during his time with the 305th, before he moved up to 40th Combat Wing HQ's.

Thanks for your further recollections.

Ian

Ian:
I can't explain why I was selected to fly on the CO's aircraft. Maybe it was because I got to know some of the senior officers. I worked for Major Thomas in the 365th Operations office and I remember playing cribbage with Loyd Slimp. I have a picture of the operations crew in front of a B-17 named LAURA.

Yes, the people I knew held Colonel Mustoe in high regard.

Roy O'Neil