42-97852 (NO KNOWN NAME)
MACR 8425
MISSION #119
TARGET: LUDWIGSHAVEN
MACR 8425
MISSION #119
TARGET: LUDWIGSHAVEN
Crew on August 14, 1944
|
This plane was in Group B with 12 other B-17's, on a mission to bomb the jet
propelled aircraft factory in Manheim, Germany. It was hit by flak during the
bomb run. 15 seconds before bombs away, the crew salvoed its' bombs and the
plane peeled off to the right with the #1 engine smoking. The plane then turned
to the left. It was last seen at about 10,000 feet still dropping off course, but
seemingly under control. At approximately 13:00 hours, some of the crew bailed
out in the vicinity of Strassbourg, France on the French side of the Rhine. The
pilot, navigator, and bombardier did not bail out at the same time as the rest of
the crew. They stayed with the plane until it ran out of gas and then bailed out.
These three men were safe and eventually returned to Deopham Green. This
information came from Lt Madeira and Lt Keck.
This information came from F/O Stiles: "We were hit by flak and the plane was
thrown out of control. Although the aileron and rudder controls were hit, I
managed to regain control. I sent the co-pilot down into the nose in order that
he might bail out in the event of losing control of the plane again and ordered
the rest of the crew to stand by the escape hatches prepared to jump. While
executing a turn, the plane again went out of control and the crew bailed out. I
managed to regain control and continued on until the gas supply was exhausted,
somewhere in France, at which time I bailed out, landed safely and made my way
back to England."
propelled aircraft factory in Manheim, Germany. It was hit by flak during the
bomb run. 15 seconds before bombs away, the crew salvoed its' bombs and the
plane peeled off to the right with the #1 engine smoking. The plane then turned
to the left. It was last seen at about 10,000 feet still dropping off course, but
seemingly under control. At approximately 13:00 hours, some of the crew bailed
out in the vicinity of Strassbourg, France on the French side of the Rhine. The
pilot, navigator, and bombardier did not bail out at the same time as the rest of
the crew. They stayed with the plane until it ran out of gas and then bailed out.
These three men were safe and eventually returned to Deopham Green. This
information came from Lt Madeira and Lt Keck.
This information came from F/O Stiles: "We were hit by flak and the plane was
thrown out of control. Although the aileron and rudder controls were hit, I
managed to regain control. I sent the co-pilot down into the nose in order that
he might bail out in the event of losing control of the plane again and ordered
the rest of the crew to stand by the escape hatches prepared to jump. While
executing a turn, the plane again went out of control and the crew bailed out. I
managed to regain control and continued on until the gas supply was exhausted,
somewhere in France, at which time I bailed out, landed safely and made my way
back to England."