Bombing

The crew was completing a bombing mission in Germany on behalf of the 392nd Bombing Group. While overflying Germany, the aircraft was hit by Flak. Five crew members bailed out while the captain and four others decided to continue to Switzerland. On landing in Dübendorf Airport, in Zurich, the aircraft hit the ground and came to rest in flames. All five crew escaped unhurt while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire. Later, it was confirmed that one of the crew members that bailed out over Germany was killed, the four others were taken POW.
Crew:
Lieutenant George Haffermehl, POW
Second Lieutenant Donald MacMullen, interned in Switzerland
Second Lieutenant Kenneth Parks, interned in Switzerland
First Lieutenant Samuel B. Poppel, interned in Switzerland
Technical Sergeant Leon J. Beausoleil, interned in Switzerland
Technical Sergeant Earl S. Parker, POW
Staff Sergeant Jewell W. Mitchell, interned in Switzerland
Staff Sergeant Michael G. Harwick, POW
Staff Sergeant Frederick J. Wagner, killed
Staff Sergeant Louis H. Landry, POW

Was hit by Flak and crashed in a field near Heiligenberg, northwest of Friedrichshafen. Six crew were killed while four others were injured.

The aircraft left RAF Tholthorpe on a bombing mission over Stuttgart. While returning to the UK, the aircraft was hit several times by Flak but was able to fly till England. Eventually, crew was forced to abandon the aircraft which became uncontrollable. All seven crew bailed out when the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in Adelaide Street, Brierley Hill, west of Birmingham. While all seven crew members were uninjured, a person was killed on ground as several houses were destroyed.
Crew:
Earl Kirk, pilot,
Harold G. Facey, navigator,
H. D. Hagen, radio operator
E. F. Bush, air bomber,
Sergeant Clifford Adams, flight engineer,
Sergeant C. E. Robertson, rear gunner,
Sergeant D. R. McEvoy, mid-upper gunner.

The aircraft left RAF East Kirkby (Lincolnshire) in the early evening with a crew of 7 on a bombing mission to Stuttgart. The aircraft successively flew over Normandy, Vosges and Belfort when the crew lost his orientation by night and in poor weather conditions. Instead of flying bound to the east for Stuttgart, the pilot continued to the south bound for Switzerland. When it arrived at the border between France and Germany, the bomber was attacked by the pilot of a German fighter Messerschmitt Me.110G. The aircraft caught fire but the crew was able to continue for few minutes before the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a prairie located in Le Chaumont, southeast of Saignelégier, Jura, Switzerland. Six crew were killed while the seventh occupant was later rescued. He was able to bail out with his parachute when the aircraft was at a height of some 1,000 meters.
Crew (57th Squadron):
Sam Atcheson, pilot,
Anthony McCall, navigator,
Sergeant Jack Greenhalgh, armourer
Sergeant Brian Thomas, engineer,
Sergeant Frank Weaver, radio,
Sergeant James Naylor,
Sergeant Kenneth Reece, gunner, the only survivor.
Source: www.retrotrame.ch

The twin engine bomber registered 42-95925 was carrying a crew of six on behalf of the 344th Bomb Group, 494th Bomb Squadron. While flying over Essex, it collided with another Martin B-26B-50-MA Marauder registered 42-95981 from the same BG and carrying a crew of six as well. The exact circumstances of the collision remains unknown and both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located in Theydon Mount. All 12 occupants on both aircraft were killed.
Crew:
Captain Jack W. Miller, pilot,
2nd Lieutenant Linwood G. Brooks, copilot,
1st Lieutenant James A. Hudson, bombardier,
Staff Sergeant Abraham B. Butler Jr, engineer & gunner,
Staff Sergeant George D. McMannamy, radio & gunner,
Staff Sergeant W. J. Summers, armourer & gunner.

The twin engine bomber registered 42-95981 was carrying a crew of six on behalf of the 344th Bomb Group, 494th Bomb Squadron. While flying over Essex, it collided with another Martin B-26B-50-MA Marauder registered 42-95925 from the same BG and carrying a crew of six as well. The exact circumstances of the collision remains unknown and both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located in Theydon Mount. All 12 occupants on both aircraft were killed.
Crew:
1st Lieutenant John K. Eckert, pilot,
2nd Lieutenant Thomas W. Worrell, copilot,
1st Lieutenant George E. Bair, bombardier,
Staff Sergeant Alfred R. Border, engineer & gunner,
Staff Sergeant Lewis O.Thompson, radio & gunner.
Staff Sergeant Edward J. Powell, armourer & gunner.

While on a bombing mission over Berlin, the four engine aircraft was shot down by Flak. Three crew were able to bail out before the aircraft crashed in a huge explosion, killing all nine other occupants.

While overflying the east part of The Netherlands, the aircraft was hit by another USAAF Boeing B-17G-15-DL Flying Fortress that was shot down by a German fighter. Registered 42-37886, the second aircraft was carrying 10 crew as well. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Zwartemeer, near Emmen, at the border between The Netherlands and Germany. Both aircraft were destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire and four crew were killed on each aircraft while twelve other crew (six in each aircraft) were captured.

While overflying The Netherlands, the aircraft was hit by Flak. All ten crew were able to bail out and were later rescued while the aircraft crashed in an open field and was destroyed.

En route, the four engine aircraft was attacked by a German fighter. Crew bailed out but the aircraft went into a spin and hit a second USAAF Boeing B-17G-10-VE Flying Fortress registered 42-40054 and carrying 10 crew as well. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Zwartemeer, near Emmen, at the border between The Netherlands and Germany. Both aircraft were destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire and four crew were killed on each aircraft while twelve other crew (six in each aircraft) were captured.