Crew 47 – Assigned 754th Squadron – October 1943

Lt Gilbert Schulze and Crew 47 went through combat crew training at Tohopah, Nevada with the rest of the 458th during the latter half of 1943.  They flew overseas via the Southern Ferry Route in January 1944.

Thier first missions were the diversionary feints towards Holland in support of the Eight Air Force’s “Big Week” at the end of February.  The crew flew 11 missions in March, all on B-24H-15-FO 42-52335 Z5 R Admirable Little Character. The crew would consider this aircraft “their ship” until it was lost on April 25, 1944 with the crew of Lt John H. Combs.

Towards the end of their tour, the crew flew a number of lead missions, finishing up on a trip to Munich, Germany on July 11, 1944.  Schulze was eventually promoted to Captain, and assigned as the Assistant Squadron Operations Officer in the 754th.  Part of his duties had him inspecting recently captured airfields in France before and during the Truckin’ Missions in September.  (See below.)

Lt Bernard Newmark’s name appears in the May 1945 754th Squadron records as having been instrumental in designing and then, thru Walt Disney Productions, manufacturing the squadron emblem that appeared at Horsham in the summer of 1944.

B-24H-15-FO 42-52335 Z5 R  Admirable Little Character

Photo taken in mid-April 1944, shortly before the loss of ALC. Notice #4 engine is feathered.

(Photos: Geneva Schulze)

Eiffel Tower

“Capt Gilbert E. Schulze lines up for a fly-through of the Eiffel Tower, Paris, France, October 1944.  He was on a special assignment, flying to various fields in northwestern France, inspecting safety features of each airfield to make certain bombers could land as they ferried gasoline to our troops after the invasion.  He was flying a C-61 Fairchild, single-engine plane, and made several trips between France and England from September 11 – October 12, 1944.  He said that the first time he flew the Channel in this little “puddle jumper” was scary. He had been used to a four-engine B-24 with nine fellows along on his other trips.”

(As related in a letter by Geneva Schulze)

754th Bombardment Squadron Patch

The origin of the 754th Squadron insignia is rather an interesting story.  The insignia was designed and originated in Hollywood, California, or rather Burbank, California, which is adjacent to Hollywood.  It was drawn up by members of the Walt Disney staff, at the Walt Disney Studios.  However, none of this would have been possible had it not been for the untiring efforts of 1st Lt. Bernard J. Newmark, a former member of this organization.  It was through his influence that the Walt Disney Studios designed the insignia.  The insignia seems to have met with the approval of the men of the squadron. The design is unique in that there is no other that even closely resembles it throughout the ETO.

(754th Squadron Records – May 1945)

S/Sgt William E. Burk, Mission Diary

1. Feb 28, 44 – Bombing to Frankfurt, Germany Aircraft Factory

March 1, 44 – To Berlin Air Fields Aborded, frozen guns

2. March 4, 44 – To Bordeau, France Airfields

3. March 8, 44 – To Berlin, Ger. Ball Bearing Factory

4. March 15, 44 – To Brunswick, Ger. Assembly plant of Aircraft

5. March 18, 44 – Friedrichshaten, Ger. Presision tool factory

March 20-22 – Two day pass to London

6. March 23, 44 – Northern Germany German Airfields Osnabruck, Ger.

7. March 24, 44 – Saint Dizier Airfields in France

8. March 26, 44 – Albert, France Rocket Guns, France

9. March 27, 44 – Biaritz, France Airfields, Southern France

10. April 2, 44 – Airfields near Coast of France No ball target

11. April 8, 44 – Brunswick, Ger. Airfields Worst mission

12. April 11, 44 – Near Brunswick, Ger. Focke Wulf Factory

April 12, 44 – Same as 11th Group aborded

13. April 13, 1944 – Lichsfield, Ger. Airfields

14. April 18, 44 – To Brandenburg, Ger. Aborded near Hamburg Bombed town

15. April 19, 44 – Paderborn, Ger. Airfield

16. April 22, 44 – Hamn, Ger. Railroads marshalling Yards, hit on own field

17. April 24, 44 – Gunzberg, Ger. Airfields

18. May 8, 44 – To Brunswick, Ger. Bombed marshalling yards Lots of fighters

19. May 9, 1944 – To St. Troad, Belgium Bombed air field Good day

20. May 11, 44 – Epinal, France Railroad marshalling Yards.

21. May 13, 44 – Tutow, Germany Airfields, Many Fighters

22. May 27, 44 – Neunkircken, Ger. Railroad Marshalling yards

23. May 30, 44 – Bad-Zivischenhan, Ger. Airfields

24. June 2, 44 – On French coast Coastal gun Emplacements. PFF

25. June 6, 44 – Bombed French Invasion coast Invasion day, D-day

26. June 8, 44 – Bombed inland From invasion coast

27. June 14, 44 – Bombed airfield Nuneq, France

28. June 18, 44 – No Ball Target Watton, France

29. June, (this last entry ended in mid-sentence)