USAAF loss supposedly July/August 1942 northern Germany
 

Hi, all !


This article
http://www.pust-norden.de/dan_ww2.htm

on german marine radio station Norddeich (near Norden, north of Emden) mentions a testimonial on a daylight USAAF bomber crew loss on July/August 1942 (!?).


translation:

"On a clear summer afternoon in July/August 1942, a very large bomber group coming from the south flew over Norddeich Radio at a high altitude. German fighters attacked this formation, from which a single bomber suddenly pulled out, but without showing any hit effect, such as smoke or flames. Suddenly 4 parachutes opened from pilots behind the bomber who had ejected from the obviously stricken plane. One of these American crewmembers landed very close to Utlandshörn at "Ulferts Höchte", where the direction finding station was located after the war. Nothing further was known about the fate of the American bomber and the three other American crewmembers. A marine rode his motorcycle to the landing site and recovered the American airman along with his parachute, who had apparently sustained a wound to his leg during the jump or landing and was only able to move with a limp with the help of two marines. The airman was carefully accommodated in a mate's (Uffz.) individual room in the Mariner's barracks, and even the kitchen, which had already been closed, was reopened to provide the airman with a warm meal. Meanwhile, the police station in Norden was informed of the capture. Soon after, a pickup truck arrived with two armed police officers who drove the American airman to the car, even though he could barely move without help with his injured leg. The outraged marines loudly pointed out to the two rude police officers that this man was unable to walk. A police officer then pointed his submachine gun at the marines and said, "If you say one more word, you can come right away."




Does anyone have more info ?
Alternatively:
-possibly erroneous date range 'July/August 1942', f.ex. 25.07.1943 or 26.07.1943 northern Germany USAAF raids ?

-(possibly mixed up with a RAF incident?)


thanks in advance,
FrankieS

Re: USAAF loss supposedly July/August 1942 northern Germany
 

According to the Combat Chronology here:

https://media.defense.gov/2010/May/2...100525-035.pdf

The first 8th Airforce attack against targets in Germany occurred on January 27, 1943.

1/27/43 Eighth AF

53 HBs make first Eighth AF attack on Germany, bombing naval base, U-boat construction works,
power plant, and docks at Wilhelmshaven. 2 other HBs bomb submarine base at Emden.

The first 8th AF attack of the war was done by A-20s on airfields in the occupied Netherlands on July 4, 1942.

7/4/42 Eighth AF

First AAF air operation over W Europe. 15th Bomb Sq, flying 6 American-built Bostons belonging to RAF, join RAF low-level attack on 4 A/Fs in the Netherlands. Aircraft flown by Capt Charles C Kegelman, sq CO, is severely damaged, but Kegelman succeeds in bringing it back to base at Swanton Morley. VIII AF Comp Cmd is activated in US. Second B-17 arrives in UK via N Atlantic ferry route.

Re: USAAF loss supposedly July/August 1942 northern Germany
 

Frankie / Rolland. All VIIIBC missions (apart from 3BW B-26s which were VIII Air Service Cmd.) in Aug. 1943 were France, Netherlands or Central-S. Germany; only 3 to Northern Germany in July:


25 July (Mission 76) Hamburg (15 B-17 missing), Kiel (4 missing).
26 July (Mission 77) Hannover (16 B-17 missing), Hamburg (2 missing).
29 July (Mission 79) Kiel (6 B-17missing). Warnemunde (4 missing).



There were several missions to Emden and Wilhelmshaven in 1943, Jan., Feb., May., Sept., Oct., & Dec.

On 21 May (Mission 60) a B-17 (4th Wing) ditched off the north coast from Emden after the crew bailed out but they were all listed as MIA.


Nick

Re: USAAF loss supposedly July/August 1942 northern Germany
 

thank you very kindly dear Rolland and Nick,


best wishes,
Frankie