John H Baxter

Military

Baxter was dismissed from the USAAF for disobeying a command from Lt Karl Franek to report for flying duty and partake in the mission on 8 October 1943.



Baxter initially served as a bombing instructor, before being sent to the UK and assigned to a B-17 crew. He flew an air-sea-rescue sortie over Norway. On 4 October 1943 he took part in the bombing mission over Frankfurt, where he claimed he 'froze' on his guns and was a detriment to his crew. Baxter was quoted saying: 'In the States it was OK, but over here it is a different story with someone else depending on you.'



After the mission on 4 October, Baxter told Franek that he wanted to quit, and not fly any more. Major Hendrick permitted him to miss a few missions, but did not ground Baxter. On 8 October, the Bombardier scheduled to fly the mission was taken ill, meaning Baxter would have to take his place. Despite orders to fly from Franek, Baxter refused, even when warned he could face court-martial for his actions.



Baxter later stated that the reason his crew aborted the 4 October mission was because he was unable to carry out his role as Bombardier.



Original Bombardier, Crozier, G. crew. 381st BG, 533rd BS, 8th AF.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-795709
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13091561
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner; Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20918003
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18076216
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Based

18 September 1943

Other

Dismissed

Brampton Grange 30 November 1943

Born

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

ETO Board of Review, Volume 4 via Library of Congress.

Date
ContributorARowe95
Changes
Sources

ARowe95

Date
ContributorARowe95
Changes
Sources

ARowe95

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources