http://valortovictory.tripod.com/b17s/44-8605.htm

March 25, 1945

3rd Air Division units, including the 34BG were recalled shortly after take-off due bad weather and the increasing possibility of adverse conditions upon return. Upon take-off one 34BG plane crashed near the base killing the crew of 9 airmen, according to Freeman, Mighty Eighth War Diary.

B-17G 44-8605 B/H Homesick Angel crashed shortly after take-off for the cancelled mission.

(5 photos in the 26 March 1945 file.)

KIA BENNETT LESTER S JR (P) 1 LT 18 O-767466

KIA KARGER HENRY S (CP) 2 LT 18 O-720082 (listed as dying 3-26-45)

KIA BERTINO LOUIS J (N) 2 LT 18 O-1312870

KIA LEWMAN KENNETH W (Tog) SGT 18 39341658

KIA DILLEY ROGER R (R) T/SGT 18 32924461

KIA PICKETT OCKO P (E) T/SGT 18 36876916

KIA VERMAN RALPH C (BG) SGT 18 16275224

KIA JOHNSON WILLIAM T (WG) S/SGT 18 15140404

KIA KORDAS CHESTER J (TG) SGT 18 20630647

BENNETT LESTER S JR is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, A-1-26.

JOHNSON WILLIAM T is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, A-6-16.

From the files of Walter Sturdivan, quoted from MM, September 2004, p. 11.

"Lt. Bennett took off in aircraft B-17G 44-8605 at 0601 hours on an operational mission. At 0615 the aircraft was seen to start into a spin and pull out. The tail section broke at Station 5 and the plane spun into the ground and exploded. The pilot is believed to have executed a violent maneuver to avoid collision with another aircraft, inadvertently stalling and starting into a spin. Due to the extremely low altitude, a sharp pullout was attempted causing the aircraft to break in two. The Yellow Squadron aircraft plummeted to earth between the bomb dump and the dispersed planes on the airdrome. After striking the ground, all but one of the bombs exploded. Ordinance personnel later removed said bomb. When the Fire Equipment came on scene there was little that could be done except cover the burning spot fires in the area. The fire fighters returned three times during the day to cover an engine with foam. The entire crew perished."

2ND LT. Henry S. Karger