USAAF 41-31974 Martin B-26B-35-MA Marauder

41-31974 Martin B-26B-35-MA Marauder

1941031974, 41-31974 Martin B-26B-35-MA Marauder fate: shot down group-squadron: 322BG450BS Remarks: 322BG450BS Nye's Annihilators Code:ER-E/R nickname 'We can't miss Victory' Shot down by flak MACR-7047. 19th July 1944 two combat boxes, totalling 36 Marauders of the 322BG Nye's Annihilators took off to attack the Nantes RR Bridge, France. There was a 3/10 cloud undercast over France, but there appeared a break in the clouds of twenty miles over the target giving visibility of eight to ten miles. On the bomb run between 1956 - 1957hrs he 1st box ran into moderate accurate flak, but bombed without losing any B26's. The 2nd Box met heavy accurate flak with 41-31974 ER-R in the 3rd flight 2nd Box was hit by flak in the right engine prior to bombs away. Smoke was see coming from this engine with the ship going out of control and turning onto its back before diving into the cloud base. Two parachutes were seen. The lead ship 41-35021 SS-L dropped its bombs before it too was hit by flak. With the left engine on fire it banked steeply to the left with the left wing breaking off and the plane going into a spin to crash just south of the river. One chute was seen at 19. 57hrs, a second crew member was seen to leave the B26 but this parachute failed to open. Bombing results were 1st Box 1st flight excellent, 1st box 2nd flight excellent, 1st box 3rd flight fair 2nd box 1st flight gross error, 2nd box 2nd flight poor, 2nd box 3rd flight fair 41-35021 SS-L 1. Lt William E Canfield pilot Col. John G Simpson copilot & Group Air executive 1. Lt Hugo E Conforti navigator 1. Lt James J Burns bombardier S/Sgt Jack H Chidester engineer T/Sgt Hamilton J Hofmeister radio Sgt Ralph Hehl gunner S/Sgt Wilbuen W Hampton, gunner 41-31974 ER-R 1. Lt Jay M Dean pilot 1. Lt J P Gonet copilot 2. Lt Carl H Sinn b/n S/Sgt James E Fox engineer T/Sgt John P Williams radio S/Sgt Charles T Abady gunner Jul 19 1944 Disposal-Date: Jul 19 1944

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Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Nantes. Hit by flak in target area, smoke seen trailing from starboard engine, control lost, A/C turned on its back, 2 chutes observed before lost below overcast, crashed Trois Moulins, 12km Sth of Nantes, France 19-Jul-44. 2 x RTD, 4 x KIA. MACR 7047.