Mission 145

B-24D serial number 42-63987, assigned to the 409th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group, departed AAF Station 104 on 1 December 1943 on an objective bombing mission to Solingen, Germany. The aircraft was last sighted at 1245 hours in the vicinity of Turnhout, Belgium (coordinates 5120N 0456E) and was lost as a result of enemy aircraft action. Weather conditions at the time included 7-8/10 cumulus and stratocumulus clouds at 2,000 feet with tops at 8,000-10,000 feet and visibility of 6 miles. Witnesses who last sighted the aircraft included 1st Lt. J.M. Stauffacher (O-797629), F/O R.D. Kornecker (T-197), and 1st Lt. C.W. Walters (O-797208). Parachutes were reported used by crew members. The aircraft carried four R-1830-43 engines with serial numbers 42-87063, 42-87177, 42-86771, and 42-87146. The MACR was prepared by 1st Lt. George J. Meiser, Air Corps, and dated 12 January 1944.

On December 1, 1943, the aircraft departed on a bombing mission to Solingen, Germany. It was flying left wing of the lead ship at approximately 23,000-24,000 feet altitude, routing via Holland and Belgium. The aircraft came under enemy fighter attack with cannon fire, which badly shot up the tail section. The plane fell out of formation west of Aachen and was shot down approximately 15 miles southeast of Cologne. The aircraft was abandoned in the air and struck the ground at an unknown location. All crew members bailed out with the exception of the tail gunner, S/Sgt. Harry E. Byerman, who was believed to have been seriously wounded or killed by cannon fire and went down with the aircraft. Multiple crew questionnaires confirm he was last seen in the tail position and did not bail out. Plane serial unknown.