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Posted by Alan Morton The group put up 36 planes for this mission to bomb government buildings in the heart of the German capital. The low squadron of the group was attacked by fighters on the way to the target and lost one plane with engines afire. Bombing results were fair, flack was accurate and seven planes were damaged. Other groups were also hit by fighters with total losses for the 8th of twenty eight planes. The first crew to complete their tour with the 457th was that of Lt Robert D. Lane who flew this mission. Plane s/n 42-97481 Pilot Lt Phillip H. Birong
on 12/2/2003, 6:13 pm, in reply to "Lt. Phillip H. Birong 457th BG, 751st BS, Mission 46"
68.169.190.162
Mission Narrative - Mission No. 46 - Target - Berlin, Germany - 19 May, 1944
Plane s/n 42-97481, named "Liberty Run," was piloted by Lt Philip H. Birong. Before reaching the target the group was attacked by a force of ME-109's and FW-190's and Lt Birong's plane had two engines set afire. It left the formation and began a spiral toward the ground. All of the crew, except one, bailed out and landed safely and were POW's for the balance of the war. The radio operator, Sgt Norman Musial spilled his parachute in the plane and, in spite of urgings from the other crewmen, would not jump with the folded parachute in his arms. He stayed with the plane and died when the plane crashed. Two of the crew were substitutes that day Lt Patty and Lt Patinjak. For a description of this incident by Sgt Lt Paul Owens, see "Black Puff Polly" - Mission No 46.
The crew was as follows:
Copilot Lt Robert A. Patty
Navigator Lt Frank Partinjak
Bombardier Lt Paul V. Owens
Aircraft Engineer Sgt Max L. Hull
Radio Operator Sgt Norman Musial KIA
Left Waist Gunner Sgt Albert L. Missinger
Right Waist Gunner Sgt Pasquale N. Sacco
Ball Turret Gunner Sgt William H. Farrar
Tail Gunner Sgt Luis J. Franco
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