Frederick W Smickle Jr

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-37699.jpeg UPL 37699 B-24 Bombardier ~ 2Lt Frederick W. Smickle, Jr. ~ KIA 31 MAR 1945 ~ "Operation Carpetbagger" ~ 856th Bomb Squadron

A.L.D. II

Object Number - UPL 37699 - B-24 Bombardier ~ 2Lt Frederick W. Smickle, Jr. ~ KIA 31 MAR 1945 ~ "Operation Carpetbagger" ~ 856th Bomb Squadron

30 MAR 1945 - "Operation Carpetbagger"



WWII Operation "Carpetbagger" jumping into Norway.



During WWII he became an OSS agent, and he was on his way to Norway when he was killed in an accident.



His plane a B-24 Liberator with serial number 42-50331 of the 492nd Bombardment Group, 856th Bomb Squadron (The Carpetbaggers) set off from Harrington Northhampshire on 30 March 1945.



There were 19 B-24s involved in mission 919 to support Operation Rype forces in Norway. On board the plane were 6 Norwegian OSS agents who were to parachute into Norway.



Bad weather forced several of the planes to turn back without being able to make their drop. This plane was one of ones forced to turn back. The only survivor reported that there was a fuel problem on the return flight and 2 of the 4 engines stopped and could not be restarted. The pilot could no longer control the plane and gave the order to bail out.



The plane finally crashed at Walliwall at 04:50 on 31 March 1945.



Seven crew members and 6 others on board died in the crash. The co pilot Lt Peter C. Pulrang was the only survivor.



Officers: Henry L. Polansky - Pilot (KIA), John K. Lancaster - Copilot, Peter C. Pulrang - Copilot (WIA), Charles J. Allessio 5143575 - Navigator (KIA), Frederick W. Smickle, Jr. - Bombardier (KIA)



Enlisted Crew: Thomas E. Houseman,Jr. - R.O., William E. Lewis,Jr. - Engineer (KIA), William D. Almaraz - Gunner, Eugene J. Graf,Jr. - Gunner (KIA), Edward W. Kussman - Gunner (KIA), Robert L. Rinker - Gunner, William K. Stevens - Engineer (KIA)



OSS Agents: Trygve Berge (KIA), Edward E. Kjelness (Kjellnes) (KIA), Leif E.K. Meland (KIA), Gerald (Gjerulf) Ottersland (KIA), Johannes S. Nørvick (Rörvik) (KIA), Eddie O. Sondeno (Søndenå) (KIA)



(OSS: Office of Strategic Services, this is CIA today.)





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Killed in Action (KIA) on 31 March 1945 whilst on a mission to drop six Norweigian OSS soldiers over Norway. The aircraft (B-24 Liberator 42-50331) encountered bad weather and the no 4 engine cut out over the Orkney islands. The order was given to bail out, but only the co-pilot escaped.

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Units served with

A B-24D Liberator 'Carpetbagger' - extensively modified for specialised operations - taxiis on the perimeter track at Harrington airfield. Printed caption on reverse: 'A Carpetbagger B-24D taxiing on the perimeter at Harrington. Photo - "Red" Monaghan.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 856th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 02072605
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 33750770
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 37261765
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-928914
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 39120406
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer

Aircraft

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Born

Pennsylvania, USA

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Combat Chronology / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Frederick W Smickle: Gallery (7 items)