B-17G    42-102580    613th

28 May 1944   Mission # 77   Target: Dessau


                  28 May 1944 , 10:00 engines are on.
                  21 aircraft were airborne by 11:06 , mission #77 , Primary target: Oil Refinery .

                  This was the roughest mission of the 401st Bombardment Group's tour in the ETO.
                  They were attack by approximately 200 enemy fighters. The attacks lasted for 40 minutes.
                  As many as 60 enemy aircraft attacked in formation, using saturation tactics.
                  All of the High Squadron but the Lead Aircraft were shot down. A total of six Group aircraft were lost in the target area.
                  The Group's bombs fell in an excellent pattern, and dense smoke was observed over the target.

Missing Air Crew Report : 5307

1.    Organization : AAF Sta 128.                  
               

       Command : 8th Air Force.
       Group : 401st.
       Squadron : 613th.

2.    Place of depature : AAF Station 128.
       Course :East.
       Target : Dessau.
       Type of mission: Operational Bombing.

3.    Weather conditions when last sighted : 1/10 cloud coverage.

4.    Last know date : 28 May 1944
       time : 12:30
       location : Mid channel

5.    Aircraft believed to have been lost as a result of : Reasons unknown

6.    Aircraft type : B-17G
       serial no. : 42-102580

7.    Nickname of aircraft : --

8.    Engines : R-1820-97.

10.  Persons listed below listed as : Battle Casualties.

11.  Persons on board : Crew : 10.

12.  List crew position , name , rank , serial no. and current status :
Pilot William F. Protz 1st Lt 0-808459 POW
Copilot Richard Shirley Barnett 2nd Lt 0-747371 KIA
Navigator Alvin Johnston Stiegel Fl. O. T-124006 KIA
Bombardier Sam Byrd Bennett 2nd Lt 0-749817 KIA
Radio Operator Wayne Wesley Wicks T/Sgt 39198390 KIA
Engr / Top Turret Jim Kemp Morrow T/Sgt 38463402 KIA
Ball Turret Gunner Frank Steven Bartak S/Sgt 17120249 POW
Tail Gunner James Clifford Appleby S/Sgt 39030393 POW
Left Waist Gunner Albert Philip Reinhardt Sgt 32564597 POW
Right Waist Gunner Glenn Irwin Cliff S/Sgt 39564561 POW
13.  Person believed to have last knowledge of missing aircraft :

Irwin, James R.        2nd Lt.        O-753892




Mission to Dessau, Germany, Crashed at Aken, Germany.


Will be continued soon



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