Morton R. Ashton

Dreux Airdrome, France

B-24J serial 42-100294 was the lead aircraft on a mission to Dreux Airdrome, France on 24 June 1944. The plane was piloted by Captain Norman A. Roggenkamp, with Lt. Col. Clarence R. Porter aboard as acting commander. Over the target at approximately 0840 hours, the aircraft received a direct burst of flak in the bomb bay, causing a series of explosions. The plane broke up in the air at approximately 21,000 feet altitude. Witnesses reported seeing the bomb bay catch fire, bombs dropping, and then the aircraft swinging out of formation before exploding. The only recognizable part observed was the right outer panel spiraling down. Wreckage came down approximately 20 kilometers south of Dreux, France. Between two and five parachutes were observed. The crash site was near an airfield at Trron, south of Dreux. German capture records (KW Case Nr. 2371) confirm the aircraft was shot down at Air Base Dreux on 24 June 1944 at 0840. Of the 11 crew, 5 were killed, 5 returned to U.S. military control, and 1 was a prisoner of war. Report prepared by 1st Lt. George J. Meisel on 28 June 1944.

Dreux Airdrome, France

B-24J serial 42-100294 was the lead aircraft on a mission to Dreux Airdrome, France on 24 June 1944. The plane was piloted by Captain Norman A. Roggenkamp, with Lt. Col. Clarence R. Porter aboard as acting commander. Over the target at approximately 0840 hours, the aircraft received a direct burst of flak in the bomb bay, causing a series of explosions. The plane broke up in the air at approximately 21,000 feet altitude. Witnesses reported seeing the bomb bay catch fire, bombs dropping, and then the aircraft swinging out of formation before exploding. The only recognizable part observed was the right outer panel spiraling down. Wreckage came down approximately 20 kilometers south of Dreux, France. Between two and five parachutes were observed. The crash site was near an airfield at Trron, south of Dreux. German capture records (KW Case Nr. 2371) confirm the aircraft was shot down at Air Base Dreux on 24 June 1944 at 0840. Of the 11 crew, 5 were killed, 5 returned to U.S. military control, and 1 was a prisoner of war. Report prepared by 1st Lt. George J. Meisel on 28 June 1944.

Melun Airfield, France

The B-24 was the lead ship in the Division on the June 24, 1944 mission. The primary target, Melun Airfield, was covered by cloud, so the formation looked for targets of opportunity. Near Treon they hit a small flak battery at 21,000 feet at approximately 0900 hours. The aircraft was struck by flak at the moment the bombs were dropped. According to S/Sgt Wright, the plane blew up a few seconds after he bailed out. The French, who investigated the crash scene, reported that the nose gunner S/Sgt Klot and engineer T/Sgt Arnold were killed in the incident. Lt. Col. Porter, riding as co-pilot and formation commander, did not bail out and was also believed killed. Two other ships in the formation were reportedly knocked down as well. Seven of the eleven crew members got out of the aircraft. Three parachutes were observed coming down as Wright regained consciousness after hitting the ground at St. Sauveur. The mission had taken off at approximately quarter to six on the morning of June 24, 1944. Flak was described as not intense but very accurate.

Target unrecorded

On 24 June 1944 the aircraft was hit by a direct flak strike in the nose at approximately 21,000 feet altitude. The nose caught fire immediately and the plane blew up. The aircraft departed Hardwick at approximately 0530 and the loss occurred in the vicinity of Tréon, south of Dreux, France. Approximately seven crew members bailed out. The plane blew up in the air before striking the ground. According to the bombardier, Capt. Schilling, the pilot, co-pilot, top turret gunner, and nose gunner were observed in the plane and were likely killed before or during the explosion.