MACR - A/C No. 944 (486th Heavy Bombardment)

(Give a complete narrative, citin, all known facts not covered in above answers, using reverse side if necessary. If weather was a contributing factor, describe briefly. Bear in mind that a ship which "blow up" cannot continue to fly and that an explosion aboard an A/C is not necessarily a ship "blown up").

The 486 4, 3, and C Squadrons flew as the 4A Group of the 40.B.W. A/C 944 was one of six A/C designated as chaff aircraft. Intense inaccurate to accurate, C.P. and barrage type flak was encountered in the target area. Chaff ships left the high squadron at approximately 4 minutes after I.P. and flew about 2 or 3 miles ahead and 2000 feet below their Group lead aircraft. A/C 944 dropped back while the chaff aircraft were making the run over the target and never did return to the formation. This A/C was last seen at 5149N 1056E at 22,000 feet. The aircraft was trailing smoke and losing altitude and speed. Two friendly fighters were with the aircraft.

5 Pilot: 2nd Lt. Miller, Robert C.	3 B.T.Sgt. Effinger, William F.
4 CoP: 2nd Lt. Fracikorski, Edmund T.	4 T.G.Sgt. Paulic, Stanley
4 Nav: F/O Kinzler, Frederick C.	4 Eng.Sgt. Mathis, James M.
_ Bomb: __________________________	#29 R.W. T/Sgt. Taylor, Marion W.
#29 RadOpt/Sgt. Hobgood, Richard A.	4 L.W.Sgt. Ward, Frank
Observer ___________ Unit ____________ Base ___________