9th AF Patch

416th Bombardment Group (L)

No Report

March 19, 1944, Sunday

 

 

 WWII-Medal

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Summary
Aircraft Serial Number (Type): 43-9444 (Douglas A-20J-5-DO Havoc)

9th AF; 416th Bomb Gp; 668th Bomb Sq

Mission # 6; Box: I; Flight: 1; Position: 4; A/C Fuselage Code: 5H-J

Reason: Enemy anti-aircraft

Damage: Battle damage

Point Of Departure: AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England

Location: Wethersfield/Sta 170

Personnel
Duty Name Rank S/N Status
Pilot Meng, William Jones Maj O-397582 Not Injured
Bombardier/Navigator Powell, Vernon H. Lt O-748029 WIA
Gunner Stobert, Ralph F. S/Sgt 06896470 Not Injured
Airplane Mechanic - Gunner Glynn, Frances Patrick Sgt 31201629 Not Injured


Description:
In the course of the three passes made at the target by our planes, we suffered 100% battle damage. Lt. Vernon H. Powell, Bombardier-Navigator of the lead plane piloted by Major Meng, was hit in the side of the head by a piece of flak. His helmet absorbed the force of the blow (see Exhibit #2) but Lt. Powell was knocked unconscious. Lt. Horace F. Pair had his plane well shot up and had to make a forced landing. He landed his plane with his two gunners, S/Sgt. Herbert A. Marion and Sgt. Victor P. Adams, on the slope of a hill just inside the English coastline near Hastings. The gunners escaped unscathed, but Lt. Pair broke an ankle in the landing. His plane burst into flames, but his gunners with the help of onlookers pulled him from the plane.
(416th BG History 1944)

See Mission # 6 for additional details