Lt. Curtis Eatman Crew

I am researching my Dad's WWII history (Sgt. Joe R. Dearman). He was a nose gunner assigned to Lt. Curtis Eatman Crew #142, Bomb Group 465 Heavy, Bomb Squad 782. His crew bailed out over Yugoslavia 18 December 1944 on return from bomb target Blechhammer, Germany. The crew was MIA for 10 days and walked out with help from the Partisians. I reasearched the MACR data base and matched the date, Bomb Group, Bomb Squad to MACR # 10637. I recently received the MACR #10637. To my disappointment, it is for the Lt. Donald Edwin Clodfelter crew assigned to 465th / 781. I am puzzled now as where to go from here for the correct MACR.

You guys do an excellent job and I am requesting your help with the correct MACR. My Dad died in 1964 when I was a small boy and I have spent years researching his military footsteps. Any additional information, pics, planes, etc. on Bomb Group 465 / Bomb Squad 782, Crew 142 would be appreciated.

Thank you
Bill Dearman
Aiken, South Carolina
WmDearman@aol.com

Thank you for your quick responses. I am quite certain of the information in my first post. The Curtis Eatman crew was flying "White L" on 18 December 1944. The MACR # 10637 is for the crew of "Yellow E".

The Curtis Eatman crew in "White L" flew into flak over the target (Blechhammer, Germany) and lost engine #2 on the rally off the target. They were able to maintain formation until they reached the Yugo border when they lost engine #4 and began to slowing lose altitude. They were still over enemy territory. When the remaining engines began to peter out and altitude loss was at 700 ft. per minute, the crew remained with the ship and turned toward the Isle of Vis. Due to the undercast they elected not to go through and instead turned inland. At 8500 ft. of altitude, the crew bailed out over the Yugo Mountains. Two crewmen broke legs on landing.

The crew aboard "White L" on 18 December 1944 were:

Lt. Cutis Eatman - Pilot
Lt. Charles A. Haynes - Co Pilot
Lt. William T. Magee, Jr. - Bombardier
F/O William E. Evans, Jr. - Navigator
Sgt. Lamont H. Pakes - Engineer
Cpl. James P. Powell - Radio Operator
Cpl. Harold J. Wamser - Ball Gunner
Sgt. Joe R. Dearman - Nose Gunner (my Dad)
Cpl. Edward W. Hahn - Top Turret Gunner
T/Sgt. Andrew Jay, Jr. - Tail Gunner

The details of 18 December 1944 were taken from the daily journal of Lt. Haynes and copies were forwarded to me by Lt. Magee.

If a MACR exits for this crew, I would certainly want a copy. Additional information on the Curtis Eatman crew #142, Bomb Group 465, Bomb Squad 782 would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.....Bill Dearman



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