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 6 · 18 July 1944
C ONFIDENIIA I Nob. Armorer Ginner Nichols, Charles N. MIA S/Sgt 38209175 liyrile Nichols, (mother) 2010 E. 7th St, Pine Bluff,Ark. pm 10. Asst Arm. Gunner Granneman, Olan C. MIHS/SEt. 37502007 Hubert Granneman (Fathor) a Alma, Mo. 11, IDENTIFY BELON THOSH PERSONS VHO ARE believed TO HAVE IASI OF AIRCRAFT AND CHECK APPROPRIATE (only one) COLUAN TO IMDICATE BASIS FOR SAE: 1. Willard S. Sperry It. Col. C-396325 12. IT PERSONNEL ARE HELIEVED TO have SURVIVED, CHECK ONE O THE CLIONING: ( ) Parachutes were used ( ) Persons scon walking away from scane of crash Any other reason Unknom Surrounding circumstances are not reasonably conclucive of a KTA easualty status 13. ATTAGH, no AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, EITTER AURIAL PHOTGRAPH, MAP, CHALT, OR SKECTH, SHOWING APPROKINATE LOCATION WHERE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST SEEN. Attached. 14. ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, EYEWITNESS DESCHIPTIONS or CRASH, FORCED LANDING, OR OTHER CIRCUNSTANCES PERTAIMING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT. Attached. 15. ATTACH, AN AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF SEARCH, IF ANY. None. Crow MIA in oneny occupied tarritory. DATE of this Report- 20 July 1944 Mortha 2 Incls: W. L. LINE Incl 1-Ovorlay Major, Air Corps, Incl 2-Statement Lit. Col. Sperry Operations Officer. CONFIDENTIAI
CONFIDENTIAL FOUR EIGHTY THIRD GROUP (H) 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 appronched approximately seventy-five (75) 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. 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 wes 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 made a concentrated attack on these seven airplanes. Three B-17's were shot to pieces while in level flight and while maintaining their positions in formations A fourth went down, apparently shot out of control, and broke apart as soon as the ship went into a spin. The three remaining airpianes of the 816ch 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 unknowm rnether their parachutes functioned. A considerable number of enemy fighters vere shot down by the gunners in these ships while the attack was being made, but the fighter fire powor was overwhelming. The enemy attack vas nade in such a manner that very few guns of each airplano 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 fighter waves concentrated on 2 or 3 ships on an attack, and fired only on the rearmost airplans. The fighters moved up to the number three box after destroying the a planes 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. CONFIDENTIAL
Casualty questionnaire, page 10: GRANDENAN, Olan C · 18 July 1944
FPPA 11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE File No. 7153 Name of crew member: GRANDENAN, Olan C. Rank: s/sgt. Serial number: 37502007 Position: Crew (Bomber) Asst Armorer Gunner. Did he bail out? UNKNOWN, Where? work Halera 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: 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
Casualty questionnaire, page 11: NICHOLS , Charles W · 18 July 1944
AFPPA - 11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE File No. 7163 Name of crew member : NICHOLS , Charles W. Rank: s/Sgt. Serial number: 38.309175 Position: Crew (Bomber) Armorer Gunner. Did he bail out? yes Where? Geomany - ERom waist Hatch If not, why not? Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: Keeping Check oF Filiters ANDthin poss. Was he injured? UNKNOWN Where was he when last seen? LEAVING Plane A- hearsay information: NONE Source: Any explanation of his fate based in part or tholly on supposition: NONE. Total number of missions of above member: ABout (30) crew Dates and destinations if possible la NKNOWN : 6-3861, AF
AFPPA-11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE y ILE l.o. 7153 Name of. crew member: G I A E D , Robert N. Rank: S/Sgt. Serial number: 11032785 Position: Crow (Bomber) to : Asst Radio Operator Did he bail out? yes. Vhere? barm M ANY F Kom waist HAtch If not, why not? Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: inFoRMAtioN ON filtters , Was he injured? Where was he when last seen? BAiliNG 0 of Any hearsay information: NONe Source: Any explanation of his ?ate based in part or wholly on supposition : NoNe. Total number of missions of above crew member: aBout (301 Dates and destinations if possible: NOANFORMAtION 6-3861, AF
AFPPA-11 in INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE File No. 7163 Name of crew member: DAUVELD à Mearl E. Rank: /Sgt. Serial number: 17071578 Position: Crew (Bomber) Radio Operator. Did he bail out? yes Where? Germany E ROM whist tatus If not, why not? Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: NONE Was he injured? work,newn Where was he when last seen? LEAVING P LHN my heargay information New a Scurce: Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: A's Ne. Total number or missions of above crew member: ABot 30 Dates and destinations if possible: NoNe 6-3861, AF
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE File No. 7153 Name of crew nember: M A S T & L S K I 5 Joseph J. Rank: 2nd L*. Sorinl number: 0-692501 Position: Crew (Bomber) Bombardier. Did he bail out? UNKNOWN Where? If not, why not? Last contact or conversation just pricr to or at time of loss of plane Was he injured? Where was he when last seen? Any heersay information: Source: Any explanation of his fate based in past or wholly on supposition: Total number of missiona of above crew nember: Dates and destinations if cossible: 6-3861, AF
Eyewitness statement, page 15: H AMMONTREE, Engene L · 18 July 1944
AFFPA- 11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY File No. 7153 Name of crew member: H AMMONTREE, Engene L. Rank: 2nd Lt. Serial number: 0-698192 Position: Crew (Bomber) Navigator. Did be bail out? unknown Where? If not, why not? Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: Wes he injured? Where was he when last seen? Any hearsay informatioa: 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
AFPPA-Il INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE File Mo. 7153 Name of crew member: BEAKA, David 0. Rank: 2nd Serial number: 0-809668 Position: Crew (Bomber) Go-Filot. Did he bail out? U NKNOWN Where? If not, why not? Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of lose of plane : Was he injured? Where was he when last seen? Any hearsay information: 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
AFPFA 11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE Tile No. 9153 Name of crew member: $ Bichard v. Rank: les Serial number: 0-807695 Position: Crew (Bomber) Pilot. Did he bail out? INKNOWN 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: Source : Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: Total nu ber of missions of above crew member: Dates and destinations if possible: 6-3861, AF
AFPPA-11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE Tile Xo. 7153 Name of crew member: $ Olan a, Rank: s/sgt. Serial number: 37502007 Position: Crew (Bomber) might Asst Armerer Quaner. Did he bail out? UNKNOWN Where? - If not, why not? I Do Net Know Last contact or conversation just prior to'or at time of loss of plans Just Prior to Loss oF Plane Was he injured? Not When Last beard From Where was be when last seen? Taih GUNNErs PositioN- Any hearsay information: NONE Source: Any of or on explanation his fate based in part wholly supposition: I Believe that He was Killed IN Plane although I did rat see him beFore I Baihed out. Total number of missions of above crow member: UNKNOWN, Dates and destinations if possible: July - 18-1944- mission To Merxinghem Germary. AN Air drone. 6-3861, AF
Casualty questionnaire, page 19: NIGMOLS a N · 18 July 1944
AF. 2A -11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE Tile Mo. 7163 Name of crew member: NIGMOLS a N. Rank: $/ägt. Serial number: Tosition: Crow (Bomber) 38309175 or Fright (Eighter): Gannes. Die bail out? he yes Where? Near Kempton Germany If not, why not? Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of lose of plane: Just Prior to hass oF Plane Was he injured? UNKNOWN Where was he when last seen? in Waist Position. Any hearsay information: NONE Source: Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on 81 pposition: Must Have Been Killed aFter Bailing net oF Plane I Do not Know For sure. Total number of missions of above crew member: UNKNOWN. Dates and destinations if possible : July 18. 1944 Mennikghem Germany - AN Air drome. 6-3861, AF
AFPPA-11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE yILI No. 7163 Name of crow member: HIARD, Robart X. Rank: s/agt. Serial number: 11032785 Position: Crew (Bomber) Asst Radio Uperater Did he bail out? yes Where? Near Kempton Germany If not, why not? Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: Just Prior to Loss oF Plane Was he injured? UN KNOWN Where was he when last seen? IN Waist Position, Any hearsay information: NONE Source: NoNe Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: I SuPpose He must Hoye beeN Killed after Bailing out oF PLANC, Iam Not Certain Total number of missions of above crew member: UNCKNOWN, Dates and destinations if possible: July -18-1944- Menruggem GerMany. AN Fir drome 6-3861, AF
AFPPA-11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE File 7153 Name of praw member: DAUPELD c Nearl a. Rank: T/ägt. Sorial number: 17071676 Position: Crow (Bomber) Badio Operator. Did he bail out? yes Where? Near Kempton Germany If not, why not? Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: Just BeFore Loss of Plane Was he injured? UNKNOWN Where was he when last seen? in Radio COMP. Any hearsay information: NONE Source: Any his fate based in wholly supposition: Must Have explanation of part or on BeeN Killed after Bailina out of PLANe , Iam Not sure Total numbar of missions of above crew member : I Believe. 35 Dates and destinations if possible: July 18-1944 MeNoxinghem Germany . - Airsroft Field 6-3861, AF
AFPPA- 11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE Pile Mo. 7153 Name of crew member: , Jossph J. Ravk and Lt. Serial number: 0-693501 Position: Crew (Bomber) : Bombardier. Did hy bail out? UNKNOWN , Where? - If not, why not? UNKNOWN. Last contact or convereation just prior to'or at time of lose of plane : Just before Loss oF Phane Was be injured? UN KNOWN. Where was he when last seen? iN Bombaidier's Comp. Any hearsay information: NONE Source Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: NONS Total number of missions of above crew nemo 9r: 33 I Behieve Dates and destinations if possible: July - 18 - 1944 Merninghen Germany - AN Air drome 6-386), AF
AFPPA-¹ INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY "ile Ec. 7163 Name of crew momber: Ragene L. Rank: and Serial number: 0-698193 Position: Crew (Bomber) Navigator. Did he bail out? UNKNOWN Where? If not, why not? UNKNOWN Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: Just BeForchoss of Plane Was he injured? UNKNOWN Where was he when last seen? iN Bombardiers COMP Any hearsay information: NONE Source: Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition : NONe He must Have been Waunde dar ANd couldnt Getant oF Phane or Killed in Phane Total number of missions of above crew member : around 35. Dates and destinations if possible: July - 18-19444 menningbem Germany - - AN Hix drame 6-3861, AF
AFPPA-11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE File No. 7153 Name of crew member: B L A K E 6 David G. Rank: 2n' Lt. Serial number: Q--007668 Position: Crew (Bomber) Co-Pilot. Did he bail out? INKNOWN Where? If not, why not? UNKNOWN, Last conversation just prior to'or at time of lose of plane : During contact or Attact Just before Loss of PLANe Was he injured? UNKNOWN Where was he when last seen? in Co-Pibot seat. Any hearvay information: NONE Sourcs Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: I Be heere He Must Have been Killed in Pizer Total number of missions of above crew member: 33 I Believe, Dates and destinations if possible: July - 18- 19HH, Menningham Germany - AN Air drame 6-3861, AF
RFPPA- 11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE File No. 7153 Name of crew nember: c 0 K B S , Hichard F. Rank: lst Lt. Berial number: 0-807695 bsition: Crow (Bomber) a Pilot. Did he bail out' ? UNKNOWN, Where? - I1° not, why not? UNKNOWN Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loas of plans: During Attact Just before Less oF Phane, Was he injured? Not at Last Conversation Where was he when last seen? in Pihats seat Any hearsay information: NoNe Source. Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: He Must Have beeN Killed in Plans But ida Not Know For sure Total number of missions of above crew member: 35 I Believe Dates and destinations if possible: July - 18 - 1944 Mexninghem Germany - AN Air drome , 6-3861, AF
Eyewitness statement, page 26: Wright W. Mc Gee · 18 July 1944
AFPPA-12 CASTIALTY QUESTIONNAIRE 1. Your name Wright W. Mc Gee Rank T/sgt Serial No. 20745958 kot KNOWY. Rank Cohonia Sqn CO Fred J. ASCENI. 2. Organization 483 Gp Commander Rank MaJar, (full nanie) (tull came) 3. What year 1944 month July day 18 did you go down? 4. What was the mission, Bambing , target, Air Drome. , target time, wiknown altitude, 33500 route scheduled, unknow N. 9 reute flown unknown 5. when left Where were you you formation? New Kempton Germany 6. you bail out? yes Did 7. of crew Did other members bail out? yes. 8. Tell all you know ubout 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". I went to the waist door to bailout and Found Russeh E. Becker There is Passed out so I Eushed Him out of the clane RAL these Briledant myself 9. Where did your aircreft strike the ground? UNKNOWN, 10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) No knowled ge. 11. Where were they in aircraft? No Knowledge. 12. Whet was their condition? No Knowledge 13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des- cribed above? The Last i Santures of ANYONE except Becker was When receive started on Mission. 14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge. Indicate of information. No Knowled ge. source (Any additional information mey be written on the back) 6-706,AF
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-107172, mission 51 Memmingen, Germany · 18 July 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
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