Baker and Jerstad were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions over Ploesti. which was found in the Libyan Desert in May 1959. 345th Bomb Group - front | back. The info I have is that Uncle Roy died April 21, 1944. bomb group. England, 7 Mar 1944; Bretigny, France, Sep 1944; Laon/Couvron, France, Over the refineries, the ill-fated Liberator climbed to 300 feet so the crew could bail out, then fell off on one wing and crashed in a field. When I contacted the American Battle Monuments Commission I was told of some books that had been written about American aircraft losses during the war. They participated in the famous mission against the oil targets at Ploesti, Romania. U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Roy C. Harms was assigned to the 329th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. Aviation Archeological Research and Investigation On this page search by pressing (as you can on any page or document) Ctrl + F and in the search bar type 42-97236; it will take you to the entry for this aircraft. 340th Bomb Group (M) 344th Bomb Group. Open9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Contact Us, If you have any data on servicemen and their units and would like to submit it to our digital library; please Contact Us, Copyright, Army Air Corps Library and Museum, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Sgt John P. Medica, tail gunner, survived. Between 2-15 Aug 1942, the Group moved to Fort Dix, New Jersey to prepare for deployment overseas. Regards Hi Hugh, yeah thats lovely. If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact theMedia Sales & Licensing Team. SPECIFICATIONS The 93d was the first Liberator-equipped bomber group to reach the Eighth Air Force. On November 14, the 93rd was honored by a visit from King George VIhis first visit to an American bomber base. Tidal Wave called for the 93rd to be the second group in the low-altitude formation, which would be led by K.K. see The pilot overcorrected in trying to pull out and the plane broke in half near the bomb bay. Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830s of 1,200 Can I help? 1996 - World War, 1939-1945 - 452 pages. I will check the B24 web site and see what I can find. Also, would you happen to know the name of the local newspaper there, or a source that may have more documentation of the actual crash? WikipediA. The church has had a few incumbents since Ashlachsen, we were married in 1991 by Malcolm Bury but he has sadly died. Hi. Corrected Barksdale location from Florida to Louisiana. 90th Bombardment Group - Jolly Rogers 15th Air Force 91st Bombardment Group - The Ragged Irregulars - 8th Air Force 93rd Bombardment Group - 8th Air Force 95th Bombardment Group - 8th Air Force 97th Bombardment Group,- 15th Air Force 99th Bomb Group - 12th Air Force 100th Bombardment Group Bloody Hundredth - 8th Air Force I had a hunch that the plane might have come from Podington in Beds, now the site of the race track Santa Pod.I Corresponded with Dearborn about this,but there was no way of getting to the site. HistoryNet.com is brought to you by HistoryNet LLC, the worlds largest publisher of history magazines. The group became operational with the B-24 on 9 October 1942 by attacking steel and engineering works at Lille France. Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles. I just replied to Mike above, and I would gladly pose those same questions to you. and Video files at Marshall Stelzriede's Wartime Story Running short of fuel and in poor visibilty, they headed for what seemed to be an airstrip. As they approached the refineries, the 93rd lead section encountered heavy flak. However I am afraid she was unable to add to the info I have about about Shazam nor did she have any suggestions as to where any photos may be obtained in regards the crash of Alfred 11. Ilse and I walked along Beldam Haw on Monday and I looked N. across the crash field which is divided into blocks by barbed wire. Pages 1 Because of its great Oldest B-24 Bomb Group in 8th Air Force Unlike the earlier Weiner-Neustadt mission, when enemy resistance had been comparatively light, the Liberators were greeted by strong flak and a large force of fighters. 351st Bombardment Group (H) (Plaque) 351st Bombardment Group (H) (Monument) "Manhattan Maiden" - B-24 of the 374th Bomb Squadron. This flight by the 93rd was the first nonstop flight across the North Atlantic by American bombers. Colonel Timberlake led 101 B-24s on one of the longest missions of the war. The aircraft crashed in farmland near Park Farm which is about one mile east of the village of Hoxne in Suffolk. Mission Support Group, responsible for directing and leading more than 450 personnel in six squadrons and . Other missions were flown in support of the Allied advance in Sicily. B-24 Liberators in formation, returning from mission. Thanks so much for writing. Newsletter 44-40757 "Big Time Operator" of the 864th Bomb Squadron, 494th BG 8th AF B-24 Bombers during Raid over France Brand New B-24E Liberator Ford Motor Company Willow Run Plant B-24J 42-72998 "Bugs Bomby" of the 30th Bomb Group, 392nd Bomb Squadron 7th AF 460th Bomb Group 760th BS B-24 Liberators Take Off Spinazzola, Italy Bombed coastal In Hardwick, England, A B-24 Liberator crew of the 93rd Bomb But I cannot find a list of the crew. As they approached Targoviste, Rumania, the 2nd initial point, 20 miles away from the 3rd initial point where the formation was to turn into a bomb run heading of 127 degrees, Compton led his formation in a turn. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980). I remember Grosvenor Aslachsen being Rector. Ramsay Potts Section B bombed Astro Romania, the largest oil producer in Europe, a target originally assigned to the 98th. I had an email yesterday from a contact in the states who will send me a picture of one of Shazams crew members so reducing the ones where I havent got a photo to three. Thank you very much for responding to my inquiry. Armament: Eleven .50-cal. I am trying to find out any information about a B-17 Flying Fortress plane crash May 31, 1945. Google search for more B-24 Sixty-nine bombers (including 16 B-24s) did not come back from the Eighths most costly mission of the war. "The Flyin' Moose" was a B-24J assigned to the 409th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, based at Hardwick, England. 93rd Bombardment Group 329th Bomb Squadron. Stewart was told by a two-star general, From now on youll work for the whole Eighth Air Force, or else. Stewart, along with another Eighth Air Force public relations man, James Dugan, would later write the definitive account of the most famous B-24 mission of the war, the raid on the Rumanian oil fields at Ploesti. Flying the B-24 Liberator from Hardwick airfield. Hope this answers your immediate questions and provides a basis for further research. Tags consignment! Hardwick, England. Consolidated Hi, do you have any information on any B17s from the 95th bomb Group, I am a committee member from this group and would like to research any information you have? I have walked past it a few years ago so its also close to a public right of way. The 32th Bomb Squadron, and the 330th Bomb Squadron and and the 409th Bomb Squadron flew to the initial station at Tafarouri, Algeria, but the field there was not suited for the heavy bombers, and they only conducted two missions from that field. - Alcohol A family member recently received a letter from the Cambridge Cemetery. You live in a very nice part of the Norfolk coast.I am a Norfolk Dumpling myself although I now live in exile at Peterborough. Please select any of the units below to submit a research inquiry to WW2 Researcher Bill Beigel. Boomerang flew 53 total missions, including Ploesti, and her gunners were credited with downing one Italian and 11 German fighters before she was sent to the United States on a war bond tour in the spring of 1944. Hardwick, England. Thank you Andy, Hi Andy, sorry for late reply, have just returned from holiday. I have to inform you that my Husband, Richard Storr died in April 2020 and therefore can no longer give you any more information for your research. A FABULOUS photo: click 1943-1945. Want to help? Best wishes, Hi Roger Unknowingly, he had taken up a heading that would miss Ploesti altogetherhis group was headed for Bucharest. Incidentally a couple of years ago I happened to be in a WW2 vintage aircraft flying over Cambridgeshire (RAF Glatton is just north of here) and the pilot took us over the American Cemetery. Roger, [] View USAAF crash sites gallery here [], Your email address will not be published. Our Facebook photo The Traveling Circus attacks were to be conducted simultaneously with the lead groups attack on White One, the Romana Americana plant. That part of the country is not the geographical area I usually cover, but I will take a look at the resources and books I have this evening and will get back to you if I find anything. Kind regards on a mission from North Africa in April 1943 and It flew in every combat theater during World War Museum, Willow Run Airport, Michigan - photo by Janet Constituted as 409th Bombardment Group (Light) on 1 Jun 1943 and I mean, we won: The Century-Long Battle Over This Confederate Flag, Revisiting the Small but Important Riots between Brandy Station and Gettysburg. The 396th Bombardment Group is a former United States Army Air Forces unit. Unit No: 409th Bombardment Squadron (H), 93rd Bombardment Group (H), 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force Type: B-24D Honky Tonk Gal Serial No: 42-40265 Code: YM:W Location: 16 km (10 mls) from the Ploesti refineries Base: Site #7, Benghazi, Libya Pilot: 1st Lt. Hubert Heslep Womble O-663978 AAF Age 22. in May 1959. It is assigned to the 7th Operations Group, Global Strike Command, stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Gordijnen maken cursus dactylodewaele. Please note, we offer the Group and Squadron patches in hand painted format with the exception of the 23rd Fighter Group patch which is also available in multi-layer leather. Do you have any details of this crash?. Hi Roger Since July 3, 1863, there have been many calls for Confederate flags to be returned to their home states, and in particular, for the 28th Virginia Infantry Regiment flag return to Virginia. The 93rd Pursuit Squadron was assigned to England in October 1917 and then sent to France where they finished their combat training at Issoudon near Paris. Waist Gunner S.J. The 329th Bomb Squadron remained behind and took up residence at Hardwick. Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians. Thanks, Hi John, Im afraid I have nothing more than what is in this thread; http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?73936-P-47-Thunderbolt. If ever this way look us up. As the German pilots regrouped, they caught a couple of B-24s that were flying at about 300 feet instead of hugging the ground, where the fighters could not safely attack. The Shoulder patches (except the AAF Decal) are offered in multi-layer leather format. Thank you. Veterans History Project Service Summary: War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945. Hi Richard, Made contact with Stan Bishop, the only info he has is what I have Ian. - Strollers Hi Roger Bean Salvaged after a mid-air collision Note that source, the 457th Bomb Group Association, mentions there being 4 survivors not 3. Thank you again. 640th: 1943-1945. RAF Glatton is about 6 miles south of the town of Peterborough. to England, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Ninth AF. from bases in France beginning in Sep. Superfortress 44-61999 Over-Exposed! air crash site on Bleaklow, Aviation Archeological Research and Investigation, https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/AARmonthly/May1945O.htm, http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/12924, http://www.parhamairfieldmuseum.co.uk/390th-bomb-group/interesting-information-and-facts/, https://aircrewremembrancesociety3.com/Aircraft-Losses/USAAF-Losses/U.S.A.A.F.Losses-1943/page-49/, All photos and text are aircrashsites.co.uk unless otherwise stated. a MUST! Lt Stewart Barnes, co-pilot, killed They were all temporarily buried at the temporary cemetery in Cambridge, and 3 from this crew remain here in the permanent cemetery, 4 including SSgt Logan were repatriated back to the United States. Finally, the three Eighth Air Force B-24 groups were allowed to return to England. It became a joke in B-17 circles that crews were glad to see the B-24s on a mission because they knew the fighters would go after the Liberators and leave the Flying Fortresses alone. Does anyone know anything about a 409th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group (Heavy)B-24H-25-FO Liberator Gypsy Queen Serial# 42-95024 possibly crashed on the afternoon of 5 November 1944 at Shipmeadow, Suffolk (between Beccles and Bungay. Below; photo from the 457 Bomb Group Association showing some of the wreckage. I am unsure as to quite what info you have already but the details here were found on the internet. The 20th Wing was one of three combat wings of B-24s that made up the Second Air Division, the only B-24 division of the Eighth Air Force. The 93rd Bombardment Group continued performing its primary mission of bombing enemy targets right up to the end of the war. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. long over-water missions in the Pacific Theater. First a few words Sorry, I dont have any books which cover that part of the world,Paul, but someone viewing this page might. Later I lived in Stonehouse Road and occasionally attended Evensong at St.Margarets. Memorial at Hardwick Airfield. Supported Third Army's advance toward Germany, Aug-Nov 1944, operating Regarding photos of crash sites there ought to be a central source but I understand that the official pictures of the Shazam crash have been lost and this may have happened to many others. http://www.parhamairfieldmuseum.co.uk/390th-bomb-group/interesting-information-and-facts/. Consolidated B24 Liberator Audio This Command of the Traveling Circus itself had passed to Addison Baker, now a lieutenant colonel. Has crew list and an account of the crash. and which test area (Larkhill, Fordingbridge?). - Backpacks The pilot, Lt. Howard F. Bolton, named the aircraft for his father, "The Moose," and decorated his A-2 jacket with the bomb-carrying panda squadron insigne, bomb symbols for 35 missions flown, and other artwork. Sgt James C. Hilty, ball turret gunner, survived HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. Written on slide casing: 'B-24 Sandia Base, NW 1946, 409 BS, 93 BG.' Memphis Belle Aircraft Painting Pin Up Models Airplane Art It seems likely the survivors were wearing parachutes and were able to get out of the aircraft and open them. Eighth Air Force . I could have searched for many more years and not found the wonderful sources you did. PATIENT, give them a little time to download Pages 1-57 Duties and Responsibilities, and more Thank You. Sarah. His aircraft took off from Glatton at 14:19 hrs on an operational mission. Sgt Leroy L. Logan, engineer / upper turret gunner, killed - The insignia of the 409th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. Still unearthing bits of plane from around crash site but would like to know exact crash site if possible and any photos. Do you know where it may be currently? I thought you might enjoy a different take on a crashlanding site and how its flying along now. Both Liberators were shot down. They damaged two of four assembly buildings so effectively that Me-109 fighter production at the plant was cut by more than one-third. I would most especially love to know the names of the three survivors, though they may be gone now. 93rd Bombardment I am contacting you as I am currently working on a WWII series and would love to ask you some specific questions about plane crashes from the US Eighth air force. any help appreciated. M ore pix and vids to come. This entry now includes information from the following contributors and sources: Google search for more B-24 Liberator images. I know, isnt it strange how one link leads to another! On April 25, 1945, the Traveling Circus flew its last mission of the war, the 391st time that 93rd crews had faced the enemy. With the memories of Ploesti still fresh in their minds, the five B-24 groups in Libya were sent on another mission against a heavily defended target, the Messerschmitt factories at Weiner-Neustadt, Austria. I have looked up the Walcott crash and I should be more than pleased to see if I can find more info. B-24 was employed in operations in every combat He was a TEC 5 and died in a plane crash, Killed On Duty but Not In Battle, in England on that date. William B Musselwhite Commanding Officer 10/15/42 thru 3/13/42.http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10618, Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Thanks Richard will make enqs re the book you mention. I remember Mr Rushen, who coppiced the wood by Randles Lane. Three other groups also would hit targets. Newsletter Alconbury and Hardwick, England North Africa: Three Tours WWII Strategic Bombing 1942 - 1945 I was pleased to see that you had photos of all the crew of Alfred 11. As the bombs detonated on Ploestis refineries, gasoline tanks caught fire and began exploding, throwing debris high into the air, into the paths of approaching Liberators. Liberator images. Chambers, to explode, Lieutenant! The aircraft crashed at 14:55 hrs at Park Farm, Hoxne, Suffolk. . I have been trying to find information for him but keep drawing a blank. He was a son of George Carl and Ethel Roberta Gray. He and Jerstad jettisoned their bombs so that the mortally wounded B-24 would stay airborne just a few moments longer. Army Air Corps Library and Museum. He had so many stories about growing up there. A B-24 Liberator (YM-M, serial number 42-50781) of Sign up now to receive news and communications from American Air Museum in Britain charity. Ground personnel of the 93rd Bomb Group work on a A B-24 Liberator (YM-M, serial number 42-50781) of www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/50, http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/93bg.HTM, http://www.93rdbombardmentgroup.com/historyfull.html, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Contact II between 1943 and 1945. 1st Lt Leo F. Baumann Pilot The name of your brother is familiar to me but I dont think I knew him. In July 1918, the 93rd was sent to Vaucouleurs, France, where they saw combat as part of the 3rd Pursuit Group. Just came across your website.Park Farm, Hoxne. 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). Thanks for your replyI obtained all my pics and info from web site B24.net a very good site. B-24 Liberator. While the 93rd was in Africa, the group public relations officer, Corporal Carroll Stewart, began issuing news releases describing the outfits exploits, dubbing the 93rd the Traveling Circus. A newspaperman in civilian life, Stewart published The Liberator, the first overseas troop newspaper of the war. Advertisement He was killed in action on Aug. 1, 1943, when the B . already, no pictures. I love being able to locate the pieces of the puzzle and watch the picture form. Lieutenant Colonel George S. Brown, who had been in the formation over Ploesti with Baker, was assigned as interim commander until Colonel Leland G. Fiegel could arrive from the United States to take command of the group. Anyway, I have digressed away from the point of this site but it is interesting to catch up with people associated with the area. Thank you for responding to my enquires. taxiing at Hardwick The 10-day mission turned out to be a 90-day deployment, with the group operating first from Tafaroui, then moving to Gambut. They were renamed the 93rd Bombardment Squadron in WWII and later became the . Description Black & White photograph, taken from the waist turret of a Consolidated B-24D Liberator heavy bomber, of four United States Eighth Army Air Force B-24 Liberators flying in formation by the 409th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, during World War II. One 93rd airplane was lost, but the 44th had its usual bad luck and took the most casualties. Runway is approx 1km south east of that point. Now the B-24 crews had a new threat to contend with, as if the deadly anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters were not enough. RAF Glatton with some photos from when 457 BG was based there. Footnote 1] Have a brother who lives in Costessey Michael Wright [ I was adopted ] ever come across him ? 1043/RF: 93BG - encounters heavy flak on way to Misturg.' Object Details Category Photographs Related period Compton, now a lieutenant colonel, remained in Africa to take command of a new B-24 group, the 376th Bomb Group. Throughout April, the 93rd flew deep penetration missions against targets in Germany, plus strikes at V-2 rocket bases in the Pas de Calais. Hardwick, If you are interested you will find said photos under the name of Shazams Navigator Lt Richard Angert. As is often the case, we left it too late to check out what he was saying. All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Then, after the Afrika Korps was pushed out of Africa, the B-24s were sent against Italian targetsNaples, Palermo and Messina. Hardwick, England. mistake, please stay and enjoy, then bookmark our url. About Constituted as 409th Bombardment Group (Light) on 1 Jun 1943 and Used A-20's in preparing for duty overseas. - The insignia of the 409th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. Read more about Supporting the AALCM. PLEASE SUPPORT THE 8AF.ORG PROJECT! Princess Risborough. Wasnt Halstead Place owned/built by Barnaby Atkins? He did a lot of coppicing in that area and had woodland in Halstead. (Thanks to B24bestoweb). 2. Unit of Service: 409th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. Colonel Fiegel had been with the 93rd in the United States and remained in command of the Traveling Circus until after D-Day. Pages 240-271 Weight and balance, and more See Moss Lt. Col. USAF (Ret). 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) Marker Inscription. Details added, word spacing, spelling changes. Richard. oil industry at Ploesti, Rumania on August 1, 1943. So many names from the past! Although the 44th was older than the 93rd, the newer group had been first in combat. Ian had posted a picture of some of the wreckage from my great uncles plane crash. The ground echelon departed for the U.K. on the Queen Elizabeth on 31 Aug 1942, and the air echelon moved to Grenier Field, New Hampshire, and was refitted with B-24Ds. My father grew up in Hoxne, Suffolk and I still live in the area. Im trying to locate the site of a B17 crash in West Norfolk. Sitemap Fourteen B-24s were lost on the mission, although none were from the 93rd. The three groups made up the 201st Provisional Combat Wing, commanded by Timberlake. Pages 122-160 Equipment and Systems, and more I thought perhaps this crash occurred in an area that is far more populated now, and therefore, it may have been moved? Weight: 56,000 lbs (25 UK tons, 25.4 tonnes). attacking lines of communication and supply. My Uncle and Aunt, Geoffrey and Mollie Pain, and I lived at Edgehill Stonehouse Road,Halstead, 1954 1968. Im sure you notice the changes in that area. Until December, the group operated primarily against submarine pens along the French coast along the Bay of Biscay . Though you cant see the cemetery in this view you will get an idea of the country your uncle flew over during the war. She lived in Knockholt. Donate I lived there from 1955 70 and small pieces of aircraft were constantly being unearthed when the field just opposite the farm entrance was ploughed. Would the area newspapers have an account of it? Youve provided me with a wealth of information, and Im eager to go through it more thoroughly. BE They remained there until 22 Feb 1943, at which time they returned to Hardwick until 26 Jun 1943. 93rd bomb group, 409th squadron. [MORE], Home http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/12924. Pilot was flying on instruments in clouds when the aircraft hit violent prop wash, throwing the aircraft into a dive. Other times such the as the request about the P-47 above searches all end up pointing to the same very limited resource. It looks very different nowadays. Sorry I didnt mention this before. To Sarah Rushen Do you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms, gear and other artifacts? I remember the exceedingly brave firemen breaking into the blazing fuselarge armed with axes in an attempt to save there colleagues. ea. Sgt Morris R. Walker, left waist gunner, survived Allied offensive at Caen and the breakthrough at St Lo with attacks on Sam_Martin used 'Maurer, Maurer, Ed., Air Force Combat Units of World War II. B-24 Liberator. I worked at Glemham House (not Hall) for Lord and Lady Cranbroke and if I recall correctly there is a propellor blade embedded in the ground at the site where a plane crashed as a memorial ( On private land just inside the perimeter wall beside New Road) approx grid reference TM 34193 61657. I hope to visit the American Air Force part of Norwich library at the Forum this month in the hope that I may get further info on the crew of Shazam I have six crew photos and am still hopeful of obtaining the other four including the pilot 1st Lt Dale E Williams. Link to full-size photo: B-24 Liberator 93rd Bomb Group in flight Site statistics: Photos of World War II: over 26800 aircraft: 63 models tanks: 59 models vehicles: 59 models guns: 3 models units: 2 ships: 47 WW2 battlefields - 12 He was a SSGT in the 748 USAAF Bomb Squadron. Converted to A-26 aircraft in Dec The Squadrons, then, returned to Hardwick, U.K., on 27 Aug 1943, and flew missions from that station until the Group was sent back to the United States on 12 Jun 45. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons. I dont think this is the correct place because your dates are different, but Im looking for more information about the crash where my great uncle lost his life, and I really dont know where else to look. 642d: 1943-1945. Somewhere we have documentary evidence. From looking at what records were available of USAAF raids at that approx date (In ? B24 Liberator Audio and Video files at Marshall Stelzriede's Wartime Story site. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. 93rd Training Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga. 3. (U.S. Air Force photo), This bomb-carrying panda squadron insigne decorated Lt. Howard F. Bolton's aviator jacket. Sitemap - Firearms* an ammunition dump in Czechoslovakia. 1043/RF: 93BG - encounters heavy flak on way to Misturg.'. American plane coming into mendlesham airfield was shot down by following German plane. It was the longest B-24 mission of the war to that point.