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⇗.

Guidance on contributing images can be obtained by downloading this PDF document:  Upload Instructions

FROM 22 NOVEMBER 2022 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: Due to a recent revision to the MySQL Database standard, a #1064 error may be encountered when trying to navigate to a photo album. Please report the name of the album you are trying to access using the "Contact webmaster" at the page bottom, right. Thanks for your help.

Home /

Clifford Charles Dartt, Co-pilot

c1-dartt.jpg c1-cornevin3ThumbnailsFrancis John Witt, Jr.

Original site crew photo.
Shot down on the July 4, 1943 mission to LeMans, France, aboard B-17F 42-29960 "NYMOKYMI" 544th BS code SU*J.

Gordon B. Erickson (P) EVD
Clifford Charles Dartt (CP) POW
Francis Mercer Hackley (N) KIA
Don W. Irvine (B) KIA
Paul G. Welch (RO) POW
Willard Edward Freeman (BT) EVD
Robert H. Penly (TT) EVD
Charles Mankowitz (TG) EVD
George Ashworth (WG) EVD
Frank J. Wingerter (WG) EVD

The following information was sent by Roger Cornevin-Hayton, a citizen of France, who was an eye-witness to the downing of 42-29960, and a report submitted by Gordon Erickson. Roger has researched the mission, and has followed up with a memorial dedication at the crash site which was held on July 4, 1999.

The B-17 was hit by flak over Le Mans after releasing its bombs. The plane turned North, and was hit again in the #4 engine, and the prop would not feather. The oxygen system was punctured, and Erickson gave the signal to bail out. The plane was ultimately brought down by an Me109. Roger was in a stadium watching the airstrike, and saw the B-17 smoking, at low altitude, and witnessed the crew bail out near a small town. The French citizens arrived before the Germans, and aided the crew.

Erickson landed in a tree, but was quickly helped by 8 or 9 French men. Freeman and Mankowitz, both injured, were hidden in a hut 10 miles from the crash site in the forest for 47 days before escaping out of France. Clifford Dartt and Paul Welch were captured by the Germans. Irvine and Hackley were killed in the wreckage.

Photos of the crash site taken July 5, 1943, by Roger Cornevin-Hayton.

Clifford Dartt’s evasion photo.

Dimensions
186*200
File
c1-dartt.jpg
Filesize
26 KB
Visits
1526

0 comments