Skidmore Crew – Assigned 754th Squadron – August 13, 1944

Assigned to the 754th Squadron in mid-August 1944, the Skidmore crew flew their first combat mission on August 25th.  Their last was to be on March 9, 1945 – almost seven months later.  During that time, it appears that the crew flew most of their missions together – a relatively rare occurrence amongst 8th Air Force combat crews.  One exception was Sgt Wilfred “Willie” Racine, tail gunner.  In September 1944 he was sent to AAF 113 Cheddington in Buckinghamshire to attend RCM (Radio Countermeasures) School.  After returning to the 754th Squadron, he flew two missions with another crew utilizing the skills he had learned.  He then requested a return to his regular crew and this was granted.

January 16, 1945

At no time previous had I pulled more than 40 inches. I knew the 96th Wing was behind me, so it was my belief that if I could hold my altitude, I would be able to bomb with them. At the co-ordinates 5238N-0952E, number three engine became rough and the engine instrument started to fluctuate. I picked a target of opportunity and bombed to the best of my ability without a bombsight. By that time I had dropped to 15000 feet and was still going down. We jettisoned all loose equipment with the exception of guns and ammunition. I managed to hold 14000 feet. We were unable to re-contact the fighters, so withdrawal was made over inbound course at 14000 feet without escort. I decided to cross the Channel rather than continue in enemy territory, as two jet propelled aircraft were seen to our left. We contacted Air/Sea Rescue and kept them informed as to our position. Number 3 engine was still acting up and I was afraid of losing it completely. #2 and #4 were smoking from using excess power. Upon reaching the English coast, I contacted the tower and was instructed to try to make [RAF] Woodbridge. There the ceiling was 150 feet, but I managed to land with the assistance of the navigator through GEE fixes, with no injury to personnel or aircraft.

LESTER J. SKIDMORE JR.
1st Lt, Air Corps
Pilot, 457D

S/Sgt Willie Racine’s Mission List

S/Sgt Willard S. Burt’s diary entry of the crew’s last mission

March 9, 1945
The long awaited mission finally materialized today — our last one. No matter how invincible I’ve felt before today I realized that we could still meet with disaster. Our target was the rail yards at Osnabruck. The weather was clear and flak was accurate and heavy. One shell burst directly beneath me and for a moment I thought we were finished. But we got through the target area safely and back to England. Once we were safely on the ground in England we began to celebrate — and what a celebration, finished at last. Willy nearly got hit we discovered, when we found a large flak hole in the rudder just above his head.

[Pictured at left, the bottom aircraft is B-24J-1-FO 42-50640 Z5 O Bugs Bunny, in which the crew flew on this date.]

“Skid’s Kids” Crew Reunion 1993

Back Row: Willard Burt, Willie Racine
Front Row: Lester Skidmore, Daniel Slater, Walter Stackhouse, Dick Morrison

(Photo: Doug Racine)