CREW 08
CHICAGO TYPEWRITER
B-17F

Second Lieutenant ROBERT BLECKE

CREW STATION
 		NAME
 		RANK
 		EXPERIENCE
Missions
 		CLAIMED KILLS
CONFIRMED
 		Notes
PILOT

Blecke, Robert
 
 2
     
CO-PILOT

 Cortez, David
     2    
BOMBARDIER

 Kissinger, Chris     2  
NAVIGATOR

 Argue, Brad     2      
Engineer

 Murwin, Edward       2   
RADIO OPERATOR

 Weisert, Mike     1   
RADIO OPERATOR

 Shuettpelz     1   
Ball Turret Gunner

 Wallick, Scott   2  
Left Waist Gunner

 Braun, Andrew   2    
Right Waist Gunner

 Carter, Greg   3  
Tail Gunner

 Wendel, Theodore   2  



MISSION SUMMARY
MISSION #
 		DATE
 		TARGET AREA AND TARGET
 		BOMB RUN
 		ENEMY AC CLAIMS
D/P/K 		CREW CASULTIES
L/S/K 		NOTES
38/1 May 14, 1943 Kiel, U-Boats  A 0/0/7 2/1/0 New Crew May 1943. Aborted due to damage. Credited mission.
39/2 May 15, 1943 Wilhelmshaven/Heligoland 30 0/0/0 1/0/0
40/3 May 17, 1943 Lorient, U-Boats 30 0/0/1 0/0/0

CREW NOTES
Mission

PILOT
 		CO-PILOT
 		BOMBARDIER
 		NAVIGATOR
 		ENGINEER
 		RADIO OPERATOR BALL TURRET GUNNER
 		LEFT WAIST GUNNER
 		RIGHT WAIST GUNNER
 		TAIL GUNNER
30/1  Blecke Cortez
LW		 Kissinger
 Argue Murwin
LW
 Weisert
SW-IH 		Wallick
 Braun Carter
 Wemdel
39/2 Shuettpelz LW
40/3 POW POW POW BO-RESCUED
GREEN: New crew man. RED: KIA. PURPLE: Wounded. BLUE: Frost bite. LT GREEN: Temporary Replacement crew man. PINK: MIA.
AFTER ACTION REPORT
MISSION
#
 		DATE
 		TARGET AREA AND TARGET
 		MISSION DESCRIPTION

40/3 May 17, 1943 Lorient, U-Boats SUBJECT: FINAL DISPOSITION OF AIRCRAFT 40-2070-BO "CHICAGO
TYPEWRITER" AND CREW

TO: COLONEL HARRY B. HIGGINBOTTEM (REN.)
COMMANDING OFFICER
918TH BOMB GROUP (H)
ARCHBURY, ENGLAND

THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT OF THE FINAL DISPOSITION OF 2LT R. BLECKE, HIS
AIRCRAFT AND CREW WAS ASSSEMBLED FROM THE ACCOUNT OF SURVIVOR SSGT
GREG CARTER, THE SURVIVING AIRCREW OF AIRCRAFT 42-3086-DL "BAD
HABIT", ALSO LOST OVER LORIENT (A.A.R. FILED SEPARATELY) AND
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS FROM OTHER AIRCREW IN 1101 SQDN TAKING PART IN
MISSION #40 TO LORIENT ON 17 MAY 1943.

SSGT CARTER: "AFTER THOSE LONG TRIPS TO HOLLAND AND GERMANY, A
MISSION TO FRANCE DIDN'T SEEM LIKE IT WOULD BE SO BAD. BOY WERE WE
WRONG. WHAT STARTED OUT AS ROUTINE MISSION, IN CLEAR SPRING SKIES,
WELL, (MUMBLES). FLYING IN THE MIDDLE OF LOW SQUADRON WE FELT PRETTY
SECURE, AND OUR GUNNERY HAS GOTTEN US OUT OF A FIX OR TWO BEFORE. IT
WASN'T UNTIL WE GOT OVER FRANCE THAT IT STARTED. WE WERE JUMPED FIRST
BY A COUPLE OF FW'S, ONE ON OUR TAIL, AND ONE OFF OUR NOSE, 1:30
LEVEL IF I REMEMBER...TAILGUNNER TJ (SGT THEODORE J WENDEL) CALLED A
HIT ON HIS FW BUT IT DIDN'T GO DOWN. BOTH FW'S MISSED US AND ZOOMED
OFF. FELT LIKE"IF THIS IS AS BAD AS IT GETS, WE'LL HAVE A GOOD
MISSION!". WE GOT HIT AGIN JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER AS WE ENTERED THE
LOCA LAREA AROUND THE TARGET. THIS IS WHEN IT GOT SCARY. FIRST WE GOT
HIT BY 5 OR 6 FW'S COMING FROM ALL OVER, WE JUST COULDN'T AVOID THEM
ALL OR EVEN FIRE AT THEM. THE ONES FROM BEHIND REALLY PEPPERED US, I
REMEMBER LT BLECKE SHOUTING AS SOME CANNON SHELL CAME IN THROUGH THE
ROOF OVER HIS HEAD AND TOOK OUT THE WINDSCREEN IN FRONT OF HIM. I
DON'T KNOW HOW HE KEPT GOING AFTER THAT. WE COULDN'T HIT THESE GUYS
OR SACRE THEM OFF. THEY HOLED BOTH WINGS, THE BOMB BAY, AND THE
WAIST. I WONDER NOW IF THAT PORT WING HIT DIDN'T REALLT START THE
FIRE AND IT WAS TOO HOT WITH FIGHTERS FOR US TO NOTICE. ANYWAY 2 OF
THE FWS CAME AROUND AND GAVE US ANOTHER PASS, BUT THIS TIME THEY
DIDN'T CONNECT. WE THOUGHT MAYBE THAT WAS THE WORST OF IT. ALMOST
IMEDIATELY WE GOT HIT BY ANOTHER PAIR OF FW'S, ONE ON THE TAIL, ONE
OF THE PORT SIDE NOSE ABOUT 10:30, LOW, AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT I THINK
LT ARGUE CALLED. I REMEMBER TAILGUNNER TJ HOLLERING "I GOT `IM" AND
SGT WALLICK (BALL TURRET GUNNER SGT SCOTT WALLICK) SAID HE SAW HIM GO
DOWN BURNING, SO I HOPE TJ (SGT WENDEL) GETS CREDIT FOR THAT ALTHOUGH
I GUESS HIS INSURANCE POLICY WON'T PAY OUT ANY BETTER FOR IT. WELL
THAT WAS IT FOR FIGHTERS ON THE WAY IN. THEN THE FLAK STARTED. IT
DIDN'T SEEM TOO BAD, NOT TOO ACCURATE, DIDN'T EVEN SHAKE US UP TOO
MUCH. I THOUGHT IF LT BLECKE COULD KEEP FLYING THE PLANE WITH NO
WINDSHIELD, WELL, HITTING THE TARGET COULDN'T BE THAT TOUGH, AND WE
COULD TURN AROUND AND GET BACK HOME. THE BLAM! I GUESS THAT FLAK
EXPLODED RIGH INSIDE THE PORT WING. I GOT PUSHED NEARLY OUT THE
WINDOW AND THE SHIP ROLLED UP (WE BELIEVE THE STARBOARD WING PROVIDNG
THE ONLY LIFT AS THE PORT WING SEPARATED AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN AN
UNCONTROLLABLE BEFORE DEVOLVING INTO A SPIN) AND THE LT CALLING "BAIL
OUT" WELL AS I WAS HALF WAY OUT ALREADY I JUST CRAWLED ON THE REST OF
THE WAY THROUGH AND PUSHED OFF. YOU MAY THINK I'M CRAZY BUT I SWEAR I
STOOD ON THE FUSELAGE FOR A SECOND LOOKING DOWN AT MY GUN BETWEEN MY
FEET FOR A SECOND BEFORE I JUMPED AND PULLED MY D-RING. I CAN'T BE
SURE BUT I THINK I SAW 3 OTHER CHUTES. GOD KNOWS HOW THEY GOT OUT IN
TIME. WE WEREN'T EVEN OVER THE TARGET YET IT HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY.

IT HIT THE GROUND RIGHT IN A FARMYARD AND I HADN'T GOT MY CHUTE OFF
OR THE .45 OUT OF MY BOOT WHEN A COUPLE OF FRENCHMEN GRABBED ME AND
STUFFED ME IN A CART AND WE TOOK OFF AT ONCE. IN THE BACK I HAD TO
KEEP MY HEAD DOWN AND COULDN'T SEE WHERE WE WERE GOING, IW AS JUST
GLAD THEY WEREN'T GERMANS. AFTER I DON'T KNOW MAYBE 20 MINUTES WE
STOPPED AND THEY HUSTLED ME DOWN INTO AN OLD DIRT CELLAR AND TOLD ME
TO WAIT SOMEONE WOULD CONATCT ME AFTER DARK. WELL IT WAS ALREADY
PRETTY DARK INTHAT CELLAR AND I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A FLASHLIGHT. I WAS
AFRAID TO EVEN LIGHT A MATCH. I WA TERRIFIED BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I WAS
SO TIRED I GUESS I FELL RIGHT ASLEEP. I ALMOST JUMPED OUT OF MY SKIN
WHEN I HEARD THE CELLAR DOOR CREAK AND A SHADOW CAME DOWN THE STEPS
AND TOLD ME TO COME ON OUT THAT I WOULD BE LEAVING FRANCE
IMMEDIATELY. WE RAN OUT TO A FIELD AND A COUPLE OF MEN WERE LINING UP
SOME SMALL TORCHES IN TWO ROWS DOWN THE FIELD. I HEARD THE DRONE OF A
SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE GETTING CLOSER AND IN OLY A MINUTE OR TWO A
BLACK HIGH WINGED AIRPLANE (VERY PROBABLY BRITISH WESTLAND LYSANDER
USED BY BRITISH S.O.E.) CAME IN RIGHT OVER THE TREETOPS AND LANDED
BETWEEN THE TORCHES WHICH THEY PUT OUT RIGHT AWAY. I SAW A MAN GET
OUT AND THEN THEY GRABBED ME AND WE RAN TO THE PLANE AND I CLIMBED IN
WHILE THEY TURNED IT AROUND BY HAND. MAN THOSE GUYS WERE GOOD THE
ENGINE NEVER STOPPED AND I DON'T THINK IT EVER STOPPED MOVING BEFORE
WE WERE IN THE AIR. AT THIS POINT I THOUGH I MIGHT ACTUALLY GET OUT
OF THIS FIX. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO GRATEFUL TO GET OUT OF A PLANE. I
DON'T RECOGNIZE THE FIELD WHERE WE LANDED (CLASSIFIED) AND AFTER A
QUICK DEBRIEF TO PROVE WHO I WAS THEY HUSTLED ME INTO A CAR AND DROVE
ME BACK TO ARCHBURY IN HURRY! SO THAT'S ABOUT IT. (PAUSES) WE HAD A
GOOD SHIP AND A GOOD CREW…..ARE WE DONE NOW? I'M … KIND OF TIRED….
(ACCOUNT ENDS)

(PILOT, PORT REAR AIRCRAFT IN 1101 SQDN FORMATION): "I HEARD OVER THE
INTERCOM MY STBD WAIST GUNNER THAT HE SAW THE `TYPEWRITER'S PORT WING
DISAPPEAR IN A FIREBALL AND IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO ROLL OVER. THAT FLAK
MUST HAVE DETONATED RIGHT IN THE FUEL TANK. HE COUNTED 5 CHUTES. I AM
SURPIRSED THEY GOT THAT ANY OUT. FOR ALL I KNOW THE EXPLOSION OPENED
THE SIDE OF THE PLANE AND THEY JUST FELL OUT."

2LT M. BLECKE, PILOT AC 42-3086-DL "BAD HABIT": " I WAS ALREADY ON
THE GROUNS GATHERING UP MY CHUTE, LOOKING UP TO SEE WHERE THE
SQUADRON WAS TO GET MY BEARINGS, WHEN I SAW THE FIREBALL AS ONE OF
OURS LOST A WING AND CAME DOWN FAST, ONLY 4 OR 5 CHUTES. GUESS THAT
WAS LT (R.) BLECKE'S PLANE."

ADDENDUM: INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS REPORTS THST THEY ARE HOLDING THREE
PRISONERS WHOSE IDENTITY MATCHED CREMMEN LOST IN MISSION 40 ON
LORIENT 17 MAY 1943 FROM THIS AIRCRAFT: THEY ARE:
MURWIN, EDWARD SGT ENGINEER
SCHUETTPELZ, DOUGLAS SGT RADIO OPERATOR
WALLICK, SCOTT SGT BALL TURRET GUNNER
IT IS BELIEVED AT THIS POINT THAT THESE MEN PARACHUTED SAFELY AND
WERE CAPTURED BY GERMAN FORCES, AND NOW RESIDE IN STALAG LUFT 12.

ONE OTHER CREWMEN IS SAID TO HAVE BAILED OUT BUT AS OF THIS DATE
SHOULD BE ASSUMED MIA: WENDEL, THEODORE SGT TAIL GUNNER

ALL OTHER CREW ARE ASSUMED KIA.

ASSESMENT: THE CREW OF CHICAGO TYPEWRITER WERE THE VICTIMS OF A
DIRECT FLAK HIT TO THE FUEL CELLS IN THE PORT WING, THE RESULTING
EXPLOSION CAUSED THE WING TO SEPARATE FROM THE ARICRAFT WHICH
IMMEDIATELY ROLLED INVERTED AND BEGIN TO SPIN DOWN FROM 23,00 FEET
AND CRASHING, KILLING ALL REMAINING CREW ON BOARD. FIVE CREWMEN ARE
BELIEVED TO HAVE PARACHUTED (AS NOTED ABOVE) ONE BEING RECOVERED BY
FRIENDLY FRENCH UNDERGROUND FORCES AND REPATRIATED VIA A BRITISH SOE
AIRCARFT THAT WAS MAKING A DROP IN THE VICINITY THE NIGHT FOLLOWING
THE MISSION.

(END)
39/2 May 15, 1943 Wilhelmshaven/Heligoland Promotion Recommendations: SGT Murwin – to SSGT; Sgt Carter –
to SSGT

Mission Description: Chicago Typewriter ran smooth and steady until
reaching zone 6. We were promptly bounced by 1 wave of 2 ME-109s,
12:00 high and 1:30 high, repeating the pattern of head-on attacks
experienced in the Kiel mission. SGT Murwin continued to earn the
respect and confidence of his crewmates by downing the 109 bearing
down on us from dead ahead. Another 109 at 3:00 level missed and
zoomed off, not to return. Entering the target zone we were
immediately set upon by 2 waves of enemy fighters, first a trio of FW-
190s followed by a second wave 3x109s and a lone 190. Again SGT
Murwin beat the odds and scored early, downing a second plane, this
time a FW-190 coming at us from 3:00 high.. 190 s from 12:00 high and
3:00 level were ineffective. In the second wave, we began to feel the
effect, out gunners unable to hit and the `Typewriter taking hits in
the Bomb Bay, and the Waist, hitting SGT Carter but not putting him
out of commission, which was fortunate (see below). We could feel the
impact of other hits, but with the engines and controls still
responding, it will be up to the ground crew to find out where out
new "vents" are located.
With the target at Wilhelmshaven completely obscured ,we proceeded
with Squadron to the secondary at Heligoland as briefed. Flak over
the target resulted in 3 hits, none critical, smacking the starboard
tailplane root, the port wing , and the starboard wing root.
The bomb run put us over the target connecting for an estimated 30%
on target. Turning on a heading for home gave the enemy fighters
another chance to spoil our day and resulted in 2 waves of jerrys,
the first wing having a 109 holing our port wing, and another
perforating and jamming the starboard wing flap, while another 109
creating a few new holes in the pilot compartment but fortunately
hitting nothing critical. Heading homeward we were bounced by
another wave of fighters over water, 2 x 190 and a lone 109, the 190
at 10:30 high putting holes in the port wing flap and rendering it
inoperative., and letting some additional air into the airframe.
Coming around for a second pass, the 190 hit the rudder twice, and
damaged he tail control cables, which fortunately did not prevent
control of the elevator or rudder. Coming back for a third pass, the
same 190 fell under the guns of Sgt Carter in the starboard waist.
This was the end of enemy fighter opposition for the mission. The
remainder of the flight was uneventful. With no flaps we had to slip
in on final to bleed off speed right down to the runway but were able
to bring it in safely. Sgt Carte has been turned over to the medical
officer and is projected to make a full and speedy recovery.

Summary: Enemy gunnery has not been as accurate as I had feared,
allowing us to bring `er home against some heavy opposition. The
unexpected talent for gunnery shown by our flight crew, in
particular, Sgts Murwin and Carter has no doubt kept our damage from
being far greater and allowed us to complete missions and return in
one piece. Based on their performance as flight crew and gunners I am
recommending them for promotion. I have no doubt that squadron
leadership will appreciate and reward the contribution that these
skilled and dedicated men make to the success of our mission.
38/1 May 14, 1943 Kiel, U-Boats Medal Recommendations: SGT Weisert for risking his life by fighting the radio room fire in spite of his injuries without the assistance of other crew members, preventing spread to other areas of the aircraft and allowing other crew to remain at their stations and defend the aircraft.

Mission Description: On our first mission, our aircraft joined the group in the High Squadron (1107th) in Position #4, behind and between Higginbottem and Topper as ordered. The mission was uneventful and unfolded as planned until reaching the target zone, where we were immediately set upon by waves of 109's which riddled the pilot compartment, immediately destroying our heat and oxygen supply and starting a fire. At this point we jettisoned our bombs before reaching the target, broke formation, and began the descent to 10000 ft, while plotting the return course to Archbury. As a lone, low level aircraft we were set upon by successive waves of ME-109's, FW-190's, and a lone ME-110. Shortly after our descent we lostthe use of the top turret from a FW-190 strike, and our gunnery had to this point been ineffective. Once we were headed back to base the gunners seemed to find their aim and were able to down or drive off some of our attackers (Claimed kills listed above). I don't know if Jerry knew the top turret was out but the majority of the attacks
were from the front quarter, high or level, nearly running the nose gun out of ammo. We suffered multiple hits to the pilot compartment, causing the wounds of my copilot 2LT Cortez and engineer SGT Murwin. During the return trip we also lost the use of the radio compartment after SGT Weisert passed out from wounds after fighting the radio compartment fire. If not for the effective gunnery of STBD waist gunner SGT Carter, Top Turret Gunner SGT Murwin, and Bombardier 2LT Chris Kissinger acting as nose gunner we would not have made it back.

We were able to make a safe landing at Archbury and see to the immediate care of our wounded. SGT Weisert is predicted to survive his injuries but will require an extended hospital stay and our crew will need to pick up a new radioman.


1101 CREWS

1101 HQ

BRIEFING ROOM     GROUP OPERATIONS