B-24 losses 19-May-1944

[Brian Bines]

On this date Ltn Hondt of JG1 made the following claims B-24 at 1235hrs S/W Verden, B-24 HSS at 1250hrs N of Osnabruck, and B-24 at 1255hrs S/W of Verden. Are there any losses which may link to these claims, I believe 392nd BG lost 3 B-24s ( I have crew listings for these), 448th.BG lost 1, and 492nd BG lost 8. Hondts FW190 is reported to have hit a B-24 causing him to make an emergency landing,
Any help appreciated,

Thanks

Brian Bines


P.S. have just found the 492nd BG aircraft and crew losses for the mission, so if anyone has the 448th BG loss details, or can match any losses to Hondt's claims that would be really helpful.

[ssg keay]

The HSS was a Herrausschuss...I think...which means he shot it until I left the formation. So not necessarily a kill. Danny

[RSwank]

At least 50 fighters attacked the bomber formation around 12:50 in the area of Nienburg, Germany. The following were shot down. 44-40133 MACR 5245, 44-110153 MACR 5240. 44-40151 MACR 5244. I would doubt Hondt shot all three of them down. I did not find any B-24s shot down at 1235. Other planes were lost around 1325 sw of Hannover. The target that day was Brunswick. I think it is possible the first planes may have been shot down on the way to the target and the second group of losses were on the return.

[FrankieS]

Hi Brian !
Here all USAF B-24 losses for that day.
Don't know the fate of the lost 448 BG a/c.
For that date are given the folllowing 448 BG crew loss, but I am not sure
whether losses of that a/c:

John R. Foss, Sgt., Buried at: Plot A Row 40 Grave 28, Neupre
Robert B. Spruill, Sgt., Buried at: Plot B Row 31 Grave 22, Neupre


Serial MACR Group Squadron
42-73316 11369 308
41-29129 5096 392 576
42-95060 4925 392 578
41-29474 4936 392 579
42-52638 5029 448 714
42-78193 5442 454
42-110151 5241 492 857
44-40088 5246 492 857
44-40171 5242 492 857
42-110153 5240 492 858
44-40065 5247 492 858
44-40133 5245 492 858
44-40151 5244 492 858
44-40152 5243 492 858

regards,
FrankieS

[donall]

448th Bomb Group Mission #66 of 262.

B-24H-15-FO, #42-52638 (SKEETER II) piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert Silver Jr. O-751045 succumbed to fighter attack after leaving the target area.

The entire crew bailed out of the burning aircraft which crashed near Helmstedt, Germany at 1316 hours.

Seven crewmembers were later captured.
Three of the crew were Killed In Action:
SSgt. Charlie L. Blanton 39394021
Sgt. John R. Foss 34707354
Sgt. Robert. B. Spruill 14080837

[Brian Bines]

Thanks Guys for your help on this,

Regards

Brian Bines