42-96184
42-96184 was on its second mission of the day on 6 August 1944. The target were fuel dumps near the Forêt d'Andainne, East of Domfront, Calvados, France. Hit by 88mm Flak shell above Le Havre, causing fire in the right engine. Three parachutes were observed. The pilot held the ship in formation for a time but was slowly losing altitude and the engine was burning brightly. As the plane began to lose altitude more rapidly, two chutes were seen coming out of the front. When about 1 mile off shore (near Trouville-sur-Mer), the wing and right engine came away from the ship, which was seen spiraling into the Channel. Pilot Captain Walter E. Payne, Co-Pilot 1st Lt Hubert M. Altvater and Bombardier/Navigator 1st Lt Edward W. Roggenkamp were all on their 63rd mission. All three were made prisoner. The three other men on board were experienced gunners, who had flown on earlier missions and were replacing the Payne crew’s regular ones who had flown more than the 65 required missions (some with other crews) and had completed their tour. Thus flying their first mission with Payne were : Radio Operator/Mechanical Gunner T/Sgt Joseph D. Weaver (POW); Ap. Armorer Gunner Cpl William L. Salyer (POW) and Ap. Armorer Gunner Sgt Franklin E. Swanson (hit by Flak, his chute failed to open - Killed In Action - KIA). Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 7875.
Connections
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Units served with
![Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-380230.jpg?itok=-yDyz8gI)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![A-26 Invaders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in formation during a mission. A-26 (RU-S, serial number 43-22366) is visible on the left. Printed caption on reverse: 'b-70171 AC- Formations of Douglas A-26s , attached to the 386th Bomb Group, enroute to bomb enemy installations somewhere in Germany on 20 April 1945. US Air Force Photo Detachment-5 Hq AAVS (mac).' Handwritten caption on revese: '554th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-380185.jpg?itok=UjnR5lkE)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-37609.jpeg?itok=WPcU1b0_)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14102783 and O-804892
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18040560 and O-433892
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16058767 and O-743997
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier/Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35771743
- Highest Rank: Corporal (RAF)
- Role/Job: Armorer Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12139321
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Armorer Gunner
Places
![Aerial photograph of Great Dunmow airfield looking south, Easton Lodge is bottom left, 8 May 1948. Photograph taken by No. 58 Squadron, sortie number RAF/58/11. English Heritage (RAF Photography).](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/eh/eh-266.jpg?itok=ZXS1uuJc)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Little Easton
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Trouville-sur-Mer, France | 6 August 1944 | Hit by Flak, crashed at sea, about 1 mile off the coast, Trouville-sur-Mer, Calvados, France. |
Revisions
MACR 7875 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database