386bg/355bs Hells Fury Dec 13th 1943
Hello,
CRASH 1940-1945 is active since 1987 with research of the airwar WW2 and ´we have a museum with is dedicated to the victims and liberators who fought in the skies over Holland during World War Two.
Our organisation CRASH 1940-1945 (Crash Research Aviation Society Holland 1940-1945, www.crash40-45.nl did extensive research on the crash of B-26 Marauder, registration 41-31625, of 555 BS, 386th BG, squadroncode YA-R,
nickname ´HELL´S FURY. This plane was part of the attack on Schiphol Aerodrome, December 13th, 1943, piloted by Capt. Raymond P,. Sanford (O-724983). On the bombing run the B 26 was hit by 88 mm FLAK, lost left wing and exploded mid-air shortly afterwards. Only Sanford survived and became the only POW. The other crewmembers were killed.
Over the last years, large areas around Schiphol were transformed into housing areas. Also the crashsite of the B-26 YA-R, became under redevelopment and aircraftparts have been found recentely. We were approached by the authorities for additional details and information of the whereabouts of the aircraftparts. A .50 caliber machinegun was recovered and
we could with help of the serialnumber confirm that it belonged to B- 26 ´HELLS FURY, YA-R.
Capt. Raymond P. Sanford pilot, F/O Raymond C. Roberts, T-120450, co-pilot, 1Lt. Charles A. Jackson, O-732848, bombardier-navigator, T/Sgt. Sloan B. Peterson, 35502968, Radio-Waistgunner, S/Sgt. William E. Turner, 14050399,
Aerial Engineer, S/Sgt. Robert M. Becker, 36320326, Waistgunner (he was flying in radio-operators position and S/Sgt. Herbert M. King, 20383268, tailgunner .
We are looking for photographs of all the crewmembers of YA-R, additional info on the combatformation of 355 BS during the attack. Any other details are most welcome.
Especially are we interested in a technical manual or partsnumberlist in order to identify the recovered items. For instance we found a part with nr. 60342.
We would appreciate your help and assistance.