41-31653 King Bee
B-26B-15-MA 41-31653 "King Bee" [KX:M]was assigned to the 353BG/558BS at Chipping Onger, UK. The aircraft was despatched on 31-Aug-43 along with 35 others to bomb the German airfield at Lille/Vendeville, France. The aircraft was struck by anti-aircaft fire and crashed at the target. It was the only loss on this mission. 5KIA 1POW 11 other aircraft were damaged.
P 1LT Ernest L. Anderson (KIA); CP 2LT Louis C. Stevenson (KIA)
B/N 2LT Earl T. Miller (KIA); RG TSGT William B. Powers, Jr. (KIA)
E/G SSGT Robert I. Abell (KIA; G SSGT Harry C. Seth (POW)
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-731784
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator / Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11086882
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13088049
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Willingale
Missions
- Date: 31 August 1943
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Lille, France | 31 August 1943 | Shot down by anti-aircraft fire while attacking the German airfield at Lille/Vendeville, France |
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 28-May-2015. Added Description and FTR event detail based on "The Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop * John A. Hery MBE; made connections to Unit/Squadron, Place and Mission within existing website data; added crew position, rank, full proper name and disposition per MACR 471; formatted crew display.
MACR 471 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database