Mar 45 - 445BG

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Mar 45

History > Statistical Data > Missing Air Crew Reports

Six crews were lost in March, 1945.  Four crews were lost on bombing missions and two were lost supporting Operation VARSITY - the last airborne drop of World War II.  Instead of bombs, the 445th dropped food, ammunition, and medical supplies to the airborne and glider troops who had just landed.  To make sure they hit their drop zones, the B-24's went in at less than 300 ft altitude.  They were low enough that conventional small arms fire (rifles, pistols and machineguns) would be dangerous.  A hit on a pilot or copilot could cause the plane to nose over into the ground, like what happened to 1st Lt Jennis M. Strickland and Lt Col Carl Fleming.  Both were struck by ground fire and the plane just dove into the snow covered German countryside.

MACR #
Date
Tail Number
Pilot
Cause
12883
03 Mar 45
42-50692
2nd Lt John C. Saunders
Hit by flak; 1 KIA, 8 POW
12882
04 Mar 45
44-48844
1st Lt Richard A. Winters
Hit by flak; 7 KIA, 4 POW
13563
20 Mar 45
44-48851
Capt John W. Barker
Hit by flak; 12 KIA
13618
23 Mar 45
42-51223
1st Lt Thomas H. Sears
Hit by flak; 6 KIA, 3 POW
13545
24 Mar 45
42-50620
1st Lt Raymond P. Schultz
Ground fire; 9 KIA
13516
24 Mar 45
42-51245
1st Lt Jennis M. Strickland
Ground fire; 10 KIA
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