B-17G 42-38002 614th
22 February 1944 Mission #26 Target: Oschersleben/Magdeburg
22 February 44 , 0815 hours , engines are on.
32 aircraft were airborne by 0935 , mission #26 , target today is a Aircraft manufacturing plant in Oschersleben , Germany,
but when the formation reached the target, it was under cloud cover and Magdeburg was attacked instead.
The plane was shot down by fighters and flak.
8 men were POW's and 2 men KIA.
Missing Air Crew Report : 26611. Organization : AAF Sta 128.
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James R. Hamilton S/Sgt. 35661584 615th
Edward J. Phillips Sgt. 38398663 614th
- Lt. Arneson was flying no. 3 position of the second element.
Near Nordheim, Germany, one engine was hit by flak and his ship left formation just before target.
Bombs were salvoed and his ship caught up with the formation when it reached Magdeburg at about 14:25.
At 14:50 he came into #4 position after three fighters had worked him over.
When last seen at 14:50 it was heading north with two fighters on his tail and was losing altitude rapidly.
P51's came in and helped him.
No chutes were seen and it was under control altough 20 mm bursts were breaking around it like flak.
Then he was last seen taking off for home with one prop feathered.
Mission to Magdeburg, germany, When last seen at 14:50 it was heading north with two fighters on his tail and was losing altitude rapidly.
Chrashed near Alvesse, Germany
Top Row L - R : Unknown - Unknown - Unknown - Adrian L. Shutes - Edward Trambitsky - Unknown
front row L-R : Vernon A. Arneson - Unknown - Unknown - George J. Gilmore Jr.
Will be continued soon
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