Mission 200.Hannover.

The B-24 departed Hardwick, England on 30 January 1944 at approximately 0900 hours on a bombing mission to Brunswick, Germany. This was Sgt. Crawford's fifth mission. On the return leg, engine trouble developed: the No. 2 engine broke an oil line and the No. 4 engine caught fire. The crew bailed out over Holland at approximately 1330 hours, coming down near Nijkerk. The plane is recorded as having crashed near Nijkerk (also rendered 'Nycark' and 'Mycord' in the documents) at approximately 1830 hours on 30 January 1944. Crawford left his parachute and harness in the plane. The crew was scattered on landing. Several members evaded capture, while others were taken prisoner. Crawford reported that the navigator, bombardier, right waist gunner, and tail gunner were captured by the Germans.