42-50989

B-24J serial number 42-50989 was flying as Group Lead on 11 September 1944, piloted by Captain Louis Novotny. The aircraft had no nickname recorded.

The aircraft was hit by flak over the target at Magdeburg at approximately 1235 hours. The ship swung off to the left with bomb-bay doors open. An eyewitness (Capt. W. M. Bryan, flying as deputy lead) saw seven men exit the aircraft — four from the waist escape hatch, one from the rear of the bomb-bay, one from the forward bomb-bay, and one from the top escape hatch. Three parachutes were observed opening by gunners.

The aircraft was subsequently seen to explode to the rear of the formation. The MACR was prepared on 14 September 1944 by 1st Lt. George I. Meisel, Statistical Officer. The Eighth Air Force transmitted the report to Army Air Forces Washington on 25 September 1944.

A follow-up inquiry from Headquarters AAF Washington dated 2 January 1945 sought details on S/Sgt Ben A. Braden, who had not yet been accounted for. A subsequent indorsement dated 4 February 1945 confirmed Braden's status as prisoner of war as of 11 September 1944.