On 17 November, 1942, after leaving the target area near St. Nazaire, B-17F #41-24496 'Chenault's Pappy' was attacked by FW190s. The TTG Aulenbach was killed and 3 crew members as the plane suffered severe damage. A/C landed at Exeter.

Shot down on 13th Mission 16 February 1943 in B-17 #42-5717 over France. Landed in parachute near Guillac, France. Evaded capture with the help of French citizens and members of the Résistance. Fed, clothed, sheltered, transported all the way to Southern France, he crossed the Pyrénées mountains and arrived in Spain on 5 June. He was briefly interned there before being guided to Gibraltar which he reached on 26 June 1943. Flown back from there to Bristol, UK on 29 June 1943. Returned to active duty in August of 1943. He was promoted to M/Sergeant by Gen. Ira Eaker upon his return to England. His evasion is documented in his Escape & Evasion Report E&E #46 which may be viewed at: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5554686