Lost on 25 March 1944, 6 miles from the North Coast of France, all six members of the crew managed to escape the aircraft, but only the pilot and co-pilot were rescued three days later.



Report added by Astrid van Erp from https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemete…



" We had completed our bombing mission over Northern France and were on our way back to our base when I last saw Lt Bett's plane. It was losing altitude with a smoking right engine and had hits on the right wing after enemy fighter attack. This was about 6 miles out from the French coast and the plane seemed to be under control but making slow progress at around 4000 feet. Statement from Earl C. Pitman, S/Sgt,38165283, Turret Gunner. 2nd Lt Elliott Sanger Bett's, 0681003, Pilot and 2nd Lt Leonard Ralph Burnett Jr., 068102, Co-Pilot were rescued from the English Channel at 1820 hours, 28 March 1944. Lt Burnett stated that he saw five chutes open and that the four missing crew members were within 150 yards of him when he hit the water. However, when he had completed inflating his dingy, he could locate no one except Lt Betts. Lt Betts and Lt Burnett tied their dinghies together. All crew members were instructed and presumed to have had individual dinghies with them when they parachuted from the aircraft.

The aircraft was damaged by enemy fighters and flak from enemy installations. Most, if not all the rudder and approximately one-third of the right wing was shot away. All crew members parachuted out between 2000 and 1500 feet, with the exception of the Pilot, who left the plane at 800 feet. Both engines had quit before the Pilot, Lt Betts, jumped. About half an hour after the crew bailed out, Lt Betts and Burnett heard a call for help, but were unable to locate the person calling. The same thing occurred about dusk and again about 2200 hours that evening. However, no dinghies were seen by Lt Betts during the time they were in the water."