42-40613 B-24D-80-CO, E, Pudgy, 330th Bomb Squadron
Flown by 1st Lieutenant Milton Teltser and crew (11).
Flying left wing of C force leader, briefed for White III. Flak hit in No. 2 engine on approach to bomb target of opportunity (White IV). Propeller on No. 2 would not feather. Attempted to maker for Turkey but 45 miles from the target, west of Bucharest , two Bf 109's intercepted. No. 1 engine was put out of action and a waist gunner killed by the fighter attacks. Teltser was forced to crash land the burning bomber in a maize field at Ogrezeni. Five of the crew were killed. Four survived plus 2nd Lieutenant Beaumont flying as an observer although he is not listed on the Missing Air Crew Report. All five were taken prisoner.
Pilot: 1st Lt Milton Teltser, POW
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt Wilmer H. C. Bassett, POW
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt Willard Beaumont,
Navigator: 2nd Lt Sanford A. Reback,
Bombardier: 2nd Lt Robert G. Ward,
Engineer: TSgt Bernard A. Higgins,
Radio Operator: TSgt Wallace D. Mulligan,
Gunner: SSgt Francis W. Doll, POW
Gunner: SSgt Robert T. Locky, POW
Gunner: SSgt Vance Taylor,
Tail Gunner: SSgt Richard R. Murray Jr,
Source:
42-40613 | American Air Museum