B-17G " Bonnie Donnie "   42-31034    612th

28 May 1944   Mission # 77   Target: Dessau


                  28 May 1944 , 10:00 engines are on.
                  21 aircraft were airborne by 11:06 , mission #77 , Primary target: Oil Refinery .

                  This was the roughest mission of the 401st Bombardment Group's tour in the ETO.
                  They were attack by approximately 200 enemy fighters. The attacks lasted for 40 minutes.
                  As many as 60 enemy aircraft attacked in formation, using saturation tactics.
                  All of the High Squadron but the Lead Aircraft were shot down. A total of six Group aircraft were lost in the target area.
                  The Group's bombs fell in an excellent pattern, and dense smoke was observed over the target.

Missing Air Crew Report : 5309

1.    Organization : AAF Sta 128.                  
               

       Command : 8th Air Force.
       Group : 401st.
       Squadron : 612th.

2.    Place of depature : AAF Station 128.
       Course :East.
       Target : Dessau.
       Type of mission: Operational Bombing.

3.    Weather conditions when last sighted : Clear.

4.    Last know date : 28 May 1944
       time : 14:20
       location : Near Dessau, Germany.

5.    Aircraft believed to have been lost as a result of : Enemy aircraft

6.    Aircraft type : B-17G
       serial no. : 42-31034

7.    Nickname of aircraft : Bonnie Donnie

8.    Engines : R-1820-97.

10.  Persons listed below listed as : Battle Casualties.

11.  Persons on board : Crew : 10.

12.  List crew position , name , rank , serial no. and current status :
Pilot George Elwood West 1st Lt 0-802628 KIA
Copilot Douglas Haig McKinnon 1st Lt 0-752008 POW
Navigator Lloyd Arthur Nutter 1st Lt O-752502 POW
Bombardier Thomas B. Montgomery 1st Lt 0-686111 POW
Radio Operator Robert Lewis Andrus T/Sgt 32583791 POW
Engr / Top Turret Francis Lawrence Russell T/Sgt 17154673 POW
Ball Turret Gunner Johnnie Lamon Womble S/Sgt 34355686 POW
Tail Gunner Michael Lefkin S/Sgt 32496129 KIA
Left Waist Gunner Hugh D. Russell S/Sgt 15019006 KIA
Right Waist Gunner Alfred John Morini S/Sgt 32492617 POW
13.  Person believed to have last knowledge of missing aircraft :

Irwin, James R.        2nd Lt.        O-753892




Mission to Dessau, Germany, Crashed at Pomssen, Germany.


Will be continued soon



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