Posted by Alan Morton 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 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, 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: Plane s/n 42-97481 Pilot Lt Phillip H. Birong 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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Posted by Alan Morton on 12/2/2003, 6:48 pm, in reply to "Lt. Phillip H. Birong 457th BG, 751st BS, Mission 46"
68.169.190.162

The radio operator, Sgt Norman Musial spilled his packed 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. The actions by the radio operator, Sgt Norman Musial are not that unusual. In a situation where the plane is out of control and the forces of gravity have practically frozen your body to the inside of the fuselage ... terror takes over and you're in sheer panic. Additionally, often those crew members that have to wear a harness with a sepatate parachute pack that clips onto the harness store their chute pack close by their station for them to grab it when an emergency occurs. The down side of not having the chest chute pack attached to you at all times may be obvious ... many young men in a state of absolute panic jump out of the plane without said pack and fall to their deaths.

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Posted by Alan Morton on 12/2/2003, 7:03 pm, in reply to "Lt. Phillip H. Birong 457th BG, 751st BS, Mission 46"
68.169.190.162

Jay, For openers, rather than repeat what is already posted on the Message Board and viewable to you; may I suggest you peruse the various entries herein and you'll find a wealth of information such as published books, etc. on the 457th Bomb Group. If you still can't find what you're after ... post a message and we'll try to resolve it with you.

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Posted by John Birong on 3/7/2004, 5:45 pm, in reply to "Lt. Phillip H. Birong 457th BG, 751st BS, Mission 46"
205.188.208.165

Alan Morton - Phillip was my father & was wondering if you are a survivor or know of anyone that is?

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