23 December 1944 MACR 15984

[SteveR]

No, I haven't.

Please correct me if I'm wrong - IDPF is an individual personnel file, yes? From where do you request them?

[RSwank]

Yes, it is the Individual Deceased Personnel File. I would request it through a commercial vendor: https://www.goldenarrowresearch.com/

[hanshauprich]

Hello,
the B-26 from 1st.Ltn. Walter P. Garbish crashed into the quary from the small village Esslingen near Bitburg. Thats about 30km from Trier/Moselle.
The plane exploded on impact, four unopen Parachutes where found in the direction of the small village Meckel, same aera. Ofw. Franz Meindl, 8./JG 11 is MIA since 1.January 1945 "Operation Bodenplatte".
The B-26 Formation lead by Garbish came from the direction at Echternach, this is an Bordertown in the Duchy of Luxembourg, same 25km away from Esslingen. It looks like that Ltn. Garbish dry to fly back to france as his positon after the attack from Ofw. Meindl was back to Luxembourg!! The right engine from Marauder was on fire when the plane go down.
h.,

[SteveR]

Thank you Hans!!!

This confirms Garbisch leading the 2nd box of the 387th BG to Mayen (though he didn't get that far).

The 387th was to rendezvous with their escort at Bastogne. Escort didn't show up (the 387th was too early and didn't wait until the appointed time). Leaving the Bastogne area, the 2 boxes became separated, with the second box flying an incorrect more southerly route to the target. It was this box that was intercepted.

Thank you again, Hans! May I ask for your source so that I may note it in my file?

[hanshauprich]

Hello Steve,
me and the late Horst Weber research the Airwar (30 years ago) over our Country (Südeifel) and came closer to the action on 23rd Dezember 1944. We where able to locate over 25 crashsides from didfferent B-26 lost on that day. In Esslingen/Niederstedem we can talk with an eyewhitness for the action that day. I'm sure Horst orderd the IDPF's from Ltn. Garbish and his crew.
hans

[SteveR]

Thanks, Hans, I hadn't realized you and Horst had worked together. Incredible work you've done!

The whole story (from both sides) of the B-26s on 23 December deserves to be told someday.

[SteveR]

In case this is of interest...

Just got a copy of the book The History of The 559th Bomb Squadron 387th Bomb Group (M) (World War II) by Robert Destiche. In speaking of the Mayen mission on the morning od 23 December it states, on page, 114, "The Pathfinder left the box at the outset, apparently to perform individual evasive action, and was shot down by an enemy fighter."