The 483rd Bomb Group Archive

Mission

Mission 80

28 August 1944 · Vienna Moosbierbaum oil refinery

Date
28 August 1944
Target as printed
Vienna, Austria Moosbierbaum oil refinery
Aircraft lost
1
Sources
assoc-mission-summary (row 80)

Target

Aircraft lost

Photographs and loss sheets

These pictures stay on the sites that hold them and are shown here by link only, until their owners say they may be copied.

Statements from the loss reports

Casualty questionnaire, page 11: PE PERONA, Vincent · 28 August 1944
AFPPA=1]
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File Il 11278
Name of crew member:
PE PERONA, Vincent
Rank:
s/sct.
Serial number:
14001703
Position: Crew (Bomber) Flighty
Asst. Eng.
Did he bail out?
Yes
(45°27'N 15°27'E)
Where? Near the Town of Karlovac, Yugoslavia 4 mi. SW of the town and 1/2 mi. E. of mithe
Dobra River
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: Last contact
was an exyeen check at 1003 approximately two minutes before bailing out.
Was he injured? No. únless injury occured when he caria to earth
Where
As he went out of the waist door just as the right waist
was
he when last seen? gunner kicked it out, According to the right waist gunner
who came back with me. Number lout f Waist exit.
Any hearsay information: Partisan reports were that 10 men came down and they
reported seeing the seven members of the crew in German controlled towns under guard.
Germans were. reported to have told the towns people that they had seven and that the
Partisans only got three this time.
Source: Partisan Underground.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on' supposition:
His sister had a letter or two from him in prison and the only thing that might have
happened is that he WAS in a column of prisoners marching from onA camp to another
and the column was atrafed or he tried to escape and was shot.
Total number of missions of above crew member: Estimated 46 or 47
Dates and destinations if possible: Approximate dates and destinations on reverse side.
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 11 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 13: Harry D. Whye · 28 August 1944
"AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1.
Your name Harry D. Whye
Rank Capt.
Serial No. 0-700087
815 B. Sq
Organization 83 B. Gp Commander Paul L. Col. Sqn CO
James V. Reardon
2.
Rank It. Col.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
19h4
month August
day 28
did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Moosbierbaum, Austtarget, Oil Refinery
, target
time, 1200 Approximate altitude, 27000
route scheduled, Italian coast to
Yugo Coast to IP to, , route flown as briefed
target to rally point to Yugo
45°27' N
5. Where were you when you left formation' near Karlovac, Yugoslavia 15°27' E
coast to base
6. Did you bail out?
Yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
Yes
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge".
See Attached Sheet
45°25' N
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Approximately 15°241112 E
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) None
11. Wnere were they in aircraft?
12. What was their condition?
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
2nd Lt Fmile G. Clifton Jr. -821909 (Negro) 99 Ftr Sq., 332 Ftr Gp Badled out
29 August 1944 SW of Glina, Yugo, (45°21' N 1605'B). I met him at Glina and
returned to Italy with he and Two of my gunners.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 13 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 15: PEPERONA, Vincent · 28 August 1944
AFPPA-11-
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 11278
Name of crew member:
PEPERONA, Vincent
Rank:
s/Sgt.
Serial number:
14001703
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Asst. Eng.
Did he bail out? YES
Where? KARLSTADT, YUGOSLAVIA
If not, why not?
Last to or at time of loss of plane WE TRAVELED
contact or conversation just prior
TOGETHER To PRISON CAMP AND HE WAS IN My COMPOUND
Was he injured? YES, A SPRANE ANKLE.
Where was he when last seen? ON THE BLACK HUNGARY MARCH
Any hearsay information: HE WAS LIBERATED THE SAME
TIME I WAS.
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Total number of missions of above crew member EWAS A REPLACER ON HIS CREW
Dates and destinations if possible: AUGUST 28,1944 TARGET
WAS IN AUSTRIA.
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 15 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 16 · 28 August 1944
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name EMMETT D. JONES V6
Rank T/sgt. Serial No 33516652
2. Gp Commander BARTON Rank COL Sqn CO REDADON Rank LT.CCL
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1944
month AUGE I day 28 did you go down?
4. What was the mission, BOMBING
, target, AUSTRIA
,target
time, AROUND 12:00 altitude, 26,500
route schedul +d,
,route flown
5. left formation? OVER YOEOSLAVIA
Where were you when you
6. Did you bail out? YES
7. Did other members of crew bail out? YES ALL TEN
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is atcached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
¿ive facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". ALL TEN BAILED our
AND THREE RETURNED To THE GROUP. MYSELF AND THE
OTHER SIX WERE TAKE P.O.W. WE MEET TOGETHER
SHORTLY AFTER WE JUMPED
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? UNKNOWN
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) NONE
11. Where were they in aircraft? NONE
12. What their condition? NONE
was
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? THE OFFICERS WERE TAKEN to H DIFFERENT
CAMP AND I DIDN'T Sites THEM. ONE O+ THEM
I MAET AFTER I WAS LIBERATED. BEFORE THEY
WENT TO P.O.W. CAMP THEY WERE ALL ALRIGHT
EXCEPT THE PILOT AND HE HAD is RLASH BORN
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other orew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,AF

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 16 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 17: PEPERONA, Vincent · 28 August 1944
AFPP,
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File H 11278
Name of crew member:
PEPERONA, Vincent
Rank:
s/sgt.
Serial number:
14001703
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Asst. Eng.
Did he bail out?
YES
Where?
NEAR ZAGREB, JUGOSCAVIA
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: HE WAS
BEHIND ME BY THE WAIST DOOR.
Was he injured?
NO.
Where was he when last seen? STALAGCUUT IV ON JAN. 30, 1945
Any hearsay information:
HIS GROUP OF P.O.W.'S WAS
REPORTEDLY LIBERATED BY THE BRITISH /N THE
LATTER PART OF APRIL, 1945
Source :
Ex.P.O.w.'s IN U.S. HOSPITAL IN FRANCE.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Total number of missions of above crew member:
47
Dates and destinations if possible: ON REVERSE SIDE
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 17 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 19: NICOLAISEN, ELWOOD T · 28 August 1944
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name
NICOLAISEN, ELWOOD T.
Rank T/SGT Serial No. 6578737
2. Organization 483 Gp Commander P.L.BARTON Rank Col. Sqn CO J.U. Reardoy Rank LT. COL.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
1944
month AUGUST day 28TN did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
47TH
,
target, MOOSBIERBAUM
,target
time,
?
,altitude, 26,000 FEET route scheduled,
?
,route flown
?
5. left formation? OVER ZAGREB, JUGOSLAUIA
Where were you when you
YES
6. Did you bail out?
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
YES
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
cive facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge".
ALL OF CREW
BAILED OUT AT APPROX. SAME TIME, THE
PILOT LAST.
9.
Where did your aircraft strike the ground? NEAR ZAGREB
10. Wha: members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cress check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)
NONE
11. Where were they in aircraft?
12. What was their condition?
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
14. Please give any sinilar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,4 AF

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 19 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 20: PEPERONA, Vincent · 28 August 1944
AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL C BUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 11278
Name of crew member:
PEPERONA, Vincent
Rank:
s/Sgt.
Serial number:
14001703
Position: Crow (Bomber)
Asst. Eng.
Did he bail out?
Yes
Where?
Karlstadt, Croatia
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Checked out on bail-out order
Was he injured?
No
Where was he when last seen? Budapest (Disian Luft) on or about Sept. 25, 1944
Any hearsay information:
Last seen between 12-15 May, 1945 at Camp Lucky Strike,
Le Havre, France awaiting repatriation after return to
Allied control. Previously confined in Stalag Luft IV.
Source :
Tech. Sgt. Eert Schreiner - 104-21 9lst Ave. - Richmond Hill, N.Y.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Assumed to have safely returned to the United Ststes.
Note: Correct spelling of casualty's name - PEPERONE, VINCENT
Total number of missions of above crew member:
48
Dates and destinations if possible:
Available from Capt. Jonas L. Blank, (AC, RA) 1416 New Hampshire Ave.,
Washington, D. C.
Robert F. Corenthal
c/o Terminal Radio Corp.
85 Cortlandt Street
New York 7, N. Y.
6-3861, AF
OVER
e

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 20 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 22: Robert F. Corenthal · 28 August 1944
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QURSTIONNAIRE
1. Your name Robert F. Corenthal
Rank lst Lt. Serial No. 0-808166
483rd B.O.
2. Organization (E) Gp Commander Paul Barton, Col. Sqn CO J. V. Reardon, Lt. CO1.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
1944
mon th August
day
28
did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
,
target, Moosbeerbaum, Austrie target
time, 1120 altitude, 22,500
route scheduled, Adriatic,
Yugoslavia, W. of Vienna oute flown
as briefed
5. Where were you when you left formation? Karlstadt, Croatia
6. Did you bail out?
Yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
Yes
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge".
All bailed out safely and accounted for on ground. Seven were
captured, three evaded,
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Outskirts of Karlstadt, Croatia
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)
None
11. Where were they in aircraft?
12. What was their condition?
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
Robert F. Corenthel
c/o Terminal Radio Corp.
85 Cortlandt Street
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
New York 7, N. Y.
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 22 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 23: PEPFRONA, , Vincent · 28 August 1944
AFPPA- 11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 11278
Name of crew member:
PEPFRONA, , Vincent
Rank:
s/sct.
Serial number:
1401703
Position: Crew (Bomber) por Fitght
Asst. Eng.
Did he bail out?
YES
Where?
OVER YUGO. WITH THE RESTOF THE CREW
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Bailed out together.
Was he injured?
Slight bruise on left knee
Where was he when last seen? Camp Le Harve, France. Between 12th &15th,5/1945
Any hearsay information
No
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
When last seen was in good haalth. This after liberation
Total number of missions of above crew member:
48
Dates and destinations if possible:
Not possible
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 23 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 24: Herbert Schreiner · 28 August 1944
AFPPA- 12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name Herbert Schreiner
Rank 1/sgt
Serial No. 32695246
2. Organization 483Bom CommanderBartor
Rank COL. Sqn CO Reardon Rank LT. COL.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1944
month August
day 28
did you go down?
4. What was the mission, bombing
, target, Moosebierbaum
target
time, 10 a.M2
altitude,
27,000 FT.
route scheduled,
, route flown
5. Where were you when you left formation? OVER YUGASLAVIA
6. Did you bail out?
YES
7. Did other members of crew bail out? EVERY ONE BAILED OUT SAFELY
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge".
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground?
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual ;uestionnaires)
NONE
11. Where were they in aircraft?
12. What was their condition?
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? I SAW ALL ENLISTED MEMBERS IN PRISON CAMP
AND AFTER THE WERE LIBERATED AT CAMP LUCKY STRIKE IN LE. HARVE
FRANCE
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. To my knowledge all
enlisted men and officers are safe. I have contacted everyone
expect the above mentioned.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 24 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 4 · 28 August 1944
STATEMENTS
On the way to the target about 50 or 60 miles inside the coast of Yugoslavia a
B-17 bearing the number 913 turned to the left out of formation and around 20000 or
22000 feet. When I saw it the waist and tail doors were gone and the bombs were falling
ffom the bomb bay. One man was already out and I count ed eight more chutes. The ship
made
a
large circle over the terrain in which the nine chutes were falling and then made
three or four more circles. The ship now seemed to get out of control. It hit the
ground far behind us and burst into flames. I never did see the tenth chute open but
there is a good possibility it may have as the ship was hard to see and it wa3 right
over some dark trees. When the men bailed out they opened their cutes right away.
731 Sgt Wayne C. Tate
34891635, Tail Gnr.
The first thing I saw was the ship drop the bombs then I saw fire come out of the
bomb bays. Then I saw the waist door fly out and six men came out and three out of the
front. None of the men delayed their jumps. I watched the ship clear to the ground and
it seemed to be under control all of the way.
never did dee the pilot go out.
/s/ Frank A. Mitchel
17068753, Ball T Gnr
At 1007 over Yugoslavia 45 degrees 30' 'N, 15 degrees 28' E, Capt Blank was flying
lead ship in #4 Squadron. He dipped his wings and broke away from the formation. Au his
plane crossed under our ship, which was #3 in the box, a door flew off his plane and one
man jumped out immediately. I saw another man jump right afterwards as the plane left
my sight under our left wing. At that time our altitude was 25000 feet. Our crew saw
nine chutes leave the plane.
/s/ Roman E. Frankouicz
2nd Lt., AU.
I looked at the plane and thought cockpit windows and turret were all frosted over,
then the pilot opened his window to let the smoke out. Tail door flew off and tail gunner
bailed out, his chute opened, and then the waist door flew off. Bomb bay doors were
opened, all the bombs were salvoed. Immediately afterwards two men bailed out. Two
men went out waist door, and two men went out nose hatch. I counted nine chutes open.
Plane kept circling around men in parachutes; it made about three circles and crashed
and immediately broke into flames. I think the pilot made it too, because he kept
circling his men and evidently wanted to be near them when he bailed out. I couldn't
see him though as it was too far away.
/8/ Charles W. Stuckert, Sgt
36581759
at 1007 approximately 60 miles into Yugoslavia the airplane piloted by Capt
Blank started a turn to the left. After considerable maneuvering, it started to pass
underneath our aircraft. We were flying on his left wing at the time. As he started
his diving turn to the left we banked left to follow him. I was flying from the CO
pilot's side and as we turned left I saw the right waist door leave the aircraft.
Following the door came a man then another door. Immediately after this the bombs were
dropped and as the plane passedbbeneath our ship and to the

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 4 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

German capture report, page 9 · 28 August 1944
APPPA
TEMPORARY
REPORTION CAPTURE of an
AIRCRAFT of the USAAF
Case - Nr.
ME 2157
DATE and TIME
28 August 1944
AIRCRAFT was shot down:
PLACE of CRASH:
Area Karlstadt
TYPE OF CRAFT:
lortress
REPORTING STATION:
Aray District W e a t
C R E W :
NAME and FIRST NAME:
CAPTURED:
DISPOSITION:
NAME of CAMP
DATE and PLACE of BIRTH:
RANK SERIAL NUMBER:
WOUNDED:
TYPE of INJURY
DEAD:
GRAVE LOCATION
captured
BLANK
Jonas L.
Cpt. 0-25994
Staing-Luft 3
CORENTHAL
Robert F
lst Lt 0-808166
#
.
3
PENN
Janes Williem
lst Lt 0-739203
a
3
NICOLAISEN
Elwood Thomas
s/sgt 6578737
.
4
28 Oct. 21
San Frencisco, Cal.
SCHNFINER
Herbert Nicholas
T/Sgt
32695246
#
#
4
18 Apr. 18
Ridgewood,Long Island
PEPARONE
Vincent
s/ägt
14001783
.
4
10 Jan. 19
Harvey, La
JONES
Kenett Dollious jr. s/sgt 33516652
a
4
22 Jun. 22
Richnond, Va.
REMARKS:
DULAG-LUFT
7 November 1944
Date
6-28.A7

National Archives, MACR 11278, page 9 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

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