'Rubber Check' #42-110023 Shot Down by Enemy Fighters on April 8, 1844 over Salzwedal.



Francis Xavier Mahaney, Sr.

Staff Sergeant 506 Squadron, 44th Bomb Group 1942-1945, 8th Air Force

Prisoner of War, Stalag 17 B, Krems Austria 1944-1945

Washington Post Advertising Executive

Washington Times Hearld Photographer



Shot Down on April 8, 1944 near Salzwedal Germany at 24,000 feet in B-24 Liberator "Rubber Check" Parachuted to safety into a German Hospital and escaped before being captured 4 hours later by German patrol. Interrogated in Dulag Luft I Frankfurt am Main Germany.



AAF Missing Air Crew Report-April 8, 1944.



The 506th Squadron bore the brunt on this mission and lost five aircraft as well as another man being KIA on a returning aircraft. Again, the MACR is very brief in its explanation of what transpired with this plane and crew. "At 1347 this aircraft left the formation in difficulty after enemy fighters had attacked. No chutes were seen." The engineer, Sgt. John J. Brown, wrote that, "I believe that they were mostly Me 109s that hit us in that one flashing pass. We didn't know they were coming and were shocked when we heard the firing. "As engineer, and sitting in the top turret, I could observe everything as it was happening. The damage was this - #1 and 2 engines were knocked out and smoking; #3 was on fire immediately, and the flames engulfed the whole right wing area. #4 engine was the only one operating! "I quickly reported this damage to Lt. Herzing, our pilot, and it seemed that a long time elapsed with no answer, so I repeated it a second time. Apparently he and the co-pilot, Lt. Fillbaeh, were nearly in shock trying to determine what had happened and what to do about it. "Lt. Herzing then said, What do you think, Phil?' The reply came back from the co-pilot, 'Let's get the hell out of here!' "The next order was to salvo the bombs - then to prepare to bail out. Very shortly after that, Lt. Herzing could see the hopelessness of the situation then said, 'Go ahead and jump.' "Well, it was our first jump. We had practiced the procedure earlier, but only from the ground and just to orientate each person which exit to take. But this was the real thing and we had a complication - the bomb bay doors were swinging back and forth, apparently damaged as well. "After checking those swinging doors, it was decided to Jump as soon as they were about to open because they swung back almost immediately. We all bailed out and landed with only a few minor bumps and bruises, banged up legs and backs, but otherwise in good shape. Amazingly, with all of the damage to the plane, no one had been hit. I was told that shortly after we bailed out, the ship blew up. "We were quickly rounded up by German soldiers somewhere near Hannover and taken to Dulag Luft for interrogation. Then on to Stalag 17B, Krems, Austria." Navigator Lt. Gayle Dunkersley remembers that, "The name of our airplane was RUBBER CHECK - you know, always come back. We were attacked by Me-109s and had hits on both wings, but none in the fuselage. At least two engines were knocked out, with a fire in one wing. Not being able to maintain altitude we were ordered to bail out. The plane was "set on automatic pilot, and was observed to blow up shortly after we all got out. "All crew members were captured upon landing, and by evening, we were rounded up together in Jail cells at an air force base in the area. Once we were in the hands of the German Air Force personnel, we were treated with mutual respect. The following day was Easter Sunday, and were fed a good dinner and then were put into one large cell for a few hours so that we could compare experiences with each other. All four of us officers were sent to Stalag Luft I, near Barth."



Crew Rubber Check B-24

E. A. Herzing 42-110023 2nd Lieutenant Pilot Prisoner Of War

V. W. Fillbach 42-110023 2nd Lieutenant Co-Pilot Prisoner Of War

W. F. Ball, Jr. 42-110023 2nd Lieutenant Bombardier Prisoner Of War

Gayle J. Dunkerley 42-110023 2nd Lieutenant Navigator Prisoner Of War

Francis X. Mahaney 42-110023 Staff Sergeant Tail Gunner Prisoner Of War

Alvin L. Thorson 42-110023 Sergeant Right Waist Gunner Prisoner Of War

William J. Weiss 42-110023 Staff Sergeant Radio Operator/Gunner Prisoner Of War

A. A. Leblanc 42-110023 Sergeant Left Waist Gunner Prisoner Of War

M. (NMI) Hirsch 42-110023 Sergeant Ball Turret Gunner Prisoner Of War

Joseph J. Brown 42-110023 Sergeant Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Prisoner Of War