Friendly fire WWII

[Brian]

Thanks guys

Sorry I haven't acknowledged recent postings sooner, but all much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

From the unofficial history of 445th Bomb Group (downloable at http://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/cgi/vie...ext=ww_reg_his), a case of "friendly bombing" in England on 22 February 1944:
"February 22 found our planes headed for Gotha, Germany, but the mission was recalled. No crewmen or planes were lost, but tragedy struck our base in another form. Early in the afternoon while planes of a neighboring group were passing overhead on their way to their base, there was a terrific explosion. A bomb had accidentally been released from one of the planes, and it fell just outside the living site occupied by the enlised men of our Base Sub-Depot. Two enlisted men were killed, several were wounded, and damage was done to the buildings in the site. In addition, the wife of a near-by farmer was killed as she sat opposite her husband in the kitchen of their home. She fell over dead practically into the arms of her husband."

A quick search of the CWGC database show no woman killed on 22 February 1944 (all listed female civilian killed died from injuries). I checked the area (DEPWADE, RURAL DISTRICT) and there was a woman listed as killed on 22 February 1943, at Hill Farm, Great Moulton, east of Tibenham airfield, the base of 445th BG:
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/c...elen-beatrice/
Could be interesting to check if CWGC has the date right.

The two American airmen killed were probably Sgt William Daly and S/Sgt Lester D McCormick, both of 462nd Sub Depot, that was attached to 445th BG at the time. Both died on 22 February 1944 and are buried in Cambridge American Cemetery.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A loss to friendly fire for 360th BS, 303rd BG, on 6 February 1944

2Lt Creighton G. Doering (CP)(KIA) - 11 dispatched (10 credited) missions flown - All with 1Lt Underwood (93, 94, 95, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 (Non Credited), 106) Was KIA on 6 February 1944 (Mission 106). Was hit with a 50 caliber bullet through the back of his head. Three bullets, believed to have been shot from a 379th BG(H) aircraft flying nearby, hit the B-17. One of the bullets was recovered. Body was returned to Molesworth.
Source: http://www.303rdbg.com/360underwood.html