NAME

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M#

SER

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PHOTO CREDITS

WANDERING WANDA

B

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24

H

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25

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FO

42-95214

8

453

735

H6

Z

01-2

WESLEY J. BARTELT

Artwork -    735th BS Emblem -

Contributor - Tom Brittan
Transferred from 735th BS to 732nd BS 1 Apr 45. Wesley J. Bartelt and his crew never flew a combat mission in WANDERING WANDA when the posed photo was taken early in April 1945. They were flying a brand new unnamed B-24M (44-50477 E3 I) when they crash-landed 15 Mar 45 in Russian-occupied territory after losing two engines on the bomb run and making for the Soviet lines. That was their last combat mission and they returned to England via the Middle East. From L to R: 2/Lt Wesley J. Bartelt (Pilot - 732nd BS), 1/Lt Julian L. Clark (Bombardier), S/Sgt Russell V. Hughes (Gunner), Sgt James W. Provo (Gunner), T/Sgt Franklin C. Pepper (Engineer), S/Sgt William L. Carlson (Radio Ooperator) and Sgt John Cox (Tail Gunner from Lt Ralph Sheringham's crew, replacing S/Sgt Kenneth U Olsen, KIA 15 Mar 45 with the Bartelt crew.

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