Seeking any info beyond after action report from National Archives Records Administration. Father Cecil D Rudder KIA May 8, 1944.  According to POW suvivor, George Parkinson,who gave details, soon after end of war, the mission was the fourth.  Pilot is listed as Milton Fancher, co-pilot was Olin Kuhn.  My father was left waist gunner, Parkinson was right waist gunner.  All crew were dead except Parkinson and Rudder.  Parkinson said his chute was already prepared so he jumped first and when his chute opened he heard the plane explode and realized the Rudder could not have cleared in time.
Up until last week, when I received the CD of the after-action -reports, I didn't even know about Snetterton Heath, 337th BS, or names of other Crew.  I did remember Gerald Amon, the radio operator, when I saw his name.  He used to baby sit me in Halls, TN, one of my dad's training sites porbably late 43 or early 44
Anyone know if the plane had nose art or a name?  Was it really the 4th mission?  I have other crew names if any descendants have missing info or need any info I may have.

A/C42-97403 downed by enemy fighters crashed at Hiddestorf west of Verden Germany. 3 survivors listed as POWs  Young, Parkinson, Greco.  The 96th lost 10 aircraft on 8 May 1944.

John,
 
The MACR 4570 covering this plane and crew is available on line at www.footnote.com. There is a fee but it is not expensive. The report is free from AFHRA at Maxwell but takes awhile to receive. There are many on this forum who have access to the report at footnote and may be able to give you some help.
 
Vic

Vic Walzel, brother of 1st Lt Leland H. Walzel, bombardier with the 93rd Bomb Group, 330th Squadron. KIA 6 March 1944 on his 25th mission.
www.lelandwalzel.150m.com

Wt -
# 42 - 97403 AW U
No Name or Photos Listed in Bits and Pieces.
Mike

Thanks to all who responded and to those who may yet.  I did not know that fighters or flak had caused the crash. I just finished Jack Novey's "Cold Blue Sky"  Even though he was stationed at Snetterton Heath and flew his 25th mission before my father was there, they were both left waist gunners for the 337th.  For the training and for four missions, the experiences must have been similar.  It's like a voice from the grave.

I still don't know how to start a new question, but someone may know the answer to a couple questions I have.
Any possibility of getting a picture of crew and/or plane serial #42-97403?  Most of crew and plane lost May 8, 1944 when through snafus and bad luck the 96th BG lost 10 in one day.
Also, anyone know how to obtain a photo or painting of the stained glass window in the  Memorial Chapel for the 96th Bomb Group - Quidenham Church?