This site is dedicated to the memory of an American Hero from the Greatest Generation -- WWII -- He was my Great Uncle Charles L. Gempel. This is a tribute to him and his story. He was KIA on OCT 30, 1944 at the hands of the Nazi's over Hamburg, Ge doing his duty to protect our freedom. He was a 1st LT and a Pilot in the 8th AF, 44th BG, 506th BS out of Shipdham, UK. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple heart for trying to save his ship and crew. B24J-44-10523 Macr 10139.
Friday, February 4, 2011
An American Hero Re-visited
My father's uncle Charles was an American Hero. Look Here for his story. He was KIA in Germany in WWII and was a co-pilot on a B-24 J that only made 12 flights before it was shotdown 4over Hamburg in October 1944. Aircraft SN 44-10523 MACR 10139.
More from MACR UMS 10/30/44 Seven 67th aircraft composed the high right squadron of the 44th's formation of 28 A/C and 2 PFFs to lead the 14th Combat Wing, last Wing in the Division to the oil refinery at Hamburg. Lt. Holmer led the 67th's section to the Primary which was Ham- burg (visual) and the Secondary if PFF. Weather conditions at the IP and the interference by the preceding Wing caused the formation to break up and deviate from the briefed course. So 19 aircraft attacked the Secondary, and eight A/C dropped on a Target of Opportunity at Uterson. Bombing results at both targets were unobserved, although a preliminary analysis of the scope photos show bomb striking in the Secondary target area. No enemy aircraft were observed and flak on the target was heavy and inaccurate. One 506th Squadron plane, #44-10523 and piloted by 1st Lt. C.J. Bentcliff, was lost to causes unknown although it is believed to have been hit by flak. Immediately after bombing (1318 hours) the aircraft was seen to go into a steep bank and came out of it with a loss of altitude. The aircraft was last seen flying southwest and apparently under control. Poor visibility due to high clouds made further observation impossible, but no chutes were seen. Later, three men were reported POW, and 8 KIA (*) Fighter support was excellent. The 67th planes escaped battle damage and returned safely to base at 1530 hours. Lt. Hurst and crew flew their first deputy lead, carrying 12 x 500 lb M-17s. Lt. J.A. Struthers, in A/C 2, carried 24 x 250 lb GPs dropped them from altitude of 24,000 feet. His tail gunner,S/Sgt. Allen re- cords that the weather was cloudy, 10/10ths coverage every way one looked. Not much flak but sweated out the clouds, instead. The 2nd Division was the only one that didn't turn back - even the escort turned around. (*) 1st Lt. Chester L. Barefoot (Pilotage) is not shown on the Roll Of Honor. Listing now has been corrected as it has been verified that he did not survive. (1985)
All Missions Flown By: Charles L. Gempel Of The 44th Bomb Group 506 Squadron Missions Flown: 25 Mission Date Mission No Aircraft No City Country Target 7/7/1944 182 42-95207 Bernburg Germany Aircraft Factory
Well --we have some good research into the life of Charles L Gempel and discovered who he was married to and how his life changed that of his widow Glenna and his best friend Robert Lake.
More from MACR UMS 10/30/44 Seven 67th aircraft composed the high right squadron of the 44th's formation of 28 A/C and 2 PFFs to lead the 14th Combat Wing, last Wing in the Division to the oil refinery at Hamburg. Lt. Holmer led the 67th's section to the Primary which was Ham- burg (visual) and the Secondary if PFF. Weather conditions at the IP and the interference by the preceding Wing caused the formation to break up and deviate from the briefed course. So 19 aircraft attacked the Secondary, and eight A/C dropped on a Target of Opportunity at Uterson. Bombing results at both targets were unobserved, although a preliminary analysis of the scope photos show bomb striking in the Secondary target area. No enemy aircraft were observed and flak on the target was heavy and inaccurate. One 506th Squadron plane, #44-10523 and piloted by 1st Lt. C.J. Bentcliff, was lost to causes unknown although it is believed to have been hit by flak. Immediately after bombing (1318 hours) the aircraft was seen to go into a steep bank and came out of it with a loss of altitude. The aircraft was last seen flying southwest and apparently under control. Poor visibility due to high clouds made further observation impossible, but no chutes were seen. Later, three men were reported POW, and 8 KIA (*) Fighter support was excellent. The 67th planes escaped battle damage and returned safely to base at 1530 hours. Lt. Hurst and crew flew their first deputy lead, carrying 12 x 500 lb M-17s. Lt. J.A. Struthers, in A/C 2, carried 24 x 250 lb GPs dropped them from altitude of 24,000 feet. His tail gunner,S/Sgt. Allen re- cords that the weather was cloudy, 10/10ths coverage every way one looked. Not much flak but sweated out the clouds, instead. The 2nd Division was the only one that didn't turn back - even the escort turned around. (*) 1st Lt. Chester L. Barefoot (Pilotage) is not shown on the Roll Of Honor. Listing now has been corrected as it has been verified that he did not survive. (1985)
ReplyDeleteAll Missions Flown By:
ReplyDeleteCharles L. Gempel
Of The 44th Bomb Group 506 Squadron
Missions Flown: 25
Mission Date
Mission No Aircraft No City Country Target
7/7/1944
182 42-95207 Bernburg Germany Aircraft Factory
7/11/1944
184 42-94952 Munich Germany
7/12/1944
185 42-95207 Munich Germany Marshalling Yards
7/16/1944
187 42-95207 Saarbrucken Germany Rail and Communications
7/18/1944
18842-95207 Troarn(Caen Area) France Troop Support
7/19/1944
189 42-95207 Koblenz Germany Marshalling Yards
7/20/1944
190 42-95207 Erfurt Germany North Airfield
7/21/1944
191 42-95207 Oberpfaffenhofen Germany Armaments
7/24/1944
192 42-95209 St. Lo France Support American Troops
7/25/1944
193 42-95209 St. Lo France Support American Troops
7/29/1944
194 42-95209 Oslebshausen Germany Ship Building Buildings(Wolf Dens)Uboats
8/6/1944
202 42-50626 Hamburg Germany Oil Refinery
8/9/1944
205 42-50733 Saarbrucken Germany Marshalling Yards (rail)
8/13/1944
207 42-50733 Le Havre/Rouen France Road Junction (Lisieux)
8/14/1944
208 42-50733 Lyon/Bron France Airfield
8/25/1944
213 42-5062 Schwerin Germany Assembly for FW 190s
9/10/1944
220 44-10523 Ulm Germany Marshalling Yards
9/11/1944
221 44-10523 Misburg Germany Hanomag Works
9/28/1944
229 44-10523 Kassel Germany Motor Works
10/5/1944
233 42-50644 Lippstadt Germany Airfield
10/12/1944
237 42-50535 Osnabruck Germany Marshalling Yards
10/14/1944
238 42-50644 Kaiserlautern Germany Marshalling Yards
10/17/1944
240 42-95209 Cologne Germany Nord Marshalling Yards
10/18/1944
241 42-95531 Leverkusen Germany Chemical Works
10/30/1944 KIA
24544-10523 Hamburg/Ueterson Germany Oil Refinery
Well --we have some good research into the life of Charles L Gempel and discovered who he was married to and how his life changed that of his widow Glenna and his best friend Robert Lake.
ReplyDelete