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Old 18th April 2021, 16:55
Joda87 Joda87 is offline
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Question Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

Hi all,

I would like to know if anyone has reports about a Mitchell shot down on May 31st, 1944 between Palestrina and Valmontone, Italy.

It was shot down by 7./Flsch.Flak.Rgt. Hermann Goering.


It's described in NARA T321 R61.

Is there a chance to know what was the aircraft? Who was the pilot?

Hope someone helps me!

Thanks in advance,

Marco
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Old 18th April 2021, 17:43
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Trendle Trendle is offline
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Re: Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

Hello Marco,

321st B.G. / 445th B.S. / North American B-25 Mitchell / # 43-4026 / Shelling by Anti-Aircraft - 1./schwere Flak-Abteilung 182 (v) / The Pilot, Lieutenant Damon I. McLain, crash-lands the Mitchell near Nettuno (Region Lazio) - Italien / 2nd Lieutenant Harry F. Werrlein + Staff Sergeant William C. Eiff + Corporal Jack R. Callister - all baled out near Cave - POW (Another Source reports shooting down bei Flak-Regiment „Hermann Göring)

So no wreck on Earth!

Stay healty

Fred
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Old 18th April 2021, 17:53
Rottler Rottler is offline
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Re: Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

Hello Marco,

the aircraft was the B-25 J 43-4026 of 321st BG, 445th BS. It was hit by flak south of Cave.
The pilot 2nd Lt Gerald W Wagner had given order to bail out, but was able to land at Nettuno in friendly territory. 4 crew members returned safely (Pilot, Co-pilot, Navigator and Radio-gunner).
The Bombardier 2nd Lt Harry F Werrlein bailed out over Valmontone and was taken prisoner (German casualty no. ME 1353).
The Armorer-gunner S/Sgt William C Eiff bailed out over Valmontone, was captured by Axis, he escaped and returned to duty. The Eng.-gunner Cpl Jack R Callister as blown out of the tail and killed.
Details in MACR 5823.

Regards
Leo
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Old 18th April 2021, 18:37
Joda87 Joda87 is offline
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Re: Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

Great, many thanks guys!


NARA files report is from 7./Flsch.Flak.Rgt.H.G., includins also the II.Abt. commander description.


You guys name two different pilots commanders...and little different versions of the crew fate...who is the true one?


Sorry, what does MACR 5823 mean?


Thanks mates!


Marco
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Old 18th April 2021, 18:42
RSwank RSwank is offline
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Re: Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

The MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) Number 5823: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/90989465
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Old 18th April 2021, 18:57
Joda87 Joda87 is offline
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Re: Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

Just found this interesting website, thanks to your data you provided me before


http://57thbombwing.com/321stHistory/321_BG_1944-05.pdf
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Old 18th April 2021, 19:11
Joda87 Joda87 is offline
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Re: Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

So this is the true crew list....
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Old 18th April 2021, 19:45
RSwank RSwank is offline
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Re: Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

I think the crewmen were:

P: Wagner, Gerald W., 2Lt
CP: Thompson, Henry C., Jr., 2Lt
N: Galindo, Daniel (NMI), 2Lt
B: Werrlein, Harry F., 2Lt
E: Callister, Jack Rolland, Cpl
R: Kintly, James E., S/Sgt
G: Eiff, William C., S/Sgt


https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...land-callister

Last edited by RSwank; 19th April 2021 at 14:12.
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Old 18th April 2021, 21:10
Joda87 Joda87 is offline
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Re: Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

Thanks to all you guys!
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Old 19th April 2021, 17:20
Stig Jarlevik Stig Jarlevik is offline
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Re: Mitchell Shot down on May 31st,1944, Italy: Info needed

What an odd official attachment from Joda 87.

All of a sudden the interviewed Eiff is named as Source in the crew list.
Also many names are misspelled or lacking given names.

May I ask you Fred, from where did you get the pilot's name?
It seems 2/Lt Gerald Wagner at least is the correct one.

Cheers
Stig
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