Loss Lt Harold A Johnson B-17F 42-3063 94th BG / 410th BS 13th. June 43 Kiel Raid

[streak98]

Hello,

I`m looking for all Information`s regarding the Loss of Lt. Harold A. Johnson on 13th June 1943 over the Baltic Sea. B-17F 42-3063. 94th. BG / 410th. BS.
Looking for MACR6142 without any result….

Greetings streak98

[Sean Welch]

MACR 6142 is on Fold 3 https://www.fold3.com/image/29398385
9 crew were killed and only the Bombardier survived, 2nd Lt. Blair Hale.

On his return after being held as a prisoner of war he completed an AFPPA-11, Individual Casualty Questionnaire, and had this to say regarding the Pilot Lt. Harold Johnson:
"It is my opinion that enemy fighters which attacked us constantly from many different angles, especially from nose to tail and putting most of the guns out of action on the B-17, were responsible for either injury or death of most of the members of crew, including Lt. Johnson the pilot. Our inter-comm. system was shot out; it is believed the pilot was endeavouring to reach land in either Denmark or Sweden and was determined to stay with the aircraft till the last possible moment." Last contact or conversation "We can't stay with the formation; salvo the bombs; fire in the radio room; #1 engine on fire"

His own Casualty Questionnaire, AFPPA-12, recounts that the target was Kiel, timed for attack at 09:13 from 29,000 feet and that the scheduled route was Helgoland-Meldorf-Wakendorf-Preetz-Kiel. After fighting a running battle with enemy fighters, the pilot left the formation near Selenter Lake and travelled north. The aircraft was burning and badly riddled, it is believed the wing came off and the ship struck the water, Kiel Bay, approx. 10 miles from the southern tip of Langeland Island, Baltic Sea. As to his own survival he had the following to say:
" I did not actually see the aircraft hit the water, but I did hear what I assumed was the crack and splash which resulted. I did see the wing of the ship float down alongside my parachute. I believe I was suspended in the air for less than two minutes before falling into the water. I could see land to the North. I was in the water from approximately 09:35 to 11:30. I could not get free from my parachute and was dragged along the water by a heavy surface wind which kept the chute inflated and pulled me in the direction East-South-East. A German boat picked me up and took me to Luebeck, Germany. I could not make the crewmen understand that possible other members of the crew could be found out on the water. I mentioned that one other parachute could be seen by me in the air. I have no idea which crew member he was. He could only have lit somewhere in the water.. The sea was extremely rough and cold. I do not believe that a person could have survived for long, nor do I believe that the Mae Wests we wore would have been sufficient to keep one from drowning. I believe my life can be attributed to the fact that I was unable to get free of my parachute harness and I was held up by it. "

9 aircraft were lost on this mission and it is believed that all were lost to fighter attacks.
I have the crew list, if required.

Sean.

[streak98]

Dear Sean,

Thank you so much for these Information`s regarding the Loss. I`ve also checked Fold3 for the MACR, but without any result. Nothing found via the Serial Number 42-3063.
Try it again….

PS: Spend since the last 30 years our Holidays on the Langeland Island and until today the People speek about this Air Battle.....

Greetings and Thanks again….

Dirk

[RSwank]

The 17 page MACR is on fold3, starting here:

https://www.fold3.com/image/29398382

[streak98]

Hello RSwank,

Thanks again for your help… found it and it works !!!

Greetings Dirk