Hi,

Anyone have knowledge of the loss of a 443rd BS aircraft on the 21st October 1944, Details of crew, aircraft type and serial number , markings worn etc.
MACR if there was one would be welcome.

At least one crewman is still listed as MIA perhaps all are.

Many thanks
Alex

Alex,
I don't have any 320th BG aircraft losses for this day, nor did the group fly any combat missions on this date. Are you sure the aircraft you seek information on was a 320th BG ship?
Do you have any more information, that might assist in narrowing down the search?
Regards & best wishes
Paul Clouting

hello Paul,
Yes, six names are in the 443rd BS section on the ABMC Site for this date.

Perhaps a non operational flight ?
Alex

Alex,

I have just visited the ABMC site and noted the 443rd BG names listed for the 21st October 1944.

They are all from the same crew of a B-26 Marauder 41-34912, named "Ramblin' Wreck" of the 320th BG / 443rd BS. The puzzling part, and which explains why this was difficult to find, is that this aircraft was lost on 20th October 1943. The ABMC site has the loss date, or reported date incorrect.

I have the MACR for this loss (report number 988), so can confirm the details, also from the 320th BG mission summaries.

The crew were all killed:
2nd Lt. John J Turner (pilot) (Listed as 1st Lt in ABMC report)
2nd Lt. John R Smart (co-pilot)
S/Sgt. Albert J Leffler (bombardier/navigator)
S/Sgt. Julian Watt (engineer/gunner)
S/Sgt. Alexander T Chavez (radio operator/gunner)
S/Sgt. Clarence H Miles, Jr (Tail gunner)

The aircraft suffered an engine problem (not believed to be combat related) just before reaching the target, which was a RR bridge, West of Guardia, Italy (group mission no. 91). The pilot aborted the mission, pulling out of formation and turning for home. Other crew reported the aircraft smoking from one of the engines. 50 miles off the Italian coast the aircraft attempted a belly landing in the water. The pilot and co-pilot were killed, but the rest of the crew were spotted and reported taken to the life rafts. However, no trace was found of them, despite ASR searches, and they were reported MIA, and eventually as lost at sea.

We got there in the end, Alex.
Regards & best wishes
Paul Clouting

Paul/Alex,
the difference in dates between the loss and the ABMC date of death is due to the legal device used to clear such cases. The crew were missing and the possibility existed that they could be still alive. However after a year and a day with no evidence as to their status a declaration of death was made which allows death certificates to be issued and the estates to be settled. The certificate will show date of death as the date on which the declaration of death was made and this is the date shown by the ABMC.  

Sean Welch

Hello Paul and Sean,

Many thanks for your replies.

Paul, I had not expected such detailed info, thank you. Any chance that you could scan me a copy of the MACR please ?  

And how was it known that the pilot and co-Pilot were killed in the ditching and not with the rest of the crew at some unknown later date ?
Sean, thanks  I had not thought to look at the 1943 date as the 1944 date was not only in the ABMC Site but also in the MIA list on dtic.mil.
Thank you both
Alex

Alex,
I have a copy of the Missing Air Crew Report, but it is too large to post up in this forum (500kB pdf file). If you send me a private e-mail, I will forward you this by reply.
my e-mail is:

b26marauder@tiscali.co.uk

Sean, Many thanks for explaining the discrepancy in dates, this now makes sense.
Regards & best wishes
Paul