42-39981 RUGGED BUT RIGHT
MACR 4450 aka "SECTION EIGHT"
2LT
|
GEORGE A HAAKENSON
|
PILOT
|
POW
|
2LT
|
DONALD "REX" HECKMAN
|
CO-PILOT
|
POW
|
2LT
|
WILLIAM F MURPHY
|
NAVIGATOR
|
POW
|
2LT
|
MALVIN W SAMUEL
|
BOMBARDIER
|
POW
|
SSGT
|
JOHN R BAAS
|
RADIOMAN
|
POW
|
SSGT
|
PAUL P MADORI
|
ENGINEER
|
POW
|
SGT
|
HAROLD J DONAHUE
|
BT GUNNER
|
POW
|
SGT
|
GEORGE H HAMBY
|
W GUNNER
|
POW
|
SGT
|
WILLIAM F MASON
|
W GUNNER
|
POW
|
SGT
|
WARD W WICKMAR
|
TAIL GUNNER
|
POW
|
Mission #39 Target:Berlin
April 29, 1944
This aircraft was hit by flak over the target and straggled with A/C #42-39920
Karen B and was shot down by a German fighter. It crashed on the NE end of the
airbase at Burg on the border line of Pietzpuhl, 25km north of Magdeburg. All of
the crew bailed out and were taken prisoner. German reports show that some
airmen were captured on May 3 and May 4, 1944, trying to evade capture. Lt
Haakenson went to the hospital with a rib fracture. Lt Heckman was captured
May 3 in the vicinity of Hillersleben. Lt Samuel was captured at Wormlitz, in the
district of Magdeburg. Mason, Donahue, and Wickwar were wounded and taken
to the hospital. Hamby was captured on May 4 at Rossdorf, in the district of
Jerichow I, Magdeburg, @ 24km west of Brandenburg/Havel.
