1st Lt. Mark Lee Robb USAAF
 

Hello Gents:
I am searching for information regarding the death of 1st Lt. Mark Lee Robb USAAF, Service# 0-745182, Serial# 13059918, DOB: 1916, Enlistment Date: 3/29/42, Status: listed as FOD(finding of death??). These are the things we know about Lt. Robb; the following are unsubstantiated things we have heard: Date of Death: 23 January 1945??, Member of 9th Air Force??, B-26 or A-26 pilot??, Died in Belgium??, May have died at the hands of a civilian on the ground??
This information was forwarded to Washinton D.C. and they have hit a brick wall. They wonder if the date of death, or even the place of death is accurate. My brother is taking Lt. Robb's son to Europe soon and would like to take him as close to the shoot-down site as possible. We are asking for TOCH's help. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you and best wishes.

Re: 1st Lt. Mark Lee Robb USAAF
 

Hi John,

1Lt Mark Lee Robb was the pilot of the A26B-20 41-39290 (Macr 12397). His unit was 409 BG 642 BS and his plane crashed west of Arzfield road,Germany. Date of the crash : January 23,1945.

Best regards

Luc

Re: 1st Lt. Mark Lee Robb USAAF
 

Hello Luc:
Thank you very much for the wonderful information!! We now know the type of aircraft he was flying and which bomb group and squadron to which he was assigned and place of the crash; we are thrilled!! I am contacting you by E-Mail per your request by PM. Best wishes and thanks again.

Re: 1st Lt. Mark Lee Robb USAAF
 

Good morning John !

1st Lt Mark L. Robb crashed with his A-26 on this day along with three other A-26 in the area of Arzfeld, Germany. Their Mission was a very low level attack to the German withdrawing troops from the Ardennes, which were using one main road eastbound.

All 6 aircraft of this mission were by ground fire and four of them came down in enemy territory.

Mark Robb's aircraft (A-26 s/n 41-39290) was hit at about 12:30 and came down immediately near Kickeshausen, Germany. Millard A. Presson and Mark Robb got out of the aircraft, but due to the very low altitude, both chutes failed to open.

Mark Robb was found death near the village of Olmscheiderfurt, where he was buried by German soldiers. In May 1945, his remains were recovered by an American disinterring team to find his rest at U.S. Military Cemetary Foy, Belgium. Now, his final restplace is Arlington, VA.

In the hope, this helps,

all the best !

Horst Weber

Re: 1st Lt. Mark Lee Robb USAAF
 

Hello Horst:
Thank you very much for the additional information!! I have some questions to ask you to help us clarify things. If you do not mind I will do so by PM. Best wishes and thank you very much for your help!!

Re: 1st Lt. Mark Lee Robb USAAF
 

Good morninng, John !

No mind at all,

just come on !

Horst Weber

Re: 1st Lt. Mark Lee Robb USAAF
 

Hello Folks:
Many thanks to Luc and Horst for their very kind help in solving a lengthy mystery for the Robb family. Lt. Robb's relatives can now visit the approximate area of his death, now know how he died, and now know his final resting place. Many thanks to TOCH as well for providing a location for the information sharing, which made the above possible.

Re: 1st Lt. Mark Lee Robb USAAF
 

There was a third man on the plane who was also killed, S/Sgt Clarence E Allen. His body was never found.

https://abmc.gov/node/516860#.WmY-g7ynHMp