Johnstone's Crew

LT Johnstone's crew.

Front row, left to right: LT Raymond J. Bleakley (N), LT Bernard D. Dreiman (B), LT Frank S. Welsh (CP), and LT David W. Johnstone (P). Standing (L-R): Constantine T. Niarchos (Niarches) (RO), Fred H. Williamsen (G), Gene M. Chalmers (TG), CPL Louis C. Trahan (BG), Lee H. Helus (FE), and SGT Harry G. Tucker (WG). (photo courtesy of Roland Andrews).

On November 27th the crew was participating in another mission to Merseberg, GR. Their regular aircraft, 2S:314:D, was shot up on the previous mission and was unavailable, and the crew flew 3R:939:E. On the bomb run an engine was lost due to flak, and another was lost over the target. A short time later a third engine failed. Their ship began to fall behind the formation and lost altitude. The 486th was the last group over the target that day, which made LT Johnstone and crew the last crew over Germany. Luckily no enemy fighters were encountered and LT Johnstone was able to put his ship down in a turnip patch in Brussels. Due to weather it would be several days before the crew returned to Sudbury. The ship may have been abandoned on the continent. It did not fly again fro the 486th.