SORTIE REPORT #297
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1943‑07‑29 12 79 Target: Naval Base
Type: Military
Location: Kiel, Germany
Weather Stymies Bombers: Solid clouds at German coast prevented formations from continuing mission. Captain Ketelson led Group in an attack on a target of opportunity (TOO), an airfield on a German coastal island, near Heligoland. Due to the shortness of the bomb run, the Bombardier reported all bombs fell into the North Sea. About fifty enemy fighters and moderate flak were encountered after turning back. Wing formation was described as 'straggling', leaving formations vulnerable to attack.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Failed To Return
Comments: Shot down by enemy aircraft after attacking target of opportunity (TOO) with the group. No MACR.
TOO (Visual)
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: [unidentified island], Germany
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17F 42‑29700 545th JD*E JIMMY BOY
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Roberts, James Richard 545 POW
Co-pilot Gordy, Paul Pate 545 POW/Wounded
Navigator Sherrer, Richard P 544 POW
Bombardier Cawley, Thomas Francis 545 POW
Radio Operator Goldman, Robert Phillip 545 POW/Wounded
Engineer/Top Turret Overbaugh, Paul Leon 545 POW
Ball Turret Conover, Chester Earl 545 KIA
Tail Gunner Quaranta, Robert John 545 MIA
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Williams, Joseph P (IO) 545 KIA
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Avey, Howard Francis 545 POW
SORTIE-RELATED DOCUMENTS:
TYPE IDENTIFICATION
PLDFPost Loss Document File #12
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