Thomas O. Kliev Crew

Top Row:

George W Ryba, Aerial Engineer, Top Turret Gunner (New York);

Fred W Miller, Ass't Engineer, Left Waist Gunner (Missouri);

John P Hatch, Radio operator,Gunner (CA);

Sidney P Sipes, Armorer, Lower Ball Gunner (NC);

Alva L Freeman, Ass't Armorer, Right Waist Gunner (NC);

Wiley C Singleton, Ass't Armorer, Tail Gunner (NC)

Front Row:

Officers:

Thomas O Kliev, Pilot (Montana);

Eugene E Arnold, Co-Pilot (Michigan);

Earl R White, Bombardier (Ohio);

Charles R Chambers, Navigator (Arkansas)

This crew went through some personnel changes between their first combat flight & this one barely a month later on Swamp Fire;

as you can see Freeman & White were already replaced by other Airmen.

Mission Narrative: This mission on the 5th of August was to bomb the Focke-Wulf Aircraft Factory in Hanover Germany. There was little to no enemy fighters seen or encountered however the flak from the Anti-Aircraft guns was thick & quiet accurate over the target. There were no losses but many of our ships recieved fair to moderate battle damage by these guns. The weather over the target was excellent & we bombed visually observing excellent results & damage to the target. The mission was led by Col. Maurice Preston - Commander of the 379th BG

This is the Kliev Crew in front of

Seattle Sue A/C # 43-38178

Left to Right : Top Row:

T/Sgt Wesley L Rabe,

S/Sgt Sidney P Sipes,

S/Sgt Wiley C Singleton

Left to Right Front Row:

T/Sgt George W Ryba,

1st Lt Thomas O Klein,

2nd Lt Eugene E Arnold,

T/Sgt John P Hatch