New 02/16/2004

to 11/43  Harvard AAB, Nebraska
11/43 in transit by air
11/43 - 4/44 709th Sqdn, Rattlesden
(Original crew)
Missions Flown:  24
 
The Kruezer crew at Harvard
with 42-39874, Wichita Witch.
During 1944, this nose art was 
covered and the aircraft renamed 
Queen Patsy by members of the 
Skinner crew.

Standing, left to right:
Lt. Harold L. Kruezer, P 
Lt. Lawrence P. Koenig, CP 
Lt. Clyde V. Collins, B 
Lt. Bert H. Lynn, N

Kneeling, order uncertain: 
Sgt Joseph R. Rossi, ENG
Sgt Robert V. Tompkins, ROG 
Sgt Earl E. Barry, WG
Sgt Anthony J. Shidek, WG
Sgt Robert G. Gordon, BTG 
Sgt Frank L. Lanman, TG
 More photos below

 


Combat Missions 
    
No. Date Target Aircraft
1 12/24/43 NOBALL NO. 50 DROINVILLE 42-31206 Journey's End
2 1/5/44 MERIGNAC 42-37855
3 3/27/44 MARIGNAC CHARTRES 42-31225 Scheherazade
4 12/31/43 COGNAC 42-39886
5 1/7/44 LUDWIGSHAFEN 42-32145 Hi-Jinx
6 1/24/44 FRANKFURT 42-31108 Devil's Mate
7 1/29/44 FRANKFURT 42-31188 Dead Man's Hand
8 1/30/44 BRUNSWICK 42-31207
9 2/3/44 WILHELMSHAVEN 42-39874 Wichita Witch
10 2/4/44 FRANKFURT 42-38052
11 2/5/44 ROMILLY 42-31157
12 2/8/44 WEISBADEN 42-31519
13 2/10/44 BRUNSWICK 42-31519
14 2/13/44 NOBALL NO.S 110, 78  42-31519
15 2/20/44 TUTOW 42-31225 Scheherazade
16 2/24/44 ROSTOCK 42-31225 Scheherazade
17 2/25/44 REGENSBURG 42-31534
18 3/18/44 MUNICH 42-31225 Scheherazade
19 3/20/44 FRANKFURT 42-31225 Scheherazade
20 4/1/44 LUDWIGSHAFEN 42-31225 Scheherazade
21 4/8/44 RHEINE 42-31225 Scheherazade
22 4/10/44 DIEST SCHAFFEN 42-39886
23 4/11/44 ARNIMSWALDE 42-31188 Dead Man's Hand
24 4/13/44 AUGSBURG 42-31184 Old Crow
On 13 April 1944 the group encountered extremely heavy flak over the target area. Three badly damaged aircraft, including the Kruezer crew in Old Crow dropped from the formation and headed for Switzerland.  All three reached Dubendorf Airfield, and were interned.
From MACR 4295 for A/C 42-31184
Pilot 2Lt Harold L. Kruezer INT
Copilot 2Lt Lawrence P. Koenig INT
Navigator 2Lt Bert H. Lynn INT
Bombardier 2Lt Clyde V. Collins INT
Top Turret T/Sgt Joseph R. Rossi INT
Radio Operator T/Sgt Robert V. Tompkins INT
Ball Turret S/Sgt Robert G. Gordon INT
Left Waist S/Sgt Earl E. Berry INT
Right Waist S/Sgt Anthony J. Shidek INT
Tail Gunner S/Sgt Frank L. Lanman INT


Several internees and Swiss guards.
At front left is believed to be co-pilot Larry Koenig.
(Photo courtesy of Ed Maul)

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