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Recorded Missions
1st Mission
Munich - 07/11/1944
Rosie’s Sweat Box first mission took place on the 11th July 1944 and the target was the railroad marshalling yards and depot in Munich. This was to be the 17th mission for pilot 1st Lt. Woodville G. Rozzell and his crew and the first of three missions to Munich which they completed together as a crew. During this 1st mission Rosie's Sweat Box held a position in the High Box formation – A Wing. Although flak over the target was intense, it was inaccurate, and none of the Group suffered battle damage.
Further Missions
Throughout her further 24 combat missions, Rosie’s Sweat Box was manned by eleven different crews undertaking raids in Germany, France and Belgium. On her
4th mission to the German rocket manufacturing facilities at
Peenemunde on 18th July 1944. Col. Rogener as Air Commander, led the entire 1st Air Division, providing the Lead and Low Boxes of the 94th Combat Wing "A" formation. Within this Rosie's Sweat Box, 2nd Lt. McClung, acted as lead navigator within the Low Box Formation. The weather was clear and, as a result, visual bombing resulted in excellent results. Following the
9th mission to the synthetic oil production facilities at
Merseburg on the 29th July 1944, bombardier Sgt Kilgour reported a problem with the bomb release. Following the
10th mission to
Strasbourg Rosie's Sweat Box suffered flak damage to the right wing and tail section. Although no enemy aircraft or flak was encountered over the target, it was reported that the Group had experienced some flak over Aachen on their return from the Strasbourg mission with seven ships reporting battle damage (one of them Rosie's Sweat Box). Flak was always a cause for concern. Comments within the Operation Day report following the
17th mission to the airdrome and bomber assembly plant at
Schkeutidz on the 16th August 1944 reported both the pilot and navigator criticising the route chosen by the wing leader in the target area stating that navigation could have been better from the flak point of view.
Final Mission
Siegfried Line fortifications and artillery at Groesbeck 9th September 1944
During take-off, Rosie's Sweatbox, piloted by Lt. F. E. Cook, failed to clear the hedge at the end of the main runway and crashed onto the Weldon road about 750 yards off the end of the runway at 0606 hours. Despite the devastating explosion of fragmentation bombs and aircraft fuel, the tail gunner, Cpl. W. J. Ambrogetti, was still alive when emergency crews arrived. Unfortunately, he died later that day. All of his crew-mates were killed instantly. The final crew members were :-
Remembering Rosie
A small memorial exists to remember Rosie and her Crew. It is maintained by the 401st Historical Society and is located on the south side of Oundle Rd, a few hundred yards west of the entrance to the flying club.
Rosie's Sweatbox Memorial
Remembering the crew of Rosie's Sweatbox.