Loss record
MACR 6856: 42-107179
816th18 July 1944enemy aircraft
- Aircraft
- 42-107179 (B-17 G 35 DL)
- Mission
- mission 51, 18 July 1944
- Target
- Memmingen, Germany A/D
- Last known
- last sighted
- Aboard
- 10
- Record
- Missing Air Crew Report
- Sources
- National Archives Catalog, NAID 91019998 (30 pages) · Association aircraft page
Flags. only 7 crew names read from OCR; see page images
Crew, as read from the report
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 4 · 18 July 1944
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS
FOUR EIGHTY THIRD COUP (H)
I
APO 520
Statement of Witness
On 18 July 1944 the 483rd Bombardment Group (H) vent into the
assigned target area without fighter escort or other group support. As
the initial point was approached approximately. seventy-five (75) enemy
fighters sirept by the group formation on the right making a wide turn at
the rear in preparation for a tail attack.
When the 483rd Group executed the turn onto the bombing run the
four boxes went into the box-in-trail formation. While the turn was being
made, the aforementioned enemy fighters attacked, supported by an addition-
al force of equal fighter strength. The estimated total enemy fighter
strength was approximately 175-200 when the tail attack was made.
Seven airplanes of the 816th Bombar dinent Squadron made up the number
four box, and the entire enemy fighter strength made a concentrated attack
on these seven airplanes. Three B-17's were shot to pièces while in level
flight and while maintaining their positions in formation. A fourth went
dowm, apparently shot out of control, and broke apart às soon as the ship
went anto a spin. The three remaining airplanes of the 816th Squadron
drifted out of formation and appeared to be out of control, two of which
were beginning to burn. Several occasional parachutes were seen although
a number of crew members wero thrown from their ships and it is unknown
whether their parachutos functioned.
A considerable number of enemy fighters shot down by the gunners
in these ships while the attack aras being made, but the fighter fire powor
was overwhelming. The enemy` attack was made in such a hanner that very fow
guns of each airplane could bear on the fighters.
The fighter attack was executed in waves 'of 5 and 6 ships in close
javelin formation closing directly and on a lovel with the tail of each B-17.
The fightor waves concentrated on 2 or 3 ships on an rattack, and firod only
on the rearmost airplanes.
The fighters moved up to the number three box after destroying the
airplanes of the 816th Squadron, and five ships of the 817th Squadron were
destroyed in the same manner.
Twelve remaining "airplanes of the 483rd Group reached the target and
dropped their bombs.
WILLARD S, SPERRY;
Lt. Col. Air Corps,
Deputy Group Commander.
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 4 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Casualty questionnaire, page 10 · 18 July 1944
AEPPA-11
meet 685
610-R
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
Charles R
Tile , 6856
Rank:
Serial number:
38300064
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Asst Ingineer
Did he bail out?
YES
Where? About 5 miles south east of Kemptyh Germany
I
If not, why not ?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane
Asked if he was alright a And he answered that he was okay. Then the order was given
to bail out.
Was he injured?
NO
Where was he when last seen? When leaving the ship.
Any hearsay information
NO
Source:
Any explamat ion of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
NO
Total number of missions of above crew member:
32 combat missiona
Dates and destinations if possible: From April 9, 1944 To July I8, 1944.
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 10 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Casualty questionnaire, page 11: Vincent S. La Tart · 18 July 1944
ANPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name Vincent S. La Tart
Rank Ist. Lt. Serial No. 0-68I86I
2. Organization 483 .Gp Commander Barton, J Rank Col-San CO Ascani FredRank Lt, Col
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
I944
month July
day
I8
ta
did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Airfield
,
target, Menningen, Germany.
, target
time, IO:50
altitude, 24500
route scheduled, atraight to
the target
, route flown primary route
5. Where were you when you left formation? 5 miles 1,9. of kempton germany which was
our I. P. the t day.
6. Did you bail 'out?
Yes.
7. Did other members of crew bail out? Yes everyone left the ship.
8.
Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aficraft 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 were captured and interned for duration of the war -All returned, to U.S.A.
and later discharged to the best of my knowledge.
/
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Exploded in the air.
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struok the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) 6 None.
11. Where were they in aircraft?
None.
12. What was their condition?
None.
-
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? None
14. prease give any similar information on personnel ofhany other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. None.
-
(Any additional Information may be written on the back)
l
6-3862,AF
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 11 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Casualty questionnaire, page 12 · 18 July 1944
AFPPA-11
41
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
600 - R
Rank:
Serial number:
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Asst
Did he bail out? YE'S
Where? ON BOMB RUN OVER MEMMINGEN, GERMAN, (FIRST MAN ouT)
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane : Jest DEFORE
F.M.190 MF 109 I SUNKERS 88 ATTACTED OUR GROUA
1
my
Was he injured? No KNOWLEDGE AS MY INTERPHONE AND TAIL
ASSLEMBLY.UAS BLOWN APART.
Where was he when last seen? FIRING AT Every PLANES of OTHER
WAIST GUNNER
Any hears ay information: NONE
Source
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: CREW FIGARES
HIS CHUTE was ON FIRE, PIDNT OPEN 97 GOT I
NA
COMING DEWN
Total number of missions of above crew member: 29 MISSIONS CAS BEST AS
To MY
Dates and destinations if possible: DATES uNANoNN.
ITALY AUSTRIA, HUNARY yng.stania, BemainA, CERMANY,
FRANCE.
6-3861,AF
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 12 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Casualty questionnaire, page 13 · 18 July 1944
40
AFPPA-II
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
Charles a
Tile ,
6856 610-R
Rank:
a/agt
Serial number:
38320064
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Asst Ingineer
Did he bail out? Yes
Where?
Near KimpA Germany
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane
Acknowledgid. bail out order and jumped from rear dook.
Was he injured? As far as I Know , No
There was he when last seen? Leaving rear escape door
Any hearsay information:
Met all the crew upon release
and nobody had seen Sqt Thompson on the ground
He was well and apparently uninjured when he
(lift the plane
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition : None
unless he fell into the hands of the gestaps.
Total number of missions of above crew member: Approx. 38
Dates and
destinations if possible: Unknown
3
6-3861,AF
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 13 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Casualty questionnaire, page 14 · 18 July 1944
AFPPA-1
39
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
Tile 6856 610-+
Rank:
Serial number:
Position: Crew (Bomber) Asst
Did he bail out ? yes
Where?
Over the outsbirts of munich
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane
Checking in on paterphone.
Was he injured?
Don't know
Where was he when last seen? I sa him putting on his parachure
Any hearsay information: I know he got out of the
plane because I barled out them the
marst door and their was no me there
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: none
Total number of missions of above crew member: 30 din sure of
Dates and destinations if possible :
6-3861, AF
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 14 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Casualty questionnaire, page 15 · 18 July 1944
MANCL6850
AFPPA-12
5610-R
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
38
1. Your Johnson Walter D. Rank / stht. Serial Nò. 0-74882
name
2. Organizetic AC Gp Commander Barton Rank Col Sqn CO Fred Ascauzan Major
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1944
month July
day 18
did you. go down?
4. What was the mission, Mammigan target; Air Field
target
t ime, 11:40
,altitúde, 22500
route scheduled,
, route flown
5.
Where were you when you left formation? B Flight No 6 Plane
6. Did you bail out?
Yes
7. Did other members of grew bail out? Yes
8. Tell .aM 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
lige facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge
Ho knowledge
9. Where did your aimcraft strike the ground? Blew up.
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
pross check with 8 above and individual questiennaires) 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? Thempson Charles R last seen leaving rear
dear istaph hatch and was apparently uninjured.
Approximatly ever Kempten Germany
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)
6-3862, AF
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 15 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Eyewitness statement, page 16 · 18 July 1944
near 4157
AFPPA-12
610-M 37
CASUALTY QUBSTIONNAIRE
1. Your name David & michel
Rank 1/sgt Serial No. 37406767
2. Organization 483 Gp Commander col Barton Rank cl Sqn CO Seepy Rank may
(full name)
3. What year 1944
18
(full
month July
day
did you go down?
4.
What was the mission,
35th
target,
target
time, 11:45 ,altitude, 220.00 St. route scheduled,
, route flown
5. formation? dont know
Where were you 'when you left
6. Did you bail out?
yes
7. Did other members of crew bafl out? 8 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". no Kanulang
9. unknown
Where did your aircraft strike the ground?
10. that members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) grow
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.
nine members including myself landitionshy
in Fumny exclude minor injuries
d of then daily the first can'y where
me were taken
l never pask Thompson at all after the time d
mentioned above.
a - /
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,AF
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 16 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Casualty questionnaire, page 17: RAY A. SCHIEFERLE · 18 July 1944
610
AFPPA 12
mach
"
6856 PPA. E-D
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
$610-R
1. Your name RAY A. SCHIEFERLE Rank T/sgT Serial No. 37413908
2. 6. Gp Commander APERRY Rank COL Sqn CO KEANE Rank LT.
15th AFF.
8160.59
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year JuLy 1944 month JULY
day 18
did you go down?
MEMMINEEN!
36
4. What was the mission,
GERMANY 1. target, AIR FIELDS
target
time, 10:45 AM:
altitude, 25,000 IT route schéduled,
A
route flown
5. Where. were when
you you left formation? ON I.P. THE BOMB BUN
6. Did you bail out? YES
or
7. Did other members bail out? YES
of crew
8.
Tell all you knowdabout when; where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
indiviqual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A-cres list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No. Knowledge" At h c REW MEMBERS
B'AILED. ouT AND LANDED ASAFELY EXCEPT FOR
SPRAINED ANKLAS AND some SHARPHEL WOUNDS
a. NISONE MEMBERS EXCEPT THOMPSON. ME BALLED
OUT BOT FATE UNKNOWN HAVE SEEN OTHERS SINCE MALIF
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? UNANOWN
10. What members of your crew were in the `airdraft when it struck.the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) NONE
11. Where were they in aircnaft?
12. What was their condition?
13. When, whe,re, 'and in wittat conditTon did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? SEEN ALL c BEW MEMBERS EXCEPT
THOMPSON AFTER ALL WERE PPRISONERS OF WAR
ALF NINE OF usa WERE IN SAFE HEALTH To my
ANOWLEDGE
d
,
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
RIGHT WAIST GUNNER slagt HUBART K. FINNERL
SAID THOMPSON: WULLED OFF E MERGENCY DeeR AND
GAILED OUT. MYTAIL DOOR was SPRUNG AND se I HAD
To CRAWL ARIUND TAIL WHEEL AND Go act WAIST
peor. THE WAIST was CLEAR WHEN I MENT incit
(Any additional information may be written on the back) art
6.-3862, AF
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 17 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Eyewitness statement, page 26 · 18 July 1944
REPORT en AIRGRAES
BATE uns
VAS BOVE: -
PLACE of CRASE:
or
effice: Air Base A (o) 14/1111 - - 20 ply 1044
cest
ASD
Corona,
viest BANE:
Bennie G.
DATE of
RASE:
s/agt.
SEBIAL ####C#: se 693 $47
CAPTERED: Captured
veesoço:
DISTRISNTION:
or
GRAVE LOCATION:
Captured neur Kemptem on 18 July 3964 teirard 11.00
(according to statement of prisomer)
by ordere Magole
Major.
National Archives, MACR 6856, page 26 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.
Loss sheets and photographs
- B-17 42-107179 B-17 G 35 DL · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107179, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
- and 2 more on the source pages
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