Note: Those words/passages that were unreadable are marked with elipses (...).
War Department
Headquarters Army Air Forces
Washington
Important
This report will be compiled in triplicate by each Army Air Forces organization within 48 hours of the time an aircraft is officially reported missing.
1. ORGANIZATION:
Location: AAF ;
Station: 109;
Command or Air Force: 8th Air Force;
Group: 92nd Bomb Group (H);
Squadron: 326;
Detachment:
2. SPECIFY:
Point of Department: AAF Station 109;
Course: ;
Intended Destination: Münster;
Type of Mission: bombing
3. WEATHER CONDITIONS AND VISIBILITY AT TIME OF CRASH OR WHEN LAST SITED:
4. GIVE:
(a) date: 23 March 1944 ;
time: 1115
location: target area
of last known whereabouts of missing aircraft.
(b) Specify weather:
(x ) last sighted;
( ) last contacted by radio;
( ) forced down;
( ) seen to crash; or
( ) information not available
5. AIRCRAFT WAS LOST, OR IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN LOST, AS A RESULT OF (check only one):
( ) enemy aircraft;
( ) enemy anti-aircraft;
(x ) other circumstances as follows: engine on fire
6. AIRCRAFT: Type, model and series: B-17 G 42-31532
7. ENGINES: Type, model and serial number: [data omitted]
8. INSTALLED WEAPONS (furnish below make, type and serial number): [data omitted]
9. THE PERSONS LISTED BELOW WERE REPORTED AS:
(a) battle casualtys [sic]:
(b) nonbattle casualtys:
10. NUMBER OF PERSONS ABOARD AIRCRAFT:
crew: 10;
passengers: x;
total: 10
(Starting with pilot furnish the following particulars): If more than ten persons were aboard aircraft, list similar particulars on separate sheet and attach original to this form.
| Name in Full Last name First |
Rank | Serial No. |
|||
| 1. | Pilot | Murdock, Henry W. | 2 Lt. | RTD | |
| 2. | Co-pilot | Evans, Frank | 2 Lt. | RTD | |
| 3. | Navigator | Maher, Martin F. | 2 Lt. | RTD | |
| 4. | Bombardier | Marts, Paul R. | 2 Lt. | RTD | |
| 5. | TTGunner | Bryant, Harry T. | S/Sgt. | RTD | |
| 6. | Ball Turret Gunner | Kandcer, Bernard H. | Sgt. | KIA | |
| 7. | R. Waist Gnr. | Chumbley, Carl E. | Sgt. | KIA | |
| 8. | L. Waist Gnr. | Williams, Jack M. | Sgt. | KIA | |
| 9. | Tail Gnr. | Verona, John J. | Sgt. | RTD | |
| 10. | Radio Opr. | Anderson, George H. | S/Sgt. | RTD |
11. *** IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE LAST KNOWLEDGE OF AIRCRAFT, AND CHECK APPROPRIATE COLUMN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME: (over)
[next page]
Check only one column
| Name in Full (last name first) |
Rank | Serial Number |
By Radio |
Last Sighted |
Saw Crash |
Saw Forced Landing |
|
| 1. | Plumley, Harold | Sgt. | x | ||||
| 2. | |||||||
| 3. | |||||||
| 4. | |||||||
| 5. |
12. IF PERSONNEL ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE SURVIVED, ANSWER YES TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS: none made
(a) parachutes were used;
(b) persons were seen walking away from scene of crash;
(c) any other reason (specify)
13. ATTACH AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, MAPS, CHART OR SKETCH, SHOWING APPROXIMATE LOCATION WHERE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST SEEN. none made
14. ATTACH EYEWITNESS DESCRIPTION OF CRASH, FORCED LANDING OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT. none made
15. ATTACH A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF SEARCH, IF ANY, AND GIVE NAME, RANK AND SERIAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN CHARGE HERE. none made
statement: I saw B-17 on fire, either no. three or four engines. Ship didn't seem to be out of control, but left the formation, and was burning very badly. I noticed this while we were under attack by enemy aircraft.
date of report:
handwritten form
KU 1323 March 23, 1944
Fortress
Verona, John James Sgt.
born November 17, 1923
Ident Tag
taken prisoner
Maher, T. F. Lt taken prison
wounded
location: on any field hospital
Anderson, George Henry S/Sgt.
Ident Tag
taken prisoner
Murdock, Henry Wallace 2 Lt.
born April 3, 1921
Ident tag
taken prison
Marts, Paul Richard 2 Lt. born November 6, 1919
Ident tag
taken prisoner
three unknown [and then dead circled]
Report of Capture of Numbers of Enemy Forces
Post: air base command
Place: Gelsenkirchen - Buer
Date: 23 March 1944
regarding crash of unknown en landing at Coesfeld
Name last or surname: Bryant
First: H.T.
Rank: Sgt.
Serial number: [intentionally left blank]
Results: captured
Place: Haltern at 1210 pm 23 March 1944
Name of hospital:
Place, date, time of internment: [blank, but on far right side is written] RTD
Name last or surname: Marts
First: P.R.
Rank: officer
Serial number: [intentionally left blank]
Results: captured
Place: Haltern at 1210 pm 23 March 1944
Name of hospital:
Place, date, time of internment: [blank, but on far right side is written] RTD
Name last or surname: Evans
First: Frank S.
Rank: officer
Serial number: [intentionally left blank]
Results: captured
Place: Haltern at 1210 pm 23 March 1944
Name of hospital:
Place, date, time of internment: [blank, but on far right side is written] RTD
Name last or surname: Murdock
First:
Rank: officer
Serial number: [intentionally left blank]
Results: captured
Place: Duelman in Westfalen 23 March 1944
Name of hospital:
Place, date, time of internment: Munster-Loddenheide; 24 March 1944 ; [far right side is written] RTD
Name last or surname: Anderson
First: George H.
Rank: Sgt.
Serial number: [intentionally left blank]
Results: captured
Place: Duelman in Westfalen 23 March 1944
Name of hospital:
Place, date, time of internment: Munster-Loddenheide; 24 March 1944 ; 12:30 pm [far right side is written] RTD
Report on Captured Aircraft
[hard to read]
Post air base command: 2/Visidebase Loddenheide
Location: Münster-Loddenheide
24 March 1944
23 March 1944 at 1130 pm
Place of crash: nearest town between Boeruste and Heebrfeld near Duelman in Westfalen
... of capture fighter
crash and burned
100% damaged
Type of a/c: Boeing Fortress
Markings of craft: unknown
Admittance: unknown
Equipment: unknown
Condition: unknown
100% damage
Report on Capture of Numbers of Enemy Air Forces
Post: air base command 2/Visidebase Loddenheide
Place: Munster-Loddenheide
Date: 24 March 1944
regarding captured Boeing Fortress em landing between Boernste or Boeraste and Mehrfeld near Dormund in Westfalen
23 March 1944 at 1130
Name last or surname: crew member 10 (7 captured 3 dead)
Sgt. John J. Verona [SN] captured
Sgt. Geo. H. Anderson [SN] captured
Sgt. H. T. Bryant [SN] captured*
2 Lt Henry W. Murdock [SN] captured
2 Lt P. R. Marts [SN] captured*
2 Lt T. S. Mehr [SN] wounded x
1 Lt F. F. Evans [SN] ... [unreadable, but must be wounded] ... captured*
The three dead are not yet identified and will be reported later.
[Then written in on the side are]
Kandcer, Bernard H.
Chumbley, Carl H.
Williamson, Jack M.
*had already been sent from, air Buer in Westfalen to the Dulag Luft
x in Sist West hospital in Haltern, Westfalen and will be reported later
forwarded to distributors on 25 March 1944
Report of Capture of Numbers of Enemy Forces
Post: air base command
Place: Münster-Loddenheide
Date: 24 March 1944
Name last or surname: Verona
First: John J.
Rank:
Serial number: [intentionally left blank]
Results: captured
Place: between Boernsten Marfeld near Dormund in Westfalen on 23 March 1944
Name of hospital:
Place, date, time of internment: Dormund in Westfalen, 24 March 1230 pm
Report of Capture of Numbers of Enemy Forces
Post: air base command
Place: Münster-Loddenheide
Date: 24 March 1944
Name last or surname: Maher
First:
Rank:
Serial number: [intentionally left blank]
Results: captured
Place: Haltern 23 March 1944
Name of hospital: Sixtus Hospital, Haltern
Place, date, time of internment: of the above machine advance elements/ were sent by rescue batl. Laddenheide
Telegram Form
Name of Distance-Message Writer: LPOO 73
Date: 4 April 1944
Time: 2255 pm [sic]
From: [difficult to read; looks like it says] Inko thru Kochler
illegible ... 160 25. March 1944 at 1900 hours. - next to DULAG LUFT OBERFRAEL [hard to read] .-
Subject: Downed Aircraft.-
Report from air base commander 2/Vi Sidebahd [?] Loddenheide - date of shot down 23. or , March 1944 1130 am.-
Exactly destination of shot down: between Boernste and Merfeld near Dormand [doesn't look like spelled correctly though] in Westfalen.-
Type: Boeing Fortress
Engine type: [not included]
Weight three wireless sets: unknown
Shot down cause: fighter
100% damage
Identification: unknown
Serial number: unknown
Number of crew: 10, seven captured three dead
Sgt. Verona, John J., Jr. [SN]
Sgt. Anderson, Geo. H. Nr. [SN]
Lt. Murdock, Henry W. [SN]
Sgt. Bryant, H. T. [SN]
Lt. Marts, P. R. [SN]
1 Lt. Evans, F. S. [SN]
all were captured
Lt. Maher, T. S. [SN] wounded
The three dead are not yet identified and will be reported later.
Bryant, Marts and Evans are already transferred from air base Buer in West... sound like I said Westfog or Westbog... to ...says DULAL (AIR)
Maher is hospitalized in Sixtus Hospital in Haltern. The other prisoners are sent to DULAG (AIR) to-day.
Air base command 2VI Sidebase Loddenheim
Telegram Form
Date: 30 March 1944
Time: 1140
...can't tell who from...
... difficult to read...basically, it says:
On 23 March 1944 at 1210 pm were following prisoners arrested by the police in something Haltern.
Sgt. H. T. Bryant [SN] captured
Officer P. R. Marts [SN] captured
Officer F. S. Evans [SN] captured
Officer M. F. Maher is in hospital Sixtus in Haltern wounded
lost sight of body injured by fragments
not transportable
The four prisoners are supposed to be from the plane Boeing Fortress downed on 23 March near Coesfeld. The prisoners are being transferred to DULA (AIR) immediately. ... looks like it says Airvase... command Gelsenkirchen Buer over anti-aircraft group Dorson sen[?]
Signed Sgt. Angenent
Head of command of the air base
unreadable page
lists men, wounded/captured, where sent-- Dulag Luft or hospital
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Martin S. Maher
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? yes
Where? close to Munster, Germany
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: When got on plane for mission
Was he injured?
Where was he when last seen?
Any heresay information: He is in states now.
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition:
Total # of missions of above crew member: [about 6] [sic]
Dates and destinations, if possible:
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Harry T. Bryant
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? yes
Where? close to Munster, Germany
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Was he injured?
Where was he when last seen? prison camp
Any heresay information: He is in states now.
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition:
Total # of missions of above crew member:
Dates and destinations, if possible:
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Jack M. Williamson
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? no
Where? near Munster, Germany
If not, why not? he was killed on plane
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: when I left plane
Was he injured?
Where was he when last seen?
Any heresay information:
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition:
Total # of missions of above crew member: about 6
Dates and destinations, if possible:
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Carl H. Chumbley
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? yes
Where? near Munster, Germany
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Was he injured? yes
Where was he when last seen? by Sgt. John J. Verona He helped
Any heresay information: him out of plane
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition:
Total # of missions of above crew member:
Dates and destinations, if possible:
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Bernard H. Kandcer
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? yes
Where? near Munster, Germany
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Was he injured? yes
Where was he when last seen? by Sgt. John J. Verona He helped
Any heresay information: him out of plane
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition:
Total # of missions of above crew member:
Dates and destinations, if possible:
Casualty Questionnaire
1. Your name: George H. Anderson Rank: T/Sgt. Serial #: [omitted]
2. Organization: 92nd Bomb Group Group commander: Rank: Colonel Squadron CO: Rank: Capt
3. What year 1944 Month March Day 23rd did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Munster, Ger , target, target air field near Munster , target time, near 1200 , altitude, around 25,000 feet , route scheduled ---------------------- , route flown ---------------------- .
5. Where were you when you left formation? between primary and secondary target
6. Did you bail out? yesall but one and that was Jack M. Williamson<--
7. Did other members of crew bail out?
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. The crew list is attached. If you don't know, say "no knowledge." No knowledge-- except I know they bailed out-- For some my pilot later np. wp. w. camp 9 ...[something scratched out]
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? close to Munster
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires). LWG Jack M. Williamson
11. Were they in aircraft? waist
12. What was their condition? dead
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already described above?
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge. Indicate source of information. no knowledge
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Martin F. Maher
Rank:
Serial Number: no knowledge [scribbled across page]
Position crew
Did he bail out?
Where?
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Was he injured?
Where was he when last seen?
Any heresay information:
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition:
Total # of missions of above crew member:
Dates and destinations, if possible:
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Harry T. Bryant
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? [scribbled across these three lines:] no knowledge
Where?
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Was he injured?
Where was he when last seen? Dulag Luft I, Ger
Any heresay information: no knowledge
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition:
Total # of missions of above crew member:
Dates and destinations, if possible: [scribbled across bottom of page]
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Jack M. Williamson
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? no
Where?
If not, why not? he was dead
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Was he injured? Face tore by away by enemy gunfire
Where was he when last seen? on floor of plane
Any heresay information: no
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition:
Total # of missions of above crew member: no knowledge
Dates and destinations, if possible: no knowledge
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Carl H. Chumbley
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? yes
Where? no knowledge
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: I helped him out. I asked him how he was and he gave me the okay ... illegible, must be ... sign
Was he injured? no knowledge
Where was he when last seen? bailing out
Any heresay information: no knowledge
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition: I think I saw him on the ground, but the Germans would not let me near enough to be sure
Total # of missions of above crew member: no knowledge
Dates and destinations, if possible: same
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Bernard H. Kandcer
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? yes
Where? no knowledge
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: He was hit in the buttocks. I helped him out of the plane.
Was he injured? yes [arrow pointing up to line above]
Where was he when last seen? on the ground
Any heresay information: no knowledge
Sources: same
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition: I seen him on the ground it looked as though the top of his head was torn open. I think he was dead [sic]
Total # of missions of above crew member: no knowledge
Dates and destinations, if possible: same
Casualty Questionnaire
1. Your name: John J. Verona Rank: S/Sgt. Serial #: [omitted]
2. Organization: 92nd Bomb Group Group commander: Rank: Squadron CO: Rank:
3. What year 1944 Month March Day 23 did you go down?Yes [sic]
4. What was the mission, Munster , target, unknown , target time, unknown , altitude, 23,000 , route scheduled unknown , route flown unknown .
5. Where were you when you left formation? unknown
6. Did you bail out? yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out? yes
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. The crew list is attached. If you don't know, say "no knowledge." S/Sgt. G. H. Anderson was the first to bail out. I helped Chumbley and Kandcer out, then I bailed out. Williamson was killed instantly. As for the rest, I know nothing of them. Except Lt. Murdock, Anderson, Bryant and myself.
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? no knowledge
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires). As far as I know only Sgt. Jack M. Williamson
11. Were they in aircraft? Williamson was on the floor next to his gun
12. What was their condition? Williamson's face was blown away.
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already described above? Kandcer dead on the ground. He, another body on the ground, thought it was ... illegible... Lt? T. then B S? B something Chumbley, but the Germans would not let me near it
Then I seen Lt. Murdock in jail also S/Sgt. Anderson
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Martin F. Maher
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? yes
Where? alt 16,000 feet approx vicinity of Munster, Germany
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: Last contact in nose of plane conversation concerning his wounds
Was he injured? yes (slightly)
Where was he when last seen? after liberation from POW camp
Any heresay information: none
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition: wounded slightly above eye, in head and shoulder
Total # of missions of above crew member: 8
Dates and destinations, if possible:
March 3-4-5, 1944 Berlin
March 16 & 17, 1944 Augsburg
March 21, 1944 Frankfort
March 22, 1944 Berlin
March 23, 1944 Munster
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Harry T. Bryant
Rank:
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? yes
Where? alt 15,000 feet near Munster
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: none
Was he injured? injured back on landing
Where was he when last seen? after liberation from POW camp in Le Havre
Any heresay information: none
Sources:
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition: none
Total # of missions of above crew member: 5
Dates and destinations, if possible:
March 16 Augsburg
March 21 Frankfurt
March 22 Berlin
March 23 Munster
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Jack M. Williamson
Rank: Sgt.
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? no
Where?
If not, why not? killed in plane
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: none
Was he injured? ---
Where was he when last seen? on boarding plane in England
Any heresay information: Sgt. Williamson killed by 20 mm shell received through the head as a result of attacks by German FW 190 fighters
Sources: members of crew stationed in waist
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition: none
Total # of missions of above crew member: 5
Dates and destinations, if possible:
March 16 Augs
March 21 Frankfurt
March 22 Berlin
March 23 Munster
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Carl H. Chumbley
Rank: Sgt.
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? no
Where? --- not killed
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: none
Was he injured? ---
Where was he when last seen? on boarding plane in England
Any heresay information: critically wounded as result of FW 190 fighter attacks; parachute pulled and Chumbley thrown out by members of crew stationed in waist. Believed dead before reaching ground.
Sources: member of crew
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition: none
Total # of missions of above crew member: 5
Dates and destinations, if possible:
March 16 Augs
21 Frankfurt
22 Berlin
23 Munster
Individual Casualty Questionnaire
Name of Crew Member: Bernard H. Kandcer
Rank: Sgt.
Serial Number:
Position crew
Did he bail out? no
Where? ---
If not, why not? not killed
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: none
Was he injured? ---
Where was he when last seen? on boarding plane in England
Any heresay information: Killed by critically wounded by fighters (FW 190); thrown out by members of crew stationed in waist; believed dead before reaching ground
Sources: members of crew
Any explanation of his state based in part or fully on supposition: none
Total # of missions of above crew member: unknown
Dates and destinations, if possible:
March 16 Augs
21 Frankfurt
22 Berlin
23 Munster
Casualty Questionnaire
1. Your name: Paul Richard Marts Rank: 2 Lt. Serial #:
2. Organization: 92nd Bomb Group Group commander: Reid Rank: Col Squadron CO: Belongia Rank: Capt
3. What year 1944 Month March Day 23 did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Munster , target, primary airfield, secondary center of city , target time, 1105 , altitude, 22,000 feet , route scheduled over France then north parallel to Ruhr Valley, then turn on Munster route flown same as scheduled , route flown same as scheduled .
5. Where were you when you left formation? Near Munster
6. Did you bail out? yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out? Frank Evans, co-pilot, bailed out front hatch after we were disabled by enemy fighters near Munster approx. alt 15,000 feet
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. The crew list is attached. If you don't know, say "no knowledge." no knowledge as to when pilot Henry Murdock, radio operator Sgt. Anderson or or waist gunner Sgt. Verona bailed out
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Somewhere in vicinity of Munster
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires). To the best of my knowledge, Sgt. J. Williamson, waist gunner, who was killed by a 20 mm shell from enemy aircrat (120)
11. Were they in aircraft? waist
12. What was their condition? dead
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already described above? Lt. Maher, Sgt. Bryant suffered slight wounds from which they recovered. Lt. Evans broke his ankle on landing. Now recovered. These men were POWS. Now R.A.M.P.
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge. Indicate source of information. no knowledge
Last updated 8-26-06 2100 edt (0100 z)
| MACRs | Losses 31 December 1943 | What's New | Home |