The B-24D, 42-63988, was assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group, the 328th Bomb Squadron, in the 8th Air Force, in the U.K. was named, Birmingham Blitzkrieg, and was flown by Lt. Claude A. Turner, who was killed (KIA) when he was shot down and crashed in the North Sea east of Husum, Germany, by an FW 190A-6, believed flown by the German ace, Franz Steiner, of JG 11/2. All 10 crewmen, including the pilot, Lt. Claude Turner, were killed in action. 10 KIA. Nov 13, 1943. MACR 2180

Pilot : 1st Lt. Claude A. Turner - SS MIA/KIA



Target: Bremen, Germany Port Area

Missing Air Crew Report Details

USAAF MACR 2180 :

Date Lost : 13 Nov 43

Serial Number : 42-63988

Aircraft Model : B-24D

Aircraft Letter :

Aircraft Name : Birmingham Blitzkreig

Location : North Sea - East of Husum, Germany

Cause : Shot down by enemy aircraft.



Note : On this date the the 8th Air Force carried out a raid on Bremen, Germany. The 93rd Bomb Group lost 5 of 8 effective ships, with over 52 airman unaccounted for.

The airplane, 42-63988, Birmingham Blitzkrieg, and it's crew members, were lost at sea. None of them were recovered from this mission. Their names appear on Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery. One is listed Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery Margraten, Netherlands.



Birmingham Blitzkreig's Crew :



1st Lt. Claude A. Turner

2nd Lt. Robert E. Geiss

2nd Lt Kenneth E. Crawford

2nd Lt. Junior J. Rule

1st Lt. Frank F. Davis

TSgt. John L. Frey

TSgt. Theodore A. Stephenson

SSgt. William F. Hanson

SSgt. Donald A. Hinds

SSgt. Walter E. Nalett

SSgt. Harry R. Stehnach