Helfrecht Crew – Assigned 754th Squadron – July 31, 1944

The Helfrecht Crew arrived at Horsham on July 31, 1944 and flew their first combat mission on August 8, 1944.  Eight days later, on the crew’s fifth mission to Magdeburg, S/Sgt James Spangberg was wounded.  The circumstances and severity are not known, but it was apparently severe enough for him to come off of combat operations.  He is not shown flying further missions with the group.

In mid-September the crew took part in five Truckin’ Missions, flying three times to Lille and twice to Clastres.  After resuming combat operations, on the group’s first mission on October 3rd, radio operator George Swartz had difficulties at altitude, as is noted in the “Aircraft Not Attacking Report”: 44-40126  Not Pathfinder. No Sortie.  returned Bombs.  Pilot reported that while flying at 20,000 feet in formation Radio Operator began complaining of cramps in one knee.  He was flying waist gun position at the time, and was told to put his oxygen in full rich position, sit quiet and keep his legs straight.  By the time A/C reached 24,000 feet both legs were cramped and one arm was giving trouble.  Fingernails and lips were purple.  A/C returned to base.  Swartz was transferred to AAF 101 High Wycomb, headquarters for the Eighth Air Force, on October 7th He did not return to the 458th and it is unknown if he flew any further combat flights.

In mid-November, gunner Sgt Basil J. Fell was sent to AAF Station 114 to appear before the Central Medical Board. Records indicate that he was removed from flying status In January 1945.  The crew’s last mission of 1944 (their 16th) was on December 12th when the group hit the marshaling yards in Hanau Germany.  The crew flew B-24J 42-51196 The Gypsy Queen, landing off location upon their return to England.

On January 5, 1945, the crew was transferred from the 754th to the 755th Bombardment Squadron, presumably to become a lead crew.  Their first mission in the 755th was on January 31st.  They flew a total of eight missions as either lead aircraft or deputy lead between February 14 and their last mission on April 15th to Royan.  They were assigned to fly lead aircraft in the third squadron. It was on this date that the Eighth Air Force experimented with a new jellied gasoline bomb called Napalm.  Helfrecht’s crew, flying B-24L 44-49902 J3 M equipped with GH-H2X equipment is pictured (see below) at the moment they released their Napalm canisters.

Those crew members who had completed their tour were sent to the 70th Replacement Depot on May 1, 1945.

458th Target #10

The 458th Bomb Group’s target for April 15th is highlighted in yellow on each map.

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