The 483rd Bomb Group Archive

Loss record

MACR 11273: 44-6423 Nene

840th21 January 1945
Aircraft
44-6423 (B-17G)
Mission
mission 151, 21 January 1945
Target
Vienna, Austria oil refinery
Aboard
10
Record
Missing Air Crew Report
Sources
National Archives Catalog, NAID 91107743 (18 pages) · Association aircraft page
Flags. squadron from Association aircraft page (not read from the form)

Crew, as read from the report

PositionNameRankSerialStatus
PilotGrossman, Robert M.O-821103MIA
Escardo, Carlos A.2nd LtO-545338
NDaniels, George A.O-2057873MIA
Sta, Keene11083516
Miaxel, Stanley12156149MIA
Baker, Earl M. SSgt33548251MIA
Sparks, Virgil R.35873152
White, Russell A. SSgt37341368KIA

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 · 21 January 1945
840TH SQUADRON (H)
483RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
Office of the Operations Offieer
APO 520
22 Jamvary 1945
STATEMENT OF WITNESS
While flying threugh the evereast, at approximately 1400, I hoard Airplane
44-6423 ealling Airplane # 44-8018 but wss apparently umable to ecntact
theme I then called # 423 and alited them if I could help them out. Airplame
+ 44-6423 asswered me and asked mo to give them a call when we changed our
heading. I answored and said I would de that. I neticed at the time that
we were flying a heading of 210. About five minutes after I had caspleted
the original call to # 423, I decided to check on their heading. I mede
several calls but was unable to raise theme Shortly after that we broke
out of the hase into the clear.
Then we changed our heading to appreximately 190° I tried again to contact
# 423, but without any successe I tried several times after that but was
unable to contact them. Simce we wore then in the elear, and had beem for
some time, I assumed that they were clear and I didmt try to establish contact
after that.
JOHN H. MALKAMES
lat Lt, AC
Pilot of é 44-6794

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 3 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 4 · 21 January 1945
CONFIDLENIAL
84OTH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H)
483RD BOM BARDMENT GROUP (H)
Office of the Operations Offieer
APG 520
22 Jamuary 1945
STATEMENT OF WITNESS
On the bomb run Airplane # 44-6423 was flying # 5 under complete control with of
pilet Plak moderate till then. Group rallied left with flak (105 mostly) following
and bombs were drepped at the primary (Vienna Lebau) 27,800'-1257)
and bracketting us in for five minutes. At that time # 423 was about 600
us in back of formation at 5:30 level. At 1313, Squadrom and Group changed
yards course morth of Bratielava (27, 500) to course of 160 at which # 423 regained
# 5 position. At 1317 Grcup changed course to 189° with + 423 still in + &,
four fans going and showing no evident battle damage. At 1830 north of Gyor,
of Zest tip of Lake Balatomp Group shanged course to 190° with # 405 dropping to
changed to course of 179°, + 423 still ckay (22,500). At 1345, just morth
# 4 pesition. Airplane # 44-6423 was starting to trail a bit behiad, maint-
out of # 4 pesitien due to engime trouble. We in # 317 switched from # 6
rning fuel seasumption (their's was very low) and asked also 1'er a fix. Their at
aining altitiude, at this time. They also called # 018 and asked advice conce=
at the time was also downa to fifty pounds per square inch. We were
exygem 20.000 fest at 1845. Immediately thereafter, we descended to 18,000, flying
thru the feathery hase of the top of the 10/10 undereast. Airplane + 423 had
pulled up and to the side at 0300 and was descending alse. At 1400 visibility
became restricsted to 500 to 600 yards and + 423 was lest to ou: view.
Pesition was the Yugoslavian-Bungarian Border (4608)-17045) altitude 18,000
sourse course N69° Airplane # 423 was paralloling our course.
WILLIAM W. MAUMANN
2nd Lt, AG
Navigater, + 317
CONFIDENTIAL

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 4 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 5 · 21 January 1945
CONFIDERTAL
84OTH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H)
483RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
Office of the Operations Officer
APO 520
22 January 1945
STATEMENT OF WITNESS
At about 1330 I heard Airplane + 44-5423 calling Airplane + 44-9018. The
pilet of # 423 stated that he was low on oxygen, and intended to let down. At
that time he was about a thousand yards behind the formation and gradually
falling behind.
A short while later # 423 again called # 018 and asked for a heading. He
said he was about tem miles behind the formation. He asked # 018 to notify
him when # 018 turned so he could also turn. Airplane # 44-6423 said that his
exygen was down to about fifty peugds.
At that time wo were at about 18,000 feet in a gradual let downe Altheugh
several attempts were made to contact # 423 I nover heard him again.
dra Giegu
IRA GIEFER
2nd Lt, AC
Co-Pilot 288

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 5 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 8 · 21 January 1945
AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File 11273
Name of member: BAKER, Earl M.
Rank:
s/sgt.
Serial sumber:
Position: Crew (Bomber) or flight (Fightar): Right Waist Gunner.
Did he bail out?
no.
-
ba
Where?
If vot, why not? Entrie crew CRASH LANDED WITH ME
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at
time of loss of plane: REGULAR
DITCHING PRACTICES
Was he injured? no.
Where was he when last seen? EARL m BAKER WAS RETURNED To
Any hearsay information: ThE UNITED STATES APRROXIMATELY. 22
APRIL 1945 iN EXCELLENT HEALTH AFTER RE@UPERATING
FRom RUN Down CoNDiTiON. I BELIEVE HE WAS DISCHARDED
in JULY 1945 FRom FT. Dix AND RESIDES iN BALTIMURE
MD.
Source: VISIONERY AnD LETTERS.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: EXPLAINED
ABOVE
Total number of missions of above crew member: BELIEVE 44-45
Dates and destinations if possible: AUG.1944 To JAn 21, 1945
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 8 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 9 · 21 January 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name ROBERT M.(I.).) GROSSMAN Rank 1sth Serial No. 0.821403
2. Organize ion 483BGo Commander BORTON Rank CoL. Sqn CO A.FOWLER Rank M.J.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1945
month JAN.
day 21
did you go down?
4. What was the mission, VIEKNA
,
target, LOBAU Oil
time, 1200
altitude, 28,000
route scheduled, REGULAR
VIENNA ROUTE , route flown SAME
5. formation? 30 min From tARGET, ON COURSE
Where were you when you left
6. Did you bail out? No
7. Did other members of orew bail out? No
8.
Tell all you know about when, where, how esch 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 ONE BALLDDUY
9.
Where did your aircraft strike the ground? 3 MILES N.E. BANJALUKA
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnairos) ALL MEMBERS OF
CREW
11.
Where were they in aircraft? IN DITCHING POSITIONS
12. What was their
condition? EXCELLENT.
13. When, where, and in what tondition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? ALL RETURNED To BOMB GROUP IN ITALY
WI TH ME
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. a crew 27 officers and
4 En listed men of 46 454 B.G. AB-24 Ys came of with so plus
2 con's from B. Ax onefit that falled out fire days before whon
Vienna forget all members were from Vienna targer are
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,AF

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 9 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 10: BAKER, Earl M · 21 January 1945
PPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 11273
Name of crew member: BAKER, Earl M.,
Rank:
s/Sgt.
Serial number:
33548251
Position: Crew (Bomber) Right Waist Gunner.
Did he bail out?
Mo
Where?
If not, why not? Orders from Pilot - PlANe To Low
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
BAdi Contact with other Blanes 1hR. Before CRASH
Was he injured?
No
Where was he whep last seen? All stayed Together All thRu TRIP
Any
hearsay information: The EntiRe CRew slayed
Together the whole 67 dAys missing
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Total number of missions of abovo crew member: About 43
Dates and destinations if possible: No Knowledge Now
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 10 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 11: BAKER, Earl M · 21 January 1945
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 11273
Name of crew member: BAKER, Earl M.,
Rank:
s/sgt.
Serial number:
33548251
Position: Crew (Bomber) or Flight (Eightar): Right Weist Gunner.
Did be beil out? No.
Whe.e?
If not, why not? WE ALL STAYED WITH THE SHIP. OUR ALTITUDE
WAS BETWEEN 1000-2000.
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane WE WERE
ALL TOGETHER FROM THE CRASH LANGING TOEVACWAIION
Was he injured? SHAKEN - NERVOUS, DIET DIFICLENCY-TROUBLE - WITH
WET AND FROZEN FEET.
Where was he when last seen?
NAPLES, ITALY PRIORTO HIS RETLINN
TO THE STATES.
Any hearsay information:
NONE
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: BACK IN
THE STATES - 821 WEST BALTIMORE
11, MD.
Total number of missions of above crew member: ABO4T 40-45.
Dates and destinations if possible: Too HARD TO RECALL
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 11 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 12: BAKER, Earl M · 21 January 1945
,
AFPPA-1
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 11273
Name of crew member: BAKER, Earl M.,
Rank:
s/sgt.
Serial number:
33548251
Position: Crew (Bomber) Right Weist Gunner.
Did he bail out?
No
Whore?
If not, why not?
Crashed Landed
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Was he injured?
No
Where was he when last seen?
483rd Bomb Gp. Forgia Italy
Any hearsay information:
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Tischarged and at home
Total number of missions of above crew member:
About 44
Dates and destinations if possible:
Do not recall
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 12 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 13: Thomas I Keane · 21 January 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name Thomas I Keane
Rank ist Lt. Serial No. 0-712290
2. Organization 483 Gp Commander
Rank
Sqn CO Rooks Rank Major
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
1945
month January day 21
did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Vienna
, target,
Vienna
target
time, About 1200
,altitude, About 30,000 Ft route scheduled,
,route flown
5. Where were you when you left formation? Don't know
6. Did you bail out?
No
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
No
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 Knowledge
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? About limiles north of Banjaluka,
Yugo.
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)
All of the crew
11. Whe TO were they in aircraft?
Yes
12. What was their condition?
Good
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
Seen all of the crew at base in Foggia, Italy.
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 11273, page 13 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 14: GEORGE A. DANIELS JR · 21 January 1945
AFPPA-I2
.
CASUALTN QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name GEORGE A. DANIELS JR. Rank IST.LI. Serial No 0-2057273
2. Organizstion 483 Go Commande) BARTEWANK Col Sqn CO, MAJOR
,B.G.(H) PAUL L.
B.S.(H) (full name)
(full name)
3. What 1945 month JANUARY day 21 did you go down?
year
4.
What was the mission, WIEN AUSTRIA target, LOBALI OIL REFINERKarget
t ime, ABOUT ILNOON infinitude, 28,500
route scheduled,
,route flown
5. Where were you when you left formation? SOUTHERN AUSTRIA - OVER THE ALPS
6. Did you
bail out? No
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
No
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". ENTIRE CREW STAYED
WITH SHIP. WE MADE A CRASH -ENDING EVERYBODY
CAME OUT O.K.
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? ABOUT LOKILOMETERS NORTHAND
A LITTLE WEST OF BANJALWA VUBOVLAUIA. COOPDINAES
45°05'N - -770207E
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)
ALL (10)
11.
Where
were
they
in aircraft? RADIOKOOM + FUGHT DECK
12.
What was their condition? PHYSICALLYO. BUT MENTALLY SNAKEN UP. NERVOUS
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? WE WERE ALL EVACUATED TOGETHER LAST
SEEN IN ITALY PRIOR TO RETURN TO THE ZONE
OF THE INTERIOR. ALL LOOKED A BIT UNDERFED
RELIEVED, BUT STILL UNDER ANERUOUS STRAIN.
THIS WAS IN NAPLES, I TALY - APRIL 15,1943.
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. PRiOR TO our EVACUUTION
FROM YUGOSLAVIA WE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH 13
MORE AMERICANS. TWO HAVING BEEN HEMA ERS OF , A
B-24 CREW ON THE JAN 15,1945 Mission TO WIEN.
THEY WERE S4Y. LAMEY a WHETSTONE AND CPC RESERT c. HOVE BOTH
OF THE KSK TH B.G.(N). THE OTHER ELEVENCIAL MEN WERE
FROM it B-24 THATGET INTO TRAIBIE AN THE WIEN RAID
(OVER)
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,AF

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 14 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 15 · 21 January 1945
OF MARCH 14,1945 THEYWERE IST.LT CHARLES H.ESTES,
IST.LT JOHN W. CONGLETON, ISILT Ro - E.SWAIN, ISTLT EDWARD
A. VALIANT, 1st LiERNEST R. SWANSON, 1st LT.JAMES R.MULLIGAN,
&
FLT. OFFICER JOSEPH DOCKIN,JSO: RAPHBEL W. GONYEA, 1/sat
WALTER R.Scott, y/sar DONALD A. BROWN, & SBT. JOHN F. NORRIS,
ALL FROM THE 98th B.G.CH) THESE LATER MEN
HS 7.48 DATES WILL SHOU WERE IN RATHER
GOOD CONDITION WHEN THEY WERE REPATRIATED
DATE OF EUACUTION FROM YUGOSLAVIA - -MAR 28,1945.
THE LAST ELEVEN(II) MEN BAILED OUTASDIDTHE
FIRST TWO OTHER CREW MEMBERS WERANINTO
ONLY THE LATER ALL LANDED INFRIENDLY HANDS
AND SHORTLY AFTERWARD WERE CONBINED WITHOUR
GROUP.
THE TWO MEN WE PICKED UP FIRST NAMELY
WHETSTONE VHOWE WERE PART OF ACREW OF TENCID).
THE OTHER EIGHT(8) BAILED OUT AND THE CHUTE
OF ONE FAILED TO OPEN. THIS PERSON WAS CATER
IDENTIFIED AS THE FIRST PILOT AND THE SEVEN
MEN WHO SURVIVED FOUND AND BURIED HIM SOME-
WHERE IN YWGO. THESE SEVEN(Y) MEN LANDED
AMONG FRIENDS AND WERE -UITHIN ACOMPARAT-
IVELY SHORT TIME - EVACUATED TO ITALY.

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 15 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 16: Le Clair, Robert , F · 21 January 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
11273
1.
Your name Le Clair, Robert , F.
Rank T/syt Serial No. 11083516
2. Organization 840 Commander Col. Sperty Rank Lt.Col Sqn CO BROOK: Rank MAj
453.1 Groupe
(full name)
3. What year 1945
month JAN
day 21st did (full you name) go down?
4. What was the mission, Bombing , target, VIEWNA Austrio , target
ime,
altitude, 32,000 ft route scheduled,
, ,route flown
5. when
Where were you you left formation? OVER HungARy
6. Did you bail out?
No
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
No
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".
15 Km.
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? NoRth of BANjAluKA, Yugo
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) Everyone WA s
IN the PLANE ON the CRA'SH
11. Where zero they in aircraft? Everyone Butthe Pilot-Copilot IN RAdia Room
12. What was their condition? CRASH hurt No one
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? When leaving for the States from Italy
/ Last New + RAC K of them Got split Ep
WAS IN April 1945 Everyone WAS still
sick be but dit't mention it AS we
WAS going home. StomAch AN d DiARR her
Troubles. FROM Not EAting. All Lost A hot of Weight
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
we Fornd Two fellows wh. hAd bAiled out of
A B-24 One ot them WAS Robert Howe
and the athe LARRY something Don't Recall his
Last Name. They got back To ITAlY with us.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 16 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 17: BAKER, Earl M · 21 January 1945
AFPPA- 11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 11273
Name of crew member: BAKER, Earl M.
Rank:
s/sgt.
Serial number:
33548251
Position: Crew (Bomber) Flaght (Righter): Right Waist Gunner.
Did he bail out?
No
Where?
Crashed near Banialuke Yugoglay
If not, why not?
Just told ahove,
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane We vere
to-gothur all tho timo until we loft to come back to the United States.
Was he injured?
No.
Where was he when last seen?
At Naples, Itnly.
Any hearsay information:
No. A couble or datra hafore shimped mit
for lables Itn's Bakor want, on gink and with temila and
us airt in home menz Pogrin. Itentry for A fill daves bith ha animal
"Ith 11.8 111 1907.19. It Iv baioro 1/0 out.
Source:
No.
Any explanation or his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: No.
Total number of missions of above crew member:
(42)
Dates and destinations if possible:
6-3861,AF

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 17 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 18: Tames Robert Gourley · 21 January 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name
Tames Robert Gourley
Rank S/sgt. Serial No. 38148021
2. Organization 483 Gp Commander No knowladge $11 Sqn CO Fowler Rauk Major
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
1945
month
January
day
21
did you go down?
4.
What was the missionVienna, Austria, target, Vienna Inbau Oil Reftingew
time, No Knowledge altitude, 28,500
route scheduled, No
Knowledge ,route flown Same AS scheduled
,
5. Where were you when you left formation? Ne4 Menthond OFCyor, Hungary
6. Did you bail out?
No
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
No
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". None of our crew bailed
out and we all staved to-gether until were arrived at Bari, Italy
on the 28 of Mn rch 1945. Where Stanley Taxel Brooklyn, N.Y.
& Carlos Escado Lima, Peru were admitted to hospital for minor
stomack treatment.
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? In the vininity f Banjaluka, Yugo--
slav
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)
All ten members woro f attract whon 4f struck the ground.
le made a crashed landing with wheels up in deap snow,
11. Where were they in aircraft? Eight were in radio room. in eeel
cock-pit.
12.
What was their condition? Everyone othor.
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? Left our base in Italy ^pril 7.1945 . All were okay
except two and they were in ho pital with minor stomack asiments
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. While near Banjaluke, Yugoslav
we me+ two B-24 bova Tho had bailed a week before and they started
walking back with us. They were not injured. There names were as
follows: Larry whetstone Equality, AIa. & Robert Howe Reading, Mass.
In Teslic, Yugoslav about the 15 of March 1945 we picked up
elèven more B-24 men which came back to Italy with us, One of them
sprung his ankle when they bailed out, Donst remember any of their
names.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,AF

National Archives, MACR 11273, page 18 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

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