Holtz Crew – Assigned 754th Squadron – February 18, 1945

Standing: Unknown, Bob Smith – CP, Merrill Holtz – P, James Dutt – N, Unknown

Kneeling: 2nd from left, Paul Perry – BTG

If you can identify the other crew members please contact me

(Photo: John Zimitsch)

Flying at the End of Hostilities

Rank	Name	Serial #	Crew Position	Date	Status	Comments
1Lt	Merrill L Holtz	0780599	Pilot	Jun-45	FEH	Ferry Liberator to U.S.
2Lt	Robert E Smith	02066894	Co-pilot	Jun-45	FEH	Ferry Liberator to U.S.
2Lt	James L Dutt	02072431	Navigator	Jun-45	FEH	Ferry Liberator to U.S.
S/Sgt	Vincent N Roman	35059070	Radio Operator	Jun-45	FEH	Ferry Liberator to U.S.
Sgt	William A Maultsby	18197961	Flight Engineer	Jun-45	FEH	Ferry Liberator to U.S.
T/Sgt	Paul J Perry	6895912	Armorer-Gunner	Jun-45	FEH	Ferry Liberator to U.S.
S/Sgt	Alan H Cross	33709393	Aerial Gunner	Jun-45	FEH	Ferry Liberator to U.S.
S/Sgt	Justin Martincic, Jr	13190328	Armorer Gunner	Jun-45	FEH	Ferry Liberator to U.S.
S/Sgt	Raymond D McKinney	37490700	Aerial Gunner/2E	Jun-45	FEH	Ferry Liberator to U.S.

2Lt Merrill Holtz and crew were assigned to the 754th Squadron 2-1/2 months before the war would come to an end. They took off on what was supposed to be their first combat flight on March 8th, but were forced to abort due to mechanical difficulties. They were able to complete the next day’s mission to Osnabruck and were credited for their first mission.

In all the crew flew 13 combat missions as well as two missions listed on formation plans as “weather ship”. A designated crew would fly out over the Continent prior to the group’s take off and report back on the weather. Crews were not given mission credit for these flights. Nine of the thirteen missions were aboard a veteran 458th Liberator named Sky Tramp / Spitten Kitten. The crew would also ferry this Liberator back to the United States in June.

After the war had ended, the 458th, along with all of the other heavy bombardment groups in the Eighth Air Force, took their ground men on a flying tour of Germany. These flights were called “Trolley Missions” and their purpose was to show the men whose job it was to put the planes in the air, how their efforts had helped to win the war. Holtz and crew obtained a number of photographs of several cities they visited on these trips.

Missions

Date	Target	458th Msn	Pilot Msn	Serial	RCL	Sqdn	A/C Msn	A/C Name	Comments
08-Mar-45	DILLENBURG	199	ABT	42-110059	T	Z5	--	UNKNOWN 056	ABORT - #1, 2 ENG ??
09-Mar-45	OSNABRUCK	200	1	42-95183	U	Z5	85	BRINEY MARLIN
12-Mar-45	FRIEDBURG	202	2	44-40298	E	Z5	41	THE SHACK	ABORT - SORTIE CREDIT BOMB OT
17-Mar-45	HANNOVER	205	3	44-40126	L	Z5	68	SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP
24-Mar-45	NORDHORN	212	4	42-110059	T	Z5	73	UNKNOWN 056	BOMBED WITH 467BG
25-Mar-45	HITZACKER	214	5	44-40126	L	Z5	74	SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP
31-Mar-45	BRUNSWICK	216	6	44-40126	L	Z5	76	SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP
04-Apr-45	PERLEBERG	217	7	44-40126	L	Z5	77	SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP
05-Apr-45	PLAUEN	218	8	44-40126	L	Z5	78	SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP
07-Apr-45	KRUMMEL	220	9	42-95108	B	Z5	76	ENVY OF 'EM ALL II
09-Apr-45	LECHFELD	222	10	44-40126	L	Z5	80	SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP
10-Apr-45	RECHLIN/LARZ	223	11	44-40126	L	Z5	81	SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP
11-Apr-45	REGENSBURG	224	WTHR	42-95018	J	Z5	--	OLD DOC'S YACHT	WEATHER SHIP
16-Apr-45	LANDSHUT	227	12	44-40126	L	Z5	84	SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP
18-Apr-45	PASSAU	228	WTHR	44-50618	S	--	--	UNKNOWN 052	WEATHER SHIP
19-Apr-45	ZWIESEL	SCR	--	42-51179	P	Z5	--	DUSTY'S DOUBLE TROUBLE	SCRUBBED
20-Apr-45	ZWIESEL	229	13	44-40126	L	Z5	85	SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP