B-25Gs of 379th Bomb Squadron 1943/44

[Brian]

Hi guys

I'm seeking information, preferably a history, of the 379th BS when it operated B-25Gs from Gambut, October 1943/February 1944.

I can't find anything on Google that fits the bill. I know that several B-25Gs were lost during ops over the Aegean, and that a number of sea craft were attacked, but lack details.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello Brian,

try this: http://57thbombwing.com/379thSquadronHistory.php

From there you can download one PDF file for each month about the squadron history (for example, October 1943 has 23 pages, but no reference to Gambut or Aegean ).

November 1943 is lacking as a file, but is included in the December 1943 fie. According to it the Gambut detachment started on 2 November.

Hope this helps

[udf_00]

http://57thbombwing.com/379thSquadronHistory.php ?

[Brian]

Thanks guys

Why I couldn't locate that site I just don't know!!

There appears to be three B-25s in which I am particularly interested:

20 October 1943: A report implies that a B-25 of the 310th BG was 'destroyed' by another B-25 during a raid on Cerveteri aeodrome in Italy. The crew baled out. Was this a friendly fire incident? Who were the crew members and what happened to them. And what was the aircraft serial?

1 February 1944: Two B-25Gs of the 379th BS were lost to ships' flak during a strike off Leros (Aegean). The pilots were Lt Edmond N. Slater and Lt James F. Lavender. I believe that they and their crews were killed. Who were the crew members? And what were the serial numbers of the aircraft?

The above were the only two B-25G losses I could find during Aegean ops, November 1943-February 1944. Were there others?

Help appreciated.
Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

Brian,

Thru usaafdata.com I found 42-64840 for Lt. Lavender's B-25G and 42-64770 for Lt. Edmund Slater.
When you enter these serials on said website, you can trace the other crew members.

Regards,

Leendert

[RSwank]

42-64840 MACR 2814 is on fold3.com
Crew
Pilot : 2nd Lt James F Lavender O740841
CP; 2nd Lt Warren G Staley O747915
B/N: 2nd Lt Edwin A Smith O741762
R/G: Sgt John V Garofalo 32557229
Gnr: S/Sgt Neil S Johnson 15324259
TailGnr: Cpl Samuel P Russell 16109060

According to the MACR 2814 this plane appeared to ditch successfully. None of the men seem to show in POW records.

42-64770 MACR 2815
Crew
Pilot: 2nd Lt Edmund N Slater 0674955
CP: 2nd Lt Gustave Huttemann O795748
B/N 2nd Lt Dudley P Thorne O741769
R/G S/Sgt Deine E Pyles 15322848
Gnr S/Sgt Walter J McConnell 12030923
TGnr: S/Sgt Todd Barneycastle 18117439

The left engine or gas tank was set on fire as it passed over the convoy. It crashed heavily into the sea about 30 seconds later, nose down at about 25 degrees. No POW records found.

Both of these planes went down while attacking a 3 ship convoy broadside just SW of LEROS.

[SALERNO1943]

In 27 august 1943 3 B-25 of 379th were shot down during a mission on Benevento. Do you know where they crashed? We find a B-25 crash site between Salerno and Avellino area. Thanks for your help!