MACR PILOT: 2Lt Paul A. Martin O-543304
MACR #: 03234
Fiche #: 01105
Organization
Location: AAF Station #139
Group: 100th Bomb Gp (H) AAF
Squadron: 350th BS
Command: VIII AF
Detachment:
Detail
Departure/Base: AAF Station #139
Initial Course: Blank
Intended Destination: Augsburg
Mission Type: Operational
Weather
Weather: 6/10 undercast
Give
Date: March 18, 1944
Time: 12:10
Location: 4956 - 0120E
Specify: Last Sighted
Confirmed or believed reason for loss
Loss due to: Other circumstances
Other reason for loss: Collision with A/C 913
Engines
Model:
A: 43-65523
B: 42-78881
C: 43-65485
D: 43-65491
Weapons
A: 670691
B: 670247
C: 414059
D: 667224
E: 667144
F: 670821
G: 669682
H: 669569
I: 670565
J: 670670
L: 670404
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 | Paul A. Martin | 2Lt | O-543304 |
| CP | Thomas Cryan | 1Lt | O-795361 |
| NAV (N) | Tom F. Hughes | 2Lt | O-809515 |
| BOM (B) | Albert P. Racz | 2Lt | O-688553 |
| RAD | Russell E. Longdon | TSgt | 13167691 |
| ENG | Levi G. Tonn | TSgt | 36620984 |
| BAL | Richard J. Faulkner | SSgt | 12214475 |
| WG (W) | Veryl A. Lund | SSgt | 37462927 |
| WG (W) | Lonnie J. Albin | SSgt | 18124028 |
| TG (T) | John E. Howley | SSgt | 16110646 |
Persons who are believed to have last knowledge of aircraft
Use your thumb to scroll through the results box below.
| Name | Knowledge | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark G. Gummersall | Last sighted | 1Lt | O-803607 |
| Malooly | Last sighted | 2Lt | O-737173 |
| Francis G. Lauro | Last sighted | Capt | O-389236 |
Personnel who are believed to have survived
Reason: Parachutes were used
Other:
Eyewitness description of crash
Use your thumb to scroll through the results box below.
| Last Name | First name | Report |
|---|---|---|
| Composite Report | COMPOSITE REPORT A/C No. 830 and A/C 913 collided over France at 1210 hours near 496-0120E. A/C No. 830 broke up while A/C No. 913 pulled away, badly damaged but apparently under control. One chute was seen to come from A/C No. 830. (NOTE: One other observer believed that it was A/C No. 913 that broke up and A/C No. 830 went down under control; however, the ship that did go down under control had two port engines torn out, and only No. 4 was operating. The nose of this A/C also was sheared off.) The collision resulted when the Group leader aborted and the formation scattered and reformed. (Capt. Lauro, Lt. Gummersall, Lt. Malooly.) | |
| No Data | Following from the interrogation of the only survivor, Richard J. Faulkner, in July 1945 at 3718 AAF Base, Denver, Colorado regarding the death of Lt Cryan. He gave the following information. Over the cast of France, Lt. Cryan's bomber (Lt Paul A. Martin/ Pilot) encountered heavy flak. Formation was broken with lead ship falling out. A new formation was formed with Lt. Cryan's ship as wing man. There was a sudden explosion near Lt Cryan's aircraft. Sgt Faulkner, ball turret gunner, upon bailing out noticed the ship broken in two sections. Sgt Faulkner having been in the rear section and Lt Cryan's station was in the front section as co-pilot. Sgt Faulkner became unconscious upon the opening of his chute and did not regain consciousness until after landing when he noticed the front section of the aircraft crashed in the woods, surrounded by German soldiers. Sgt Faulkner was rescued by French patriots. Having an understanding of the French language, Sgt Faulkner was informed by the French Patriots that all the remaining crew members were killed in the crash of the A/C. Descriptions by the French patriots of one of the bodies found in the front section of the A/C fitted that of Lt Cryan." The German records in the state that "bodies were thrown from the plane .. Badly mutilated and identified by I.D. Tags. Burial took place in the French cemetery in Poix de la Somme and was performed with military honors. |
Description of search effort
Detail: No search made.
Preparing Officer
Prepared by: WALTER G. BURKE 1st Lt. Air Corps Personnel Officer
Date prepared: November 30, 1999
