William J Heather Jr

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Killed in Action (KIA) on B-26 mission to Dieppe Port Area. Heavy flak. 5 may 44

The rest of the crew consisted of: Capt. Clark T. Dean, Bombardier, 0-663242; 1 Lt. Curtis E. "Buck" Wheat, Navigator, 0-731349; 1 Lt. Arthur J. Smyth, "Gee" Navigator, 0-791865; S/sgt Raymond D. Hamley, Engineer/gunner, 20213665; T/sgt. Richard G. Keefer, Radio/gunner, 13087561; 2 Lt. Frank L. Watkins, Tail gunner, 0-2045203.

Connections

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Units served with

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

20 May 1944 Major Heather was the pilot of "Battlin Bitch", a B26 out of Earls Colne, northwest of London near Colchester. The plane was most likely in the Box Lead position, indicated by the presence of a bombardier, Capt. Dean Clark (In a typical Box Formation, only the lead plane carried a bombardier, the other planes dropping their bombs on the signal from the lead ship). They also carried a "Gee" navigator, Lt. Arthur Smyth, indicating the use of radar. They were on a bombing raid over Dieppe in anticipation of D-Day. There was heavy flak over the target, and the left engine was hit. The engine was smoking but the plane appeared to be under control. The plane was heading back to England after completing the run on the target, but the damage was too extensive and the plane turned back toward France. Between 1900 and 2000 (local), the plane was seen to lose altitude and crash into the Channel in the area of Dieppe. No wreckage was found, or bodies recovered save that of S/Sgt. Raymond Hamley (engineer/gunner), whose body washed ashore in France some time later, and was later buried at the Normandy American Museum.

Revisions

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macr4966

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macr4966

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macr4966

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b26.com/Trevor Allen; after action report; us militaria forum (search for Raymond Hamley 20213665), citing MACR4966 and Hamley's IDPF.

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B26.com; after action report;

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after action report

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after action report

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Combat Chronology, Marauder Men / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia