Richard H Brandle
Military
Pilot
340th BG - 486th BS - 12th AF
MIA/KIA 4 November 194
Object Number - UPL 54846 - Richard H. Brandle Pilot 340th BG - 486th BS - 12th AF MIA/KIA 4 November 194
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
- Nicknames: Schnapps Yo-Yo
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group 486th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Advanced Landing Ground Alesanie
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Philadelpha, PA | 19 March 1921 | |
|
Enlisted |
San Antonio, TX | 10 December 1942 | |
|
Other 340th BG Combat Tour |
Alesani Airfield, Corsica | 4 July 1944 - 4 November 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Monfaucon, France | 19 August 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Valence/La Tresorerie Aerodrome, France | 20 August 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Parma, Italy | 21 August 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Tarare, France | 28 August 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Feltre, France | 29 August 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Piave-Susegana, Italy | 31 August 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Sesto Calende, Italy | 4 September 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Solignano, Italy | 5 September 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Piacenza, Italy | 12 September 1944 | |
|
Other Combat Mission |
Rimini, Italy | 14 September 1944 | |
|
Died |
Tyrrhenian Sea | 4 November 1944 | Shortly after take-off each plane gained altitude and began to assemble in boxes of six planes each, Lt Brandle flying the number four position of the last box. Approximately 15 minutes after take-off from the airfield, the last box was at an altitude of 4500’, with an airspeed of 160 to 170 mph and on a compass heading of thirty-four degrees. At 1020 hours the Island of Elba was to the rear of the right wing of the formation. Dead ahead a large cloud bank was so dense it was difficult for the crews to see their own wingtips. Thirty to forty seconds later, the flight, now scattered, cleared the clouds. Schnapps Yo-Yo was missing and was never seen again. It was assumed by other crews that it had developed trouble and had returned to base. There were no indications that it was in trouble or had gone down. On the return form the mission, almost four hours later, the grim fact was evident that it had disappeared without a trace. Searches of the area of the disappearance were made but revealed no tell-tale signs of debris or oil slick usually noticeable in ditching’s and crashes on the water. As the days passed, the searches were called off and hope for the survival of the crew faded. Lt Brandle may have lost power, lost control, or possibly both. There had been some turbulence in the clouds, but other aircraft did not report icing conditions. Scott Rohwer, of the 486th, in his book “Palouse Pilot”, by Nona Hengen, relates some of the possibilities that may have occurred in those last crucial moments. |
|
Buried |
No Known Grave Tablets of The Missing Florence American Cemetery Florence American Cemetery Via Cassia S.N. 50023 Tavarnuzze (Firenze) Italy |
Revisions
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/081944_Mon…
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/082044_Val…
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/082144_Par…
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/082844_Tar…
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/082944_Fel…
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/090444_Ses…
http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/091244_Pia…
