MACR PILOT: 2Lt Arthur H. Becktoft O-794613
MACR #: 00953
Fiche #: 00315
Organization
Location: AAF Station #139
Group: 100th Bomb Gp (H) AAF
Squadron: 349th BS
Command: VIII AF
Detachment:
Detail
Departure/Base: AAF Station #139
Initial Course: ENE
Intended Destination: Bremen
Mission Type: Operational
Weather
Weather: CAVU
Give
Date: October 8, 1943
Time: 14:55
Location: 5 miles SE of Bremen
Specify: Last Sighted
Confirmed or believed reason for loss
Loss due to: Enemy anti-aircraft
Other reason for loss:
Engines
Model: R-1820-97
A: 43-58629
B: 43-57898
C: 43-58698
D: 43-58342
Weapons
A: 494066
B: 494030
C: 115939
D: 120087
E: 119978
F: 120046
G: 120224
H: 115853
I: 118135
J: 120150
L: Unknown
Persons are listed as
Casualty Type: Battle casualty
Number of persons on board
Crew: 10
Pass: 0
Total: 10
Personnel
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| Position | Name | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | |||
| P2 | Arthur H. Becktoft | 2Lt | O-794613 |
| CP | Clifford M. Spencer | 2Lt | O-740968 |
| NAV (N) | Walter Nichols | 2Lt | O-749448 |
| BOM (B) | Robert L. Miller | 2Lt | O-738781 |
| RAD | Floyd A. Lowe | TSgt | 32383822 |
| ENG | Elmer J. Williams | TSgt | 17046939 |
| BAL | Charles E. Marengo | SSgt | 31203390 |
| WG (W) | Henry T. Popielarski | SSgt | 36501395 |
| WG (W) | Edward J. Hoffman | Sgt | 35393543 |
| TG (T) | Andy P. Stanley | SSgt | 13014129 |
Persons who are believed to have last knowledge of aircraft
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| Name | Knowledge | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owen D. Roane | Last sighted | F/O | T-120216 |
| Robert H. Lohof | Last sighted | 2Lt | T-121004 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| A/C #154 was observed 5 miles SE of Bremen with #3 engine in flames. It pulled out of formation under control. (F/O Roane) Saw A/C #154 with #3 engine burning just after IP. Four chutes opened at 1455 hours. Not sure they came from #154. (Lt R. H. Lohof) | ||
| No Data | This was the 6th mission for this crew except for Sgt. Hoffman (Edward J. Hoffman was on his first mission, he had been a member of the quartermaster unit, but insisted on volunteering as a gunner) who was a replacement on this mission. He replaced John P. Wargo. Plane was flying #3 in third element of the high squadron. Had released bombs on target when it was apparently attacked. Floyd Lowe hit between shoulder blades by a 20mm probably died instantly. All others bailed out and were immediately picked up by the Germans. Letter (29/3/84) from C. E. Marengo indicates that his crew joined the 100th in Sept 1943. Sgt. John P. Wargo was their regular WG but replaced by Hoffman on 8/10/43. Wargo CT on 18/6/44. Cliff Spencer died 1983 in CA of cancer. Lost track of other crew members. Says Nichols may have been a "new" navigator on crew. jb Of the 8 Aug 43 mission, Marengo has this to say: "We were hit by ME 109s out of the sun. One took part of our tail off and hit #3 engine which burned. I called the pilot and advised him of the fire, but nothing was done. When the fire burned through the wing and they saw it they dove the plane to put out the fire. Part of the tail came off and we went into a spin. the order to bail out was given and I got out the ball and started for the door. then went back for my chest pack. Plane was nose down when I went out hooking the right chute clasp as I went. There was a waist gunner still near his gun when I left. I had never worn the harness before as I had swapped mine (which was too big) with another guy the day before, his was too small. Fate is I wore the smaller harness and am still alive. Floyd Lowe was hit in the back with a 20mm during the attack and was gone. The co-pilot was the sick that fateful day and two 17s were knocked out ahead of us and one exploded - left nothing but dust ..." by mine records the 42-30154 was crashed at 14.55 hrs in the outskirts of bremen the 42-30358 was crashed at Fisherhude due east of bremen (possible KU report info) |
Description of search effort
Detail: No search made.
Preparing Officer
Prepared by: CLAUDE L. HOSFORD 1st Lt Air Corps Personnel Officer
Date prepared: October 12, 1943
