MACR 7098: 42-102422

GONEIDEHTIAL
5. Engineer MIA me Fischetti, Alfred B. s/Sgt 12158677 John Fischetti, father,
48-14 205th St.,
Bayside, Long Island, N.Y.
DED 6. Asst Engineer With Nicholas, Hubert (NMI) T/Sgt 35789368
Mrs. Maude E. Nicholas,
mother, Quinton, Ky.
KIA 7. Radio Operator & Jerry (NMI) I/Syc sister,
13106376 Mildred Scharf,
913 E. 27th St.,
Brooklyn, N. Y.
for 8. Asst Radio Oper. mia M Odiorne, Dolph, s/Sgt 36421479
Jr. Mrs. Evelyn Odiorne,
mother, Box 54, Berrien
Center, Michigan.
EUS 9. Armorer Gunner I sow Jaski, Stephen (NMI) 3/Sgt 16119266 Bette Jane Jaski, wife,
1633 Cedar St.,
RTD
Saginaw, Michigan.
KIA 10.
MI A
Asst Armorer Gunn. Niezgocki, Vernon G. S/Sgt 17154732 Albert Miezgocki, father,
Rt 7, 2080 English St.,.
St. Paul, Minn.
11. IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE BELIEVED TO have LAST KNOWLEDGE OF AIR-
CRAFT AND CHECK APPROPRIATE (only one) COLUMN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME:
Contacted
Last
Saw
NALE IN FULL
RANK
SERIAL NO.
by Radio
Sighted Crash Forced Land'ing
willard S. Sperry
Lt Col
0396325
X
12. IF PERSONNEL ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE SURVIVED, RHECK ONE OF THE FOLEOWING:
) Parachutes were r.sed ( ) Persons seen walking away from scene of crash
) Any other reason (specify) Unknown. Surrounding circumstances not reasonably
conclusive of KIA casualty status.
13. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REFORT, EITHER AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH, MAP, CHART,
OR SKETC i, SHOWING APPROXIMATE LOCATION: WHERE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST SEEN. t'ached.
14. ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, FYENITNESS DESCRIPTIONS OF CRASH.
FORCED LANDING, OR OTHER CIRCULISTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT. Attached.
15. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF
SEARCH, IF ANI, AMD GIVE NAME, RANK, AND SERIAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN
CHARGE HEHE: (If no search, so state giving reason) None. Crow MIA
in eneny occupied territory.
Date of this Report: 20 July 1944.
Witchan
W. L. LINN,
Major, Air Corps,
2 Incls:
Operations Officer.
Incl 1 - Overlay
Incl 2 em Statement of It Col Sperry
- 2 -

CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS
FOUR EIGHTY THIRD GROUP (H)
APO 520
Statement of Witness
On 18 July 1944 the 483rd Bombardment Group (H) went into the
assigned target area without fighter escort or other group support. As
the initial point was approached approximately seventy-five (7-) enemy
fighters swept 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. Thile 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 Bombardment Squadron made up the number
four box, and the entire enemy fighter strength marte a concentrated attack
on these seven airplanes. Three B-17's were shot to pleces while in level
flight and while maintaining their positions in formation. A fourth went
dcwn, apparently shot out of control, and broke apart as soon as the ship
went into 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 were thrown from their ships and it is unknorm
whether their parachutes functioned.
A considerable number of enemy fighters were shot dovm by the gunners
in these ships while the attack was being made, but the fighter fire powror
was overwhelming. The enemy attack vas made in such a manner that very fow
guns of each airplane could bear on the fightors.
The fighter attack was executed in waves of 5 and 6 ships in close
javelin formation closing directly and on a level with the tail of each B-17.
The fighter waves concentrated on 2 or 3 ships on an attack, and fired only
on t. rearmost airplanes.
The fighters moved up to the number three box after destroying the
airplanes of the 816th Squadron, and five ship 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.

AFPPA-I
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File 7098
Name of crew member:
GUNN, Timithy A.
Rank:
2nd Lt.
Serial number:
0-690952
Position: Crew (Bomber) Pilot
Did he bail out?
No knowledge
Where?
No knowledge
If not, why not?
No knowledge
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: Heard him
tall crew to watch and not to fire on P-38's.
Was he injured?
No knowledge
Where was he when last seen? No knowledge
Any hearsay information: None: I faelthat whan the ship broke in two the
bombs which were still in the front half of the ship, sinca WE ware hit on
the bomb run, blew up on the way down.. 2nd Lt. Hildrath found wreckage in
the area that he falt indicated this.
Source:
2 nd Lt. 7 - Hildreth 816th B.S. 483nd But
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: He was up front
and was either blown to bits or was found and buried by Garman civilians
who failed to remove and turn in his identification tags.
Total number II missions of above crew member:
35
Dates and destinations if possible: He atarted operation 4/12/44 on Split, Yugo.
Bombed all of ths pupular targets in the Balkans. agutharn France and
northern Itaiv. Shot down 7/18/44 on mission over Memningen, Germany.
6-3861, AF

AFFPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File 7C
Name of crew member:
FUEHRER, Carl M.
Rank:
2nd Lt.
Serial' number:
0-758552
Position: Crew (Bomber) : Co-Pilot
Did he bail out?
No knowledge
Where?
No knowledge
If not, why not?
No kmowledge
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane Nons
Was he injured?
No knowledge
Where was he when last seen? No knowledge
Any hearsay information:
Nona: I feel that when the ship broin in 5w9, th
e
bomba which were still in the front half of the ship, wore hit
on
the bomb nun, blew up on the way down. 2nd It Hildret th found *recitago in
the area that he felt indicated this.
Source :
2nd. it. ? - Hildreth 816th B.S. 483.dd B.G.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition He too was up front
and was either bloun to bits or was faund and huried by Gormon cirilione
w
who failed to remive and turn in his identification tags.
Total number of missions of above crew member:
31
Dates and destinations if possible: He started operation 1/12/44 on split, Yugo.
Bombed all of the popular targets in the Be lkang, southern France and
northern Italz. Shot down 7/18/16 on mias ion Monmingon, Gormany
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File 7098
Name of orew member: HOWLAND, Ralph E.
Rank:
2nd Lt.
Serial number:
0-757875
Position: Crew (Bomber) Borabardier
Did he bail out? N° knowledge
Where?
No knowledge
If not, why not?
No knowledge
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: Nane other
than hearing his tell radio onerator to check bomb bay doors,
Was he injured?
No knowladge
Where was he when last seen?
No knowledge
Any hearsay information:
None: I feel that when the ship broke in two, the
bombs which were still in the front half of the ship, since we were hit on
the bomb run, blew up on the way down. 2nd. Lt. Hildreth found wreckage in
the area that he felt indicated this.
Source: 2nd, Lt. ? - Hildratu 816th. B.S. 48.rdd. B.C.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: He was up front
and was either blown to bits or was found and buried by German civilians
who failed to remoys and turn in his identification taga.
Total number of missions of above crew momber:
35
Dates and destinations if possible: He started operation 4/12/44 on Split, Yugo.
Bombed all of the popular targets in tha Balkana, southarn France and
northarn Italy . shat down 7/18/44 on mission aver Menmingon, Gormany,
6-3861, AF

AFPPA- 11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File 7098
Name of crew member : FISCHETTI, Alfred B.
Rank:
S/Sgt.
Serial number:
12158677
Position: Crew (Bomber) Engineer
Did he bail out? No. knowledge
Fhere?
No knowledge
If not, why not? No knowledge
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at sime of loss of plane:
None
Was he injured?
No knowledge
Where was he when last seen?
No knowledge
Any hearsay information
Noma. : I feel that when the shin broka in two tha
front half of the
the hombs which were still in since we waze hit on bomb mun,
tore loose and blew on the way down. 2 nd. Lt. H1 ldreth found wreakage
in the area the t he falt indicated this,
Source :
2nd. Lites ? - Hildreth 8l6th. B.S. 483rd. B.G.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: He was the top
turrat gunner, and was either blowa to bits or WAS found and huried by
German civilians who failed to remove and turn in his identification tags.
Total number of missions of above crew member: 35
Dates and destinations if possible: He started operation 4/12/1A on splite Yugo.
Bonbad all of the popular targets in the Balicana, southern Elance and
northern Italy. Shot down 7/18/44 on mission ever Manmingan, Garmany
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Flle 7098
Name of crew momber: NICHOLAS, Hubert
Rank:
T/Sgt.
Serial number:
35789368
Position: Crow (Bomber) Asst. Enginser
Did he bail out?
No
Where?
If not, why not' ? He was bit in the hip with a 20 mm.
Last contact or C versation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: I tried to gat
him in a comfortable position after he was wounded
Was he injured?
Hit with 20 mm in left hip
Where was he when last seen? Lying in waist of ahip.
Any hearsay informatic? A 2nd. lite Hildreth, who WAS in the hands of the
Germans st the time was brought around to this of the shipis fisolage
was forced to remove his beiy from the ship.
Sourcs:
2 nd, It 6 a Hildreth, B.S. 483nd
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: HA avidently
Juried b the Garmans and they fai led to remose and turn in his identific
tion tars,
r tal number of missions of above crew member: 3is
Dates and destinations if possible: He started oparation 4/12/44 on Split Yugo,
Bombed all of the papular targets in the Baikkans, grattern Franco and
northern Italy. Shot down 7/18/44 on mission over Mermingen, Germany.
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File 7098
Name of crew member:
FREIMAN, Jerry
Rank:
1/Sgt.
Serial number:
13106376
Position: Crew (Bomber) Radio Oporator
Did he bail out?
No
Where?
If not, why not?
He didn't have one on when the ship boke in two right under
his fest in the radio room.
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of losa of plano He told
Bombadier bombay doors were open.
Was be injured? No knowledge
Where seen?
was he when last I him last maning bis gun in radio room
Any hearsay information:
A 2nd. Lite. I - Hildreth saw what he thought W.S.S.
he Iyine on the ground near the rear half of our ship.
Source:
2nd. Lite Hildreth 816th B.S 483nd Boto
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: He was levedently
buried by the Germans and they failed to ramove and turn in its identifica-
tion taes.
Total number of missions of above crew member:
35
Dates and destinations if possible: He started oparation 4/12 100 on Split, Yugo.
Ro : hed all of the popular targets in the Ba licans, southern Fronos and
notthern Italy. Shot down 7/18/44 on missLion over Memningen Gormany
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File 7098
Name of crew member:
ODIORNE, Dolph Jr.
Rank:
s/Sgt.
Serial number:
36421479
Position: Crew (Bomber) Asst. Radio Operator
Did he bail out?
No
Where?
If not, why nct?
He want down with rear half of fuselage locked in ball.
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane None
Was he injured?
No knowledgs
Where was he when last seen? I saw hin last go into ball turrent. A 2nd. Lt.
Any hearsay information: Hildreth SLOW what he thought was him looked in
ball turrent hunnied in ground. He went down with pear helf of shing
I was trying to get him out when this rear half DP the ship dipped down
throwing me out. The ship partad exactly at this point taking padie
room wall with it leaving the fissalage complataly open.
Source:
2nd. It ? Hildnoth 816th B.S. 483nd, I.G.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
The pland was
shot us, broke in tyo, he was loaked in ball turret and wart down wi, ta
rear half of Disalage Exedintely the Germans huriad him and fai led
to remaz e and turn in his ider tifications tags.
Total number of missions of above crew member:
37
Dates and destinations if possible: He atarted operation 4/12/14 on Split Xugo.
Bombed all of the popular targets in the Balkans, southarn France and
northarn Italy. Shat down 7/18/46 an mission Mommingon do many
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-1
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRN
File 7098
Name of cre. A member: NIEZGOCKI, Vernon G.
Rank:
S/Sgt.
Serial' nurber:
17154732
Position: Crow (Bcmber) Asst. Armorer Gunner
Did he bail out?
No
Where?
If not, why not?
Ha was aither daad or severely wounded
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
None, other than prior to take off
Was he injured?
(Here asy) his right WAS blown off.
Where was he when last seen? In tailguh position
Any hearsay information:
A Lite Hildrath was forced to remose his hody
from the rear half of the fuselage.
Source:
2nd.
Lt. 8 lildrath 816th. B.S. 483nd. B.C.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Rosult of fierce battle with numerous fighters, that pansed
plane to breek in two. Lt Hildreth necognized ships No.
know ips personel. Evidently the Garmans bunied him and
failed to remove and turn in his identificati in taga.
Total number of missions of above crew member: 38
Dates and destinations if possible: He stapted aparation 4/12/44 on Split Yugoslav
bombed all of the popular targets in the Balkans southern Hrance and
nonthern Itels. shot down 7/18/44 on mission orer MAmmingen Germany.
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name Jasici, Staphen (MLI)
Rank
s/Sgt. Serial No. 16119266
2. Organization 483rd Ce Commander ? Barton Rank Col. Sqn CO Frod I. Rank Major
BG
Ascani
(full name)
(full name)
3, What year
1944
month
July
day 18th. did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
, target,
, target
time,
11:00 L.M. , altitude, 23,000 Ft
route scheduled, Adriatic
Sea, Iti Alps at,orgute flown Over Itilian sinland straight up and west
5. Where were you when you lert formation? We were boxes in troil on bomb run
just whittled out of the formation.
6. Did you bail out? I was thrown out the apening created by be 11 turnet when
ship parted at this point. I was trying to crank up ball when ship dipp
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
No
ed
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
eive facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". I was the only other
member on our crew, I was the only one known to me to Isave the ship
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Outside a little viliago noar
Mammingen, Germany
10.
What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) s/sgt. Niezgocki, Vamon
tei s/Sgt. Odiorne, Dolph Jr. I/set. Nicholas, Hubert; ware sotually in
rear ball of ship. I/sg. Freiman, Jerny was found noaphy, Fizohe
tti, Lts. Gunn, Fuehrer, Howland, and Lt. Cashman were in front half
11. Whore were they in aircraft? (See above)
That avidently blew up.
12. What was their condition? TaGuencer Neizzaskils night was blown off,
Nicholas's hip was broken, Odiorne was locked in ball Fráiman fell free
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? This information was furmishad me by one 2nd. It ? Hildret!
a membar of our group and sad. who likewise was skint on 1001
on
ha contured and was brought to what was loft
wa
forced to remove the bodies of my crew nembers who wore
if
of
our shipis inselage, Freiman was found near by. Neithor he I lmow
anything of the five men up front; s/sgt. Fischatti, and the 4 Lts
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