“Bathtub Bessie”.Over Virology (Villacoublay area).

Pilot of B-24D 42-40938, lost 15 September 1943 near Fauville-en-Caux, France. Reported KIA. According to navigator 2nd Lt. Edward F. Miller's casualty report (10 August 1945), the co-pilot Robert Keller saw Loveday leave the pilot's compartment apparently preparing to bail out, but none of the surviving crew ever saw him again. German authorities informed the crew that Loveday was dead, though they offered no proof. Miller listed the date and place of death as 15 September 1943, Dudeville (Yvetot area), France. Home address listed as Marblehead, Massachusetts. Place of burial unknown at time of casualty reporting.

Co-pilot of B-24D 42-40938, lost 15 September 1943. Reported KIA. Keller was identified as the last person to see pilot Loveday, having observed him leaving the pilot's compartment apparently preparing to bail out. Miller's casualty report listed Keller's address as 17 Albert St., Plainfield, N.J. The original MACR form (page 7) shows an amended status notation of 'KIA RMC', indicating the KIA status was confirmed via Records Maintenance Center review.

Navigator of B-24D 42-40938. Captured following the loss of the aircraft on 15 September 1943; held as a POW. Miller was in the nose compartment with bombardier Lt. Warren when the bail-out order was given. He jumped before Warren. After liberation, Miller submitted two casualty information forms on 10 August 1945, providing detailed eyewitness testimony about the loss of pilot Loveday and an unknown crew member (believed to be the assistant engineer). Post-war home address: 112 Gregory Hill Rd., Rochester, New York.

Bombardier of B-24D 42-40938. Listed as RTD (Returned to Duty) on the MACR; evaded capture for approximately one year after the aircraft was lost on 15 September 1943. Warren returned to base 17 September 1944. He provided the primary eyewitness account of the aircraft's loss: the plane was hit by flak or fighters at dusk during the group's return, straggled, and was attacked by enemy fighters. The left wing caught fire and bail-out was ordered. Warren was preparing to jump when a large shell or rocket struck from beneath the nose wheel area and up through the cockpit. Warren landed in the vicinity of Fauville-en-Caux. French civilians told him the plane had crashed nearby. He could not determine how many bodies, if any, remained in the aircraft. He evaded until the Allies liberated the area where he was hiding. His certificate statement was recorded by Capt. Brutus K. Hamilton, Intelligence Officer, 330th Bombardment Squadron, on 3 October 1944. Note: The first MACR form (page 7) spells the name 'Wirren'; the second (page 10) and the certificate document both spell it 'Warren', which is the correct spelling.

Radio operator of B-24D 42-40938, lost 15 September 1943. Status listed as MIA on the MACR. The first form (page 7) shows an amended notation 'MIA KIA', suggesting a later determination of KIA. Serial number recorded as 18136987 on the first MACR form (page 7) and 18136927 on the second form (page 10); 18136987 is used here as the more likely correct reading.

Gunner aboard B-24D 42-40938, lost 15 September 1943. Reported KIA. Consistent status across both MACR forms. Serial number shown as 38088774 on the first MACR form (page 7) and 36066774 on the second (page 10). The first form reading of 38088774 is used here. The cover page (page 6) references 'Darnell' as a subject of German records follow-up.

Gunner aboard B-24D 42-40938, lost 15 September 1943. Captured; status POW. Consistent across both MACR forms. The first MACR form (page 7) shows an annotation 'POW Gas' alongside his name, possibly indicating he was gassed or received gas treatment while a prisoner.

Gunner aboard B-24D 42-40938, lost 15 September 1943. Captured; status POW. Name spelled 'Howze' on first MACR form (page 7) and 'Howse' on second form (page 10); serial number shown as 34405762 on first form and 34403762 on second. 'Howze' and 34405762 are used here as the first form's reading is likely more accurate.

Gunner aboard B-24D 42-40938, lost 15 September 1943. Reported KIA. Consistent status across both MACR forms. Miller's August 1945 casualty form noted that German authorities reported three bodies in the wreckage; Miller identified two of the three. Meyers may have been among the identified deceased.

Gunner aboard B-24D 42-40938, lost 15 September 1943. Status listed as MIA. The first MACR form (page 7) shows an amended notation 'MIA RMC'. Miller's August 1945 casualty form described an unknown 'Asst Engineer and Waist Gunner' whose fate was unknown; the Germans reported three bodies in the wreckage. Walther may have been the unidentified third person in the wreckage.