384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

Welcome to the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Photo Gallery. This gallery makes available the photographic and documentary portion of the 384th BG record. All content on this gallery is visible to all visitors. Those wishing to enter a comment or contribute images will need to register and log in (links at left of Home page). Please register for an account when you need access beyond viewing gallery content. For additional information about the 384th BG, visit the 384th Bomb Group website⇗.

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Aircraft: B-17G 546th BS 42-37781 BK*U Silver Dollar; Merlin Reed, pilot. Lost on 9 March 1944 mission to Berlin/Oranienburg Heinkel factory; after bombs away the bombs from the high squadron (which had drifted over the Low Squadron) hit, knocking tail completely off in front of stabilizer; a/c dived straight down into a spin/spiral with all four engines going; centrifugal force trapped the crew; no chutes observed, but BT & WG got out around 5000 ft; cr Berlin (map grid R 45 91800, H 58 08150 according the German reports, Berlin - Marenfolde, Fieldmark Osdorf) at 1400 hrs; 8KIA 2POW (BT & WG); MACR 3005; Lauren McKinney crew chief.

Source: Robert Bletscher, 2011.

Bletscher: "I had sent someone to copy the records, but unfortunately they were too big to be copied on a regular scanner. The Agency Chief at the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell AFB, in Alabama, decided that they were records that should be preserved, and as a result had his department take care of them."

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