MACR PILOT: 1Lt Ralph D Horne O-748415
MACR #: 04948
Fiche #: 01768
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: E
Intended Destination: Berlin
Mission Type: Operational
Weather
Weather: 2 to 5/10 cumulus clouds
Give
Date: May 19, 1944
Time: 15:08
Location: Btwn 5430N-1200E & 5430N-0920E
Specify: Information not available
Confirmed or believed reason for loss
Loss due to: Other circumstances
Other reason for loss: Not known
Engines
Model: R-1820-97
A: SW-004870
B: SW-004889
C: 43-57774
D: SW-005575
Weapons
A: 728799
B: 905529
C: 722441
D: 948056_
E: 907779
F: 224921
G: 224605
H: 224617
I: 224634
J: 728891
L: 447844
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 | Ralph D Horne | 1Lt | O-748415 |
| CP | John M McGrath | 1Lt | O-697436 |
| NAV (N) | Douglas L Hiley | 2Lt | O-814316 |
| BOM (B) | Jack T Evans | 2Lt | O-752743 |
| RAD | Lawrence C Wiley | TSgt | 31296559 |
| ENG | Robert L Fosdick | TSgt | 19057033 |
| BAL | Carlee G Hunt | SSgt | 14074545 |
| WG (W) | Shelly M Hall | SSgt | 34707374 |
| WG (W) | Joseph Perinsky | SSgt | 12208825 |
| TG (T) | Joseph G Staron | SSgt | 19079220 |
Persons who are believed to have last knowledge of aircraft
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| Name | Knowledge | Rank | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|
| John P Keys | Last sighted | 2Lt | O-810894 |
| Lawrence E Townsend | 1Lt | O-747527 |
Personnel who are believed to have survived
Reason: Parachutes were used
Other: See eyewitness report
Eyewitness description of crash
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| Last Name | First name | Report |
|---|---|---|
| No specific information concerning the loss of this A/C is available. Two unidentified B-17’s were seen to peel out of formation on route back from target to station. One of them was observed under control and apparently in no serious trouble at 1506 hours near 5420W-1200E heading for Sweden. The other was going down under control at 1534 hours near 5430N-0920E. All props were turning. 5 chutes were seen. It is believed this A/C later crashed and burned. | ||
| No Data | From 1st Lt John M. Mc Grath, CP (November 2003) "I would like to correct and add to the bio of my crew under 349th SQ- crews. Ralph and I were both 1st lieutenants when we were shot down. It was also our 20th mission. We were hit by FW190's from 12 o'clock high. The number 3 and 4 engines were hit and lost all power. We tried to feather the two props but to no avail. That's why we looked like we were in no serious trouble. As we dropped out of formation we were attacked from the rear. The tail section was severely damaged. How Joe Staron escaped with a scratch is a miracle. As I glanced out my side window the FW190 was overtaking us and was no more than 20 yards off our right wing. He must have been wounded; no sane pilot would come that close and slow. He continued slowly to pass us and continued in a slow left turn in front of us where the bombardier and navigator finished him. We were losing altitude fast and our navigator said with our rate of decent we would never reach the channel, but we might reach Sweden. We opted for Sweden but never made it. We ditched as stated, were captured in Denmark and spent the rest of the war in various German POW camps" 1st Lt John M. Mc Grath, CP |
Description of search effort
Detail: No search made.
Preparing Officer
Prepared by: Claude L. Hosford Capt. Air Corps, Assistant Adjutant.
Date prepared: May 22, 1944
