MACR PILOT: 2Lt Reginald A. Smith O-535996
MACR #: 02426
Fiche #: 00806
Organization
Location: AAF Station #139
Group: 100th Bomb Gp (H) AAF
Squadron: 418th BS
Command: VIII AF
Detachment:
Detail
Departure/Base: AAF Station #139
Initial Course: Northeast
Intended Destination: Posen & Settin
Mission Type: Operational
Weather
Weather: 10/10 underecast
Give
Date: February 20, 1944
Time: 15:52
Location: Near
Specify: 5500N - 1230E
Confirmed or believed reason for loss
Loss due to: Enemy aircraft
Other reason for loss: aircraft was hit by rocket and was seen smoking badly
Engines
Model: R-1820-97
A: 43-65684
B: SW-006324
C: SW-006801
D: 43-35607
Weapons
A: 630645
B: 630625
C: 864836
D: 864356
E: 275350
F: 306819
G: 904925
H: 909388
I: 627920
J: 376668
L: 358233
Persons are listed as
Casualty Type: Battle casualty
Number of persons on board
Crew: 10
Pass: 0
Total: 10
Personnel
Use your thumb to scroll through the results box below.
| Position | Name | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | |||
| P2 | Reginald A. Smith | 2Lt | O-535996 |
| CP | Orlin H. Markussen | 2Lt | O-741995 |
| NAV (N) | Gerald C. Scott | 2Lt | O-736312 |
| BOM (B) | Ernest Cribbs | 2Lt | O-670021 |
| RAD | Ira G. Evans | TSgt | 33209046 |
| ENG | Thomas M. Egan | TSgt | 31127255 |
| BAL | Edward B. Dyblie | SSgt | 33269918 |
| WG (W) | Edward Britko | SSgt | 13108682 |
| WG (W) | Robert L. Dunbar | SSgt | 13089208 |
| TG (T) | Michael E. Udick | SSgt | 15321049 |
Persons who are believed to have last knowledge of aircraft
Use your thumb to scroll through the results box below.
| Name | Knowledge | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ernest A. Kiessling | Contacted by radio | Capt | O-33581 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| "At 1452 hours near the Danish coast Lt. Smith called over VHF saying he was going to try and reach Sweden. Aircraft was hit over target by rockets and was smoking badly" Capt. E. A. Kiessling | ||
| No Data | At 1452 hours near the Danish coast Lt. Smith called over VHF saying he was going to try and reach Sweden. His a/c was hit over the target area by rockets and was smoking badly, but shortly after the entire crew had to parachute. The crash was observed by the Germans at the radar station in Skovby, and some of the airmen were taken prisoner of war shortly after landing. Some managed to hide in the forest near Fjellerup parsonage and they were found by the farmer Mr. Rasmus Thrane, who hid them for a while. But they were anxious to reach Sweden so they went for the sea, and they were taken prisoner near Baring beach. Ira Evans hid in the forest and came in contact with the Danish resistance movement. He reached Sweden on 7/3/44. A/C crashed at Harslev Mark, 7 km s of Bogense town on NW part of Funen Island. Of interest in this crew's last mission is an article in THE BLOODY HUNDREDTH (page 141 to 147) by Horace Varian in which Orlin Markussen relates the story of how he made contact 31 years after the fact with the German fighter pilot who shot down AIN'T MIS BEHAVIN" Mar 20th, 1944.. |
Description of search effort
Detail: No search made.
Preparing Officer
Prepared by: WALTER G. BURKE 1st Lt. Air Corps Personnel Officer
Date prepared: February 22, 1944
