43-34221 Lil Jan

Assigned to 598BS, 397BG, 9AF USAAF. 14 x combat missions flown. From A-72, Peronne airfield, Failed to Return (FTR) mission to bomb Eller railroad bridge hit by fighters, rolled onto its back, split into two crashed near Auderath, Germany. 23-Dec-44. 8 x KIA. MACR 11549.



Crew: Capt. Donald M. Stangle; 2.Lt Gordon H Wenborg; 1.Lt's Arthur E Coyne; Norman S Scherer; T/Sgt Harold W Perkins; S/Sgt's Joseph W Hejner; James H Hoots; Robert D Williams.

Connections

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Units served with

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96191) nicknamed "The Milk Run Special" of the 397th Bomb Group at Steeple Morden, 1945. Image by Alexander "Cal" Sloan. Written on slide casing: '296191, 397 BG.'

397th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Arthur E Coyne

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 598th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15170012 / O-741241
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Joseph W Hejnar

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 598th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33599667
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Flight engineer

James A Hoots

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 598th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36476466
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Armourer / gunner

Harold Washington Perkins

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 598th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37505298
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio operator

Norman S Scherer

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 598th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12100006 / O-887158
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-95865) nicknamed "Sky Hag" of the 391st Bomb Group.

757

  • Date: 23 December 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Assigned

Rivenhall, Witham CM8, UK 6 September 1944 Assigned to 598BS, 397BG, 9AF USAAF.

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

56766 Auderath, Germany 23 December 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) mission to bomb Eller railroad bridge hit by fighters, rolled onto its back, split into two crashed near Auderath, Germany. 23-Dec-44. 8 x KIA. MACR 11549.

Manufactured

Offutt AFB, NE, USA Built at Martin.

Delivered

Nebraska, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://www.b26.com/page/marauder_missions_december_23_1944.htm
https://www.fold3.com/image/46703375
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=148980

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Added airfield of departure - Peronne - for 23 December 1944 mission.
https://www.fold3.com/image/46703375

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://www.b26.com/page/marauder_missions_december_23_1944.htm
https://www.fold3.com/image/46703375
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=148980

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 11549 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database