MACR PILOT: Capt William G. Lakin O-740839
MACR #: 04234
Fiche #: 01500
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: SSW
Intended Destination: Sottevast
Mission Type: Operational
Weather
Weather: 6/10 to 8/10 clouds
Give
Date: April 28, 1944
Time: 10:19
Location: 40 33N - 01 30E
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: SW-016566 ?
B: SW-010362 ?
C: SW-016860 ?
D: SW-010696 ?
Weapons
A: 952429
B: 932289
C: 1294684
D: 1293203
E: 1295024
F: 1293382
G: 1293394
H: 1264702
I: 1293429
J: 420740
L: 952807 (or) 952803?
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 H. Kelly | Col | O-017318 |
| P2 | William G. Lakin | Capt | O-740839 |
| CP | Tail | ||
| NAV (N) | Joseph H. Payne | Capt | O-790285 |
| BOM (B) | Maurice H. Cain | 1Lt | O-681869 |
| RAD | Leo R. Cannon | TSgt | 34354853 |
| ENG | James C. Brown | TSgt | 14041012 |
| BAL | Albert M. Freitas | SSgt | 06534388 |
| WG (W) | John N. Spiker | SSgt | 35376680 |
| WG (W) | Joseph A. Richard | SSgt | 31174593 |
| TG (T) | Herbert A. Alf | 1Lt | O-746267 |
| Flex Gunner | Delbert E. Barnhart | TSgt | 35471387 |
Persons who are believed to have last knowledge of aircraft
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| Name | Knowledge | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| C. E. Harris | Last sighted | 2Lt | O-749162 |
| E. P. Noordyk | Last sighted | 2Lt | O-806964 |
| C. W. Woldt | Last sighted | 2Lt | O-001553 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SUMMARY REPORT: A/C #024 was hit by two brusts of flak; one near cockpit and one near tail. Cockpit burst into flames. Plane went into vertical dive; top turret came off, As plane entered clouds and it seemed to disinagrate without exploding. One Chute seen. Plane hit at 1019 hours, one minute after bombs away, near 4953E- 0130W. (Lt. Harris, Lt. Nordyk, Lt. Woldt) | ||
| No Data | This was what can best be called a "pick-up" crew of veteran airmen, with the exception of Col. Kelly fresh from the States and had became the 100th's Commanding Officer only nine days prior to the mission. Joe "Bubbles" Payne was a member of the original air echelon of the Group as were T/Sgt James C. Brown and S/Sgt Albert M. Freitas. With the exception of Magee Fuller, they were the last of the "Original 100th" to become casualties. T/Sgt Leo R. Cannon joined the Group in August 1943, his original crew (F.H. Meadows) was shot down at Bremen 08 Oct 1943. Capt William G. Lakin had been with the Group prior to October 1943. The following from MACRs: "....On 02 May 1944, at 0730 hours an American Airman was captured by two German soldiers on the street of Rochville, Sottevast, France. The Germans record the following data: Name: Cain, Maurice # 0-681859. According to his statement he rescued himself from the burning aircraft on 28 April 1944. Sent to Airbase Command, Paris, France..Date 3 May 1944 @ 1320 hours." The Originating German Officer is not identified..pw |
Description of search effort
Detail: No search made.
Preparing Officer
Prepared by: WALTER G. BURKE 1st Lt. Air Corps Personnel Officer
Date prepared: April 29, 1944
