| 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: Lead Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑5849. High Squadron deputy. Damaged by flak; crashed near Gelsenkirchen, Germany. MACR 289 |
TOO (Visual) Target: Military Installations Type: Military Location: [Unidentified], Germany |
| SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | ||||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQUADRON | SQ CODE | NAME |
| B-17F | 42‑30046 ⇗ | 544th | SU*K | MERRIE HELL |
| SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Pilot | Sierens, Ernest Joseph⇗ | 547 | MIA |
| Co-pilot | Acker, Joel Milton, Jr⇗ | 547 | KIA |
| Navigator | Scoursi, Spiridon John⇗ | 547 | KIA |
| Bombardier | Blossman, Allan Milton⇗ | 547 | KIA |
| Radio Operator | Ketterman, Harry Kennith⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Engineer/Top Turret | Johnson, Melvin Henry⇗ | 547 | KIA |
| Ball Turret | Hunt, George Alfred⇗ | 547 | KIA |
| Tail Gunner | Brindley, Louis Delbert⇗ | 547 | POW |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Jones, Van Green⇗ | 547 | KIA |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Hansen, Melvin Everett⇗ | 547 | KIA |
| SORTIE-RELATED DOCUMENTS: | |
| TYPE | IDENTIFICATION |
| MACR | Missing Air Crew Report # 289⇗ |