The 483rd Bomb Group Archive

Aircraft

44-6776

817thlost with the 483rd, 22 March 1945
Type
B-17G-65-DL (Douglas)
Assigned to the 483rd
11 December 1944
Loss
MACR 13253 · mission 186, 22 March 1945
Sources
Association page · American Air Museum · b17flyingfortress.de

Loss and incident records

History

Dates and events from Dave Osborne's B-17 Master Log, as published by b17flyingfortress.de; wording condensed to the facts.

Photographs and loss sheets

These pictures stay on the sites that hold them and are shown here by link only, until their owners say they may be copied.

Statements

Eyewitness statement, page 19 · 22 March 1945
Basios Ltr fr CG, AAF, Wash D C, AC/AS-1, Personal Affairs Div, Chief,
Notification Branch, tos co, 1020 AAFBU, Miami Beach, Flace dtd
23 Aug 45 Subje Ist Lt. Thomas W. Cobb, 0827610; 2d Lt. Otto
Pokorny, 02001638; 2d Lt Harding J. Rome, 0779225; s/Sgt Jack E.
Jeffreys, 3768087.
lst Ind. (Cont.)
2. Lieutenant Rome was co-pilot of a B-17 on which Sergeant Cottman
was radio operator gunnero He states that in the target area they were under
heavy attaok from enemy aircraft which sat both wings on fire and shot away
part of the tail surface oausing the pilot to lose control of the plane. The
pilot gave the bail out order, rang the alarm bell, approximately ten (10)
miles East of Ruhland, Germany, at an altitude of approximately 25,000 feet.
All members of the crew were seen on the ground and were believed safe by
Lieutenant Rome. However, it was rumored that 8/Sgt. Nafus (first name une
known), a member of Lieutenant Rome's crew, had seen Sergeant Cottman dead
on the ground with a bullet hole in his back. This is an unconfirmed report.
Lieutenant Home states that large numbers of armed and hostile civilians were
in the area and it is quite possible that Sgt. Cottman was killed by them.
3. The remainder of subject personnel will be interrogated upon their
arrival at this station.
FOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER:
ERNEST L. WITHERS, JR.
Emili I Whise
Major, Air Corps
Asst. Chief, Intelligence and Security
Division
2

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 19 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 2 · 22 March 1945
CONFIDENTIAL
MISSING AIR CREW REPORT
2450
13253
1. ORGANIZATION: Location Sterparore Itals
Command or Air Force 15th AF
Group
483rd Bomb (H)
Squadron 817th Bomb (D)
2. SPECIFY: Place of departure Sterparone, Italy
Course See
Target Ruhland oil Refinery Germany Type of mission Combat Bombing
3. WEATHER CONDITIONS AND VISIBILITY AT TIME OF CRASH OR WHEN LAST REPORTED:
CAVI
4. GIVE: (1) Date 22 March 145 Time 1236 Last known position Target Area
(b) Specify wh ether: CD Last sighted, ( ) Forced dowa) ( ) Seen to crash,
( ) Last contacted by radio, ( ) No information.
5. AIRCRAFT (LOST) (BELIEVED LOST) AS A RESULT OF: ( heck one only)
(g) Egemy alreraft, ( ) Enemy anti-aircraft, { ) Other
6. AIRCRAFT: Type, model & series
B-17G
AAF Serial Number 411-6776
7. NICKNAME OF AIRCRAFT
None
8. ENGINES: Type, mude. & series R-1820-97
AAF Serial Number (a) I-030175
(b) SW-030632
(c) SW-03075%
(d) SI-030243
9. INSTALLED WEAPONS: (Make, type and serial number.) Browning
50 Cal.
(a) 1325281
(e) 1318437
(1) 1325791
(m) 2467747
(b) 1318436
(f) 1326992
(j)
65930h
(c) 1325764
() 322285
(k)
138196
(d) 1325885
(h)
1325724
(1)
1770878
10. PERSONNEL LISTED BELOW REPORTED AS: (3) Battle Caspalty, ( ) Non-Bahle Casualty.
11. NUMBER OF FEPSONS ABOARD AIRCRAFT: Crew 10 ; Passengers 0 ; Total 10
(If more than 12 persons aboard aircraft, use separate sheet.)
CHEW
FULL NAME (Last, first, initial)
CURRENT NEXT OF KIN, RELATIONSHIP
POSITION RANK, SERIAL NUABER
STATUS
AND ADDRESS
(V)
Pilot 3 Cobb, Thomas W. lst It.
MIA
0-027610
Mrs. Pauline Flecher Cebb - wife -RTD
Box 932, Vero Beach, Florida.
(2)C P
10 Rome, Harding J. 2nd It.
MIA
0-779225
Mrs. Grace Marie Rome - Wife - RTD
203 Cresent Blvd. Hotma, La.
(3) N
9
Pokorny, Otto 2nd It.
MIA
Mrs. Bertha Pokorny - Nother
0-2001638
8457 S. Aberdeen St. Chicago, 111.
RTD
(4) TOG
Madonna, John A. s/Egt.
MIA
Mrs. Theresa Madonna - Mother -
32892887
RTD
394 Wither St., Brooklyn, N.Y.
(5) TT
1
Brakke, Charles C. 1/sat.
MTA
19124558
Tilmer K. Brakke - Father - RTD
533 St. Johns Ave., B 11lings, Mont.
13
RG
# Cottman Raymond E. T/Sgt.
MCA
Mrs. C.R. Cottman - Mother -
1512 S. State St. Syracuse, N.Y.
(7) TW
8 Oberg, Alfred sts/sgr.
MIA
Mr. Alfred W. Oberg - Father - RTD
39209821
9018 Wallingford Ave 1.2 Seattle, Nash.
2 Brooks, Allen L. s/sgt.
MTA
one Brooks - Mother -
38608033
Box 664, Tahoka, Texas.
RTD
(9) ET
-Nafus, Madrice NA s/sgt.
MIA
Mr. Daniel Nafus - Father -
gro
37538969
22 N. Commerical St. Osvrego Kansas.
TG
Jeffreya, Jack E. CPI.
MIA
37680087
Mrs. Jula Painter - Mother - RID
Osceola, Iowa,
(11)
(12)
12. IDENTIFY BELOW THABE PERSONS WHO AHE BELIEVED TO HAVE LAST KNOWLEDGE GI OF AIRCRAFT
AND CHECK APPROPRIATE (one only) COLUMN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME:
SAW
CONTACTED LAST
SAW FORCED
NAME IN FULL
RANK SERIAL No. BY RADIO SIGHTED CRASH LANDINO
the
(1) Arthur R. Hoff
Capt. 0-574986 (Interrogacion) Intelligence Officer.
(2)
(3)
13, IF PERSONNEL ARE BEL a "
HAVE SURVIVED, CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
( ) Parachates were reed. ( ) seen wa

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 2 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 21 · 22 March 1945
CONFIDENTIAL
STAPTRMENT
CONFIDENTIAL
30 August 1945
I have bean asked to make a report on any information concerning
the whereabouts of Technical Sergeant Raymond E. Cottman.
Ca Varch 22, 1945, over Ruhland, Germany, we were attacked by
enemy P ircraft and forged to abandon our bomber. As far as I know,
I'm the only member of our crew who saw Sargeant Cottman after our
trouble, After hitting the ground, I was soon taken by civilians and
loter taken charge of by German soldiers, Due to injuries I had to be
carried past Sergeant Cottman. I would judge he landed two hundred
yards from me.
Sergeant Cottman's flying clothes and equipment were renoved ard
gone. I noticed he was in his O.D.'s and that one combat boot was on.
He was lying on his face. The only injuries I noticed was that his
trousers were saturated with blood from his waist line to the pear of
his knees. I asked the German soldiers if he was dead and they said
he was. lant was the last time I saw him.
My belief is that he was shot by civilians. Sergeant Cottman
must have remeved his clothing and was attempting to put his G.I.
shoes on. I'm sure the Germans wolldn't have done that.
One of the other crew members, Staff Sergeant Stuart Oberg, was
also injured and was placed in the same prison hospital with me. I
was later told by him that German civilians had started to shoot him
but were stopped by German soldiers, which is another reason I believe
Sergeant Cottman was shot by civilians.
Not long ago, I was visited here by Staff Sergeant Allen L.
Brooks, also one of our crew. He told me that while he was interro-
gated by the Germans they told him several times that Sergeant
Cottman was killed and buried March 22.
I have received letters from most of the rew and we all believe
Sergeant Cottman is dead, so our pilot, lst Lieutenant Thomas W.
Cobb, has written his parents and told them what we, the orew,
believe. In this length of time he shoul^ have been heard from.
If he was escaping he would have reached authorities by now or our
troops would have found him.
Here's hoping this information will help and that proper action
will be taken.
manrice n. nofus
CONFIDENI
Staff Sergeant Maurice N. Nafus
COFIDENTIAL

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 21 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 28 · 22 March 1945
AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CÁSUALTY /QUESTIONNAIRE
13253
Name of member: COTTHAN Raymond E.
d
Rank:
T/Sgt.
Serial number:
12052225
Position: Crow (Bomber)
RG.
Did he bail out?
Yes
Where?
Over Cottbus, Germany
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Routine
conversation in bomber
Was he injured? Yes
Where was he when last seen? On Farm outside of Cottbus Ger
Any hearsay information: None
Source:
MAGRICE N. NAKUS
Any explanation of his fate based in part, or wholly on supposition: I saw
him yingon ground. Ask Germans if he was dead, I bey
said he was. He was bleed-sacked from waist line
to the rear of his Knees
Total number of missions of above crew member: App. 26
Dates and destinations if possible: Unknown
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 28 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 29 · 22 March 1945
AFPRA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
R
1. Your name Nafus, Maurice N.
Pank T/Sgt Serial No. 37538969
2. Organizat ion 483 Gp Commander Barton Rank Col. Sqn CO Unknown Rank Capt.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1945
mouth March day 22 did you go down?
4. What was the missior, Oil Refinery target, Rubland, Ger.
, target
time, App 1310
altitude, App. 27,000
route scheduled,
Kakenn
,route flown unknown
5. Where were you when you left formation? No Know ledge.
6. Did you ball out?
Yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
Yes
8.
Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
indivinual questionnaire is atteched bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give r'acts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". Navigator - Nese Ercaps Hater,
Togglet - Nese Hatch, So-Pilor- Nose Hatch, Riltt-DombDay, Eng. Boneb Day,
RCs No Knowladge, Both wait Gunner- Exitdear, Tail Seanner - -No Knewledge.
My self Bult turnet Exit dear.
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Near Cottbus, Ger. Blow up 5000' from ground.
10. What members of your c.rew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
closs check with 8 above and individual questionnaires, Nane
11. Where were they in aircraft?
12. What was their condition?
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? Pilot Co-pilot, Engineer all uninjured at Germon
Air field Aid station, Same day of going clown.
14. Please give eny similar information on personnel of any other crew OF which you
ha7a knowledge. Indicate source of information.
T/sq C Mc Canley - injured - in some Prison Hospital as I.
s/sgt S. Oberg - injured in isms Prison Hospital as I
Blying as extra garner with us.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 29 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 3 · 22 March 1945
CONFIDEN IAL
OPERATIONS
817th Bombardment Squadron (H)
Office of the Operations Officer
23 March, 1945.
STATEMENT
At 1234 hours the box in which this a/c No. 776 was
flying, in No. 6 position, was attacked by jets. Immediately
after the first pass a large fire was seen in number 2 engine
enveloping part of the left wing and part of the fuselage. Due
to the ensuing attacks by E/A no further obervations were
made regarding this a/c. Last seen at 1236 hours.
ARTHUE R. HOPF,
Captain, Air Corps,
Intelligence Officer.
/
CONFIDENTIAL
and

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 3 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 31 · 22 March 1945
- AFPPA-12
13253
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1.
Your
name BROOKS, ALLEN L.
Rank SISOT. Serial No. 38608633
2. Organization 483BamB Gp Commander BARTON Rank COL. San CO BLOMBURGG Rank CAPT.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
1945
month MARCH day 22 did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
19
, target, RHURLAND, GERMANU, target
time, 12:30
altitude,
24000FT
route scheduled, NORTH OVER
AUSTRIA
, route flown
NORTH
5. Where were you when you left formation? THREE MINUTES DFF OF TARGET.
6. Did you bail out?
YES
7. Did other members of crew bail out? ALL 10 MEN BAILED OUT.
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Flease
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge".
NO KNOWLEDGE
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? IN A PINE FOREST
10.
What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)
NONE
11. Where were they in aircraft?
12. What was their condition?
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crow of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
as for as 7 know this is all the
information 2 have If 7 can he of further
please call upon the
a L. Busks
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 31 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 32 · 22 March 1945
AFPPArll
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY ,QUESTIONNAIRE
13253
Name of crew membar:
as
Rank:
T/Sgt.
Serial number:
32052225
Position: Crew (Bomber)
RG.
Did he bail out?
YES
Where?
APPROXIMATELY
35
to
50
MILES
SOUTHWEST
BERGINGGERMAN
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane
BOMBS AWAY - LETS GET HOME
Was he injured?
Where was he when last seen?
Any hesrasy information:
2 was told by A/Sat maurice
n. nafus that he saw hid laying on the
Graund in a pgal of blood as the Genzal
were Cawins him in on a stretcher
affarently poi martally wounded-
Source:
S/SAT MAURICE N. NAFUS
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
2 believe the above information because I was
he was billed and busied on march22,1945
told on two accasians by the Germans that
near Catthus, Germany
Total number of missions of above crew member:
approximately 20
Dates and destinations if possible:
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 32 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 33 · 22 March 1945
AFPPA-II'
INDIN-DUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
13253
Name of crew member : COTTHAN
Raymond
E.
Rank:
T/Sgt.
Serial number:
12052225
Pogition: Crew (Bomber) RG.
Did he bail out ? To The besT of my Knowledge He DiD
Where?
JusT
A
LiTTLE
-
PASI
The
-
If not, why not ? X
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: He gave
The check - Boombay CLeAR ,
Was he injured?
NOT To my Knowhedge
Where
was he when last seen? Ih The RAdio Room
Any hearsay information:
no
Source: x
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition
NO
Total number of missions of above crew member: AbouT 26 SoRTies
Dates and destinations if possible: LAST Mission March 22,1945
-
RuhLaNd - Germany - oThers not Known -
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 33 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 34: JohN it MAGONNA · 22 March 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY 'QUESTIONNAIRE
is
1. Your name JohN it MAGONNA
Rank SISqT Serial No. 32892887
483 B.G. 817 St.
2. Organization 15AAF Gp Commander
-
Rank CoL Sqn CO W.J. KILPATRISK Rank Major
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1945
month MARCH
day 22
did you go down?
4. What was the mission, RuhLand - GeRmANY , target,
, target
time, aBouT 12:30 altitude, ABOUT 28,000 FT route scheduled, -
, route flown SAME
5. Where were you when you left formation? on RALLY from TARgeT
6. Did you bail out? yes
7. Did other members of bail out? yes
crew
8. Tell all you know about wben, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". most every one Bailed
OUT upon oRdeR by Pilot To BAIL out - ThAT is ALL The
Knowledge / hAve.
9.
Where
did your aircraft strike the ground? Somewhere in BAiL-ouT Viennity
10. What members of your orew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) none To my
knowledge
11. Where were they in aircraft? x
12. What was their condition?
X
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. x
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 34 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 35 · 22 March 1945
AFBPA-1]
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY OFRSTIONNAIRE
13253
Name of crew meme er COTTHAN Raymond E.
Renk:
T/Sgt.
Serial number:
12052225
Position: Crew (Bombe RG
Did he bail out?
YES
Where?
NEAR COTTEUS GERMANY. 5 WEST OF TARGET
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: I saw
Him is The Bomb BRYS RHO saw Hem BAIL out
Was he injured?
I Do NOT Think so.
Where was he when last seen?
in ThE Bomb BAY
Any hearsay information: I TALHED To AND ENLISTED MAN
FROM ANOTHER CREW who saw His BOOY HESAID
THAT HE WAS ONTHE GROUND AND hap Edicontly
BEEN CHANCING His shoes, A NO BELIEVED THAT
HEWAS shot INTHE BACK which Do ING This
THOMAS Wi COOBS
Source: A 1 BELIEVE ThE My ans NAME WAS "OBERG"
Any explanation of his tate based in part or wholly on supposition: I SINCER
-
ELY BELIEVE HE BAILEO OUT WITHOUT INJURY
AND WAS KILLED ONTHE GROUND BY Civilians.
HE BAILED out ABOUT 5 MINUTES WEST OF
RhuLAND GERMANY (180 MP.).
Total
number of missions of above crew member: APPROXIMATELY 25
Dates and destinations if possible:
DO NOT REMEMBER.
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 35 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 36: ThoMAS w. Cobb · 22 March 1945
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name
ThoMAS w. Cobb
Rank 15 LT. Serial No. 0-827610
2. Organization 4834-6hip Commander ? Rank Coh. Sqn CO
?
Rank CAPT.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1945
month MARCH
day 22 did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
,
target, RhuLAND GERMANY, target
t ime, 12:30 altitude, 29,000
route scheduled, PIRECT
, route flown pinket
5. Where were you when you left formation? IMMEQIATELY WEST OF TARGET
6. Did you bail out?
YES
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
YES
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". ALL MEMbERS OF
MY CREW BAILED OUT. WAS LAST To LEAVE.
MAVRICE N. NAFUS. . BANI GUNNER" WAS INJURED
LERVING ThE ship. OTHERS WERE of K.
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? ABOUT is MILES s.w.ef Bhulano
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 abc ve and individual questionnaires) NONE
11. Where were they in aircraft?
-
12. What was their condition?
-
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? I NEVER SA 41 RAYMOND COTTMAN
AFTER HE BAIRED out. FROM HERESAY IUNDER
STAND ThAT HE was MILLED BY COVILIANS.
1.4. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. I UNDERSTAND That
THERE were ThRee oTher ships IN MY
ROURDAN ThAT WERE shot DOWN I HAVE NO
on SURVIVORS
(Any additioral information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 36 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 37 · 22 March 1945
AFPPA-) 11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
13253
Name of crew member: COTTMAN Raymond
E.
Rank:
T/Sgt.
Serial number:
12052225
Position: Crow (Bomber)
RG.
Did he bail out? you
Where? Green Ruhland Sermany
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane Talked
to him 10 minute before Bomba away on the inter com
Was he injured? Ade was hit in the lack by shoopnel and
only lived long enough to bail art.
Where was
he when hast seen/? about 10 mide from Ruhland
Any hearsay information:
none at all
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
none the ever seperated after me were
Captured
Total number of missions of above crew member: D on't know
Dates and destinations if possible:
This was not my regular even and I have
no Information about them
Explanation on renaise side
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 37 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 39 · 22 March 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1.
Your
name
alfred S. Clang
Rank s/sgt Serial No. 39209821
2. Paie 2 Baston Rank Col. Sqn' to CO Edward I youta Rank st col
Organization 483 Gp Commander
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1945
month
3
day 22 did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Rubland St. * target, communication
, target
time,
12:30 P.M. ,altitude, 28.000
route scheduled,
, route flown
5. Where were you when you left formation? 20 minute I
Target
after
releasing
1
boubs
6. Did bail out?
you yes.
7. Did other members of crew bail out? yes are of them
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give
position Sam only left want alman ball and and
facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". was flying in maist
dadia aparation The latter did shortlen after reaching the
ground from Shoopenel wounds
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Donet brown
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) none
11. Where were they in aircraft?
12. What was their condition?
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
received word then one all safe in and
Did mat are other members again but but have
14.
Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
none
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
€-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 39 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 40: COTTMAN Raymond E · 22 March 1945
AFPPA- 11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
13253
Q
Name of crew member: COTTMAN Raymond E.
Rank:
T/Sgt.
Serial number:
12052225
Position: Crew (Bomber)
RG.
7
MAR A.M.
Did he bail out? I do not knos.
Where?
--
If not, why not? -
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: --
Was he injured? -
Where was he when last seen?
--
Any hearsay information:
It has been thought by the orew that Raymond
c. Cottman was either shot while in his parachute, or killed on the
ground by German civilians.
Source:
General consenus of opinion of the orew. (fack E forEREYS)
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: This'I can't
answer with any degree of accuracy.
Total number of missions of above crew member:
--
--
Dates and destinations if possible:
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 40 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 41: Jack E. Jeffreys · 22 March 1945
AFRPA-12
/
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name Jack E. Jeffreys
Rank s/sgt. Serial No. 37680087
2. Organization AT. Gp Commander --
Rank
Sqn CO
--
Rank --
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1945
mon th March
day 22
did you go down?
4. What was the mission, bombing
,
target, Ruland, Ger,
, target
time, 12:00 appx. altitude, 26,000
route scheduled, true
course to targetroute flown
8ame
5. Where were you when you left formation? five minutes from rallying point
6. Did you bail out? yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
yes
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". Waist and ball gunners
went out the waist door. The others I can not say.
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Appx. 15 miles from Kottbus, Ger
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) None.
li. Where were they in aircraft? --
12. What was their condition? --
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,AF

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 41 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 6 · 22 March 1945
State of California
)
:
County of Los Angeles)
Technical Sergeant Charles C. Brakke, 19124558 being first duly
sworn deposes and says.
That I have been requested by the Judge Advocate of AAF Redistri-
bution Station #3, Santa Monica, Califernia to make a statement as to
the whereabouts of I/Sgi. Reymond E. Cottran.
On 22 March 1945 Sergeant Cottman and myself embarked on a bom-
bardment mission to bomb Puhland, Germany. That we received numerous
fighter strikes on our way back from the aforosaid target which set
the number two engine on fire and also damaged the controls; that the
airplane went down in a slow spiral to the right.
I bailed out at about twenty thousand feet and T/Sgt. Cottman
bailed out just before I did. At the time he bailed out he was not in
any way injured, and although I did not see his parachute open he was
wer.ring a chest type parachute whish he could undoubtedly open himself.
I did not see s/sgt. Cettan after he bailed out, and I have
heard nothing about him since that time, except from s/sgt. Morris M.
Nafus, who was e member of my crew. He informed ne chat ha saw Sgt.
Cottman lying on the field dead when he was being Daken by the Germans
to a hospital.
charles P. Brahk
CHARLES C. BRAKKE
T/Sgt., 191245558
or
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 15th day of September 1945.
Came Materializ
PRANK MISKOVSKY
Captain, Air Corpa
Juize Advocate
A

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 6 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 7 · 22 March 1945
ppos,
Basic: Ltr. Hq, AAP, Wash, DC dtd 23 Aug 45. Subj: T/Sgt. Charles
C. Brakin, concerning whereabouts or T/Sgt. Raymond Es. Cottman
Ist Ind.
RS3AJ/hh
HQ AAF REDISTRIBUTION STATION #3, Santa Monica, Calif., 21 September 1945.
TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C.
Statement of T/Sgt. Charles C. Brakke, 19124568, forwarded herewith
in compliance with basic communication.
FOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER:
CHARLES B. HAMMOND
Captain, Air Corps
1 Incl:
Adjutant
in
Statement (In Quad.)
:
-2-

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 7 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 9 · 22 March 1945
State of California
)
#
County of Los Angeles)
Staff Sergeant Allen L. Brooks, 38608033, being first duly
eworn deposes and says.
That I have been requested by the Judge Advoeate of AAF Re-
distribution Station #3, Santa Monica, California to make a statement
concerning the whereabouts of Technical Sergeant Raymond E, Cottman.
On 22 March 1945 Sergeant Cottman and myself embarked on a
bombing mission, the target being Ruhland, Germany. I was acting as
Bombardier on the said mission and was in the nose position manning
nose gua of the aircraft in which we were flying.
After dropping our bombs and getting out of the flak sone w9
received about three fighter strikes; that as a result of these attacks
the No. 2 and No. 3 engine were knocked out and there WS.8 a fire in both
the No, 2 and No. 3 engines. That I was unable to see Tochnical Sergeant
Cottman and I do not know his condition as a resalt of the enemy action
mentioned above.
I did not see him bail out as I bailed out through the Bomb-
bardiers esorpe hatch and I have no personal knowledge of his bailing
out of the aforesaid aircraft. That the aircraft, after I bailed out
made a complete circle to the right and exploded and crashed.
The Engineer, T/ögt. Charles C. Brakke informed mé that he
saw T/Sgt. Raymond E. Cottman, who was acting as a radio operator,
bail out and that was the last that Sgt. Brakke saw of T/Sgt. Cottmar.
s/Sgt. Morris M, Nafus I learned, landed near where I/Sgt.
Cottman landed, and while Sgt. Nafus was being carried from the field
in an injured condition by nembers of the German army, he saw the said
I/Sgt. Cottman lying in a pool of blood on the field and from his obm
servation he believed that Sgt. Cottuan was dead.
I have talked to the said s/agt. Morris M. Nafus since Come
ing back to the United States and I believe that he is still stationed
a.t the McCloskey General Hospital, Temple Texas.
allen L.Brooks
ÁLLEN L. BROOKS,
Thansmith
LOVOGE
s/sgt., 38608033
Sabsoribed I nd sworn to before x
this 17th day of September 1945,
FRANK MISKOVSKY, Capt, AC, Judge Advocate

National Archives, MACR 13253, page 9 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

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