Holtz Crew - Assigned - 754th Squadron - February 18, 1945

Standing: Unknown, Bob Smith - CP, Merrill Holtz - P, James Dutt - N, Unknown
Kneeling: 2nd from left Paul Perry - BTG
If you can identify the other crew members please contact me
(Photo: John Zimitsch)
Flying at the End of Hostilities
Rank | Name | Serial # | Pos | Date | Status | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1Lt | Merrill L Holtz | 0780599 | Pilot | Jun-45 | FEH | Ferry Liberator to U.S. |
2Lt | Robert E Smith | 02066894 | Co-pilot | Jun-45 | FEH | Ferry Liberator to U.S. |
2Lt | James L Dutt | 02072431 | Navigator | Jun-45 | FEH | Ferry Liberator to U.S. |
S/Sgt | Vincent N Roman | 35059070 | Radio Operator | Jun-45 | FEH | Ferry Liberator to U.S. |
Sgt | William A Maultsby | 18197961 | Flight Engineer | Jun-45 | FEH | Ferry Liberator to U.S. |
T/Sgt | Paul J Perry | 6895912 | Armorer-Gunner | Jun-45 | FEH | Ferry Liberator to U.S. |
S/Sgt | Alan H Cross | 33709393 | Aerial Gunner | Jun-45 | FEH | Ferry Liberator to U.S. |
S/Sgt | Justin Martincic, Jr | 13190328 | Armorer Gunner | Jun-45 | FEH | Ferry Liberator to U.S. |
S/Sgt | Raymond D McKinney | 37490700 | Aerial Gunner/2E | Jun-45 | FEH | Ferry Liberator to U.S. |
2Lt Merrill Holtz and crew were assigned to the 754th
Squadron 2-1/2 months before the war would come to an end. They took off on what was supposed to be their first combat flight on March 8th, but were forced to abort due to mechanical difficulties. They were able to complete the next day's mission to Osnabruck and were credited for their first mission.
In all the crew flew 13 combat missions as well as two missions listed on formation plans as "weather ship". A designated crew would fly out over the Continent prior to the group's take off and report back on the weather. Crews were not given mission credit for these flights. Nine of the thirteen missions were aboard a veteran 458th Liberator named Sky Tramp / Spitten Kitten. The crew would also ferry this Liberator back to the United States in June.
After the war had ended, the 458th, along with all of the other heavy bombardment groups in the Eighth Air Force, took their ground men on a flying tour of Germany. These flights were called "Trolley Missions" and their purpose was to show the men whose job it was to put the planes in the air, how their efforts had helped to win the war. Holtz and crew obtained a number of photographs of several cities they visited on these trips.
In all the crew flew 13 combat missions as well as two missions listed on formation plans as "weather ship". A designated crew would fly out over the Continent prior to the group's take off and report back on the weather. Crews were not given mission credit for these flights. Nine of the thirteen missions were aboard a veteran 458th Liberator named Sky Tramp / Spitten Kitten. The crew would also ferry this Liberator back to the United States in June.
After the war had ended, the 458th, along with all of the other heavy bombardment groups in the Eighth Air Force, took their ground men on a flying tour of Germany. These flights were called "Trolley Missions" and their purpose was to show the men whose job it was to put the planes in the air, how their efforts had helped to win the war. Holtz and crew obtained a number of photographs of several cities they visited on these trips.
Missions
Date | Target | 458th Msn | Pilot Msn | Serial | RCL | Sqdn | A/C Msn | A/C Name | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
08-Mar-45 | DILLENBURG | 199 | ABT | 42-110059 | T | Z5 | -- | UNKNOWN 056 | ABORT - #1, 2 ENG ?? |
09-Mar-45 | OSNABRUCK | 200 | 1 | 42-95183 | U | Z5 | 85 | BRINEY MARLIN | |
12-Mar-45 | FRIEDBURG | 202 | 2 | 44-40298 | E | Z5 | 41 | THE SHACK | ABORT - SORTIE CREDIT BOMB OT |
17-Mar-45 | HANNOVER | 205 | 3 | 44-40126 | L | Z5 | 68 | SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP | |
24-Mar-45 | NORDHORN | 212 | 4 | 42-110059 | T | Z5 | 73 | UNKNOWN 056 | BOMBED WITH 467BG |
25-Mar-45 | HITZACKER | 214 | 5 | 44-40126 | L | Z5 | 74 | SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP | |
31-Mar-45 | BRUNSWICK | 216 | 6 | 44-40126 | L | Z5 | 76 | SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP | |
04-Apr-45 | PERLEBERG | 217 | 7 | 44-40126 | L | Z5 | 77 | SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP | |
05-Apr-45 | PLAUEN | 218 | 8 | 44-40126 | L | Z5 | 78 | SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP | |
07-Apr-45 | KRUMMEL | 220 | 9 | 42-95108 | B | Z5 | 76 | ENVY OF 'EM ALL II | |
09-Apr-45 | LECHFELD | 222 | 10 | 44-40126 | L | Z5 | 80 | SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP | |
10-Apr-45 | RECHLIN/LARZ | 223 | 11 | 44-40126 | L | Z5 | 81 | SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP | |
11-Apr-45 | REGENSBURG | 224 | WTHR | 42-95018 | J | Z5 | -- | OLD DOC'S YACHT | WEATHER SHIP |
16-Apr-45 | LANDSHUT | 227 | 12 | 44-40126 | L | Z5 | 84 | SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP | |
18-Apr-45 | PASSAU | 228 | WTHR | 44-50618 | S | -- | -- | UNKNOWN 052 | WEATHER SHIP |
19-Apr-45 | ZWIESEL | SCR | -- | 42-51179 | P | Z5 | -- | DUSTY'S DOUBLE TROUBLE | SCRUBBED |
20-Apr-45 | ZWIESEL | 229 | 13 | 44-40126 | L | Z5 | 85 | SPITTEN KITTEN / SKY TRAMP |
May 1945

2Lt Robert Smith shows off the big news!
"Trolley Missions" - May 1945

Bielefeld Viaduct


Cologne and Hamburg


Essen and the Ruhr Valley
B-24J-145-CO 44-40126 Z5 L Sky Tramp / Spitten Kitten


Mechanics working on a new engine for Sky Tramp.
(L-R) Pfc Marian Rodgers, M/Sgt William Seatena, 2Lt Merrill Holtz
(L-R) Pfc Marian Rodgers, M/Sgt William Seatena, 2Lt Merrill Holtz
Photos courtesy: John Zimitsch & Mark Woodward