Delivered Cheyenne 27/11/43; Wendover 12/10/43; Presque Is 19/1/44; Assigned 748BS/457BG [B] Glatton 23/2/44; Missing in Action Merseburg 12/5/44 with John Akers, Co-pilot: Chas Scott, Navigator: Lloyd Dell, Bombardier: Leo Kruszinski, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ed White, Radio Operator: Bob Marsteller, Ball turret gunner: Austin Moore, Waist gunner: Harry Peterman, Waist gunner: Chris Milgo,Tail gunner: Wallace Taft (10 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Naunheim/Eifel, six miles SE of Mayen, SW of Koblenz, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 4800. ROSE OLIVE.



This plane 42-31607, named "Rose Olive," was piloted by Lt John Akers. After dropping bombs on the target at Lutzkendorf, the plane apparently developed engine trouble or other malfunctions and dropped from the formation with two engines out. It dropped far behind the rest of the group and apparently had other problems for the crew abandoned the plane, parachuted to safety and were POW's for the rest of the war.