FRE 1686
IMAGETwo airmen of the 398th Bomb Group examine the damaged tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Damaged received while on the April 8,1945 mission to Derben, Germany. Just after bombs-away a direct hit by flak completely tore the tail gunner position away and disabled the rudder controls. The tail gunner, S/Sgt. Wallace E. Kasch, was carried away without his chute, his remains were never found. It took the skill of the two pilots, Lt. Col. Edwin B. Daily and 1st Lt. John L. Hahn, to get the aircraft back to base using the engines for directional control. MACR 13869
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (398th Bomb Group)
- Service Numbers: O-437440
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot / Squadron Commander / Group Operations Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-774634
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35895845
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron
Locations
- Site type: Airfield
Mission
- Date: 8 April 1945