Killed in Action (KIA) 1 August 1943 while on TDY to 9th AF for Ploesti raid in B-24 'Hells Angels' 42-40781. Harth’s name is recorded on the Tablet of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery. As of November 2017, the remains of William Harth have now been accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.



Birth: 1921

Columbia

Richland County

South Carolina, USA

Death: Aug. 1, 1943, Romania



From FAG# 47380828



Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. William H. Harth, Jr., killed during World War II, has now been accounted for.



In the summer of 1943, Harth was a bombardier assigned to the 329th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), which was known as “The Traveling Circus.” He served on a B-24D aircraft, nicknamed “Hell’s Angels,” when he was participating in a historic mission, which was the first large-scale, low-altitude attack by U.S. heavy bomber aircraft on Ploesti, Romania, code-named Operation TIDAL WAVE. On Aug. 1, 1943, as Harth’s aircraft approached Ploesti, it was hit by German anti-aircraft fire. Harth was killed when the aircraft crashed.



Interment services are pending; more details will be released 7-10 days prior to scheduled funeral services.



Harth’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

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Bombardier 2nd/Lt. William H. Harth Jr. DFC KIA

Squadron: 329TH 93BOMB GROUP,

Hometown:Columbia, S.C

Service# O-731509

Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal. Purple heart

Pilot 1st/Lt. Roy C. Harms DFC KIA



Target: Concordia-Vega refineries (Ploesi)

Missing Air Crew Report Details

USAAF MACR#:

Date Lost: 1-AUG-43

Serial Number:42-40781

Aircraft Model B-24D

Aircraft Letter: U

Aircraft Name: HELLS ANGELS

Location: crashed near the target 10 crew 9 MIA/KIA 1POW .



Lt. Harth lost his life in "Operation Tidal Wave" one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 93rd attacks the Concordia-Vega oil refinery. The 93rd earns Presidential Unit Citation, all of the crews receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Lt. Harth appears Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery Florence, Italy. His body was never recovered.



Hit by flack in the approach to target a of opportunity ( White IV) bomb bay area was set on fire. Large part of the left tail fin and rudder were shot away. The LWG and Engineer were severely wounded. The aircraft was seen banking to the right turning before the target in a climb. The Engineer bailed out successfully from 300 Ft AGL. Thereafter 42-40781 was seen stalling and then crashed near Chitorani. The crew was still training in the US in May 1943 when sent to Scotland and then to Libya .



HELLS ANGELS Crew

1Lt Roy C. Harms Pilot

2Lt. Albert W Stahl Navigator

2nd/Lt. William Harth Jr Bombardier

2Lt. Earl Ferguson Co Pilot

T/Sgt. Michael Doka Gunner

TSgt Ralph E.J.Richardson Radio Op

TSgt John Shufritz Gunner

SSgt Arnold M HolenGunner

SSgt Arnold M HolenGunner

SSgt Arnold M HolenGunner

SSgt Winfield V. Long Tail Gunner



Inscription:

2 LT 329 BOMB SQ 93 BOMB GP(H) S C



Note: Entered the service from South Carolina.



Burial:

Florence American Cemetery and Memorial

Florence

Città Metropolitana di Firenze

Toscana, Italy

Plot: Tablets of the Missing