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678th Bombardment Squadron

List compiled by Bill Howe & Sparky Corradina, with very special thanks to Guido Ransleben for many corrections and identifications from his war-time journal. Additional information & identifications provided by Robert Mann and the 444th BG Assoc. Membership.

678th Insignia

Squadron color: Yellow with Black diagonal stripes

Aircraft marked with Squadron color on nosewheel,  stripe on fuselage (just aft of the wing),  and stripes on the engine nacelles.  The Bomb Group tail markings and paint schemes are as follows:

INDIA:  Dark Blue Diamond with yellow aircraft number in center.  Most B-29s were unpainted,  but some of the first few were painted Olive Drab with light green underside.

TINIAN:  Very Large "Triangle-N",  Unpainted,  new B-29's arriving from the U.S. had factory painted dark black underside.

Listed Alphabetically:

B-29s A-G    B-29s H-L

B-29s M-R      B-29s S-Z


The Agitator (42-6399)

(c) Wilkins Family

CBI Markings:  Diamond #34

Survived the war - Reclaimed at Davis-Monthan 06/27/1949

 

The Agitator II (42-24899)

(c) Charles Harper

CBI Markings:  Diamond # 34

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #34

Survived the war - Reclaimed at Davis-Monthan 06/27/1949

 

Bachelor Quarters (42-24507)

(c)  Charles Harper

(c)Lane Edwards

 

CBI Markings:  Diamond #38

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #38

Originally named "ATSALL BRO'S",  name changed in March '45.  Collided with #202 of the 676th Sq. on 03/25/45 - Aircraft returned to base with several feet missing from left wing.  Returned to the U.S. as war-weary on 06/12/45.

 

Big Dick (42-63533)

No Photo

CBI Markings:  Diamond #33

Tinian Markings:  Triangle-N #32

Fate Unknown

 

Big Poison (42-6353)

(c) Nancy Bessler

CBI Markings:  Diamond #30

Survived the war - Reclaimed at Pyote 12/21/1949

 

Big Poison Second Dose (42-65270)

(c)  Charles Harper

CBI Markings:  Diamond #30

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #30

"Technical Sergeant Salk took off successfully from his base on Tinian in the Mariana Islands in the early morning of 1 June 1945.  He flew and climbed through a heavy overcast on the way to the Japanese mainland.  Near the assembly point off the coast of Japan the top of the overcast had been reached and Sergeant's Salk's plane was seen flying in the clear preparing to join his formation leader -- Suddenly and without warning another plane came out of the undercast and crashed into a wing of Sergeant Salk's aircraft.  Both planes disappeared into the clouds below.  Air-Sea Rescue facilities were immediately contacted and a search of the surrounding area was made, but to date has proven unsuccessful."
 
This description of the loss of "Big Poison Second Dose" was given to my Father's family in a letter from Charles J. Miller, Major, Air Corps Commander, 678th Bombardment Squadron.  -Nancy Bessler
 
 
 

Big Schmoo [aka "Winnie II"] (44-69963)

See 676th Sq. listing for Winnie II

 

Black Jack (42-6292)

(c) Charles Harper

CBI Markings:  Not Assigned

Missing 05/19/1944

 

Black Jack Too (42-63451)

(c) Charles Harper

(c) Martin Eigenberger nephew of Lt. Jerome Eigenberger, Navigator/Bombardier

CBI Markings:  Diamond #40

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #40

Lost over Japan 06/05/45 - Please see the Pete Sabo page on this website.

 

Cajun Queen [aka 110 NCB] (42-63557)

(c) Charles Harper

(c) Steve Kelleher

(c)Billie Conrad
 
"The Mighty Happy Crew on VJ Day"
1st Row from L to R:  H.A. Hastings, Anderson, William F. Riffel, C.J. Smithers, C.P. Robinson, Jody Johnson
2nd Row:  Red Terry, Wm. Williams, A.C. Mock, CC. Armijo, "Nob Head" Lepla Horner
 
CBI Markings:  Unknown

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #31

Survived the war, reclaimed Harmon 09/15/1954

 

Deacon’s Disciples (42-6315)

No Photo

CBI Markings:  Diamond #43

Abandoned at Dudkhundi - Engine Failure

 

Deacon's Desciples (42-63559)

 

(c) Ed Vickery Photo, provided by the 40th BG Assn.

Originally named "Princess Eileen III" - Re-named after move to Tinian

Fate Unknown

 

Deacon’s Disciples II (42-24492)

(c) Betty Gracie

CBI Markings:  Diamond #31

Tinian Markings:  Triangle S-13 (transferred to 40th BG Apr. 1945)

Abandoned at Iwo - #2 Engine fire

 

Dumbo [CBI Tanker Conversion] (42-6257)

(c) Charles Harper

CBI Markings:  Not Assigned

Survived the war - Reclaimed at Pyote 12/21/1949

 

Eileen (42-6323)

(c) "B-29 Superfortress" by S. Pimlot (out of print)

CBI Markings:  Unknown

Tinian Markings:  Unknown

Converted to tanker in the CBI & re-named "Princess Eileen" - Crashed and burned in India June 1944 - Entire crew lost

 

B-29s A-G    B-29s H-L

B-29s M-R      B-29s S-Z

Top of Page

 

Here’s Hopin’ (44-70102)

(c) Steve Kelleher

CBI Markings:  Not in CBI

Tinian Markings:  Triangle-N #41

Survived the war & was returned to U.S. - Operation Sunset, fall 1945

 

Hore-Zontal Dream (42-24732)

(c) R.L.Sharp

CBI Markings:  Diamond #5

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #33

Survived the war - Rclaimed at Tinker 03/31/1950

 

Inchcliffe Castle (44-61543)

(c) John Higgins, son of bombardier Tom Higgins

Assigned to 444th 06/01/45

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #30

Survived the war - Reclaimed at McClellan 09/27/1954

 

Journey For Margaret (ser. # unknown)

(c) Steve Kelleher

CBI Markings:  Unknown

Tinian Markings:  Unknown

Fate Unknown

 

Joy-Ous Venture (44-61821)

(c) Steve Kelleher

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #45

Survived the war - Salvaged at Davis-Monthan 07/14/1954

 

Lucky Lady (42-24584)

(c)20th AF Album

CBI Markings:  Diamond #44

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #44

Crashed, Tinian, on replacement crew's first flight

 

B-29s A-G    B-29s H-L

B-29s M-R      B-29s S-Z

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Maiden USA (42-63548)

No Photo

CBI Markings:  Diamond #36

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #36

Fate Unknown

 

Mary’s Lil’ Lambs (44-63332)

No Photo

CBI Markings:  Unknown

Crashed into mountain in China 12/27/1944

 

Miss N.C. (42-63376)

No Photo

CBI Markings:  Diamond #36

Returned to U.S. as war weary Feb. 1945

 

Missouri Belle [aka Sure Thing] (42-63557)

(c) Ray Archer

Tinian Markings:  MO. Belle - Tri. N #35

Tinian Markings:  Sure Thing - Tri. N #45

Fate Unknown

 

No Papa (42-6325)

No Photo

CBI Markings:  Diamond #75

Tinian Markings:  Unknown

Survived the war - Reclaimed at Pyote 12/21/1949

 

Princess Eileen (42-6323)

No Photo

Originally named "Eileen" - Crashed and burned in India June 1944 - Entire crew lost

 

Princess Eileen II (42-24462)

(c) Ray Archer

CBI Markings:  Diamond #37

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #37

Princess Eileen II - 25 bombing missions.  30 hump missions.  3 Japs shot down.  2 ships sunk.  Returned to U.S. as war-weary 06/12/45

 

Princess Eileen III (42-63559)

No Photo

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #43

Fate Unknown

 

Princess Eileen IV (42-65327)

CBI Markings:  Not Assigned

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #39

B29-#42-65327 "Princess Eileen IV"
Crash time   May 25, 1945
Crash position   Mt.Yamane Toyosato-village  Kashima-gun, Ibaraki pref
Affiliation   The 58th BW 444th BG of the 20th air force
Attack target   Tokyo city area  
Cause of crash              Unknown 
Nickname   Princess Eileen IV
Pilot   SILER John E. captain   0-428424      X
Copilot   STRELNIK  William B.    First lieutenant   0-751572
Nav.   NEWCOMB  John H. first lieutenant   0-746738     
Bombing    ORZILLI  Roger J. first lieutenant   0-746744 
Engineer   FUENTES  Manuel first lieutenant   0-546117     X
Radar operation member   PITTARO  Vincent F.    Second grade staff sergeant   32403572     X
Radio operator   WOLHEIM  Haward 2 grade staff sergeant   12180542     X
Central firearms control   BLOODGOOD  Staff Sergeant Daniel   19122412
L.Gunner   BICKELL  Arthur G. 2 grade staff sergeant   33184842     X
R.Gunner   HANIGAN  Joseph J.    Staff sergeant   13054605     X
Tail Gunner   PRESS  Donald R. 2 grade staff sergeant   33274236
Riding together   McEACHERN  john J.    Second lieutenant   0-815184     X
It participates as a guidance forerunner machine of the 58th bombing team. Five persons were captured and it was released by eastern part (Press 2 grade staff sergeant restrains on June 10) military-police headquarters sending to the prosecutor and after the war.

TETSUYA IDE - JAPAN

 

 

Round Trip Ticket (42-65262)

Crew (left to right from top):

                   ROUND TRIP TICKET CREW # 10
JACK BLACKWELL           A/C                 DIED  7-75
E.P. GOURLEY                 C.P.                DIED  3-96
R.G.PARKER                    BOMB.            DIED  3-97
GEO. BACHMAN               NAV.               DIED  11-88
H,G, DICKENSON              F.E.                ALIVE  1-07
F,E, BOWERMAN              RADIO            ALIVE  1-07
VITO SCAROLA                 RADAR            DIED   6-95
DON CHAFFE                    TOP GUNNER  FATE UNKNOWN
R.C. GORDON                    SIDE GUNNER DIED  5-88
PAUL RIETHMILLER            SIDE GUNNER DIED  1-97
EDGAR SHAW                    TAIL GUNNER  DIED  12-95
HERB. WOOD                      CREW CHIEF  DIED  2000

CBI Markings:  Diamond #33

Lost over Mukden,  Manchuria 12/07/44

A little more info.--That was our plane Crew No. 10 Blackwell C.P.  We loaned the plane "Round Trip Ticket" to a replacement crew Barnes C.P.  This was their first and only mission.  No report of what happened to them.
Our Crew #10 Blackwell C.P. got another plane and we named it "Avenger" and completed our tour of duty.
A little Irony---That was the 13th mission for "Round Trip Ticket", and the date was December 7th.
 - Best Regards, HGD

 

B-29s A-G    B-29s H-L

B-29s M-R      B-29s S-Z

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Sentimental Journey (44-61564)

(c) Ray Archer

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #37

Assigned to 444th on 06/12/1945.  Plane survived the war,  returned to U.S. fall 1945 - Operation Sunset

 

Skippy (ser.# unknown)

(c) Steve Kelleher

CBI Markings:  Unknown

Tinian Markings:  Unknown

Fate Unknown

 

Slow Freight (42-63360)

(c) Sparky Corradina

CBI Markings:  Diamond #35

Returned to U.S. as war-weary 01/45

 

Sure Thing [aka Missouri Belle] (serial # unknown)

(c) Ray Archer

CBI Markings:  Unknown

Tinian Markings:  Unknown

Fate Unknown

 

Sweet Thing (44-70108)

(c) Ed Vickery Photo, provided by the 40th BG Assn.

(c)20th AF Album

Assigned to 444th 05/26/45

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #32 & #39

Survived the war - Reclaimed at Tinker 07/31/1954

 

Trojan Spirit (42-63446)

(C) H. Bremner

CBI Markings:  Diamond #38

Tinan Markings:  Triangle N #38

Fate Unknown

 

Unconditional Surrender (44-70127)

(c) Ray Archer

Assigned to 444th 06/05/45

Tinian Markings:  Triangle N #40

Fate Unknown

 

No Names - No Photos

(42-24732) 678th BS Tinian Triangle N# 33

(42-24736) 678th BS Crash 02/05/1945

(42-63446) 678th BS Tinian Triangle N #42

(42-63548) 678th BS Tinian Triangle N #36

(42-63419) 678th BS All Unknown

(42-93871) [F/13 Photo Recon.] 678th BS - Crashed on Takeoff, Dudkhundi 01/07/1945

(44-61553) 678th BS Tinian Triangle N #38 - Assigned to 444th 06/12/45,  survived the war, reclaimed McClellan 09/27/1954

(44-69982) 678th BS Tinian Triangle N #31

 

B-29s A-G    B-29s H-L

B-29s M-R      B-29s S-Z

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