A Typical Missing Air Crew Report (WW2)

1. Organization: Location, by name Chelveston, England: Command or Air Force 8th AF Group 305th Bomb Gp: Squadron 365 Bomb Sq: Detachment...

2.Specify: Place of Departure Chelveston, England Course indefinite Target or destination Zwickau, Germany: Type of mission Heavy Bomb

3.Weather Conditions and visibility at time of crash or when last reported: 1/10 Cumulus, Top 5000 to 7000 ft. Downward Visibility 15 to 20 miles

4. Give: (a) Day 7 Month Oct Year 44: Time 1402 Location 5210N-0700E of last known whereabouts of missing A/C.
(b) Specify whether A/C was last sighted (x); last contacted by radio ( ); Forced down ( ); Seen to crash ( ); Information unavailable ( )

5.A/C was lost, or is believed to have been lost as a result of Enemy A/C ( ); Enemy Anti-Aircraft (x), Other circumstances as follows: See S-2 Summary of Eye-Witness Accounts

6. Aircraft: Type, Model, & Series B-17G: AAF Serial Number 43-38151

7. Nickname of A/C, If any...

8. Engines: Type, Model & Series: R-1820-97 AAF Serial No. (a) SW-023602 (b) SW-023572 (c) SW-023365 (d) SW-023582

9. Installed Weapons: See attached sheet

10. The persons listed below were reported as (a) Battle Casualty MIA or (b) Non Battle Casualty 11. Number of persons aboard A/C: Crew 10; Passengers 0; Total 10

Crew Position	Name in Full (Last name first)	Rank	ASN	Current Status
1. Pilot	Bailey, James E.	2nd Lt	0-821931	MIA KIA
2. CoPilot	Brown, John M.	2nd Lt	0-556119	MIA KIA
3. Navigator	Brine, William C.	2nd Lt	0-722916	MIA KIA
4. Bombadier	Hewitt, Howard E.	2nd Lt	0-761432	MIA KIA
5. Top Turret	Cochran, Walter J.	Sgt	13068475	MIA RTD
6. Radio Operator	Hill, Robert H.	Sgt	15125602	MIA KIA
7. Ball Turret	Leier, Andrew (NMI)	Sgt	37581323	MIA KIA
8. Tail Gunner	Meers, Herman (NMI)	Sgt	36012871	MIA KIA
9. Waist Gunner (R)	Beling, Lloyd W.	Sgt	17127210	MIA RTD
10. Waist Gunner (L)	Golan, Theodore F.	Cpl	36656501	MIA KIA
11.

12. Identify below those persons who are believed to have last knowledge of A/C and check appropriate column to indicate basis for same:

Name in Full (Last name first)	Rank	ASN	Contacted by Radio	Last Sighted	Saw Crash	Saw Forced Landing
1. Fetzer, Theodore J.	1st Lt	0-817185		x
2. Butkiewics, Joseph L.	2nd Lt	0-718235		x
3. DeVries, John F.	2nd Lt	0-723613		x

13. If personnel are believed to have survived, answer yes to one of the following statements: (a) Parachutes were used...; (b) Persons were seen walking away from scene of crash...; (c) Any other reason (Specify) No parachutes seen to open

14. Attach arial photograph, Map, Chart or Sketch, showing approximate location where A/C was last seen or heard from.

15. Attach Eye-witness description of crash, forced landing, or other circumstances pertaining to missing A/C See S-2 Summary of Eye-Witness accounts

16. Give Name, Rank, ASN, of officer in charge of search, if any, including description and extent: None

Date of Report: 9 October 1944
Fred C. Pettee
Capt, AC
Asst Base Adj.

17. Remarks or eye-witness statements: See S-2 Summary of Eye-Witness Accounts.

Missing Air Crew Report Number 9355, National Archives, College Park, MD.