Bonnett, Charles Daniel

Individual Personnel Data
Name Bonnett, Charles Daniel
⇗
Rank First Lieutenant / Captain
Serial Number O-727080
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 384th Bombardment Group Headquarters Detachment, per Headquarters Detachment, 384th Bomb Group Morning Report, effective 31 December 1942.
  • Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #12 , effective 18 January 1944.
  • Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #52, effective 18 March 1944.
  • Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #191, effective 28 September 1944.
  • Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #209, effective 22 October 1944.
  • Transferred to a non-384th unit, per 544th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 14 March 1944 - to Casual Pool, 70th Replacement Depot, AAF Station 594, effective 4 March 1945.
Duty Bombardier
MOS1035 - Bombardier
Last Duty Date 4 March 1945
Results Completed Combat Tour
DecorationsAwarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, oak leaf cluster for meritorious achievement on a mission over enemy territory, 29 May 1944 per 1st Air division General Orders #178 dated 18 July 1944.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 25 May 1920
  • Graduated from Bombardier School at Victorville AAF, Victorville, California, Class #42-09, 4 July 1942.
  • Flew to England with Group CO Peaslee, per AAB Kearney Special Orders #96 dated 17 May 1943.
  • Assigned as the Original Group Bombardier.
  • Promoted to Captain effective 28 June 1943 per Headquarters Detachment, 384th Bomb Group Morning Report dated 7 July 1943.
  • VOCO of 5 November 1943 placing Captain Bonnett on Temporary Duty for approximately two days on or about 5 November 1943 to 8th Bomber Command, purpose Official Business is hereby confirmed and made of record per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #151 dated 23 November 1943.
  • Placed on seven days Temporary Duty to 8th Air Force Officers Rest Home, Stanbridge Earls, Hampshire (a Flak House) on or about 14 February 1944 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #27 dated 9 February 1944.
  • Ordered on seven days Temporary Duty to Furzedown House, AAF Station 563 (a Flak house) on 26 December 1944 to carry out instructions of Commanding General per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #255 dated 24 December 1944.
Related Documents Charles D. Bonnett Group Bombardier with picture of daughter⇓ (filesize unknown)
303rd BG Mission 41 Report⇓ (2.121 MB)



Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 46 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
--⇗ 11 June 1943 Type: Shipyards
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑5221⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Bonnett flew this mission with an experienced 303rd BG crew to gain first-hand experience in combat operations, prior to leading the Group into combat.
Sortie Report⇗
1⇗ 22 June 1943 Target: General Motors Truck Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Antwerp, Belgium 		Bombardier 42‑30043⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group Lead. PDI not on zero, one ball turret gun failed to fire also radio. No apparent reason.
Sortie Report⇗
3⇗ 26 June 1943 Target: Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France 		Bombardier 42‑30030⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
9⇗ 24 July 1943 Target: Aluminum & Magnesium Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Herøya, Norway 		Bombardier 42‑5883⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
11⇗ 28 July 1943 Target: Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑30142⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Wing lead. Turned back with #2 engine out. Bombed unidentified location on island of Terschelling, The Netherlands.
Sortie Report⇗
15⇗ 15 August 1943 Target: Poix-en-Picardie and Amiens-Glisy Airfields
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Poix-de-Picardie & Amiens, France 		Bombardier 42‑5797⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
27⇗ 2 October 1943 Target: Port Facilities
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑30033⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing Lead. Gen. Robert F Travis, Commander, 41st Combat Bombardment Wing (H), Molesworth, AAF Station 107, was aboard this aircraft as Air Task Force 2 Commander.
Sortie Report⇗
30⇗ 9 October 1943 Target: Aircraft Factories
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Anklam, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑3441⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
40⇗ 5 December 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Saint-Jean-d'Angély, France 		Bombardier 42‑3441⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
46⇗ 24 December 1943 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Croisette, France 		Bombardier 42‑37801⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
54⇗ 21 January 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Preuseville, France 		Bombardier 42‑31364⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
56⇗ 30 January 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑31364⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
58⇗ 4 February 1944 Target: Alfred Teves Main Works: Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑31364⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group lead, 41st B Combat Wing.
Sortie Report⇗
60⇗ 6 February 1944 Target: Nancy/Essey Aerodrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France 		Bombardier 42‑31235⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
66⇗ 24 February 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑31235⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
83⇗ 27 March 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Tours & Chartres, France 		Bombardier 42‑31433⇗ Combat Mission Credit
94 Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
97⇗ 27 April 1944 Target: Toul/Croix de Metz Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France 		Bombardier 42‑38208⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
100⇗ 4 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97574⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41st Combat Wing lead. PFF ship and unidentified crew members were provided by the 305th BG at Chelveston, AAF Station 105.
Sortie Report⇗
101⇗ 7 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97543⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead. PFF ship and unidentified crew members provided by 305th BG, Chelveston, AAF Station 105.
Sortie Report⇗
106⇗ 12 May 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97574⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead. PFF aircraft and unidentified crew members provided by 305th BG, Chelveston, AAF Station 105.
Sortie Report⇗
109⇗ 19 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Industrial Area
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97574⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead. PFF aircraft and unidentified crew members provided by the 305th BG, Chelveston AAF, AAF Station 105.
Sortie Report⇗
110⇗ 20 May 1944 Target: Orly Airport
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France 		Bombardier 42‑31484⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
114⇗ 24 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Military Installations
Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97647⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing Lead. PFF ship and radio operator (T/Sgt L A Taylor) provided by the 305th BG, Chelveston, AAF Station 105. Col. William L Travis, 41st Bomb Wing, aboard as combat flight leader.
Sortie Report⇗
116⇗ 27 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑107221⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
119⇗ 29 May 1944 Target: Focke-Wulf Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Krzesiny District, Poznań, Poland 		Bombardier 42‑31484⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, Wing Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
200⇗ 27 September 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards (PFF Aiming Points)
Type: Transportation
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97592⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing deputy. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
202⇗ 30 September 1944 Target: Handorf Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Münster, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8047⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing deputy. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
203⇗ 2 October 1944 Target: Ford Motor Works
Type: Industry
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑102661⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy. Hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
208⇗ 9 October 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8008⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group and wing lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
210⇗ 14 October 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Saarbrücken, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8008⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
218⇗ 2 November 1944 Target: Ruhr-Chemie A.G. Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Sterkrade (Holten), Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8008⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead. PFF ship. Turned over lead to deputy for bomb run.
Sortie Report⇗
232⇗ 29 November 1944 Target: Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Misburg, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8007⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
233⇗ 30 November 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Zeitz, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8401⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
239⇗ 12 December 1944 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8401⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
240⇗ 18 December 1944 Target: Road Junction
Type: Transportation
Location: Gemünd, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8007⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead. PFF & Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report⇗
255⇗ 15 January 1945 Target: Neuburg Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Neuburg an der Donau, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8007⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Returned Early
Group lead. PFF ship. Aborted 30 minutes prior to IP due to mechanical problems. Ordered low Squadron into lead before departing. Bombed a target of opportunity (TOO) during return.
Sortie Report⇗
256⇗ 17 January 1945 Target: Railroad Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: Bielefeld, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8211⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Division lead. PFF & Gee-H ship. PFF started acting up during assembly, so the air commander ordered the low Squadron lead (PFF-equipped) to move up and fly as his deputy. At the IP, the Gee-H equipment was unusable, so lead was turned over to the deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
257⇗ 20 January 1945 Target: Rail and Road Bridges
Type: Transportation
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8401⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead; PFF ship. Landed away at RAF Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire.
Sortie Report⇗
261⇗ 28 January 1945 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8007⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead; PFF and Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report⇗
264⇗ 3 February 1945 Target: Tempelhof Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑98027⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron, Group Lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
265⇗ 9 February 1945 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Lützkendorf, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8580⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead; PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
266⇗ 14 February 1945 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Dresden, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8665⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Returned Early
High Squadron lead; PFF ship. Returned early after entering enemy airspace, because right waist and bombardier's oxygen regulators 'blew up'. Attacked a target of opportunity, a factory, in Nordhorn, Germany.
Sortie Report⇗
267⇗ 15 February 1945 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bohlen, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8665⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead. Landed away at Bassingbourn Airfield, AAF Station 121.
Sortie Report⇗
269⇗ 20 February 1945 Target: Main Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Nuremberg / Nürnberg, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑98027⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead; PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
270⇗ 21 February 1945 Target: Tank Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Nuremberg / Nürnberg, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑98027⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead; PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
273⇗ 24 February 1945 Target: Submarine Construction Shipyard
Type: Shipyards
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑8580⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead; PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗

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