MACR PILOT: Capt John P Ernst O-753979
MACR #: 12046
Fiche #: 04417
Organization
Location: AAF Station #139
Group: 100th Bomb Gp (H) AAF
Squadron: 351st BS
Command: VIII AF
Detachment:
Detail
Departure/Base: AAF Station #139
Initial Course: E
Intended Destination: Berlin
Mission Type: Operational
Weather
Weather: CAVU
Give
Date: February 3, 1945
Time: 11:28
Location: 5231N-1323E
Specify: Last Sighted
Confirmed or believed reason for loss
Loss due to: Enemy anti-aircraft
Other reason for loss: Ground to air rocket
Engines
Model: R-1820-97
A: Sw-037063
B: SW-037012
C: SW-024319
D: SW-024846
Weapons
A: 1312267
B: 1312272
C: 1312338
D: 1311862
E: 1318667
F: 1318404
G: 1311699
H: 1312106
I:
J:
L:
Persons are listed as
Casualty Type: Battle casualty
Number of persons on board
Crew: 11
Pass: 0
Total: 11
Personnel
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| Position | Name | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Robert Rosenthal | Maj | O-792349 |
| P2 | John P Ernst | Capt | O-753979 |
| CP | Arthur L. Jacobson | 1Lt | O-76856pp2 |
| NAV (N) | Louis C. Chappel | 1Lt | O-2064216 |
| BOM (B) | Eugene E. Lockhart | 1Lt | O-766816 |
| RAD | Charles H. Webber | TSgt | 17063224 |
| ENG | Dugger C. West | TSgt | 39295642 |
| BAL | |||
| WG (W) | Warren Winters | SSgt | 39140510 |
| WG (W) | |||
| TG (T) | George A. Windisch | SSgt | 37722999 |
| Radar Navigator | Robert H. Stropp | 1Lt | O-388339 |
| Command Navigator | Stewart J. Gillison | 1Lt | O-708811 |
Persons who are believed to have last knowledge of aircraft
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| Name | Knowledge | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edward H. Hansen | Last sighted | 1Lt | O-818139 |
Personnel who are believed to have survived
Reason: Parachutes were used
Other:
Eyewitness description of crash
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| Last Name | First name | Report |
|---|---|---|
| GEORGE D. ALLEN Capt., Air Corps Assistant Adjutant Summary of eye-witness reports: Aircraft 44-8379 was hit by flak, reported to have been a ground rocket a few seconds before bombs away. Aircraftcontinued on bomb run and dropped bombs. Fire producing a dense white smoke was seen to break out in the fuselage, bomb bay, and coclpit. Pilot opened side window and informed the deputy lead to take over on VHF. Aircraft headed NE for a few moments flying level while six of the crew bailed out. Three came from the waist or tail and the others through the bomb bay. A/C headed down burning and starting to spin as it entered the undercast. | ||
| Taps 1993: John Ernst last month in California, as S. J. Passen put, "Made his final flight to the Great Airfield in the sky." John was from the 351st and with Robert Rosenthal as command pilot, led the entire 8th Air Force on the 3 Feb 45 maximum effort to Berlin. Shot down over Berlin with what may have been a ground to air rocket seven of the crew became POWs, with one lynched by German civilians. Three were picked up by Russian front line units. As John left the plane his leg struck the jagged edge of the bomb bay doors cutting it severely. It was later amputated by the Germans and soon there after he was returned to Allied control. "Rosie" said of John Ernst, "I regard him as one of the most skillful, courageous and dedicated men I ever servered with." This is no small praise, coming as it did, from the 100th beloved Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal, a man who flew 52 missions in the 100th starting in 1943...pw |
Description of search effort
Detail: No search made.
Preparing Officer
Prepared by: GEORGE D. ALLEN Capt., Air Corps Assistant Adjutant
Date prepared: February 8, 1945
