2Lt Erwin J. Bevins 445th BG , 702nd BS Co-pilot of B-24 #42-7554 MACR #15597According to 2LT Bevins interrogation report (E & E Escape and Evasion Report) to the USAAF dated 12 APR1945, he stated: "...the B-24 in which Lt. BEVINS was flying was hit by flak over the target, losing the oxygen supply in the nose. They left the formation and went down to 14,000 feet to give oxygen to the three men in the nose. The plane was then hit by a (German) ME-110 and raked from end to end. The order was given to bail out (by Pilot, 1st Lt. John H. Allen). Lt BEVINS saw one chute in the air as he came down. He landed (parachute) at 1530L, 22 December 1943 at BAKHUIZEN, HOLLAND. Moments before the end, 4 men bailed out. 3 Survived, 1 landed in Lake Ijsselmeer/Iselmar and drowned. "Tail End Charlie" then crashed at 14:59L into the cemetery in Mirns, Netherlands. On that mission, 7 crew members lost their lives. 2LT Bevins was able to bail out before his B-24 plane crashed and, with the help of the Dutch Resistance / Underground, evaded capture for 473 days in Holland.