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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It happened on 9 March 1944, over Berlin, Germany.

The photo was taken by SSGT. Lester VanGorkom, ball turret gunner, as the stricken bomber passed under the plane piloted by Lts Phil MacPhail and Bill Schock. Contrary to the caption, however, there were two crewmen who survived this incident, Arthur J Osepchook, ball turret gunner, and John J Plotz, waist gunner. For a little more about the story, read "I remember..." by Ed Zieba on the 384th Bomb Group website Stories page.

Photo contributed by Judy Murphy, June 2017.

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1 comment

  • ljstevens - Wednesday 7 February 2024 16:44
    My father was Lester Van Gorkom the person who took the photo. On April 9th his plane went down as well and he was taken as a POW and lost his right arm due to frac and poor care as a POW.