B-17G " Breezing Home " 42-40002 615th
19 Jun 1944 Mission # 93 Target: Bordeaux, France
19 Jun 1944 , 04:45 engines are on.
41 aircraft were airborne by 05:53 , mission #93 , target today is a airfield at Bordeaux.
The Group encountered heavy clouds up to 30,000 feet on this mission.
They were led to the correct course, enabling the Wing Bombardier, Capt. Fesmire, to score a "shack".
Several minutes of very accurate flak were experienced over the target, resulting in the loss of three 401st aircraft.
Missing Air Crew Report : 6001
1. Organization : AAF Sta 128.
Command : 8th Air Force.
Group : 401st.
Squadron : 615th.
2. Place of depature : AAF Station 128.
Course :South.
Target :Bordeaux, France.
Type of mission: Operational Bombing.
3. Weather conditions when last sighted : 9/10 heavy clouds.
4. Last know date : 19 jun 1944
time : 09:50
location : Just north of Bordeaux, France.
5. Aircraft believed to have been lost as a result of : Unknown
6. Aircraft type : B-17G
serial no. : 42-40002
7. Nickname of aircraft : Breezing Home
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 |
William W. Trimble |
1st Lt. |
0-802891 |
RTD |
| Copilot |
Fred Leroy Shantz |
1st Lt |
0-745197 |
RTD |
| Navigator |
Beryl Frederick Lemke |
1st Lt |
0-690672 |
RTD |
| Bombardier |
Enver Charles Cury |
1st Lt |
0-670027 |
RTD |
| Radio Operator |
Jack Leonard Mackey |
S/Sgt |
14041992 |
RTD |
| Engr / Top Turret |
Edward Tracey |
T/Sgt |
32143812 |
RTD |
| Ball Turret Gunner |
John Edward Schaffer |
S/Sgt |
34395238 |
RTD |
| Tail Gunner |
William Albert Armstrong |
Sgt |
37333339 |
RTD |
| Left Waist Gunner |
Joseph Percy Acker |
S/Sgt |
6966455 |
RTD |
| Right Waist Gunner |
Paul Kenan Courtad |
S/Sgt |
35424839 |
RTD |
13. Person believed to have last knowledge of missing aircraft :
Alvah H. Chapman Capt. 0-461727 614 th
- A/C made 180 degree turn and headed back towards target or Spain.
Was flying in box ahead of us-lead group, low squadron.
|
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