B-17G " Flak rat II " 42-97440 614th
30 May 1944 Mission # 79 Target: Oscherslaben
30 may 1944 , 06:55 engines are on.
18 aircraft were airborne by 07:42 , mission #79 , target today is the Focke Wolf Aircraft Assembly Plant.
The Group provided the Lead Box of the 94th Combat Wing. Lead Bombardier was Lt. Durward E. Fesmire.
Some flak was encountered but the principal opposition came from between 40 and 60 German fighters,
which attacked as the Group left the target area.
This resulted in the loss of two 401st aircraft and crews, those of Lt. Carleton L. Wilson (42-97440 "Flak Rat II"),
and Lt. Alpheus L. Kilmer (42-107207).
Missing Air Crew Report : 53101. Organization : AAF Sta 128.
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Robert J. Ramsey 1st Lt. 0-681191 615 th
- On this operation we were flying low Squadron and only the low Squadron was hit by enemy fighters.
The plane was hit by single engine fighters about 11:10, just after target.
Fighter hit from below in belly attack and Wilson pulled up into a stall and fell off into a very loose spin to left The plane was seen leave the formation, and go downware, but under control, and three chutes came out.
Since the ship was under control when last seen, hope was held that it might return to base.
Will be continued soon
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