44-49573

Aircraft 44-49573 (call sign 573/M), a B-24L, was the lead plane on the 93rd Bomb Group's 370th operational mission — a bombing run to the marshalling yard at Munster, Germany, on 23 March 1945. Major Charles E. Biggers flew as command pilot (overall group commander in flight) and 1st Lt. James M. Powell was lead pilot.

Immediately after bombs away over the target at approximately 0930, the aircraft received two direct hits from enemy antiaircraft fire — once by the nose turret and again under the right bomb bay and wing. The aircraft burst into intense flames, the left wing folded up, and it went down. No parachutes were observed by the deputy lead crew.

Per the group mission report: the lead aircraft 573-M received a direct flak hit and exploded, no parachutes being seen. Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner: 1st Lt. Frederick S. Howering (returned to Allied control 12 April 1945), 1st Lt. Wallace J. Spencer Jr. (returned 16 April 1945), and 2nd Lt. Jose V. T. Diez (returned 12 April 1945).

Survivor 2nd Lt. Diez reported in December 1945 that upon reaching the ground he found the bodies of Major Biggers and Lt. Powell. He and Lt. Howering were ordered by captors to dig the grave of Sgt. Ralph Wyle (engineer). Lt. Howering separately confirmed the deaths of Lts. Krall and Farwell, having seen their bodies. The remaining enlisted crew members were unaccounted for by survivors.