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MACR and AR Explainer

MACR and AR Description

Losses of aircraft and crew were reported in two ways: a Missing Air Crew Report (MACR), or an Accident Report (AR). When the loss occurred entirely within allied-controlled territory, and all crew, as well as the aircraft itself, were secured under allied control, an Accident Report was used. If the aircraft or any of the crew were lost in enemy-controlled territory, or was reported missing with location unknown, a MACR was used. Additional discussion of MACRs, and a NARA microfilm index, are contained in NARA Report M1380, Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs) of the U.S. Army Air Forces, 1942-1947. MACRs typically contain abbreviations, as described below.

Beginning 11 June 1943, the U.S. Army Air Forces (AAF) required groups to submit Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs) to AAF headquarters within 48 hours after an aircraft or air crew failed to return from a combat mission. AAF HQ directed the various group headquarters to submit a MACR for all incidents involving the loss of air crew members during combat operations irrespective of the number of crew members lost. For example, heavy bomber groups would submit a MACR when an aircraft returned from a mission with fewer than the assigned number of crew members. In the event an entire crew failed to return, a report was submitted to AAF HQ describing the events prior to the loss of the aircraft. Likewise, fighter groups would submit MACRs when the pilots of single seat aircraft failed to return after a mission.

The information contained in a typical MACR includes a date, time, and location that the crew and aircraft were last seen or reported missing from the formation. Details about aircraft incidents were taken from statements given by crew members from other aircraft flying in the same formation. These statements usually mentioned whether any parachutes were seen to have opened and how many airmen exited the aircraft before it crashed. The names of the air crew member are listed by crew position, rank, serial number, and known status such as MIA or POW. Often the MACR contains translated German documents related to the downing of the aircraft and disposition of the crew.

Additional information included in the MACR is the aircraft AAF serial number, nickname, squadron identification letter, and the type, model, and serial number of the engines and machine guns. The name of the assigned air base and numbered unit (squadron, group, or air force) to which an aircraft belonged also appears in the MACR.


Abbreviations Used in Missing Air Crew Reports
Abbreviation Meaning
ALW Alive and well
ASN Army Serial Number
DED Declared Dead; missing and presumed dead pursuant to Section 5 of the "Missing Persons Act," Public Law 490, 77th Congress, 7 March 1942, as amended.
DL Dead List
DOW Died Of Wounds
DOWRIA Died Of Wounds Received In Action
DNB Died, Non-Battle; due to sickness or non-combat injury.
EUS Evacuated to the United States
EVD Evaded (or escaped)
FOD Finding Of Death; equivalent to DED, above
INT Interned in neutral country
IO Initial Only, referring to a name
KIA Killed In Action
KILD Killed In Line of Duty
LWA Lightly Wounded In Action
MIA Missing In Action
NMI No Middle Initial, referring to a name
NOK Next Of Kin
POW Prisoner Of War
RMC Returned to Military Control
RTD Returned To Duty
SWA Seriously Wounded in Action
WIA Wounded In Action