Lost aircraft

2. Fortress, 42-38130, 390 BG, 570 BS, B 17 G3. Fortress, 42-37783, 100 BG, 349 BS, B 17 G4. Fortress, 42-38200, 385 BG, 551 BS, B 17 G 5. Fortress, 42-39773, 385 BG, 548 BS, B 17 G6. Fortress, 42-31724, 447 BG, 708 BS, B 17 G7. Fortress, 42-39785, 303 BG, 385 BS, B 17 G8. Fortress, 42-39807, 303 BG, 359 BS, B 17 G9. Fortress, 42-40000, 91 BG, 324 BS, B 17 G10. Liberator, 42-50325, 445 BG, 703 BS, B 24 H11. Liberator, 41-29306, 445 BG, 700 BS, B 24 H12. Liberator, 42-64490, 453 BG, 735 BS, B 24 H13. Liberator, 42-63963, 389 BG, 567 BS, B 24 D

Slide

14. Liberator, 42-109915, 389 BG, 565 BS, B 24 J15. Liberator, 44-40085, 389 BG, 565 BS, B 24 J16. Liberator, 42-52605, 392 BG, 579 BS, B 24 H17. Liberator, 41-28843, 448 BG, 715 BS, B 24 H18. Liberator, 42-52608, 448 BG, 715 BS, B 24 H19. Liberator, 42-94744, 448 BG, 715 BS, B 24 H20. Liberator, 42-73497, 448 BG, 715 BS, B 24 J21. Liberator, 41-29273, 458 BG, 753 BS, B 24 H 22. Liberator, 42-52353, 458 BG, 754 BS, B 24 H 23. Liberator, 42-100357, 458 BG, 754 BS, B 24 J24. Liberator, 42-52536, 467 BG, 788 BS, B 24 H25. Liberator, 42-52445, 467 BG, 791 BS, B 24 H

1st Bomb Division was made up of 91st Bomb Group, 92nd Bomb Group, 303rd Bomb Group, 305th Bomb Group, 306th Bomb Group, 351st Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Group, 381st Bomb Group, 384th Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Group, 457th Bomb Group. The bombers also dropped 1,280,000 leaflets.

The entire Eighth Air Force, consisting of eight hundred bombers, was sent aloft to bomb the Hamm marshalling yards, the largest in Germany, which had the capacity of handling 10,000 freight cars per day. It was one of the key centres for German rail traffic, handling everything between the Ruhr in the north and central Germany.The Group supplied twenty-four planes and led the 94th Combat Wing, with Col. Luper leading as Air Commander and with Lt. J. L. Smith as pilot.By the time the 457th reached the target, it was so blasted and smoke covered by the preceding units that the Group went to other yards in the city and bombed. Enemy fighters were in the area, but did not attack. Takeoff had been in late afternoon, and darkness was approaching as the aircraft returned to England. Landings were make in the dark. The lead ship (Luper) could not lower one of its landing wheels. After dropping its ball turret over the Wash and making several approaches, the craft finally came in for a successful belly landing in the darkness.The Germans attached about twenty Ju-88s and Me-410s to B-24 groups, which flew at the end of the bomber stream. They attacked while the B-24s were attempting to land in the darkness, and at least ten aircraft were shot down or crash landed, in addition to many planes being damaged.

390 BG, 570 BS, B 17 G, Fortress, 42-38130, Devil's Frolic

Framlingham/Parham Station 153 Pundit code, FMTail code, Square-JMissing in ActionOp Hamm 22/4/44

Pilot; Lt., Harold REICH, killed in actionTail Gunner; S/Sgt., John ZEDIAK, killed in action

Co-pilot; 2Lt., Lester BERGEMANN, PoWBall Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Peter FILIPPONE, PoWNavigator; 2Lt., John FREY, PoWTop Turret GunnerT/Sgt., Horace HURON, PoWL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Frank LINK, PoWRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Carl MARSINI, PoWBombardier, Togglier; S/Sgt., Francis O'CONNELL, PoWR. Waist Gunner; S/ Sgt., George ROCCHIO, PoW

100 BG, 349 BS, B 17 G, Fortress, 42-37783, Dodie

Thorpe AbbotsStation 139Pundit code, TATail code, Square-DMissing in Action Hamm 22/4/44Crashed at Obershelden, four miles N of Siegen, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 4166. CALL HER SAVAGE.

Pilot; Lt., Frank HARTE, killed in actionNavigator; 2Lt., Carl CONLEY, killed in actionR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Thomas DONALD, killed in action

Co-pilot; 2Lt., John COPPINGER, PoWTop Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., Paul CARLSON, PoWL. Waist Gunner; S.Sgt., Edward COLEY, PoWBall Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Felix McINTOSH, PoWTail Gunner; S/Sgt., George McMULLIN, PoWBombardier, Togglier/Engineer; T/Sgt., Wallace MEYER, PoWRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Weston RODKEY, PoW

385 BG, 551 BS, B 17 G, Fortress, 42- 38200, Miss Cheyenne

Great AshfieldStation 155Pundit code GA?Tail code, Square-GAttacked by enemy aircraft and hit by flak, crashed Hilbeck, two miles N of Werl.

Pilot; Lt., Cleatis CORNWELL, PoWCo-pilot; 2Lt., Harlan COOK, PoWNavigator; 2Lt., Ray HITZEL, PoWRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Wheeler URBAN, PoWBombardier, Togglier; S/Sgt., Delbert DIMIG, PoWBall Turret Gunner; Sgt., Francis DIEMER, PoWTail Gunner; S/Sgt., Irving JAMSEN, PoWTop Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., John KENNEDY, PoWL. Waist Gunner; S.Sgt., Robert PEEL, PoWR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., George BARTELL, PoW

385 BG, 548 BS, B 17 G, Fortress, 42-39773, War Cry II

Great AshfieldStation 155Pundit code GA?Tail code, Square-GFlak knocked out #3 engine, crashed Bislicher, near Hamminkeln, six miles NW of Wesel/Rhein

Co-pilot; 2Lt., Howard CLAFLIN, PoWRadio Operatot; Sgt., Lawrence FOSS , PoWR. Waist Gunner; Sgt., Philip GREGORY , PoWNavigator; 2Lt., Charles HICKLESS , PoWTop Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Edward LANE , PoWPilot; 2Lt., John McDAVITT , PoWL. Waist Gunner; Sgt., Dominic MONTAGNA , PoWTail Gunner; Sgt., George MOSS , PoWBall Turret Gunner; Sgt., Marvin WALKER , PoWBombardier; 2Lt., Lawrence WICKTER , PoW

447 BG, 708 BS, B 17 G, Fortress, 42-31724

RattlesdenStation 126Pundit code, RSTail code, Square-KFlak hits set ship ablaze, crew bailed out, ship crashed Oberenste, five miles SE of Werl

Pilot; Lt., Thomas GILLERAN, PoW Co-pilot; 2Lt., Henry MAMLOCK, PoW Navigator; 2Lt., Richard LAZARUS, PoW Radio Operator; T/Sgt., Harley TUCK, PoW Bombardier; 2Lt., Louis WIGDORWITZ, PoW Top Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., Charles HUGH, PoW Ball Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., M. D. HARRIS, PoW L. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Fred HAWLEY, PoW R. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Eugene KEALER, PoW Tail Gunner; S/Sgt., Donald WORLEY, PoW

303 BG, 385 BS, B 17 G, Fortress, 42-39785 VK-H Thru Hel'en Hiwater

MolesworthStation 107Pundit code, MXTail code, Triangle CFlak set engine on fire, exploded before all the crew could bail, crashed Delecke, six miles S of Soest,

Pilot; 2Lt., Roy LARSON, killed in action Bombardier; 2Lt., Milton FEINMAN, killed in action Tail Gunner; Sgt., Herman HODGE, killed in action Top Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Thomas CAMPBELL, killed in

action.

Ball Turret gunner; Sgt., Lee BRIM, PoW Radio Operator; S/Sgt., Everett CULP, PoW Co-pilot; 2Lt., Ronald DUNCAN, PoW Navigator; 2Lt., Herbert LEVY, PoW L. Waist Gunner; Sgt., Arthur SCHINKER, PoW R. Waist Gunner; Sgt., Duane THAYER, PoW

303 BG, 359 BS, B 17 G,Fortress, 42-39807 BN-K, Nero

MolesworthStation 107Pundit code, MXTail code, Triangle CMechanical fault with number 3 engine which fell off and struck a farmhouse killing several civilians, crashed Ingelmuster, eight miles N of Kortrijk, Belgium.

Pilot; 2Lt., John R Seddon, evaded captureCo-pilot; 2Lt., Charles D. BURKS, PoW, but escaped in February 1945Navigator; 2Lt., George FITZPATRICK, PoWRadio Operator; S/Sgt., John HESS, PoWR. Waist Gunner; Sgt., I. E. HOLCOMB, PoWBall Turret Gunner; Sgt., Donald MALONEY, PoWBombardier; 2Lt., Walter MELDRICH, evaded captureTail Gunner; Sgt., William MUMMERY, PoWL. Waist Gunner; Sgt., John NEMCHICK, PoWTop Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Edward ROGERS, PoWRadio Operator; S/Sgt., Harry ROTHROCK, PoW

91 BG, 324 BS, B 17 G, Fortress, 42-40000, Just Nothing

BassingbournStation 121Pundit code, BSTail code, Triangle AFlak knocked out number 3 engine, fuel tank exploded and the aircraft crashed at Korbecke, 19 miles SE of Hamm.Missing in Action Hamm 22/4/44 with Capt Harvey Hesse, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Williams (2 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Maj Chas Lee, Navigator: John Ryan(401BS), Navigator: Jay Suldan, GPb-Capt Provost Marshall, Radio Operator: Fred Snavely, Ball turret gunner: Harlan Bunn, Waist gunner: John Guy, Waist gunner: Leon Sterle, Ball turret gunner: Lt Leon Krahling (9 Prisoner of War);

Ball Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Harlan BUNN, PoWRole U/K; T/Sgt., Robert DETTERLINENavigator; 1Lt., John EVAN, PoWRole U/K; S/Sgt., Donald FRANSL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., John GUY, PoWPilot; Captain, Harvey HEESE, KiATail Gunner; 2Lt., Francis KRAHLING, PoWPilot; Co-Pilot; Major, Charles LEE, PoWNavigator; Bombardier; Lt Col., Prevost MARSHALL, PoWR. Waist Gunner/Bombardier; S/Sgt., Warren MOSLEY, PoWTop Turret Gunner/ Flt Eng; T/Sgt., Charles E. WILLIAMS, KiANavigator; Lt., Jay SULDAN, PoWRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Fred A SNAVELY, PoW

445 BG, 703 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 42-50325

TibenhamStation 124Pundit code, TM Tail code, Circle F.

Shot down by flak over the target, and crashed at Hamm.

Pilot; Lt., Edward SADLON, PoWCo-Pilot; 2Lt., Joseph KAROPCZYC, PoWNavigator; 2Lt., Merlin KULP, KiABombardier; Lt., Erwin CARLE, PoWRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Charles YOST, PoWTail Gunner; S/Sgt., James CLEMENTE, PoWTop Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., Robert CONNOLLY, PoWBall Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Peter DORY, PoWL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Thomas FLORIO, PoWR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Earl JOHNSON, PoW

445 BG, 700 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 41-29306, K for King

TibenhamStation 124Pundit code, TM Tail code, Circle F.

The aircraft crashed on a mission from Tibenham to Koblenz on 22 April 1944.A memorial was unveiled at the crash site on 22 April 2009.

Pilot; Lt., Francis SNEED, PoWCo-Pilot; Charles RIDDLE, PoWNavigator; 2Lt., Ray HARGIS, PoWRadio Operator; S/Sgt., Robert VARTY, KiABombardier; 2Lt., John BRYANT, PoWTail Gunner; Sgt., James COCKRIEL, Evaded capture with John MahoneyL. Waist Gunner; Sgt., Charles COFFMAN, PoWTop Turret Gunner; Sgt., Harry KOLINSKI, PoWBall Turret Gunner; Sgt., Harold E. White, PoWR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., John MAHONEY, Evaded capture, KiA (see below)

On 22 April 1944, the bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire on a mission over Germany, and the crew was forced to bail out over Belgium.He was sheltered in the home of a Belgian family in Waregem, and in the summer of 1945 he joined up with the Belgian Secret Army.On 5 September 1944, while on a patrol with the Secret Army, they encountered German forces that surrounded and executed them.He died together with Secret Army members Jozef Duthoy, Roger Vansteenbrugge and Marcel Windels.James Cockriel, a fellow American airman who had joined up with the Secret Army, survived was shot with Mahoney, but survived.Information from Robert Mahoney, John’s nephew.

453 BG, 735 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 42-64490, H6-U, Cee Gee II

Old BuckenhamStation 144Pundit code, OETail code, circle JPlane ditched in Channel.

Pilot; Lt., James MUNSEY, KiaCo-Pilot; 2Lt., Robert CRALL, KiaNose Gunner; T/Sgt., Grover CONWAY, KiaRadio Operator/ Gunner; T/Sgt., William GRADY, KiaL. Waist Gunner; T/Sgt., John McKINNEY, KiaBall Turret Gunner; Sgt., Norman BROWN, RtbNavigator; 2Lt., Leon HELFAND, RtbR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Kenneth LAUX, RtbTail Gunner; S/Sgt., Ralph McCLURE, RtbBombardier; 2 Lt., Arthur ORLOWSKI, Rtb

Kia = Killed in actionRtb = Returned To Base.

389 BG, 567 BS, B 24 D, Liberator, 42-63963, X Round Trip Ticket

HethelStation 114Pundit code, HJTail code, circle CHit by AA fire and crashed in Belgium.

Command Pilot, Pilot; Lt Col., Paul BURTON, PoWPilot; Major Gen., Philip ARDERY, PoWCo-Pilot; Lt., Gordon BABER, Evaded capture. Navigator; 2Lt., John POWELL, PoWBombardier; Lt., Myron GINS, PoWRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Albert ARNDT, PoWTop Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., Lewis E. BAGWELL, PoWTail Gunner; S/Sgt., Harvey BELCHER, PoWL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Dudley BURR, PoWR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Lee PARKER, PoWBall Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Michael SANIUK, PoW

389 BG, 565 BS, B 24 J,Liberator, 42-109915, Z

HethelStation 114Pundit code, HJTail code, circle COn return from Hamm mission 311, at night, shot down by enemy plane over home base.

No memorial has been erected for the men who lost their lives.

Pilot; Lt., F T WILKERSON, Wounded, RTDCo-pilot; Lt., C S SNELL Jr. KiaNavigator; Lt., L A CAMPBELL, WoundedBombardier; Lt., R F SULLIVAN, WoundedRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Frank TERLESKY KiaTop Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., R L DOTTER KiaBall Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., G C GRAY KiaR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., M B CABTLE, Wounded, RTDL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., N S REED, KiaTail Gunner; S/Sgt., H S BUNTING, WoundedNose Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., J R MURRAY Kia

389 BG, 565 BS, B 24 J,Liberator, 44-40085, Z

HethelStation 114Pundit code, HJTail code, circle C

On return from its mission, the aircraft was damaged by an intruder which knocked out number 2 engine and the hydraulic system, the aircraft crash-landed at high speed into radar building at Hethel.

No deaths are recorded at the time of this incident.

Pilot; 2Lt., Edward W. FOLEYCo-pilot; 2Lt., L F MUIRNavigator; Lt., Robert KINNARDBombardier; Lt., John ADEERadio Operator; Sgt., J E SMITHTop Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., E V GARRIGUSBall Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., R L HAMILTONR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Clifford F BEHEEL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., G E BROWNTail Gunner; S/Sgt., G W JACOBS

392 BG, 579 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 42-52605, J

WendlingStation 118Pundit code, WUTail code, circle D

Pilot; Captain, Wyreth EVERHART, PoWCo-Pilot; Lt., Gordon HAMMOND, PoW Navigator; Lt., Harold KORNMAN, Evaded captureBombardier; 2Lt., John E. SANDSRadio Operator; T/Sgt., James BEARD, PoWTop Turret Gunner/ Flt Eng.; T/Sgt., Alfred RINKE, PoWR. Waist Gunner; T/Sgt., Jack ROSS, PoWBall Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., William ANDREWS, PoWL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Robert FOWLER, PoWTail Gunner; S/Sgt., John BESEDA, PoWNavigator; Lt., Fred J. WEBERObserver; Major, Robert COX, PoW

448 BG, 715 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 41-28843, Repulser

SeethingStation 146Pundit code, SETail code, circle I

B-24 41-28843, The Repulser, was attacked by heavily-armed ME 410 German fighters and crashed in the fields near Kessingland.

The memorial slab is next to the War Memorial in Kessingland churchyard.

Pilot; 2Lt., Eugene PULCIPHER Co-pilot; 2Lt., Elmer MEIERNavigator; 2Lt., George FAHRBombardier; 2Lt., William CARCELLIRadio Operator; S/Sgt., Chester ROMANOSKYTop Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., James HARDINBall Turret Gunner; Sgt., Carl SPELLMANR. Waist Gunner; Sgt., Maynard YOUNGL. Waist Gunner; Sgt., William DURANTTail Gunner; Sgt., William DAVIS

All crew were killed in action

448 BG, 715 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 42-52608

SeethingStation 146Pundit code, SE Tail code, circle I

Crashed Into Channel. All the crew were killed .

Pilot; Lt., Cherry PITTSCo-pilot; 2Lt., John MERKLINGNavigator; Navigator; 2Lt., Charles WILDERBombardier; 2Lt., Clifford SCHROMRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Samuel WERNERTop Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Thomas HARWOODBall Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Harry VETTERR. Waist Gunner; T/Sgt., Ernest ROBINSONL. Waist Gunner; T/Sgt., Arthur ANGELOTail Gunner; S/Sgt., Stanley WILSON

448 BG, 715 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 42-94744, Peggy Jo

SeethingStation 146Pundit code, SE Tail code, circle I

Cannon fire from Me-410 damaged the aircraft forcing the crew to bail out over England prior to AC crash. All RTD.

The aircraft crashed onto the railway line at Worlingham

Pilot; Lt., Melvin L ALSPAUGH Co-pilot; Lt., Richard H WATTERSNavigator; Lt., William A CARLSONBombardier; 2Lt., William E EDWARDSRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Donald L HOLTERTop Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Charles J ADAMSGunner; S/Sgt., Owen W WORSMANGunner; S/Sgt., Harold V BARNEYGunner; T/Sgt., Jack E ANDERSONTail Gunner; S/Sgt., Raymond G CHARTIER

448 BG, 715 BS, B 24 J, Liberator, 42-73497, Vadie Raye

SeethingStation 146Pundit code, SETail code, circle IOn 22 April 1944 his plane was hit and burning but was trying to get back to base.

Pilot; Captain, Alvin SCAGGS, RTDCo-pilot; Captain, William G. BLUM, RTDNavigator; 1Lt., Donald C. TODTBombardier; 1Lt., Elbert F LOZESRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Stanley C FILIPOWICZT. T. Gunner/ Engineer; M/Sgt., George GLEVANIKNose Turret Gunner; Eugene GASKINSR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Ray K LEEL. Waist Gunner; Francis X SHEEHANTail Gunner; William E JACKSON

Sgt. George Glevanik, the Flight Engineer was the last to extricate himself. The pilot learned later that George was able to get some fuel to the engines by holding his bare hands very tightly over the breaks in the fuel lines. He was awarded the DFC

458 BG, 753 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 41-29273, Flak Magnet

Horsham St. FaithStation 123Pundit code, HFTail code, circle K

The aircraft was hit by Flak at approximately 19:38 hours SW of Hamm, Germany. The #2 engine caught fire and the A/C fell out of formation. Four chutes were seen. A/C then was brought under control and Lt George N. Spaven Jrregained altitude and rejoined formation. After an undetermined period of time, A/C was observed to leave formation and head west, still under control. Tailed and shot down by FW190 'Red 23' of Major Heinz Bär of II/JG1. Pilot Spavenwas hit by fighter bullets in Heinz Bär's final attack and held the plane steady so his crew could bail out. He was killed in the crash of the plane, 1km North of Hoetmar

Pilot; 1Lt., George SPAVEN, KiaCo-Pilot; 2Lt., Robert ZEDEKER, PoWNavigator; 2Lt., Peter KOWAL, PoWBombardier; 2Lt., James MORTINSON, PoWRadio Operator; S/Sgt., Cedric COLE, PoWR. Waist Gunner; Sgt., Robert ALLIN, PoWL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., James FITTINGER, PoWTail Gunner; S/Sgt., Herman PEACHER, PoWBall Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Lawrence SCHEIDING, PoWTop Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., James H WEDDING, PoW

458 BG, 754 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 42-52353 J, Auchtung

Horsham St. FaithStation 123Pundit code, HFTail code, circle K

Aircraft shot down by German night fighters near their base while returning from Hamm.

Pilot; 1Lt., Teague G HARRIS Jr.,Co-pilot; 2Lt., Robert T. COUCHNavigator; 2Lt., Richard L. MOSESBombardier; 2Lt., Robert E. AHRENSRadio Operator; T/Sgt., Clifford L. ODERTop Turret Gunner; Sgt., Francis X. McKENNAR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Howard E. FOUNDL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Eldridge L. CARPENTERBall Turret Gunner; Sgt., Fernard G. MORINTail Gunner; S/Sgt., Edwin B. CARPENTERNose Gunner; S/Sgt., Raphael ANTHONY

458 BG, 754 BS, B 24 J, Liberator, 42-100357, D. Vale Oregan

Horsham St. FaithStation 123Pundit code, HFTail code, circle K

As the group approached the English coast, ME-410 night fighters, using cover of darkness attacked the Liberator formations. Stilson's crew was shot down near Horsham St. Faith and T/Sgt William R. Pearce, engineer and S/Sgt Arthur Silverman, gunner were both killed. 2Lt Melvin C. Marshall, navigator, died in the base hospital the next day from wounds received in the crash.

Pilot; 1Lt., Charles W. STILSON, InjuredCo-pilot; 2Lt., Joseph E. WORTON, InjuredNavigator; 2Lt., Raymond E. SAWYER, InjuredBombardier; 2Lt., Melvin C. MARSHALL, KiaRadio Op/ Flt Eng.; T/Sgt., William R. PEARCE, KiaTop Turret Gunner; T/Sgt., James E. BLAKEBall Turret Gunner; William L. JOHNSON. InjuredR. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Arthur SILVERMAN, KiaL. Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., Clarence C. CONNELLYTail Gunner; S/Sgt., Kenneth KATTEN, Injured

467 BG, 788 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 42-52536, K

Rackheath, Station 145.Pundit code, RKTail code, circle P

On return from mission to Hamm, Germany was followed by enemy and shot down over home base.

The crew, all killed:Pilot; 2Lt., James A RODENCo-pilot; 2Lt., J H MAXEYNavigator; 2Lt., Wellington E. LANDISBombardier: 2Lt., Robert WILSON Radio Operator; S/Sgt., George E. CARTERTop Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Louis J. VIOLETTEBall Turret Gunner; S/Sgt., Charles D. McGONIGLEWaist Gunner; S/Sgt., Riley E. ORRWaist Gunner; Sgt., James R. HOWETail Gunner; S/Sgt., Richard E. HORAKNose Gunner;

467 BG, 791 BS, B 24 H, Liberator, 42-52445, D

RackheathStation 145Pundit code, RKTail code, circle P

Shot from the rear by ME-410 intruder aircraft that entered the landing pattern of returning ships. Crashed at Barsham, Suffolk

The crew (killed):Pilot; 1Lt., Stalie C. REID,Co-pilot; 2Lt., Warren W. MASON,Navigator; 2Lt., James G. FERGUSON,Flight Engineer; T/Sgt., Sylvio L. DERY,Radio Op. / Eng. / Gunner; T/Sgt., Walter W. KOVALENKOBombardier; 2Lt., Louis A. ALIER,Gunner; Sgt., Edward W. HOKE,

These three gunners bailed out safely, two of whom were later killed in action.Left Waist Gunner; S/Sgt., John H BIGGS bailed out to be Kia 06/08/1944Right Waist Gunner; Sgt., George HAMILTON bailed out to be Kia 08/05/1944Gunner; Sgt., Mervyn SHANK, bailed out and survived the war.

AcknowledgementsNight of the Intruders, by Ian McLachlan. ISBN 184884294-5

2nd Air Division Air Force USAAF 1942-45: Liberator Squadrons in Norfolk and Suffolk, by Martin W. Bowman.ISBN 978184415547-7

American Air Museum archivehttp://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive