3BD (17-7-44)
MISSING A/C REPORT
A/C No. 927
Squadron: 833
Group: 486
Date A/C Missing: 6 Dec 44
TARGETS LOSS ATTRIBUTION FORMATION POSITION
Assigned: Merseburg

Attacked by Group: Merseburg

Attacked by this A/C: Merseburg 		[ ] Fighters
[ ] Rocket
[X] AA Fire
[ ] Collision
[ ] Air Bomb
[ ] Other 		Position of A/C in Group:
#2 in low low of lead Squadron

Position of Group in formation:
Leading 3rd Division
A/C sustained initial damage at (co-or): 5122-1156
Time: 1009 hours
A/C was last seen at (co-or): 5228-0434
Altitude: 14,000 ft

CREW ROSTER & PREVIOUS RAID RECORD

2 Pilot: 2nd Lt. Bruce C. Alexander 1 B.T.G.: Cpl. Isadore Wolstein
1 Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Charles B. Bryson 24 R.W.G.: S/Sgt. Chester Zolynski
2 Navigator: F/O Roy J. Sykora 1 T.T.G.: Cpl. Roy L. Manny
2 Bombardier: 1st Lt. Wait C. Hummel 1 L.W.G.: Cpl. Dwight K. Shurtleff
1 Radio Op.: Cpl. Robert C. Cooke   Observer:                     

CHRONOLOGICAL WITNESS NARRATIVE

The Group encountered intense, inaccurate to accurate, tracking and barrage type flak in the Merseburg area. A/C 927 was seen to have an engine feathered and dropped out of the formation about 5132-1132, the R.P. (Rally Point). Later, planes from the 84th Squadron, 78th Fighter Group picked up a/c 927 at the German border, flying at 14,000 ft. Engines #1 and #2 were feathered. Three fighters flew with the bomber and three others flew top cover. They tried to contact the bomber on VHF but did not succeed, and visual signals failed also. Although they tried to steer him away from flak areas, he flew directly over Ijmuiden. Engines #3 and #4 were hit by flak, and caught fire. The plane went down, the right wing broke off, and the airplane hit the water about 100 yards from the end of the breakwater at Ijmuiden and exploded. Three chutes came out and fell in the water about half a mile off shore. They think no one else got out.
Witness / Escort Signatures:

Capt. Raymond E. Smith, 78th Fighter Group, 84th Squadron
Lt. Stephens 		Source Intelligence:

Information from Crew of A/C 902, Group 486
Interrogating Officer: Capt. J. E. Hunt
Letters
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