42-97564 Belle of Berlin
Uploaded
Delivered Denver 22/12/43; 1SAG Langley 17/1/44; Assigned 413BS/96BG [MZ-J] Snetterton (H2X) 4/2/44; transferred 418BS/100BG [LD- ] Thorpe Abbotts 2/44; 5 missions. Missing in Action Merseburg 20 July 1944 as PATHFINDER ship, with Pilot Captain Francis C. Kincannon, Co-pilot: Bernard L. Farnum, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Daniel B. Deason, Radio Operator: Oscar L. Edge, Right Waist gunner: Glen E. Snider, Tail gunner: Robert D. Chavez, Major Magee C. Fuller mission Command pilot (7 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Louis H. Abramowitz (changed his name to Abbott after the war), Navigator: George E. Bonitz, Bombardier: Captain Robert E. Nance, Left Waist gunner: Daniel M. Cargile, Captain Henry C. Griffis radar navigator (5 evaded capture and got back to base after help from Dutch and Belgian citizens and members of the Résistance). Flak shell hit wing, did not explode, but pierced gas tanks; ship fell out of formation and hit by fighters. Plane force-landed just South of Chaam, SE of Breda, Holland. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 7414. On Detached Service from 95thBG, may have carried the name "Belle of Berlin" ?
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13081083 at enlistment, then O-814034
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-694318
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38372191
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39559984
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15335693
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner; Engineer
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Station 138
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 20 July 1944
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return |
20 July 1944 | force-landed between Chaam and Baarle-Hertog, South of Tilburg, Noord-Brabant Province, The Netherlands |