Jan 44 - 445BG

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Jan 44

History > Statistical Data > Missing Air Crew Reports

The 445th Bomb Group's now been blooded.  They have 'seen the elephant and been forever changed'.  Now they will get down to the serious business of the destruction of Germany's industrial capability.  Due to terrible weather either over the Continent or their home base, only 8 missions were flown and three aircraft lost.
One loss was due to the 389th Command Pilot (leading the 2nd Bomb Wing) deviated from the planned return route and took a much longer route for reasons unknown (his plane was shot down by fighters).  When the 445th plane ran out of fuel and crashed, one crew member was unaccounted for and a Missing Air Crew Report was created.  Several days later, his remains were found during salvage operations on the crash site.

MACR #
Date
Tail Number
Pilot
Cause
2510
05 Jan 44
42-7512
2nd Lt Victor L. Smith
Shot down by fighters; 6 KIA, 4 POW
15103
07 Jan 44
41-29119
2nd Lt Lester I. Eike
Ran out of fuel on return, 1 MIA, 8 RTD
2247
30 Jan 44
42-7565
2nd Lt Thomas B. Conner Jr
Mechanical, shot down by fighters; 10 KIA
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