| MISSION DATA: | |||
| DATE | 384th BG Mission # | 8th AF Mission # | 384th PRIMARY TARGET |
| 1943‑08‑12 | 14 | 81 | Target: Synthetic Fuel Hydrogenation Plant Type: Industry Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany |
| Many Enemy Fighters: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the high group of the 103rd Combat Wing on today's mission. The formation was decimated by aborts and losses. Formation problems prevented attack on primary target. Unidentified military installations were bombed leaving primary target area. Heavy fighter attacks occurred for over an hour after the target. | |||
| SORTIE DATA: | ||
| COMBAT CREDIT | STATUS | TARGET ATTACKED (MODE) |
| Yes |
Failed To Return Comments: Hit by flak on the way to the target, then attacked by fighters. Some of crew bailed out before aircraft exploded. Crashed near Volmershofen/Heidgen (5 miles SW of Bonn), Germany. MACR 288 |
TOO (Visual) Target: Military Installations Type: Military Location: [Unidentified], Germany |
| SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | ||||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQUADRON | SQ CODE | NAME |
| B-17F | 42‑5806 ⇗ | 545th | JD*Z | not known |
| SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Pilot | Swank, Robert Dale⇗ | 545 | KIA |
| Co-pilot | Hoffmeyer, William Alfred⇗ | 545 | POW |
| Navigator | Bolin, Harold Andrew⇗ | 545 | POW |
| Bombardier | Perkins, Newell Edward⇗ | 545 | POW |
| Radio Operator | Mattoon, William Earl⇗ | 545 | POW |
| Engineer/Top Turret | Kosse, Russel Jerome⇗ | 545 | POW |
| Ball Turret | Johnson, Carl Benjamin⇗ | 545 | KIA |
| Tail Gunner | Martin, J D (IO)⇗ | 545 | POW/Wounded |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Sorbo, Peter Paul⇗ | 545 | KIA |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Richey, Charles Virgil⇗ | 545 | KIA |
| SORTIE-RELATED DOCUMENTS: | |
| TYPE | IDENTIFICATION |
| MACR | Missing Air Crew Report # 288⇗ |