44-8446 Bahama A. Abel
Delivered Dallas 18 September 1944; Hunter 9 October 1944; Dow Field 18 October 1944; Assigned 369BS/306BG [GY-A] Thurleigh 26 November 1944. Missing in Action Gymnich, Germany on 10 January 1945 with Pilot Harold C. Mattson; Co-Pilot Roy J. Kruger; Bombardier Jesse A. Bryan; Navigator: Lawrence C. Shaw Jr; Radar/navigator William Mocharnuk; Radio Operator: Richard Ramirez; Right Waist Gunner : Vernon T. Crowton; Flight Engineer/Top Turret gunner: James M. Jenkins; Ball Turret gunner: Joseph T. Zymanek; Tail gunner: David S. Koubeck. Pilot Harold Mattson and Tail Gunner David Koubeck were Killed in Action (KIA). The 8 others were immediately captured and made Prisoners of War (POW). Hit by Flak above Köln about 2 minutes before bombs away; engines #1 and 2 out. Pilot Mattson gave order to bail out and stayed in the plane until it exploded, also killing Tail Gunner Koubeck apparently unable to get out of tail turret. Last sighted at 50.52’N-06.59’E (=above Kall, Germany), about 2000ft beneath formation, apparently under control. Crew member statement has crash location "near small railway terminal about 10 miles South of Köln, Germany". Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 11746.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-773294
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Bombardier / Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36580167
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13168324
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner, Top Turret Gunner; Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39716073
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19151753 and O-775051
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Missions
- Date: 10 January 1945
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
± 16km South of Köln, Germany | 10 January 1945 | Hit by Flak, exploded, crashed about 10 miles South of Köln, Germany |
Revisions
This taken from R J Kruger's memoir on his experiances leading up to his liberation from Stalig Luft 1.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 11746 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database