MACR PILOT: 1Lt Martin D Rupert O-812664
MACR #: 04947
Fiche #: 01767
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: E
Intended Destination: Berlin
Mission Type: Operational
Weather
Weather: 2 to 5/10 cumulus clouds
Give
Date: May 19, 1944
Time: 15:18
Location: 5435N-1110E
Specify: MACR blank
Confirmed or believed reason for loss
Loss due to: Enemy aircraft
Other reason for loss:
Engines
Model: R-1820-97
A: SW-005409
B: SW-007357
C: SW-005874
D: SW-005697
Weapons
A: 389692
B: 389711
C: 898533
D: 649215
E: 389675
F: 727753
G: 899225
H: 633784
I: 689671
J: 635416
L: 634821_396128
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 | Martin D Rupert | 1Lt | O-812664 |
| CP | John J Raring | 1Lt | O-797608 |
| NAV (N) | Greek R James | 2Lt | O-702439 |
| BOM (B) | Lynn H Barbour | 2Lt | O-761287 |
| RAD | Ralph G Hawk | TSgt | 15195875 |
| ENG | Herbert H Cole | TSgt | 31219557 |
| BAL | Cecil J McNeer | SSgt | 20761129 |
| WG (W) | Thomas E Hick | SSgt | 33601720 |
| WG (W) | Charles L Haswell | SSgt | 11107600 |
| TG (T) | William P Hohman | SSgt | 33003367 |
Persons who are believed to have last knowledge of aircraft
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| Name | Knowledge | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindley P Williamson | Last sighted | 1Lt | O-753831 |
| John P Gibbons | Last sighted | 1Lt | O-803182 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| No Data | Statement by Lynn Barbour "At the time of the first attack fire was started by enemy action, near the forward escape hatch. I immediately tried to extinguish it. In moving from my position; in the nose of the ship to the location of the fire, my inter phone & oxygen system were disconnected, therefore I was not in communication with the other members of the crew from the time the attack started until I bailed out. As we were immediately put out of action, and the plane was out of control, there was no time to re-establish inter-phone communications. Not certain whether the crew had been notified to abandon ship, I shouted at the navigator to ascertain that fact and he did so. The plane being out of control and pilotless we had no choice but to bail out. In your investigation as to the fate of my crew members, I suggest you contact Mr. James MacDougall, Nakskov Hospital, Nakskov, Denmark. He did, and should still be able to contact fishermen who rescued me from the Baltic Sea. I believe I was docked by these fishermen at a small town named Rodby, which is a small fishing village, believed to be East of the town of Nakskov on the Island of Lloland. I am not certain this is the correct name of the village, but this could be definitely ascertained from Mr. MacDougall, mentioned above. Mr. MacDougall could also put you in touch with a Doctor from this village who attended me at the dock. When rescued from the sea I was unable to make the fishermen understand that there were other crew in the area, due to my own mental and physical incapacity from injuries and exposure and also due to the language difficulties. None of the fishermen could speak or understand English. Upon reaching land, I was able to contact a person who spoke English. When the situation was described to him he promised to send the boats to conduct a search for the other crew members. I personally believe this was not done and also further believe that if such a search had been conducted other members of the crew would definitely have been found alive or their bodies would have been found floating with the support of their Mae West life vests. I was a patient at Nakskov Hospital for a period of three months, and during this time, upon repeated inquiries, I never received definite confirmation other boats were sent out. All inquires were instituted through Mr. MacDongall, who is the son of Dr. MacDongall, Head of the Nakskov Hospital, Nakskov City, Island of Lloland, Denmark." Items found on the body of Sgt Hick, which washed ashore on 24 Jul 1944 : Plain finger ring, Chain with I.D. Tag. Eight photos, Bracelet with plate engraved with Thomas E. Hicks and Caroline V. Barth, Box of pills, rubber bag and dictionary wrapped in cellophane.. Signed: Lynn H. Barbour, 1st Lt A.C. O-761287 |
Description of search effort
Detail: No search made.
Preparing Officer
Prepared by: George D. Allen, Capt Air Corps, Assistant Adjutant
Date prepared: May 22, 1944
