42-50511

media-16001.jpeg UPL 16001 History book from Surbough France, where the B24 of Edward Appel's crew crashed. The crash was observed by then 8 year old Joseph Scharrenberger of Subourg. Joseph retold the story to Edward's children in Nov, 2014. Marie Fassel, 9 years at the time, was also an eyewitness at the crash. She talk about retrieving the parachutes and making dresses out of them. The meeting was arranged by Gerard Ober, historian of Hochfelden. Edward Appel collection

MACR 8599

Object Number - UPL 16001 - History book from Surbough France, where the B24 of Edward Appel's crew crashed. The crash was observed by then 8 year old Joseph Scharrenberger of...

This plane was piloted by Lt Frazee and co-pilot Captain Edward Appel on its last mission on 5 September 1944. Its target was the Marshalling yards near Karlsruhe. It was flying deputy lead and on formation instruments nearly all the way. Just before reaching the IP they broke into the clear. They had just started the bomb run when the 88s hit. The plane took a big hit to the right wing and its two right engines were knocked out. The rudder cables were also cut, they had no turbos, and the fuel cells were ruptured. The windshield had come in and gas was flowing. They managed to turn around using the ailerons, but lost altitude fast. They salvoed the bombs and anything else loose, but could not make it to the American lines. The crew bailed out and the plane crashed near Surbourg, France. Two men died because of chute failure (Bombardier Charles W. Davis and Assistant Navigator Theodore E. Rachel); one man successfully evaded (Co-Pilot Edward W. Appel); two others managed to evade capture until they were arrested (Radio Operator/Gunner Maynard A. Latten and Tail Gunner Curtis E. Hodges, killed by the Germans on 25 November 1944); seven men were captured and were Prisoners of War (POWs) : Pilot Kenneth E. Frazee, 1st Navigator Charles R. Steinforth, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Louis J. Trosclair, Observer Paul C. Andersen, Right Waist Gunner Raymond H. Keller, Left Waist Gunner George B. Steele and the other Assistant Navigator William C. Beasley. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 8599.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Observer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 445th Bomb Group 56th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron Headquarters (93rd Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: 19018109 / O-745854
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot, Bomber Pilot, Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11066624 at enlistment, then O-805900
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97904) nicknamed "Lady Janette" of the 452nd Bomb Group drops bombs over the target. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Stuttgart 5 Sept 44. 452 BG Mott A/C.'
  • Date: 5 September 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Surbourg, France 5 September 1944 Crashed between Surbourg and Soultz-sous-Forêts, about 15km Northeast of Haguenau, Alsace, France

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
ChangesChanges to markings, description, events, place associations and mission associations. Changes to Media
Sources

MACR 8599

Date
Contributorjpendolino
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Juliann Pendolino

Date
Contributorjpendolino
ChangesChanges to media associations
Sources

Juliann Pendolino

Date
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

MACR 8599 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-50511: Gallery (3 items)