The 483rd Bomb Group Archive

Loss record

MACR 10753: 44-6497

840th28 December 1944
Aircraft
44-6497 (B-17 G 50 DL)
Mission
mission 144, 28 December 1944
Target
Regensburg, Germany
Record
Missing Air Crew Report
Sources
National Archives Catalog, NAID 91097847 (16 pages) · Association aircraft page
Flags. only 6 crew names read from OCR; see page images

Crew, as read from the report

PositionNameRankSerialStatus
Levitt, Morshall I.38389357RTD
Milner, Roy E.20924912
Wilson, Charles H.35225751
Korotky, George G.12026579
Keen, Jr.2nd Lt38389351
MILNKR, Roy E.20924942

Names and serials are the machine's reading of the typed form; a linked name is the man's record.

Statements, questionnaires and capture reports

Eyewitness statement, page 3 · 28 December 1944
CONFIDENTIAL
81,0TH SQUADRON (II)
483RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
Office of the Operations Officer
APO 520
28 Decemaber 1944
STATIMENT OF WITNESS
At approximately 1030 on the way to Re rensburg our No. I. Engine began
to vibrate and snoke. We were flying airplane no. 44-6497, number 6 position
in lead box lead by 018. Remaimed with the formation until oil leak developed and
smoking increased. Turned back at 1035 (altitude 20,500) and salvoed bombs
about 50to 60 miles SW of Klagenfurt. Four escort P-38's picked us up, tvro of
which later broke off. The vibration, smoking, and oil leak became excessive
when t e engine would not feather. Our reduced airspeed of 125 did not help and
the tachometer broke at 3100 RPM. Vibration finally caused a shower of sparks,
which started an uncontrolable fire. I ordered the crew to abandon ship at
about 10,000 feet, in an area I estimate to be 15 to 20 vailes northeast of
Trieste. The engineer had remained and reported the crew clear at 1105,
at that time the Adriatic was in plain sight. I saw no parachutes but one of
the escorting fighters reported he had seen nine chutes open. That was the
exact number of men who had left the ship. At the height of the fire the prop
dropped off and the fire began to die out. The engineer and I flew the ship
to Anoona, escorted by two P-38's who had contacted "Dig Fence" and giten them
a heading to the field.
Clarence M.seent
CLARENCE M. KEEN JR.
2nd It, AC
CONFIDENTIAL

National Archives, MACR 10753, page 3 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 4 · 28 December 1944
CONFIDENTIAL
84OTH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (II)
483RD BOLDARDMENT GROUP (H)
Office of the Operations Officer
APC 520
28 December 19.14
STATEMENT OF WITNESS
At 1105 the crew on airplane 144-6497 bailed out at 10-12, 000 feet,
except pilot (It. C.M. Keen) and Engineer (s/Sgt.W.T. Moore) due to fire
and badly vibrating No. 1 engine. The engine was rapidly tearing to pieces and
flying thru the cowling endangering all nen forward in the ship.
At 1030 the No. 1 engine started pouring oil from its No. 1 cylinder. The
engine feathering systes failed to feather and the plane was turned back with
P-38's as escort. At 1100 the engine (No. 1) and tachometer went out at
3100 R.P.M. and hot pieces of engine metal had ignited the oil. The co-pilot
set the fire extinguisher on but no difference could be seen. When the engine
kept increasing its vibration the pilot had no alternative but to tell the clew
to jump. The co-pilot opened the bomb bay doovs for the remaining crew members
and followed the Navigator out the nose hatch. I (the Engineer) gathered
all my emergency equipment preparing to leave when the pilct asked me to check
the remaining crew. I checked the rear of the ship and returned in time to see
the prop begin to fall. It fell slowly downward and to the rear of the ship ceas-
ing the vibrations, sparks, and fire. The ship was then apparently in flying
condition.
About ten sinutes after the crew had bailed out of Airplane 44-6497 I (the
Engineer) had noticed a small town on the coast with a very distinct canal
leading into the sea. I suppese they landed in the foothills within 15-20
miles of the coastline.
Upen inspection on the ground No. 1 cylinder on No. 1 engine was blown
open with the engine dome and prop missing with forward portion of engine
badly burned.
William T. moore
WILLIAM T. MOORE is/set.
Engineer

National Archives, MACR 10753, page 4 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 7: MILNKR, Roy E · 28 December 1944
File li 10753
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
MILNKR, Roy E.
Rank:
s/sgt.
Serial number:
20924942
Position: Crew (Bomber) or Eishtenke
Havigator
Did he bail out ?
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? I was flying Co-plat to
Any hearsay information: amen crew and went down
on month 13th 1945 Roy E. milner went
old pilas, ebrenic hr. Keen, 349 Runnymule Road,
pilot and new 9 have since from any
down at a later date with heary all
Source : toronto, ontour Conada, but have no
Any
explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition; information
upon the remainder of the crew.
Luther L. Gregg III
Total number of missions of above crew member:
Dates and destinations if possible:
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 10753, page 7 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 8 · 28 December 1944
AFPRA-1)
File
10753
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
GLYNN, "artin J.
Rank:
Sgt.
Serial number:
37575777
Position: Crew (Bomber) or
Ball Turret Gunner
Did he bail out?
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 S
Some as information
Any hearsay information:
Roy a milner
Luther L. Hugg III
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Total number of missions of above crew member:
Dates and destinations if possible:
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 10753, page 8 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 9: GREGG LUTHER LIII · 28 December 1944
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name GREGG LUTHER LIII
Rank
F/O
Serial No. T-127994
2. Organization 483 Gp Commander unk Rank CUL Sqn CO BRookStank MAJOR
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
month
day
did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
, target,
, target
time,
altitude,
route scheduled,
,route flown
5. Where were you when you left formation?
6. Did you bail out?
7. Did other members of crew bail 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. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge".
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground?
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)
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?
the rays Roy Glynn
I was with mm can
Down and have ms information as
to their uencalout
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 10753, page 9 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 10: MILNER, Roy E · 28 December 1944
AFPRA-11
File # 10753
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTICNNAIRE
Name of crew member:
MILNER, Roy E.
Rank:
s/sgt.
not a menber of my
Serial number:
20924942
original crew -
Position: Crew (Bomber) or Navigator -
(?)
flew as topylasi
not navigator.
LT. MARSHALL I. REVITT
Did he bail out? YES - DFC. 28,1944
NOTE
0-2066464 was NAV,
ON TNIS DATE,
Where?
NORTHEEN, YUGOSIAVIA - NEAR OR IN VICIALLY OF TRIESTE
( NARTH EAST)
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Everything NORMAL
- PLANE NOT LOST - FLOWN To ANCONA
8Y
Was he injured?
No
Where was he when last seen?
IN NOSE OF AIR CRAFT.
Any information: THE FACTS ARE THAT ALL CREW MEMBERS
BAILED OUT MET YOGOSLAV PARTISANS AND ALL RETURNED
To OUR BASE IN ITALY /N TEN (10) DAYS WITHOUT
ANY PAYSICAL DIS. BILITY OR HARMFUL EFFECTS.
Source : CONSULT RECORDS OF 840 B.Sa. 483 B. Gp. AP0521(ITALY)
15TH AAF.
Any explanatic. of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
IF SGT. MILNER WAS A CASUALTY HE was NOT
WITH MY CREW AT THE TIME AND I HAVE No
KNOWLEDGE OF SAID CASUALTY
Total number of missions of above crew member: UNKNOWN
Dates and destinations if possible: DEC.28,1944 - I believe this record has been
confused with another mission - flown at a later date (20 APRIL 8945), Ar .
.
WHICH TIME Sgt. Milner was not even on our plane! On 20 APRIL 1945
TWO MEN WERE C'ASUALTIES 1) 5/Sgt Martin J. Glywn - 37575777
" s/sgt Charles Wilson -
Botn HAVE REPERTED ON.
Clarence m. Keen Jr.
0-826899
6-3861, AF
1st It. A.C.

National Archives, MACR 10753, page 10 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 11 · 28 December 1944
AFPPA-11
File # 10753
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
GLYNI, "artin d
Rank:
Sgt.
Serial number:
37575777
Position: Crew (Bomber) or
Bell Turret Gunner
Did he bail out.?
Where?
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane
:
x
1946
Was he injured?
6,
Where was he when last seen?
Any hearsay information:
may
SEG
,
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Total number of missions of above crew member:
tes and destinations if possible:
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 10753, page 11 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 12: George G. Korotky · 28 December 1944
ja
AFFPA-12
mack
-
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
10753
1. Your name George G. Korotky
Rank T/Sgt
Serial Lo. 12026579
2. Organization 483BG Gp Commander Barton Rank Col. San CC Stanfieldiank Major
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1944
month December day 8th did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Reggensburg , target,
M/Y
, target
ime,
1245
,altitude, 26,000
route scheduled, Unknown
,route flown Unknown
5. Where were you when you left formation? Unknown
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 the Crew,
with the exception of the Pilot, Lt. Keane and the Engineer who's name
I can't recall, bailed out at approximately 1115 hours, Dec. 8, 1944
over San Pietro, Trieste, Italy. No one in the Ship was wounded.
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? The aircraft was brought safely
back to Ancona, Italy by the Pilot and Engineer.
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) It. Keane (Pilot)
and the Engineer.
11. Where were they in aircraft? Pilots compartment
12. What was their condition? No Knowledge
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. "No Knowledge"
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,AF

National Archives, MACR 10753, page 12 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 13 · 28 December 1944
George G. Korotky
314 East 131st Street
New York City, N.Y.
March 5, 1946
PPR
Dear Sir:-
I have not ventured any information on the attached
"Individual Casualty Questionnaires' ber: se they apparently
pertain to another Mission, of which I have no knowledge of.
The Mission I described in the "Casualty Questionnaire"
is the only one that I flew with that particular Crew and s/Sgt
Milner and Sgt. Glynn both returned to base with us.
I left the Fifteenth Airforce in Italy on May 5, 1945 for
reassignment in the United States and was Honorably Discharged
on May 31, 1945. The information on the "Casualty Questionnaire"
is from the Organization of which I was a member, when I Bailed
Out and when I departed for the U.S.A.
I am sorry that I cannot offer any more information but
if ever I can be of any service to you or the Service I would
be more than happy to oblige.
Wishing God-Speed for the return of all Service men, I
remain.
styling
George Sincerely s. G. Korotky yours

National Archives, MACR 10753, page 13 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 14 · 28 December 1944
AFPPA-12
10753
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name
Dobbie IRA
J.
Rank s/sot Serial No. 33743333
2. Organization
Gp Commander
Rank
Sqn CO mai
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
month
day
did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
, target,
, target
time,
altitude,
route scheduled,
, ,route flown
5. Where were you when you left formation?
6. Did you bail out?
7. Did other members of crew bail 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. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge".
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground?
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)
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 crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
(Any additional informati may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 10753, page 14 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

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