1st Lt. Thomas J. Lewnes
Thomas Lewnes recruit photo
Thomas J. Lewnes was a member of the 344th Bomb Group 494th Bomb Squadron who flew B-26 medium bombers in the ETO.
A graduate of Annapolis, High School Lieut. Lewnes enlisted at Baltimore in June, 1942, and six months later became an aviation cadet at San Antonio, Tex. He received his wings and a commission as second lieutenant at Altus Army Air Field, Oklahoma, in October, 1943. A brother, Staff Sgt.
Francis J. Lewnes, is an in antiaircraft outfit in Texas.
Lieut. Thomas Lewnes, of the 344th BG was stationed in Stansted, England initially, he was co-pilot of a B-26 Marauder named Piccadilly Willy, although other planes were used as well.
The ship was named for its pilot, Lieut. Wilbur (Willy) R. Kolberg, of Pasadena, Calif. Piccadilly Willy is decorated with a picture of a stork delivering a bomb. The ground crew chief, Sgt. Chet Nason thought of the nose art design.
According to 344th Bomb Group Silver Streaks– “The first mission that was available in the group records is of March 7, 1944. This was only the second mission of the 344th BG. The mission attacked an enemy air field at Conches, France. 36 airplanes being dispatched. Results of this mission even exceeded the first; the Bomber Command rating was “very good.” The success of the attack brought a commendation to this Group, among others, from the CommandingOfficer of the 99th Bombardment Wing for a job well done. Col. Vance added his words of congratulations as well, commending all personnel in appreciation for the part they played in achieving this success.”
Formation diagram 4/7/44
2nd Lt.Lewnes flying in, 42-95916 “Piccadilly Willy” K9-H was piloted by Kolberg in position 1-1-2. This was very near the lead of the formation and had to be prepared to substitute for the lead plane.
Crew list and pilot’s debrief for 4/7/44
The crew consisted of: Kolberg, pilot; Lewnes, co-pilot; Colton, Navigator/Bombardier; Strassburg, radio operator/side gunner; Coker, turret gunner; Nohrenburg, tailgunner.
Their bomb load consisted of 14- 250lb bombs. Kolberg declared the bombs were dropped on target with good results. They made no deviation from the planned route to the target and received no enemy fighter opposition. They did, however, experience moderate flak over Montfort while traveling at 12,000 ft. They observed no friendly planes lost or in distress. The planer was not damaged.
While en route with good weather conditions, loaded freight was seen in Lisieux.
Pilot, Kolberg had some complaints. Keeping in mind that this was only the second mission conducted by the 344th BG, more and proper parachutes are needed. Also, he stated that pilots should report on the crews’ conduct in flight. Of course, the mess (coffee) was declared inadequate.
According to the map, there were a few stratus clouds at 7000 ft. A small area produced meager flak. Slight evasive action was taken at all times.
According to 344th Bomb Group Silver Streaks– “The 344th Bomb Group had the honor of leading
the Ninth Air Force into action that momentous day (D-Day June 6, 1944), our objectives being three heavy enemy coastal gun batteries on the Cherbourg Peninsula, and situated on the beaches at Beau Guillot, La Madeleine and St. Martin De Varreville, each approximately four miles distant. The Group furnished fifty-six B-26 planes, flown in three boxes of three flights each, each flight of six planes, and two spare airplanes to accompany the formation. Each Box had been assigned one of the aforementioned targets.
News of the Invasion electrified these war-seasoned flyers and a look of determination spread from
face to face as the plan was rapidly unveiled. Following briefing, all proceeded to their planes and began last-minute preparations before take-off. Engines were warmed and at precisely 0412 hours June 6, 1944, the first plane piloted by Major Jens A. Norgaard, formation leader, roared down the runway
and into the air. Every twenty seconds thereafter, the remaining fifty-five planes in succession roared behind him and circled into formation for the flight across the channel, and times to be at their targets at 0609 hours or twenty-one minutes prior to the landing craft operations of the allied ground forces on the beaches.
Bombs found their marks exactly as planned and then the 344th turned right and streaked across the Cherbourg Peninsula on its return trip home via the route between Guernsey and Aldernay Islands to
England. Our planes had silenced their targets.”
2nd Lt. Thomas Lewnes took part in Operation Overlord (D-Day). The records are as follows;
2nd Lt.Lewnes flying in, 42-95916 “Piccadilly Willy” K9-H was piloted by Kolberg in position 1-3-5.
Load list June 6, 1944 mission 1 D-Day
The crew consisted of: Kolberg, pilot; Lewnes, co-pilot; Seelinger, medic; Wassman, bombardier; Strassburg, radio operator/side gunner; Coker, turret gunner; Nohrenburg, tailgunner.
2nd Lt. Lewnes flew in, 42-95916 “Piccadilly Willy” K9-H, taking of at 4:00 am and landing at 7:50 am. Their bombs were released on target as briefed.
June 6, 1944 mission 1 pilot Kolberg debrief
2nd Lt. Lewnes flew in, 42-95916 “Piccadilly Willy” K9-H, in formation position 1-3-5. The target was attacked from 6,700 feet using a load of 16 x 250lb general purpose bombs. The visibility was ten miles with inland mist and low clouds. They experienced moderate but inaccurate flak. Kolberg suggested that straffing should not be attempted through formation.
Hand drawn map for June 6, 1944 mission 1
52 planes participated; bombed from 3200 to 6,500 ft. altitude. Encountered moderate, accurate flak. LFF all along coast in target area, and in vicinity of Isigny. One ship destroyed by light flak near landfall. Right engine and bomb bay caught fire; 3 crew members bailed out, and ship exploded in air. All flak damage from light flak fire. Third box was lowest altitude. One ship landing away from base has suffered damage but category unknown.
Target– Coastal Gun Positions Time– 6:07 – 6:10 am Altitude– 3200 – 6500 ft. Weather– .8
Catagory A damage to planes; 1-2-5, 2-3-5, 2-3-6, 3-3-4
Ship destroyed; 3-2-6 PLANE # 42-95902 7I-G “The Bad Penny”
Landed away from base; 3-3-2 Plane # 42-95900 Lafayette/We Are Here! II 7I-D
Lieutenants Hynes, Robertson, and Lewnes
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Lewnes is promoted to 1st Lieutenant by Col. Reginald Vance.
Lewnes hometown newspaper announced his promotion to 1st Lieutenant. Also mentioned is that Lt. Thomas J. Lewnes is co-pilot of 42-95916 “Piccadilly Willy” K9-H. Lewnes graduated from Annapolis H.S. His brother, S/Sgt. Francis J. Lewnes is in an anti-aircraft outfit in Texas.
According to 344th Bomb Group Silver Streaks– “On August 15 enemy storage tanks and drums at Chantilly were attacked by 34 planes but visibility was poor and results proved mediocre. Flak was encountered and eight ships were damaged and one person wounded.”
Formation diagram. August 15, 1944; Target Storage Tanks at Chantilly France
1st Lt. Lewnes flying in, 42-95894 Georgia’s on My Mind K9-P was piloted by DeFord in position 1-1-4.
Load list August 15, 1944 mission Storage Tanks, Chantilly, France
The crew consisted of: DeFord, pilot; Lewnes, co-pilot; Rizzo, bombardier; Samara, radio operator/side gunner; Sugarman, engineer/gunner; Bond, tailgunner.
1st Lt. Lewnes flew in, 42-95894 Georgia’s on My Mind K9-P, taking of at 4:00 pm and landing at 7:35 pm. Their bombs were released on target as briefed.
August 15, 1944 De Ford Mission Debrief
Lt. Lewnes flew in, Georgia’s on My Mind K9-P, in formation position 1-1-4. They took off at 4:10 pm and landed 8:55 pm. The target was attacked from 11,500 feet using a load of 16 x 250lb bombs. DeFord believed that all 16 bombs were dropped and hit in the target area. They experienced no flak at the target site. They experienced weak and inaccurate flak at the initial point that seemed to originate from Amiens. DeFord observed at least 25 Cars (train?) in the target area.
Hand drawn map of the August 15, 1944 mission to Chantilly Storage Tanks.
“35 aircraft participated. Encountered weak and inaccurate HFF near Compans. Encountered moderate and accurate HFF during later part of bomb run and turn off target. The first box made a 360º turn near Compiegne waiting on the second box and encountered mod.-wk, inaccurate HFF from what is believed to be Margny A/D. Location of this flak varies among crews.
Date: Aug 15, 1944
Target: Chantilly Forest
Time 6:12 pm
Height: 11,00 – 11,500 ft.
Weather: Intense haze. Nil low clouds.
Catagory A Damage: 1-2-4, 1-2-5, 2-1-2, 2-1-3, 2-1-4, 2-2-4, 2-2-5, 2-3-2
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1st. Lt. Thomas J. Lewnes returned to the states after completing his 65 mission tour of duty. He was killed in a flying accident on January 27, 1945.
The envelope of the most dreaded wartime telegram
“We regret to inform you of the death of your son Thomas John Lewnes which occured at 12:25 PM CWT 27 January 1945 at Tyndall field, Florida as result of an aircraft accident STOP Request you advise this headquarters by collect telegram the address and to whom you wish the remains shipped at government expense STOP Letter follows giving details END” – John W Person Colonel AC Commanding
Letter from commanding officer with more information of Lewnes’ death.
January 27, 1945 Crash Report
Narration of events- Lt. Thomas Lewnes flying #42-107496 took off from runway nine at 1220, making a normal take-off. At 1225 tho pilot called the tower and stated that he was going to make an emergency landing. Tower personnel sighted the B-26 flylag northeast of the tower at approximately 150 feet. Flames were observed coming from the plane. One observer states that flames were coming from the left side. Other personnel who observed the plane from the ground stated they could not positively say which side the flames were coming from. Tower personnel state that the plane first struck the water with the left wing down and losing altitude rapidly. At the moment of impact the ship exploded, Sending up a huge sheet of flame and a column of black smoke.
Investigation Disclosed- A careful study of the wreckage disclosed that the fuselage struck the water on its right side; that the right wing had burned through at the outboard fuel cell in the right wing section; that there was no evidence of an explosion, but only of an intense fire throughout the right engine nacelle and outboard fuel cell stations.
Part #0121-362174, which la a part of the inboard frame assembly of the right engine nacelle located directly over the gasoline overflow line, fell off the plane several hundred yards short of the location of the crash. This part, enveloped in gasoline, fell to the ground and started a crass fire.
The right tire was entirely consumed by the fire and that landing gear showed evidence of intense heat. Large deposits of soot extended from the right engine nacelle to the wing tip from under the center line of the wing to the trailing edge.
No evidence of an explosion was found in the right and wing section.
Contributing possible cause factors- Broken fuel line.
Non-compliance with technical order 01-35E-122 which specifies a change of filler neck gaskets for this plane. However, this change was no to be made according to this technical order until the next fifty-hour inspection.
Information by historian, Brian Gibbons-
“As a follow up from the entry about Lt Lewnes, I have now researched the burial places for each of the 6 crewmen involved when B-26 42-107496 crashed. 1st Lt. Thomas Lewnes, Pilot, is buried in Annapolis, Maryland. 2nd Lt. James Ransome Criscoe, Co-Pilot, is buried Mississippi. PFC George Storch, Engineer, is in Totowa, New Jersey. 2nd Lt. Harold Kinsey, Pilot-rated Passenger, Gettysburg, PA. S/Sgt Harry VanWelsenaere, Passenger, Lancing, Michigan. And PFC Henry Burfiend, who is believed to have come from New Jersey, is understood to have been returned to that state, but this is uncertain currently.”
Lt. Thomas J. Lewnes
Thanks to Anita McP for providing photographs and personal documents.
Photos enhanced by Carrozza and Free Quality Restoration of VINTAGE Photos.
