Casualty Report from March 3, 1945
Detail
MACR: 12892
Target: Brunswick, Germany
Base: Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk, England
Crash: Attacked by Me-262's just prior to bombing. Fire in left wing led to structural failure of the left wing - aircraft went inverted and exploded. Crashed 3 km south of Dettum, Germany. Six crewmen were blown clear and three perished. The KIAs were initially buried in the Communal Cemetery of Dettum - moved to Netherlands May 7th, 1945.
Squadron: 349th BS - 100th BG (H)
Time of loss: 10:30
Aircraft
Aircraft #: 44-8220
Aircraft Type: B-17G
Aircraft Name: Aircraft name N/A
Aircraft Code: XR-?
Pilot: 1Lt Jack W. Thrasher | O-825003
POS: P
Status: KIA
State: Virginia
Notes: Final Internment - Netherlands I-20-6
Copilot: 2Lt Charles S. Bayha | O-776218
POS: CP
Status: POW
State: State N/A
Notes: No notes on this crewmember
NAV: 2Lt Gerald A. Rimmel | O-268153
POS: NAV
Status: POW
State: State N/A
Notes: No notes on this crewmember
BOM: 2Lt Harry F. Bott | O-777299
POS: BOM
Status: POW
State: State N/A
Notes: No notes on this crewmember
ROG: SSgt Albert L. Egsicker | 13068544
POS: ROG
Status: POW
State: State N/A
Notes: No notes on this crewmember
TTE: SSgt Thomas C. Browning | 18098920
POS: TTE
Status: POW
State: State N/A
Notes: No notes on this crewmember
BTG: N/A First, MI, Suffix Last Name | 00000000
POS: BTG
Status: MIA/KIA
State: State N/A
Notes: No notes on this crewmember
RWG: SSgt Ray U. Muffley | 19022708
POS: RWG
Status: POW
State: State N/A
Notes: No notes on this crewmember
LWG: N/A First, MI, Suffix Last Name | 00000000
POS: LWG
Status: MIA/KIA
State: State N/A
Notes: No notes on this crewmember
TG: SSgt Cecil A. Baker | 18198488
POS: TG
Status: KIA
State: Texas
Notes: Final Internment - USA
EX1: 2Lt Willis R. McGuire | 0260827
POS: RAD NAV
Status: KIA
State: New York
Notes: Final Internment - Netherlands L-15-19
EX2: N/A First, MI, Suffix Last Name | N/A
POS: N/A
Status: N/A
State: State N/A
Notes: No notes on this crewmember
Crew Notes
Some reports indicate three of the bombs aboard did not explode. The acknowledged fact that the aircraft exploded raise questions concerning the three bombs unless the Germans found them in the wreckage. Neither I nor the 100th's Senior Historian, James R. Brown, have ever seen such a report. (paul west) EMAIL: Hcervan102@aol.com NAME: Hank Cervantes INTEREST: 100th BG veteran COMMENTS: Re:MACR:12892, Jack Thrasher. For the record I would like to submit my recollection of Jack Thrasher's death. I was Joe Martin's copilot and we were off of Jack's left wing on that mission. I believe that the 100th was leading the 13th Combat Wing and six 100th aircraft were in two flights dropping chaff ahead of the 100th and the remainder of the Wing. We had not yet arrived over the target when two ME-262's attacked us from seven oclock high. The lead 262 fired 2 or 3 canon shells into Jack's left wing root starting a fire. Jack side-slipped the 17 in an effort to blow it out. He was unsuccessful and returned the plane to straight-and-level. Jack was clearly visible holding the airplane steady as his men bailed out. At least three did so before the plane exploded. His was the bravest act I have I have ever witnessed. Jack bunked across the aisle from me and only the night before I had watched as he reached over, picked up his large photo of a beautiful girl, kissed it and said, "Two more honey. Only two more and I'll be home." Several years ago, an article appeared in Splasher Six about Jack's family. I tried to get their home address to send them this recollection but it was witheld from me. Hank
Report Notes
Notes on this report N/A
