B-17G   42-97073    615th

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 : 5311

1.    Organization : AAF Sta 128.                  
               

       Command : 8th Air Force.
       Group : 401st.
       Squadron : 615th.

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 : 14:28
       location : Near Dessau, Germany.

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

6.    Aircraft type : B-17G
       serial no. : 42-97073

7.    Nickname of aircraft : --

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 Vincent Joseph Kaminski 1st Lt 0-802408 KIA
Copilot Robert Joseph Enstad 2nd Lt 0-687686 POW
Navigator Charles Henry Manning Jr. 2nd Lt O-753015 KIA
Bombardier J. Dee Black 1st Lt 0-749667 KIA
Radio Operator Larry Ray Cooper S/Sgt 14053345 KIA
Engr / Top Turret Jack Douglas Agee T/Sgt 6962724 KIA
Ball Turret Gunner Joe Russel Johnson S/Sgt 18162671 KIA
Tail Gunner Harold Hertzan S/Sgt 32438490 KIA
Left Waist Gunner William Matheson May S/Sgt 37409202 KIA
Right Waist Gunner Everett Merle Bushendorf S/Sgt 36264716 KIA
13.  Person believed to have last knowledge of missing aircraft :

Walsh, James V.        2nd Lt.        O-739133




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


Will be continued soon



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