On 30 Nov 1943 the B-17F Liberty Belle (42-30096) left on VIII Bomber Command Mission 143 for the industrial area of Solingen, Germany, but by the time they got near the area they found it clouded over. Out of the 349 B-17's sent, 270 aborted and returned to base, and the 79 left used blind-bombing equipment to hit the Solingen area. The Liberty Belle was hit by flak during the action, and as it was nearing the coast on the return trip a small fire broke out caused by the 25,000-candlepower double star from the M8 flare gun kit box igniting. The crew was attempting to put out the spreading fire while the aircraft was at 19,000 ft altitude when the bail-out order was given. The navigator, 1st Lt. Nathan Ungar did not depart the aircraft in time and disappeared as he was blown out of the aircraft by the sudden explosion inside the fuselage breaking up the aircraft. The ship crashed 1/2 mile west of Penlan Hall, Wakes Colne, Essex near Colchester, England. 1st Lt. Unger's body was recovered nine miles away. The bombardier Chuck (Chas) Stevens was also killed when his shoot failed to open after bailing out. The pilot was hit and injuried by a ricocheting flair, but managed to bail out successfully. The regular co-pilot had been permanently grounded after the previous day's mission having contracted tuberculosis. The replacement co-pilot from the Fickle Finger of Fate, James "Buck" McKee was killed after failing to bail in time.