12th Bomber Group loss 22nd Sept, 1943
 

Hello,

Seeking serial number AF a B-25C Mitchell of the 12th Bomber Group that was lost in action on the 22nd September, 1943. MACR 16514.

The a/c was received direct hits from enemy AA whilst over San Lucia, Italy. Subsequently crashing and burning at the edge of Voltuara.
This was Mission 140, but the first for this crew of seven and the a/c.

Crew were:
Harmon, Harvey L. - 2Lt - O-1704176 - KIA.
Ballard, William F - 2Lt - O-733504 - KIA.
Shadwell, Marion P - 2Lt - O-666716 - KIA.
Cent, Franklin L - Sgt - 35417130 - KIA.
Minck, Edward J - S/Sgt - 31168027 - EUS, N.S.
McHugh, William D - T/Sgt - 20120812 - RTD, N.S.
Krueger, Henry A - T/Sgt - 16046360 - RTD, N.S.

Could not find any 12 BG website that might have the details.

The only possible a/c would seem to be 41-12961 reported as crashed this date, but no further info on this a/c either.

Many thanks
Alex

Re: 12th Bomber Group loss 22nd Sept, 1943
 

Alex, a couple of comments.

The last two men you list appear to have been on a different plane (or planes), I don't think they were part of what was a five man crew. The way the after the fact MACR was written is a little confusing. The first page is about the whole mission (not just the missing plane) and the casualties are for all the men on the mission. The additional pages in the MACR are just for the missing plane.

Towards the end of the MACR is a letter written to Shadwell's mother which includes the addresses of the relatives of the other 4 men on the crew.

This link has a little on Minck, which says he was the only survivor and was captured. Note this was his 30th mission (not the first, at least not for him).

https://books.google.com/books?id=b1...h%20BG&f=false

Re: 12th Bomber Group loss 22nd Sept, 1943
 

Hello Rolland,
Many thanks for the input.

I did wonder about there being seven crew.

Also do not know what the "N. S" stands for ?

Krueger and McHugh, these are not in NARA list of POWs.

Many thanks for the link also.
Alex

Re: 12th Bomber Group loss 22nd Sept, 1943
 

The N.S. appears in the date column for the list. The column immediately preceding it in the list is "Status". If you look at all 7 men listed you see that the first four were listed as status "K" (killed or KIA) and the date column for them is the date of death. Minck is listed as status "EUS" (evacuated to US) but the date is N.S. (meaning something like "Not Stated" or "Not Stipulated"or "Not Specified" ). (He would have returned in April/May 1945).

The final two men are status RTD, (Returned to Duty), but at a "Not Stated" date (N.S.) I suspect they returned to duty after they recovered from their wounds. The page states they were "slightly wounded" so it was probably not that long after the date of the mission. They had returned to base after the mission as their plane(s) were not shot down, so they were not POWs.

Re: 12th Bomber Group loss 22nd Sept, 1943
 

I have this aircraft as 41-30407, from 12th BG OpReps in NARA II. To appear in MAW4.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: 12th Bomber Group loss 22nd Sept, 1943
 

Thank you Frank,
That is good news.
I have looked at the cost of the 12 Bomber Group book on Amazon, some £450. So will not even think of a purchase.
Any idea as to why/where 41-12961 crashed ?

Many thanks
Alex

Re: 12th Bomber Group loss 22nd Sept, 1943
 

Alex, found this which is a Google translation of an Italian site. Discusses the plane crash and Minck. Interesting story.

https://translate.google.com/transla...ml&prev=search



The original Italian site: http://www.1943salerno.it/ritrovamen...-mitchell.html

Re: 12th Bomber Group loss 22nd Sept, 1943
 

Thank you Rolland,
It rounds the history of the aircraft and her crew.
I had the website in my laptop but am now using only a tablet which is almost out of storage room.
Thank you
Alex