UPL 71469 UPL 71469 Standing L-R: Charles J. Griffin, William D. Brooks, Melvin E. Gaide, Donald H. Fletcher, Frank Danella, George A. Janos, Unknown.
Kneeling L-R: Robert E. Dibble, John H. Thompson, Edgar F. Woodward, Jr. (Pilot), Emanuel Cassimatis

The original plane for the Woodward Crew was "Poontang", as shown in this picture. While stateside for the passing of their bombardier Robert E. Dibble who was KIA on 8/15/1943, "Poontang" was taken out by the Biddick/Flesh crew due to reports of mechanical issues with "Escape Kit" and did not return on 8/17/1943. It was documented that Biddick took "Escape Kit" on 8/17/1943. Woodward's crew then took "Escape Kit" on the Sept 6, 1943 Stuttgart Mission No. 91 in which they experienced engine failure as described by S/Sgt Donald H. Fletcher below:
During the September 6, 1943 Mission to Stuttgart, the Woodward Crew (#33) flying "Escape Kit" had engine problems and the crew was forced to bail. Per a letter from Donald H. Fletcher (RWG) on January 25, 1984, "...on the way into the target, an oil leak in #2 engine. Woodward could then have aborted, but decided to press on. Somewhere near the IP oil pressure went to zero and prop would not feather - cylinder head temp. went sky high. If engine seized and prop came off it could have been disastrous to ship. It was decided to head south for Switzerland. When they believed themselves over Switzerland, the crew bailed. It turned out that only Woodward, who remained with aircraft until the crew had successfully bailed out, landed in Switzerland, the others in Germany."

Personal, written and video accounts from Donald H. Fletcher.

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