70 years ago today: 7th October, 1944. Mission Number 207 7 to Zwickau, Germany- marshalling yards; 1 lost. 92nd Bomb Group Fames Favored Few-Turner, 92nd Mission List from-92ndma.org/missions.html and 92nd B-17 Aircraft Roster (Sources): “ Another loss when Lt Kerr went down. This mission was briefed for an oil target at Ruhland as Primary with Dresden as a PFF target and the airdrome at Zwickau a T/O. Thirty six (36) aircraft including 3 PFF began taking off at 06:55 hours for assembly on Honeybourne Buncher. These were the Lead, High and Low squadrons of the 40th “A” Wing. 1st Lt Garrison, 325th, with Major McLaughlin headed the Lead squadron with 1st Lt Raup as deputy lead. Captain Klyza with 1st Lt Clay led the High and 1st Lt Kerr the Low squadron. Departure from buncher and flight over England was as briefed, with an excellent Division assembly. The Group flew to Control Point #4 and not having heard from the weather scout went toward the PFF target Dresden. While en route the WX sout reported the Primary as open. A 270 degree turn was accomplished and a visual run started; however, heavy ground haze made it impossible to locate the target. Departing Ruhland a course to Zwickau was taken and the railroad complex was bombed visually from 24,310 feet at 13:22 hours. Route home was as briefed. Lt Kerr [43-38434 (327th) MACR 9345] leading the Low squadron was hit by flak before the target at Ruhland, losing #3 and # 4 engines. After calling for fighter escort, he was told that none was available; then he advised that he was heading for Brussels, Belgium. When he passed south of Osnabruck at 7,000, it was agreed among the crew that whenever they were at 3,000, the ship would be abandoned. Coming into Holland northeast of their goal the German AA batteries at Lobeth put up a barrage just as the bailouts began. Lt Kerr, last to leave, landed in the town square of Millingen aam Rhine; the aircraft landed in the Rhine. All 5 officers were POW. No trace of the enlisted has ever been found. Another aircraft flown by 1st Lt Williams, 326th, landed on the continent, so damaged it was salvaged. 1st Lt Darlington landed there also, remained overnight, got fuel and came home. There was 1 abort.” Appendix A: ZWICKAU, 7 October 1944—Kerr, Charles; Vogler, George L; Cummings, William H; Draud, Leroy R L; Barrett, Joseph S; Devaney, Robert E; Benjamin, Dwight O; Salazar, Albert M; Moshier, Robert L; McCray, William W. Many thanks to Candy Kyler Brown. Photograph: Lt Kerr Crew.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 07:55:41 +0000
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