Crew 26 – Assigned 753rd Squadron – October 14, 1943

2Lt Charles Shaw and crew were assigned to the 753rd Squadron on October 14, 1943 in Tonopah, Nevada, They took their combat crew training with the group and flew overseas in January 1944.  After flying a diversionary mission on February 25th, the crew’s first combat mission was on March 6, 1944 – the first successful American raid on Berlin.  The 458th lost five Liberators and crews on this date – the highest one-day loss total that the 458th would suffer.

The aircraft that was assigned to the crew, and which they flew over from the States, was a B-24H named Downwind Leg.  This ship would carry them through the first few days of May, save for one mission on March 9th.  After that they would fly several different 753rd Squadron ships, but the crew ended up flying “their” ship on 18 combat missions (21 including aborted attempts).

In June they flew several AZON missions, although they were forced to abort on May 31st, and the mission of June 8th was abandoned due to bad weather.  They were credited for two AZON sorties, but the results of their particular bombs are unknown.  It is around this time that Chuck Shaw’s name appears less frequently on group mission records.  There are several large gaps between June 8 and August 9th.  During this two month period, Shaw is shown flying only five missions.  The reason for this is unknown.

Bill Kramer, the crew’s co-pilot, appears to have filled in during Shaw’s absence, as records show him listed as first pilot flying 7 missions beginning on August 1st and ending on the 13th.  It is assumed that he commanded Crew 26 on these missions to round out their combat tour.

The entire crew completed their tour in August 1944 and all members were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  In September the majority of them were sent back to the States; 1Lt Elmer Lanini did not leave the 458th until December.

The only man whose name is not listed in August or September records is radio operator George Ewing. It is probable, however, that he completed his missions about the same time as the rest of the crew.

Africa – January 1944

Horsham St Faith – Summer 1944

“This was taken on the air raid shelter in front of the barracks just before chow time… that explains the hungry look!”

Back Row: Waldo Spangelo – Crew 28 Co-pilot, Bill Kramer, “Red” Welsh
Front Row: Eleo Decima – Crew 23 Nav, George Higgins, Elmer Lanini, Sam Robeson – Crew 28 Pilot, John Sullivan – Crew 25 Nav

(Photo: Bill Kramer)

B-24H-10-DT 41-28721 J4 L  Downwind Leg

The Shaw crew flew this aircraft on the majority of their missions.

(Photo: George Reynolds)

May 31, 1944 – Azon Mission #1

Left-Right: Alvin Shapiro – Crew 23 co-pilot, Unknown, Fred DeNeffe – Crew 23 pilot, George Higgins Crew 26 navigator, Unknown

An interesting picture showing several 458th airmen in front of AZON ship Bad Girl.  The caption on this photo reads, “Crew members of the 458th Bomb Group discuss their bombing mission shortly after returning to their 8th Air Force base somewhere in England.  31 May 1944”

 On this date, the 753rd Squadron put up five aircraft on the first AZON raid to hit five bridges in France. Crew 26, flying Table Stuff was forced to abort because they “could not find the formation in clouds…” They were not given credit for this mission.  Fred DeNeffe and Crew 23 flew Bad Girl on this mission, and along with three other 753rd Liberators bombed a series of bridges in France.

 Given the expressions on their faces, it looks like the man on the right has been the subject of an uncomfortable comment or question by the man second from left.  Shapiro, DeNeffe and Higgins seem amused by whatever comment has just been made.

(Photo: FOLD3)

June 4, 1944 – Azon Mission #3

Gerard Guerrette, Roscoe Green and Chuck Shaw discuss matters after the June 4th AZON mission

Standing: Lester DeCuir, Peter Durelinger, Chuck Shaw, Maj Speer (Cmd P), Roscoe Green, Eleo Decima (flight helmet) – Nav
Kneeling: Altus Weathersby, George Ewing, Gerard Guerrette, Unknown

(Photos: Robert Carroll)