| MISSION DATA: | |||
| DATE | 384th BG Mission # | 8th AF Mission # | 384th PRIMARY TARGET |
| 1944‑04‑24 | 94 | 315 | Target: Dornier-Werke GMBH Aircraft Plant Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany |
| Aircraft Factory Demolished: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) led the 41st B Combat Bombardment Wing, and provided the majority of the high composite group of that wing, on today's mission. The objective was the factory in which the Do 335 Multipurpose Fighter was being built. This innovative aircraft was seen as a substantial threat to Allied fighter and bomber forces, and no effort was spared to cripple its production. In addition, new bombing formations were being tried for the first time, which made the mission even more hazardous. Regardless of the risk and challenges faced by aircrews, the mission was successful, crippling Do 335 production. For its part on this mission, the 384th was awarded its second Distinguished Unit Citation. | |||
| SORTIE DATA: | ||
| COMBAT CREDIT | STATUS | TARGET ATTACKED (MODE) |
| Yes |
Failed To Return Comments: Hit by flak near Munich; #2 engine on fire but plane under control; bombed target; crashed near Füssen, Germany. MACR 4349. Navigator seriously wounded; died on 16 May 1944 in a German hospital. |
Primary (Visual) |
| SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | ||||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQUADRON | SQ CODE | NAME |
| B-17G | 42‑97372 ⇗ | 547th | SO*P | BOOBY TRAP |
| SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Pilot | Haley, Ralph Bernard⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Co-pilot | Bice, William Leslie⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Navigator | Patefield, Richard Arthur⇗ | 547 | Seriously Wounded |
| Bombardier | Masterson, Donald Joy⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Radio Operator | Lott, Tommy Page⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Engineer/Top Turret | Atkinson, Robert Vernon⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Ball Turret | McLimans, Joseph Emmett⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Tail Gunner | Congdon, Robert Earl⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Kelley, Luther Irwin⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Jackson, Leslie Hall⇗ | 547 | POW |
| SORTIE-RELATED DOCUMENTS: | |
| TYPE | IDENTIFICATION |
| MACR | Missing Air Crew Report # 4349⇗ |