SORTIE REPORT #2566
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑04‑13 89 301 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany
Primary Attacked, Huge Losses: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the high group of the 41st Combat Wing on today's mission. Vicious fighter attacks knocked down nine of our aircraft - the greatest one mission loss for the Group during the war - but the bombers were able to attack the assigned target with good results.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Failed To Return
Comments: Shot down during fighter attacks which lasted from 1354 to 1357 hrs; crashed Rambucourt, France. MACR 3868.
Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑37816 545th JD*S BIG STUPE V
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Heffley, Farris Ormond 545 POW
Co-pilot Mabe, Walter Breeden 545 Evaded/Wounded
Navigator Carini, Louis Peter 545 POW
Bombardier Betolatti, John (NMI) 545 Evaded
Radio Operator Shade, William James 545 POW
Engineer/Top Turret Deutsch, Samuel (NMI) 545 Evaded
Ball Turret Bechtel, Robert William 545 Evaded/Wounded
Tail Gunner Alfter, Glen Edward 545 POW
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Gatzman, Ralph Lee 545 POW
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Allen, George William 545 POW
SORTIE-RELATED DOCUMENTS:
TYPE IDENTIFICATION
MACRMissing Air Crew Report # 3868
ESCAPEEscape & Evasion Report # 709
ESCAPEEscape & Evasion Report # 843
ESCAPEEscape & Evasion Report # 844
ESCAPEEscape & Evasion Report # 845
Sortie Report 2566 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
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