Personnel

CREW



When this crew went down on 3/2/44, the crew list was as follows:  





 Feb 3, 1945   BERLIN          MACR #12046,           A/C#44 8379



Maj Robert Rosenthal           Command Pilot     Landed in Russian Lines

Capt John Ernst                        P                  POW

1st Lt Arthur I.Jacobson          CP                  POW  (from Crew of Lt. G. Brown)

1st Lt Stewart J. Gillison      Command NAV     EVA   (from Crew of Lt W. Terminello)

1st Lt Louis C. Chappel           NAV                 KIA     (from Crew of Lt W.J. Wilson)

1st Lt Robert H. Stropp       Radar NAV          Landed in Russian Lines

1st Lt Eugene E. Lockhart     BOM                  KIA   (from the Crew of Lt Oren Hopkins)

T/Sgt Charles H. Webber     ROG                Landed in Russian Lines 

T/Sgt Dugger C. West        TTE                  POW

S/Sgt Warren Winters         WG                  POW

S/Sgt G.A. Windisch            TG                  Landed in Russian Lines

Ernst's leg amputated  in German Hospital night of 3/2/45 & he was soon exchanged.



See "CONTRAILS" p.131 & S.O.C. p.95. Also p.219/223 of "FLYING FORTRESS" by E.Jablonski.



EYEWITNESS REPORT from MACR #  "A/C #44 8379 was hit by flak,reported to be a ground 

rocket a few seconds before bombs away. A/C continued on run and dropped bombs.  Fire and 

dense white smoke was seen in the fuselage and bomb bay, including the cockpit.  Bomb bay 

doors closed and then reopened.  Pilot opened his window and peeled gently off to the 

right,  directing deputy leader to take over on VHF.   A/C headed NE and flew level for a few 

moments while six members bailed out (3 appeared to come from waist or tail and 3 from 

bomb bay..There was a small explosion in #3 engine nacelle and thd A/C headed down, burning 

and beginning to spin when last seen at 15/000 feet.  Observers believe entire crew had an 

excellent chance to bail out."

POW/KIA notes: May have not been a POW.  Landed in Russian held territory.



Stropp is listed on the Ernst Casualty Report as the third extra crew mamber (RAD-NAV).