42-107588

A B-26 Marauder (VT-R, serial number 42-107588) of the 323rd Bomb Group in flight. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Marauder. Credit USAAF.' media-380004.jpg FRE 1208 A B-26 Marauder (VT-R, serial number 42-107588) of the 323rd Bomb Group in flight. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Marauder. Credit USAAF.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1208 - A B-26 Marauder (VT-R, serial number 42-107588) of the 323rd Bomb Group in flight. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Marauder. Credit USAAF.'

42-107588 was the lead ship on the mission of the 453rd to bomb the wooden bridge over the Our River at Steinebrück, near Saint-Vith, Belgium on 14 January 1945. In the Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 11926 -, Lt Mitchell E. Mussman, flying in number 3 position under the lead ship, reports that they were proceeding as scheduled to the target at approximately 13,000 feet when they encountered Flak. He saw 107588 take evasive action, its bomb bays opened and the Squadron flew on settling down for their bombing run. Mussman relates having seen 107588 release its bomb load about 10 minutes before Time Over Target and noticed no outward damage to it, the lead ship appearing to be intact and under control. Immediately after the bombs left the ship, Mussman saw 3 figures bail out from the rear of the bomb bay and pass from view. S/Sgt Michael Dobra, tail gunner on Mussman's crew saw those figures pass him and reported seeing 4 parachutes open and float earthward.

107588 then veered off to the right and down. First appearing out of control, it leveled out and flew straight. Lt Mussman followed it as it continued out of the Flak area and noticed 107588 take a definite course for some time, seeming well under control. During this time, the other ships remained about a quarter of a mile from Captain Adams' one. About 6 or 7 minutes after bombs away, T/Sgt Schmitt on Mussman's crew saw another figure leave 107588, at an altitude of about 7,100 feet. The parachute opened and the distressed ship took a diving turn to the right. Sgts Dobra and Schmitt reported seeing 107588 complete a 180° turn and crash. It exploded and flames were seen bursting from the wreckage. The crash location was near Saint-Vith, Belgium.

Pilot Robert Adams' statement in the MACR :

"Shortly after leaving the I.P. (Initial Point), we encountered accurate heavy Flak. We took evasive action until we had about a one minute bomb run left. After making 2 course corrections, 107588 was hit by a very close burst of Flak and a fire broke out immediately between my rudder pedals. As the ship was knocked partially out of control, the bombing run was spoiled." Adams called to the crew to prepare to bail out, and at that time, the bombs went away. The Navigator bailed out immediately and the Bombardier came out of the nose. "As the Bombardier passed me, I waited a few seconds and started to follow him. The Bombardier had trouble with his chute, so I returned to the controls. The fire drove me to the Co-Pilot’s seat where I continued to fly until the Bombardier was able to jump. I followed him after an unknown interval."

Pilot Robert H. Adams (managed to reach the Allied lines); Navigator Captain George P. Burnett Jr (POW); Co-Pilot & GEE Navigator Jerome S. Yosick (KIA); Bombardier Captain Warren W. Anderson (POW); Engineer/Gunner T/Sgt Virgil Smith (Killed later); Radio Operator/Gunner T/Sgt Jack W. Pippin (POW); Armourer/Gunner S/Sgt Louis R. Prejean (killed later).

Connections

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Units served with

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-667904
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18084765 and O-726105
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18024532 and O-660867
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34285298
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38310701
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Armorer; Gunner

Places

Missions

  • Date: 14 January 1945

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

near Saint-Vith, Belgium 14 January 1945 Hit by Flak

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added connections to the 9th AF.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 11926

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Added ID letters

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Added ID letters

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 11926

Date
ContributorTanks
Changes
Sources

AAM Photo

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 11926 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-107588: Gallery (1 items)